Chapter 236: Threads of Fate Unravelling - 4
Lorcan, wearing a disdainful expression, cast a surreptitious glance at the women who had landed opposite them. Cursing inwardly, he wondered how they had been located so swiftly.
His attention shifted to Jaegar, prone on the ground, with Diana steadfastly cradling his head.
Li\'s men moved decisively to apprehend Jaegar, while Lorcan contemplated taking Diana into custody.
Just as the situation reached a critical juncture, Angelina materialized on the scene, her focus immediately drawn to Jaegar and the mysterious woman. Her penetrating gaze fixed on Lorcan and the elderly man, recognizing the looming threat that had entangled Jaegar in its web.
The revelation of Lady Angelina\'s presence sent shockwaves through the gathering, with Lorcan\'s eyes widening in disbelief.
In the imperial circles, Lady Angelina, close to the empress, was a figure of great influence.
Lorcan\'s mind froze momentarily, grappling with the implications of being caught in such a compromising situation. Despite the shock, he managed to think quickly, his instincts prompting him to move towards Diana.
Unwilling to abandon her in the hands of the approaching turmoil, he hesitated, torn between a desire to leave an indelible mark on Jaegar and his lingering desire for Diana. Even in the time of urgency, he thought about his degenerate thoughts.
Amidst the tension, Li, recognizing the gravity of the situation, swiftly threw an object that was golden in colour, and then, in the middle of the air, a portal materialized. The portal swirled with uncanny pressure, which changed the atmosphere very quickly.
With urgency in their movements, they seized Jaegar and stepped through the portal, leaving Lorcan behind. Li didn\'t have any obligation to help Lorcan, and he was here only for Jaegar.
Jaegar\'s eyes, fixated on the anguished Diana beside Lorcan, mirrored the pain and deep hurt that welled within him. Diana, her eyes following Jaegar until the very last moment, unleashed a heartfelt cry as she called out his name, echoing the ache of separation. He didn\'t see Angelina coming to the spot; he only looked at Diana.
As the portal closed behind them, the atmosphere hung heavy with the residue of turmoil and heartache.
Angelina tried to stop them, and others did too, but they couldn\'t stop them.
Lorcan left to face the consequences of the unfolding events, stood amidst the lingering echoes of emotion, the imprint of Lady Angelina\'s presence adding an unexpected layer of complexity to the unfolding tale of alliances and betrayals.
Angelina, swift and determined, attempted to track the elusive portal, her wand casting a spell into the air. Yet, despite her magical prowess, she was met with a frustrating absence of clues.
The residue in the air sparkled briefly, only to fade away, leaving no discernible trail. Whoever Li was, he had meticulously orchestrated their escape, leaving no trace behind.
Lorcan, realizing the futility of his initial plan, found himself stumbling backwards. A man at his side urged, "Your Majesty, we better leave," and with a brief incantation, they vanished from sight. Lorcan, Ethan, and their companion disappeared into the unknown.
Angelina didn\'t need to worry about Lorcan, and she knew where to find him.
Angelina, left with the aftermath of their departure, turned her attention to Diana. As she approached, a sense of familiarity struck her. The features—Diana resembled Augusta. The realization dawned, and Angelina\'s surprise gave way to a deeper understanding.
Augusta had a sister, a fact that had escaped her memory until now. Jaegar, who had once lived with Augusta\'s sister, was Diana.
Cautiously, Angelina extended a comforting hand to Diana. The echoes of Jaegar\'s disappearance lingered, and as the pieces of the intricate puzzle began to align, Angelina realized that Diana must have been deeply affected by Jaegar\'s sudden departure. She could now empathise with the pain and confusion that Diana must have been feeling, as she had experienced it.
Angelina, her mind racing with questions and concerns, observed the enigmatic old man, who had played a pivotal role in the unfolding events. His presence held an unfathomable quality, far from that of a normal man. The mystery deepened as she pondered Jaegar\'s unexpected involvement and the identities of those who had orchestrated his capture.
Extending a supportive hand to Diana, Angelina gently helped her to her feet, draping a robe around her to provide cover and warmth. The urgency in Diana\'s plea to save Jaegar echoed in Angelina\'s ears.
Seeking answers, she inquired, "What happened here?"
Diana, still overcome with emotion, tearfully implored Angelina to rescue Jaegar, insisting that his life was in imminent danger. "Please save my boy. Where did they take him? Please, we have to go after them."
Angelina worked to calm Diana, allowing her a moment to collect herself. Once the sobs subsided, Diana recounted the events, including Lorcan\'s ominous words.
Angelina\'s eyes widened as the gravity of the situation became clear. The stakes had escalated beyond her expectations, and the revelation of Lorcan\'s motives added a layer of complexity to an already intricate web of alliances and conflicts.
Determined to unravel the truth, Angelina swiftly made her way back to the palace. The fate of Jaegar paralysed and at the mercy of unknown forces, hung precariously in the balance.
According to what Diana said, whoever that old man was, he must be the man who planned all this, and she knew who to ask about that man.
As soon as she reached the palace, she arranged a room for Diana and told her to take a rest. But Diana was in no state to do what she said. She was adamant about going out and searching for Jaegar.
No matter what Angelina said, she didn\'t listen. Then Vivianne came to the room where they were and saw Diana.
"Diana, what are you doing here?" Vivianne inquired, her eyes widening in concern as Diana rushed towards her with urgency. "Vivianne, you have to save Jaegar. He\'s in danger. Someone took him, and he seemed weak, something happened to him," Diana implored, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and desperation.
Vivianne gently held Diana\'s hands, attempting to steady her, and said, "Calm down, Diana."
Overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, Diana\'s legs gave way, and she slumped to the ground, succumbing to the mounting pressure on her mind.
Vivianne, quick to react, knelt beside her and attempted to rouse her. However, Diana had reached a point of mental exhaustion, losing consciousness.
Angelina, observing the scene, reassured Vivianne, saying, "Don\'t worry; she just lost her consciousness. She needs rest."
Vivianne, a mix of worry and confusion etched on her face, directed her gaze at Angelina, seeking answers. "What in the gods\' name happened?" she implored.
Angelina sighed, signalling for a maid to come into the room. As the maid hurriedly arrived, Angelina thanked her for her prompt assistance and directed her to carefully transfer Diana to a nearby bed.
Having dispatched her women to the spire, with only a select few remaining in her service, she told the ones who left to inform the spire about the phenomenon that happened and to alert the council about it. She also sent quick letters to the ministry, informing them to come to the palace quickly.
They may have already known about what happened and were trying to know what happened, but Angelina wanted all the organisations under one roof to discuss the further course of action.
With a sense of urgency, she emphasized the importance of relaying the information accurately to the council, ensuring they understood the gravity of the situation.
Angelina motioned for Vivianne to join her on the couch. As they settled, Angelina began to unfold the tale of the tumultuous events that had transpired.
As Vivianne absorbed Angelina\'s account of Jaegar\'s plight and Lorcan\'s involvement, a shock of disbelief swept over her.
The very notion that Lorcan, a member of their own family, could perpetrate such an act seemed unfathomable. In an incredulous tone, Vivianne asked, "Why, in the name of gods, would Lorcan do something so despicable?"
Angelina, her expression a mix of concern and determination, responded, "I intend to find out. I\'ve dispatched my people to search for Jaegar, though finding him may prove elusive. Nonetheless, we\'ll spare no effort. Meanwhile, I need to have a conversation with Lorcan. Can you use your abilities to locate him?"
Vivianne, grappling with a burgeoning headache, couldn\'t comprehend the motives behind this betrayal within their kin. She sighed and replied, "He\'s likely at that boy\'s mansion. I\'ll send for him immediately."
Their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of a palace maid, whose hurried entrance conveyed urgency. "Your Highness, the Emperor... he isn\'t waking up."
The maid, her breath uneven and sweat forming on her forehead, entered the room with a sense of urgency yet an unmistakable air of trepidation. Vivianne, attuned to the sombre atmosphere, stood up, her expression expectant. Sensing the maid\'s unease, Vivianne asked, "What do you mean by \'not waking up\'?" Continue your adventure with m|v-l\'e-NovelBin
The maid, hesitant and visibly unsure of how to convey the heavy news, fumbled with her words before finally expressing, "I... I think the emperor is no longer with us."