Chapter 32 Royal’s Dealings

The abandoned factory loomed ahead, a skeleton of rusted walls, shattered windows, and scattered crates. The air was thick with the metallic tang of decay, and every sound seemed to echo unnaturally.

I adjusted the porcelain mask Royal had handed me. It was lighter than my old one, with an unnervingly smooth finish that made me feel more like a faceless ghost than ever. I hated the idea of replacing my mask—my real mask, bonnet mask included—but losing it in the chaos of my fight against Lion King and Jonas left me no choice. Not to mention the porcelain one from Nightgard.

Those fights felt like they had happened days ago instead of hours. I could still feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins if I focused too hard. And worse, I could still remember the nine faces that had seen mine.

Nine.

Nine people now knew what I looked like under the mask.

In the Cape community, that kind of exposure was dangerous. It made you a target, stripped you of your anonymity, and left you vulnerable to retaliation or manipulation.

I clenched my fists, annoyed by the development but knowing there wasn’t much I could do about it right now. Once this job was done and I was back home, I’d have to move quickly... set up countermeasures, spread misinformation, something... before someone decided to screw me over. Yep, paranoia at its finest.

But first, we had to finish this job.

Royal strolled confidently into the factory, Loyal clinging to his arm like a lovesick maiden. Her doe-eyed expression was almost convincing, but I’d seen the ruthless efficiency she was capable of. It was a façade, one she wore as easily as her own skin.

Lion King stood beside me, his towering presence like a shadow at my side. He shot me a scowl before looking away, his expression sour. I didn’t blame him. After what Royal had made him do to Mathilda, I doubted he’d be looking anyone in the eye for a while.

“Where are the others?” I asked, breaking the tense silence.

Royal didn’t bother turning around. “I gave them orders, that’s where. Yours and King’s orders are to look tough.”

I glanced at the cargo truck parked by the factory gates. Its bulk loomed in the dim light, silent and imposing. I assumed the rest of the crew—Blackout, the Triplets, and whoever else Royal had brought along—was securing a perimeter or setting up for whatever deal we were about to walk into.

Royal stopped in the center of the factory, surveying the space like a king admiring his domain. “Looks like we’re early,” he said, his tone casual.

Loyal leaned into him, her voice soft and sweet. “Do you think they’ll bring what you asked for, my love?”

“They’ll bring it,” Royal replied with a confidence that made my skin crawl. “They know better than to disappoint me.”

Lion King shifted beside me, his hands curling into fists. I could feel the tension radiating off him, a simmering anger that was just waiting for an outlet.

I didn’t blame him for that either.

But anger wouldn’t help us here. Not against Royal.

I leaned back against one of the crates, crossing my arms and keeping my eyes on the factory’s entrances. “They should be here anytime soon, then…”

After five more minutes of silence, a blur of motion interrupted the stagnant air. Two figures appeared before us, as if materializing out of thin air. One was a man with oriental features and long dark hair tied back in a ponytail, his face unmasked and calm. The other was a young girl, barely looking older than a middle schooler, wearing a pristine school uniform complete with a plaid skirt and blazer.

I immediately recognized the man: Lightning. His name was infamous in Cape circles, not just for his monstrous lightning-like speed but for his ruthlessness. This was the same assassin who’d made international headlines for publicly executing another country’s prime minister during a diplomatic event.

The girl, though, was a mystery. Her youthful appearance made her seem harmless at first glance, but there was something in the way she held herself—calm, poised, and entirely unfazed by the ominous setting—that screamed otherwise.

Royal stepped forward with his usual confidence, his voice smooth and teasing. “Looking young as ever, Mrs. Mind.”

Mrs.?

The dissonance hit me like a brick. I had to fight the urge to stare. This kid—this girl—was a Mrs.

?

Mrs. Mind didn’t miss a beat. Her expression didn’t change as she replied, her tone clipped and businesslike. “Stop with your mind games, Royal. We’re here for business, and business we shall do. In all my years of working with Monarchy, it’s always like this with your lot.”

Weird world. I never thought I’d live to see a middle-schooler-looking girl carry herself with the authority of a seasoned diplomat or something... Her words had weight, and even Royal seemed to treat her with a modicum of respect, despite his usual condescension.

“Fair enough,” Royal said with a smirk. “I’ll admit, you’re one of the few I can’t read, even a smidgen of your thoughts eludes me. So intriguing. That’s what makes these little encounters so much fun.”

Mrs. Mind’s gaze flicked over us, lingering on Loyal, then Lion King, and finally me. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if cataloging every detail. “And this?” she asked, gesturing toward me.

Royal chuckled, the sound rich and amused. “Ah, this is my independent contractor. Don’t mind him; he’s just here to observe.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. “You brought an outsider?”

“He’s useful,” Royal said smoothly. “And besides, I trust him.”

The words hit me like a double-edged sword. Trust from someone like Royal wasn’t a compliment... it was a loaded statement.

Lightning finally spoke, his voice low and deliberate. “We’re wasting time. Do you have the goods?”

Royal’s smirk widened. “Of course. Do you have the payment?”

Lightning didn’t answer. Instead, he turned his head slightly, and in a blur of motion, a third figure appeared, this one carrying a heavy-looking briefcase. The newcomer set it down in front of Royal with a thud before vanishing just as quickly.

Mrs. Mind crossed her arms. “Open it. Let’s get this over with.”

Royal gestured to Loyal, who detached herself from his arm long enough to step forward and flip the briefcase open. Inside were neatly stacked bars of what looked like gold, alongside several vials filled with an iridescent liquid that shimmered even in the dim light.

Mrs. Mind inspected the contents briefly, her expression unchanging. “Satisfied?”

“Very,” Royal said, his tone dripping with satisfaction.

The exchange was clinical, almost mundane, but the tension in the air was palpable. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just about money or goods—it was about power, alliances, and the kind of unspoken threats that could topple entire cities.

Mrs. Mind turned to leave, Lightning following without a word. Before they disappeared, though, she glanced back at Royal. “Remember our agreement. Step out of line, and there won’t be a next time.”

Royal inclined his head, his smirk never faltering. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

And just like that, they were gone, leaving behind a silence that felt heavier than before.

Royal clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. “Well, that went well. Eclipse, let’s get back to the cargo. We have much to discuss.”

Back on the cargo, the atmosphere felt heavier than before. Loyal worked methodically, her movements precise as she stored the gold bars in a reinforced safe and transferred the shimmering vials into a sleek, black briefcase. Every action seemed rehearsed, almost ceremonial, as if handling these items carried a significance far beyond their surface value.

Royal lounged on the couch, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, watching me like a cat studying a cornered mouse. “Curious, aren’t you?” he asked, breaking the silence.

I crossed my arms, trying to keep my tone even. “What’s there to be curious about? You just made a deal with some of the scariest people I’ve ever seen.” And admittedly, I found Royal far scarier than them. It helped that I barely knew anything about the other group.

Royal smirked, leaning forward slightly. “Oh, it’s more than just a deal. We’re heading to the market next, and I think you’ll find our next transaction… enlightening.”

He gestured to the vials Loyal had just secured. “Any wild guesses on what those do?”

I hesitated, glancing at the briefcase. The liquid inside those vials had an almost hypnotic quality, like it wasn’t entirely of this world. “What? They give people superpowers or something?”

Royal chuckled, a deep, almost mocking sound. “Very imaginative, but no. Quite the opposite, actually.” He leaned back, his smile widening. “Those vials take away powers. Permanently.”

The words hit me like a gut punch. “Take away…?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

Royal nodded, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Amazing, isn’t it? A little sip, and poof—your Gift is gone forever. Mrs. Mind works for a higher power that’s been developing some truly remarkable toys. This one, though, is my personal favorite.”

My mind reeled. Something like that—something that could strip a cape of their abilities—was more than just dangerous. It was world-changing.

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked, forcing myself to meet his gaze.

Royal’s smirk softened into something more inscrutable, almost contemplative. “I told you before: the human mind is a very complicated thing. Let’s just say stringing you along like this has been a fun whim for me.”

“A whim?”

“Yes, Eclipse. A whim.” He leaned forward again, his blue eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t quite place—amusement, menace, maybe both. “You’re an enigma, and I like enigmas. You’ve got ambition. Not exactly 'not reckless', but you get the idea. You’ve got a moral compass, but it doesn’t shackle you. People like you are rare in this world, and I find it… entertaining to see where you’ll go.”

I didn’t know whether to feel flattered or insulted. “So, what? I’m just your personal experiment now?”

Royal shrugged, his smirk returning. “Something like that. But don’t take it personally. Everyone’s an experiment to someone.”

The way he said it made my skin crawl, but I forced myself to stay composed. This wasn’t the time or place to push back.

Loyal finished her work and returned to Royal’s side, her expression as demure as ever. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close as if she were just another accessory to his power.

“Get some rest, Eclipse,” Royal said, his tone suddenly casual. “The market can be a chaotic place, and I’d hate for you to miss out on all the fun.”

I nodded stiffly, retreating to a corner of the cargo. My mind raced as I sat down, replaying everything Royal had said. A drug that could erase Gifts? Deals with people like Lightning and Mrs. Mind? And now, the infamous market?

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was in way over my head.