"I used to. She was so congenial and we eventually became comrades." Her tone transformed from a thoughtful one to a bitter one. "But after I pieced things together for myself, I no longer cared about her. Tania had made clear and chose to discard any goodwill between us the moment she betrayed us."

Tania had made clear and chose to discard any goodwill between us the moment she betrayed us.

Alara's words stayed with him even long into the night. Sometimes, he wished he had the ability of hers, to compartmentalise his emotions and do things based on his logic and mind instead of his heart. But he was ruled by his heart while she was ruled by her clever mind.

Even when it was made undeniable to him about how Tania was the villain, he still could not wrap his mind fully around it. He was still caught up in the currents of emotions that his friend had willingly let herself serve as a pawn in the Governors' pathetic game to keep her family's reputation a distinguished one.

He could never relate to her way of thinking. How does one do their family's bidding even when they know it is an immoral one?

Nonetheless, none of his opinions really mattered as Tania de Allura was soon to be exposed for her wily ways by the Agency. The moment Valesque became aware of her true agenda, he instantaneously seized the chance to use her as bait to bring the Governors down.

Though Maren wasn't really sure how he felt about that, he trusted Valesque and could also understand the logic behind his decision. Though Operation Ner had been detrimental for the Agency, the overall assignment was judged as a success- at least by the Agency- for the children that were found were soon returned to their biological families after they received rehabilitation.

Most of them originated from middle-class families and thus the Agency was able to give a generous sum of a hundred bloods each to the families to somewhat maintain the stylish way of life the children were used to during their time in the opulent Governors' mansions.

However, they were only a tiny portion of the remainder that were still stolen. According to Valesque, Tania's connections to the high society would be a great advantage for them as they now could hold a revolt against them which would ultimately lead to a riotous uprising.

However, they were only a tiny portion of the remainder that were still stolen. According to Valesque, Tania's connections to the high society would be a great advantage for them as they now could hold a revolt against them which would ultimately lead to a riotous uprising.

"To the Governors, these children are the world to them. Why? They symbolise peace for Excidium. They symbolise prosperity for them. The Governors have never ever seen them as what they are- children. No, to them, they are resources that lessen their workload, resources that keep everyone in the middle and upper class happy. Resources that are an asset they need to keep their hold on power.

Naturally, they are treasured and regarded as invaluable to them- should an uprising occur there, the Governors would send them to safety where our Agency's security and information technology team have discovered that ironically, Amorals would be driving the children away from the riots. We will disguise as the security team for the Governors and we'll be the one to intercept the cars to shield the children from the uproar.

Our team would then drive the children to our safe-houses. Obviously, we will have to fight with the Governors' security team but that is the only part where we would engage in combat. It's a massive win for us." Valesque had ended the meeting by exalting the sheer genius of it. "Tania is the key to this. We will use her for the good of Excidium's future."

The plan to exploit Governors' deeds was to leak masses of information and truth about the barbaric ways the 'gifts' and 'blessings' were obtained as well as how those children were used for their own personal gains.

This operation was to be called 'Endgame'.

In truth, it had already begun. The Crypto had already spread rumours around the country which they fully expected to run on a rampage, and this was part of their strategy to incite the uprising as they knew the people's anger would be intense as soon as they were made aware of this.

Nothing could ever beat the citizens' fury.

From there, the peoples' anger from both middle and low classes would lead the continuation of the revolt.

Needless to say, when Alara heard of this, her chocolate brown eyes had shone with delight at the thought of retrieving more children back as it meant that her brother, Renald, had to be in one of the cars. Therefore, she was full of approval for it.

While Maren shared her joy, he knew she was choosing to turn a blind eye to the deaths that this would bring for her brother was her world.

He, on the other hand, had remained silent. Peace. If only peace could be had... will we ever see a peaceful Excidium?

She was thanked for cooperation. Thanked.

And then she was told that they knew everything. Her background, her family, her mother...

By the disdain and hurt in Maren's eyes, she knew that she was misunderstood. They think I support the Governors when I don't. I did all of these for my mother. To finally gain her respect and love. She had tried to correct her friends, but they only gave her the cold shoulder and had left her to rot in the cell.

For days, she had despaired and wallowed in self-pity. The only food she got was gruel, and she missed the delectable ones she was so accustomed to.

And suddenly, she was told to wash up and change into armour and given weapons- the pain she felt when she recognised them was intense. They were the ones that were what Rielle and Gabriel had designed. I'm sorry, she cried and fell gracelessly onto the floor, weeping heartbrokenly.

The first time she met Tania de Allura, she had been dressed flawlessly and was one of those types of girls that were effortlessly attractive and naturally gifted in every aspect of life. Even on their first meeting, Tania had been handling poisons and had greeted Alara with a saccharine smile when she saw her.

Later, Tania had become her mentor and friend as they got to know more about each other through her lessons of poison-making.

There were even times when both of them practiced their dueling and combat tactics together. While attempting to master both poisons and combat, the two had become great friends and confided in each other about their hopes and dreams.

They say that one year is enough for things to change.

That was the miserable truth. A year before, they were sisters not by blood, but by choice. A year later, they were nemesis, not by choice, but by devastating circumstances.

Alara Berrera's first meeting with Tania was when she was at her most elegant and composed.

A year later, Tania was aggrieved.

"If you never betrayed us, this would never have happened." Alara told her curtly. "Now, you are bait for us."

Tania stayed silent as a mouse.

"If you cooperate, no harm will come to your mother. If you don't... isn't the charismatic Brites planning another gala again? So many talented chefs will be hired to cater to her demands... I have an application waiting to be delivered." Alara paused, as if musing on something and met Tania's fierce gaze. "I'm an excellent cook, and it's effortless to slip Nerium oleander in her soup..."

"I didn't expect such cruelty from you, Alara." She's shameless! She's appealing to our days of our camaraderie.

Alara looked directly into her eyes and held a steely gaze. "I didn't expect you to hide secrets of such magnitude from me, Tan."

Tania winced visibly at the nickname, and finally conceded. "Fine. I'll work with you. Please, just don't hurt my mother."

She didn't answer. There was no need to, and she had nothing to say to the vile witch.

It was time for Endgame.

She heard what Alara's words to Tania. Right now, she was still on good terms with her, but once she knew the truth of her...

No, please. Please, no.

And then it struck her. Tears brimmed in her eyes at the thought. But I have to do it to save myself. I must.

Her eyes burned with determination, and she started planning her plans in meticulous detail.