In a reflex, Aquila covered her wrist with alternative palm and stood unblinking. Her heart was thumping and she was sure that even Ritha could hear the rhythm. She started chewing her bottom lip in anxiety seasoned with anticipation while beads of perspiration adored her forehead like pearls. She wanted her demeanor to be composed but times like these, where one is questioned, opposes calmness.

" No need to hide it Aquila, I know about your wounds. Remember, I was just metres away when intruder pierced your wrist? Poor lady tried to mess up with my defender and I pray to Almighty that she gets hefty punishment. "

Aquila's body seethed with anger at her carelessness. From camouflaging as Aquila, struggling to maintain relationship with Luca, juggling between two identities, listening to Stephano's and Master's crude words, she did it all but one task which they did on the hoof ruined it all.

Words weren't enough to describe the amount of abomination she felt for Ritha and the saddest part was that she had to play the role of her protector. If powers were given to her, she wouldn't allow her to breathe in the next gulp of air. The tragic irony!

" so, you don't doubt me? " her voice came out more shaky than she intended to but she wanted to know the truth.

" Doubt? Now why will I doubt you? Have you done something which is worth doubting? " the inquisitiveness

in Ritha's voice was shocked Aquila.

Didn't she just say that her intruder had same marks on her wrist? She was utterly confused and didn't know how to respond to this. Was she playing some sort of game or she genuinely didn't doubt her?

Nonetheless, she shook her head negatively and said , " no, your highness ! You said... Wrist injury? " her face flushed with embarrassment while framing the next sentence.

" we all are fighters. Even I get cuts many a times. I think it was just a coincidence. I told you so because her hands reminded me of yours. That's it. When you haven't done anything wrong , then you shouldn't doubt that I'll doubt you. Isn't it? " though Ritha's words should have released her from clutches of doubt but unfortunately, thespian and mockery which her tone held, grasped her soul.

Fury, pain, guilt of tarnishing Aelia, all sort of unpleasant emotions were dancing in her eyes while her nose was flaring up with intense emotions. She forgot what Ritha was waiting for a response but something juggling compelled her to raise her eyes and found Justus playing with Ritha's bangles which was source of the trifle sound. The young boy was in his own world ignoring psychological game happening in the room.

She moved her eyes further left only to collide with Ritha's eyes and found concern floating on crest which was sham and she knew it because below the crest, core was filled with mockery. Nodding absent mindedly, she cascaded her eyes.

" Oh poor Aquila! Don't let guilt over take you. See, I'm alive and to enlighten you, even killed one of the eagles. " Rithambara had turned her head to left side in fake sympathy while emphasizing on killing part.

It wasn't that she wanted to hide her mockery, instead, she wanted to give a hint to Aquila and highten her anger to strain out as much as possible.

Zigzagging her jaws in anger, Aquila refrained herself from saying something crass.

" That's very brave of you, my lady. "

It felt as if thousands thorns had pricked her throat after speaking such words. Suddenly a knock ruptured the suffocating silence and both the ladies turned their heads. A shrill joyous squeal of Justus stabbed the silence for second time. Stepping out of the bed with rippling enthusiasm, he ran into Cato's open arm. Meanwhile, Rithambara spoke to Aquila, " why don't you have some rest and take care of your swollen eyes. Trust me, you don't need to feel guilt. There are many more events which will happen in near future. Brace yourself and pray for strength. It's much needed. "

She was intentinally repeating the word guilt tampering Aquila's heart just the way she tampered dead body of Aelia. Feeling humiliated, she practically ran away from there sparing a single glance to Cato.

When Aquila was out, Cato went near Ritha with Justus in his embrace. He could make out that something was awfully wrong.

" Isn't she your protector which Highness Atticus appointed for you? "

Smirking humourlessly, Ritha spoke, " Protector or predator, further events would disclose it. "

Cato had his eyes wide , " Hold on! What is that supposed to mean? "

Sighing softly, she told him, " one out of three attackers had a same cut om her wrist while her features strikingly reminded me of Aquila. "

" And? " Cato nudged her further to complete the sentence because he wanted to be crystal clear about the situation.

" And, I think or more like, believe that Aquila is a part of eagles. "

" What? " he covered his mouth with his palm while trying to wrap his head around what just Ritha said.

" How... Why? " at this point, he didn't know that whether he was making sense or not.

Rithambara explained him calmly, " the first time, she was about to catch the intruder but slowly delayed her moves which gave her a chance to make a cut on wrist. She could have easily dodged but she didn't and it was intentional. Moreover, the intruder went to cut her wrist , she could have easily pierced Aquila's stomach with her dagger. At that time, I thought that I'm being paranoid but now when I ponder over it, I have come to a conclusion that it was a plan to scare me. "

Cato was still in a daze to response. He lend his ears when she continued, " even today, her eyes had fury which resembled that of young masked woman and I know one thing for sure, eyes never lie. It felt like that she wanted to burn me alive. "

" Wow! This palace has many secrets. This means we've to keep an eye on her. " spoke Cato after a thick silence.

Smiling at her son, who was playing with anklet and toe, she smirked at Cato, " not an eye, we've to follow her every move. Apart from her, there is another suspect. "

" And who's he? "

" Marcus and now is the time to stab double swords in spine of backstabbers. " replied Ritha in

utmost dangerous voice.

🏵🏵🏵

After ten days, army of Florence was finally at it's destination and still, four days were left till the official war began. Weather backed their journey and they didn't have to face any obstacle plus soldiers got ample amount of time to rest which didn't make their feet sore and energised them for the battle.

Spies of Latina never predicted this move as they were under an impression that Florence lies in complete north part and news wouldn't reach till them but they forgot that enemy who has to face more adversities is more cautious and prepared.

Putting their differences apart, Felix and Linus decided to support their father King Atticus and decided to circle Latina's kingdom while Augustus and Aurelius along with their troops, marched towards the main battlefield to tackle their vital enemies.

If estimated, it would take two more days to reach. It was time for army of Florence to bifurcate and Augustus once again explained every theory and warned his brothers to not mess up things in Latina because it was an important fort.

one question was bugging Prince Felix's mind and according to him what Augustus was doing, came into plain dumb category.

He couldn't help but ask, " why don't we just wait here for the other kingdom to come? What's the need to go all the way there? "

Augustus despised being interrupted but he gulped down his anger because at least, his brothers were standing with him in war. Keeping his tone in check, he explained calmly, " dear Felix! Those kingdoms have strong army and it's better if they are stopped far away. We can't afford to let them trespass till Latina because then, they can win Rome with ease. I hope you'll help father and our troop. "

Though he didn't understand the strategy wholly, still, he nodded. After bidding farewell and dividing army and ration accordingly, Augustus led his troop.