บท 29: For Greater Good

The guards bowed together as Myrtle stopped in front of Nesrin's bedchamber.

"Your highness,"

"I am here to see her majesty," she smiled sweetly.

The guards exchanged nervous glances and one of them spoke,

"Pardon us, your highness. But this is time for Princess Johanna to sleep, I am afraid you-"

"Do you-" Myrtle's smile dropped as she raised an eyebrow, "-think I need your permission?"

"I request her highness to-"

"The knights that speak too much lose their tongues, don't make me wait any longer," Myrtle narrowed her eyes.

The guard hesitated but then apologized and let her enter the room.

Myrtle smirked as she pushed the gates open and walked inside casually, her eyes glanced at Nesrin, who had fainted on the floor, before looking around the room.

She tapped the wall in a few places before stopping besides a giant vase. Myrtle pressed the wall with little strength, and opened the wall panel.

It was something that was only created in the bed chambers of the imperial family members. These wall panels led to secret tunnels and safe houses.

In case the palace is ever invaded, these secret panels served as a protection for the imperial family.

The secret tunnels led to a place outside the palace, using them, anyone can leave the palace without being seen, if they knew the secret lever.

In the same manner, anyone can enter the palace as well.

The panel opened to reveal a man clad in dark clothes, and wearing a black mask that covered his mouth. Only his dark eyes were visible.

Myrtle pointed at Nesrin.

"She is the one,"

The man followed her instructions and walked towards Nesrin, and picked her in his arms.

"All you need to do is keep her hidden with you for one month," Myrtle said, "I will make sure she can not return after that."

Myrtle watched him as he silently went back towards the tunnel, she had noticed that he was a man with tough skin.

If she had hired anyone else, they would be licking her boots but he had a stubborn personality.

He hated being ordered around.

And she hated people like him, those that did not know their position in society.

"Remember," Myrtle stopped him, "I have my eyes around you, if you dare cross any boundaries with her highness... everyone you care for will end."

The man paused for a second as he glanced back at Myrtle with his hard gaze, he nodded slightly before proceeding inside the secret tunnel.

Myrtle watched him disappear in the shadows before closing the wall panel.

There was a relief in her heart, and the smile didn't leave her as she went back to her chamber.

When the sun arises, Princess Lillian would have no rival and she would finally be able to claim what is hers, Izekiel.

Myrtle knew that the reason why Lillian never made a move on Izekiel was because she was shy and timid, unlike Nesrin who had clung to Izekiel since their marriage and even caused him to be badly injured.

She had known how cold hearted and cruel her brother was, Nesrin was only with him now because she was unaware of the truth.

Once she finds out about it, Myrtle knows that Nesrin too will leave Izekiel.

Myrtle had known Lillian since childhood, and had seen how unconditionally Lillian loved Izekiel despite his darkness.

There was only one person that deserved Izekiel, and that was Lillian.

Her feet paused when she reached her room. She turned to look back.

What if the man breaks his promise?

~~~

The long tunnel was lit up by dim lanterns with each step the man took, he wanted to leave the palace soon and so his pace was quick.

His eyes were looking straight ahead but often they would glance down at the princess in his arms.

The rumors were true.

Princess Johanna had an exceptional beauty, the soft peaceful look of hers was enough to tempt any men or even women.

He was hired to hide her with him for one month, it was both for protecting her as well as keeping a watch on her.

As he saw her calm sleeping face, he realized that protecting a woman like her would be an honor. He was not rich, but he knew he could provide for her enough to live comfortably.

This simple job that he was given would provide him with the riches he had always desired. He will finally have the means with which he can get his sick parents cured, and give a better life to his siblings.

However, protecting Johanna was not something he could do.

His gaze darkened.

They reached a chamber, where the man gently laid Johanna down on the floor.

There was only thing that mattered to him more than his family, or money, and that was justice.

He had lost people close to him because of the practitioners of dark magic. It was a forbidden magic that brought calamity upon both, the practitioner as well as others.

The dark magic consumed a person's soul until there was nothing but a mindless shell remaining.

Anyone who used dark magic could be punished by death.

However, such law was useless if the emperor himself indulged in something so sinful.

It was hard for him to believe it, when he was first told about his majesty's relation to dark magic but the one that told him about this was a saint.

And saints never lie.

Eliminating the emperor was for the greater good, he could not be allowed to sit in such a high position when he uses such lethal means of magic.

But he was told that Izekiel can not be killed if Johanna is near him.

The man despised himself for what he was about to do.

Johanna's eyes slowly opened, making him freeze but he couldn't hesitate. There was not much time, he wanted to do his job while she was still under the influence of the drug.

Otherwise, it would be too painful for her.

Johanna's drowsy eyes flickered with fear and worry, as she whispered,

"Who are...?"

She tried to get up when he pulled her back firmly by closing his hands around her throat.

A rugged gasp escaped Johanna as she feebly tried to push his hands away. She tried to fight but he was too strong, and there was little to no strength in her.

"p-please..." her voice broke.

The man's hand hesitated but this had to be done. She can not be allowed to live.

Her face had started to turn red, her painful eyes pleaded him to stop as he tightened his grip more.

'one life to save many...'

He told himself as Johanna's eyes lined up with tears, as a choked sob escaped her.

'one life to save many...'

He repeated, as the light started to fade away from her eyes, as her body lost the strength to fight.