Chapter 236 (1/2)

Chapter 236

Chapter 236: Darkening Grey

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GREY

“Here” Lady Vera took a seat besideit to me “Drink this and try to cal down the clear liquid Immediately, my worries, my jitters, and accu with the water?” she asked, worried

“N-No I was just so nervous that it went down the wrong pipe,” I said, taking another gulp

“Oh, I see Good, keep drinking You’ll feel better after drinking all of that and doing soht now, it’s best you keep your body in top shape”

I stared blankly at Lady Vera—my sponsor, teacher, mentor and so in that confidenton her side

“You’re almost there, Grey Just win one e to take on the title of king,” she said, leaning in close “With your skill and talent, this tournas”

“You’re right” I steeledback to Director Wilbeck

To this day, it enraged ravity of the situation Iton but in order to confir, I would need the authority of a king

Like Lady Vera said, this tournaain Etharia’s backing to launch a full international investigation I’d find whoever did this and useto make sure that they paid for her death

“You know that ned a treaty recently, but things have been shaky as with all new alliances I have faith that you’ll becoether, Grey”

I looked at Lady Vera, hopeful “You really think so? Even with round is under the Warbridge family name, just like mine,” she chastised before her expression softened into a warm smile “I’ll htened as tears threatened to surface Sing and sitting up straight, I replied with newfound determination “Thank you I won’t let you down”

“Of course you won’t” She placed a firuessed by noho your final opponent is going to be, right?”

My fists tightened “Of course”

“I know she’s an old friend and you two grew up together, but don’t forget that she threay everything for this Forget the ruht—and with her powers, no one can”

Just as she finished speaking, Lady Vera’s phone chimed

“hello? What! Okay, I’ll be there soon,” she said, her voice stern

“Sorry, Grey, a business partner of o outside since he’s not allowed in here Be sure to finish that water and focus on cal yourself”

I held up the water bottle “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine”

With a tight nod, Lady Vera began speaking again to whoever was on the other side of the phone As she reached for the door to exitboth of us

“Watch it!” Lady Vera growled at the janitor pulling a cleaning cart

The thin bearded ies”

Clicking her tongue, she stepped forward to take a closer look at the ain

“I’ll be right there! I want footage pulled up froles!” she snapped as she strode away

The door closed behind the janitor alked in, his head still lowered beneath his navy uniform cap

“You really should be more careful, sir,” I warned “There are a lot of important people in these halls that you don’t want to accidentally anger”

The janitor didn’t speak Instead, to ht at rizzled beard What surprised an to warp slightly to reveal a face that couldn’t be more familiar

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“N-Nic—”

The janit—no, Nico—clasped his palm over my mouth “Don’t speak too loudly”

His hand reme for the past few months “Where have you been? You look terribl—that fake beard… is it an altering artifact? Aren’t those illegal?”

Nico ignored lance to tell that these past few months had not been easy for hi how little he had cared for his health

“We don’t have ainst Cecilia,” he said, fu out a palht now”

I pushed the device away “What is going on, Nico? I know you’re worried about Cecilia but you’ve been ignoring ht beforeto do?”

“Please,” he asked, desperation evident in his voice “Just listen”

And so I did Despite having less than an hour before ether with Nico and began listening

“Is this… Lady Vera?” I asked, hearing her voice through the device

He urgedand so I did And as the audio clips continued, it became harder and harder to listen

“Bullshi+t,” I spat, pulling the chords out ofthis tourna at, Nico?”

“It’s not a joke—how could I ever joke about Cecilia?!” he urged, tears lining his tired eyes “I know Lady Vera has been good to you but this is why Everything was for this day”

“Have you gone crazy these past few months?”

“This is where I’ve been these past few s, showing deep red scars that ran around his wrists and ankles “I’ve been locked up by our own Etharian eovernment facility she’s been held in I’ve been starved and tortured, but Ievidence around Vera Warbridge to get you to help me”

My eyes widened before I shookIt makes no sense First of all, ould Lady Vera need to take Cecilia? Trayden and Etharia have an alliance now!”

“That’s specifically why they want it now,” he explained impatiently “Whoever has control over Cecilia, or what the Traydens refer to her as—The Legacy, has control over the entire two governacy… that hat thatme But I never told Nico that

“Okay, then how do I play into this? Why would Lady Vera needcandidate?”

“Our govern Cecilia for her own protection until she’s officially crowned as a king The only ti the tournaments,” he responded immediately “And Lady Vera needed you because you’re an orphan There are strict rules to who can be allowed in the King’s Crown tournaments, especially the final rounds Lady Vera was only allowed in here because she’s your legal guardian, so that can’t happen with another candidate from an affluent family”

I ht when suddenly, a knock on the door made both of us jolt up

“Candidate Grey? I’e has asked for ruff voice sounded

I looked at Nico as panicking He looked at

“I’m fine Please let her know that I don’t want to be disturbed until it’s time for the duel,” I replied loudly

The facilitator acknowledged my words and dismissed himself, but the two of us waited a few more minutes I peeked out the door toback to Nico “Look You’re crazy, but it’s obvious you’ve been through a lot I’et out of here safely”

“Grey,” Nico pleaded, clasping his hands overyou I was able to set up a plan with a few friends after I broke free a feeeks ago Everything is into escape with Cecilia!”

“ Escape with Cecilia?” I echoed “Do you even hear yourself right now? We’re co’s Crown! You’re telling me to throw that all away because you think that there’s soht now? I saw Cecilia’s last fight; she’s completely fine and healthy!”

“Y-You don’t knohat the Warbridge faet their hands on her!” he cried desperately while fuh his pockets “Look! I didn’t want to show you this but this has to prove it”

I snatched the crumbled picture from his hands, skeptical of his words until I saas in the picture While blurry and hastily taken, there was no doubt that it was Lady Vera talking with adown his face

“Do you remember him? He’s the one that tried to kidnap Cecilia!” he said, pointing frantically at the blurred man

“Th-That can’t be… no, it’s not Nico, this is too blurry to tell I won’t—I can’t throw out everything I know of and believe in Lady Vera because of one blurry photo,” I responded, handing the photo back to hiainst e I needed water

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I fuulp Instantly, I could feel er, even, and ht I needed to take care ofa deep breath, I turned to Nico “If what any of what you said to me today is a lie, you could be sentenced to life in prison As a friend, I’ll pretend this never happened, but you’re out of your mind if you want me to participate”

Nico fell to his knees, looking up at me in desperation “Grey! Plea—”