Chapter 168 - 167: Hide and Seek

Axelius leaned against a pillar, watching quietly. He didn’t seem bothered by the crowd, but his sharp eyes were everywhere. Then he saw Tiana.

She moved gracefully through the hall, smiling. Even though everyone now knew she wasn’t the real princess, she still held herself with confidence. People still respected her.

Axelius smirked. He stepped forward and stopped in front of her.

"May I have this dance?" he asked, bowing slightly.

Tiana raised an eyebrow and smiled.

She placed her hand in his, and they moved to the center of the ballroom. The music changed, soft and flowing, and they began to dance.

Then Tiana leaned closer and whispered, "How’s Sylfia?"

Axelius smirked. "Good as new."

Tiana pinched his shoulder lightly, her voice playful but serious. "Take care of her, okay?"

He laughed softly. "Don’t worry. She’s perfectly fine. Really."

Tiana let out a small sigh and smiled, relief in her eyes. They didn’t notice the other guests watching. Whispers spread through the hall:

"Look at them... they go so well together."

"Do you see that? They suit each other."

"Perfect match, if you ask me."

Axelius leaned a little closer and whispered, "Looks like the court is gossiping already."

Tiana chuckled. "Let them. It won’t ruin our night."

Time passed, and the masquerade continued. Axelius wandered with a glass of wine in hand, watching the crowd laugh and mingle.

Then something caught his attention. His father, the Grand Duke, was acting... strange. He moved quickly, glancing over his shoulder as if someone was following him.

His brow furrowed, Axelius set his wine down and followed quietly, weaving through the crowd.

The Grand Duke slipped into his private office. Axelius stopped outside the door, listening. He heard muffled voices... arguing. Then a sound of struggle.

Axelius’ frown deepened. He pushed the door open just enough to slip inside.

Inside, the Grand Duke was barely holding his ground, defending himself against a shadowy figure whose movements were fast and deliberate.

"Need a hand?" Axelius said casually, stepping forward.

The figure froze for a heartbeat then vanished like smoke.

Axelius blinked, scanning the empty office. His father was panting, leaning against the desk, clearly weakened. Axelius moved to support him.

"Grand Duke... are you hurt?" he asked, steadying the Duke.

Before he could do more, a scream pierced the air.

"Ahhhh!" Ellory’s voice echoed through the hall.

The sound drew a crowd fast. Servants, nobles, and knights rushed toward the office, masks askew, eyes wide in fear.

Axelius frowned as he looked at the crowd rushing in.How are they already here?

He stepped forward, raising his hands slightly. "Someone attacked—" he began, but before he could finish, Cyruz barked out an order.

"Knights! Seize him! He’s the one who poisoned the Grand Duke!"

Axelius blinked. "What the heck are you talking about?"

The knights hesitated for a fraction of a second, then stepped forward, swords drawn, shields raised. The Grand Duke sagged weakly in Axelius’ arms barely awake, but all eyes were now on him.

"I didn’t do anything" Axelius calmly said.

Cyruz’ eyes narrowed, unmoved. "Enough excuses. The evidence is clear! Take him!"

The knights moved quickly and seized Axelius, grabbing his arms firmly.

Just as he prepared to push back, a hand touched his shoulder. He turned his head and saw Ellory, her eyes wide and shiny with unshed tears.

"Brother... please," she whispered, voice trembling. "Tell me you didn’t do it."

Axelius allowed a small, calm smile. "It’s not me," he said softly.

Ellory wiped her tears, nodded, and took a deep breath. Relief flickered across her face, but her worry didn’t leave completely.

Axelius was about to make a move, his instincts itching to fight, to show them the truth. But then a sharp slap landed across his cheek.

"What the—?" he muttered, rubbing his face as his head swiveled.

Tiana stood close, her face serious, but her voice gentle as she leaned in and whispered near his ear.

"Don’t fight back, Axelius," she said softly.

He looked at her, a flash of surprise and amusement crossing his eyes, but before he could respond, the knights tightened their grip and began dragging him away.

Axelius shot one last glance at Ellory, who gave him a small, brave nod, and then at Tiana, her calm presence stopping him from acting recklessly.

Even as the crowd murmured and chaos swirled around them, he stayed silent—for now.

The knights didn’t loosen their grip as they dragged Axelius down the hall. The sound of his boots against the marble echoed faintly, and whispers followed them wherever they went.

Finally, they reached a small, shadowed cell. The knights shoved him inside and slammed the door. Axelius leaned against the cold wall, arms crossed, quiet as ever, letting the moment settle around him.

Moments later, the faint click of boots reached his ears. The cell door opened again, and Tiana stepped in, flanked by a few knights—and Ellory, who looked worried but determined.

"I want to speak to him... privately," Tiana said firmly to the knights.

One of them hesitated. "Master Cyruz ordered that he remain in custody. We cannot allow—"

"I said I want to speak to him!" Tiana’s voice grew sharper, though calm.

Ellory stepped forward, her eyes wide and pleading. "Please... just let her. She has to talk to him."

The knights exchanged glances, reluctant but understanding. There was no choice. Slowly, they stepped back, moving away a little.

Tiana gave them a brief nod, then turned fully to Axelius. "I’m sorry," she said immediately as she stepped closer, her voice quiet and sincere. "I had to do that... the slap earlier."

Axelius tsked, rubbing his cheek. "What’s going on anyway? What’s with the poisoning?"

Tiana took a deep breath, looking serious now. "Someone shouted in the hall that the Grand Duke was attacked... and poisoned. They thought it was you. That’s why everyone rushed here so fast."

Axelius raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly despite the situation. "Figures. Someone wants me to take the blame, huh?"

Tiana nodded, biting her lip. "Exactly. That’s why I had to stop you before you... reacted."

Axelius let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Well, that explains the hospitality," he muttered, leaning back against the wall again.

Tiana sighed and looked at him, her eyes calm. "We need to figure out what really happened... and fast. Before it gets worse."

Ellory stood beside her, fidgeting slightly but nodding. "We’re with you, brother" she whispered.

***********

For the past few days, Axelius had been locked in the palace jail. The cell was small, cold, and quiet, but he didn’t seem to mind. He leaned against the wall, eyes half-closed, barely noticing the passing hours.

Tiana and Ellory visited often. Tiana pleaded with him quietly, "Don’t move yet, Axelius. Let me think... let me figure out what to do. We can’t act recklessly."

Axelius smirked each time, leaning lazily against the wall. "Relax. I’m perfectly fine here," he said, stretching. "Even the walls are polite enough to give me company."

One morning, he woke to the faint creak of the jail door opening. He yawned, stretched his arms, and blinked sleepily.

"Good morning," he said cheerfully, noticing the knights standing nearby and Cyruz, looking unusually serious. "So... what’s for breakfast?"

Cyruz didn’t smile. His voice was steady, cold. "Actually... it’s about your death day."

Axelius froze mid-stretch, eyes narrowing, a slow smirk forming. "Excuse me?"

Cyruz continued, unwavering. "The Grand Duke has died. You are now sentenced... to death."

The knights didn’t let up, dragging Axelius down the hall.No way...he thought, his brow furrowed.The old man just died? Just like that?He couldn’t believe the Grand Duke could die in a few days like this. Something felt... off.

They reached the main doors. The sunlight hit him suddenly, bright and blinding. Axelius raised his elbow to shield his eyes as they pushed him outside.

The courtyard was filled with people, all quiet now, mourning. The air was heavy with grief. Axelius looked around carefully.

Ellory stood near the front, staring off into nothing, her eyes red and glimmering with unshed tears. Many nobles and servants looked pale, some trying to hold back sobs. The Grand Duchess—composed at first—had tears shining in her eyes, betraying her effort to stay calm.

Axelius’ gaze landed on Tiana. She looked at him briefly, then shook her head, lips pressed together. A single tear rolled down her cheek.I thought there was a plan... huh?he thought, the frustration tugging at him.

Tiana mouthed silently,I’m sorry.Another tear slipped down her cheek.

Axelius exhaled, letting a long sigh escape. He turned his attention to Cyruz, standing rigid and serious beside the crowd.

"Did you investigate enough?" Axelius asked, his voice calm but sharp. "Seriously? Death... with no trial?"

Cyruz’ eyes didn’t waver. "We have enough evidence," he said firmly. "A witnesses saw you following the Grand Duke. Your presence at the scene. And more. You cannot escape your punishment, Axelius."

Witnesses...?His mind raced, trying to piece together who could have set this up so perfectly.

So, this is their plan,he thought, eyes narrowing.Blame me, pin it all on me...

He let out a soft, amused chuckle. "They failed," he said quietly, voice calm, almost lazy. "I can find the real culprit anytime I want. All I need is... a little show."

The knights stiffened, unsure what he meant. Axelius’ smirk widened. He tilted his head, eyes glinting behind the shadow of his mask.

"I wonder... how dramatic should I make this?" he murmured, raising a hand slowly, almost teasing.

Before he could act, a thick smoke began to roll across the courtyard, twisting and curling between the columns. Visibility dropped instantly. People coughed, stumbled, and shouted, chaos spreading like wildfire.

and then, through the haze, he saw her.

Sylfia.

Before he could even speak, a shadow swooped down. Crow, in a flash of black feathers, scooped them both up. Axelius let out a small laugh as the ground fell away beneath them.

When they finally landed, the smoke had cleared just enough to see. Axelius looked down at the courtyard. Panic and confusion spread everywhere. Nobles and knights were pointing and shouting, but no one could see him.

"Wow," he said casually, smirking. "You came. I thought you weren’t gonna miss me."

Sylfia’s eyes were sharp, serious. "I know exactly what you’re going to do. But not now. You need to hide, Axelius."

"Tsk. Come on. I can turn this around anyway."

"No," Sylfia said firmly, shaking her head. "It’s not just one. We need to catch all of them. Showing what you’re capable of now... it’ll just make the others hide. Yes, you’ll catch some, but there are more waiting. We need a plan."

Axelius’ grin softened into a quiet, knowing smirk. "Hide... and... seek. My favorite game."