Kazekono Mysteries: Zakura Misuze

Chapter 7 - you saved my sister

As Misuze's hand poised to strike, a deep voice resonated through the tense atmosphere. "What seems to be the problem? Princess Verdina Alvarez and young Eliott Yearwood?" Misuze's gaze darted towards the sound, landing on none other than Crown Prince Louis Heritier D'or. His presence, unexpected yet commanding, froze her in place. The grip on Misuze's arm tightened as Louis acknowledged her. "Ah, your majesty, I'm glad to see you," he said, his tone smooth yet possessing an undercurrent of authority. Despite Misuze's silent plea for release, he held fast.

"Let me go!" Misuze hissed in annoyance, her frustration thinly veiled. Louis's keen observation did not miss her discomfort. "Your Majesty, we should leave," urged Eliott, attempting to diffuse the escalating tension as he pulled Misuze away. The inner turmoil within Misuze churned the desire to retaliate warred against the need to maintain her cover. She knew any disruption would attract unwanted scrutiny, imperiling her mission. "ah sh!t I cant even hit him, or else id blow my cover"

In a sudden turn of events, Louis's grip shifted to Eliott's arm with a force that elicited a cry of pain from the young man. "Prince Louis—!" Eliott began, but his words were cut short by the intensity of Louis's glare, his golden eyes ablaze with fury as he exerted painful pressure, nearly fracturing Eliott's arm.

"AHH! It hurts! What the hell?!" Eliott's agonized cry reverberated through the room, drawing the attention of nearby guards. With a commanding presence, Louis said "Please accompany him out of the palace, he has ruined the peace. You shall be banned from ever entering this palace for good." Said Louis as he looked at Eliott like he had just murdered his family.

Stunned, Misuze watched the scene unfold before her. Her thoughts raced, "what the..he..?" interrupted only by Dante's voice crackling through her earpiece. "He's Strong, isn't he? Trained to fight his entire life under his majesty's tutelage. Exercise caution, Agent Zakura," Dante's warning echoed in her mind, serving as a stark reminder of the peril she faced.

With a gulp, Misuze refocused her attention on her mission, her resolve strengthened as she navigated the treacherous waters of palace intrigue and deception. "Your Majesty," Misuze addressed Louis with a hint of deference in her tone. "Ah, Verdina, please, call me Louis. You're also a royal princess, after all," he replied, his demeanor unexpectedly warm. "Oh, yes, Louis, thank you for your assistance," she responded gratefully.

However, Misuze couldn't shake the unease creeping into her thoughts as Louis's gaze turned cold. "Why is he looking at me like that? Has he... discovered my true identity?" she wondered silently, her heart pounding in her chest. Suddenly, Louis's hand closed around Misuze's arm, his touch surprisingly gentle as he examined a red mark left by Eliott's forceful grip. "Madam, this injury appears quite serious. Have you not sought help for the pain?" he inquired, his eyes penetrating hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

Realization dawned on Misuze as she recalled the countless scars she had accumulated during her missions, numbing herself to the pain over time. "Ah, that's right... I've grown accustomed to enduring pain," she admitted to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oh, um, I just... goodness, I didn't even notice! It... it hurts," Misuze stammered, her facade faltering as she stumbled, only to be caught by Louis's steady hand. "Please, My Lady, seek immediate medical attention," Louis urged softly, his concern genuine as he guided her with a gentle touch.

Dante's voice crackled through Misuze's earpiece, a whisper of opportunity in the midst of uncertainty. "This is a chance to extract something valuable from the crown Prince, Misuze," Dante murmured, his words igniting a spark of determination within her.

With calculated precision, Misuze feigned a stumble, her hand instinctively reaching for her foot as if in pain. "O-ouch... my foot... uhm, Louis?" she called out, her voice a delicate blend of vulnerability and appeal. Louis turned to her, his gaze fixating on her with a mix of concern and curiosity.