"Blessing and glory upon the sun of obelia."

The cold feeling in his stomach increased. He didn't dare look at the Emperor ; the devil himself. Afraid if he showed even the tiniest weakness the devil would pounce.

The ruler of the Empire Obelia. The dictator of the subjects of the peaceful Empire. The Empire himself.

The king regally sat on his golden throne, poised and graceful. His intimidating aura filled the Audience room like poison. Lionel was afraid to even breath.

Lionel was dreading about this very day. He saw it coming long ago. The king knew about his weakness. How's he struggling to keep his family out of danger's hand. The emperor was bound to take advantage of that. No, he created a scenario so that both house would fight between them to gain the favour of the king. And he'll benefits from it.

The emperor was truly a cunning person.

"Lord Lionel."

Lionel straighten, keeping his face blank.

Sapphire eyes pierced through him like knife. "I've called upon for a very urgent issues. You already know the tension between the Empire Pristella and Obelia. They seem to provoke us on every opportunity. And I've a hunch that war wouldn't be far off."

Of course he knew. Pristella was the leading Empire on the globe until Obelia came first and left the Empire in dust in the Power-play. Since then the relationship between the Empires has always been sensitive. The cold and silent rivalry continued on for generations.

"We are the strongest Empire compared to Pristella but if he collaborated with other small Empire we'd be in some pickle situation." The king leaned back against his throne, his eyes trained on stiff Lionel.

"So the I've come up with an solution. I want you to go as an covert spy and bring in information of evey empires the Pristella has connection with. We'll start by befriending them, get them on our side. Make them abandon the Pristella Empire."

Lionel's mask didn't crack. He continued on listening in indifference. He had a hunch after all. The days were too quite. A bad omen in Obelia.

"Once we strip them of every assistance, we'll demolish them. But I want you to kill the emperor and the heirs. Plant other spy and get the court on your side. I've gathered some intellect about the supporting pillars. And one very intriguing person who would come to be useful. The first Duke of the Empire. He was to be crowned but the king room his place. Now he's plotting in secret to dethrone the king." A cruel smile bestowed on his face. "He will be a great asset. Get him on your side and promise him the place as Emperor. This way we'd have our own puppet to play on string."

The king paused and Lionel held his breath. "And if you did fail and get caught. I'll use your adopted daughter to replace your role and duty. Afterall I've heard she has extensive knowledge of herbs. Truly a marvelous talent. One could use it to eradicate nuisance and no one will suspect a child behind the scenes."

Lionel's inside froze. He couldn't believe his ears. Surely the king wouldn't stoop to use a child. A mere 9 years old girl. "Your majesty..?"

Ignoring him, The king continued each word laced with warning and command. "Of course I'll test her and make sure the rumours about her being prodigy were true. I'll take under my wing and push her to her full potential. Wouldn't you want that, Lord Lionel?"

Lionel remained silent. The cold inside him turning into hot lava. He knew each word he utter would be used against him so he didn't protest. He didn't want to show any vulnerability.

"It'd be a honour for her to follow the footsteps of her guradian; her kind, humble adopted Father." The king mocked knowing well what was going on inside his head.

"So lord Lionel what do you think about the proposal?"

It wasn't a question. The king was baiting him to defy him so he could his tramp card. The tramp card being his family. He'd use them to keep him in line.

Lionel gritted his teeth. Trying to push down the wave of fear and anger. "My king, my family--"

"Oh yes, yes. I've heard the rivalry going on between Judith house and Wilton." The King waved his hand dismissively. "And all the underhanded method of the opposing House."

Lionel couldn't help the widening of his eyes. The news surprised him. He had done everything in his power to keep the rivalry between the houses under the lid. The how...? He was correct on his assumption about a mole being in his House. Who was giving the information to the King.

The house of Wilton and house of Judith always been rivals since it's been established.

The two houses had fallen down his glory when the houses couldn't make male heir no matter what. Both houses suspected each other and thus the enmity between them rouse. And now generation after generation compete with each other to gain fame or at least the favour of the King.

Thus the possibility of them assassination from them was higher. Erase your enemy and you won't have a competition thus the chances of getting notice by the king increases.

But it was refrained but the tension on each side had increased to a degree that assassin per month has become a mundane thing.

"I'll provide protection to your family in your absence. You don't have a thing to worry. Just focus on the mission."

Lionel had everything to worry about. His family was under the target of the vulture of a King. He couldn't keep the fear and dread from showing on his face.

The king sneered, gawking his reaction with a gleeful expression. "If you do succeed I shall give you power over them. Let you decide what to do with House Wilton."

Of course you would, Lionel thought bitterly. You don't know how to value loyalty. Just throw everyone in fire of hell as long as it benefits you.

The king looked at him with expectant. Lionel knew right then it wasn't a request but a cold command laced with threats.

"I understand, Your Majesty. I'll set off today to commence the mission." Those word left a bitter taste in his mouth as he bowed his head in submission.

"Excellent!" The king exclaimed. His blue eyes brighten up in mirth. Lionel hated those unique eyes. Eyes that showed now nothing but triumph. "I'll hold my promise, Lord Lionel as long as you hold yours."

Lionel bowed greeting the king last time before leaving the suffocating room.

Lord Lionel knew what he had done was wrong. Extremely wrong.

He condemned your life to save his own flesh and blood. As he stood infront of the Cold King who had a smug sneer on his face, he knew he was trapped. The sweet deals and promise of protection was nothing but a lure to farther make him his puppet. He would be sent to the enemy territory, to get the information of internal affairs of the Pristella Empire. Once his job done he has to kill The Emperor and his heirs. And if he failed to assassin the king, he'd make you his mercenary. Force you to go under assassin training. And use you as a pawn in his grand scheme.

He never felt so disgusted and helpless with himself. His sense of duty and his morality was clashing. The turmoil inside him felt like it'll tear him apart. But he has to choose, and he did.

His sense of duty with his family won over.

He knew he was breaking the oath he gave to your deceased Mother. The disgust swirling around him increased. He was throwing away that promise. It made him absolutely despicable man. More so than the king. He couldn't get lower than that.

Yes, he had formed a close bind with you. Dare he say close enough for Father-daughter relationship. You were braze in more than one ways. Always causing trouble. But you kept the house lively. The anxiety and worry had everyone on edge but your amusing antics made sure that no one would fall down.

This was life. Unfair and Cruel. One life for another. Bit he would do his best to complete the mission so you don't have to carry the burden. That was the only hope for his redemption and your salvation.

He arrived in the Waiting room to see you obediently sitting, gawking at your surrounding. His heart clenched in painful reminder that he was condemning your innocent life.

"Mister!" You dashed to him with a smile. You never called him father and Lionel was okay with that. He didn't deserve to be called Father not after what he done.

He kneeled before you. "Hello child."

"Why are we here mister?" Lionel flinched when you got straight to the point. Lionel sometimes felt like you were too mature for your age. Too smart.

He put on a smile. "For your education, of course. You wanted to become an excellent herbalist like your mother, right?" Lionel felt like an evil man to bring up your mother to make you stay here. "Well the king is impressed by your skill and offered you to learn from the Royal herbalist. Isn't that thrilling news."

"But I don't want to stay here!" You immediately protested.

"It's the king's order, child. We can't go against him. Please understand my child. It's for your own good."

You deflated slowly as you looked at the pleading eyes of the man. "Can't you ask him to take his offer back...?"

You're quiet, desperate voice killed Lionel inside but he forced a smile and shook his head. "The life here won't be bad. You will be here for few years. Once I come back from my mission you can come and live with us once again." Lionel didn't know how much time this mission will take. But if he had to estimate, a few years will be suffice.

"Okay."

I'm sorry my child. I promise to come back as soon as possible and take you away from this palace of deception. He promises you that.