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In a split second, Zasiok avoided Xue and naturally dragged his hostage along with him. The spear hit the ground where Zasiok stood, the impact caused a violent gust, but it wasn't enough to throw Zasiok off his balance.

The attack was futile.

Zasiok became vigilant, no longer looking in Hana's direction.

Xue straightened his body, retrieving his spear as he lifted his head, looking in Zasiok's direction.

Cecil met Xue's eyes, and the expression in his eyes made her breath hitch. Though his stormy grey eyes appeared blank, the oppressive aura around him says otherwise.

Xue is furious.

Cecil swallowed nervously, she felt like the anger was projected towards her.

Is...is the great lord protagonist going to kill me? Or Zasiok? Either way...I can tell that Xue is about to go on a murderous rampage.

Xue was preparing to charge at Zasiok again, and Cecil widened her eyes in horror.

We...we are gonna die--

"Her Majesty has arrived!"

Hana hurried to Xue's side at that moment, wearing a concerned frown as she pressed her petite hand gently on his shoulder.

"Xu-Xue, don't be too hasty, the queen is here..."

Xue paused, but he had no intention to stop.

"None of you are allowed to harm him, not now!" The queen ordered.

The guards made way for her, saluting as she walked past them. Her steps were hasty and she wore a troubled look on her face.

With those words, Xue could only withdraw begrudgingly.

Cecil has never felt more thankful for the queen.

"Zasiok."

"Your Majesty." Zasiok bowed his head.

The guard dressed in the different uniform quickly informed the queen of the situation, and the queen sighed, looking back at Zasiok.

"You want to see Kian?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zasiok answered respectfully, and the queen appeared more troubled.

"I...I can't believe after what happened, you still have the guts to face..." she began to say, her voice trembling with anger. She glanced at Cecil, her face growing conflicted. "...fine, go to Kian, but release her after that."

Zasiok remained silent, and the queen didn't dare drag the situation any longer. She commanded for everyone to follow her, including Xue and Hana. Zasiok remained at the front, knowing the directions to his master's place.

***

The servant rushed into the room upon seeing who was at the door, informing Kian, the queen's favoured concubine, immediately. They were quickly allowed entry and two people rushed out from the room into the living room.

The royal concubine's room was situated at one of the highest points in the castle, which Cecil found it odd. She wondered what the author was thinking when designing the kingdom in the first place.

"Yo-Your Majesty, what brought you here today?"

"Kian, Zasiok...wants to speak to you." she said, stepping aside and revealing Zasiok who was still holding Cecil hostage.

Cecil observed Kian, and she could see that the man was slender and gorgeous. His long, blonde hair reaching down to the centre of his back, his emerald beady eyes which were originally delighted grew dim.

"Zasiok."

"Master."

Kian seemed to hesitate, his expression growing distressed before he bowed.

"Your Majesty, pardon my boldness, I would like to speak with Zasiok privately in my room." Kian's voice was clear and soothing.

The queen was alarmed. "Privately? You don't want any guards to accompany you at all?"

Kian shook his head.

"Are you mad, Kian? What if he hurts you--"

"I will not hurt my master." Zasiok interrupted.

The queen and Kian looked at him.

"I will not hurt my master in any way," he emphasized. "I swear upon my life."

The queen didn't appreciate his words, her face twisting as her voice held a hint of anger.

"How dare you--"

"It's only just for a moment, I'll be fine. Please, Your Majesty," Kian implored. "He is still holding the guest hostage as well."

The queen hesitated, before sighing in resignation, warning them.

"Be quick. If you do not finish your conversation within three minutes, I will send the guards into the room."

Just like that, Cecil was dragged around like a rag doll again.

Xue wanted to rush in, but Hana held him back with both of her hands, shaking her head desperately.

"Xue, please don't. Remember what I said about dragging Cecil in as well."

Xue clicked his tongue, the turbulence evident in his grey eyes.

The queen turned her attention to Hana and Xue. "I apologise, to the both of you, as well as your teacher," she wore a guilty look. "I truly, sincerely apologise."

"It's alright, Your Majesty." Hana made an awkward smile. "We do not blame you."

The queen glanced at Xue, who was looking at her, and she retreated a few steps back.

Xue was clearly blaming her, by the look on his face, and he certainly wasn't happy with her words.

Not even a single bit.

***

Cecil certainly didn't expect Kian to be fussing over an ex-bodyguard, who probably "murdered" the prince.

"They...really didn't spare you any mercy." Kian sighed, observing the pitiful state of his ex-bodyguard.

No one would be able to associate Zasiok with his previous, robust state.

"At least, I can still use my arms and my legs."

"It's a miracle you can even move about!" Kian exclaimed, staring at the lunchboxes Cecil was carrying. "It seems like the elixir really worked."

Cecil frowned, tilting her head. If it was an elixir, there would some herbal scent, but there wasn't any herbal smell present in the lunchboxes.

I assumed it was the protagonist's godly powers making him move like that, but it was actually a hidden elixir...

"You concealed the herbal scent from the elixir?" Cecil questioned, growing curious. "How is that possible?"

Cecil don't remember such an information in the novel. This information was only revealed because the plotline of Zasiok has been further developed.

"Well, the healer who made these elixir didn't reveal much. She only stated that the herbal smell would be extremely faint," Kian explained with a polite smile. "It was impossible for anyone to pick up any scent of the elixir mixed in with the food."

Cecil's eyes shone brightly at the newfound information.

Such a technique existed in this world? If we didn't deviate from the plot, I wonder if I would have ever known about this!

"Master, you said you needed to talk to me urgently? Something regarding the...murder of the late prince?"

Kian turned to Zasiok, opening his mouth and he hesitated as he turned back to Cecil.

Cecil understood that look, and she remained indifferent.

Even if I told them I will pretend to hear nothing, they won't believe me. They can't kick me out either, since Zasiok will lose his only...hostage.

Cecil silently moved to the table, placing down the empty lunchboxes. She proceeded to walk to the other end of the room, beside the window, lifting her hands to cover her ears.

The two of them stared at her, surprised.

Cecil gestured for them to go ahead, and she covered her ears again.

She watched them converse quietly, their mouths moving, their expressions grave. She did not hear a single word, and Cecil's mind began to wander off.

Somehow, exploring the unknown side of the novel was exhilarating. The tiny bits of information she was discovering, be it important or not, be it new characters, new terms or new details, it was exciting.

Cecil glanced back at Kian and Zasiok, and Kian was gesturing at her to pull her hands away.

She did so, not a change in her indifferent expression.

"Thank you, master. You...are not required to help me, and yet..."

"Compared to what you have done for me, this is nothing," Kian sighed, his hand resting on Zasiok's shoulder. "This is my chance to repay you, and I will definitely do it."

The amiable atmosphere around them made one comforted, and Cecil couldn't help but look on silently, her expression soft.

Just then, she noticed a shadow in the corner of her eye and Cecil turned sharply, seeing a man dressed entirely in black slipping in via the opened window.

Cecil shot her hand to her dagger, and the man only knelt down immediately when he touched the floor, calling out to Kian respectfully.

She relaxed, withdrawing her hand from her dagger.

"Did you find out anything?"

The man covered in black clothes lifted his head up, his midnight black eyes landing on Cecil for a second, before moving on to Zasiok.

The man's eyes were the only feature that wasn't concealed.

"The king has gathered some of his own troops," he stated in a low voice, focusing on Zasiok. "He seems to be headed to your house."

"My parents." Zasiok uttered, alarmed as his eyes grew wide.

"He's picking up the pace," Kian panicked, looking at Zasiok. "You need to hurry! Go!"

Zasiok dashed quickly to the window, and Cecil was utterly lost, not knowing what she should even do here.

Do I need to pretend to be a hostage again? Or should I just--

The doors to the room burst open, interrupting her thoughts.

"Kian! Enough! A new report just came in, and I won't allow you to talk to him any further!"

"Your Majesty!" Kian exclaimed, flustered as he glanced to Zasiok.

"Step away from him, Kian."

The guards flooded into the room swiftly, and Kian panicked even further.

A new report?! Another false evidence? No, I can't allow Zasiok to be recaptured!

He clenched his fists, and positioned his body, he was desperate to provide Zasiok a burst of speed to escape faster. Kian's bodyguard noticed his movements, and quickly dashed forward to stop Kian.

Kian shot a blast of air, a transculent force preparing to spin its way towards Zasiok.

"No, Your Highness!"

The bodyguard pushed Kian's arms, directing the ball of air away from Zasiok.

Cecil blinked curiously.

The royal concubine possess an air element?

She then realised the same ball of air was now aimed at her.

She gasped, horrified.

Before she could even dodge, the blast of air struck her, and it wasn't a light one either. She was flung out the window within a second, her scream lodged in her throat as her eyes grew wide in disbelief.

Zasiok, who was a few steps away from the window, recoiled back instinctively to avoid being hit by Cecil. It took him a second to comprehend the situation, and he looked at Kian, wide-eyed.

Hana and Xue burst into the room, witnessing the same exact moment.

***

《 start 》

...

...

What the fu--

《 stop 》

***

Author's note: That's both Hana and Xue. And yes, Hana can curse. (pleasedontkillme)

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