12 Chapter 12: Thread Connecting Fates

Soft chirping noises of birds indicated that it was already the anticipated morning of the next day. Though, it was still pretty early, as the sky was a bit dusky and not fully brightened up yet.

For the whole night, Noah couldn't get a wink of sleep except for the cold chills of his uncertain fate that ran down his spine and spooked his soul. The silver dagger which he had received from the chief lay in the corner of his small room, but his phobia exaggerated it as a scary monster in his mind that bothered his inner peace.

Not only he but also Kirin couldn't lay down to rest as he was continuously parading back and forth outside the cottage, with an intimidating look on his face. From the pale, haggard look on his face, he seemed more fretful about the sword of death hanging over Noah's head in the name of that fatal mission.

As soon as it was morning, Kirin came back to Noah with a new set of commoner's clothes, which looked a bit different from the worn-out ones they were putting on. The fabric looked a bit refined quality.

Soon Noah learned that was the special outfit the chief had arranged for him as it was designed for the servants and slaves staying inside the royal castle, and in that set of clothes, he will have to disguise himself to sneak in for the mission.

With a nervous and fretful expression on his face, Noah put on those clothes and tried tying the leather corset belt around his waist. But at that moment, he felt his palms had turned ice-cold in fear, also shivering too much. He was badly spooked from his core.

From his sharp gaze, Kirin observed his intimidated gesture and walked closer to help him tie the belt as he murmured, "Sheoran, don't worry too much. I have thought of a plan to get you out of this mess."

"Huh?" Immediately, Noah flinched and lifted his chin up to peer his ocean eyes deep at him. A dim ray of hope flashed over his pale face as he whispered, "Plan?"

Kirin nodded and quickly darted his glance outside the door to make sure there was no one eavesdropping on them.

As soon as he was assured, he continued in a low murmur, "Sheoran, I will guide you to the castle, however, we can't escape from that. Because as far I know, Chief's reliable people will be following us closely from behind. But, once you get in there, stay somewhere low and hidden for the whole night and come outside the castle early morning tomorrow from the same route I will show you. Okay?"

"Stay low...and hidden?" Hearing his plan, Noah repeated after him with a peer confusion embedded in his ocean eyes.

Kirin once again glanced outside the door and this time frowned his brows before he yelped at him, "Then are you capable enough to assassinate the crown prince? Can you do it?"

"No..." Anxiously, Noah shook his head with a palpitation in his voice. "But, how will I stay hidden inside the royal castle? T-There will be guards probably everywhere and if they find out about me, my head will probably go flying up in the air in the split of a second---"

"Sheoran, stop panicking and listen to me!" Before he could complete his fretful mumble, Kirin grabbed him by his shoulder and peered a concerned, deep gaze into him.

While shrieking aloud to calm him first, he asserted, "I am worried for you too, and we have no other choice apart from it! Prince Xanthus isn't a sane person! His crazy bloodthirst is feared by every people of our kingdom and it's better to keep yourself hidden by any possible means than die a brutal death in his hands! Do you understand me?"

Kirin's rolled frightful gaze and hefty voice depicted the immense dread he was holding inside, that Noah could evidently understand. He stayed still for a second, gaping into him with a small nod, "Yes. I understand."

"Sheoran," this time, Kirin retained a vulnerable look in his eyes as he grabbed his arm, exhaling a heavy sigh. "I don't know, why the Chief put you in such a fatal danger, but, you can't give up yet! You have to stay alive and...once you get out of there tomorrow, we will both run away somewhere far from this town."

"What?" Noah winced at his remark, wadding his eyes in shock. "Run away?"

"It's the rule of an assassin's life, Sheoran." A pained, small smile sliced on Kirin as he continued, "If you fail to conduct the mission, Chief will send his own people to get you killed. It's obvious that we can't come back here, so the only option we have is to run away from here."

"But aren't you risking your life for me again, Kirin? Why are you doing this?" Noah firmly groped his arm, rolling his ocean eyes in shock as he grunted at him.

Keeping that sad smile on his face, Kirin murmured in a soft voice, "With this vulnerable condition of yours, do you think you can survive if you run away alone? Look, Sheoran, you must have forgotten everything, but, I had once promised to keep you safe till I am alive. And, I will never go back from my words."

Hearing his compassionate words and sincere concern, unknowingly tears swelled in Noah's eyes as he gazed deep at him. Watching him risking his everything for him just for the sake of a promise, he lowered his head down with a guilt-stricken look, "How many times do I need to tell you, I am not Sheoran...I am someone else in this body! Yet still, why are you going this far for me? Just why--"

"Even if you are not Sheoran, I will still stick to my decision and I will never regret it." A sad, yet resolute smile curved on Kirin which throbbed Noah's heart with a bitter ache.

Quietly, Kirin grabbed the silver dagger from the corner of the room and tucked it inside his leather pouch, before he proclaimed to him, "Since you are afraid of it, I will keep this with me for now until we reach the castle. So, let's go now."

His kindness and dim smile had stirred a bitter ache inside Noah's heart, making him feel uneasy. He nodded at his command, wondering inside, 'Kirin is going this far for me...I really mustn't give up yet! Noah...you better gather your courage and survive this turmoil!

Though...I can't help but get curious, just who is this insane Prince Xanthus?'

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"Your Grace, Alpha Raven has already departed from his castle with his daughter, and very soon, he will arrive here. Do you want to command someone for escorting them?"

While Xanthus was buttoning up his red silk waistcoat in front of the giant mirror, with a cold expression on his face, Randall came with the news in his chamber. But hearing his word, his facial expression turned sour with a dark look that rolled in his golden eyes as he turned around.

"Just let me know when they reach the border of this castle. I will escort them myself." In a hoarse, stiff voice, he answered.

"O-Okay," Randall flinched as he didn't fail to notice the change of expression on his face with the report. He couldn't gather the courage to utter a word further and decided to leave outside.

As soon as he left, Xanthus exhaled another long sigh and shoveled his gaze towards the giant open glass windows of his chamber. Just above the windows, he had tied the red cotton scarf that he received from Noah with the hanging wind chimes.

The gentle spring breeze that drifted inside the room, along with the mild ringing sound of bells on the wind chime, the scarf also softly danced in the air. Peering his deep gaze, Xanthus reached the window closer and caressed the scarf with his fingertips.

"You acted in such a peculiar manner, but you are the first person, who gave me something without expecting anything in return." A soft, sad smile sliced his lips, as he stroked the scarf and murmured on his own. "Why do I keep anticipating that I might see you again? Will I?"