Episode 11

If Innocence hadn't followed us, I knew he wouldn't let go of me. I glared at him as I distanced myself from them. Innocence was curiously staring at us. Eventually, she couldn't hold back from asking the man.

Carter just shook his head, giving his girl a smile. Innocence just nodded. She turned to me again, so I just rolled my eyes at her. She had no choice but to escort the girl back inside.

Come on. What was with these guys earlier? Why did they keep pestering me? They were ruining my plan!

I sat on the grass under a huge cherry blossom tree. I gathered the few petals that had fallen and clasped them in my hands. I blew on them as the wind embraced me wholly. I did it repeatedly until I saw the man I had been waiting for.

Not Yvan though. But Alexus.

I stood up and was about to approach him. The poisoning scene would happen, minutes from now. Before the appointing of knights, Innocence would be poisoned. But because of the delayed reaction of the poison in her body, she would still be able to reach the knight selection.

It was Malaya's turn to choose when the poison spread throughout her body. Malaya was suspected as the culprit. Even though she denied it, no one listened! Now, I felt like everything was set up to frame her.

Alexus was involved in what happened. He was never mentioned as the suspect, so I assumed he might be a witness.

But I stopped approaching when I saw a familiar man approaching him. Even though he was wearing a huge hoodie, I couldn't deny that the frame I saw was Malaya's father... Duke Eléftheros.

He whispered something to Alexus. The man nodded firmly and handed him a bottle of... poison! He handed Alexus the bag of gold as he tapped the man's shoulders, signaling him to leave. I silently approached them, hoping to listen, but I was too late!

There was nothing else to do, Alexus followed him. As he turned to leave, he saw me. My eyes widened a fraction as I hid myself in the bushes. I knew I was late to react! Because when I heard footfalls coming, I knew for sure I was discovered.

I stood up again. Alexus was shocked to see my sudden movement. Duke Eléftheros turned to look at us. Like me earlier, he was also surprised to see me.

I ran his distance as I snatched the bottle of poison. I'm good at this! When I was younger, I was used to this kind of work because that's how I made a living. But I never said I wouldn't be caught!

Because when I saw Alexus running after me like a g-dd-mned cheetah, I knew I would be caught!

I immediately turned around the way I came. I went back into the hallway so he couldn't chase me. With these people inside, he would be hesitant to come after me.

I gasped for breath, clutching my chest. That was f-cking h-ll! I was running h-ll for my life! I stopped what I was doing to peek behind me to see if Alexus was there. But I saw none, so I stretched myself to walk straight. People were looking at me, so I composed myself.

It was even a miracle that I was able to run in these high heels and silky dress!

“What are you doing?” I heard a tone mixed with amusement and teasing. I turned to the front and saw Alexus, now... dressed as a knight!

I took three steps back, but he caught my waist swiftly. I heard some gasps. He smirked evilly. “Sorry Madame. Be careful next time, so I don't catch you like this,” he whispered the last three words.

I pushed his hand away from me. I fixed my wrinkled dress and hid the bottle I had taken earlier. Duke Eléftheros was now in his seat, along with the most annoying men in the world. And yes, Alexus was now a part of it! Amazing!

I grimaced at him. “You sell poisons?” I asked firmly. He suppressed a smile, probably enjoying that I was miserable because I got caught! He shook his head slightly. I glared at him angrily.

“I will not give you this,” I said firmly. “Stop working with my Father. Stop doing illegal things, Alexus.” I said. Now, his playful smile was gone.

His lips were now in a thin line. “Illegal things? Are what I'm doing really illegal? Why don't you tell that to yourself, who's lying luxuriously because of the money of the people in the town?” he said.

I gasped. I didn't mean to insult him! And I would never mean to do even one! I shook my head at him. “That's not what I meant.” My voice softened.

Now, the attention of all those people was on me. Their dark, piercing stares were on us. I bowed my head.

Why did I even steal this bottle? I should have just let it be. But then, I was in my adrenaline! And thinking of someone getting poisoned because I chose not to help wasn't just me. My conscience wouldn't allow it.

I sighed. “You'll be weirded out, I know. But, Innocence will be poisoned later— ”

“Wait. What?” he asked firmly. “That's why you're taking it, because of that?”

“No!” I denied aggressively. Carter and Sean approached me. Luis was just looking at me with Innocence on his side. I faced Alexus and shook my head.

“That's why I stole it to stop that from happening!” I said desperately. But when I saw that he didn't care about anything else I had to say, I realized he wouldn't believe me.

Great, Malaya. Now you're causing a ruckus and your plan is no longer on track. Why did I even try? Malaya is me. I'm Malaya. I'm the root of all evil. I'm merciless. No one would believe me. Not ever. Why am I even explaining myself?

I felt a warm hand now on my wrist. I wanted to get rid of it, but I wasn't capable of doing it. I just let it be. Now, the unstoppable prejudices of all the nobles inside flooded my ears.

I didn't care. I knew that about myself. But now, I felt so weak that I was feeling everything they were saying. It was like it wasn't for Malaya, but for me. Halaya Xye.

I remembered how I was stared at like that just because I stole something! But they can't blame it on me! If my parents hadn't abandoned me, if I was treated like a child, I would never have done that!

But, yes. We might be equal like what they always said, but the world isn't. Not fair to me, perhaps.

“The appointing of knights will happen soon. Let's go now, Malaya.” Carter said in a cold voice. I turned away from him. I heard his heavy sigh. I walked away from there.

I silently sat back in my old seat and quietly watched Duke Eléftheros, then I turned to Innocence.

At least I have the poison with me. Nothing bad will happen to Innocence now. That way, I cheered myself up. At least, I did something good, even without their knowledge.

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