Unscrupulous Means

The course came to an end with a certain formality, and all the students began to disperse. Some hurried off to their next classes, a few stopped by the cafeteria, while others were left not quite sure what to do next, much like Alorian. Due to his low stamina, he struggled to concentrate and even stumbled as he walked.

He cast his eyes around, on a mission to locate someone who seemed to have disappeared into thin air. In the meantime, Master Savih observed the young man with a mix of surprise and disappointment in his cold gaze. As a respected figure in the kingdom of Caeloria, Alorian's lack of manner was quite evident.

Finally, underneath a towering tree adorned with yellowing leaves, Alorian came to a halt when he found the person he had been searching for. Althea sat there in solitude, untouched and unapproached, despite the numerous long benches occupied by other students.

This sight prompted Alorian to swallow hard, mentally preparing himself to make amends for all his past missteps. With great caution, he approached the woman, who had her hair neatly tied back, revealing the graceful curve of her neck as she remained engrossed in her book.

"Hey, Althea," Alorian began when he stood before her, and her response was met with a somewhat guarded demeanor as she looked up. "Do you have a moment?"

For some inexplicable reason, Althea appeared a bit less amiable this time, her response to Alorian marked by an air of uncertainty. "I'm currently busy with my studies, I'm sorry."

As she made to withdraw, Alorian instinctively clasped her hand, causing Althea to jolt and nearly let out a startled cry. Yet Alorian quickly added, "Wait! I need to talk to you!"

Althea made a concerted effort to release her hand, which she did effortlessly, as Alorian was conscious of his error and let go without resistance. "What's going on with you?"

"Please, forgive me!" Alorian implored, his demeanor genuinely disheveled, not due to his attire but rather the overly pitiable expression on his face. "I didn't intend to frighten you! I don't even know why I did that to you."

After a moment to compose himself, Alorian spoke softly, "On the night we spoke to each other, I had a vision."

"I witnessed a vast snow-covered expanse, my city in ruins, and the empire embroiled in war," Alorian declared, still keeping his gaze lowered, his voice growing huskier with emotion. "I tried to tell this to you at that time, but I was overwhelmed."

Upon hearing this, Althea softened her stance, no longer attempting to evade the conversation but rather seeking to understand more. The disheveled man with tousled black hair continued, "Amidst that devastation, I saw you. Standing before me."

"You spoke to me with your unchanged voice, echoing in my ears," Alorian now directed his complete attention to the silent Althea. "You urged me to rise despite my downfall."

"I was just thinking that at that moment, perhaps you experienced something similar," the man added, feeling guilty, glancing downward at the ground beneath his feet, scuffed by the day's events. "And I wanted to ask you about it."

The white-haired woman remained completely silent, her silvery tresses gently swaying in the breeze, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. Althea let out a heavy sigh, the soft sound carrying with it a sense of weight and contemplation. She closed her eyes momentarily, as if seeking clarity in her thoughts, and then responded, "No... I didn't see any of that."

"But," Althea continued, her gaze still averted, her voice filled with a touch of uncertainty. "During my Prana training, I saw something else. It was a fleeting experience, like a puzzle piece missing its place. Something that might provide a clue, although I don't fully understand it."

"Isn't it strange?" Alorian remarked, his eyes scanning the golden foliage above as if searching for answers among the leaves. "All these visions, these memories, do other people experience them?"

Now, the woman didn't seem apprehensive about Alorian's treacherous behavior at all. In fact, she was sinking into the sea of apprehension enveloping them, her expression thoughtful and introspective. She finally looked up, and when Alorian met her gaze, it was as if they were both on the brink of unraveling a mystery.

As a gentle breeze rustled through the beautiful golden leaves, she attempted to steady his emotions, the golden hues dancing around them in a mesmerizing fashion, adding a surreal quality to their conversation. Althea's inquiries have taken all her soul, she wanted to know more about what she saw too, along with Alorian's.

"If you don't mind," Althea lowered her head, her gaze unable to meet Alorian's, her voice hushed like a secret shared in the haven of nature. "Would you be willing to share more about it?"

***

"In recent days, my son has left me here alone, and the atmosphere within the palace has undergone a drastic transformation."

His footsteps gradually brought him to a grand and expansive balcony. There, a multitude of palace guards and Caeloria kingdom knights, elegantly attired in their red armor, stood in attendance.

Meanwhile, the man, now clad in regal garments and exuding an unwarranted air of authority, came to a halt at the balcony's edge, bathed in the emerging rays of the sun on the eastern horizon.

"Herich becoming increasingly authoritarian, enforcing bewildering edicts within the palace."

With his arms outstretched, he directed his attention to the subjects who had assembled below, their ranks not as numerous as those present during Artonius's grand coronation. The once jubilant atmosphere had transformed into one tinged with hesitation and unease.

"I am your king. Kneel before me!" The man's authoritative declaration resonated through the grand hall, a commanding presence that seemed to fill the air.

In response, the knights of Caeloria, clad in their resplendent red armor adorned with intricate engravings, drew their gleaming swords. The metallic ring of steel filled the silence as they unsheathed their weapons, their movements a synchronized display of loyalty.

With disciplined precision, they knelt before their newly proclaimed king—a regent, arranged in an alternating formation that highlighted both their unity and commitment to their kingdom.

"He's only spreading fear among us, ruling through oppressive force."

The golden crown adorning his head, intricately encrusted with precious gems, appeared almost incongruous against the backdrop of the bright. However, it seemed to resist its own existence, as if the crown itself were reluctant to capture the brilliant rays of sunlight.

In this grand moment of his ascension, there was no triumphant fanfare to herald Herich's reign. Instead, a palpable solemnity enveloped the scene. The only sound that punctuated the stillness was the soft rustling of robes and the muted murmurs of those in attendance, all held in attention.

"He doesn't even feel shame for his actions. He takes pride in what he's accomplished through unscrupulous means," Amarta observed the man from a distance, standing behind Herich, along with other members of her family. "At that moment, I understood what Reverend Elena meant."

"That my husband, Artonius, didn't die in an accident," Amarta appeared to open a drawer that had been her husband's well-kept secret, on his impeccably maintained desk. She opened it, reading through every journal he had penned, delving into his innermost thoughts and anxieties. "He was deliberately targeted for assassination."

Tears welled up in Amarta's eyes as she spent hours in her husband's private chamber, dominated by intense emotions and an overwhelming sense of yearning. She buried her face in her hands on the desk. "Herich and Ulric betrayed my husband."

"Is all of this a scheme to dominate Caeloria?" Amarta grappled with a multitude of questions for which she had no answers. "Is it all about seizing control of all the kingdoms?"

"Even though it's too late for this realization," she gently caressed her stomach. "My beloved child, I hope you're safe wherever you are."

"Your mother is worried about your return," her sobs grew more pronounced. "They won't accept you."

The ambiance resembled a grand evening banquet, but as time passed, the atmosphere grew increasingly uncomfortable. People seemed hesitant to converse, with Herich appearing to be the only one relishing the surroundings.

The opulence and beauty of the hall contrasted sharply with the tension in the air, particularly for Amarta, who found herself under the repeated scrutiny of both Herich and some of her siblings.

"You appear somber, Amarta," Herich remarked as he sliced into his meat with a knife and fork. "Are you not enjoying your meal?"

Amarta maintained her quietness, refusing to dignify his meaningless statement with a response. Yet Herich's smile grew wider. "Is it Alorian that makes you feel lonely now?"

Amarta paid no heed and continued to eat. Meanwhile, Herich's irritation mounted, evident in his rising voice. "You know, your current status means nothing, Amarta. I forgive your insolence in not answering my question."

"But," he inserted a piece of roast meat into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed before continuing. "It's time for you to decide where you will settle."

Amarta was taken aback, her hand even pausing in the act of scooping sauce from the elegant bowl. Herich went on, "Henceforth, you are no longer a member of the nobility. Prepare for your new residence in the lower realms of the kingdom, in a palace among slaves."

The sound of clinking dinnerware seemed to fade away, and there was absolute silence that followed. That stillness persisted until a weighty, resonating voice filled the entire room. "Your Majesty, what are you saying?"

Upon hearing Brendant's inquiry, a triumphant gleam appeared on Herich's face. "Ah, Brendant. You were unaware? I'm surprised that most of you weren't informed."

Herich now turned his attention back to Amarta. "I'm intrigued by your ability to conceal your past, Amarta. Truly fascinated."

"But now, it's time they learned the real truth," the man declared, his wicked smile growing wider, drawing the gaze of everyone in the room. "That you, in fact, disgrace your own family by willingly engaging in the world of prostitution!"

That statement alone left some in open-mouthed astonishment, struggling to believe the words coming from Herich. He followed it up with an equally shocking revelation. "A sex slave who cold-heartedly manipulated Artonius into marrying you!"