A Conspiracy Between Brothers

Riwansa tapped her fingers on the table humming a familiar melody in a soft tune. In the blink of an eye it was the dead of the night. There was a small ray of hope that kept her seated in the shivering cold. She squinted her eyes to appreciate nature's mysteriousness in the dim moonlight. But wasn't she just deceiving herself? 

As the hours passed by, the star was now visible, announcing the dawn. She finally went inside the cottage. Her countenance unbothered. She has completely given up. It's good like this too. At least she won't blame herself ever in the future.

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"Why did you call me back brother?" Steven squinted his eyes at Zihao.

"Shouldn't I be the one to question you? You are disappointing me, do you have any regard left for the royal rules and ethics? How could you dare to drug the dungeon protector?" Zihao was strict with his words unlike usual. 

Steven received an urgent notice from his brother that said Riwansa is back and she wishes to meet him. It wasn't that he didn't doubt the reliability of that note. But then again his eldest brother couldn't have any reason to lie, that's what he thought. Still, to calm his anxiety he took a roundabout way to the south portal while returning. Finding no trace of her he returned back as fast as possible.

After being brought inside his eldest brother's personal room he realized that he had been misled. The cold feeling of betrayal washed away his expectations.

"Brother, when did you change so much? I used to think even if, by any miracle, second brother is led away from the path of truth, you won't be. Or is it that I never really knew you? Then I must say you hid yourself extremely well." Steven said with evident mockery, without answering Zibao.

Zibao was stunned for a second. It was only after a long minute passed he slowly reserved himself.

He didn't continue to enquire Steven anymore. Instead, he instructed the guards to bring him back to his own room and keep a careful eye on him.

Surprisingly Steven didn't resist. His eyes were sombre for some reason. He casted his gaze downwards steadily following the guard.

Steven was completely silent, devoid of his usual loudness. The guard fearful of the sudden eerie silence spoke up, "Prince, please don't make it hard for me. As long as you are obedient to the eldest prince, I am sure he will understand your pleadings."

Steven depressingly laughed a little.

"He invited quite a lot of nobleties daughters. You think I can't guess his intentions?" He asked.

The guard was at a loss, not knowing how to respond.

"Do me a favour, bring this token to my second brother. In return I assure your son's safety." Steven handed over the token to the guard.

His son was sent to the chaotic war area a few months back. Recently he got to know about his deathly injuries.

Due to the tumultuous situation it was hard to find medicine and timely treat him. As a mere guard he couldn't request for special help as well. Gradually he was trying to accept the impending death news, this however gave him a new shred of hope.

He bowed to Steven respectfully before leaving in a hurried pace from the back entrance. Steven looked at the pinhole on the rooftop. He simply turned off the lights of the room, going to the bed.

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"Reporting to the prince, the youngest prince seemed nonchalant about the entire situation at first, however after a while he sent out the guard handing him a royal token. I blocked his way and he is currently locked up inside the hidden prison." The spy reported diligently.

"Well done. As expected from my brother. No need to interfere with Ziran for now." Zihao ordered him before signalling him to leave.

Steven soundly slept for an hour or so. He woke up a little groggily, his mind absolutely clear. He agilely moved through the narrow window pipe and slid over the slippery floorings. Leaping down from the window pipe he quickly changed into transparency costume, making himself almost 80% invisible. 

It was impossible for his brother to trust his sudden change blindly. If it was before he would have simply sought help from second brother, this time it's different. He has his own matters to take care of, he doesn't want to add more to his troubles. While he did resonate with his own mind saying that, despite trying to not admit he in fact couldn't really trust anyone for now. He is simply...not willing to take a gamble. 

He simply gave a meaningless token to the guard, to keep his eldest brother busy for sometime. Maybe that old guy would be of help. 

Taking Eliott would save time, except that it will also alert the spies. He nimbly entered the walking lane that directly led to the south-eastern area. His brother most probably won't be able to track him down.

He already attached the GPS device in the guard's body while giving the so-called royal token to him.