Chapter 270 - Semi-finals (1/2)

'Scary,' he thought, the way Xula stared him was far more intense than usual.

”King Staxius,” spoke Sely, ”-I do apologize if I've offended somehow,” she nodded gently and focused on the food.

”Staxius,” Gallienne whispered, ”-I am very sorry for leaving her alone. Honestly, I just wanted to bear a child, is that too much to ask? An heir to continue my father's linage,” bearing a gloomy stare, she watched as more food was brought in.

”I understand where you're coming from,” voiced Xula after having calmed Staxius, ”-I can promise one thing, you'll get to meet her very soon. Hiding away her true identity and bloodline will but be selfish. If the girl is going to be independent, I'll leave said choice in her hands,” her face turned to her husband.

”It's something I have to live with, there's nothing to it,” on that, the conversation ended. The room felt tense, guard lowered, Ernis could but gave a few glares for he understood naught. Lucy, Theodore, and Prophecy remained alert, their gaze ever so wandering.

”My lady, do you wish to have some wine?” a few minutes later, a butler, dressed in an elegant suit, walked. In hand, a very expensive looking bottle.

”Sure,” Gallienne accepted, for the gift came from the Goldberg family. Seated a few tables across, the lady and her daughter had dinner. The reason she knew it was a gift, the lady gave a smile.

*That's the signal.*

*BANG,* an explosion came from near the entrance. Smoke filled the room, the guards jumped in and screamed, ”-protect the royal family.”

”What happened?” asked Xula.

”Get behind,” without thought, he shielded her with his body, '-three foreign auras,' the eyes closed, '-bearing malicious intent. Are they making their move?' he thought and remained on alert. Doing anything out of the blue could trigger unforeseen events.

”Go Prophecy,” impatient, Xula sent her Spirit. Three faint flashes of light through the smoke later, the would-be attackers fell to the floor.

”Is everyone ok?” asked the head waiter.

”Nothing to report so far,” voiced the guards.

”Oh my god…” on the floor, laying in blood, the attackers and a victim.

”W-wait…” baffled, Gallienne lost her footing for all three wore the royal emblem.

”Majesty,” screamed a noble from across the room, ”-are you responsible for this?” her voice held contempt and anguish.

”Gallienne,” Sely whispered and took a strong foot forward, ”-How dare you to speak with such insolence,” the voice unforgiving.

”I'm confused,” asked Xula, the smoke cleared. On the floor with the broken bottle of wine, the head-butler of the Goldberg family. He laid a few steps away from the Lady. A bullet wound was seen on his head followed by the weapon on the floor.

”He j-jumped in,” whimpering paired with sniffles, ”-he s-save m-me,” cried the lady. Things looked bad, one might not have realized it that instant. What transpired was just the assassination attempt of another noble, but one with the rank of Duke. Eye-catching evidence revealed that they were sent by the Royal family.

”I k-knew it,” she continued to cry, the nobles gathered around in comfort. Speechless, Gallienne could but stare without any feeling.

”Excuse me,” voiced Staxius, ”-tactless as it sounds, why would the royal family go after you?”

”W-why you ask?” she turned and stared, ”-t-that's because,” with a heavy breath, ”-I'm King Blain's illegitimate child,” her cries grew harsher, ”-does that satisfy you?” she wept.

”I'm sure she wanted to silence her due to her blood,” voiced a noble.

”Yes, without an heir, her majesty would have to relinquish the throne in case of her being unable to rule,” murmurs filled the room at a growing pace.

”Your attention please,” in came an announcement, ”-the Semi-finals will start in five minutes, thanks for waiting,” cut, the chatter came to a stop.

'You've made your play,' thought Staxius as it unfolded, '-you planned this didn't you,' he stared the Lady who seemed to have calmed despite the death of a close one. 'The Goldberg's,' he sighed, '-I should have known. Her being the illegitimate child is proof enough, she's next in line in case of Gallienne's death. Why bring this up now I wonder, surely if Gallienne dies, all eyes would point to her. Is her death the real objective?' the hall emptied. On the way out, said in whispers, doubts of those supporting Gallienne's faction.

'A coup d'état,' he stopped.

”We can't afford to wait, come on,” in came Xula, she took his hand and led them outside. Eira's match got her excited.

”Are you ok?” he asked after the queen sat.

”N-no,” her face seemed beaten, ”-I've not the energy to make my way out of this trap. The opposition is far too great,” she rested her head between her laps.

”Don't look so disheartened,” voiced Xula, ”-didn't Staxius say he would take care of the situation. This falls under his responsibility as well, sit back and relax,” added with a smile, her attitude was cavalier.

”Sit back and enjoy,” he commented. 'Back to what I was thinking. If the real objective isn't to kill her, then what's the deal. Her death isn't going to happen, that's off the table. Is shaking up the pillars holding her throne that viable a strategy. The unfortunate death of the butler caused doubt. Not to mention the coming of the light of the hidden bloodline. It gives rise to another possible ruler, one that had been hidden so far. Going by the greed these people have, some will try to get in the Duchess's good side after that statement,' peering over the once sobbing Lady, as predicted, noblemen of differing factions, approached with words of comfort.'

”Lucy,” Ernis spoke, ”-do you think everything is going to be ok? From what I've seen, the other players are on the verge of winning. I can see the tides changing, my injury was first, then came the butler's death not to mention the more than incriminating evidence of the crest.”

”No need to broadcast it,” gritted, her face remained stern.