The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 33: An Eventful Night

Chapter 33: An Eventful Night

The Crown

Peter is muttering something to himself soundlessly, his eyes unfocused, his head hanging low, it’s almost like... he is possessed.

I honestly thought that with the appearance Peter has, he will most likely be eliminated on the first day of the festival. This is why I did not ask Erick about his lover or whatever they are. But it seems like I shouldn’t act on my assumptions only.

"What is the member of the council doing out here at this hour?" Phillip frowns and asks softly, loud enough for the four of us to hear, his tone carrying a hint of suspicion in it.

"Beats me," Erick replies, his lips pressed into thin lines and his shoulders shrugging as he observes the man standing outside the tent under the moonlight.

The moon is as bright as ever today, making it extra easy to make out our surroundings clearly. Peter is standing a few feet away from our tent. This is why even after having a good hearing skill, I still can’t hear him properly. Just a few ancient words which means,

"Worship."

"Chaos."

"Devils."

The rest of it is inaudible.

"Your Highness... what do you think he is muttering?" Edward whispers into my ears, there is something in his tone and his almost bland expression, fear.

I am finding this situation extremely fishy as well but before I can comment on it, Peter starts to move toward the dense wood located outside the field, his movements are sluggish and very odd. I lift a questioning eyebrow at his movements.

"Where do you think he is going?" I bring it up first, not taking my eyes off Peter outside of the tent, "Do you guys think we should follow him?"

"The way he is behaving... is highly suspicious." Phillip returns, "In my opinion, we should keep an eye on him."

"Why my cute Peter is acting like this?" Erick whines worriedly, "I am going after him."

"Edward, I think I might be going after him as well." I look over at Edward, whose expression is clearly torn between agreement and denial, he is confused about whether to let me go or not. After a moment he sighs and nods, "As you wish, Your Highness. This servant may assist you with your action."

Thus, we slowly slide out from the shelter of our tent and let ourselves be exposed to the magical light of the moon. Peter is moving toward the outstrike of the field stealthily, however his movements are very sluggish and wobble as if someone is trying to control him.

We keep our movements languid as we follow him across the field silently, careful to keep our presence hidden.

Peter reaches the woods and mutters something underneath his breath once again, this time, it’s like some curse and blessing. I can’t wrap my head around what actually this demon trying to say.

Then Peter abruptly enters the wood and we lose sight of him. We run behind him.

"Where did he go so suddenly?" I scan the wood around, and my brows frown, "He didn’t vanish into the thin air, did he?"

"This is stupid." Erck spits, "He was just standing around here. He can’t have gone too far."

As we enter the woods I come to realize that the woods are so dense that moonlight isn’t entering through the thick branches. And in this darkness, the four of us have gotten separated from each other. Or... only I have gotten separated from them.

"Erick?!" I call out looking around the pitch-black area, "Phillip? Edward?! Where are you guys?"

I can’t even use my magic here, the whole army of demons is just outside the woods, sleeping. If they come to learn that there is a light magic user among them, I am done for.

Suddenly there is a rustling sound behind me in the nearby bush. I flinch and turn around, alarmed, my expression tightens with seriousness, and my muscles start pulsating with tension.

"Who is there?" I call out to whoever observing from the dark, "Come out!"

Suddenly I feel an intense dark aura lurking behind the bush and my stomach drops to the ground. Whoever is lurking in the shadow, is strong, very strong. He is beyond something I can handle alone. It will be wise for me if I turn and run for my life. But as if I am wise. Of course, I will do the dumbest thing that exists in this entire world.

I start to edge toward the bush in the darkness, which has already adjusted to my eyes, "I told you to get the fuck out of there." I bark.

"A prince shouldn’t curse, Your Highness." An unknown, chilly voice speaks up behind the bush, his tone is laced with sarcasm and a held-back laughter can be sensed in his voice. "So this is the prince, my older brother cherishes, huh?"

Suddenly a snow-white tail springs out of the bush, it is glowing so brightly and with such intensity that it is impossible not to notice it. Anxiety and worry once again start gnawing at my stomach. I gulp down the forming fear in my throat and keep my limbs steady. Whoever this entity or whatever it is, he is bad news, very bad news.

The person behind the bush slowly starts to rise, I squint to see what kind of person is hiding behind the woods. But my nerve is telling me that I shouldn’t see what I am going to see if I want to live. I am particularly trembling with unknown fear now, my throat is a desert and my lungs are on fire. Burning like arson for fresh air.

Abruptly a cold hand wraps around my bicep and spins me over, I yelp at the sudden incident, and my breath is caught in my throat, and my heart hikes up to my damn throat. The first thing I see is glowing and flowing snow-white hair, and after blinking a few times I finally realize that two red gleaming eyes are boring a hole through my head.

"M-My Lord...?" I gulp, a wave of relief washes over me but my heart is beating faster than ever, like it wants to give out on me any time now. "W-What are you doing—"

I am cut off as Vermilion starts to drag me out of the woods without any word, as if he wants to get me out of here first no matter what.

I let him drag me out of the woods. After we are out of there, Vermilion let’s go of me and stands tall before me, "Why were you in there at this hour of night?"

I could ask you the same thing...

But well, I know better than doing that, "I saw someone suspicious and followed him inside there." I lower my head and explain meekly.

"Prince, you are a wise person. You know when to run and when to fight." There is a slight hint of pent-up frustration in his cold tone, "Why do you act so childishly sometimes?"

"My deepest apology, my Lord." My voice trembles, and the rims of my eyes are red as water starts to well up in them, my hands tremble slightly. For some reason Vermilion’s tone makes me want to cry so bad...

Vermilion notices this and doesn’t say anything further on this matter, "I will escort the Highness to his tent."

I just nod and don’t say anything.

The walk to my tent is silent yet comfortable. I take the time to calm myself. Vermilion stops in front of the tent and inclines me to get inside the tent. I bow to him one last time and get inside the tent.

There is no one here and I don’t have the mind to worry about them. I jump to my bed and slip under the sheets. Many questions bubbling on the surface of my mind but I force them aside and forcefully close my eyes. As exhaustion of the whole day takes over, I almost immediately fall asleep.