Chapter 2 Holding On

• The noise from a distance distracted Claire who had her hands stained with blood, she drop Jain gently and grab back her sword ready for what might be.
• If her plan works out well, this invasion would not only help her conquer Mana Kingdom but it would also help her get rid of the royal thorns in her skin. Killing two birds with a stone, that was her goal and she hope to stay alive to achieve that.
• Since the soldiers were also at the walls trying to force theirselves in, then there wouldn’t be much men who had sneak in with Prince Eli to murder the royal family members of the court, One was gone and perhaps nine more to go.
• The loud screams of the ladies filled the palace walls and sounds of foots trying to save their necks caused confusion to the ignorant ones who are still not aware of what was going on.
• Ashley scream and clench onto Derek who want to go outside to protect the others, he was also a royal guard and had only been left off the war because he had to take care of her.
• She thought she had successfully stopped him from going to face death but death had come over to disrupt their sleep, Ashley refuse to listen to his nonsense about fulfilling his duty to go outside and face bunch of soldiers.
• The days after the death of her father hasn’t really been a good day for her and she can not afford to lose him too, she has become too dependent on him because of her guilty and haunting nightmares.
• “Why do you care? Everyone of them could die, that’s none of our business” she lashed out and held him still not giving a chance.
• She has lost everything and he is the only person that is her family now, every moment living has become a terror and she can’t bear another loss.
• “Please don’t leave, what if the soldiers come here after you left and attack my mistress” Lucy cried trembling.
• She could hear the faint cry of her fellow maids getting slew and their screams as they meet their deaths. Their quarters is at the far end of the main palace since her princess isn’t an official princess anymore and that must have become a blessing.
• “It is my duty Ashley, I can’t just stay here and cower”
• “And it is your duty to protect you as your wife, in fact I am ordering you to stay pull. To hell with all of them” she blurted.
• Derek looked earnestly at the door and clinched his fists, the loud cries for help make his whole body feel unease, he would have pushed her off to leave but her grips are surprisingly strong and he feared he might hurt her.
• The door slam open and Ashley and Lucy yelp out in fright at the man whose face is stained in blood and his sword stretches at them to attack.
• Derek charge forward quickly and wrestle with him avoiding to get himself slay by the sword and after a tough fight, he stab through his stomach splashing blood all over the floor making the ladies shriek.
• He pick up the sword and gaze at his right arm where he has been cut by the attacker, it is not a small cut and might hinder him from wielding the sword well.
• “I will be back” he said as he turn to the ladies who has taken cover behind the bed and rush out the door closing it firm.
• Another soldier attack him as he step out and Derek fell to the ground unable to move for a moment, before the sword could meet with his heart, a sound distract from behind and the attacker’s eyes twitch at the hit on the head.
• Ashley stand still holding the stool she has strike at the man which surprising did not break neither fall the man down like she thought.
• The attacker give an angry grunt and turn to slay her instead, with shaking legs, she fall to the ground and whimper afraid of her death.
• Derek immediately gather his strength and slash him on the back, he repeat the action twice and the man is down.
• He rush to Ashley to help her up and want to scold her for being so daring and stubborn not to listen to him but stop himself.
• Together, they both proceed forward consciously and look out for an enemy.
• Princess Emma try to stay calm as the men attempt to break down her doors and get in, she has forcefully moved into the king’s quarters and the door is quite strong.
• But it would be a matter of time before the attackers make their way in and she could hear the angry voice of Prince Eli.
• Her mother, Queen Kayla clench to her but Emma pettishly push her off finding her annoying whimpers like a child vexing.
• “How many did you think are out there?” Queen Kayla asked
• “How am I supposed to know that? Just keep quiet and Vivian will handle it” Emma whisper angrily holding her skirt.
• She can’t believe her karma, the reason why she had lessen the power of military was because she wanted to frame Mitchel up and have her executed so she wouldn’t be a threat to her by getting married to Oceania.
• But not only did it failed, it also affected the kingdom at her crucial time and now Aither is under such terrible attack.
• Never in the hundreds of history has Aither faced such a disaster, to say such an insignificant kingdom like Mana battling with them.
• The door open and Vivian charge forward with her knife not waiting to check who it is, she flip the intruder over her shoulder and as soon as she slam him on to the floor, she drive her knife into his heart.
• The other attacker halt a bit shaken at how his partner had just been taken down and grab tight to his sword. He swing it at Vivian and give a big cut on her shoulder making her drop the knife.
• Just as he is about to swing it at her neck, Emma raise up the pistol she has been hiding and shoot it at the attacker in anger.
• Queen Kayla gasp seeing her daughter with gun and move a distance, Emma scoff at her childish act and walk over taking a glance at Vivian before closing the door.
• Looks kike whoever had planned this, want to get rid of them one after the other by sending the attackers to their personal abode, but what she is not certain about is who the culprit is
• Claire or Roseline
• They both have a lot to gain if the royal family was to disappear.