Chapter 30: Chapter 30:His Highness(7).

General Nathaniel was in his office reading some documents while enjoying a glass of wine when he noticed in the corner of his eye a crow looking at him.

He made eye contact with the crow and noticed the envelope tied to it so he stood up, walked to the window and opened it.

The crow flied into the room and sat on his shoulder. Nathaniel took the envelope from the bird and opened it.

He took the letter first and unfolded the paper seeing a beautiful writing.

"Sir Nathaniel,

You may wonder who sent this and more importantly why. I can't tell you my identity for now, buy I can assure you that we share the same goal. If you wish to trust this anonymous help I'll be happy."

Nathaniel placed the letter on his desk and then took the other papers out, unfolding them.

❝This is... ❞ he whispered looking over the documents. ❝Share the same goal, huh? I see.❞ Nathaniel said and smiled.

He sat at the desk and wrote a reply for Zhia Xiang. He tied the letter to the crow and instructed it to go back to its owner.

Nathaniel analyzed the strategy and plans all night.

___________________

Zhia Xiang woke up and noticed the letter on the nightstand. She took it and carefully opened it.

"Lady anonymous,

I'm grateful for what you've sent me and I assure you I will make good use of it.

If you're wondering how I knew you're a woman it's because my instinct. And the fact that I've smelt flowery perfume on the paper."

❝He's really good.❞Zhia Xiang said burning the letter.

She washed, changes and went to have breakfast with Felix as usual.

❝Are you prepared for today? ❞Felix asked looking at Zhia Xiang.

❝Of course. ❞ she said smiling.

❝That man was again here, I've been told. Why don't you kill him? ❞Felix asked.

❝His sister needs him. Besides, he's just annoying, not a threat. ❞Zhia Xiang said eating breakfast.

❝I see. ❞Felix said and the rest of the breakfast was silent.

Later, Duke Averstein's party began. Zhia Xiang changed in her assassin clothes and sneaked it to steal the documents. As she knew, the four men that Felix hates were having a meeting in a secret room in the Duke's residence.

When a maid entered to pour tea for the men, Zhia Xiang stole the documents from the drawer and left like she's never been there.

Later that day,Duke Averstein noticed the documents missing and he went crazy. He put servants search every corner for them, but unsuccessful.

His anger turned to the other three men who were the only ones who knew about the documents he possessed and an argument broke out.

Averstein began to threaten the other three.

❝Give them back or else this will end badly! One of you stole them, you greedy bastards! ❞Duke Averstein shouted pointing to the three men in front of him.

❝Mind your words, Duke! ❞Viscount Duelle shouted, offended by Duke's words.

❝Mind my words? Give the documents back, I was the one to get them!❞Duke Averstein continued to argue.

The three men left angry leaving Duke Averstein red as a tomato.

❝Those bastards! They want to keep all the money from selling the documents! ❞Duke Averstein said and threw a cup, breaking it in pieces.

He had to retrieve the documents back a way or another.

_________________

❝How was it? ❞Felix asked looking at Zhia Xiang who returned.

❝It's done. I'll start the next plan tonight. ❞ Zhia Xiang said.

❝And what that may be? ❞Felix asked smiling. He was pleased that he could get his hands on a smart piece like her that would do everything on her own.

❝I'll send Viscount Duelle a letter pretending to be Duke Averstein who wants to apologize for the fight and would like to have dinner together. When Viscount Duelle gets there, Duke Averstein will be dead and we'll make it look like Viscount Duelle killed him. Coincidentally, you go to visit Duke Averstein at the same time and catch the Viscount there, next to the corpse. From here, he's yours. ❞Zhia Xiang explained.

Felix smirked.

❝Good plan. I'll do my part. I'm glad you turned out useful. ❞Felix said leaving.

Zhia Xiang looked at his back expressionless.

____________________

❝You're saying... he was behind all that? He used me... my father... just to kill him in the end? ❞Giselle said in shock.

She sat in the chair and looked at the floor processing.

❝Yes. He's behind it.❞Adrien said looking at Giselle.

❝Then Denise isn't safe with him! ❞Giselle said realizing her friends may be used and killed later like her father was.

❝I know. I've told her and she said she won't run like a coward. All I can do is hope she's safe.❞Adrien said concerned about Zhia Xiang's safety.

❝Let's go in Sortia, this way we'll be close to her in case she needs help. ❞Giselle said standing up and rushing to tell the other girls that she will leave for a while.

Adrien waited for Giselle in his carriage.

_____________________

Zhia Xiang already sent the letter to Viscount Duelle. The night set, she was currently hiding in Duke Averstein's house waiting.

❝He's here. ❞agent 0 announced after he sensed Viscount Duelle coming.

Duke Averstein was in his office doing paperwork, unaware of what's about to happen to him.

Zhia Xiang sneaked behind Duke Averstein, took out the dagger she stole from Viscount Duelle when she stole the documents, and slit the man's throat open.

The Duke died almost immediately.

Knock knock

❝I'm here. ❞Viscount Duelle said entering the room.

Zhia Xiang blew out the candles before Viscount Duelle could see anything.

❝What's going on? Are you playing pranks on me? ❞Viscount Duelle asked nervous.

Zhia Xiang dropped the dagger in front of the Viscount which scared the man.

❝Who's there? ❞Viscount Duelle asked looking around, trying to get used to the darkness.

Zhia Xiang dragged the Duke's body in front of Viscount Duella and broke a few vases to make it seem like they argued.

❝Felix is here. ❞Agent 0 announced.

Zhia Xiang left quietly. The Viscount turned around to leave when the door opened and hit him in the face.

❝What is this stupid prank? ❞he asked angry.

❝What's going on here? Light the candles! ❞Felix's cold voice ordered.

Viscount Duelle was panicked and did not understood what's going on.

When the candles were lit, everyone, except Felix, looked stunned at the corpse laying on the floor, bleeding.

Viscount Duelle's eyes widened and he began to shake scared.

❝What is the meaning of this, Viscount Duelle? You've killed Duke Averstein and planned on fleeing the scene? ❞Felix asked looking at the panicked viscount.

❝What? N-no! It wasn't me! ❞ Viscount Duelle said.

❝Then who was it? Only you and Duke Averstein were here. Give me that dagger. ❞Felix said pointing to the bloody dagger.

Viscount Duelle shock was even greater when he saw his dagger that he lost, here, covered in blood.

❝Your majesty, I'm being framed! Someone else was here, I've sensed them. ❞Viscount Duelle said, his legs turning to jelly.

❝Who was it? How do they looked like? ❞Felix asked looking the man in the eye.

❝I-I-I don't know. The light was out, I couldn't see them, but it's true! You have to believe me! ❞Viscount Duelle said afraid that he'll be convicted for murder.

❝Take Viscount Duelle for interrogation. ❞Felix ordered.

❝Your Highness! It's a misunderstanding! ❞Viscount Duelle shouted as guards dragged him out.

Felix looked at the dead body smiling.

❝That's what you get for going against me. ❞Felix said, chuckled and left.

Zhia Xiang took a bath and changed her clothes. She was wandering around the Palace when she heard a aggressive whispering.

She stopped to listen.

❝Tell him to come here! I've done what he asked me and now my love doesn't want to see me anymore!! It's because of him! ❞ a woman shouted.

❝Marie? What the fuck is she doing here? Wait... ❞  Zhia Xiang said and her eyes widened.

❝His majesty won't see you. Leave before you lose your life. He gave you money and a chance to seduce that man, but you've failed on your own. ❞Aaron said pushing the woman away.

Zhia Xiang understood what's going on and her anger increased.

❝No! You can't do this! I'll tell Denise! She'll know what bastard she has next to her so she won't help anymore! ❞Marie shouted and turned to leave, but froze when a sword stabbed troughs her abdomen.

❝I've warned you... ❞Aaron said and caught Marie's body before she could hit the ground.

Zhia Xiang left and wrote a letter to general Nathaniel.

Later that night, Nathaniel saw the familiar crow with a new letter. He opened it.

"Tomorrow at night in Tria forest, prepare to kill Felix."

Nathaniel was curious about why the lady was angry. He could feel the negative emotions radiating from the writing, but he did as she said.

Nathaniel mobilized his troops and left the same night to Sortia Empire.

Morning came, Felix was in a good mood thanks to taking two enemies down.

❝You're here!❞ he said looking at Zhia Xiang who came to eat breakfast.

❝Do you want something from me? ❞Zhia Xiang asked and sat down on her sit.

❝You've done a good job so far, is there something you want? ❞Felix asked supporting his chin on his hands.

Zhia Xiang thought for a while.

❝There is something. I've heard about the rare flowers that grow in Tria forest so I wish to see them with my own eyes. ❞Zhia Xiang said looking at Felix.

Felix nodded his head, he was satisfied with her work so why not. She didn't even asked for something big.

❝This woman may be my best chess piece. ❞ Felix smirked at the thought and the two ate.

At noon, Felix prepared a carriage for them to use.

❝I'm here. ❞Zhia Xiang said walking to him.

❝Let's go. ❞Felix said smiling.

❝Aaron isn't coming? He's usually always with you. ❞Zhia Xiang asked looking around for Aaron.

❝He has duties, it's just us. Why? Have you got your eyes on my knight? ❞Felix asked and felt a bitter feeling in his mouth.

❝I was just asking, calm down. ❞Zhia Xiang said and got in the carriage with him and the left.

❝Say, how does your dream life looks like? ❞Felix asked looking at her.

Zhia Xiang decided to speak as Denise, not herself.

❝Happily married and with kids living a easy life. Enjoying the little things in life. ❞ she replied looking back at him.

❝I see. ❞Felix said and continued to look at her. His mind began to wonder at this dream life of hers.

Zhia Xiang looked out of the window for the rest of the trip.

Once arrived at the forest, the two walked to the small field in which the flowers grow.

❝Do you think... you can have your dream life with me? ❞Felix asked hesitant.

He didn't know why he kept thinking about it the whole ride.

Zhia Xiang gave him a questioning look.

❝No. ❞ she replied shortly.

❝Why? ❞Felix asked, feeling a knot in his throat that he disliked.

❝I don't love you and you don't deserve to be loved, your highness. ❞Zhia Xiang said smiling.

A smile that made him angry. He grabbed her shoulders and was about to argue with her, but he sensed people surrounding them.

Seeing the calm woman in front of him he realized. Felix's eyes widened.

❝You've... betrayed me. ❞Felix said in disbelief.

❝I was never under your order, your highness.❞ Zhia Xiang said looking in his eyes.

Felix shook his head.

❝Why have you done it? ❞Felix asked.

❝You should know why. ❞ she said cold.

❝Ha, if that's not a cute moment. ❞ general Nathaniel said applauding.

Felix turned to look at him with a death glare. Zhia Xiang wanted to leave, but Felix grabbed her.

❝You are still my Empress, don't forget it.I'll punish you after I'm done here. ❞ He said taking his sword out.

❝I won't let you make it out alive. ❞Zhia Xiang said and went to Nathaniel's side.

❝It's a pleasure to meet you. ❞ general Nathaniel said bowing his head.

Zhia Xiang nodded her head and sat on the grass under a tree. The fight begun.

A few memories belonging to Denise played in Zhia Xiang's mind as she looked at the fight.

She saw a little boy on the ground, kicked by other kids. Denise, who is also a child, ran and shouted at the kids making them run.

She then helped the little boy get up and even blew gently on scratched knee.

That boy looked like Felix.

❝So they've met before. What a fate. ❞ Zhia Xiang said glaring at Felix who was attacked from all sides.

Feelings of sadness belonging to the owner of the body came to her like waves pushing her body down.

❝Sad that he turned out such a shitty person, huh? ❞ she whispered to herself.

Soon, Felix got a deadly wound. That's when Zhia Xiang walked and stopped the fight.

❝It's enough. He'll die soon, you all can leave. ❞Zhia Xiang said looking at Nathaniel.

He understood that she wants to be alone with him in his last moments so he and his troops left them alone.

Felix grabbed her dress with this bloody hand.

❝Denise... ❞he said, looking truly pitiful. Like a little abandoned child.

❝You've done enough. ❞Zhia Xiang said looking at him.

❝I'm sorry... ❞ Felix said.

❝Why did you turned out like this?❞Zhia Xiang asked out of curiosity.

❝I've been looked down upon my whole life for having a commoner mother. That caused me to be what I am today. ❞Felix shortly replied holding his bleeding wound.

Zhia Xiang sighed and bended down to his level. She saw the lonely and scared kid that Felix actually was, a kid that never got the love he longed for so long.

Zhia Xiang hugged him which made Felix sob, heartbreaking sobs that could made everyone who heard them feel pity.

❝Thank you. I wish we can meet again... in better circumstances. ❞Felix spoke, his face buried in Zhia Xiang's shoulder as his eyes closed and he took his last breath.

Zhia Xiang laid him down and looked at the smile on his face. She took her handkerchief out and wiped the blood on the corners of his mouth.

❝I wish you can find peace. ❞ She said and ripped some flowers, placing them on his chest.

She then sent a letter to Aaron about Felix's whereabouts and one to Giselle as her last goodbye.

❝Ready to leave? ❞agent 0 said.

❝Yes. ❞Zhia Xiang said and she got transported back to the base.

She chose to take a peek at what happens after she left.

___________________

Giselle saw the crow that was flying towards her.

❝A letter? ❞ she asked confused as she took the letter out.

"Dear friend,

I won't be able to see you again and I'm sorry for being a coward and choosing to write you. I enjoyed the short time we had, I've... always seen you as a mother figure that I wished I had. Tell the girls I'll miss them and continue to be the amazing person you are. Goodbye.

PS:Tell that stupid Adrien that I'm not mad anymore so he can drop the guilt and move on.

your subordinate"

Giselle could see her tears stain the paper.

❝Be happy, idiot... ❞Giselle muttered and held the letter to her chest.

Zhia Xiang looked at the screen and wiped her tears.

❝Your majesty... you've done enough. It's time to rest peacefully. ❞Aaron cried as he looked at Felix's peaceful face.

Aaron was saved by Felix a few years ago so for him, Felix was family.

Zhia Xiang looked at Aaron and wished he'll be alright in the future.

She walked to the bed and sat in it tired.