Natasha ignored Verdiâs words and just stared at Silvia. The princessâ eyes were slightly squinted, and with a trembling voice Natasha asked the girl she loved, âWas it you, Silvia?â
Verdi did not act rashly, since Natasha still had a level four grand knight, two level two knights, two level one knights and more than twenty knight squires and around eighty soldiers to protect her.
Silvia took a few deep breaths and she gradually calmed down. âI appreciate your love toward me, Natasha, but unfortunately, I care more about my father. My father spent so many years trying to find a chance to go to the Magic Congress in order to live a peaceful life, and his wish is my wish.â
âSo?â Natasha asked gently, âThatâs why you wanted me to die?â
âI didnât expect this!â Silvia suddenly lost control and her voice became sharp, âI didnât know that their real purpose in gathering information about you was to actually kill you! But⌠but my father was killed by you, Natasha, and the only thing I care for now is my revenge.â
Lucien was shocked to learn that both Deroni and Silvia were sorcerers. When he thought about it, and after taking a careful look at Silviaâs height and figure, Lucien suddenly linked White Honey to Silvia.
âSilvia⌠White Honey⌠and Deroni⌠the master of the raven named AshleyâŚâ Lucien murmured to himself in a very low voice.
âSo youâve been lying to me all this time? I donât believe it.â Natashaâs voice became cold, âI killed your father because he wanted to kill all of us!â
âYou think Iâm really that happy with fine clothes, spacious houses, endless cuisine and the bright future of being a musician, Natasha? No! None of them can compete with the great satisfaction that I felt from learning a new spell, from a successful magic experiment, and from seeing the hope in my fatherâs eyes.â Silvia tried her best to stay calm, âYou think I only want to be your nightingale in a gold cage?â
âDid I ever treat you like my pet?â Natasha questioned Silvia desperately.
Before Silvia managed to say anything, Verdi suddenly reached out his hand and wrapped Silviaâs waist with his arm. âAlthough I admit that youâre very outstanding as a woman, my dear cousin, do you think you can give Silvia the same love as that of a man?â
Natasha closed her eyes and a sad smile appeared on her face. âSilvia, I never knew before that you could be this persistent and firm. I thought that I should be always protecting you, and I was wrong. Maybe I was never⌠never in your heart.â
âYou were, Natasha.â Silvia lowered her head, âBut weâre like two intersecting lines. We were very close to each other, and now we are heading for totally different directions.â
âSo youâre heading toward him? Is that what youâre doing?â asked Natasha. Then, she turned to Verdi and sneered, âYouâre much more stupid than I thought, my cousin. You think Sard, the Saint Cardinal, would just crown you as the next grand duke after my death? Do you think he would just let you live a happy life after you colluded with Argent Horn and the Congress of Magic? Thatâs not going to happen⌠youâll end up being tied to the gallows!â
Natasha decided to put her personal feeling aside first, in order to deal with this situation more wisely, which was a basic quality of a grand knight.
Since Verdi already showed his true intention, every confusion within Natashaâs mind was solved. The connection between the intelligence department and Argent Horn, the reason that Rosan Aaron could always escape the careful search of the Church⌠All those things were related to her cousin, Count Verdi.
Lucien also realized that it was Verdi who betrayed the grand duke family and the Church. Taking a closer look at the high-rank knights following Verdi, it did not take Lucien too much time to recognize Rosan Aaron, who was in a suit of knight armor. After all, Lucien was familiar with Rosan Aaronâs picture as a criminal wanted by the Church.
âHow stern and just your words are, Natasha!â Verdi laughed, âI knew youâd think I was tempted by the demon, but do you think your father is really that honest and straightforward? It was because of my fatherâs death that he became the grand duke, and Iâm not that stupid to believe my fatherâs death was just an accident! I should be the next grand duke, not you, Natasha.â
âThen wish your dream come true when youâre being burned to ashes.â Natasha held her head high.
âIf you die tonight, Natasha, no one here will tell the grand duke and Sard what I did.â Verdi shrugged easily, âIâd be the biggest hero who provided the important information to Sard and Count Hayward and helped them stop Argent Hornâs horrible conspiracy. Unfortunately, while they are busy dealing with the heretics, they donât know that the princess is facing this great trouble, ha!â
âYeah⌠smart.â The corner of Natashaâs lips was slightly lifted. âSomehow the princess would just die here out of no reason. And no one would care afterwards.â
âNo worries, my dear cousin.â Verdi waved his hand causally, âAfter you die, Mr. Rogerio, from the Congress of Magic, will come to wrap up everything. He will leave the clues which will all lead to the sorcerers, and the Congress of Magic will claim responsibility as well.â
âI see. Youâre neither on the side of Argent Horn, nor that of the Congress. You just betrayed Argent Horn to please the Church.â Natashaâs eyes looked rather cold, âImpressive.â
âMy plan went wrong several times, though.â Verdi lifted his right hand and pointed at Lucien. âThis guy, Lucien Evans⌠he betrayed Argent Horn, or youâd be dead a long time ago.â
Lucien finally realized what was his big trouble predicted by Maskelyne. Because of Silviaâs betrayal, his Blessing and what he did to Argent Horn was no more a secret since long ago. The only reason that Lucien and Joelâs family stayed safe until now was because the enemies needed to focus on their bigger plan. However, it seemed that Argent Horn still did not know that Lucien was actually the âProfessorâ.
âLucien, thank you for coming here tonight,â Verdi said to him with an evil smile. âSo I donât have to bother killing you later, after our plan is done. But donât think you have bad luck, since your death would come to you sooner or later. â
âI bet youâre very happy that you can kill two birds with one stone tonight.â Lucien put on a calm smile while facing that serious situation. âThe poem and the manuscript⌠they were really good traps to get me, a person who desires power so much.â
Although Lucien was acting like he already gave up, he was trying to sense the gaps connecting the world of soul and the main world, which would be the best way to save them. Unfortunately, the gap through which he came back had disappeared completely with the collapse of the magic lock, and he sensed no more around the area.
âYour calmness is impressive. Unfortunately, your loyalty will not bring you anything but death.â Verdi lifted his chin a bit and looked at Lucien. Then, he turned to the knights on Natashaâs side, âWhat about you guys? The Hayne and Hill families, as well as the two gold knights in the fortress, theyâre all taking a neutral standpoint right now. As long as I can kill the princess, Iâll be the next grand duke.â
All the knights, squires and soldiers standing behind Natasha were shocked, and not even the princess could believe her ears. She never expected that Verdi had actually gained acquiescence from the big families and the most powerful people in the duchy.
âWhy would you guys still want to follow her? Why would you guys want to sacrifice your lives for a woman who likes women?â Verdi got more and more vicious. âShame on her, because she betrayed our honored tradition and she canât even continue her familyâs bloodline! Do you really think she could bring you guys glory?â
Some people who were on Natashaâs side started to murmur at each other.
Natasha forced herself to raise her head. As a knight of pride, she could not flinch even a bit from this situation.
âI have two level five grand knights, one level four knight, three level three knights⌠and also a couple of hundred of knight squires,â Verdi threatened them. âYou bend your knees toward me, or you die.â
After a short period of time, many soldiers and squires started to run toward Verdiâs side, and among them there was even a knight.
Tightly grabbing her lance, Natasha looked at them with an expressionless face. Sitting on the horse, her back was as straight as a longsword.
After a while, when she looked around, there were only less than ten people who were still with her, and a couple of horses without their riders.
There was a sad smile on Natashaâs face.
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âKnight Wyon, why youâre still with me?â she asked.
Wyon was the level four knight, who had blond hair and blue eyes. He answered the princess solemnly, âI made my vow to serve you, Your Grace, and Iâll serve you until the last second of my life.â
Natasha nodded with great resolve, and then turned to Lucien.
âWhat about you, Lucien?â
âIâm on your side, Your Grace.â Lucien answered shortly but firmly.