Chương 43: Three Knocks in the Night

Leah was immersed in the large bathtub, her eyes closed, her body completely enveloped by the warm foam. She tried to relax, but her mind would not stop racing. A soft knock at the door made her flinch. She stepped out of the tub, wrapped herself in a white towel and went to open the door. Felicity entered without saying a word.

"Have you come up with a plan yet?" Leah asked.

"Yes", Felicity replied.

"I've spent hours observing the palace. In the evening, they change the guards. During the shift, they stop to chat and the exit is left unguarded for a few minutes. That's our moment".

"What if the doors are locked?" Felicity pulled out a small knife and twirled it between her fingers.

"I'll use this to pick the lock". Leah smiled.

"You've thought of everything".

"Our lives depend on it. It seems obvious". Leah looked at her with an amused expression.

"What?"

"You said our. That means you care about me".

"No", Felicity replied bluntly.

"I was just using the plural. We'll act tonight. I'll knock three times".

"Why three?"

"The soldiers knock once or twice. If you hear three knocks, you'll know it's me. Leave immediately".

"Oh…I see. All right then. Tonight". Felicity nodded and left the room. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. The man with the thick white mustache returned to his shop. On the floor behind the counter, Xia lay motionless with her eyes closed. He slowly approached her.

"I'm sorry for you, witch", he muttered.

"You should never have come here". Meanwhile, Xia was still trapped in the depths of the illusion. She was breathing heavily. Her face, kimono and the thin blade of her sword were stained with blood. Around her lay the dismembered bodies of dozens of demons. For a brief moment, silence.

"If this is an illusion", she thought, "I only need to break out of it". She crossed the fingers of her right hand. Nothing happened. She tried with her left. Still nothing.

"It's a complex illusion…" she murmured.

"I'll have to use everything I know". She began moving her hands, tracing symbols through the air, then pressed her palms against the scorching ground. Nothing. A sudden wave of exhaustion struck her. Her breathing grew heavier.

"Why am I still out of breath?" she wondered.

"After a battle like that, I shouldn't be this tired". She looked at her hands. Her skin was changing, almost imperceptibly. Then Xia understood.

"Of course…time flows much faster in this illusion than it does on Earth. My body keeps regenerating to prevent me from dying, but eventually I'll exhaust all my energy. If I stay here too long, I'll die of old age". She clenched her teeth.

"The power of this legendary sword is truly deadly". Then she resumed casting spell after spell. Teresa stood before the throne. Oscar sat with a bored expression, his hands resting on the armrests.

"So", Teresa said coldly, "if I understand correctly, you've rejected every noblewoman in the kingdom in order to marry a commoner? A wild woman who carries swords? Have you lost your mind?"

"No, Mother", Oscar smiled faintly.

"She is the only woman strong enough to be my wife. The heirs I would have with her would be healthy and powerful rulers".

"Do you even know who she is? She's a Prinz, a demon. There's a bounty on her head. This is the perfect opportunity to finish the massacre your father started".

"I don't care who she is. She's the only woman who has captured my interest". Teresa grabbed his chin.

"I will not allow Hawk blood to be mixed with that of a commoner", Teresa replied.

"Look at your father. He married me because I was a noblewoman, the jewel of House Green. And look what I produced: you, a powerful and charismatic king". Oscar rose from the throne and approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"You also produced Oliver", he said calmly.

"A fat man enslaved by his vices. And since he was a mistake, you got rid of him. Mother, this is the right choice. That woman will make an excellent queen. Trust me". Teresa lowered her gaze, then slowly raised it again.

"And what if she refuses?"

"Refuse a king's marriage proposal?" Oscar smiled.

"She would be insane".

"That's not what I mean", Teresa replied.

"What would you do to her? You cannot allow a commoner to reject you without consequences". Oscar kissed her forehead.

"In that case, I'll let you choose the punishment. Does that satisfy you?" Teresa nodded slowly.