Chapter 74 Meet Me Tonight

Chapter 74 Meet Me Tonight

MAEVE

Thorne Alderon. The banished royal. Draven's cousin. He was once one of the best knights of the palace, even working with Draven, yet with just one mistake, he was sent out. Away from his parents. Away from the world he grew up in.

Now, he was one of the rebels—enemies of the palace. They ruin the balance that the palace kept restoring. Destroying every single thing connected to the Alpha King. Exposing the corruption behind the palace's gates.

And I knew that he was here for the same thing.

"You made a good disguise," I replied, standing near the stairs where no one could see me from the lower floors. "Where did you get that mask?"

He chuckled, pulling out a part of his fake face. "One of my men specializes in making these. I can make one for you, Sir..."

"Maxwell," I answered. "But in this district, I'm Massimo."

"Good names," he answered casually. "What brings you here, Sir Massimo? Looking for a good product to flaunt to your pack?"

My head tilted to the side, observing what was on every floor. "Just looking for something important," I replied. "And you? Don't tell me that you're going to make a mess of this district."

"I won't, as long as everything follows my plan," he said, taking a step closer, pushing his hand to his pocket. "I'm looking for a woman."

My brows furrowed. "How many women do you have?" I asked. "First, you stole one of the King's women, and now, you're here to get another one?"

He pulled out a small paper, handing it to to much. "Don't look at me like I'm an unfaithful man," he defended himself. "They are rebels. One of the people working with me. They were kidnapped from our missions, and I'm here to take them back. One by one."

I unfolded the paper, and a sketch of a woman who was almost at the same age as mine greeted my eyes. Short hair that only reached her jaw, and a mole on her neck. She looked more innocent and fragile than the previous one.

"You think she's in Crimson A?" I asked, giving the paper back.

He nodded. His eyes moved to the side, focused on a man with a fedora hat on the ground floor. "That man was with the men who abducted Camilla," he replied. "I'm sure she was here too."

"I didn't see any woman around," I said. "At least those around her age."

Thorne turned to me. "What do you think is the reason why?" he asked like a riddle.

I shrugged. "I don't know. You tell me."

He moved a step closer, his finger pointing down. "They hide the women below," he whispered. "The only way to get inside is to win a product in the auction. That's why I'm here. I'll buy one and get inside that hidden chamber. Look for Camilla and escape this district unnoticed."

"Your plan sounds simple, but you're missing something," I pulled out a bill from my pocket. "You don't have money, Thorne. Your wealth was stripped out of you when they sent you out, right?"

His face contorted, and in a snap, he snatched the bill away from my hand. "Will you help a good friend, Sir Massimo?"

A laugh escaped from my throat as I tapped his shoulders. "Better luck next time, because this man," I pointed at myself as I whispered. "... is broke as hell, too."

I started going down the stairs, but he caught my wrist, making me turn to him. "I don't know why you helped us escape last time, but I think you're on our side," he leaned closer. "Once you get to the hidden chamber, I want you to look for that woman and bring her to me."

"And what will I get in return?" I raised an eyebrow. "I would be sacrificing a lot here, Thorne. If someone found out what I'm doing, I would be out of the palace. And who knows when you are going to find an ally like me?"

Thorne stared at me for a long time. The silence hung between the two of us, and from that silence, I heard familiar footsteps coming in our direction.

"I will do whatever you want," he bargained. "If you want someone to do dirty work for you, I promise that we will be on your side. If you want us to attack the palace or anything, I will do it gladly and  take the blame," he said. "Just bring that woman to me."

I moved my hand down to him, gripping it with a handshake. "You got yourself a deal," I spoke, hurriedly stepping down the stairs.

Thorne disappeared behind me before I met Rhydan on the stairs. He looked worried, yet he tried to make himself look calm. "You were taking long, Sir Massimo, so I decided to follow you," he explained.

I nodded. "I just checked something," I lied, heading to the ground floor where more servants were now decorating the venue.

My eyes followed every woman around, but none of them looked like the Camilla woman. They were all old and frail, and they looked forced to be doing any kind of chores.

The man in a fedora hat stood at the side, observing the workers. He looked sophisticated, and in one look, I knew that he was someone important in this district.

"Sir," I greeted, purposely showing my jewels on my hands. "Is there an event here?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

His eyes lit up at the sight of the jewels. "Oh yes, sir. There will be an auction tomorrow night," he responded with enthusiasm. "Join us! I can give you the front seat, solely for a gentleman like you."

I pursed my lips, letting out a deep exhale. "I don't know if it's worth my time..." My words trailed off as panic formed in his face.

"It is worth your time, Sir!" he exclaimed, pulling out a book from the side. "I can show you the list of products we will auction. Hopefully one of them will catch your eye."

My gaze landed on the book. "Show me the best that you have," I ordered, and the man immediately turned to the last page.

Four sketched greeted my eyes, all looking majestic and ancient. Yet only one of the caught my eye: the relic of Sir Maximus.

"Those two look worthy of my wealth," I pointed at the relic and a set of purple jewelry. "Expect my attendance tomorrow."

I turned around without waiting for his response, yet before I could step out of the venue, an older woman forcefully shoved a small box into my hands.

"Sorry, sir," she spoke in a very small and weak voice. "Please, try our chocolates. Our farm from the south made that from scratch."

Rhydan immediately stepped between the old woman and me. As he tried to shove the woman away, my eyes went down to the small paper glued on top of the box, written in red ink.

"Red District Fair. Dance performance. 10 in the evening.

\- N."