Chapter 157
(Author POV)
The Storeroom, Kingdom of Varynthar
Miss Ann withdrew her glowing hands and exhaled.
"That'll do."
The bruises around Rhaevan's wrists had faded, and the cuts across his arms had closed. The deeper wounds had been treated with herbs and carefully bandaged.
"You're all set to survive today," Miss Ann said firmly. "Don't mistake that for being fully healed."
Rhaevan flexed his fingers.
"It'll do."
Without another word, he picked up the borrowed guard armor and fastened it back into place.
Master Benedict frowned.
"You're not thinking of going out again already, are you?"
"They've been gone too long."
"They'll be back, son. Don't even think about doing something foolish," Miss Ann said.
Rhaevan reached for the helmet.
"I'm not doing anything foolish. They might need additional assistance. I can help. I've been healed enough."
He was already heading toward the door despite Benedict and Annabeth's protests when three soft knocks sounded from the other side.
"It's us," Lucien called.
Master Benedict opened the door immediately.
Lucien slipped inside first, looking perfectly unharmed.
Rhaevan's gaze moved past him, and he immediately stepped forward.
"Cassie, are you all right? What took you both so long?"
His steps came to an abrupt halt when the maid behind Lucien lifted her head.
A familiar pair of eyes met his.
"Hey, Rey..."
Lysenne offered him a small, awkward smile.
The room went completely silent.
Rhaevan blinked once.
Then his expression hardened.
His gaze shifted slowly toward Lucien.
Lucien instinctively stepped back, a mixture of fear and panic crossing his face. He raised both hands in surrender.
"Brother, before you plan to kill me, please hear us out-"
"Where is Cassiane?"
Rhaevan's voice was dangerously quiet.
He took another step toward Lucien.
"Where is she?"
Lucien swallowed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"That's... Lysenne, would you help...?"
---
Earlier...
Inside the Princess's Chambers
The sisters stood frozen as the knocking came again.
Lysenne quickly composed herself.
"Quick. Hide somewhere. I'll see who it is."
She straightened her dress and walked toward the door as Cassiane hurried into the adjoining dressing room.
Lysenne opened it, her shoulders immediately relaxing when she saw the familiar figure standing outside.
"I was concerned when you didn't open the door, Your Highness," Martha said as she entered, carrying a folded wedding veil over one arm. "Is everything all right?"
She had taken only two steps when she noticed Cassiane emerging from the dressing room at the sound of her voice.
The veil slipped from her hands.
"C... Cassiane?"
"Martha."
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.
Then Martha hurried across the room and wrapped Cassiane in a fierce embrace.
"Oh, thank goodness..."
"I thought..."
She couldn't finish.
Cassiane smiled and hugged her back.
"I guess reunion week's not over yet."
Martha ignored the strange remark and pulled back, sniffling as she half laughed.
"Dear child, you scared me. Thank God you're all right."
She wiped at her eyes before hurriedly picking up the veil.
Before Cassiane could answer, a bell rang somewhere in the palace.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Lysenne's face fell.
"Oh dear lord. They're going to begin the ceremony soon."
Cassiane looked toward the window.
"The wedding?"
"Yes," Martha said. "The wedding will be held in an hour."
Lysenne immediately turned toward Cassiane.
"You need to escape this place with Rey and the others. Quickly. Take Martha and Cookie with you."
Her voice lowered.
"Malakor Claude has become... deranged. He believes the Heartforge can reshape the world. He keeps talking about creating a kingdom where no one can rebel. No wars. No choices. No suffering."
She hesitated.
"He calls it ... some...Harmony Project."
Cassiane's expression grew serious.
"Yesterday, I overheard him speaking with the Veiled Thorn siblings. They've completed the weapon with the Heartforge. It will be presented during the wedding as a ceremonial gift in front of all the royal and nobles."
Cassiane looked at Lysenne thoughtfully.
"So the entire royal court will be gathered in one place during the wedding."
"Yes. I heard that several powerful nobles, as well as my father, will be in the wedding hall, heavily under the influence of dark magic. And the Veiled Thorn siblings will both be there."
Lysenne nodded.
"They have never left the weapon unattended."
Cassiane walked toward the window, her expression becoming thoughtful as an idea took shape in her mind.
Lysenne and Martha exchanged a glance.
Then Lysenne stepped closer.
"Sister... what are you thinking?"
Cassiane turned back with a smile.
"Do you trust me?"
Lysenne didn't hesitate.
"With my life."
"Good. Because I'm going to need a very big favor from you."
Lysenne's brows drew together.
"What kind of favor?"
Cassiane smiled.
"I need to borrow your wedding dress."
Both Lysenne and Martha stared at her.
"...What?"
Cassiane turned toward Martha.
"Martha, I need your help getting me ready."
Martha blinked.
Cassiane's grin widened.
"You have one hour to doll me up."
Then she turned toward Lysenne.
"Now do as I say. There isn't much time."
Lysenne searched her face for a long moment before slowly nodding.
"Very well. What do you want me to do?"
---
The Halls of Varynthar Palace
Lucien guided the disguised Lysenne through the palace corridors, pushing the heavy, concealed cart.
"I still don't understand how she convinced you."
"Neither do I," Lysenne admitted, quickening her pace beside him. "She simply told me to trust her."
"And you did?"
"Without hesitation. Now hurry. We have to reach the kitchens quickly."
They reached the storeroom.
---
Present
Lysenne offered an apologetic smile.
"So..that's what happened. Cassiane asked us to get you all to the wedding hall to assist her."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Rhaevan slowly closed his eyes.
He pinched the bridge of his nose before lowering himself onto a nearby barrel.
"...One day," he exhaled, "this woman will be the death of me."
No one disagreed.
A moment later, his eyes opened again.
The exasperation was gone.
Only determination remained.
"Let's move."
"Wait," Lucien said, glancing at Benedict. "Benny?"
Benedict looked up.
"How good are you at conducting a wedding ceremony?"
Benedict stared at Lucien, then at Lysenne, before his gaze dropped toward the cart.
Lysenne had shifted the cloth covering it aside, revealing the completely unconscious priest who was supposed to conduct the wedding vows.
Cookie stood proudly beside him, apparently having appointed himself the priest's personal guard.