Death... and me

Back at Rean's side, the two finally left the crowd behind and found a place to talk privately.

"Alright. Let's end this here. If we go out later and simply say that everything was a joke, the others can only trust that."

Qia looked at Rean as if he looked at an idiot.

"We could have done that before. However, do you think that'll work after you kissed me in front of everyone?"

Rean shrugged his shoulders as he replied.

"Why are you angry? Wasn't it you who started all of that?"

"This..."

Qia couldn't think of an excuse.

"Fine. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't leave so easily. This scar healing ability of yours is too useful. Anyway, tell me what you want. What do you want in exchange for healing the scars present on my body?"

Rean nodded as he smiled.

"The truth is, our Dalamu Sect already knows about the hidden struggle for the Sasamil Empire's throne. However, it's quite a sensitive topic for our elders to bring up with Sasamil. Master asked me to stay out of this issue, but I can't simply let it go. What I want to know is how the situation is inside. As the Fifth Prince's granddaughter, one of the main contenders, you definitely know something, right?"

Qia was taken aback. 

"I didn't expect that a small sect like Dalamu would know something about that. So far, the Imperial Family and the subordinate clans have been doing a great job in keeping things under wraps."

Rean snorted after hearing that.

"Good job? This is directly linked to the Chrole Empire. The First Prince wants to get rid of their bloodline in the Sasamil Empire and attack them. He thinks that Chrole wants to take the Sasamil Empire. Your grandfather didn't show it in public, but if our deduction is correct, he also wants to deal with Chrole, and so does most of the main contenders to the throne. They are just not as open about it as the First Prince."

"Chrole, on the other hand, already got wind of the events. They have been sending spies here all the time, trying to pry this information. The good job you talked about is only concerning the far-away countries. For the big and powerful nearby ones, they all understand what is happening already."

Qia was really shocked to hear Rean saying all of that.

"And how did you find about all of that? Your Dalamu Sect is part of these small far-away countries, isn't it? Such information shouldn't have reached that place yet."

Rean smiled.

"Very simple. That's because your Sasamil Imperial Family intends to use our communication system to help win this war. Did you know my master was almost kidnapped by the Chrole Empire's experts? Oh, well. I'm not sure if such information was passed to you anyway. However, our Sect informed the Imperial Family about the attack."

Qia indeed didn't know about such a thing.

"Alright, alright. It's obvious that the attack was the start of your Sect's suspicion. However, you should listen to your elders and not get involved with it. This situation is much bigger than what you or even I can put our fingers in."

Rean shook his head.

"Don't worry, I don't intend to act directly. I only want to help my Sect and Master. For that, we need as much information as possible. As long as you tell me what you know, I'll heal all your scars as payment. I don't even mind if you capture me after that."

Qia was in a dilemma. She did want to get rid of her scars, but she didn't want to yield to Rean either. Besides, it wouldn't be a good thing to talk about the Imperial Family's situation to outsiders. Qia continued to ponder as Rean waited for her answer. Eventually, she gritted her teeth before saying.

"I'll hear your questions, but if it something too sensitive, I won't answer. In exchange, you need to heal me. Whether it will be worth it or not is up to you. Even I can't talk about the family's secrets."

Rean nodded, satisfied.

"Very well. My first question is-"

"Stop right there! First, you need to heal my scars. What if I answer your questions and you don't heal me in the end?"

Rean shrugged his shoulders, thinking that the statement made sense.

"Sure, no problem."

To Qia's surprise, Rean immediately grabbed her hand. She couldn't help but fluster a little this time. After all, the kiss scene was still in her mind. Still, before she could say anything, another burst of Light Element entered her body.

*Moan!*

Rean was so direct that Qia even forgot this side effect. Well, this time, he did it on purpose, though.

"You...!"

"Me? I'm just healing your scars. You knew that it was going to happen. In the end, you moaned because you wanted to."

Qia's face became even redder. Fortunately for her, there wasn't anyone around this time. Her scars on her body, including those on her private parts, began to heal at a fast pace. She also felt pain because of the Dark Element that entered her body to attack the scars' poison. It's just that the pleasure from Rean's Light Element was just that much higher.

Rean made sure to do a good job. When he finished, Qia's skin went back to be as smooth as before she got the scars. After finishing up, Rean retreated his hand before saying.

"My beloved princess, your knight has completed his mission."

Qia was taken aback for a second.

"Shut up!"

She checked her body with her Spiritual Energy and sighed in relief. Rean had really healed everything. Not a single scar remained anymore.

"You're quite direct. Were you afraid that I would simply renege on our deal?"

Rean smiled at her.

"My love is a princess of the Sasamil Empire. She would never do something that could tarnish the Sasamil Family's reputation. I trust that the love of my life would never go back on her word."

Qia's face burned with every word. Without her noticing, the shadow of the white-haired boy began to enter her heart.

"H-Hmph! You are lucky that you're right. This princess would never go back on her word. Go ahead, ask the questions you want to ask."

Rean nodded.

"First, I want to know the situation of the Emperor. Is he really close to death, as the rumors say?"

Qia shook her head.

"I'm not sure. I also heard about this rumor that the Emperor's health is not good. Unfortunately, almost no one has access to the Emperor's chamber. When he comes out to preside over the Empire's affairs, no one can see anything different either. Thanks to my grandfather, I have been present in some of the Imperial Court gatherings to learn. As far as I could see, he seemed to be completely fine."

Rean was happy to hear that. Different from everyone he had talked to so far, Qia was the first one who had really seen the Emperor recently, and not only once.

"Good. It seems like that Yulian Sasamil is fine. Even if he is pretending to be healthy, he is still appearing during the Imperial Court Session, showing that he hasn't reached a critical point yet."

Qia couldn't help but warn Rean.

"You shouldn't use the Emperor's name that lightly. Anyway, what else do you want to know?"

Rean pondered a bit and continued.

"Have you heard about a rebellion? I've got some rumors about it happening. However, it seems like it was over as fast as it started. It was to the point that there were almost no waves created by it."

Qia's expression became dark as she asked.

"How did you obtain that information?"

Rean shrugged his shoulders.

"I have a decently extensive network. Anyway, it seems like it did happen. Your reaction was more than enough to prove it."

Qia noticed that she really did that.

"Oh well, whatever. You were right. It was over even before it started. Even if I tell you about it now, it would be of no use anymore. The two main contenders for the Throne are my Grandfather and First Granduncle. Few between the direct bloodline princes and princesses can put some threat to that. Because of that, one of the less powerful princes tried a desperate move some time ago."

Rean nodded.

"Who was it? And why did he try such a thing?"

"His name was Vagro Sasamil. He received information that his daughter was killed in a trial before. However, it seems like it was a move of the Shadow Reapers. Like many descendants, his daughter also had a half Chrole Imperial Family bloodline. Recently, these descendants have been targeted by the First Prince's faction, and she was one of them. Vagro became enraged and decided to settle things with his own hands. Anyway, the situation went out of control and ended in a coup. Vagro knew he didn't have a chance to succeed. But he did that nonetheless."

Rean's smile disappeared after hearing that. He obviously knew very well who Qia was talking about. Still, he had to at least confirm.

"What was his daughter's name?"

Qia pondered for a bit.

"If I'm not wrong, her name was Saline? Valona? What was it... errr... Ah! Calina, that was her name. Vagro and her are quite behind in the direct bloodline, so I don't know them that well. I only remembered Vagro's name because of what happened to him."

Rean felt a headache already. He didn't expect that Calina's father would do such a thing.

"I can already imagine the result, but I will ask it anyway. What happened to Vagro after he failed?"