UNEXPECTED COMPANION

"What if... I tell you that I'm going to support him?" Felicia suddenly said that they made the two hang their mouth in disbelief. Their eyes bulged at the news of Felicia wanting to support the second Prince which is very controversial. 

The Duke is on the Crown Prince's side! 

"Felicia. This is not a gamble. You know that to yourself. If you continue to play in this game, there are risks and uncertainties." Alexander said, sighing as he looked at her with his eyes imposing how this topic is somewhat taboo. 

"I'm not telling you that because you are the fiance of that idiot. But I cannot let you walk down that path. Our family has been an ally with the first prince and if you were to say that you want to support the second prince—"

"I'm not actually going to announce that I will actively support the second Prince. What I have to do is to create another persona for the second prince. I want him as the Crown Prince. Partly because I want him to attain his revenge—"

"But Mistress, it's a dangerous plan." Olivia interrupted her, not letting Felicia continue on this path that she was about to walk. The second Prince may be the best option for the crown but it's hopeless for him to win. 

"Relax. I'm not going to make myself put in a dangerous situation. I'm just informing everyone but I don't have any ideas on how to support him as a different person. But anyway, that's all. I have no questions left now." Felicia answered their worries, having contemplations about what she had just blurted. 

She's not sure whether she'll do it or not. But seeing how Helena's connection is quite big, she needs different allies too. It would also be good for her to get in touch with Alistair and become his ally. 

"Gosh... For whatever reasons you want to support him, I can't stop you with this plan of yours. As much as I wanted to see that bastard falling down, it really is a risky move to make the second Prince an ally. But whatever you want to do, I'll support you." Alexander immediately gave up and decided to support her choices. 

"Thank you, Alexander." She sincerely thanked her brother, smiling at him with sincerity as he chose to submit and support her crazy antics. He sure is a great brother towards her. 

"Anyway... Let's just forget this conversation ever happened. I need to go out once more and contact the guild for further questioning. I want to do something that needs their strength." She mumbled as she stood up, making Olivia stand up too.

"What guild are you talking about?" Alexander asked, frowning as his eyes then trailed over Felicia who was walking towards another room that led to where her dresses were. 

"A secret guild. It's nameless and I don't know the guild master. But he's a great help with my cunning plans so I trust him." Felicia responded as she entered the door, leaving Alexander who was in a deep frown. 

Is there even such a thing? 

As she came out, she was already in a trouser, like how men wore their outfits which made Alexander cocked his eyebrow. Is she planning to go out incognito? Quite reckless and unsafe. Who will be the one guiding her? 

"I know that you can definitely protect yourself but who'll be with you? Do you want me to join you? I can take off some work and be with you." Alexander offered, not wanting for her to go out even though the sun was still in a high rise. 

"Olivia will join me, no worries. We're already familiar with the place. By the way, keep yourself busy and away from Helena. I think that she'll try and induce the charm on you. So be careful." Felicia replied as she pulled her red hair into a ponytail hairstyle for convenience. 

"Oh and Noctua, can you protect my room? I think that someone will try to do something funny. We can't let that, can we?" Felicia asked, turning at Noctua who then agreed with what she said, bobbing his head in agreement with what she requested. 

"Don't worry. I'll have my knights tail the front and the balcony door." Alexander also suggested which made Felicia smile at him even more because of how he seems to care for her. 

"I can trust you both. But anyway, I'll go out now. Be careful." She bid her goodbye as she waved her hand and went out to go towards the training centre. So that people won't even suspect her about it since they know she's been into swords. 

"I'm curious about what you want to know, Mistress. It's been a while since we visited the guild." Olivia asked as they stride out of the mansion, walking their way towards the direction of the stables. 

Olivia packed two cloaks for them to use and hide their identity when travelling. Just to be cautious and away from potential harm that would end badly. 

"Secret. You just need to follow me." Felicia responded as she grinned over her and walked carefree towards the stable to get her favourite horse. 

"Sometimes, I don't understand the Mistress anymore," Olivia mumbled as she followed her from behind, looking at Felicia with such stale eyes. She's quite the secretive being but it's her choice anyway. 

—

As Felicia and Olivia arrived in the town using the horse she used when she decided to go out the last time, they eventually arrived at where the alley was located. It was Olivia who decided to walk in front, followed by Felicia who held the horse in her hand, following Olivia who guided her towards the barn. 

But suddenly, Felicia's expression became sour as she unexpectedly met the most obnoxious person she had ever met. It's none other than Alistair who grinned upon seeing her. 

Seems like he had already memorized her. 

"Well, well... If it isn't the red-haired Hero of the town. I wonder what you are doing here?" Alistair asked, stopping them from taking another step. He wasn't with someone and he was wearing just like what they were wearing.

For incognito. 

"How did you even know it was me?" Frustrated, Felicia replied while rolling her eyes on Alistair who was smirking at her. He even let out a chuckle, it was as if there was something funny with what she asked. 

"That's a secret not to tell. So what are you doing, huh? Why a lady like you is here... In this dark alley? Hm..." Alistair asked as she ignored Olivia who was starstruck as he passed her. 

"That's a secret that I don't tell," Felicia responded, giving him the same response which Alistair gave, making him grin wider at how this lady was yielding with sass. Just like when he first met her after that one faithful night. 

It makes him feel even more interested in her, falling down the rabbit hole that she created for those people who are interested in her. 

"Then I will follow you around." He commented, deciding to tag along even though Felicia was basically frowning upon him deciding to come with her. Like excuse me, what the hell do he think he's doing? 

"I'm sure I don't want the young Duke to disturb what importance it is for him to also come here—"

"I was just busy exploring the town. No need to call me that either. Why don't you call me Alistair?" He asked, giving her a glance with his grin. 

Meanwhile, Felicia grunted at how much of an asshole Alistair is. He was and he is indeed an asshole, never changing his personality. Makes her wanna slump his face on the ground and tarnish that handsome face. 

"We're not close. I'm not calling you that." Felicia responded while brushing him off, walking past him together with the horse that observed the two, arguing while Olivia was next to the horse, looking at Alistair as if she was fawning over him.

"Come on now. We're clearly closed. Have you thought about my actions last night? That already made us close. In fact, I know a lot about you now. Especially about your current situation—"

Suddenly, Alistair was cut off as Felicia turned around, and punched him but did not directly touch his face, but rather stopped at the point where it was close to his face. The punch was strong as the wind blew at his face, clearly didn't expect the lady to be this strong. 

Meanwhile, Felicia who was getting annoyed couldn't help but almost punch him. Sure, she wanted him to become her ally, but to threaten her with her current situation? It doesn't sound like a threat to him but for her, it is. 

Everything will be ruined if he decides to play with the information, making her move backwards away from her plans. 

"Relax, I'm not doing anything that would put you in danger," Alistair told her, holding her fist as he slowly then brought it down, staring right into her eyes. "I'm only interested in you." He even added, making Felicia sigh. 

"You're very annoying, you know that?" She mentioned while shaking her head. "You're very far from the refined yet asshole dude last night." She even added while she looked at him with irritation. 

"Why, thank you for the compliment. I know that already." He replied, smugly smirking at her as if he was proud of the compliment she said, making her face distorted with what this man thought of.

A compliment? That may be the reason why he's quite big-headed.