Chapter 249
Beside him, Martina stood like a statue, her arms still crossed over her chest. She hadn’t spoken in a while, seemingly content with the silence. But Kael knew better—her silence was never emptiness. It was a calculation.
After a while, unable to suppress the growing unease in his chest, Kael turned slightly toward her and asked, his tone quiet but serious, "Your Highness... how do we plan to leave the city?"
His voice was calm, but there was weight behind it. That question had lingered in his thoughts ever since they arrived. With the guards locking down the districts and checkpoints multiplying, escape was no longer just a problem—it was a looming danger.
He hadn’t asked earlier, partly to avoid rousing panic among the others, especially the younger ones. But now, under the quiet of the night and with only Martina present, it could no longer be avoided.
Martina didn’t answer immediately. She shifted her gaze toward him, thoughtful, and after a beat, she said, "That’s a good question... but I’ll take care of it."
Kael blinked. A visible question mark seemed to flash across his face.
"You will?" he asked, incredulous. "Your Highness, if there’s even one more spy among the informants, we might all be in serious trouble."
At his concern, Martina gave a soft chuckle one with no warmth at all.
"Now that you say that..." she said, her tone casual, but her eyes turned sharp—like frost-tipped blades. "...I do find it troublesome."
Kael’s breath hitched slightly. It wasn’t her words that unsettled him—it was the sudden shift in her aura. Her body hadn’t moved, but the air around her had dropped in temperature. The air felt heavier, darker, like something ancient had stirred from slumber.
Her greenish eyes gleamed coldly beneath the moonlight. Kael saw it clearly now—murderous intent blooming behind that regal demeanor. It wasn’t rage. No, Martina was far beyond rage. What he saw was purpose—calculated, merciless, and absolute.