“Huh? What?” Rachelle was the first one who spoke out of nowhere. “It contains the events of the near future?” she parroted.
“Yes.” Valerian nodded. “She listed all the events that were about to happen as long as we followed the course of events.”
“It means what happened as of this moment is predetermined under Dameta’s will,” Henry added.
“Because you have to follow it…?” I concluded, even though Valerian already said it earlier. The two of them nodded at the same time. “Can I see them?” Henry stiffened before he looked at Valerian, who was not saying anything. “Am I not allowed to see it?”
The dejected tone caused Valerian to panic when he saw my expression. “Um… Dameta strictly included in her letter that you are not allowed to see it, Lilith…”
“Why?” I did not know why, but I felt betrayed now that they were the only ones who only knew the course of events I was unaware of.
“The two of you should coexist by you not being aware and would experience the events and her as she already knew what would happen in the near future.”
I fell silent since I still grasped the idea that the other Dominixe and I should coexist. “Then, are you not going to tell me what happens afterward?” I exchanged glances between them. “Or is it not allowed?” When the two of them did not say anything, it was understandable now. “I see…”
Somehow, I felt betrayed by this, but if the other Dominixe said that they should not show me and let me experience those future events she had listed, then…
“Papa would be planning to attack the royal palace as soon as we followed the events again, leading to Valerian’s death… We cannot let that happen.” I looked at my older sister, who was waiting for my words. “We need to finish this once and for all before they use Henry’s sister as bait to bring you down.” I was facing Henry to emphasize those words.
Henry averted his gaze, silently cussing under his breath. I could see the frustration piling up.
“Valerian hasn’t told me where she is…” he muttered.
“Why?” I was turning at Valerian, who was remaining in his silence. “Demetrius knew about her whereabouts? Honeydew…?”
Valerian seemed planning to sit silently, but his chartreuse eyes focused on me. He lost in my orbs before sighing, admitting that Demetrius knew it. “I told him… Or even if I haven’t told him, he already knew since Demetrius came from another timeline where Henry had already reunited with Princess Eustacia and married the impostor before they became Alpha King and Luna Queen of the Yuanzhong Kingdom.”
“Then… why are you not telling him yet? He has the right to find it.” I looked at Henry pitifully.
Valerian shook his head before scoffing. “Henry instructed me not to tell him yet since he hasn’t usurped the throne from his father’s reign.”
At first, I thought that was heartless, but Henry looked like he was not bothered by Valerian’s death glare. He reclined on his seat, crossing his arms over his chest before smirking in my direction.
That was the moment I squinted my eyes at him. “You are such a fucking good actor. I am starting to hate it.” I could feel my insides tightening, having to see his smirk, wanting to wipe it immediately.
“Well, I learned from my master.” He looked at me meaningfully. “Thank you, Domi.”
I arched my eyebrow. “I only taught you the basics. But the rest of them was you applied them, and not only that, you are already a manipulator from the beginning.” He was a fast learner. No wonder he was the crown prince since he brought big expectations from everyone around him.
I was expecting him to know a few lessons I taught him, to be honest. And he did not fail me.
Henry cackled. “I am flattered.”
I shook my head before leaning back at Valerian’s chest, feeling his warmth again. “We need to settle this once and for all…” I repeated the words I uttered earlier. “We need to capture them before Papa starts the next challenge…”
“What challenge is that, sister?” Rachelle asked, curious.
I turned at Valerian when he held my hand. A melancholy smile appeared on my lips before I squeezed back his hand, intertwining with mine. “It is a challenge that the heir candidates would begin to slaughter the rest of the non-candidates.”
Revealing that hideous new tradition made me feel my stomach churning. I could feel my lungs enclosed to the point that I couldn’t breathe anymore.
The whole room was drawn into silence. Neither of them was speaking about the words I had uttered. But it certainly brought them to be in a spine-chilling situation.
“Henry… If you have any plans now, I need your help to settle this as soon as possible.” I knew I had planned on my mind, but I wanted to hear what he had on his mind since he was more obnoxious than me.
His plans were cunning and effective, and he concluded that he managed to hide Valerian under the disguise of Niccolo. He was able to find a way to save him back in the underground arena. Valerian told me before we regressed that with a thorough investigation, Henry found a secret door underneath the arena floor.
He was an excellent master planner, and I couldn’t imagine getting in his shoes. I meant I could never be in his shoes since Henry and I were on a different level of mastering a plan.
“It comes for a price, of course.” He slightly tilted his head, meeting my eyes and challenging me.
“You mean for my death since I threatened you?” I arched my eyebrow.
“Henry…” Valerian looked like he wanted to keep me inside his pocket, knowing he was trying to be overprotective of me. His voice was calm, yet a sense of being wary hinted at it.
I knew… I could tell. Valerian was prepared to turn his back on Henry if my life was at stake.
Henry stroked his chin, humming softly. Claude and Rachelle exchanged glances before Claude spoke, “Perhaps, you are after for protecting the identity of the impostor princess.”
“Henry can manage that,” Valerian chimed in.
“No. What I meant is… her identity which he cannot just cover without my help.”
Henry stiffened. “Your Majesty…” He looked alarmed when Claude started to spout something.
“Ah! Of course! I remember that she is Esther McKenzie! She is the rogue doctors’ daughter who helped Claude see me after my hostile father captured me during the rogue war.”
“Your Majesty!” Henry was flustered, not knowing what to do since the impostor’s real name had been revealed.
So, that was her name… Esther McKenzie.
In my previous life, I had never gotten to learn the real name of the imposter of Princess Eustacia. In my case, at that time, I did not care since it was not in the scope of my concern. I was more into getting engulfed by my longing for the death of Valerian, and I even had to deal with betraying my siblings, especially Natasha, where I had to murder her mate.
Both, Claude and Rachelle, smiled sheepishly since they knew what the weakness of this bastard crown prince was.
“But it is quite fascinating, no?” Rachelle stroked her chin. “It is such a small world that she is his daughter. But she is now in your good hands, but still, it is not justifiable that she posed as your sister…”
Henry sighed, agreeing. “To think that everyone knew that she is my sister may impose an issue that everyone would think that she is my sister. That is why Esther and I planned not to reveal our relationship until Eustacia had entered the picture.” His face, for the first time, looked dreadful. “As much as I want to tell the world that Esther is mine… I can’t. Other people might think that we came from an incestuous relationship which neither of the kingdoms was ever supporting that.”
“Except in our family.” I couldn’t help chiming in, shrugging as if it was a trivial matter to me.
“It is not as if you are even agreein to be married with one of them.” Henry met my eyes, challenging me as if he wanted to prove his point that he was right.
Huffing, I rolled my eyes. “So, what now?” I crossed my arms over my chest, letting everyone.
“Why are you rushing? We have all the time.”
“Shut up, lycan bastard.”
“Domi, behave.” I straightened my back when Valerian gently pinched my flank.
I frowned, glaring at him. But he only winked at me. With no other choice, I had to turn with them. “I am thinking of making an attack this dawn. I can be able to handle it since stopping the time is to my advantage.”
I did not want to risk their lives even though it would be harmless. Since if in case that everything had gone south, I could turn back the time whenever I pleased. But I needed to restrict it since it would dissipate my strength.
I could do it unlimitedly, but I recently learned how everything worked. I still needed to master it.
“Or we can finish them at this moment, Lilith.” Valerian kept nodding his head. “We can even confront Demetrius since, by this hour, he did not go to his chamber. He is already confiding with your father, meeting him in the middle of the forest in the royal palace.”
I knew this shouldn’t be surprising anymore, but I gasped enough to make me feel my heart bursting out of my ribcage.
“What did he see at Papa anyway? I wonder if Papa promises him something valuable.” I started to think about that.
“Perhaps, he has the same reason as my father, Dameta.” It was Rachelle who answered my question.
“What do you mean?”
“I have a hunch that he has been longing with our mother, sister. Your father thought that Demetrius still had access to enter the celestial realm. But Valerian already said that the other Dameta was already exiled and could no longer be welcome in our realm.”
“Um… Our offspring can go to the celestial realm?” I thought only the Moon Goddess’s daughters could enter.”
“Not really,” she said, shaking her head. “Our offspring can also enter the celestial realm. Outsiders like our and Mother’s mates cannot easily enter if one of us or our offspring does not invite them.” Then she snapped her fingers as if she had an idea that entered her mind. “Perhaps, Demetrius and Harchier have made a deal about that.”
“But the problem is he is lying. Until when would his lies go that far?” Now, I knew that despite already having concubines, he never loved at all. Mother would always remain in his heart even if the day of his judgment came.
“Who knows…” She shrugged her shoulders.
The surrounding was enveloped with silence one more time. I ignored the part where Valerian kept tapping my flank. I could tell that he was also thinking.
However, for me, this was the opportunity I was seeking now. I could take down Papa and the rest of the members of the House of Cantavalle. It was crucial that I grab this chance, or else Demetrius could outsmart us.
“We should attack at this dawn.” My voice hinted with finality, not hinting any hesitation. “It would have been better to deal with this alone.” I stood up, but Valerian quickly stopped me by holding my arm.
The hold in my arm was neither rough nor rushed. He held me like I was as delicate as the baby pup’s tiny body. That was how Valerian saw things with me.
“Do not be silly. I am going with you, Dominixe.”
“Val…”
“Do not argue with me. I am going with you whether you like it or not. End of discussion.”
I felt chills down my spine, meeting his determined eyes.
Bewitching… What a captivating man that was fated to be mine…
I knew that my words displeased him. Since we had just reunited, I knew he did not want to be apart from me again, knowing that one of us might be able to meet our deaths, which I believe Valerian wouldn’t let happen.