There was a long scar from his right eyebrow straight down to the top of his cheekbone, it was as if someone had slashed him ferociously. His mulberry hair was rough and short, and his violet eyes showed signs of fatigue.

His clothes, that resembled that of a beggar, were torn badly.

From the scars around his body, Cecil could tell he was a trained solider, and a fearless bodyguard. However, his body was thin and shivering involuntarily, there were traces of blood and fresh wounds, with scabs covering up the older wounds.

"Do I...know you?"

Even his voice lacked strength.

He must have been really fit and strong, and yet, they have reduced him to such a state...

His face features resembled Xue closely, and he would be regarded as an extraordinarily handsome soldier, if he wasn't tortured to such a pitiable state.

Kai: "It's him."

Alric: "Hi-his face is scary...and his body even scarier."

Hana stepped forward, completely sympathizing with the man. "That looks really painful...are you okay?"

The man seemed to grow agitated by Hana's apperance, his chains jingling noisily as his violet eyes grew bright.

Hana then paused and quickly introduced herself. "Oh, I'm Ha--"

"Hana, I know you are Hana." Zasiok smiled gently at Hana, his solemn mien disappearing.

"You know me?" Hana blinked.

"Why wouldn't I?" Zasiok's smile grew wider. "And call me Zasiok."

"But...I don't remember meeting you."

"That's fine, Hana. I remember you, and I have been waiting--"

"Shut your mouth." Xue pushed Hana behind him, eyeing Zasiok in displeasure.

In the novel, Zasiok was only introduced briefly. Whether he knew Hana or not, or what kind of alter he was, no one really knew. Cecil only observed the scene with silence.

Zasiok stared at Xue, his solemn mien coming back and he narrowed his eyes. "I don't know you, only her."

"You don't need to know me." Xue stated coldly, and he took out the lunchbox hidden within his robes.

He slipped the lunchbox into the jail cell, and Hana watched Xue and her eyes lit up, she quickly took it out as well, sliding it in.

"Th-those lunchboxes...my mother?"

"That's right! She asked us to deliver these to you, oh...but how can you eat like this?"

Hana stepped away from Xue, and Xue frowned, seeing Zasiok's solemn expression softening again but he did not respond to Hana's words.

"Can we go in and feed you?" Hana suggested suddenly.

Cecil was about to slip the lunchbox into the jail cell, stiffening as she heard Hana.

Zasiok smiled, "you are as sweet as I remember."

Xue was irritated by the interaction, and he opened up his right palm, a red marble materializing.

Cecil noticed it, hesitating.

I know I said that I would follow their decisions, but...but I can't stand by and watch as Xue drag himself back to misery Becoming an outlaw is definitely a path I don't want Xue to experience again!

She pulled back, rushing to Xue as she grabbed his wrist. "Wait, Xue, this isn't the right--"

"Not yet? This time too?" Xue questioned, his frown deepening. "Are you going to say it's a man-hunt again?"

Cecil could feel an ominous aura surrounding him.

She knew Xue was mad at Zasiok focusing solely on Hana, especially disliking his fervent gaze on the heroine.

"I...I know you should have figured it by now, that your alter is the murderer of the queen's child." Cecil trailed off, a hint of nervousness flitting past her eyes. "If-if you kill him now..."

Xue clicked his tongue, her words making him awfully exasperated.

[ Previous impression points : 84
Remaining impression points : 70
Protagonist "Xue" is extremely frustrated with you. ]

Cecil cringed at the notification.

Just then, there was the sound of thundering footsteps heading their way. Three of them glanced at one another, and Zasiok gestured weakly for them to scatter with his hand.

"It's the king." Zasiok warned, and they knew they had to escape before being seen.

Cecil frowned, hurrying behind Xue who was trying to drag Hana away.

"Wait, the lunchboxes!" Hana exclaimed, they weren't allowed to sneak anything in, including food. "No, we have to take it back! He's unable to eat it like this!"

Xue wouldn't take back the lunchboxes through the bars, and Hana was clumsy. Thus, Cecil knew it was up to her.

"I'll get it."

"Knowing these lazy bastards, there will be an empty cell here, and the doors would be unlocked," Zasiok added. "Hide in one of them."

Hana gazed at Cecil, concerned as she was dragged away by Xue.

"Wait, Xue! But Cecil will--"

Xue paused for a moment, sighing, before continuing down despite Hana's protests.

"You won't make it in time." Zasiok remarked, his face no longer gentle like before.

Cecil blinked, her face composed as she gathered the lunchboxes. "I know, but it doesn't matter."

Cecil knew if Hana was the one to stay here, Xue would slaughter everyone here, and if Xue stays behind, it would be the same result.

If only these weird lanterns didn't exist, I could have easily taken the lunchboxes.

Cecil sighed in her heart, feeling unsettled as the footfalls got closer and closer.

The footfalls halted behind her, just as she hugged the lunchboxes to her chest, turning around.

Zasiok was right, it is the king.

Cecil had seen him once, and she could never forget the immaculate, middle-aged man wearing such extravagant clothing.

"Your Majesty," she greeted with a bow as she stepped to the side.

"The invited guest from the academy?" the king questioned, his gruff voice sounding disturbed. "You are not supposed to be here."

"Your subject is here solely for a desperate favour that someone has requested of me. Your subject couldn't refuse such a request."

His eyes drifted to the lunchboxes Cecil was holding to her chest. "I see, your mother must have shamelessly pleaded for her to deliver the lunchboxes to you, Zasiok."

Lifting her head up, she watched as the king regarded Zasiok with a look of disdain. She could hear the chains moving as Zasiok glanced away coldly, not saying a word.

"Insolence! You aren't mute, do you not know how to address His Majesty?" The steward beside the king hissed at Zasiok.

"Your Majesty." Zasiok addressed, spitting the words out.

The king tapped his steward on the shoulder, and commanded the guards to unlock the jail cell.

"Unlock his chains as well," he added, his voice icy-cold. "Seeing as the queen's honoured guest has already gone through the trouble to deliver your lunchboxes, we can't waste her effort."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Cecil responded softly, heading in the cell to personally give the lunchboxes to Zasiok.

"Stop, we will do it," the king stopped Cecil. "There's no need to trouble yourself any further."

The chains were unlocked and Zasiok collapsed to the ground. It was then Cecil could clearly see how thin he was, realising that they must have starved him as well.

She frowned to herself, the lunchboxes still warm in her hands.

I have a bad feeling...if I were to pass these lunchboxes to them, they will ensure he will never eat it.

Cecil felt her heart ache for Zasiok, even if he was a murderer or framed for murder.

Her heart ached even more since this person was a part of Xue, even though she didn't know this alter really well. However, any mistreatment to the protagonist, was like an attack to her.

Also...a mother went through so much effort, just to deliver these lunchboxes to her son, a freshly homemade meal.

...no way am I going to allow them to bully him like that!

"I apologise, Your Majesty. Your subject has made a promise, to feed these lunchboxes personally to this man, every single bit of it," Cecil bowed, her voice lukewarm. "Would it be too much trouble for me to accomplish such a request from a frail, old woman?"

"I can reassure you, under my honour as a guest that Her Majesty has personally invited, there is nothing in this lunchbox except food that a mother wants to feed to her son."

The king hesitated at her words.

If the queen has a benevolent image, surely the king has to maintain such an image too. Since he wasn't talked much in the novel, I do not know how he truly is...

She heard the king clearing his throat, hearing the reluctance in his words. "I understand, you may do so."

Cecil nodded, "your subject is grateful for accepting my lowly request. Thank you very much, Your Majesty."

She sighed in relief inwardly, it seems like the king didn't want to tarnish the queen's benevolent image after all.

She stepped in without any qualms from the other party this time.

Zasiok observed the raven-haired beauty before him, his eyes widened in shock.

At that moment, a notification popped up and Cecil widened her eyes in disbelief as she read it.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

This "me" remembers Hana clearly.

I do not like that a single bit.

Because of him, even that woman remained behind to take those lunchboxes.

No doubt she'll be spotted.

...she wouldn't be hurt again, because of another "me", right?

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

My mother would never request for such a ridiculous thing.

Feeding me the lunchboxes personally...bit by bit.

Not possible.

Knowing my kind mother, she only asked for the lunchboxes to be delivered.

This woman...what is she doing?

《 stop 》