Ambition and Destiny

👑chapter Sixteen👑

After Felix had done his work with the arrested man, he headed to Peter to update him about what he found. As he entered, he glanced at Peter standing in his study, his hands behind his back. Peter turned to Felix and grabbed the report he had made about the corpse and handed it to Felix.

"Back so soon?" Peter inquired, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

Felix nodded, his expression serious. "I've questioned the arrested man and he's shared some crucial information. But before we delve into that, I need to hear what you've discovered about Edward's corpse."

"Well," said Peter, "After examining the corpse, the victim was poisoned by a strong poison"

Peter's voice held a note of gravitas as he detailed his examination. "The poison used was not common by any means. It was slow-acting. It masqueraded as a severe illness, which explains why Edward's condition deteriorated so rapidly..."

He added: "Notably, his skin took on a bluish hue, while the sclerae, the tough outer layers of his eyes, displayed a distinct yellowish tint. Since he was lightweight and warm, I predicted that his organs had undergone a meltdown."

Felix's brow furrowed with concern as he absorbed this information. "So, it was a deliberate act. That's sinister."

Peter nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it suggests a calculated effort and a well-planned murder, I bet they had his head cut to bring it as proof that the mission is successfully done"


Felix took a moment to compare the report he was grabbing with the man's admission." the man confessed that he had killed Edward and claimed that "Priest Christopher is involved in our case, but more importantly, he mentioned a foreign nobleman's involvement." "

Peter's eyes widened with realization. "A nobleman? Things are getting complicated. Have you got his name?"

Felix shook his head. "Not yet. But the man implied that the priest was acting on the nobleman's orders to capture Annie. He even suggested that this nobleman might be from the Valeria Empire since they were planning to ship her there among goods."

Felix couldn't shake the feeling that Annie, the girl at the heart of this mystery, held the key to unravelling these questions.

"We need to find out why they wanted Annie, and what Edward knew that made him a target. The answers lie with her, and we must ensure her safety while uncovering the truth"

He clenched his jaw, his resolve hardening. "And I will continue my investigation secretly. We can't afford to make any missteps."

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Annie had a nervous afternoon with the king, who displayed his authoritarian nature and promised to make her a part of his royal family. However, his words were unclear, causing Annie to feel anxious and unsure of what to expect.

Annie's footsteps echoed through the marble halls of the palace as Lionel, the king's loyal guard, escorted her back to her luxurious quarters. The delicate sound of her silk gown brushing against the polished floors seemed to resonate with the delicate balance of her emotions.

She couldn't stop thinking about the king's words as she entered her Chamber. He had mentioned adopting her making her a part of his family, and receiving a proper education. She sat on the edge of her opulent bed, her thoughts a whirlwind of doubt.

The crystal chandeliers cast a soft, ethereal glow over the room, their prismatic reflections dancing across the walls. The air was filled with the sweet scent of roses from the palace gardens beyond the balcony. It was a truly royal chamber, but Annie could not imagine herself belonging to such a place. She refused to accept it.

Beneath her feet, a flickering shadow suddenly appeared, catching Annie's attention immediately. She watched in awe as a figure gracefully entered through the balcony, like a phantom emerging from the night. Her heart skipped a beat.

To Annie's utter astonishment and relief, the figure was none other than Felix. Her gaze fixated on him as he leaned gracefully against the balustrade, her heart pounding with surprise and relief. She slowly rose from the edge of her bed and walked towards him automatically, her body moved instinctively towards him.

"Felix," she breathed, her voice a soft exhalation of astonishment.

Felix approached her with a measured, confident stride. His presence seemed to fill the room, and his gaze, as always, held a depth" Annie, It's been a while, how have you been?"

"I'm not sure how to answer that question. I've been through a lot lately", Annie answered as she was overwhelmed with self-pity. She looked away trying to avoid his gaze then she remembered to ask him.

" Why have you come here from nowhere", she swayed her head curiously.

As Felix managed to compose his answer, hesitated with her sudden question," I came to"

" Don't tell me, Have you found something that can help me", Annie interrupted him, holding his hand tightly as if he were her last glimmer of hope

"In fact, I...", Felix hesitantly answered as he stared at her poppy eyes.

" Don't tell me, Have you found something that can help me", Annie interrupted him, holding his hand tightly as if he were her last glimmer of hope

Felix gazed into Annie's eyes, hope was palpable, and he couldn't bear to shatter it. He knew that revealing the truth would destroy her.

"I... I was just checking on you," Felix admitted, his voice hesitating. "With everything that's been happening, I thought it might be a good idea to make sure you're okay. I didn't have much time, so I decided to pass by."

"Thank you, Felix," she whispered, her grip on his hand loosening slightly in disappointment, it was not the answer she wanted to hear, but she did not forget to thank him. "I appreciate your concern, I just thought you may have an idea why the king adopted me"

"He did what?!" Felix exclaimed, grabbing Annie's shoulders tightly.

Annie flinched at Felix's sudden outburst. His grip on her shoulders was firm, and his eyes bore into hers with a mix of shock and hesitation.

"Yes, he... he mentioned adopting me," Annie stammered, her voice shaky. "But his words were so unclear. I don't know what he wants from me, even though he took my necklace from me. It's all so confusing."

⟪ What is going on inside my uncle's head? Why does he attempt to adopt a commoner girl he has recently met ... He gave an oath before The Royal Council not to marry or have children for twenty years. This oath is likely meant to ensure that the throne will remain empty until the fate of the real crown heirs is known⟫

"The Royal Council won't sit back and do nothing", Felix murmured as he released Annie from his grip.

⟪ What is the royal council, and why does he look so distracted?⟫

Annie's eyes clouded with worry. " Do you hide something I should know it?". She asked again as she saw Felix silent," Is there any news about my father, Edward?"

"I'm trying my best to protect you, Annie. But there are some things that I can't tell you yet. Trust me, I'll tell you everything as soon as I can...". He added as he saw Annie craving to know about her father's state, "Your father is in a safe place don't worry about him"

"Thank you for looking into it," she whispered. "I just wanted to know if he's safe, now, I feel relieved. I appreciate it."

Felix nodded, his gaze filled with a mix of guilt and determination. He knew he had a duty to protect her, not just from temple threats, but from the painful truth as well.

Felix's expression hardened as he looked at Annie. "Annie, I promise you, I'll speak to the king about this adoption matter and your necklace. I'll do everything I can to get you the answers you need."

Her eyes softened with gratitude as she nodded. "Thank you, Felix. Your support means the world to me."

Felix inhaled deeply, knowing that what he was about to say would likely come as a shock to Annie. "There's something else you should know. The king, he is my uncle. My mother's brother."

Annie's eyes widened in surprise. "Your uncle? So, that means you have a connection to the royal family?"

Felix nodded. "Yes, it's a complicated situation. However, my relationship allows me to get the privilege of meeting the king in person and asking him"

Felix leaned forward, his eyes searching Annie's. "Do you have any connection to the temple or Valeria?" He asked, his voice hushed as if he feared the walls might have ears.

Annie's eyes opened wide in astonishment. "The temple? What's the reason for your inquiry?"

"I'm just curious, what is the big deal about you?" Felix replied, his expression carefully blank. "I've concluded that the temple is seeking after you... Even my uncle is involved too."

⟪ Why would the temple be after me? And the king...Felix looks so sceptical, I won't blame him, I have always been a commoner, living a simple life, and now she found myself at the centre of a complex mystery. ⟫

Annie raised her head, looked him straight in the eye and said," I know what I'm about to say is hard to contain, but I told you the first time we met about the incident. Otherwise, I don't have any sort of relationship with any parts you have mentioned "

Felix nodded, but his gaze remained sceptical. "Are you sure?" he pressed. "Have your father ever had any dealings with anyone from the Valeria Empire?"

Annie replayed with the same confident tone, as she clenched her fist" No, He has not"

Felix rubbed his forehead and sighed," "I'm truly sorry if my actions seemed sceptical, Annie. It's just that the situation is incredibly complex and dangerous, and I need to be cautious."

Annie hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Alright"

Felix offered her a reassuring smile. "That's why I need your help. We should set a date for you to visit the Citadel of the Knights. It's the safest place to continue our investigation and find answers."

Felix nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Annie. Your courage and cooperation mean a lot. I'll make the necessary arrangements and inform you about the date soon. Until then, stay safe."