A boisterous voice came out of Guinevere, "You fucking bastard!"

Even though Keira herself is not elegant and refined, Guinevere is still on another level. Her boldness could not be matched with anyone else, and who would dare correct her disorderly manner when she is ranked third of the most powerful knights in the Angulus Kingdom.

Guinevere at first didn't notice Keira sitting on the couch in the corner of the room. She strides across the room towards Aster. She grabs Aster's collar pulling him eye to eye level with her.

"You bitch, still daring to hide in your room! Where the fuck is Keira!" Guinevere angrily shouted. Keira felt embarrassed as Guinevere still recalls the swear words she once previously taught Guinevere before. Keira couldn't help but look away in humiliation.

As Keira's head turned, Guinevere sensed the movement, and when she looked over in Keira's direction, her eyes widened. Guinevere was standing there dumbfounded still holding Aster's collar. Aster's eyes dimmed but no one noticed as they were distracted in their own thoughts.

"Keira...?" Guinevere's voice quivered. Although she heard that Keira was back, she paid the rumours no mind. But when she received a letter from Aster himself, doubts and hope bloomed in her heart so it was only right to settle her feelings by clarifying them herself.

She could not believe her eyes right now. Although Keira looked incredibly different, her aura shined and even the way Keira looked at Guinevere contained the same look as they did before. Guinevere let go of Aster's collar and walked toward Keira.

Before Keira could react, Guinevere dove to Keira, tightly hugging her. Good thing the couch was sturdy, if not, they had long fallen off. Keira felt like she was going to suffocate from Guinevere's tight embrace. Guinevere refused to let go.

Keira was about to wriggle off this clamp Guinevere that was refusing to release her until Keira heard a sob. For the first time, Keira heard the strong unruly Guinevere cry. Keira stopped her hands from pushing Guinevere, instead, she lifted her hand and gently caressed Guinevere's head.

Guinevere only bawled harder as she clenched Keira's clothes. Keira only continued to slowly caress her hair.

Guinevere uttered while still sobbing, "I thought your soul disappeared after you died because we couldn't see any of your aura after you died. I couldn't help but blame myself for letting you die a stupid death like that."

Keira's heart softened and she hugged Guinevere tighter.

Aster didn't like the scene in front of him. He knows he shouldn't intervene and let it play out as this was also a plan he had devised. But he didn't like anyone touching Keira, even if this was a person who he is close with. His mind overcame the impulse; therefore, he was able to hold himself back, quietly clenching his fist at the sidelines, until warm red liquid slowly dripped from his palms.

After Guinevere finally composed herself, she didn't forget what she had to do. Guinevere was still hugging Keira pretending to still be emotional. She quietly whispered to Keira's ears, "I heard everything from Fritz." Keira momentarily wavered, before acting like Guinevere hadn't said anything.

Guinevere continued, "I told Fritz that I had to see for myself first if you're really back. Fritz agreed, and he told me your location. All I know is that you shouldn't stay in this world and that I have to create a commotion to help you escape after meeting you."

Guinevere pulled from Keira's embrace and looked directly into her eyes. Guinevere's strict and firm expression softened and she said to Keira, "I'm glad you're safe Keira."

Now it was Keira's turn to tear up. But before Keira could say anything in reply, Aster strode in between them, bringing Keira to Aster's back. Guinevere's eyes flared, wanting to beat the shit out of Aster's majestic face.

Guinevere taunted and asked Aster, "What are you doing Aster? Why are you hiding Keira here even after outwardly announcing to everyone that she's back? Did you perhaps devise this so that by spreading Keira's presence, she would have a hard time hiding if she were to escape your clutches?"

The room grew cold.

Even Keira was shocked by this shrewd male lead. 'Just how much did this male lead plan ahead?' Keira's back tingled as she thought about the boundless possibilities.

Aster gave Guinevere a threatening gaze, but Guinevere didn't cower and also glared back. Sparks were flying in between their eyes. Aster was the first one to break the staredown and instructed Guinevere, "Leave."

Guinevere scoffed and replied, "I'll leave with Keira."

Aster, "Don't force me to break our friendship Guinevere."

Guinevere, "It was broken, the moment you hurt Keira."

After declaring those words, Guinevere charged toward Aster and Aster blocked but he was still sent flying across the room, leaving a crack on the wall.

Not giving any time for Aster to take a breather, Guinevere launched another attack, this time wielding her staff that she had thrown to the side earlier. A huge ball of pure fire came towards Aster. The walls broke as they could sustain any longer from the previous impact. Aster was shot to the palace garden outside.

At the same time, Guinevere suddenly grabbed Keira's hand and shouted, "Run!" Guinevere ran, dragging the tranced Keira with her. The air cleared up from the dusk of the fallen debris revealed Aster's dark face. He ordered his shadow guards to follow Guinevere and Keira.

...

Meanwhile, Keira and Guinevere were running, Keira asked Guinevere, "Where are we going?"

Guinevere truthfully answered, "I don't know! Things went differently from the plan!"

"I could see that!" Keira answered while trying to catch her breath.

"Sorry! I just couldn't help myself but punch that guy after looking at his smug face!" Keira couldn't help but laugh.

Guinevere looked back in Keira's direction, and a smile secretly formed her face.

"Well, we could just improvise!" Guinevere said as she pans her view to the shadow guards that were slowly catching up to them.

Guinevere stopped running as she pushed Keira forward. Guinevere then quickly said, "Go to the place where we usually hang out! I will hold them back!"

Keira's eyes flickered before nodding and began sprinting away to the empty room near the maid's quarters where she and Guinevere would usually listen to the gossip of the palace maids. She believed that Guinevere could handle Aster's shadow guard. After all, she is also one of the strongest.

Looking at Keira's small back, Guinevere smiled and whispered, 'always be well Keira', before bringing her attention back to the stupid friends that won't give her best friend a break.

Keira could hear the chaos behind her but she didn't look back.