The duo waved goodbye to the family and headed back to the marketplace. Aciel wanted to purchase another one to replace the one he gave away.

“Eden. I want to keep helping people. When I become king, I want to make change happen. I want to fix those living conditions. We already took away their homeland, I want to give them a place they can call home again.”

“You could have done nothing about that war.” Eden changed the topic. Telling Aciel that he shouldn’t feel guilty about the results of the war felt wrong. “You don’t have to be a king to make change happen. You did it today.”

“I didn’t do anything, you did all the work.”

“You believed him. You gave him a chance. If it was me, I would have left him.”

“Well, you should go back and rest.” Aciel changed the topic. He bit back a smile at the compliment she gave him. “I’ll be fine alone.”

“You just got robbed.”

“It’s fine.” Aciel tried to get rid of Eden so he could find Zula. Eden agreed under the guise that she would tail him, for her worries at most.

Aciel did shop around for a second talisman before trying to find Zula unbeknownst to Eden. On her side, it just appeared to her that he continued to shop, concluding that his head movement was part curiosity and part anxiousness of being robbed again.

After almost two close counters due to Aciel’s unpredictable movements, Eden chose to go to further but higher ground. She was on the second floor of a teahouse on her third cup before she noticed a familiar figure. She paid for her drinks and left.

Eden’s chest was heavy, her eyes darting to find that figure. She wasn’t a hundred percent sure but she knew that cloak. When she found the owner, Eden calmed herself before she moved in. She twisted one arm around the owner’s back and used her other hand to press a knife against her target’s neck.

“Move to the alley. Make a noise and I will slit your throat.”

“You wouldn’t do that Eden.”

“Don’t test me Zula.” Eden could feel a smirk appear on Zula’s face.

“Well, I’ve been talking, why isn’t my throat silt yet.”

“After what you’ve done? Why would I make it painless? Why are you here?”

“There’s a market, I never miss it.”

“Why did you do it?” Eden asked, referring to the late king.

“My answer still hasn’t changed. I had to do it.”

“How many people are on your side?”

“None.”

“Don’t lie to me.” Eden pressed the knife harder into Zula’s neck.

“Did you steal this knife from a restaurant? Where are you manners Eden Grace?”

“You don’t deserve any manners you traitor.”

“Actually, it’s Queen now.” Zula kicked Eden and then elbowed her before disarming the knife and switching their positions.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Nu-uh, my turn to ask questions.”

“I won’t answer them.”

“It doesn’t matter, listen.” Zula pressed her mouth closer to Eden’s ear. “Do you know why the public story is that Aciel is currently incapable of performing his duties and not that he got kidnapped like what the leaders know? Well, I’ll give you an answer, a story let’s say. Imagine the thought of the prince dying alone without anyone knowing. To the public, it won’t be a sad story, he’ll be missing long enough that they stop caring or wondering about him.”

“Don’t you dare.”

“But you’re the one helping me right now. I thought you would have left Vatou by now but now I know you’re still here. It shouldn’t be too hard to dispose of him now. I mean where this little birdie circles, her target should be nearby.”

“He’s not.”

“Now, let me get back to my story. A prince, forgotten by his people, it won’t be that hard to dispose of him. You’re the only one standing in the way and I have you in my hands. Ah-ah don’t fight me now, the story is getting to the best part.”

“You may be loved now but remember when you die, you die alone.”

“Duly noted but, when I die, I plan on dying loved for what I love.”

“What can a cold hearted person like you love?”

“My kingdom?”

“You make me sick.” Eden wanted to spit in the new queen’s face.

“I mean, that story is a bit boring. Let’s make this more interesting. Let’s let this story play out in a different way.”

”

“You’ll pay for this, I’ll make sure of it.”

“Your cockiness will be your downfall Eden Grace.”

“It’s not cockiness if I have the skills to make it happen.”

“Do you have the skills?”

“May the Heavens smite the traitors. If the Heavens will not then I will.”

Eden woke up to a pounding headache and without Zula anywhere nearby. She searched until the sunset but could not find Zula. She made her way back to the inn where Aciel was cleaning up. From their window, Eden stared at the castle. She promised Aciel to protect him and get his throne back. Now she made herself a promise, Zula Ruruji would pay.