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GARDEN OF POISON
Rise of the Golden Moon (Chapter 129)
Migdre's small legs carried it towards the entrance of the palace without the guards noticing its presence. For some reason, the imp couldn't teleport to its master's location and decided to swiftly search for him instead.
"Master is being tricked! Master needs to know!" muttered the imp to itself as it continued to dash through the corridors, its arrow-ended tail swaying back and forth. "Master, where are you?!" it asked frantically, its head scanning left and right. "That woman has been lying, and so has Demon Raylen! She's t—"
And before the imp could take another step forward, a shoe suddenly flew from behind at a speed too swift for the creature to notice, and it smacked it right on the back of its head, causing it to collapse onto the ground, unconscious from the impact.
"Thought I heard someone call my name," Raylen remarked, standing at the far end of the corridor, one shoe conspicuously absent from his foot.
Making his way to where the imp had temporarily blacked out, Raylen used his foot to turn the creature's body while simultaneously slipping his foot back into the displaced shoe. He said, "You have a splendid sense of timing, Migdre, to be caught by me."
Removing his coat, he dropped it over the creature before leaning down and lifting the creature into his arms. As he began to walk, Niyasa appeared in his line of sight, and the princess walked at speed until she noticed him, causing her footsteps to slow down.
"Prince Raylen," Niyasa greeted him with a bow, and her eyes fell on his coat, which appeared bulkier than usual. "I've heard that you are leaving Versailles the day after tomorrow. Won't you consider staying a little longer? We didn't get the time to become acquainted."
"That is indeed a pity, Princess Niyasa. I have obligations to attend to, and there are people awaiting my return. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to spend more time together the next time we see each other?" Raylen responded, offering her a kind smile.
"Perhaps," Niyasa smiled, sensing a potential connection with the prince as she felt they were very alike. "What do you have in there? As a prince, you shouldn't be carrying anything when we have servants for that. Would you like me to take it for you?"
When Niyasa's hand reached out for his coat, Raylen pulled it away from her, causing the young princess to regard him with a hint of suspicion. He smiled and remarked, "You are a princess; it wouldn't be appropriate for me to let you carry anything, as it wouldn't suit you. I hope you have a good night."
Raylen walked past her, while Niyasa now watched the Storm Prince with evident suspicion in her eyes. She wondered what he was carrying concealed beneath his coat. Once the prince arrived at his room, he stepped inside and shut the door behind him.
When Migdre regained consciousness, it found itself confined inside a trunk, its limbs tied, and a piece of cloth stuffed into its mouth. It tried to move, but its attempts proved futile, and it produced only muffled sounds, "Uhdfdngh!!"
"Hello there, imp." Raylen stepped forward to reveal his face, prompting the imp's eyes to widen. "Did I hear you badmouthing me, or was it my imagination?"
'Let me out! I will tell my master what you did to me!' Migdre tried to warn Raylen, but all its words transformed into incoherent noise.
"You must have been working hard, scurrying around in search of information. How about I offer you a little rest?" Raylen smiled, his eyes twinkling, and the imp's eyes widened, shaking its head in protest. "I trust you'll find the trunk comfortable enough to sleep in. Goodnight, Migdre." With that, the demon closed the trunk's lid before stowing the trunk inside one of the cupboards.
The imp struggled to break free, but there seemed to be invisible strings tied around it, restricting its movements. It had no choice but to wait to be let out so that it could inform and complain to its master!
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The following day, recently bloomed flowers were plucked to decorate the palace's interior, infusing the air with a sweet fragrance. Even though it was only morning, candles were swapped for fresh ones on all the stands and chandeliers.
"Anna, it is time to wake up."
Anastasia heard the curtains being drawn, and she felt the room fill with light as she struggled to pry her eyes open. When she turned her head, she noticed Theresa appear by her bedside, prompting her to sit up. A smile formed on her lips, and she said, "You are here."
"I am," Theresa affirmed, sitting on the edge of the bed and gently grasping Anastasia's hand. She smiled and continued, "I heard that you will be returning home. I am so happy for you, Anna, knowing how much you have missed your family. You have been planning for so long, considering camels, ships, and the tower watchers, and now, finally, you can reunite with your family."
"How did they permit you to work for me?" Anastasia asked, a touch of restlessness and anxiety evident in her tone.
"Mr. Gilbert ordered me to attend to you as soon as I entered the kitchen," Theresa replied. It made Anastasia wonder if Dante had told Mr. Gilbert to have Theresa accompany her, knowing she would be leaving this evening. "Have you packed everything you need for the journey?"
Anastasia nodded and replied, "Everything was packed last evening. Dante said there are a few additional trunks that will travel with me, containing items for both me and my family." Although he hadn't communicated this to her directly, the message had been conveyed by Mr. Gilbert.
Even though she and Dante had somewhat reconciled, Anastasia could tell that he was deliberately maintaining his distance from her. Their interactions were limited to only looking at each other from afar. During the previous day's meal, she had watched a maid pour blood into his glass. When he mentioned his bloodthirst, Anastasia assumed it referred to his penchant for killing, unaware that it also included a literal craving for blood.
"I have brought your breakfast. Why don't you enjoy your meal, and I will have the bath ready for you afterward?" Theresa proposed, pushing the food cart beside the bed.
Once the bathtub was brimming with water, Theresa grasped a bottle containing rose oil, only to be halted by Anastasia's words, "Not that one. The jasmine."
Theresa looked slightly surprised and responded, "I thought you preferred rose over jasmine. Alright." Placing the bottle of rose oil aside, she picked up another bottle before pouring its contents into the water.
She used to, Anastasia thought to herself. But this was something Dante had recently complimented her on. Like him, she wanted to engrave herself into his memories, so that they wouldn't fade and be eclipsed by his wrath during their time apart. There was a lingering sense of fear that continued to lurk in the back of her mind, making her wonder whether the next time she would see him… things between them would remain the same or change.
Anastasia stepped inside the bath and sat down to immerse herself in the warm water, her gaze fixed on the wall, feeling her nerves calm a little.
Theresa, assisting with her bath, asked, "Do you have any idea how long the journey to Hawkshead is from here?"
"Maybe a week. I intend to return after seeing my family and finally getting the chance to meet my brother, whom I haven't had the opportunity to see yet," Anastasia replied.
Return? Theresa was left slightly confused. She wondered whether Anastasia might end up having conflicted emotions and whether she would want to leave her family again once she was reunited with them, or if her family would even allow it. She avoided mentioning Gabriel, as she had already heard from the gossiping maids that he remained imprisoned in the dungeon, and didn't want to upset Anastasia.
After Anastasia completed her bath, Theresa assisted her, drying her off, and she inquired, "Which dress are you planning to wear? Has a new one been arranged?"
"There's one that needs a little direction," Anastasia replied, walking to the cupboard and pulling out a white nightgown. "There was a slight delay in getting my dress ready for the celebration, but this one will help."
Anastasia donned the magical dress that Marianne had introduced her to, positioning herself in front of the long oval mirror. Just a week ago, she had wished to hide and fade into the background, but that desire had changed. Addressing the dress, she requested, "Change into a modest dress in a shade of blue with silk fabric and accents of gold threads. Let the sleeves extend to the wrists in a bell shape."
At Anastasia's words, the dress promptly responded and immediately began to change as it emitted a glow. The cotton material turned into luxurious silk, the white hue transforming into a rich, deep blue. The previously loose dress now contoured her form, accentuating her curves and highlighting the graceful dip of her back. The upper part of her dress was dominated by intricate gold detailing adorned with pearls, while the skirt remained undecorated and flowed freely.
Her dark brown hair was elegantly parted to the side and skilfully twisted atop the crown of her head before being pinned at the back of her ears. After smoothing the front of her dress, she heard Theresa remark,
"I wonder if the king will change his mind and decide to keep you here in the palace."
"I wonder indeed," Anastasia murmured, just as someone knocked on the door.
Theresa swung the door open to find Mr. Gilbert at the room's entrance, accompanied by four male servants standing behind him.
"Forgive me for interrupting, but I've been instructed to ensure that your trunks are loaded onto the cart so that nothing is left behind when it is time for you to depart from here after four this afternoon. The ship is scheduled to sail at five," Mr. Gilbert informed Anastasia, before asking her, "Is now a good time for arranging their collection?"
The realisation of her imminent departure didn't hit her before as much as it did in this moment, and the anxiousness in her chest only grew. She was really going home… She was truly leaving.
Theresa observed Anastasia staring into space, lost in her thoughts, and she replied to the man, "They are over here."
The servants carried the three trunks from the room, and before Mr. Gilbert could turn and leave, Anastasia stopped him and asked,
"Mr. Gilbert. Do you know if the king is in his room?"
"He hasn't returned to the palace since last evening, milady. Would you like me to inform you when he does?" Mr. Gilbert inquired politely, to which Anastasia shook her head.
"No, that's alright," Anastasia replied, as she doubted she would have another chance to see him before she left. The celebration was being held in honour of his rule over Versailles.
As Mr. Gilbert prepared to leave, he bowed to her and said, "It was a pleasure to work with you, Lady Anastasia. You are a hardworking woman. I hope you have a good journey."
Anastasia and Mr. Gilbert had never shared a word beyond work-related matters, and it had always been her listening to his instructions. Returning the bow, she reciprocated, "It was a pleasure to work with you too, Mr. Gilbert."
The man didn't spare another word and promptly walked away from there.
On the ground floor, the Mother Queen was standing alone in one of the corridors when her minister approached her with urgency. He informed her, "Mother Queen, it works. It took hours to take effect, but it works."
The Mother Queen turned to her minister and inquired, "What was the result? Did the two men drop unconscious?"
"Just one," Aziel replied over the loud music being played nearby. "The demon King Dante brought—he threw up a little and fell unconscious, waking up after about an hour. The gardener is fine."
"I see," the Mother Queen nodded, and she instructed, "Ensure the remaining drinks are served to every person in the palace. Offer complimentary beverages to everyone, from servants to esteemed men and women. Spare no one, not even my family."
When the hour of celebration arrived, everyone gathered in the main hall, enjoying the drinks and snacks provided by the maids. Anastasia stood next to Emily, and next to the princess stood Aiden. The remaining members of the royal family mingled, engaging in conversations with familiar guests.
"Did you know Grandmother ordered that I don't leave the palace grounds?" Aiden inquired of his sister.
"You are not the only one," Emily replied with a frown. She turned to Anastasia and remarked, "I had hoped to see you off in person, but it looks like we will have to extend our farewells to you at the gates, Anna."
"That's alright. The thought is what counts." Anastasia offered a smile to the princess, who returned it. She asked, "Do you know where he is?"
"He's barely been in the palace since noon," Emily's frown deepened as she replied.
"He's been spending most of his time at the base throughout this week. As for the remaining hours, I am not sure," Aiden answered. "And I know this because I snoop around. I am not sure whether he's preparing for the war, but there have been a lot of damaged walls and punching bags with holes. I feel like he wants to mince someone."
"King Dante Blackthorn has arrived!" one of the guards announced.
A hush fell over the crowd. Alongside the others, Anastasia bowed at him as he strode into the main hall, capturing everyone's attention.
As Anastasia's gaze lifted, she felt her heart squeeze at the sight of Dante. He wore a dark red shirt that matched his eyes, paired with black trousers and a crimson coat with black lapels draped across his shoulders. She realised that Aiden's assessment wasn't far from the truth, as the menacing aura around him had intensified since she had last seen him.
Naturally, their eyes met and locked with each other, fixed upon each other, staring from a distance. Anastasia noticed the return of the slits in his eyes, and he then shifted his gaze away to address the guests.
"Welcome to the Blackthorn Palace once again. I understand that some of you are praying not to fall prey and become the next victims murdered in this palace. But rest assured, such occurrences have been limited to the royal family. And even in cases of deaths outside of it, it would be a measure taken for yours and everyone's safety. Setting jokes aside, I hope you have a wonderful time here, and I look forward to our mutual reliance," he concluded, offering them a slight smile.
Anastasia realised that even the demon Dante was devoid of a sense of humour, as she observed some individuals rendered speechless, perhaps wondering if they might be the next to die.
The Mother Queen cheered, "Hail, King Dante!" And soon, everyone echoed her sentiment, following her like sheep.
"Hail, King Dante!!"
"King Dante's joke was rather scary," one of the guests laughed.
"A morbid joke," Aiden murmured. As a maid approached carrying a tray of drinks, Emily selected one for herself, while Anastasia and Aiden refrained.
Soon, music once again resonated throughout the main hall, and chatter filled the vast place, with the guests trying to gain the king's attention while simultaneously treading carefully not to overstep the apparent line between them. Some guests moved to the centre of the room to partake in a dance, forming pairs that took turns, swaying in harmony with the music.
"Princess Emily, would you honour me with a dance?" a young man inquired, stepping before her, and Emily gave him a nod in response, and they proceeded to make their way towards the centre of the room.
"I would have asked you for a dance, but I suspect that would have repercussions," Aiden remarked with a smile. "But I guess someone else can take that role…" His voice trailed as Anastasia followed his gaze, catching sight of Dante surrounded by a group of guests. "I will go see how my mother is doing," he added, and he left her side.
As if sensing Anastasia's gaze, Dante's eyes shifted to meet her eyes across the room. She felt her heart skip a beat again. Unbeknownst to her, his nails elongated, as if subconsciously wanting to sink them into her. She took a single step forward, which was soon followed by another, and Dante abandoned the company he was with, traversing the distance between them to meet her halfway.
Anastasia realised it wasn't just the menacing aura; somehow, the man had become even more attractive than usual. It made it challenging for her to maintain her gaze on him without averting her eyes once.
"You look good in the king's coat," Anastasia complimented him.
"Thank you," Dante replied, his face expressionless. Like Raylen, who had skipped attending the celebration, he had contemplated missing the event due to a pounding headache. Nonetheless, he had taken his chances to attend, only to feel his now sharpened canines ready to scare people. Scare her.
Anastasia waited for him to comment on the jasmine scent, but instead, she heard him ask her, "Did Norrix fetch your trunks?"
Anastasia's hands clenched, and she replied, "A few hours ago." She knew he was sending her away, but did he have to be so eager to put her on the ship? she asked herself with a frown.
"I have assigned two of my men and four guards to accompany you and the gardener during your voyage. That is to ensure that you don't get lost along the way and also, taking into account that you transform into a stone in the sea," Dante said, catching Anastasia off guard. "I think there are far better ways to meet one's end than drowning."
"You are releasing him? Along with me?" Anastasia asked, her tone tinged with scepticism.
Dante emitted a hum, pulling his hands out of his trouser pockets. "There's no point in keeping the earthling confined here any longer, and I have tortured him to half of my heart's content. If I prolong his stay here any further, with you absent, there's a risk he might die at my hands," he remarked with a grave demeanour.
"What are you trying to do, Dante?" Anastasia asked him, feeling the heaviness between them growing again, and she took a deep breath to steady herself.
"Keeping you safe. Vacation, remember?"
When Dante felt his head being squeezed again, he instinctively raised his hand to his head, and Anastasia's eyes landed on his bruised knuckles, the skin displaying visible abrasions.
"You have hurt your hands," Anastasia murmured, and just as her hand reached for his, a minister called him.
"Your Highness, three Elder ministers are here to see you. They are waiting to talk to you in your study," the minister informed him with a respectful bow.
Like one of the Elder ministers he had killed? Anastasia wondered silently, and saw Dante nod at the minister in acknowledgement, saying, "Inform them that I will join them shortly."
"Yes, My King," the minister responded before leaving the hall.
Anastasia noticed Dante's gaze fall back on her, staring at her, and the way he looked at her tugged at her heartstrings. She asked him, "How long will the discussion last?"
"If I snap my fingers, it will conclude in less than five minutes," Dante replied, eliciting a smile that briefly graced both their lips, only to be washed away the next second as he needed to leave. "I should go now. You will be good, won't you, rabbit?" he asked her.
Anastasia felt the heaviness tighten her throat. She gave him a nod and watched him leave the hall, gradually moving farther and farther away until he vanished behind the door.
While the celebration continued, where laughter and conversations among the guests filled the air, the Mother Queen was making sure that the maids offered everyone the special juice. It was only later that she realised Dante and Anastasia were both missing from the main hall.
"Aziel! What time is it?" the Mother Queen demanded, prompting the minister to pull out his pocket watch and squint at it.
"I think it is ten past four, My Queen," Aziel answered.
"So fast?!" the Mother Queen exclaimed, hurrying out of the hall, followed closely by the old minister. She had been so busy with the task of catching the palace culprit that she had lost track of time.
"Where is Dante?" she inquired, as she moved briskly. Despite her and the minister believing they were walking fast, their footsteps were slow.
"The Elder ministers have arrived, and he's engaged in conversation with them right now. Do you suppose he will kill them all, or they will walk away from here alive?" Aziel asked her, and the Mother Queen huffed in response.
Outside the palace, Anastasia had just climbed inside the carriage, with an injured Gabriel seated on the opposite side. Her trunks had already left ahead of them in the cart. Anastasia glanced at the palace entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Dante one more time before she left. She looked back at the people who stood next to the carriage. Theresa, Emily and Aiden had come to see her off, and Theresa said,
"Take care, both of you. I will miss you."
"We will miss you too, Anna," Aiden said, standing next to his sister. "Sadly, we never got to go to town together."
"Write to us, Anna. And share our good wishes with your family when you see them," Emily said to her, without making things difficult by saying anything sad.
Mr. Gilbert, who stood at the front of the entourage, informed Anastasia, "It is time to leave now."
Anastasia smiled at the people whom she had become close to in this palace and waved back when they did as the carriage began to move. She turned to gaze out the little window at the back of the carriage, until the palace entrance was no longer in sight, and the carriage moved past the main gates.
Anastasia felt her stomach sink along with her heart before she turned to look ahead. She took a deep breath as if not to cry and heard Gabriel apologise to her,
"Forgive me for causing you trouble, Anna."
Anastasia didn't know what to say, especially with the wounds on his hands and face, evidence of the amount of anger Dante had felt that day. She said, "The drawing I found of your sister is waiting on the ship. For your family."
Gabriel's eyes widened before he offered her a bow, "I am grateful to you."
"Don't thank me. Dante was the one who arranged it, as it would be more useful to you than in the palace," Anastasia replied softly, holding her hands in her lap.
Gabriel had mixed feelings about this and went quiet as he couldn't speak much with the wound on his cheek. He noticed Anastasia lean her head against the side of the carriage as if she wasn't in the mood to talk either.
Anastasia's eyes prickled, and a tear escaped from her eye. She turned her head away before wiping her cheek discreetly. The carriage travelled along the road before reaching the dock where the ship awaited them. They exited the vehicle, and Dante's subordinate greeted her with a bow.
"Good evening, Lady Anastasia. Your trunks have been placed on the ship as ordered by the king, and I have been given the responsibility and order to take you and this man to Hawkshead. Please, this way." The man raised his hand to show the way to the board.
Gabriel noticed Anastasia's reluctance before he followed one of Dante's men, walking up the plank and boarding the ship. At the same time, Anastasia turned to look behind her again, delaying her departure.
"Milady?" the man urged her.
Anastasia dragged her feet slowly before walking up the plank, and once the men were on board, the plank was removed.
Back in the Blackthorn palace, Dante dug his claws into the last man standing in the room, ripping his flesh out and splattering blood everywhere. The Elder ministers had abilities like him, which made them feel superior, and it had taken him time to finish them off, as they had come to a disagreement.
His mind began to be consumed by the blood on his hands and lips. And with the amount of blood he craved, his senses sharpened.
When Aziel knocked on the door and opened it, the minister's eyes widened at the dead bodies on the ground and blood everywhere in the room. His worry intensified on seeing that Dante had transformed into the underworld's demon.
With Dante's coat not on him, Aziel noticed the two parallel lines of bone that he had seen sticking out of Dante's back two weeks ago had now elongated to the length of forearms.
"What do you want?" Dante asked, his cold-blooded eyes directed at the minister, and he stepped out of the room.
"I—I uh, came to report to you that Lady Anastasia has left the palace with the assigned men," Aziel informed him. "Shall I have the study—" he began, when Dante raised his hand as if something had caught his attention.
Dante's eyes narrowed, and he walked through the corridors, climbing up the stairs while the old minister quietly followed him at a distance. When the old man looked at the sky through a window, his eyes widened on spotting the moon that had faintly appeared, and he turned around to run to the Mother Queen, leaving the king's side.
A trail wafted in the air, and when Dante came to the source, he stood before a room. He turned the doorknob and stepped inside the room, a room that was across from his own and had been cleared out a while ago.
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He closed his eyes before inhaling the air, and intricate roots surfaced from the inner corner of Dante's eyes before spreading outward. He opened his eyes that had narrowed and whispered,
"It is you."
With the years of loneliness that had passed by, Dante had presumed the path ahead of him was one of darkness, which he was accustomed to. He had come to believe that someone like him was meant to be alone, never knowing that this day would come. Having taken countless lives and with his bloodlust increasing, he had been worried about what he might do to Anastasia.
With his demon senses on high alert, he didn't mistake the urge he felt this time to seek the scent and felt his heart race.
"Fuck!" Dante cursed, before storming out of the room in haste.
He didn't know how many minutes had passed since Anastasia had left the palace, but he doubted it could have been long. He quickly rushed to his horse, mounting him and leaving the palace.
Oasis galloped as fast as he could, the air rushing against them as they headed towards the dock, which was built along the sand and wide rock. But by the time they arrived, the port was empty.
Dante dismounted his horse, but the ship had already disappeared into the horizon, and he ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
The colour of the sky had quickly begun to change, with the sun setting and the moon rising to its glory. Cursing himself, Dante walked towards the edge of the dock, ready to dive into the sea to get her back, when he heard a sob come from somewhere behind him.
When Dante turned, his eyes widened on seeing a drenched Anastasia huddled next to a rock, looking at him as a tear slipped from her eye. Anastasia confessed as she stood up, "I couldn't leave…"
When Anastasia had boarded the ship, her restlessness had only increased, knowing she was leaving. And when the ship had begun to sail, with Gabriel distracting Dante's men, she had jumped into the water and returned to land by taking cover under the wooden dock to hide, while only God knew how she had managed to stay afloat for those few moments.
Her eyes watered, seeing that Dante had come here, and she saw him cover his eyes briefly. She asked him,
"Are you angry?"
Realising he was in his demon form, Dante switched back to his earthling form, while slowly dropping his hand. He didn't waste any time in walking towards her before engulfing her in a fierce hug, holding her close as he felt his heart race.
"I am relieved to see you here, Anastasia," she heard him say, while her eyes continued to water.
"Really?" Anastasia's voice broke, feeling his arm securely wrapped around her body and his other hand cradling the back of her head.
"Really," Dante answered, and he whispered softly, "I am sorry for trying to send you away. It was only with your best interests in mind."
"Sent," Anastasia corrected him, as her tears didn't stop.
Dante rubbed her back and repeated, "Sent." As he continued to hold the woman tenderly, a smile broke through his lips when he heard her say,
"You sent me away without a hug or a kiss. Even called me rabbit… no my or little." As if she had been abandoned, Anastasia thought to herself.
Dante loosened his hold around her, pulling away to look at her. He wiped the tears that fell from her big brown eyes and said,
"Silly fool, whose rabbit will you be if not mine?"
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