CHAPTER 212: THE WEDDING [2]

[Two days later.]

The room that was once used to imprison Akamir was now filled with people.

Sephrina sat at a table while three maids moved around her, tending to her appearance.

They were giving her a glow-up in preparation for the wedding ceremony today.

And as sick as Sephrina was of all this, she sat quietly, tolerating the uneasiness.

Akamir sat close by, handcuffed alongside Velyrian.

’...She doesn’t look happy with my idea,’ he thought, noticing the glare Sephrina gave him through the mirror’s reflection.

The plan they had prepared was oddly simple.

The wedding was set to take place inside the church. Akamir had asked Sephrina to go along with it....to comply and play her part.

Once inside, he would cause a distraction while she slipped away toward the door.

Akamir had already passed her the key. All she needed to do was reach it.

’...But I don’t like the whole wish thing,’ he thought, rubbing his temples.

From what they had gathered, Kros might grant a single wish to whoever passed through.

And Akamir was sure Sephrina would wish to be free of the curse—to save her kingdom.

’Of course she would. That’s the most logical choice.’

But what concerned Akamir more was the price that would come with that wish.

Kros wouldn’t hand over the cure so easily.

’Well... we’ll see how the entire plan goes.’

Akamir had prepared multiple countermeasures just in case.

And although he remained wary of Lewin, he was confident the man wouldn’t be a problem.

’After all, he’s fighting his own battle.’

During his two days in the palace, Akamir had done his best to gather as much information as possible.

From everything he’d learned, one thing was clear:

Lewin was close to losing his sanity.

He wasn’t entirely gone yet, but the cracks were showing.

’If he loses Sephrina... that might be the point of no return.’

Akamir let out a sigh just as three soldiers entered the room.

They approached and stood in front of them.

"Let’s go," one of them said, grabbing Akamir by the arm. "You will be taken separately from the others."

"Wait—what do you mean!?" Velyrian protested, struggling against his cuffs.

The soldiers ignored him as they pulled Akamir away.

He glanced back at Sephrina.

Their eyes met.

She parted her lips and whispered, "I’m counting on you."

Akamir nodded just before the door slammed shut behind him.

Akamir and Velyrian were led through the winding stone corridors of the palace lower wing, escorted by three soldiers who walked in silence.

They passed stained-glass windows and empty pews until finally reaching a small, dimly lit chamber.

One of the guards opened the door while the other gave Akamir a push inside.

The room had one window and a single wooden chair and a faintly flickering candle in the corner.

Akamir didn’t resist. He walked in calmly, letting them close the door behind him.

The click of the lock echoed loud in the silence.

He stood still for a moment, then turned toward the far wall.

"...You planning to talk, or just keep hiding in the shadows?" he asked softly.

Lewin stepped out from the corner, his ceremonial robe half-unbuttoned and his eyes sunken from lack of sleep.

"You’re sharper than you look," Lewin said.

"Why call me here?" Akamir asked tilting his head. "Anything important to say?"

Lewin walked towards him before he looked down at Akamir. "You will stay here," he said. "Till the wedding is complete."

He then moved with a blur and punched Velyrian in the stomach.

Velyrian’s body caved in itself as he fell on the ground losing his consciousness.

Akamir didn’t flinch as he stared at Lewin.

"Do you think this will work?" Akamir asked, tilting his head. "All this stupid—."

"I know you have the key," Lewin cut him off. "Aren’t I right?"

"..."

Akamir turned silent not letting his panic cloud his mind.

"But whatever you are doing it won’t work," Lewin continued with a smug smile on his face. "The door will never open."

Akamir tilted his head. "Why so?"

"I am connected with this world!" Lewin said, stretching his hand. "I can change a few things my way!"

"And what did you change?"

Akamir asked, trying his best to get as much information as possible.

"I made it so that door which trapped a part of Kros would never open," he said, with a bright smile. "Unless Sephrina is wedding."

Akamir’s keen mind quickly caught up with his words. "Sephrina’s wedding?" he asked. "Not yours?"

"Kros isn’t as stupid as you think," Lewin replied, bumping into him as he walked past. "Either way you will rot in this place forever."

He opened the door and walked out of the room while slamming the door shut.

Akamir let out a sigh as he closed his eyes. ’...This is such a pain.’

Given the situation things are as bad as he thought it could be.

Even though Akamir had some relief knowing that the way out was almost confirmed.

’It looks like Lewin broke Kros’ consciousness into pieces and trapped it that can only be opened when certain conditions are fulfilled.’

Like to open the Church’s door, Sephrina had to marry.

It was complicated but Akamir was sure that Lewin was planning to fight Kros head-on after the wedding.

’...But I can’t be sure if he will actually win.’

No, Akamir was certain that Lewin will die and he must know that as well.

Lewin could also plan to use the wish from opening the door as a way to deal with Kros.

’So, I guess he is trying to complete his last wish to marry Sephrina, huh?’

Akamir let out a sigh as he whispered. "You can come out."

The inner pocket close to his chest wriggled before a fairy zapped out.

She looked at Akamir concernedly as she mumbled. "What should we do?"

"Go tell Sephrina everything that happened here."

Akamir instructed her as he covered the chain with spirit energy before snapping it.

"B-but—."

"Listen here," Akamir said, looking at the fairy. "Sephrina has to marry if she wants to open the door and make a wish."

"Akamir...."

"Just tell her everything," Akamir said, rubbing his wrist. "I will find another way if she doesn’t want to marry."

Lili seemed hesitant but she nodded nonetheless. "O-okay."

She zapped past the door moving towards Sephrina’s room.

Akamir stretched his body as he felt the spirit energy cover his entire body.

Though still in his child form, Akamir could exert all his strength from the main world.

Akamir moved towards the window as he looked outside.

Thirteen carriages were moving out of the palace towards the church.

Akamir closed his eyes as he used his spirit eyes to take a close ’look.’

He felt the presence of both Lewin and Sephrina in different carriages.

’It looks like I don’t have much time.’

Akamir let out a sigh as he placed Velyrian on the chair and patted his shoulder. "It was good knowing you again."

He moved towards the gate as he summoned his Crown.

Six shadows came to life as mimickers awaited his command.

"Open the door."

Akamir ordered and one of them quickly moved from below the door.

The door opened with a click and Akamir walked out.

Immediately he was greeted by eight soldiers guarding the place.

They also noticed him walking out.

"Huh? How did he come out?"

"I am sure I locked the door."

"Catch the child then talk."

Two of the soldiers nodded as they rushed towards Akamir.

"Kill them."

He ordered and immediately two of the mimickers latched up.

They stuck onto the face of two soldiers and began eating them.

Akamir walked past the screaming soldiers as he looked at the other six of them.

"I will give you one chance," Akamir said. "Get out and you will live."

"What are you waiting for!" one of them snapped. "Catch him immediately!!"

The first soldier lunged forward, sword raised but Akamir sidestepped with ease.

He grabbed the man’s wrist, twisted, and yanked the blade free.

In one clean motion, he drove it through the soldier’s chest.

Blood splattered as the man collapsed, gasping for air.

The others hesitated, but only for a second.

"Kill him!"

Another rushed, but before he could swing, two mimickers leapt forward, latching onto his face.

The soldier screamed, clawing at the creature, but it was too late.

Akamir spun around and sliced the third clean across the neck.

The other tried to catch him from behind but Akamir cut off his hand followed by his neck.

One by one, the guards fell. The mimickers jumped from corpse to corpse, swift and ruthless.

Akamir didn’t break a sweat.

In less than a minute, the hall was silent again... littered with blood and broken bodies.

Akamir exhaled.

"Clean it up," he said, and the mimickers began devouring what remained.

He stepped over the bodies without a second glance, moving forward.

There was still a wedding to crash.