Chapter 19

Tivon and Elias were watching Alieana from a safe distance.

»So that's the necklace we need to steal?«

»Yes.« Said Elias.

»I think she will notice if it went missing.« Said Tivon, looking at the big crystal hanging around her neck.

»We'll figure something out. First, we'll need to get you to the highest rank, but even if you're there, she still needs to notice you.«

He then gently pushed Tivon forward.

»What?« Tivon didn't know why Elias pushed him.

»Go, she needs to notice you.« Said Elias with a calm voice.

»N-notice me? Am I supposed to do a handstand or what?«

»You don't need to do much, just walk pass her and be pretty.« Elias leaned forward and whispered in his ear. »And you already know how to do that.«

Tivons face turned bright red, but before he could say anything and turn around to Elias, he was already gone, hidden somewhere in the crowd. This guy.

Tivon took a breath and stepped forward. He relaxed his face and fixed his posture. He was walking slowly and calmly, even though he was nervous. When he was passing Alieana he could feel her eyes on him. Good she noticed me. When he passed her, he could hear her whisper something to her guards. I just hope those are good whispers and not about my scar. When he was far enough from Alieana he breathed out. Looking pretty is rough. He heard the bell of the church ring, so he quickened his pace.

When night fell and everyone was in their cells, Tivon quietly got up and sneaked to the door by the stairs. He slightly opened the door and peeked through. Luana was still in her office. Tivon sat down and waited for her to come out. After a couple of long minutes the door finally opened. From the room stepped Luana with her two jade boys. She locked the door behind her and moved her hand. The two jade boys bowed and turned to the door. Tivon quickly hid behind the door. He was grateful that the hallway was so dark, because the jade boys didn't notice him. As he was looking after them, he noticed the scars on their back. They look the same as Eliass. Tivon shivered, remembering what Elias and those boys had to go through.

When the boys went to their cells, Tivon glanced through the doors again. The path to The Green Womans office was clear, but at the end of the hallway two men were standing.

We'll have to take care of that. He glanced at the watch on the hallway. Two in the morning.

Tivon carefully closed the doors and went back down the stairs. As he was walking to his cell he heard a cry, coming from the shared bathroom. Tivon followed the cry and when he entered the bathroom, he saw Adrien sitting on the floor, his head between his legs. He carefully approached him and touched his hand.

Adrien jumped and moved away, his eyes full of terror. »T-Tivon?«

»Is everything okay?« Asked Tivon cautiously.

Adriens eyes filled with tears, he started nodding intensely and hid his head between his legs. He started crying louder.

»Shhh. It's okay Adrien.« Tivon sat beside him. »It's gonna be okay.«

»How is it gonna be okay, I've been stuck at blue rank for ever. She's gonna kill me if I don't improve.«

»She's not gonna kill you-.«

»How can you say that? I only have one year left to get to the red rank.« Said Adrien, his tears falling down in waves.

»What do you mean only one year left?«

»You only get three years to rank up. If you're not good enough The Green Woman kills you.«

Why would you only get three years to improve? Just being here voluntarily should be enough. He moved closer to Adrien and put a hand on his shoulder.

»Hey, it's gonna be okay. You'll get to red rank in time. I'll make sure of it.«

Adrien looked up, his eyes red from crying. »R-really?«

Tivon didn't know if he meant it, but he still said yes. Adrien hugged him. »Thank you Tivon.«

Tivon then walked Adrien to his cell and while he was walking to his cell he though to himself. You're complicating this plan. There's no way you can get yourself out of here, steal some necklace and help Adrien. He laid down in his bed. You can't help everyone.

Tivon didn't close an eye the whole night. He was tired, his body heavy and anxious, sinking into bed, but he couldn't sleep. His mind was racing. The longer he stayed here the more he wanted to escape. But so much needed to be done before that.

He realized he hasn't slept the whole night, when the guard brought breakfast in front of his cell. He forced to sit up, his body heavy and tired. He ate the bowl of oatmeal and headed to the schedule board to see if he had any customers this morning. Tivon was glad to see that he only had two in the afternoon.

He ran back to his cell to take the silk hood and ran outside, happy to see Elias lurking in the shadow of an alleyway. Despite the lack of energy Tivon still ran to him.

»I said that looking pretty won't be a problem for you.« Said Elias leaning off the wall and starting to walk towards the apartment.

Tivon blushed. »So she did notice me?«

»Yes, she did. Our plan is working.«

Tivon sighed. »But it got more complicated.«

Elias turned around, but didn't stop walking. »Why is that?«

»There's this boy. Adrien.«

Elias stopped before the door. »Adrien?«

»He needs my help, but I don't know how to help him.« Tivon was looking at the ground.

They entered the room, Elias put off his mask and looked at Tivon. His look was sharp. »Help him in what way?«

Is he...jealous? Tivon blushed. »No, not like that.«

»Mhhmm?«

»Elias stop, It's not what you mean.«

Elias sat down on the bed, not moving his eyes away from Tivon. »You can do whatever you want Tiv, I don't mind. Just be careful.«

But you do mind. »Says the guy who flirts with everyone.«

Elias blushed. »I don't flirt with everyone.«

Tivon gave him a judging look and Elias looked away. Tivon sighed and sat down by the window, leaning on it.

Why do I even bother? I can't help Adrien, it'll be nice if I even get myself out of there. He looked through the window. It was still cloudy and gloomy. Tivon always wanted to help others. He thought that he could help everyone in the kingdom if he became king. King... It has been a long time since he thought about it. Why did he even want to become king? Tivon clenched his legs to his chest. Father was right. Disabled! Crippled! Degenerate! He was right, I could never be king. He couldn't even produce an heir.

»Got something on your mind?« Disturbed Elias.

Tivon slowly nodded, still looking out of the window.

»Do you want to talk about it?« Said Elias sitting on the bed and leaning on the closet beside the bed.

»My father was right.« Elias looked at him. »I could never rule The Kingdom of Naydawin. I know I already talked about it, but now that I'm here at The Jade Paradise. It got me thinking. I can't produce an heir. I'm d-disabled after all.« He paused for a second. »I couldn't even please or attract anyone.« He finished, hugging his knees even closer to his chest. Why do I tell him everything? He's just gonna leave me at The Jade Paradise now.

»That's what people who go to The Jade Paradise think. There are a lot of people actually who wouldn't want people like you.«

Just like I said, why did I even tell him.

»But there are still people who wouldn't mind it.« He stood up and walked to Tivon. He sat down in front of him. »You don't need certain things to please someone.« He smiled. »It's who you are that counts.«

Tivon smiled from behind his hands.

»If anyone thinks you are less because of your disability, don't worry, I have a lot of knives.« He winked at him and Tivon had to laugh.

»So did you use the lockpicks yet?«

»No, I had to make sure at what time Luana gets out. And you'll need to help me with something. You'll distract the two guards.«

»Okay. When?«

»Luana leaves the office at two in the morning and the guards are standing in the beginning of the hallway. You'll need to make a commotion outside The Jade Paradise, so that they'll go outside.«

»Will you have enough time?« Asked Elias, calculating the plan in his head.

»There should be enough to get through the paperwork and the boys contracts.«

»When are we doing this?« Asked Elias.

Tivon looked through the window. »Tonight.«