Illusion

Brice Grinford was a childhood friend and comrade to the King. He was aware that cruelty was not far from him… but he, too, was shocked at the intricately insidious way ,in which Gideon destroyed his enemy. He knew exactly that Gideon never loved his first wife, it was just a political marriage - the fact that what she did was despiciable, but it gave no reason to subjugate an entire country out of revenge - no ... it was something else.

The knight was barely a few steps away from his king, as he watched Jerome and Jürgen's last minutes.

"Revenge, huh? Big shit… "

He remarked.

Gideon's plan was originally intended to be done with Ariana's asassination, on an eye for an eye basis. He wasn't interested in the Vanderberg's wealth… he just wanted to take Jerome's wife away, just as that bastard had deprived his child of his mother.

When the young queen reached the healing water, the King of Hertian was already waiting there with his men. They knew that Jürgen would join on day 4, so the plan was to finish her off on the first night, in her sleep.

"Brice, let's go on a scout."

The king put on his mask. The two warriors hid behind a bush, waiting for the victim to show up.

When the queen dropped her robe and stepped into the water, they could finally see the mysterious beauty.

"Wow… the queen is beautiful… no matter how much I look, I think she could turn even a gay man into hetero smoothly… the King of Predin is either blind, or impotent to miss such a hottie… right?"

Whispered the outspoken knight, when no answer came then he turned to the king. There and then he already knew. Ariana's fate was sealed. There will be no execution… Gideon wants her… he saw in his gaze… which did not let the girl go, until she disappeared behind the walls of the small inn.

When Gideon issued the order to look for a black-haired corpse, and obtain bleaching powder, he was not surprised.

"Isn't this love at first sight?"

Lord Grinford asked as they crossed the border. Ariana slept soundly under the sleeping pill's effect, her head tilted to Gideon's lap.

"Just a good investment…"

"Oh sure…"

Brice grinned.

After some speech, however, the king was tired of his brazenness, and helped him out of the carriage with a large kick.

When Ariana tried to get the king's attention, just like Gideon, Brice noticed the tiny signs.

"I don't understand… it's clear that you love her… it's clear that she loves you too… why don't you get her for yourself?"

The knight was puzzled.

"The essence of hunting is patience - and a prey like her can only be captured, if you let her so close that she don't even notice she's already in your grip."

Brice didn't understand at first, then slowly realized. Ariana, when she was a lover of Jerome and Jürgen lived in slavery, forcing against her will for a life she didn't even want. Gideon, on the other hand, offered the freedom and life she longed for. So her new life made her completely happy. The fact that the king showed no interest, though, reinforced the desire in the girl that she wanted to get him even better.

"Once you fail as a king… as a relationship counselor you can still be filthy rich…"

The knight said in astonishment, when he saw that Ariana had voluntarily thrown herself at Gideon on the eve of the birthday ball.

"Oh… yes…yes, now come to my office."

"Yes, Master!"

After the door closed, Gideon immediately entrusted the knight with a task.

"I need a substitute."

"Substitute?"

"Yeah… that freak clearly didn't give up on Ariana… the queen is still his weakness… remember when you said there are still women with violet eyes in other countries? Well, find me one… the closer she is to Violet's age, the better. "

"Do you want to send her as a spy? "

"More like an asassin…"

Lord Grinford was surprised by the king's recklessness… he would never have cut into such a risky operation before, since if the counterpart were to fail, it would have unpredictable consequences. It was clear that Gideon wanted to get rid of his rivals as soon as possible, at any cost.

1 month later, the king summoned the knight to his office.

"How are you doing with the special task?"

"With a doppleganger search? Well… not very well… "

Scratched his head Lord Grinford.

"So far, I've only found a woman who looks like Lady Violet… but she is older and… well a prostitute… who is dying."

At this, Gideon immediately raised his head, but instead of the frustrated gaze, the glittering gaze of an attacking beast looked at Brice.

"Which stage?"

"It may only be the first… maybe a year and a half left of her life."

"Perfect. Well done."

Smiling, he patted the knight on the shoulder.

"Revenge… yes it's the perfect revenge… although it's a fact, they should never have had an eye on what's mine… and as you know, Ariana is mine, just mine."

The king responded to the knight's cynical statement.

As Lord Grinford watched the young queen happily run down the palace stairs to embrace Gideon, who came home from the battle, as the royal couple became one in a passionate kiss, there was only one thing he could think of.

'Poor girl… got rid of the two monsters who locked her up… and didn't even notice that she walked into the trap of the most powerful demon… who never lets her go… of course until she thinks she is free… and has her own will… she can live happily in this illusion… I sincerely wish my queen, that you'll never see the truth.'