••• Prince •••
‘I have made an oath to myself to protect you, to assure the period of your virtue remains constant.
I swear Cinzel, I would perish myself but would never let blood stain your hands, I won't let you become what you fear, for if I have to make you hate me, I will.
I promise to protect your innocence even if it costs me anything.’
I repeated those words in my mind constantly because at this point-
I need her more than she needs me.
The flames of a perished dream to call her mine still burns in my chest.
And carrying that weight, I shall move forward. Although I barely doubt she would even overcome the scar received from Zaniel and give herself- us a chance.
"Ready?" I asked Cinzel.
She got ready to leave, her long hair arranged to perfection along with her black coat, amplifying her grace, compelling me to stare at her.
Taking a long breath, soothing her mind and doing as I instructed her, she nodded, “Yes.”
"Let's go. " I said, turning to leave but she stood still.
Perplexed even considering I would hold her hand for reassurance but my own hands were freezing from fear to meet Nathaniel.
He would kill me for shooting him on our last meeting at the summit and holding grudges was his scariest part.
Because of me, he lost his memories…
Cinzel stepped forward and held my hand, not my hand but my fingers like a child. Taken aback, my head adjacent itself to hers, boring her dazzling eyes into mine which increased my heart rate.
"It's okay. I'm scared too." She smiled faintly, whispering, holding my hand with her cold one, magically converting it into a melting sensation.
"I'm with you." I whispered back. Smiling, tightening my grip on her hand.
"I know. That's why I am okay." She breathed out.
My mind hammered for a second to hear her heartwarming words easing up the consternation of my heart.
Did my presence truly acted as a source of equanimity?
"Let's go."
With a nod, we both left, finally found officially announcing Alroy's sovereignty over the dark side again.
Cinzel closed her eyes briefly when we reached and when they opened, a scary glint of nothingness I was praying to stop occurred there.
The tender was gone… malevolence was surrounding her in a fair distance but it was there. What I feared awakened.
‘Why do I feel her soul was already corrupted and I have failed the promise I made to myself?’ I thought, afraid.
We reached the warehouse and the place which was desolated that day was now crowded with people and guns. A guy with an owl mask was awaiting us.
He was definitely sent by Nathaniel. Thankfully not him. His eyes were not green.
"Finally." His voice came out smooth, painfully familiar. Bowing a little he led us inside.
"Are you using a voice changer, De Villiers?" I asked, turning to him.
"I do not wish to reveal myself where I am merely not required, Prince. All under the label of protection." He sighed, glaring at me.
"Is.. he here?" I asked hesitantly.
"Why? Do you want to shoot Boss once again and then run away like a fucking coward like you did last time?" He hissed in a whisper so Cinzel won’t hear.
"Prince?" Cinzel called when she noticed us talking.
"You should let it slide this time next time your husband won't be welcomed here." De Villiers spoke sternly, not removing his deadly glare from me.
"Hmm. I know." Cinzel replied coldly, walking forward without looking back. Good. Don't break.
"This is an Alroy warehouse, where we load guns in flour sacs and export them around the world." De Villiers continued to explain to her until we reached the upper portion and saw through the railing.
Everyone was down there except for the three of us and some other people.
Shocked at the minimum amount, Cinzel mumbled, "That's too many."
"That's nearly thirty percent. Everyone present here are upper lads." He explained. My eyes were affixed on Cinzel's face, trying to encrypt the expressions forming on her face.
"Your respect have-" Cinzel blinked and turned to see De Villiers, replying in a dead tone which made me remember my time with Valencia, literally quoting her mother's words,
"It's not respect. It's fear."
"They respect you so much."
"It's not respect. It's fear, Princy."
"Chaos reigns!" I was lost In a faze, failing to notice what Cinzel was saying to gain trust.
"-..And I shall try to become a better leader. Indeed, I require guidance but that doesn't mean I am going to stop." I smirked, feeling proud that Cinzel is pulling off what I told her perfectly. With this, she would end.
"It's nothing but a puppeteer controlling its dolls. The strings play an important part. You guys are my string and those who will cooperate shall move well but if the string breaks… never forget… You could never survive. Neither the doll nor the string so think very carefully before rash movements. That being said..." She stopped, exhaling deeply, finding herself in a tranquilized state after lifting the weight of chest.
That was not the part of what I said!
She was inducing fright just like Valencia and Nathaniel- Of course, same contaminated blood!
They would work under pressure, increasing chances of rebellion but before I could perceive further a wide grin came to her lips, the same cheery demeanor as in high school-
The one she used to get on the teacher's good side.
"Nice to meet you all! I hope we will cooperate well and make this show worthwhile!" She grinned brightly, waving her hand in the air.
What could I expect? They carry the same genes.
A moment of silence came, awkwardness was about to arouse but unexpectedly everyone began to cheer and the thick tension of apprehension converted into enthusiasm,
"Cinzel! Cinzel!" Welcoming her with open hands as I stood stunned at her façade.
How professionally she warned them about her perilous intentions and then gained their belief by her sugar coated manipulation instantly.
Killing two birds with one stone, being the faker one could ever get and that was when I realized.
Cinzel was highly manipulative like Valencia was...