The Villain's Redemption

The goal was to make everyone think that Lucinia was going with the Duke on the East. They wanted everyone to think that they were away. And once they were already on the East of the Kingdom the Duke would stealthily rescue the Male Lead and let him go somewhere in the area near the witches' territory.

The crisp air hit Lucinia the moment she walked out of the palace and walked toward the carriage that was waiting for her.

"Princess, the Duke is already inside the carriage." To her surprise, the woman who will accompany them aside from the coachman was actually Victoria. While she was curious while Mo Li chose this woman to serve them, Lucinia didn't ask any questions. Though she can see something in Victoria's eyes, Lucinia chose to focus on saving the male lead first.

"Hmmm." She nodded and walked inside the carriage. The reason why she was late was because of the Queen's insistence to see her just before she traveled. She said she would miss her and assured her that she would not allow any woman near Zacharia while she was away.

Until now, the Queen still thought that Lucinia liked Zacharia and was only in denial about it. Of course, Lucinia acted cordial as she smiled and nodded to the Queen's words. She couldn't really tell the Queen that Zach's preference is… her second son, right?

"How was it?" The Duke kissed her after she sat next to him.

"She told me… " She beamed at him. "That she would make sure Zach is still available the moment I came back. You know… in case… I would feel a little dissatisfied with you."

Almost instantly, a frown appeared on Mo Li's face. "Really? Does she want to die?"

"I thought you said every King needed a Queen?"

"I can find a new Queen before for the King before I kill her." Mo Li snorted, his hand was already on her waist, pulling her closer towards him.

Lucinia smiled as she felt the carriage started moving. "The East… tell me what's it like." She uttered. The previous Lucinia doesn't really like traveling. She hasn't visited a lot of places just because she wanted to be around people, she wanted to socialize and maybe have more friends.

"Hmmm… The East… is full of witches." Mo Li said. "It's not exactly a safe place to visit. But I believe, the reason why the Queen allowed you to leave was that she wanted the witches to deal with you. Wouldn't it be nice that a witch will kill you? They could use that as a reason to declare war. Even Prince Gavril would join in the hunt for your killer."

Lucinia stared at him as she turned silent. Was she reading too much into Mo Li's words? Or… was he trying to warn her that someone will probably try to kill her that was sent by the Queen herself? Was the Queen planning to use her corpse as a way to declare war on the witches?

She leaned her head towards his shoulder. Right now, she already understood that just like how she had her system, Mo Li might have his own system too. And this was preventing him from telling her anything about his mission. Of course, Mo Li had assured her that everything was good, and he would never do something that would make her fail whatever it is that she was about to do.

She sighed inwardly. The blind trust that she felt for him was a little infuriating and disturbing. Logic was telling her that it was wrong to trust someone, but half of her heart was saying that it was alright. Amid all the confusion and useless analysis, Lucinia decided that it was better to trust him.

She closed her eyes, trying to remove all the useless thoughts in her head but she soon realized it was futile. The thoughts in her head were just too much, it was making her head hurt. All these ideas, all of these ways to defeat the Queen and Prince Garvril, all of the assumptions were just… It was making her anxious!

Was this something that the previous Lucinia had gone through? If it was then… How the hell did she sleep? She bit her lower lips, sweat trickling down her head.

"What are you thinking?" His voice was gentle as always. "Do you feel uncomfortable somewhere?"

"I just— " she whispered. "I think I am going crazy."

"Hm?"

"My heard… It's just… I think It's working on its own."

She felt him move, she felt his gaze turned towards her. "Working on its own. Are you trying to overthink and over analyze things?" For some reason, she felt that there was a little bit of happiness in his voice. She looked at him. As expected, she could see a little relief in his eyes.

"Do you know why?" she asked and gulped. Mo Li was already old. He should have some ideas about this matter. She immediately wondered if Mo Li could explain this to her. Perhaps… Lucinia gulped as she shivered inwardly. Was it possible that the real Lucinia's ghost was haunting her?

Mo Li let out a sigh. "What are you thinking? Please don't tell me you are thinking about ghosts?"

Mo Li knows her too well! She thought as her eyes widened at him. "Can you read my mind too?" This man can speak inside her head! Can he read her mind too? Was it possible that— "That is an invasion of privacy?"

Mo Li chuckled. He shook his head, helplessness flashed in his eyes. "I wish I can."

"So you can't?"

"No. Sadly, I can't."

"Then… how did you know I was thinking about ghosts? Was I that obvious?"

"Your eyes say it all." To him, she was an open book. This was something that he couldn't really tell her. He knows her too well. He remembered everything about her, every inch of her. He smiled. "Tell me… about these crazy thoughts in your head."

"You're not going to call me crazy right?"

"You were crazy." Always was, always will. "My type of crazy." He gave a mischievous wink.

She pouted before laughing. He really sounded too cringe but a part of her actually liked it. "Alright… then… let me tell you the crazy thoughts in my head." She bit her lower lip before she started. "I think his majesty, The King… wanted you dead."

"Hmm?" As expected, surprised flashed in his eyes. He lifted an eyebrow at her.

"I know… I sounded crazy. I just… My mind can't stop it. It's telling me that the King wanted to kill you. Despite all the smiling face and teasing, I think he wanted you dead."

Mo Li turned silent, but he didn't say anything as he looked at her. Lucinia continued. "I think your presence already threatened him and now that you are with me… I mean… he knows that you have no ambition for the throne but he might think I am different."

Mo Li narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you planning to take the throne?" That could be something she was very capable of doing.

"Of course not!" She said. "But you already know that. However, the King might not trust my answer." Everything about Mo Li and her sounded too rushed, it was like Mo Li just suddenly fell head over heels in love with her. The King might think Mo Li was controlled by a witch. "And I think… he is planning to frame you."

"That— "

"I know it sounded crazy." Distress flashed in her eyes. She tried to tone it down, think of happy things, think of flowers, think of Mo Li. But she couldn't do it. Her brain just wouldn't stop turning, feeding her nothing but crazy thoughts that somehow had some point. "I am probably going crazy." Sometimes powerful vampires turned crazy, maybe Lucinia's body was about to go crazy too?

"So, you think he will frame me?"

"For killing other vampires. I don't know… " She whispered. The carriage was actually very secure so, she wasn't too worried that Victoria was listening to their conversation. Mo Li also told her earlier that he had a way to make their conversation private, and that was the only reason why she dared tell him all of her thoughts. "I think… he sent someone to watch over you. Someone powerful. I think he was bidding his time and for some reason, I think he wanted to control you.��

Mo Li's face turned dark.

"Did I… " She gulped. "You know just forget it. I know I sounded crazy. Let's just think that this was nothing but a bad dream."

"I believe you." His words stunned her. She stared at his face. "If there is anyone in this world that I would believe… that would be you and your domino effect."

"Excuse me? A what effect?"

He only smiled at her before leaning forward to capture her lips.