Moonbound: The Rogue's Second Chance-Chapter 122: APPEAL

Serena had ducked behind a pillar when she saw Iris passing. When she peeked through, she nearly met the woman’s gaze. She must have had a sharp nose and sharp ears. Once her footsteps died down in the corridor, Serena stepped out.

She shook her hands and then rubbed them together. Her agenda? To convince Darius to let her go to Thornridge. Her boots echoed in the hallway as she made her way to his office. She knocked once and then exhaled, and then came her entry into the room.

She blinked rapidly and adjusted to the light that the sun had cast into the room. There sat Darius with his chin on his hand, giving her a knowing look. He knew she was coming. Or rather, he knew she was the one at the door.

"Hello... good day, Darius," Serena said.

The man stood up and perched on the side of his desk and raised a brow. He pressed his knuckles to his mouth as though he were hiding a smile. Serena waited, but he gave no reply. She closed the door behind her and walked closer to him.

"What a wonderful day, is it?" Darius finally said.

Serena turned her head to the side as a skeptic would. He was acting strange right now. Was it the encounter with Elder Iris that left him like this?

"I saw Elder Iris just leave. Is everything okay?" Serena asked.

"Everything will be fine," he replied.

"Will be fine?" she echoed.

"It would be a strange thing to let an ambassador in on our shared woes," he said, lowering his hand from his mouth.

Serena scrunched up her brows and raised her hands like how a young man would when he was witnessing a strange thing going on in the alleyway. He was acting really strange.

"I am not—"

Darius held his hand up to his lips and made a shushing sound. "Uhnt uhnt, you are an ambassador. Some even think you are a princess. You might as well be one."

Serena nodded and then looked down bashfully before she let out a snort. A princess indeed—she was far from that. Months ago, and even before that, this woman who they thought was a princess was elbows-deep in mud and dirt.

"I do not see... but is all truly well?" Serena asked.

Darius clicked his tongue and shook his head. The man did not feel like he wanted to burden Serena with these kinds of matters. They were already resolved, so what was the point in sharing? That was his thought process at least. But still, he shared the conversation held with him and Iris.

He could not explain the way the words just fell from his lips, almost like he could not deny her. Her concern touched his heart, and so he spoke freely with her.

"...so the reserves would be used to compensate for what was not accounted for," Darius finished.

"Wow," Serena said, looking around the room briefly before she returned her gaze to Darius. "That is a lot. Do you know why Dawnbreak sent their people here?"

"I have an idea, if you would like to hear," Darius said.

"I would love to hear it," Serena replied.

"I think they would like to feel us out and flex their massive egos," Darius began. "You have such knowledge of Crimsonclaw, I wonder how the other Cardinals seem to escape."

She lifted a brow. "I was not so interested in the rest."

Darius shrugged and continued with what he was saying. "They like us—one of the greats and extremely proud. The title of being the first to make a bridge with Ironshade in years is one they would like to covet. They also want to see what we have been up to and if we are capable of..."

Serena sank into the seat next to Darius and leaned forward. "You do not mean..."

Darius nodded. "I mean it. If we are capable of going to war."

Wars in Kaldora were not uncommon. It was the reason why Silverstone, her former pack, was a nomadic one. They were constantly on the move to preserve their bloodline and fight as little as possible. In the early days, resources were scarce in some regions, so particular areas were sought after, like the North.

Serena could not remember any major battle that occurred in the West in her lifetime. There were skirmishes, yes, but the Crescent Tribunal were quick to mediate and quell such bloodshed. If any of the Cardinal packs were to come head-to-head, then it would spell doom for the regional packs.

"That would be tragic," Serena whispered. Her mind was occupied, and she gave a generic reply.

"Hm, that it would. But that is our worst-case scenario. It would be foolish of me not to put that into account when dealing with our Northern sister," Darius said.

Serena pushed her hair behind her head and looked up at Darius. "But if that would happen, are you prepared?"

The blonde woman did not miss Darius’ body language—the way he tensed up and the little twitch in his jaw. "No."

Serena shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She hated the thought of it—people being in pain, children crying for their parents, parents mourning for their children.

"Nobody is ever prepared for that. I have already sent too many bright young people to their deaths. Because some of those ones believed in me," Darius said in a strained voice.

She knew what he was talking about—the rogues. Ironshade had to be defended, but for that to happen, some select few had to die for the masses. Serena closed her eyes briefly and exhaled through her mouth.

"It is okay. It will never come to that," Serena assured him, placing her hand on his and then offering a small smile.

Darius turned to her, and the apprehension within him melted away. Her optimism was infectious. He found himself moving away from all the bad what-ifs. He nodded slowly. "Thank you."

"Oh, it is nothing."

Serena looked down and then looked at him again. "I would like to make a request."

Darius chuckled. "And here I thought you were here to look at my face and my face only."

Serena laughed and shook her head. "Oh no. I do apologise, but I wanted to leave the castle—to Thornridge."