Iftia: Krystal Palace, Dining Hall

• Elizabeth •

Quinn entered the dining hall shortly after and he pulled Rowan from the ground, swinging his arm across his shoulder as he supported the unconscious prince against him. Elizabeth instructed, "Place him in the guest bedchamber and bring her here." 

"Yes, Your Highness," Quinn turned around and left the dining hall. 

Elizabeth closed her hand into fists, bunching tightly onto the tablecloth. She breathed deeply, reminding herself that she mustn't fail her tasks here and she definitely wasn't going to let a single royal doctor ruin everything that she had worked hard for till now. 

Little doctor, little doctor, who are you?

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Iftia: Lyx Palace, Large Foyer

• Elianna •

Elianna was on her way back from the Medical Office when she heard a huge commotion happening at the large foyer. Her feet pivoted towards the noises but a hand shot out to hold onto her arm, pulling her behind a large pillar. Alarmed, she spun around ready to fight back but she immediately recognised the person in front of her. His other hand raised and clamped over her mouth. "I'm sorry for being rude, Elianna. Please just stay here quietly for now."

"Tristan," she whispered but her voice was muffled up and incomprehensible behind Tristan's hand. He let go immediately but still holding onto her in a protective stance. She noticed the tension and unease in his expression. In a low voice, she asked, "What happened?"

Tristan shook his head slightly. Pointing to his ear, he signalled for her to listen to the commotion. Her attention shifted from Tristan towards the overstrung conversation behind the pillar.

"Her Highness requested for the presence of Doctor Everson," a man stated, indifference tinted his tone.

Surprised that her name was mentioned, Elianna strained to listen to the ongoing commotion. She slowly turned around, careful with her movements. Her body bent slightly allowing her to have a glimpse of the scene while Tristan stood behind her, defensive and protective.

"As I mentioned, Sir Quinn, you need to state a reason," Ilias reminded coldly and this was the first time Elianna ever saw him so enraged.

"Well," the man shrugged nonchalantly, the lack of respect seemed apparent. "Sir Ilias, if you do not want anything to happen to Prince Rowan, then I suggest you call Doctor Everson now."

A sudden shock shot through her, causing her back to straighten uncomfortably. Her feet lifted, ready to move but Tristan held her back. She turned her head sharply and shot Tristan a piercing gaze but he only fixed his eyes on her and shook his head, reminding her not to act recklessly. Left without any option, she halted her movement and waited impatiently for the situation to elaborate itself.

"I will personally follow her to Krystal Palace," Ilias stated.

"Sir Ilias, you will not do that. Her Highness is an unmarried princess and her status is far beyond distinguished. Other than the ones she had invited, no other males will be allowed in her palace," Quinn smiled slyly.

"Sir Quinn, may I remind that it was already inappropriate of the Princess to disallow any knights to follow His Highness during his visits. Iftia would not hold it against her, but I suggest to not cross the boundaries any more than what was done," Ilias seethed, his jaw clenched so tightly that he was almost gnashing his teeth together.

Rowan went there alone? Elianna became frantic. Her hand curled so tightly on the pillar that her knuckles paled.

"Sure, one knight can follow," Quinn compromised. "We shall have Sir Tristan to follow."

"It is not up to you," Ilias snapped.

Behind her, Tristan had dropped his head and his expression darkened with displeasure. Her hand reached out to hold onto his arm. "I'd be really glad if you could follow me, Tristan," she mouthed her words, hoping that he would understand. His eyes shone in gratitude as he looked at her, acknowledging her reassurance. Yet, the unease remained in his expression.

"Time is ticking, Sir Ilias," Quinn tapped restively on his pocket watch.

A tense pause hung heavily in the air before Ilias closed his eyes and spoke through clenched teeth. "Sir Tristan, please escort Doctor Everson to Krystal Palace."

Elianna wasted no time as she went into sight with Tristan right behind her. Quinn held a smug smile that made her flinched uncomfortably. She quickly brushed the irk aside and followed Quinn out of Lyx. They settled into the carriage that was parked outside the main entrance of Lyx and they set off immediately in the direction towards Krystal Palace. 

During the ride, Elianna couldn't help but feel unsettled about the whole thing. She wondered if Rowan was alright because the knight that demanded for her refused to explain the situation to her. She was too lost in her own thoughts until a hand hovered in front of her and she jumped. Looking towards Tristan, he looked troubled when he called her name, "Elianna." 

"Y-Yes? I'm sorry, I was just out of it," she stammered. 

Tristan placed his hand on top of hers and her eyes shifted to meet his gaze. The warmth from his palm felt reassuring as her heart calmed a little from all the tension that had built up since just now. She didn't know why Tristan was stressed out when he was called out to be her escort but she knew that nothing was going to happen to them because she would not let anything happen to them. 

"No matter what happened later, I will do my best to protect you." Tristan placed his other hand across his left chest and lifted her hand to his forehead. She recognised this as the knight's gesture of promise. 

"Tristan, thank you for escorting me," she smiled, showing gratitude. "Please take care of me." 

She looked towards the small window in the carriage, watching as the silhouette of Lyx grew smaller. She could only wonder if this was all Elizabeth's plot and each step they moved closer to Krystal Palace, would be her throwing herself into the demon's lair. 

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They arrived at Krystal Palace shortly after and Elianna pondered at the thought that she would be meeting her twin for the first time in eighteen years. She wondered if they looked exactly the same since it was said that twins were identical to one another. 

A moment ago, Tristan reminded her to keep her head low and avoid any direct eye contact with anyone in Krystal Palace as much as possible. Her eyes were too striking and it may attract unwanted attention. 

They moved to the middle of the entrance hallway and Elizabeth was already standing there with all her knights and few more guards. Elianna quickly dropped her head low but scanning around, she already knew they were seriously outnumbered. 

"The First Prince's Fourth Knight, Tristan Laris. It is an honour to meet the Royal Princess of Thethia," Tristan bowed respectfully. 

"The First Prince's Royal Doctor, Elianna Everson. It is an honour to meet the Royal Princess of Thethia," she followed Tristan's address and gestures. 

The hallway was silent except for the staccato beat of heels echoing off the marble floor and granite walls. From the amount of grace that sounded with each step, Elianna didn't have to raise her head to know that it was Elizabeth coming close to them. A pair of glittering pointed-heels stopped right in front of her and she felt Tristan stiffened in front of her. Her own heart lurched into her throat as every muscle in her body tensed. 

"Royal doctor, I've heard a lot about you," Elizabeth said, amused. "Raise your head and let me look at you." 

Elianna shuddered at the similarity in their voices but kept her head low, ignoring what was said to her. 

"You heard me, Doctor Everson," Elizabeth warned, her voice hardened with displeasure. 

Elianna refused to raise her head. She held her hands in tight fists, unsure of what she could do at the moment because she needed to get to Rowan and if she wasn't going to comply to Elizabeth's wants it would only delay the whole process. 

Then, Tristan held out an arm between them and pulled her behind him. His arm remained on hers as he shielded her with his tall, lean frame. Elizabeth turned her feet towards him, she questioned, "Sir Tristan, do you think you have the rights to stop me?" 

"No, Your Highness. But Doctor Everson is here to assist the His Highness. Therefore, we request you to lead the way." 

"Do you know why you were chosen to escort her?" The question came out mockingly, seemingly rhetorical. Through his hold, Elianna could already feel him trembling slightly. Yet, Elizabeth did not stop there, she continued, "It is because you're the weakest amongst those knights and anyone here can snap your neck in split seconds if I order them to do so." 

Elianna flexed her arm, attempting to break herself free because her blood boiled with anger and she wasn't going to allow someone to get away so easily after insulting the people she loved. Her rationality was stolen by rage but returned when Tristan tightened his grip on her arm. 

"Last warning, move," Elizabeth spat and when Tristan remained unmoved, the princess shouted, "Fine, Quinn!" 

Enough. 

Sensing a force charging right towards them, Elianna shoved Tristan aside before Quinn could reach him. Quinn stared in disbelief when he missed his blow on Tristan. But that miss only made him more motivated to catch Tristan and kill him. 

Quinn landed smoothly on his side and got up once again. From the peripheral of her vision, she saw Tristan's hand curling onto the hilt of his sword. She immediately pulled him back, causing Quinn to miss his attack once again. Quinn hissed in anger as he rolled and hunched forward, ready to lunge again. 

Then, Tristan made a second attempt to draw his sword. Elianna dashed forward to push on the hilt, preventing him from pulling the sword out. This spar was all about speed because Quinn moved in an insanely fast manner and if Tristan were to draw his sword, it would greatly reduce his mobility. Therefore, no matter what, she must prevent him from holding onto that sword. 

Behind her, she felt Quinn coming close and he took a swing towards them. Although Quinn was fast, Elianna was a lot faster. In fact, she was wicked fast. She dipped under Quinn's outstretched arm and pushed Tristan back to avoid the punch. Then, using Tristan as a support, she spun halfway, landing a brutal kick in Quinn's neck. 

The powerful impact immediately threw Quinn off his balance. Seizing the chance, she pounced on him, pushing him to the ground and grabbed his hair. She yanked his head with great force on the cold marble floor before straddling herself on each side of his back, locking him down. Her fingers tugged on the roots of his hair forcefully, bringing his head back while she removed a scalpel from her medicine bag and held it against his exposed neck. A groan escaped from the helpless man underneath her when she pressed the scalpel into his neck, causing blood to trickle and he squirmed in pain. 

"You do not threaten my escort, Princess Elizabeth." She raised her head to glare at Elizabeth before she warned, "Because I can finish anyone in this room in split seconds if I want to."

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• Elizabeth •

The moment the Royal Doctor held eye contact with her, she stumbled a step back. Those eyes. She recognised those amber-coloured eyes which once belonged to her dead mother and her dead sister. 

Who is she?

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