Chapter 13
The garden was held in perfect silence. The nobles were sweating buckets as they struggled to withstand the suffocating pressure of Veyron's aura. A few had already taken out equipment to defend themselves, among them the Earl of Narest. Reggie had beads of sweat rolling down his face, his breathing shallow, yet an intrigued gleam remained in his eyes.
'A new variable,' he mused. 'What is someone from Iskaria doing here?'
Suddenly, an indigo aura erupted in the air, wrestling violently with the silver one for dominance.
"My Lord, you have to stop," Minos warned, his eyes narrowing. Finally—after what felt like an eternity—King Hendrick's aura subdued the silver energy, releasing the nobles from its weight.
"What is the meaning of this?" King Hendrick demanded, his voice deep and cold as rolling waves. His pale blue eyes glowed dangerously.
Veyron didn't respond. He simply strode toward the Prince lying motionless on the bench. The young man looked even worse than before.
Before he could reach him, Sera stepped in front, blocking his path. She said nothing, but her stance—and the defiant glow of her sapphire eyes—spoke volumes.
Bentley made a move forward, but Veyron stopped him with a flick of his hand.
"Do you want to see your brother dead?" Veyron asked, his tone indifferent, as though the countless eyes boring into him were of no concern.
Sera froze. She turned to glance at her brother—his lips were blue.
"Thank you all for joining us today. The ball has ended. The Caelharrow House will inform the public of any matters."
Minos's voice echoed through the garden, commanding attention.
"Also, everyone will be searched at the gate. Please comply."
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.
"What do you mean by that, High Steward? Are you suspecting us?" an envoy with a roaring lion badge exclaimed.
Minos stared back calmly and shrugged. "Perhaps."
His curt answer drove the nail into the wall. The nobles fumed, barely containing their fury.
"Don't you think what you're doing is—"
A violent burst of purple aura exploded into the night, far more aggressive than when it clashed with Veyron's earlier and with that the nobles immediately began filing out—Reggie faster than most.
"My Lord!"
Minos shot the King a warning glance. Hendrick, standing beside his son, ignored him, his expression blank.
When the garden finally emptied, Veyron drew back his hand after conducting a series of tests.
"He was stabbed in the intercostal muscles. He's probably in his third stage—that's why his lips are tinged blue."
Veyron stood, his tone measured.
"So why isn't he healing?" Sera demanded, her voice uneven.
Carrissa looked up at him, horror hidden behind her eyes.
"Father, can't you heal him? You can—a Great Human can heal! Please!"
Sera's words came in succession,her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.
King Hendrick stood still. His expression was grave, his face pale with fury and grief.
"Father… Father… Garran can't breathe…"
"He's been poisoned."
Veyron's words dropped like a bomb. Sera and Carrissa both went pale; Sera staggered back.
"He… what?"
"He was stabbed with Soul–Ember Ash," Bentley explained, gesturing. "It grows in thr hottest dessert and needs only a drop of blid to keep it alive year long, when used it burns through the veins when it senses even a trace of aura. Your father can't heal him—his strength alone would… you know."
Bentley gestured with his hand upwards, signifying how high up on the ladder King Hendrick was.
"Does… does that mean he'll die?" Carrissa whispered.
"Do something, please! Father, please!" Sera cried, turning between Veyron and the King.
"They cannot help at this point, Sera," came a familiar voice.
Lord Devrane entered, carrying a small box. "The poison can't be removed yet. We have to wait a few hours."
Erin took hold of the box and strode closer to the bench in measured steps as though he was carrying something fragile. He knelt beside Garran, careful to avoid Veyron's gaze. From the box, he drew a delicate purple flower and smeared its pollen near Garran's nose.
Moments later, the Prince's breathing steadied, and the blue tint of his lips faded.
"This is the Sunray Flower. It will help him breathe for a few hours," Erin said softly. He offered Sera a reassuring smile—but she didn't notice, still staring blankly at Garran.
"I thought the Assembly banned cultivating this plant," Bentley muttered.
Many in the garden exchanged uneasy glances at the casual way he spoke of the Assembly—but none dared to rebuke him because of the person he was walking with.
"They did," Erin replied. "No one heard of it again until a few years ago… when it resurfaced. It's been used by only one organization since."
"The Shadowy Hands," Carrissa murmured, trembling.
"Oh, they're here too?" Bentley remarked dryly. "Rich people, indeed."
A furious burst of purple aura—dotted with blue—flared across the garden, painting everything in a stormy glow.
"It seems those people have forgotten who I am." King Hendrick blazed, his hands balled into a fist by his side. "Cooper, carry the Prince to his chambers."
From the King's shadow, a man climbed out–the people in the garden all and their thoughts but many didn't bother to speak and Cooper soon lifted Garran effortlessly and disappeared inside, followed closely by Sera and Carrissa.
Soon, only Veyron, his retinue, the Devranes, and King Hendrick remained.
"Lord Devrane," the King said, regaining composure, "you must be tired from your journey. Please rest. We'll speak tomorrow."
The Devranes exchanged glances—they wanted to stay—but they knew better.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Once they departed, Hendrick turned away and began walking, after flashing Veyron a glance. Veyron followed after a pause, gesturing for Bentley to stay behind.
When they reached a quiet corner, the King sat on a bench.
"You can sit there," he said, pointing to one nearby. "You never liked close contact, anyway."
Veyron chose his own bench, a little farther off.
"Doesn't the night look beautiful? Veronica loved the stars, especially in the night. I built the observatory for her" Hendrick murmured. "She said they…"
"I found a cure."
Veyron's interruption made Hendrick pause. The King turned to him—his face worn and tired. As his father's age mate,he now looked far beyond his years. The once-bright sapphire of his eyes had dulled; wrinkles marked his face that even cosmetics couldn't hide.
He looked down at his hands. "Veronica's death taught me grief. That even the purest souls can die helping those who wronged them. It pushed me to pursue revenge thus leading to the expansion and everything."
He rolled up his trouser leg, revealing the grey, lifeless skin beneath.
"Even after this, I didn't stop. I persevered the more. But yesterday… I had the most beautiful dream. She told me to settle things—and join her."
Veyron frowned subtly, torn between words and silence. He sighed, glancing up at the night sky.
"Hurry up then," he said quietly. "I've repaid my debt."
He rose, but Hendrick caught his wrist.
"I know you hate contact, but… can you stay for a while?"
Veyron hesitated, but sat. The two men stared at the stars in silence, surrounded only by rustling grass and shadowed bushes.
"You know what this means, right? Garran—"
"He'll figure it out on his own," Veyron replied.
Meanwhile, the palace bustled with activity. Guards scoured the grounds under Minos's supervision. His expression was unreadable as he watched them work, then turned away.
Rounding a corner, he met Earl Reggie, who sauntered forward, unbothered by the tension in the air.
"Oh, you're here," Reggie said with mock surprise. "I thought you'd be accompanying the King."
"Why did you do it?"
Reggie blinked, tilting his head in false confusion—then smiled as understanding dawned.
"Oh, you think I did that?" he chuckled. "Why would I harm the Prince? I'm his biggest fan."
"You didn't come to the meeting," Minos stated flatly.
"Oh, that? I was busy. My carriage is waiting—we'll talk another time."
He walked a few steps, then stopped, slapping his forehead as if he'd forgotten something. He turned back and leaned close.
"I merely told them to hurt him," Reggie whispered, lips curling. "But this outcome works too."
He stepped back, searching Minos's face for a reaction—but there was none.