You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 691

All I knew was that I needed to leave the palace no matter what. It seemed to be the best way to hinder the scheme they had and furthermore... — ’I need to get back home. Dad... he can’t be dead. I need to make sure what she showed me is not true!’

"My lady we are close to the dining hall!"

"We need to get inside!"

"Alright!!" — Carrying me easily, Theodore sped up. The skill he showcased made me recall that he wasn’t just the purple worm I found stuttering at the library. He was indeed versed in some arts... and yet it wasn’t the time to reminisce about that. — "Stand here for a moment, the doors are heavy."

"Let me help you—"

"!? Anne!?" — The voice of the sole one who would call me that made me turn immediately as I readied myself to push such big gates. Feeling as if every emotion was allowed to be poured if he was around.

"Zel!!"

"Love, what are you doing here!?" — Rushing to me, he hugged me before looking properly at me.

"Zel! Theressa, Vítor and Jasmine... I think even Paige! They are in danger!"

"... What about you? What are these bruises on your visage? Your gown..."

"There’s no time to explain. I need to leave the palace! That way I can buy us some time!"

"... M-Marianne? Why is everyone r-running around? Is the E-Empire in trouble?"

"..... Dioclecià it’s not a good time." — Zel’s hand stroked Dioclecià’s hair as he popped from behind him. Holding onto his leg as he seemed to barely understand why he was standing in the middle of the corridor at night.

"... why is the third prince with you?" — I asked, blue to think what else could be happening in the palace without my knowledge.

"I come from the Emperor’s. I have to get him somewhere secure... I was thinking he could hide in the passage of the dining hall while I looked for you." — Zel said. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The sight of the sleepy little Dioclecià tightened my heart. Little children like him... many in the cities of the Empire were probably as confused and scared as he is now.

This weight... the Ninth’s responsibility...

"I’m going with you." — Zel declared, breaking my distracted thoughts. — "You are leaving the palace, right?"

"! What? No, you must stay."

"Anne."

"You must... we must go in separate ways, Zel. Karina is the witch behind this. Right now Vitor and the others are keeping her busy so I can escape. If you go to them... surely... surely everyone....."

"I don’t care about them—"

"Do it for me." — I interrupted out of desperation. Shocking him as I knew he would never decline such a request from me. — "Protect them... otherwise... please, Zel... I will be alright. The gods are my guide and—"

— Grahahah... It’s about time I drain her of life! —

"!?!?"

A tremor, much stronger than any other I’ve felt before shook us and in Zel’s eyes, I saw bloody red take control as if the sound of that beastly deity was resounding from within him. He was the sole one unaffected by the impact and kept me from falling while we listened to his snarling.

— The chosen won’t die kid! Move! Run so I can chew on the bones!! Let me... FINISH MY WALK BESIDE OREGOR!!!! —

"F*cking dog!"

"Zel!!" — The earthquake strengthened. The options were clear while hearing the wrath of Fenrir. — "I’ll take Dio and hide him in the passage!! Go to the south wing! There you’ll find Karina!"

"Kh! But I—"

"After you get them out of danger, let’s meet back at my home! I’m heading there! I’ll wait for you there!!" — His fight against Fenrir’s will would only harm him at this rate. The instinct of the fallen god was demanding the blood he had remained here for. Zel’s life... if he didn’t do as Fenrir demanded it would end uselessly.

"... Dioclecià do as Anne says."

"B-brother, where a-are y-you g-g-going?!"

"I’ll meet you after I solve some matters." — Putting his hand on my little friend’s confused head he pushed him into me, pulling me to bite out of myself a rough kiss, indifferent to those that could see. — "If you get hurt I won’t forgive you, Anne."

"?! O... o-okay??"

"Once I save those you want me to, I’ll follow you... and if I see a single new scratch or even some dust on you, the Empire may as well disappear by my hand." — He said it looking me in the eye, menacingly squeezing me for a last threatening whisper in my ear. — "Don’t make me go mad, Anne. I’ve been trying really hard so you won’t see that side of me."

"Hey! What are you doing to Lady Marianne!?"

*Bang!*

"I’m off. Go in and escape safely." — Releasing me, his hand was careful and yet I still stammered stunned at the threat I received that wasn’t scary but concerning in a whole new manner. His aura had opened the doors we were hoping to open when crossing paths, walking away indifferent to the effect his attitude had left on us.

"I-is brother ma-mad w-with us, Marianne??"

"... no... uhm. D-Don’t think about that. Hurry, let’s go!" — Hurrying Dioclecià to step inside, I glanced back at Zeleskiaz’s frame. His eyes were looking at me deeper than ever and after taking my eyes away for a second once I looked again he was completely gone from sight. — ’He might be really mad...’

"My lady! Where to now?!"

"Ah... yes, over here!" — ’Will they be alright...? Zel... he was already losing himself to Fenrir...’

The danger he exuded was one I had read about. Frightening, unpredictable... nonetheless, I still trusted the instincts that told me he would still save those we left behind.

’I hope... he doesn’t lose himself completely to it and if he does... heh, poor Karina.’ — It felt ironic. I was certain that he was a threat but not to me nor who I cared for.

— Once I save those you want me to... —

"Pff, haha~"

"W-why a-are you la-laughing, Marianne?"

"It is nothing." — I told Dioclecià as the secret passage opened and entered it just as advised. — "Quickly, we must hide."