Homecoming (2)

Yllana was looking at the bustling night scene of the imperial capital of the North Kingdom. However, no matter how lively the scene is outside, there was like a shroud of ice enveloped around her. Midel and Shiiba couldn't help but shiver as they glance at her from time to time.

"The estate is not safe. I'm sorry I couldn't accommodate both of you any better than this." Yllana gave a weak smile to Midel who sat across her inside the inn.

"It was rather our presence that might cause you disturbance but you still put up with us. We only wish for you to be strong although your family is in such a state. We are here to support you in any way we can." Midel gave Yllana a reassuring smile.

"Midel, I must trouble you for looking after my elder sister for a while. I have to go look for my parents and know why some people destroyed our estate. I'll consider this as a favor to you and Shiiba."

"It's alright. Rest assured and I will guard her with my utmost abilities. With Shiiba here, we can provide security for your sister." Midel gave her a reassuring smile.

"Thank you." She dashed out of the inn.

~~~~~~~~~

North Kingdom Imperial Palace

Thud!

Two black eyes glared angrily at the man who knelt with his head down.

"This is the assassin you sent over the Saber Estate?" a woman in a yellow brocade gown questioned the Emperor beside her. Her arrogant bearing reflected in his eyes.

"Yes my dear, " the Emperor looked lovingly at the Empress on his side.

"Where is the blood drop stone?"

The assassin didn't raise his head but spoke in a cold voice. "Your Majesty, nobody saw the blood drop stone. We have searched the whole estate thoroughly. It was as if it never appeared in the first place."

"The Empress needs this blood drop stone in order for her to advance in her rank. Why can't such a small matter be resolved by experts like you? It seems we've been wasting our resources lately in this palace." His stern gaze swept over the kneeling man in front of them.

"Your Majesty, this servant has failed you."

Swish!

In an instant, the assassin pulled out a sword and presented it to the Emperor. He was about to speak when the Emperor felt a gust of wind on his side.

Thud!

The assassin's head rolled a few meters away from his body and his blood dyed the floor red.

"He was asking for it, " The Empress shrugged her shoulders while looking down at the body. She threw the cold blade she was holding to the servant on the side. The servant was so frightened that she didn't manage to catch the bloody sword and dropped it with a clanging sound.

"I-I'm sorry Your Majesty. This servant didn't catch it in time." Her timid voice reached the Empress's ears and she shot the servant a fierce look.

"You want to die too?" her question brought shivers to all the servants present in that room. She yawned as she went back up to her throne. "I'm too lazy to kill one more servant. Get out of my sight!"

~~~~~~~~

Marketplace

Yllana was walking along the street when she saw a familiar figure from afar. The girl was wearing ragged servant clothes with tears here and there. Her face was covered with her unkempt hair and her eyes were as wide as she saw them earlier that day. It was as if she was so terrified about something.

"I know you..." she walked in front of the servant and smiled. "You are one of my sister's servants. Mira, right?"

The girl stirred before looking up at her. "M-Miss Yllana?" Her eyes were bloodshot and her lips are cracked. When realization dawned in her eyes, tears slowly welled up in the corner of her eyes. "M-Miss... the master and the madame...they... uwaaa!"

Yllana was startled when the Mira flung her body to hug her feet and cried. "Stand up. You have to tell me what happened but not here."

"Yes Miss. This servant will now follow you." Between sobs, she uttered word after word while staring at Yllana.

"That was fast." Shiiba tilted her head while observing the dirty servant girl that Yllana brought in.

"She's Yrah's servant. She was sent to buy something outside so she avoided the calamity but one of the assassins trailed and beat her when she took a peek inside the estate." Yllana explained. "Go wash up first and eat."

Mira nodded and disappeared from their sight.

"Midel..." she beckoned and turned her head to the man who just entered the room. "What is this?" Yllana opened reached from her pouch on her waist and presented the tear-shaped gem gleaming like pure blood.

"It is called the blood drop stone. It contains the concentrated power of people. Only a few experts can produce one successfully because it involves a hundred lives of strong experts above honor ranks. I wonder how you never knew something as precious as this existed in your family's hands." Midel furrowed his brows. This is a powerful treasure that might bring disaster to the owner. He was skeptical about the relationship of the existence of such treasure and the Saber estate's demise. It was a probable cause.

Yllana was thinking the same. It was probable. "Blood drop stone. I don't know if my family owns this. I have been away from my family for years already. Maybe my sister knows something."

Creak.

The door opened and a small head peeked inside timidly. "Second Young Miss, is First Young Miss alright?" She heard their conversation outside and was worried about her master. This is the bond between a good master and a reliable servant. No matter what happens, the servant will look out for his or her master especially when the master treats his or her servants well.

"She is fine. She is still sleeping at the moment. Now, tell me what happened to the estate. Who sent the assassins?"

Mira walked inside the room and shut the door tight behind her and locked it. Midel and Yllana frowned. The mastermind must be powerful for this servant to take extra caution in locking the room. She even rushed to close the windows and curtains. After looking around and finding no other presence nearby, Mira stood in front of Yllana and looked worried at Midel.

"Midel is a friend. I can trust him." He has seen enough and she, along with Lucien, rescued him from imprisonment so he knows that Yllana has great trust in him.

"Second Young Miss, the assassins were sent by the imperial palace." Yllana clutched her chest and felt an invisible pain searing through her heart. How could it be?

"Are you sure? Why would they do that to my family? What have we done to provoke them?" Yllana's red eyes were brimming with suppressed rage. If this is true. Wouldn't her service to the kingdom be for naught? They were backstabbing her!

"Yes, miss. I have seen closely the jade seal of the assassin who beat me on the street. It was an imperial seal of the assassins of the Emperor and Empress."

"But why?" Yllana gazed at the floor and tried to think of the probable reasons for the palace to attack her.

"They were looking for something Second Young Miss. But as for the item, I don't know what that item is." Mira felt helpless. She cast her gaze on Yllana. When she noticed the anger and coldness emanating from her, Mira bit her lip.

"The blood drop stone, " Yllana felt the stone quivering inside her pocket.