Scissors work their way through Cenric’s long brown hair, cutting it to the length of a commoner’s. As his status has been changed from royalty to fugitive, Cenric’s royal red attire – the color of Valria’s royalty and bureaucracy – has been torn into pieces and buried underneath the ground, hidden from sight since hours ago. As a replacement, Cenric changes into an attire that can only be described as dull. The supposedly white shirt is not really white, the pants have an uninteresting dark brown color, and the boots are dark grey with a plain model. The vibrant colored mantle has been replaced with a thick, pale grey mantle. While clearly less expensive than his royal one, it offers superior stealth capabilities.

‘At least this mantle is proper,’ Cenric thinks as he grabs onto his new thick mantle tightly, waiting for Erhard to finish cutting his hair short for his disguise.

“Done. And look at the snow, all clean,” says Erhard as he finishes burying Cenric’s cut hair.

As he gets up, Cenric brushes away the snow on his pants before taking a look at his surroundings. They are no longer near the capital, but near the big forest surrounding the capital, and the worst part of it. Rumor says it is haunted – every man who ventured into the haunted part would get lost inside, never to find the way out. Hence, the location is perfect for them to stay a bit longer and prepare, as no one dares to approach the area.

“What then?” Cenric asks in a hoarse voice, as he has not taken a sip since he left Atreus. Once again Erhard offers his water, which Cenric gladly accepts this time. The confusion of current events leads him to think that even if Erhard were to poison his water, he would be okay with it. Feeling betrayed by Nicola makes him want to surrender to whatever happens.

After Cenric finishes drinking, Erhard puts on a silver necklace around Cenric’s neck, then hands him a compass.

“It’d be dangerous to stay near the capital. I know someone in the north. She is able to protect you for now. Follow the compass closely, do not stray even a little. The necklace will protect you from the ghosts.

Beyond the forest, there will be a tower. Knock and find the old woman who guards the tower and tell her you are the messenger sent by Erhard. She’ll give you protection immediately.”

Cenric nods, despite understanding nothing about the messenger part. Rather than dwelling on it, he asks, “Then, what about ‘the land needs me’? For what purpose?”

“It’s her part to explain that to you. My part is done, we have to separate ways. They’d notice if I am away from the castle for too long. Best wishes to you, Cenric. May Vrakh, our Land Lord, bless you.”

***

Atreus, who was found by the knights, was brought back to the castle. He saw the chaos in the capital: knights breaking into civilians’ houses and the announcements. He hates the current situation. Given such conditions in the capital, he would have gone straight to the castle, regardless of whether he was brought by the knights. 

Nicola is waiting in front of the castle gate. His eyes, full of sadness and worries, lighten up when he sees Atreus brought to him. After greeting him, Nicola directly asks Atreus, “Where is Prin– ah, I mean, Cenric Ivor? Isn’t he with you?”

“No, but I have questions for you. What happened? Why is Cenric's name on the board?”

Nicola sighs before answering, “The Queen was found dead. The Royal Physician stated that the cause was the perfume given by Cenric. It contains a deadly poison which takes effect when inhaled in a certain amount. He sprayed once and apparently it had no scent. Hence, he deduced that the Queen was curious and kept spraying it, ultimately resulting in her inhaling the fatal dose. Such a pity that she seemed to like the perfume very much.”

Atreus takes a step back. He has known Cenric for so long. Even though Cenric complains a lot about the Queen’s attitude, Atreus believes Cenric would not go as far as to kill her. Yes, he believes so.

“It can’t be! It must be wrong!” shouts Atreus.

“I understand it seems incredulous, Lord Atreus. I’m also having trouble believing it myself. Nonetheless, it is the result from The Royal Physician, and His Majesty has demanded public execution. I am merely the Minister under His Majesty’s employ,” says Nicola in a calm manner despite the ensuing chaos in the capital.

Atreus falls to the ground and begins to cry. No matter how much Nicola tries to explain the situation, he can not accept it. He knows Cenric well, and he believes someone else had sabotaged the gift, even if he is unaware that Cenric has not been responsible for procuring the gifts in recent years. He knows that despite being a quiet rebel, Cenric will not kill anyone, and he does not believe Cenric, whom he chased earlier, is trying to run away. He believes something greater is happening. Cenric knew and ran to solve it. At least, that is what Atreus believes.

Then, Atreus remembers something. He looks up at the sky, then stands up and asks Nicola, “Minister, what date and time is now?”

“That’s the second problem, Lord Atreus. The sun has not risen, the sky has turned dark red.”

“How is that possible?”

“That, I do not know. Erhard is still gone, said he needs to check something outside the capital and has not been back.”

Atreus wipes his tears. He does not know which he should worry more: the sun, or Cenric. But his heart prioritizes Cenric anyway. 

Is he safe? Or has he been captured somewhere?

Noticing Atreus’ red face and eyes, Nicola speaks in a gentle voice, “Lord Atreus, may I suggest that you return to your residence first? The capital is not safe, and I think you need some rest.”

Atreus nods, while cursing himself for losing sight of Cenric while he was chasing him.