Reina couldn’t sleep after that, she had never seen this possibility coming. From what she gathered, the royal family- especially the Queen and her kids hated the Grand Duke’s family. But now suddenly Colette was in love with Davian.

Reina had a strange tight feeling in her chest, her heart seemed to be clenching from within. She felt her Dragon’s Presence choke the air around her as she lay still on her bed staring at the ceiling. The embers of her anger kept flaring and though she knew the answer, habitually she kept herself from acknowledging her emotions.

Of course, the main character would have to go through with the cliche of dealing with a love triangle drama.

Even her father and brother noticed that something was bothering her, though being a trained assassin she had schooled her expression well before her oblivious sister-in-law.

"Miss Celestia you have to visit the capital’s gardens and shops." Reina said with a smile, "my brother, you must have some time this afternoon, right? Why don’t you take her? I’m sure she’ll love it."

Rune smiled and Celestia glanced at Reina, "Wi-Will you be accompanying us, L-Lady Reina?"

Reina’s smile froze and she answered, "Sure."

Both Arthur and Rune looked at her and Arthur blurted out, "Really?"

"But, I have promised one of my friends that we will also have our date so, would it be all right if we all go together?" She asked and Arthur and Rune were at a loss.

"Which friend Reina? Miss Brielle?" Rune asked and Reina turned her sugary sweet smile on him.

"No, I’m talking about Aunt Alys."

Arthur almost choked on his bread and then looked at Reina, "Ha-Have you asked your Uncle?"

Reina shrugged, "He won’t say no, I’ll send her a message to be ready this afternoon and that we’ll go out."

Celestia only kept looking at the trio as they talked.

Rune licked his lips and then glanced once at Celestia before he asked Reina, "And what about..."

Reina looked at him, "About what? Oh, that, don’t worry, I have already made all the preparations if they need me, I’ll return."

Celestia was interested in the secret talk and asked, "Return where?"

The three eyes turned to her and Arthur resumed eating while Rune looked like he was trying to look for a logical answer and Reina smiled.

"It’s regarding a friend of mine, they are currently very busy and I help them with the administrative work."

Celestia’s eyes widened and her expression turned to be that of awe.

"You help your friend with administrative work, Lady Reina?" She spoke.

Reina’s eyes softened, "I told you before, Miss Celestia. You’re soon going to be our family so, you can talk to me casually."

Celestia fumbled with her next words, "I-I- Well, yes, I mean- I understand, Miss Reina." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"You can even call me Reina, Miss Celestia. I’d like for us to be closer." Reina said and Celestia’s cheeks dusted pink.

"Yes, that’ll be a good idea, La-Re-Reina. An-And you should also call me by my name." She said and Reina smiled.

"All right, Celestia."

Celestia beamed and looked relieved for the first time after arriving at Aurelius mansion. She had been worried sick after the sudden bandit attack and suddenly being saved by not some knights but some black masked men. She couldn’t even get to thank any of them and her all knights were badly injured and we’re getting treatment.

The reason she had left her home was when she learned that there were going to be the Trials in Sestia to choose their future King. She had got to know from her mother that Rune’s close friend the first Prince of Sestia, the concubine’s son was going to be a part of it and he would be fighting Sestia’s Queen’s son for the throne. She had also admitted that it would be a bloodbath considering that the Queen and her family hated the first Prince and had pretty much did everything in their power to kill him.

Celestia had gotten scared when she got to know so much danger had been surrounding Rune’s friend and even himself. She had only met him recently but she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.

Her mother had predicted that the Trials would end with the death of one Prince and whichever Prince falls their side would have hell to pay.

The accuracy of her mother’s political predictions were famous throughout Denril and if she said that there might be a huge danger for the Princes and those directly supporting them then it would also affect Rune.

Celestia couldn’t bear it. She asked for her mother to do something about it but she couldn’t interfere in another kingdom’s affairs. After a long argument, Celestia stomped out of the room making the decision that she would go to Sestia. If she couldn’t stop the Trials then at least she could stay with Rune and make sure he’s safe.

Too much for her resolve as she was shaken to her core the very day she entered Sestia. This only scared her further.

Apart from that, she hadn’t found even a single chance to talk to Rune about the Trials. Rather, he seemed worried about something else.

Presently, Celestia was stealing glances at the beautiful woman from across her. Reina Aurelius, the genius sister that Rune often talked about. He had praised her beauty multiple times but having seen it in person, Celestia had also felt her brain coming to a pause. There was something about Reina Aurelius that was a mystery, she was different in all senses from the ladies that Celestia was used to having around her.

After breakfast, Celestia walked out with Rune and watched as Reina walked away towards her room. Arthur also stepped out and looked once at Rune.

"Father, I’ll go and see Reina-" Rune spoke about to leave but Arthur held his hand.

"You already have your hands full, son. I’ll talk to her and see what’s going on. Why don’t you plan on where you’ll take the ladies, hm?" Arthur said and Rune looked torn but he glanced at Celestia’s curious eyes and then gulped.

"All right."

Arthur smiled at him and then at Celestia, "If you have any discomfort or anything you want don’t hesitate, all right?"

Celestia nodded, she didn’t have a father for most of her life and only her uncle Augustine had come closest to be a father figure in her life. She wondered how she would feel about Arthur in her life as he was soon going to be her father-in-law. She was intimidated but she was also looking forward to it as he seemed like a kind and approachable man.

Reina returned to her room and picked up her communication device connecting straight to Alys.

"Reina? It’s been a while. Are you all right?" Her aunt’s enthusiastic voice spilled through.

"Yes, Aunt. I’m all right. How about you?"

"I’m also doing great. What is it? Do you want something?" She asked.

"Are you free this afternoon, Aunt?"

"This afternoon? Why? Are we going on our girl’s day out today?" She asked sounding even more excited.

Reina smiled and answered, "Yes, but there are two more people."

"Who?"

"My brother and his fiance."

There was a moment of pause and Silas’ voice broke through, "Your brother’s fiance is here?"

Reina’s eyebrows shot up and she asked, "Are you two never apart?"

There was the sound of shuffling from the other side and then of Silas clearing his throat.

"I asked you something, Reina. Your brother’s fiance is the niece of Denril’s King. How come she’s here?"

Reina sighed as she sat down on the armchair.

"She arrived here day before yesterday at night. I don’t know why but now that she’s here, we have to make sure she’s entertained."

"I’d love to see her," Alys said.

"Reina, you’re not planning on following your brother on his date with Alys, are you?" Silas asked and Reina almost rolled her eyes.

She had already done that. The memories of that time came rushing back to her along with the mention of the person whom she was trying not to think about.

Reina closed her eyes massaging her temples. She felt a presence quietly enter her room and she lifted her eyes looking at Lyall who stood near the window.

"I’m not, she asked me to come along and since I don’t want to be a third wheel, I’m taking Aunt Alys with me." She spoke answering Silas.

"What’s a third wheel?" Silas asked and then sighed, "Never mind, what about the Trials? Aren’t you supposed to check the final preparations?"

Reina sighed, "I already have assigned people for that, Uncle. If there’s is any need for me, I can always teleport back and forth."

Silas was silent for a moment and Alys used this chance to answer.

"Reina, I’d love to go along. We can have our own fun and chat while the couple enjoys."

Reina chuckled and said, "Sure, Aunt. Please come by the market square at 1."

"All right. See you there, Reina."

Reina smiled and then looked at Lyall who had come in from the window and had been standing patiently for a while.

"What did you find?" She asked.

"He said that he doesn’t know anything about it." He answered and Reina cocked her brow.

"What?"

"I interrogated him thoroughly, he would have spilled everything but all he repeats is that he had just learned that someone from Denril had entered Sestia’s borders and after that he talked to a servant to get him some water but after having the water, he passed out and woke up the next day without any memory." Lyall explained and Reina stared at him for a long moment.

She knew Lyall and her torture methods would break anyone but to have a simple nobleman go through that level of interrogation and still not answer then that meant that he was saying the truth.

"I had the sources from palace look into this servant but they told me that no servant of the given description worked anywhere near the administrative building or even at the palace." Lyall added and Reina leaned back placing her hand on the table nearby tapping her finger.

"They are moving fast and doing unexpected things." She muttered to herself.

"What’s the description of the servant?" Reina asked Lyall.

"A young man, apparently in his early twenties with pale face, brown hair and brown eyes. Nothing too particular to notice." Lyall said.

Reina hummed before she recalled the two men who had seen the last time she had a brush with the Witch’s minions. She clearly remembered their eyes and their presence.

"Did he say that the servant’s eyes were lifeless or something?" Reina asked.

Lyall frowned a little, "He did mention that the servant’s eyes were a little strange."

Reina nodded and then smiled, "It’s the work of the Witch and not of Esmertia family. They purposely chose Earl’s son knowing that we would suspect Esmertia side and the Queen first."

Lyall was surprised but he didn’t let it show on his face.

"What should we do next, Master?"

"Have our people keep an eye on the arena where the Trials will be. I’m sure, this Witch will try to pull something."

Lyall bowed, "Yes, Master."

"And also, how are my kids and everyone?" Reina asked.

Lyall appeared relaxed, "They are fine, Master. The Young Masters ate well in your absence and also did their duties immaculately."

Reina smiled hearing Lyall praise Kai and Sol.

"Tell them, I’ll be there in evening for dinner."

"Yes, Master."

With that said, Lyall left and Reina sighed wondering what she should do about the piling up issues before her.