CHAPTER 19

"I DIDN'T MEAN TO hide my identity from you. And to be honest, I was also unaware of the lady's identity." Rin scratched the back of his neck as he averted his gaze from me.

Just now, he introduced himself to me because of the questionable carriage we were riding on. Soreen Auclair la Celesté was his name, the fourth prince and the third prince's blood brother.

He was also the general who led the war from the monsters of the border. Well, I would not be able to recognize him as well, like Prince Cassius. There was only a little information I have read and heard regarding the third and the fourth prince.

"I also apologize for not recognizing His Highness' identity." I pulled an awkward smile.

Rin's expression hardened then he sighed. "Please speak comfortably to me, Lady Eveningstar."

I shook my head at his request. "But Your Highness, I am addressing you out of respect." And that was the truth.

I have always hated the rumors escalating anywhere regarding the fourth prince. One, because he was doing his duty to fight off the monsters to protect the Empire, unlike some other royals whose only focus was on taking the throne.

And lastly, because he was an appointed general at a young age and Kaiser kept on talking about how amazing he was.

"I understand, but next time, when we meet again, I want us to be friendlier." A faint blush decorated his cheeks.

Maybe he didn't have any friends before as well, that's why he values a friend like this.

"I will, Your Highness. I'll allow His Highness to address me by my nickname the next time we meet."

We both talked about a couple of things, like the ball, the weather earlier, and the things we did for the past few days. It was too random, but we genuinely enjoyed every topic we talked about.

We were so occupied in our own bubble that we didn't notice that we had already arrived at the mansion.

"I'll make sure to send a letter, Lady Eveningstar," the fourth prince said.

"I'll wait for that, Your Highness." I chuckled at him.

"I'll leave after you go inside." He held my hand then pressed a gentle kiss at the back of my palm, like what he did at the artisan store.

I blinked at him, and he only smiled at me. That dangerously dazzling smile of his. I clicked my tongue inwardly.

"H-Have a safe trip then," I stuttered, pulling my hand from his grip then dragging myself inside.

I could feel the heat boiling on my cheeks. I didn't feel anything weird, really! I was just caught off guard with his actions.

"Master. Someone is coming," Ebony warned, pulling me back to my senses.

I immediately composed myself when I felt a familiar presence approaching closer.

"Good evening, my lady." It was the head butler. It's surprising that this man's still alive.

I tilted my head as I glanced at him. He looked the same as always, but something weird caught my attention.

"What's that?" I asked, pointing at the shiny bottle he was holding. I couldn't clearly see his face because he was towering over me, blocking the light coming from the moon.

"It's my medicine, my lady. Do you want me to help you inside?" I'm no expert, but I could recognize when someone is nervous or not.

"No, I'm fine." Of course, he wouldn't be honest even if he were too obvious of being suspicious. So instead of asking him any more questions, I've decided to go inside the mansion.

Ebony. Plant a mole on his shadow.

"Yes, master."

Ebony used my mana and did what I asked. Surely, we will be able to sense it if the head butler's planning to do something unpleasant.

"SO, WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER?" I finished bathing and changing into my night dress when I asked Ebony.

Marina was the one who helped me when I arrived since Scarlet was busy with something else. It was already late, but father and the rest of them were still not home. They might be planning to stay for the night at the Palace.

I sat on the couch near the large window beside my bed and Ebony settled on my lap. It was unusual, but he seemed tired and drained.

While I was waiting for him to answer, I held him with both of my hands and focused my mana on his small figure, cleansing him from any other mana infiltrating his small frame.

I was appalled to see a yellowish light puffed out of his body. A loud, thunderous voice screamed in my head as the yellowish light exploded right before my eyes. I wasn't so sure if I was the only one who heard it, but it was loud enough to ring both my ears.

"Master!" Ebony exclaimed in a much brighter tone. He seemed to feel lighter than earlier right after that yellow light vanished.

"What happened? What was that just now?" I asked curiously.

"It was that mana that bound me in that room, master. It seemed like it came from a powerful black magic user since it was able to control this spider's dominion." He answered.

"And then what? Why did they accuse me of harming Eilisha when I arrived there?" I suddenly remembered that brat's accusation from earlier. Those annoying nutheads.

"When that mana infiltrated this body, I could hear a faint voice whispering, ordering me to bite the young lady in that room. I couldn't take back control because master's mana was out of reach."

"So, we were being framed? That's really petty." I couldn't help but laugh bitterly because of it.

"It's not just that, master. I heard their conversation, and that young lady was demanding for you to be kicked out of this mansion. And the emperor with her didn't feel alive either; he was talking and supporting her words like a puppet. He even requested for master to be thrown at the academy."

A crease formed on my forehead as I stared at him. What does he mean by that? The emperor looked alive when I saw him. But spirits and beasts couldn't be wrong since they could clearly see and feel the energies and mana of the people they see.

"What should I do to avoid this kind of situation in the future?" I placed him down on the bed.

"Don't worry, master. That will not happen again. I have eaten a useful shadow earlier at the Palace, I will be using that to enhance the protection for this shell of mine."

"Then do so. Feel free to use my mana for that." I'm not sure how this kind of situation will progress, but this is extremely annoying and tiring.

As I was preparing for bedtime, a noise from my room's balcony caught our attention. My head turned towards it, and I abruptly stood up when I saw a familiar figure knocking at the door of my balcony.

"My lady! There's a problem!" Scarlet exclaimed as soon as I opened the glass door.

My frown deepened as I saw her pale face coming into view. Her hand was pressing against the left part of her abdomen as she limped closer to me.

"They're planning to frame you! They are planning to poison her and frame you, my lady! I saw them holding a small bottle of poison. And the Emperor. He was—" Scarlet was cut off with her words when someone knocked on the door.

"My lady! A carriage from the imperial knights is entering the estate!" It was Marina, hastily entering my room.

A loud gasp escaped her lips when she noticed an injured Scarlet in front of me. My heart was pounding at the sudden situation we're in. It was almost the same as the one earlier. And I cannot stay still anymore.

"Pandora. Freeze the time outside of my room." Pandora appeared beside me and did my request.

The mystical beast wasn't a surprise for them since they met each other a few weeks ago.

I gritted my teeth as my hands clenched, my fingernails pressing harshly against my palm. What is with these people framing me? It's not like I am doing anything bothersome to them.

"Ebony, open the path to the artisan's shop. Scarlet, I want you to stay with the owner and heal your injuries. Give this to him, and he'll accept it without any questions" I handed a black rose brooch to her, one that I have been keeping hidden inside my drawer.

I didn't know that I would use the owner's brooch for this kind of situation. He gave it to me when I helped him out one time. He said that I can use it if I need his help.

I helped Scarlet go inside the black path that Ebony opened. It looked like a black hole in the floor. We have been practicing this kind of ability since last month.

Scarlet didn't ask any questions and just accepted both the brooch and pouch of gold I handed to her. Then she went inside the black hole, and Ebony closed it quickly.

"Marina. I want you to stay calm." Then I motioned Ebony to open another path, the path to Marina's room. I quickly pushed her inside the black hole then asked Ebony to close it right away.

"Ebony, clean the floor and Scarlet's blood trail. Pandora, you can unfreeze it now," I ordered as I climbed to the top of the bed. I grabbed the book I always place on the side table, and Ebony carefully placed the lamp on my side table.

I nodded my head at the two of them then Pandora quickly vanished when we heard a knock coming from the door.

"Lady Eveningstar. The Imperial Knights are here for you," the head butler announced.

If I'm thinking right, then they must be here because of Scarlet. They might have found out about Scarlet's presence and quickly hunted her down. But how did their paths cross when I ordered her to do something completely different?

Just how did she hear them? And where did that happen? Tsk. I must make sure to ask all these questions once I get the chance to meet her at the artisan shop.

"What business do I owe them?" I asked as I opened the door to my room. I was already wearing my night dress, so I grabbed my robe and wore it to cover my chemise.

"It's about my lady's personal maid, Scarlet," Caesar said. "Your servant was seen injuring a noble lady, that's why we need to arrest her right now."