Deviating from the original plot

Chapter seventy-two

The guards escorted them down a narrow hallway and into a cramped cell. The iron door clanged shut behind them, the lock snapping in place with finality.

"Stay put," one of the guards ordered curtly. "The Crown Prince himself will come later to interrogate you." With that, he departed, leaving only silence and the faint chill that settled over the room.

For a while, none of the women spoke. The weight of the situation pressed in on them.

"We're in serious trouble," Celeste muttered at last, her arms folding tightly across her chest.

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Evelyn countered, though her voice wavered. "We didn't exactly do anything wrong... well, except—" Her eyes flicked toward Victoria.

Celeste's brows knit together. "He's not going to understand."

"Then we don't tell him," Evelyn cut in firmly, her voice low but steady.

Celeste shot her a sharp look. "He may be insufferable, but he isn't blind. What if he puts the pieces together?"

Victoria finally spoke, her tone steady despite the tension. "First, we stay calm. Second, remember—we're still in disguise. As long as we stick to our code names, we'll get through this without being recognised."

The sound of approaching boots echoed down the corridor. The guard's voice rang out:

"His Highness will see you now."

The three women stiffened in unison. Whatever doubts or quarrels lingered between them, they would have to wait.

✦ ✦

Cassius arrived at the barracks in a foul mood. The news from the guards about the black mage incident had ruined his plans for the day—plans that involved finally cornering Evelyn Leclair into spending time with him.

She'd been elusive, slipping away at every opportunity, refusing to even give him a proper chance. But Cassius was not the type to accept rejection easily. No, he would wear her down. He already had the perfect scheme in mind: an extravagant, unforgettable date that would overwhelm her stubborn resistance. Women liked to pretend they were difficult, but in the end, they all relented when shown enough attention, luxury, and persistence. Evelyn would be no exception. He will just have to prove himself to her harder.

'Stubborn woman, making me work so hard,'

But that plan would have to wait. Duty came first, and he couldn't afford to appear incompetent, not with rumours of black mages running rampant.

The guards had spoken of three witnesses—survivors of the casino attack. If their accounts were credible, it could give him leverage in the investigation.

He pushed open the door to the antechamber, boots striking sharply against the stone floor, and took his place at the table. Two guards flanked him as the witnesses were led in.

Three women entered.

Cassius raised an eyebrow, studying them one by one; nothing remarkable about them. The guards gestured them forward.

"These are the witnesses, your highness," one reported.

Cassius leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lazily against the armrest. His gaze swept over the women with a mixture of boredom and arrogance.

"Well then, ladies—why don't you tell me exactly what happened at the casino?"

The three exchanged uncertain glances.

"Answer me," he snapped. "Don't waste my time."

Victoria straightened, meeting his eyes. "We're just casino workers. A fight broke out, so we hid. When we came out, everyone was gone."