A Broken Oath?

(Callista's POV)

"Cas." Came Ci's cold tone.

Immediately she took her eyes from the princess and looked in the door. There she saw Ci staring at her with those cold, hard eyes. She felt pure fear looking into those eyes for a moment, and a sense of dread washed over her.

"You're being summoned, little aide." Olivia commented as she walked away without looking back.

Cas wanted to strangle the vile woman. Who was poisoning Ci with her honied words, but she knew she would never be able to get away with it.

Taking a deep breath to bottle up her anger, she put on a neutral face and entered the room.

Walking to Ci felt like it was the hardest thing she had ever done. The closer she got to him, the further he seemed to be, and many questions entered her mind as she looked at him, but the most important one to her was. Why?

Why did he never tell her the truth?

Did he not trust her enough?

Or was he using her all this time?

Suddenly she remembered her conversation with her other self.

Is this the reason I betrayed him? She thought to herself as she stopped in front of him.

"Tell me, Cas." Ci began, "Does knowing the truth change how you feel about me?" He asked after a moment.

Cas didn't immediately answer as she thought deeply about the question.

She remembered that night when Ci woke up from his fever and acted as if he was a completely different person.

She remembered how he always treated her with kindness that she had never known.

She remembered how he would always protect her from harm, even if he would be put in harm's way.

She was supposed to be his aide. She was supposed to be the one to protect him.

"Do you love me?" She finally asked after a while.

Ci didn't say anything immediately as he closed his eyes for a moment and slowly leaked his killing intent. It was causing her to become guarded.

"What if I said no?" Ci paused as he stood up. "What if I said I was just using you?" He asked as he took another step closer. "What if I needed you because you were a useful weapon?" Another step closer. "What if I no longer need you now that I have Olivia?" Now less than a meter stood between them.

Cas was stunned.

Does he really see me as a weapon? So, she thought before her thoughts were interrupted by what he said next.

"If all that was true, would you still keep your oath, or will you break it?" He asked suddenly, as a cruel grin appeared on his face.

Gasping in shock, she took a step back. As this came without warning, she was unprepared and didn't know how to react.

The only thing she could do was remember the oath each had taken.

"I swear, Callista, that I will never willingly harm you, and from this day forward, I will do everything within my power to earn your forgiveness. I could never live without you, and if you follow me from now on, it will not be as a servant but as my heart." Ci had told her all those years ago.

"I swear, Ciaran Maxamus, that I will do no harm to you and support you to the best of my abilities and help make your dreams come true." Cas had said all those years ago.

But as my heart. Cas couldn't help but focus on that last part as she began to be filled with confusion as to why he was bringing up the blood oath right now.

But before she could think any further. She heard a slight chuckle coming from Ci.

"I'm no longer in Kansas anymore." He paused as he looked at her for a moment.

Kansas! She remembered Ci talking about Kansas all those years ago.

Kansas…city…shuffle! It took her a moment, but she finally realized that the last time he had talked about Kansas, it was a plan involving making the enemy look one way while you go the other.

Things were starting to come together. Is there a chance he was able to see through Olivia's manipulations? Is he trying to signal to her to go along with his plan? What plan?

She was confused, but thankfully she just had to trust the man she loved with all her heart. He was trying to signal her by talking in code, so she needed to do the same.

With determination filling her eyes but keeping a guarded posture in case they were being observed.

"What's Kansas?" She asked in case anyone was listening.

"Doesn't matter." Ci said without missing a beat. "All that matters is that I am done hiding in the shadows." He paused as he made a fist. "I wanted to avoid being the villain, but I now see that is impossible. So, I will make the world tremble before me."

"But…" Cas tried to interrupt but was silenced when she felt intense killing intent coming from him.

"Silence." He said in a cold tone. "From now on, you will do what I tell you." He added.

"And if I don't?" Cas asked as she added fear to her aura.

"I have no need of a servant who doesn't follow orders." He threatened as he held up his hand. "Obey me or perish." He said with finality.

Cas took a deep breath as she thought. What is his plan?

Suddenly she caught on to his last sentence. That's it! She thought. He needs me to play the obedient servant again. So, we must hide our relationship for the time being.

Without saying anything, she knelt on the ground and placed a hand over her heart.

"As you wish… master." She said in a monotone voice, not daring to look up.

"Good." Ci responded.

-----------------------------------------

Somewhere a woman with blue hair and observed a mirror. In this mirror, she watched as a beautiful elf with long silver hair knelt on the ground before a powerful man.

I've dealt a blow to their relationship. She thought. But I need to keep up the pressure. One slip and I could strengthen their relationship.

Leaning closer to the mirror, she lightly pressed her hand on the powerful figure.

I wonder what this Kansas is like. She thought. What is this oath he talked about? Does Lizzie know anything about it?

Suddenly she heard a knock on the door.

"Livia, are you here?" Came a sweet voice

Perfect. Olivia thought as she made her way to the door after hiding the mirror.

"Lizzie." Olivia said as she opened the door. "I was hoping to talk with you."