Epilogue: The Die is Cast, Part 1

PRINCESS OLIVIA wept in silence as the aftermath of the duel unfolded.

By her own hand, her mentor had lost his homeland… and with it, the last hope of restoring the reputation she had once tarnished so terribly.

She knew in her heart that his sacrifice had been necessary, but the knowledge of it brought no comfort. For a decade, she had toiled without pause. Half of her life spent in endless hardship, all of it for a single dream: to restore this man to his rightful place.

But now, as Galardos disappeared into the ruins of the Irilithan, that dream had forever slipped from her grasp.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as Prince Cyrus stepped beside her.

He had so many questions, he didn’t know where to begin.

“Olivia…” said Cyrus, his voice low and cautious.

In the heat of the moment, back when he was arguing with Galardos, Cyrus had assumed his sister’s support of the match had been some youthful miscalculation.

It was no secret she longed for Galardos’ return. Making amends with him was the fire that fueled her every step. So, in her desperation, had she clung onto a false hope?

It wouldn’t have surprised him.

And yet… Olivia had cried through the entire fight.

She had known the outcome from the start.

When she allowed the duel to happen, and placed every obstacle possible to stop him from intervening, it had all been deliberate. A setup.

But why? What circumstances could possibly drive her to such a thing?

To Cyrus, there was only one explanation.

“How long have you known?” he asked.

Olivia said nothing.

“You know what I’m talking about. You’ve known from the start, haven’t you?” he was vague about the wording, cautious about eavesdropping despite the wards in the booth.

“I spoke to him before the fight. He told me his side of the story, but I want to hear yours. Why did you sanction this?”

“I thought he’d win,” said Olivia, sticking to the cover they had agreed to.

“You’d better improve your lying,” the prince frowned at her. “And save it for others; not for me. So tell me, why did you…”

He paused midway, hearing the light footsteps of someone approaching.

“Hello, Arlene,” the prince greeted the new arrival. “Do you need something?”

“Yes. I’d like to talk about this duel, as well as the matter of Galardos’ curse. You’re both in the know, I believe.”

Cyrus stared at her in silence.

It seemed the cat was out of the bag, and in record speed at that.

“Indeed, that’s what I’m hounding my sister about. Would you care to join me?”

“Gladly.”

Olivia grimaced at the new arrival. Lying to her brother was one thing, but lying to the master of espionage that was Galardos’ bride was something else entirely.

“Just so we’re clear, Arlene, I only learned of this today. How long have you known?”

“Since yesterday.”

“So it’s recent. How did you find out?”

“I saw it by chance while healing Galardos last night. Vahram almost killed him.”

“Right. I heard they got into a fight before the duel, but what was the deal with that? Did they have an actual fall-out back then?”

“I’m not sure. Vahram accused him of smuggling, but the Whisperveil didn’t turn up anything. I think they lied to me.”

“Did they? What do you think, Olivia? I heard you went to the Alessia estate last night, so you must know something.”

“Grandmother was there. They tried to heal Galardos’ curse, but she couldn’t do it.”

“So she says. Does it check out, Arlene?”

“It doesn’t,” said the demigoddess, making the princess gulp.

“How so?” asked the prince.

“Vahram doesn’t know about the curse. Whatever they did last night, they didn’t try to heal him.”

“Oh. Are you certain of this?”

“Absolutely. I confronted him about the attack yesterday, and Vahram didn’t know a thing about it. Whatever they’re hiding from us, it’s something else.”

“My oh my, the plot thickens. That’d mean Galardos lied to me earlier, wouldn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so. The curse is very much real, but I think they’re using it to hide their true objectives.”

“But what could those objectives be? Ring any bells, sister dearest?”

Olivia clenched her fists, driven to a corner.

This was exactly why she didn’t want Arlene to get involved. She hadn’t even said anything, and the woman had already blown her cover wide open.

As the princess refused to reply, Galardos’ bride continued.

“If you’re sworn to secrecy, Your Highness, I understand. I’ll ask someone else.”

“Not Vahram, I suppose. If he was in on the duel, he won’t spill a thing.”

“No, it’s Archangel Urielle.”

“W- What!?” stammered the princess.

“Urielle? The one from the 3rd Legion?” her brother asked.

“That’s the one. She was drinking with Galardos at the Raucous Rascal last night, so she might know something.”

“Arlene, don’t screw with me. I’m being serious.”

“So am I. She was there, and according to my sources, she offered him a contract. But Galardos turned her down, so she settled with giving him a feather.”

“What in the hells? Why would an angel be…”

“Don’t contact her!” cried Olivia, turning around in desperation. “Whatever you do, don’t contact Urielle! Or Isabella, or anyone!”

“Why not?” her brother pressed her.

“Because if you do… Galardos could meet the same fate as Lord Naivdar.”

The air in the room became frigid at her words.

“He’s on the right side this time, but things are far, far more dangerous than you could imagine. I’m sworn to secrecy to the Goddess herself! Grandmother had an oracle last night, and they’re all working for her directly. So please, I can’t tell you the details, but you have to believe me!”

A wave of dizziness struck Cyrus as he digested the news.

“Hold on. Hold on, Olivia. You mean to tell me Galardos is — ”

“He’s working for Lady Zarielle. So are Grandmother, Alaiel and the others, and it’s imperative that the Zarian Order and the Inquisition stay away from them.”

“That’s insanity. Do you understand what you’re implying?”

“I know. By the Goddess, I know. I wouldn’t have sanctioned the duel otherwise, but everyone is in danger and I need the two of you to keep your mouths shut. If Isabella realizes it was all a ruse, she’ll hunt them down to the ends of the earth!”

Cyrus staggered backwards as he understood the situation.

The nightmare from the angelic invasion was far from over, and a slew of new events were unfolding right under their noses. Now, Olivia was in the thick of it and Cyrus and Arlene had nearly blown her efforts on the very first day.

“Well… shit,” said Arlene, cold sweat forming on her forehead. “That would explain a lot of things.”

“It’s the truth. Please don’t ask me anything else; I can’t tell you any more.”

“I know. I’m done asking, so now we have to figure out what to do next.”

“We have to cover for him,” said Cyrus. “Isabella is currently south with Aurelius, but as soon as she returns, she’ll be hot on his trail. I can stonewall her in court, but I’ll need you to mobilize the Whisperveil immediately.”

“Got it. I’ll have them erase all traces of Galardos’ presence. Wherever he sets foot, they’ll be cleaning right after him.”

“Start working on the misinformation for when Isabella gets close, and you Olivia, stay put and play innocent. If your sister asks you anything, just start crying and don’t answer. She has a soft spot for you, so make use of it.”

“A soft spot? Isabella?” asked Arlene incredulously.

“Believe it or not, she dotes on her in her own way.”

“It’s a cold day in Hell, then.”

“I’m serious. So stick to the plan, both of you.”

“Got it.”

“Sir, yes Sir.”

The three demigods came to an agreement, and they set in motion their plan to cover for Galardos and his group on the home front.

But meanwhile, on the southern end of the Empire...