Hey my sweets! ₍₍ ◝(・ω・)◟ ⁾⁾

I made a new cover for the book! I left the full image above, tell me what you think!(*'∀'*)

Anyway, lets get on with the chapter!（人'∀'*）

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Looking at Seth in front of me, I stood unmoving in shock.

His usual aura was no where to be found, before he was like a temperamental child but now he seemed more like grown man. I didn't know how to respond to his change, he was a character I had admired for being genuine despite struggling to show it. I felt slightly uncomfortable, but what overshadowed that was my guilt.

I had been the one responsible for this change, and I did not yet know if this change was for the better or for the worse. This was not the only change I had noticed, it was the way his eyes looked at me. Before it was resentment which slowly turned into a caring gaze, but then it suddenly held guilt. Now it held deeper emotions, not just towards me but towards himself as well.

I could see he blamed himself, and pushed responsibility on himself. I didn't know what was running through his mind for this drastic change to occur, but I didn't like it.

"Why do you look at me in such a way?" I could help but blurt out, with worry laced in my voice.

He stood shocked for a second, obviously stunned at my sudden question, but then silently pondered for a moment before opening his mouth to answer.

***

Sitting in front of the duke I felt burdened by his intense stare.

"So, your saying that even though you were attacked and almost killed last night, you still wish to go out."

"Yes." I said while looking him in the eyes.

I was not frustrated with his worry, but I had a life to live and had to be able to move freely to carry out my plan of survival.

Looking at the resolution in my eyes, the duke leaned back while giving out an exasperated sigh.

"Fine but you will have to have multiple knights watching and protecting you at all times." He knew he could not keep her locked up.

Opening my mouth to answer, the dukes eyes sharpened showing he was unmovable in his decision, but unlike his expectations I did not refuse.

"I only wish for them to stay hidden from sight, I don't want attention drawn to myself."

"This would only be natural." He said as he nodded his head.

Being surrounded by multiple guards out in the open is like screaming, "Hey, I'm your target! Come and get me!"

Speaking of targets, I knew I was the target, but who targeted me? It wasn't the prince because he warned me, what person would warn their target and I could also sense to hostility from him. Rather he was looking at me as if I was an ally.

Hiding my worries I smiled warmly while thanking the duke before excusing myself. I quickly made way to my room to think over who the culprit could be.

Once I entered my room, I locked the door after closing it quickly. I sat down at my desk and pulled out papers. I began to rack my brains for people who would want me dead... but all it lead to was a dead end.

The only person that had showed hostility towards me was the king, but he had no reason to kill me... right? I couldn't be 100% sure, but thinking back to the madness swirling in his eyes the time I had seen him I felt it could be a possibility. Thinking of his eyes I thought back to Malik's eyes in the dream, they swirled with an insanity the same as the kings. However, Malik now was not the same from the memories.

Now thinking of it, in the dream Alina said something, and Malik reacted violently. I was unable to hear it as if it was purposefully blocked from me. I felt more and more puzzled, the more clues I get the more confused I am.

The more answers I get the more questions I have.

Nothing has been easy since arriving here, and nothing has lined up. I let out a frustrated sigh while rubbing my temples to ease my throbbing head.

I could do nothing about it, so it would do do no good to waste time sitting here idling by complaining.

Pushing my thoughts aside, I stood to call Chrysta to get me ready to head out, I still had a promise to keep.