Once back in his quarters, Eliezer parted with his knight and shut the door. He then strode over to his windows and shut them as well, desiring to be completely alone. He did not wish to let anyone watch him at the moment, even if it was one of Raven's companions. He settled in a seat and let out a long sigh of exasperation while rubbing the bridge of his nose. The past few weeks have been a series of ups and downs, and a huge psychological strain on him. Never had he been put through such a wide spectrum of emotions, so much uncertainty, and so many issues in such a short period of time. He longed for the days back when things were much simpler, yet he also could not convince himself that he was not grateful for what he had experienced thus far. He was sure of one thing, and it was that this situation could not continue. He wanted to leave it all, but he knew that he could not abandon his kingdom. He would have to fix this, somehow, for Dainia, especially after now knowing that he could not depend on his brother.

Meanwhile, out in the hallway, Hildebrand turned to walk away from Eliezer's door only to run into Robynne, who was about to speak with the prince. He immediately stopped her from approaching the door and knocking on it.

"His Highness wishes to be by himself at this moment, Miss Read. Kindly engage him at a later time."

The maid put on a look of worry. "Oh my, is he unwell?"

Hildebrand shook his head. "I suspect that he is troubled, though, it need not be my concern, nor yours."

Robynne let out a chuckle and stepped in much closer to the knight, and as she reached up to gently caress him along the arm, she spoke to him in a coquettish, tender tone. "Well then, love, if the case is as such, would you mind conveying to His Highness that the king and queen have requested his presence this evening? Once he is sufficiently rested, of course. After all, I have noticed that he has grown rather fond of you since your return from Sorene."

Hildebrand tensed at her touch, his paranoia most likely due to the Moon Raven's words about her, though, he did manage to respond to her request. "Of course, Miss Read."

"Thank you, my dear," she said with a wink, before turning to leave.

Robynne was suspicious. The knight did not usually react so coldly to her charms. She was fairly certain that he was much more involved in the crown prince's business than he was letting on. The fact that the prince was 'troubled', as Hildebrand had put it, was a sign that Eliezer might already know too much. She had to find out exactly what it was that the both of them were aware of.
[hr]
Night had fallen when the Red Robin made her way through a forested path towards Gloomvale Tavern. However, she was startled when the limp bodies of two Lunarian assassins plummeted from the treetops onto the ground right in front of her with daggers lodged in their necks. She jumped back in shock, but managed to suppress a shriek of fright. Two who worked for her then appeared, informing her that the ones they had just killed were watching her come from the palace, and warned her not to go down to the tavern, for there were more there who were looking out for her.

"Tell me everything else that you know," she demanded.

"It was the palace butler who released them, Miss. They now watch over the Moon Raven as well as Prince Eliezer. They also aim to find out who you really are. As for the prince's relationship with the Moon Raven, we believe that all is no longer well between them," one of them spoke up while holding up what they had found in the forest after Eliezer's meeting with Raven earlier in the day - a lock of cool black hair tied with a ribbon and a pair of shoes.

The Red Robin stared curiously at the items. "Does this mean that the crown prince no longer wishes to associate with her?"

"On the contrary, Miss, we have heard news that he is currently working with her to uncover your true identity. Prince Eliezer is already suspicious of his own brother."

She cursed under her breath. There was no way she could let them expose her and Mathazar. This would mean that none of them could see her come from or return to the palace when she would appear to communicate with those who worked for her. Out of all the recruiters at Gloomvale, she was certain that she paid the highest, and as long as that was the case, whoever she hired would remain loyal to her.

She tossed them each a bag of coin. "Inform your team to dispose of every single piece of Lunarian scum you find anywhere near Dainia Palace."