The Flower Is Finished

We had already changed clothes. Our long legs followed wherever the two soldiers were taking us into a room.

From here the sound of groaning could be heard and even heartbreaking cries. I glanced from the corner of my eye toward where Farel was beside me.

I felt something different. Someone was staring sharply at the two soldiers but I shook my head. That feeling also made me doubt Farel at that time.

Again and again I doubted who he was. Why was his nature sometimes different from usual but this time I still trusted him.

On the walls there were several paintings and we were already inside the palace. There was a lot of blood scattered even though there were no corpses but I could see and smell the blood and the traces of all this.

My eyes unintentionally looked at Farrel who clenched both his fists.

There was discomfort seeing Farrel emotional. He looked like a different person but actually he was holding himself back from killing the two soldiers in front of us.

I tapped his shoulder, he turned with furrowed brows, asking as if what was happening.

"Focus forward do not act recklessly." I warned him and he rolled his eyes lazily.

"Fine I understand?!" we both followed the soldiers again. I stayed silent without replying.

In front of us there was already a room. A tall and wide door. The marble floor made this room feel luxurious, the cold air was immediately felt even though the strong smell of blood blended with the cold marble floor. The sound still echoed in this corridor and I immediately looked at the two soldiers after they opened the door forcefully.

The sound of crying was very clear and they had cried for a long time even the smell could be sensed closely when the soldier opened the door.

"Release us… bastards."

"You demons… your smell is full of rot."

"Demons are vile." various insults were heard clearly and anger burst out when the two soldiers opened the door.

"You… why are you silent!"

"Enter."

Thud

Thud

One of the soldiers kicked us alternately and we entered followed by more insults.

"Release us…"

"Bastards like you will perish."

"Scum…." then he closed the door again. The sound was loud and we stayed silent. Looking at the soldiers closing the door.

Several officials approached us. "Where are you from?"

"If you save us I will use my money to help you in the future."

"Help me go home."

"Please get me out of here. I promise I will save you." Various persuasion came from them. These were officials hungry for power, it disgusted me because honestly this was something that made anyone disgusted even in a situation like this they were still arrogant using wealth taken from the people.

"Tch…. You really do not know how to live."

"Look at your stomach. It looks like someone with starvation disease." Farel said slowly and everyone became silent after Farel insulted them and several officials choked hearing his words.

"What do you mean?" one official asked cynically.

"Do you not see my face?" he approached Farrel and Farrel turned away.

The official raised his hand and was about to slap Farrel.

"You..."

"Now you have a choice. Leave alive or die miserably here." Farrel said while holding the official's hand making him angry and pulling away.

"Who do you think I am that I must remember your face?" Farrel said cynically.

"Then who are you?" the official challenged.

"Why should we help you and get you out?"

"You…you…" the official held back his anger.

Farel ignored him and slowly approached several civilians held captive.

"Do you know where the people from Diro village are?" he asked one citizen and they looked at each other.

"Diro village?" a young girl approached and asked about Diro village and I also approached.

"Yes you must know right?" They all looked at each other there were about a hundred hostages here but some stared at us.

I held his shoulder and shook my head. "Farel not everyone knows us." He looked weak after I said that and stood looking around.

"Mother…." he shouted but no answer came only whispers.

"Mother where are you." Farel said again and cried sitting down.

I did not know what it meant to lose a mother but I hoped my grandmother was safe even though she did not give birth to me but she raised me sincerely.

I let him cry while I counted the hostages.

I looked around and did not find my relatives so I could not help. Helping now could endanger everyone.

"I will search for my parents!" he said standing but I grabbed his hand.

"If you search now you will ruin our plan!" I said quietly and he shook off my hand.

"You do not understand because you do not have parents!" his words made me silent.

He realized his mistake. "Xanders… I'm sorry!" he said.

I raised my hand. "Go. I will not stop you." I turned away.

I was not angry but hurt. I was not from their clan. I was adopted by grandmother Wilona.

After counting again I had to take them all. "How many can walk and how many are injured?" I asked loudly.

"Why should I trust you?" an official asked.

"Why should I help if you do not trust me?" I replied.

"Do you think heroes help without reward?" his answer disgusted me.

"If you want to live follow me. If not I will not force you."

"Will you really help us?" a child pulled my clothes.

I crouched and wiped her cheek. Her ears were long and small.

'She looks like a noble princess,' I thought but nodded.

"Yes we will follow you." several teenagers followed, then women and officials.

Some stayed behind.

I opened the door slowly.

"Where are the guards?" a girl asked.

She pulled my clothes again.

"Can you stop asking?" I said sarcastically. She smiled.

"How many will follow?" I asked.

"About fifty including children, pregnant women, elderly."

"Where are the guards?" she asked again. I stopped her.

"Can you stop asking? If something happens will you take responsibility?" She stayed silent.

"Is there a palace official here?" I asked quietly.

A small old man raised his hand.

"Yes me."

"Come here." We moved away.

"Do you know where the underground room is?" I asked.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Answer my question." I said.

"In that corridor. There are traps." he answered.

I nodded and told him to lead the way so they could trust me.