Chapter 9
Fortunately, Prince and Ryat were both trained knights and Prince knew the forest like the back of his hand. So it wasn't difficult for them to follow the traces left behind by the hooded figure. They soon got to a teleportation device - it was an expensive little gadget, made to open a temporary gate connecting to another one of these gadgets. Since they get destroyed soon after usage, the boys hurriedly followed the figure through the still-open gate, not thinking much about the potential dangers.
When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in the middle of a fancy hall. It was either a noble's mansion or a ruler's castle.
They ran along the hallways, defeating the foreign knights blocking their way.
Suddenly, from one of the corridors, a familiar form emerged.
Robin...?
What are you guys doing here?
She asked nonchalantly.
What do you mean? We came to save you!
Oh- You shouldn't have, really. I'm in control of the situation.
Prince sighed.
You shouldn't be saying things like that with that face. It really hurts, even though it's not true.
With that, he swung his sword, pointing it right at her throath. She froze.
What are you-
Prince! What are you doing?!
Ryat shouted at his friend. His behaviour was odd. Did someone use a spell on him...?
It's not like you cared about her, is it, Ryat? Then stay out of it.
Prince said coldly, making At's guilt flare up, shutting him up.
Please Prince, stop it! I'm scared...
She pleaded, tears glistening in her eyes.
Please... don't make it worse.
He clenched his teeth and continued, his voice cold, devoid of its usual cheerfulness.
I'll only ask once. Where is she? Where is Robina?
W-what do you mean...? I'm right here though...
I see. So that's gonna be your answer.
His eyes darkened. Just before he could move his sword to pierce her neck, she spoke up with a trembling voice, one that lost its resemblance to Robin's.
I'm terribly sorry, I'll bring you there, just don't kill me!
Ryat was baffled.
How did you know it wasn't her...?
Even a crow can differ shiny things from dirty ones... Her eyes... they weren't sparkling at all.
This made Ryat even more confused. He couldn't tell her apart from the real one at all. There was nothing wrong with her eyes. They were... green.
While At was trying to find the difference Prince referred to, his friend made the lady change back to her original form. He wasn't sure why, but it annoyed him that someone like her tried to imitate Robin.
The lady took them to a large, wooden door.
Here we are.
You know what'll happen if it's not the right place.
Prince said coldly.
Yes, indeed. I don't plan on dying, yes.
The lady fumbled over her words, still trembling from the blade pointed ar her.
You go ahead. That way, we'll know we're not walking into a trap.
I'm going, I'm going, yes, immediately...
She opened the door and they stepped through, following her inside. By the time they heard Robin's shout, it was too late.
WATCH OUT!