While Alicia moved towards the mage district, the assassins came to the Capital city, Forlon. The leader entered the palace through a secret passage, which led directly to the Diamond Palace, the Emperor's personal residence. He left a note in the Emperor's study, whose contents were,
'The spring tree was in full bloom last night, just as you expected. I plucked the petal you sent me for. Please tell me where to deliver. -Aster'
After keeping this letter, the leader went back and waited for the Emperor's reply.
The Emperor entered his study at evening. After reading the letter, he replied,
"I am glad you pluck that petal. Will be waiting for it tonight after 2 hours, to see it in front of more petals."
He called his aide and told him to keep the letter at the central plaza's fountain, which is near fruits market. He specified secrecy. The aide, without asking further questions, did as he was told. An assassin, in the disguise of a civilian, discreetly took the letter and delivered it to his leader.
The leader realizing the time, quickly took Alicia's cloth pieces and ran back to the hidden passage. He went towards the Emperor's garden, which had a big, pink spring tree. The Emperor was waiting for him under it. He knelt down before the Emperor, showing Alicia's clothing in his hands. He spoke,
"My Employer, just as you wished, I have plucked that petal, and this is the proof."
He emphasized his hands.
The Emperor turned around and took the clothing in his hand. Seeing blood on it, he gave a smirk and asked,
"Is the flower completely gone?"
The leader replied,
"Yes! It is fully removed just as you wished."
The Emperor's smirk turned into a laugh. He said,
"Good! You will receive the reward as told. And also, the first ones I sent to this job were your rivals, right?"
The leader nodded in agreement.
The Emperor spoke,
"You may finish them too. I will give a reward for both."
The assassin smiled and nodded. Afterwards, he ran back to the passage.
The Emperor, with a large evil smile, spoke to himself,
" Charles, finally, the last piece of you and a threat to my throne is gone. You can't imagine how happy I am right now, my baby brother. "
He started to laugh uncontrollably, muttering, finally, finally. But he never saw the small shadow that was staring down at him from his palace's window.