Chapter 5 #2
I grinned at him. My uncle could go straight to Udiona if he complained about my intentions.
As hard as admitting to my deficiencies was, he and the others were correct.
In my current state, I was too frail for revenge.
Didn’t matter how everything in me screamed to bring death and suffering upon the merchant; securing Nayana’s safety was more important.
Justice could wait a few days longer, and dealing with Feroy while having the knowledge in the back of my head that my Nayana was out of harm’s way would be much more satisfying in the end.
So yes, relying on magic was the wrong call here.
Instead, there was one thing I wasn’t too weak for—blackmail.
Just because I usually preferred more hands-on methods didn’t mean that I wasn’t a part of my fucked-up family.
I’d learned the art of ransom like others had mastered walking.
First, I’d make good use of this talent—murder had to wait a bit longer.
“If you go through with your idiotic flight of fancy, we will have a diplomatic disaster at hand.”
“You’re not the one who has to deal with the potential fallout. Also, I don’t believe there will be terrible consequences. Quite the opposite.”
“There must be a better plan than to rile up the royals.” Antas sighed heavily.
He could hope for another solution until he turned green, but there wasn’t one, and if the roaring silence from everyone else was any indication, my soldiers were well aware of this.
“So, are we in agreement, boy? And what about you, secondary friend of Nayana?”
“We have names, you know? Also, you’re extremely vague.”
She had nerves confronting me, and I smirked at her.
Having a course of action had revived my spirits.
Only a few more hours, and everything would improve.
“If you’re in, meet me at the castle gates tomorrow morning at the third hour after the Triad’s bell rings.
If not, we’ll do this without you. But be warned, the second-best solution won’t be as peaceful as the one I have in mind.
It’s on you to prevent deaths you might care about, and I don’t.
” As much as I’d allowed my blackmail skills to become rusty, I still aced the craft.
Since the two villagers had nothing of value to add, I ignored them as they communicated solely through eye contact and turned my attention to Nancy instead.
“And you’d better be sick tomorrow and in the foreseeable future.
Explain to Ireas where you live, and he’ll visit you, tending to said sickness as he keeps an eye on you, and should you double-cross us, keep in mind he isn’t only an expert in herbs with healing properties. ”
Ireas paled as he understood my implication but kept his mouth shut. He was still much too sensitive when it came to issuing death threats.
“Fiolar, Antas, Carthain. You’ll accompany me.”
None of them wore a cheerful expression, but as usual, I didn’t give a shit.
In the end, I was their superior, and if I issued commands, they couldn’t disobey.
Usually, I loathed pulling rank, as my titles were a sham anyway, but in this situation, throwing my weight around definitely had its merits.
“Since when can he give you orders?” The Rewani girl locked her gaze with Fig, who rolled his eyes.
“Long story, wrong place,” he muttered.
“I’ll do it. Not for you, but for Nayana. For her, I’ll trust you.”
Turning to the noisy boy who stood there with clenched teeth and appeared as if he wanted to be swallowed by the earth, I dipped my chin. “Good boy. Be ready.”
Dawn was breaking as I arrived at the assembly point long before the scheduled time. I had capitulated to the urge to observe the surroundings and plot alternatives, should the boy fail to get us into the castle.
Given his level of incompetence, his failure was almost guaranteed.
Nothing had changed about how exhaustion coiled through me in waves, but I was powered by anticipation and a pure need to keep going. This wasn’t the day I’d allow my body to betray me.
Yesterday, back at the inn, I’d locked myself into my room. The chance to be caught in hour-long discussions about my plans by the others had been too high, and nothing could change my mind anyway.
The hardest part would be gaining access and getting in front of the royals.
King Pritatus was more approachable than my grandfather, at least according to rumors, but I doubted we could get away with simply waltzing into the throne room without an audience.
That was where the boy came into play. If he’d really saved the queen, his boon wasn’t a minor one. So, he was my ticket into the castle.
I hated being forced to rely on him, but since resorting to violence would hurt more than help, this was the best solution I could have come up with.
Granted, my mind had been quite fuzzy lately, but I’d rather perish than admit to that.
Satisfied with my reconnaissance, I settled down on a bench with an unobstructed view of Ivreiana Castle and waited for everyone else to arrive.