The Rose Of The South
Chapter 26: Premier Rendez - Vous

When Duke Nicholas Francis arrived that morning, Anna and Xavier were on the balcony. Louis was reading books in the palace library. So Nicholas, after a long night's journey after his wedding party in Duchy Francis, met with Queen Isabella who had been presumed dead in the attack that night.

The Duke was surprised not to play when he saw the Queen.

Nicholas unceasingly apologized to the Queen because only he managed to defend his realm. He felt like a traitor to the State for maintaining his position thanks to his friendship with Crown Prince Nordhalbinsel— with the successor to the throne of the enemy country. She said how grateful she was that Queen Isabella and Princess Anastasia were still alive.

The five of them finally gathered in the meeting room. When Anna asks where Rumelle is, Nicholas tells her that Rumelle must remain in Duke Francis's House and take her place to do her chores as long as she goes to Eze. Nicholas also said that Rumelle would like to send him a letter if the Princess, who is his former fiancee, allows it.

"of course. I'd be very happy if the Duchess could send a letter with me." Anna answered with a friendly smile.

Nicholas, beyond Anna's expectations, looks very happy. "An honor, Your Majesty." He said while looking polite.

Xavier and Anna agree that they really need Nicholas' help so they tell Nicholas everything. Tells the true story they did not tell upon their arrival at Duke Francis' residence. But Xavier and Anna agree not to tell Nicholas who they really are*** Xavier himself suspects Nicholas already knows or has expected it.

Queen Isabella tells Nicholas about their plans. About Alexis looking for dragons and those still looking for Alexis. About the book that Leon kept in the library of Schiereiland Palace. Then about the rumors they heard about the Red Queen.

It didn't take long for Nicholas to process all of the information he had just been given. Nicholas is notoriously intelligent, manages to look calm and set a strategy with all of them. The strategy of finding the book in the library of Schiereiland Palace, finding Alexis, gaining an alliance with the surviving nobles of Schiereiland somewhere, is, and found the Red Queen and freed the children's slaves.

They finished the meeting that morning immediately and began to carry out the initial stages of their plan. To do that, Queen Isabella had to remain in the Palace for a while while sending letters to the nobles she might still be able to contact in secret. Xavier lent him a Grimoire pen. While Nicholas was given a noble task by the Queen and immediately run it. During the following days, they were busy executing their plans.

From day one, Louis had left for Schere, the capital of Schiereiland, to search for the information they needed as well as carry out secret duties. A few of Francis' family bodyguards accompanied him on the way to Schere. She was given formal dress as the royal messengers wore and the emblem of the Francis family and the rose necklace of Princess Anastasia as a sign that she was indeed a messenger of both. He was asked to spread information on Schere that Princess Anastasia was still alive and planned to go to Schiereiland Palace.

The next day, Xavier and Anna take a walk in the city. No disguises, no hiding, just being themselves. Anna wore a typical Schiereiland spring dress. Jewelry of gold and gems that Nicholas had provided at the Palace, which from the beginning had been there as a gift of their previous engagement, now he was wearing. His red hair that was already shoulder-length, he let it be uncluttered without being covered by a hat, the small braids from the edges of his hair wrapped around his head like a crown decorated with spring flowers and pearls. He wanted to make sure everyone saw his red hair. The person who knew him—the nobleman Schiereiland who saw him would definitely appear by himself. Or at the very least, there would be rumors of a noble daughter wandering around the city whose hair was red.

While Xavier was beside him, wearing the typical clothes of the Nordhalbinsel nobility. The symbol of the four dragons, the symbol of his kingdom was pinned on his chest. It was as if he was making a stern statement that he was from that eternal winter land, and that the people of the north were unwilling to wear the clothes and symbols of the people of the south. He now looks like a handsome prince from the north. Looks like an antagonist in a fairy tale, cruel, cold and untouchable. Seen as the right target to be kidnapped by members of the Red Queen.

To make their appearance even more the center of attention of the people in the city, they placed a line of bodyguards in the typical uniform of the Nordhalbinsel guards not far behind them. Not too far, but not too close. Just to make a statement that they were honorable nobles guarded by the bodyguards from the north. In fact, Anna hides Xavier's dagger behind her dress and Xavier blatantly carries the Nordhalbinsel sword in her waist belt.

The city of Eze is one of the towns on the outskirts of the Duchy Francis region that is famous for its silence and tranquility because it is close to the coast that is claimed to belong to the royal family of Schiereiland. The view is so beautiful. The streets are made of multicolored stones, the buildings are relatively old and historic, but still stand strong. Most of the buildings are not cemented and unpainted, left to be visited by flowering plants. Usually the nobles of Schiereiland at least will have one villa or mansion building in Eze City to go from the daily routine in the capital and on vacation or to date a loved one. So there shouldn't be many Schiereiland nobles in the city on days like this.

But the city of Eze that morning looked crowded. Apparently the arrival of Duke Francis that morning to the city attracted the attention of many residents around. And they seemed to wonder who the noble couple who had just stepped down from the chariot belonged to the Francis family. They did not dare to look directly at the two beautiful nobles walking side by side, but they could not hide their curiosity especially due to the large number of bodyguards accompanying them behind him.

It seems Anna and Xavier are just walking the streets—Xavier calls it 'first date'—spending endless treasures all day, going shopping to boutiques, to jewelry places, and when it's almost afternoon, you spend endless treasure, they will continue their journey to the most luxurious restaurant in the city. It may even be the most luxurious in Schiereiland.

But of course that's not all they do.

"At present, almost all the surviving nobles, who were driven from their titles as well as their homes went to their holiday villa in Eze." This is the information Nicholas gave me. That's why they roam the streets of Eze city.

The shop they went to belonged to Count Montgomery's youngest daughter. One of the nobles who had long been on good terms with Grand Duke Smirnoff, the family of Queen Isabella. The Count's youngest daughter, Elise, was reportedly married to Marquess Gillies five years ago and the Marquess, according to information from Nicholas, recently died trying to fight back as the witches dragged their little son to the Tower project. Elise Gillies was one of the noble princesses who would instantly recognize Anna the moment she saw her because they had met in the Palace a few years ago. Their first targets for becoming an alliance were the Count Montgomery family as well as the Marquess Gillies family.

As expected, Elise immediately recognized Anna. She bowed respectfully with teary eyes as soon as she saw Anna enter her boutique and asked everyone to come out and close the button. But the next moment, as Xavier walked in, Elise looked wrathful. She obviously hated the northern people who had destroyed her family— took her father's royal title, killed her husband and took his son. Anna tried to calm him down and explain everything to Elise. Elise listened carefully and decided to join their plan.

After Elise, they visit Julian and Jill. The brothers, who own the most famous jewelry store in the entire Francis region, have snow-white skin like Xavier, typical of northerners. During the reign of King Eustacius, a Nordhalbinsel defector sought refuge in Schiereiland. King Eustacius married her to one of his distant cousins and gave her the title of nobleman. Since then the Renaux family has traditionally served faithfully with the royal family of Schiereiland. Julian and Jill were one of their descendants that Anna knew was in Eze City.

And the owners of Blue Diamond, the most expensive restaurant in Eze City, were certainly one of the targets of their alliance. The richest young woman in all of Schiereiland today. Although Anna herself was reluctant to go to him because they did not have a good relationship, but if the information from Nicholas was correct, Lady Constanza Smirnoff should have been there.

The sun was almost setting as they got off the horse carriage and walked towards the restaurant. Suddenly Anna's vision became blurry. The multicolored fog reappeared. Then he heard voices he didn't know. The voices were in his head and felt very far away.

I don't want to do it... It's so sorry that Queen.

We have no other choice, Kaze.

The queen is pregnant, Shuu. Human baby without sin. I remember the Great Queen when we first met her. At that time, she was pregnant too.

She's not the Great Queen. And there is no King here. We must follow the Prince's orders.

I don't want to be a monster! If you want, you're the one who's flooding this whole ice country! You may have forgotten, but I clearly remember that it was us who made this land covered in ice. By your water and my cold wind. I don't want to destroy the land I saved!

"Anna?" Xavier. His hand held back Anna's body that was about to collapse due to the sudden attack inside her head.

"I'm fine." Anna straightened her body. Gawking, because when looking at the surroundings, the world feels spinning and the spring air suddenly feels cold freezing. Anna could even hear the pounding of the waves in the ocean very clearly as if they were inside her head. All sounds were clearer and overlapped. His vision sharpened to the point that he could even see ants creeping on the walls of buildings far away from them.

I heard them too. But it seems they can't hear us. Our distance from them may be too far.

Anna realizes she forgot to close their communication channel. Xavier was still holding onto her because her legs were still trembling and she could not stand up straight yet. He looked at those pair of anxious-looking emerald eyes. Are they...

Is correct. Not wrong anymore. The Twin Dragons. And it seems that in this life they are born Orient.

Orient... But it seems like they are in the north at the moment. That girl... He's Aerinear, right? He's a Wind Dragon. And he sounds very angry. I can feel it through that channel.

Wh why?

Your eyes are red. Lately, without you knowing it, it's happened a lot.

Anna followed Xavier's words. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly, he breathed his breath back. He continued to do so over and over again until the moment he opened his eyes again, the color was no longer red.

Feel better?

Anna nodded. His head did not hurt anymore and the spring air again felt normal. His vision returned clear and normal. The colorful fog is gone. Those deafening voices are now back to normal. He could return to his own two feet without help. But Xavier still clasped his hand. He looked at Xavier, knowing they were thinking the same thing after hearing the Twin Dragons conversation earlier. Eleanor. The queen they were talking about was definitely Eleanor. They must be in Nordhalbinsel by now.

Anna knew Xavier agreed with her despite not saying so. He also knew how quickly Xavier wanted to return to his kingdom. It was evident from the look of a stern expression on his face.

Maybe you should come back soon, Xavier.

Anna did not wait for Xavier who was about to reject the suggestion from her through their communication channel because right then, Anna could feel it. The air moved several meters away from him. It was so fast that Anna thought it would be too late. He hurriedly pulled Xavier away from his spot before an arrow pierced through his heart.

On her chest, where Anna had been draping the ruby ring that Xavier had given her, Anna felt a heart-pump and heat from the ring.

The arrow did not hit them. Anna catches him, observing the red arrow. Anna immediately looked for the direction the arrow came from. From atop the roof of one of the buildings around them, Anna could see the shadow moving quickly. Someone's targeting Xavier.

Suddenly the streets became deserted. The people who had been in the city since then, went out of nowhere. They seemed to know what was going on and did not want to be dragged into the battle so they hid.

The guards immediately formed a circle around them. Swords unsheathed. Pairs of eyes looked carefully paying attention to every possible location the arrow came from. But the atmosphere around them seemed too quiet like there was no one at all other than their entourage. Whoever they are trying to attack, they hide very well.

Shortly after, Anna again felt a movement in the air. Very quickly Anna had already picked up the sword at Xavier's waist and fended off the next arrow attack that was again aimed right at Xavier's heart. They were scattered in various places and all aimed precisely. Their movements were quick and silent. They must be good archers. In the next move, before the other arrows shot out, very quickly, Anna had already taken out the Xavier dagger she had stored behind her dress and gave it to Xavier. In Xavier's hand, the blade instantly turned into an enormous sword.

They were ready with their respective weapons, turning their backs and being on standby against the possibility of the next attack.

Five... Seven... Eight on... Xavier counted, while paying attention to the surroundings.

There's ten, I guess. Maybe more. There are two bell towers. Said Anna.

A bell tower? Xavier then realizes the bell tower Anna was referring to. It is far and high. The human eye cannot see it. But Anna's eyes are now red again. That's the Red Queen. Not wrong anymore. Let one of them hit me, Anna.

Nah! Anna protested directly.

I'm really honored that you're worried about me, but we have to give up. Isn't this what we planned? We come to this place not only to pretend to date while meeting our potential allies, although to be honest I really enjoy dating today. We came here, dressed like this, to draw the Red Queen's attention for them to show up. I have to act as a pretty convincing bait.

They want you to not care whether you're alive or dead. Didn't you see that? They're aiming right at your heart! You could die! This is not in the scenario we planned.

Give them what they want to catch them. Anyway I'm pretty sure they won't kill me. They're not bad people. They're your people.

They're targeting your heart!

You've had it. That heart. As long as you have it, I will always live. Believe it.

I'll fight them.

Don'tdon't. Too dangerous. You can be considered a defector. They can target you too. Act like a Princess Schiereiland without sword skills. Remember your role today.

They've seen me fend off an arrow attack with your sword. They saw me holding a sword. There is no point in pretending...

The channel suddenly severed. A gripping silence.

Xavier's?

Anna had no idea what was happening until the moment she saw it, the arrow stuck in Xavier's chest. Right where his mortal heart is. Blood flowed from there. His white clothes became red with his blood.

The ruby ring was silent. Chilly. Without pulse.

Xavier's!

Anna shouted out to him from the channel. But there's no answer. There's no one. Just himself.

"Xavier!" He called again. This time with his own voice that was shaking. Fear returned to her as it was on the night of the attack at the Palace. He kept shouting and calling, but there was no answer.

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