Chapter 398: Failure

"Horace, we have movement." Halfdan turned and called out before facing the Maximus manor again. Horace slowly put his meal down and came over. By the door, he saw the main carriage the family travelled in being prepared. A few minutes passed, and they saw Magnus stepping out with Cassius.

"We move when they leave," Horace said coldly and went back to his tent. Opening his briefcase, he picked up two daggers and hid them up his sleeve. Grabbing a vial of blue poison, he carefully pocketed it. "Remember, distract them." Halfdan nodded and held his hand out. Horace passed him an extra knife before crouching next to him.

Forty-five minutes passed before Magnus left the manor. Waiting an extra ten minutes, the two nodded towards one another before getting on the main path. Openly walking towards the manor, the guards at the gate saw the two and stopped them.

"Leave." One of the guards spoke, his voice stern.

Horace smiled and shook his head, "I am Lord Underwell. A guest of His Grace." Horace put on a friendly smile and sighed, "I am the one who brought the prince for him to use. I have been away completing a task His Grace wanted me to do." Horace could see the guards faltering. Although they didn’t know his name, they did know Magnus had a guest a few weeks before. They also knew it was that guest who introduced the prince to the manor.

"Listen, I know you don’t wish to get in trouble. If you bring His Grace, he will clear up the misunderstanding."

The two guards looked at one another with an annoyed expression. "His Grace had left with Commander Cassius."

"oh...." Horace let his words trail before looking up at the sun, "I am sure he told me to arrive at this time." Shaking his head, Horace smiled at the guards once more, "Then is there any chance you can bring Lord Marius or Lady Valeria. Those two have seen me numerous times."

"We can get Petros." One of the guards said, making Horace’s heart stop for a second.

"Are you sure you want to bother Petros?" Horace quickly argued. If there was one person who knew of Magnus’ abandonment of Horace, it was Petros. At all costs, Horace had to avoid him. "Petros hardly enjoys His Grace’s presence when he works. Are you sure he would appreciate a guard bothering him?"

The guards looked at each other and agreed." I will get Lord Marius." One said, finally giving up and walked into the manor. Waiting five minutes, Horace and Halfdan stood silently. Horace slowly prepared himself to run. He had a good read of Magnus after staying with him for a while and knew he was someone who kept things to himself. That was why he was so confident to walk through the front gate.

After five minutes, the guard returned with an annoyed man who had just turned twenty. "Seeing Horace, he rolled his eyes and snapped at the guard. "Next time you see him, don’t bother me. He is father’s guest." Marius clicked his tongue in annoyance and walked back into the manor. The gate opened for the two, letting them casually stroll in.

"We have one chance. We can’t come back afterwards." Halfdan nodded, and the two sped up, walking into the manor. "Stay clear of Petros. He should be held up in his office like always."

Halfdan thought of the layout of the manor and quickly smiled, "I’ll send Ash to him. Petros’ office is a distance away from the girls’ room. Should give you enough time to do your job." Horace thought on it for a second before nodding.

Walking up the steps, Horace and Halfdan walk through the manor. The servants ignored the two, having seen them come and go numerous times. Going into a random guest room, Horace left the door ajar and watched the corridor. Halfdan carried on and, standing before Valeria’s room, gently knocked.

Waiting a few seconds, he heard footsteps approach the door before it opened slightly, Ash’s cold gaze looking down at him. "What?" Halfdan didn’t smile, just letting out an annoyed sigh.

"Petros has called for you. Something to do with a change of plan." Ash squinted and frowned.

"When did you return?" Staring at Halfdan, he looked around and couldn’t see Horace. "Where is the other?"

"Magnus left with him and Cassius. I was ordered to stay behind." Halfdan lied easily and waited patiently. Ahs’s probing gaze didn’t fill him with confidence; he was easily able to tell he didn’t trust him.

"Fine." Leaving the room, he looked at Halfdan, "Lead the way." Halfdan clicked his tongue but nodded. Walking past Horace, he made sure not to look at him. Horace listened to the footsteps and heard them disappear into the distance. Moving quickly, he walked in front of Valeria’s room and let himself in.

The woman jumped in fright, but Horace didn’t pay attention to her, as Asmond sat casually, reading a book. He looked up at Horace and, with a friendly smile, got up. "What are you doing here. It’s rude to barge into a woman’s room." Asmond looked at Horace and could tell he had a hidden weapon. "Armed aswell."

Horace clicked his tongue and watched Asmond slowly block the path to Valeria. Horace’s mind spun, trying to find an excuse. He wouldn’t have expected Asmond to stay in the room with Ash and his wife. "I’m always armed. You should know that."

"Of course, but never rude." Asmond reached behind his back and held the small dagger holstered there. "So what are you doing here, My lord?" Horace watched as Valeria backed up in fear, going fully behind Asmond.

"I could ask the same of you. Staying in a married couple’s room. Rumours are a terrible thing." Horace said in a friendly tone that didn’t work on Asmond.

"I am his sword. Of course, I would protect him and his wife." The two stared at one another for a second. It didn’t go unnoticed that Horace peeked at Valeria a few times. "Get out, My Lord. Or I will force you to leave."

Horace watched and clicked his tongue. The plan was almost perfect. He had been stupid. He should have taken Asmond into account. He wasn’t one of Magnus’ men. He was Ash’s soldier. Horace took a deep breath.’Is it possible?’His eyes hardened as he slowly let the daggers in his sleeves drop.’No. Not silently, at least.’

Although the door was closed, Horace knew it wouldn’t take long for people to realise a fight had broken out. Stopping his daggers, he took a deep breath and raised his hands. "You’re right. It was rude of me." Placing a hand over his heart, he lowered his head towards Valeria, "Forgive me, My Lady. I’m sure I frightened you."

Stepping out, Horace quickly ran down the halls, ignoring the strange glances from servants. Seeing Halfdan and Ash in the distance, he slowed down and turned a corner.’Halfdan is smart enough to leave instantly.’Horace didn’t worry about his man. If he died, then it was a small loss, and he made his way to the front door. Leaving the manor, he walked out like nothing had happened and disappeared on the road. Out of sight, he cut into the forest and returned to the small camp he had patiently waiting.

Twenty minutes passed, and Halfdan returned out of breath. We have to go. Now!" Hroace didn’t question it and cut the horse’s loss. Saddling it, he and Halfdan rode off into the distance away from the Maximus manor that was on high alert.

"We failed?" Halfdan asked with a surprised tone.

"A miscalculation. We can’t return anymore." Halfdan nodded as the two rode in the direction of the capital.

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Magnus desperately rode back to his manor. The agtes opened the door for him and, jumping off his horse without a care for himself, he ran into his house, up to Petros’ office. Throwing the door open, he saw the eunuch with Ash.

"How is Valeria?" It was a rare sight to him, so concerned. Ash wondered, however, if it was concern for his daughter or his grand plan.

"Unharmed, but terrified." Petros said blankly, "If it weren’t for his bodyguard, she would be dead." Magnus sighed in relief and looked at Ash.

"Thank you." Waving his hand, he leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes.

"I warned you he would act when he found out he was betrayed. I thought you warned the guards at least?" Petros said angrily. Sighing, Magnus sat down and shook his head.

"I didn’t expect him to act so soon."

"The girl nearly died because of..."

"I know." Magnus cut him off with a cold voice, "I was arrogant. Things had been going too well." Clicking his tongue, he looked deep into Petros’ eyes, "Inform his majesty that the Empire is acting. He has already proven himself to be my enemy. We will burn him before he can even think of leaving."

"Are you sure this is a safe course of action?" Petros asked, making sure it wasn’t a moment of anger.

"Of course." With a sinister smile, he threw Horace. ’You should never have betrayed me, Horace.’Although he was the first to do so, he never planned on killing the man, just leaving him in the dark about his plans. Getting up, Magnus walked to Valeria’s room and let himself in.

Seeing Asmond, he gave a thankful nod to him before sitting on his daughter’s bed. Stroking her hair, he sighed. "He won’t be back." Magnus leaned over and gave her a soft kiss, "But you won’t be safe until you’re Empress. I will work harder on my end, so make sure you do what I told you to." Magnus said protectively and stayed with her until she fell asleep, gently stroking her head.