The detainers picked him up and took him out of the throne room.

"Mr Greg shall be released and have all the money and robes returned to him. As for the other ten men, they shall pay a fine of two hundred silver coins each to Mr Greg, for conspiracy and cheating."

"Your Majesty, the Princess…" Minister Clifford started to say but got cut off by King Bayard's hand. 

"Cyrena you have done well figuring out the real culprit and saving a man's life. You have proven to be able to handle matters of the kingdom effectively and so as promised, you have earned the right to sit side by side with Owen during all council meetings. I am proud of you daughter. You have done well."

"Thank you for your praise father," Princess Cyrena said with a smile.

From the corners of her eyes, she could see her brother grit his teeth in anger, his whole face was already red as he fumed. Whose fault was it in the first place? He had no one to blame but himself. 

He didn't look before he leapt and ended up disgracing himself. Gerald couldn't help but shake his head from where he stood. He warned him, but he didn't pay any heed, now this was the outcome.

He knew the reason the Ministers and Lords came, Lady Erwina was on the move. They obviously would want him to be taught a lesson now that he endangered the life of a citizen.

Everyone was silent, no one spoke as the whole incident sinked in.

"Your Majesty, I think the princess deserves a reward, this wasn't an easy fit," Minister Clifford quickly said.

"All matters regarding this incident would be handled during the next meeting. If there is nothing else, then court is dismissed everyone."

"Your Majesty, there is something important to discuss."

"What is it Lorelei? It better be worth my time."

"Is news about the hybrid not worth your time?" Lady Lorelei asked with a subtle smile.

King Bayard's eyes lit up at the mention of the hybrid. Now that was news that was definitely worth his time. If she had told him since, he would have long ended the verdict and sent them away.

"I need time alone with Lorelei and Gerald. You may all leave."

"As you wish, Your Majesty!"

They chorused, bowed and left the throne room, with Prince Owen leaving first and Cyrena last. 

"Yes, what news have you this time?" King Bayard inquired as soon a the doors shut behind them.

"King Regin has his princess, tailing the hybrid and she is close."

"What! I thought only the soldiers… Okay, what about the hybrid, any news of her?"

"As we speak, she still treads further into the Elven forest. They know she is there and they would soon seize her."

"We cannot attack her now that they are close," Gerald added.

"Why didn't you inform me as soon as you noticed?"

"I just did."

"Have you done anything about it, Lorelei?"

"Apparently I did."

"What did you do?" Gerald asked her, he turned to look at her face, he was feeling skeptical about what she did.

'What have you done? We agreed to lie low till she got out of the forest and s.n.a.t.c.h her. Now, King Regin would know they've been breached."

"Ohh they wouldn't suspect us. I enchanted some wild creatures and had them attack the Elven Princess, to slow her down."

"Did it work?"

"She isn't a warrior Princess for nothing, Gerald.King Regin trained her well. She found a way to cancel the enchantment on the beasts and find me."

"WHAT!!" 

Both King and his advisor shouted at once. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. How could she let herself be found out? This wasn't the Lady Lorelei they knew.

It was Gerald who first spoke, getting himself back and breaking the silence.

"You said, they wouldn't suspect us Lorelei. Then how come you let her find you?"

"Did you wipe her memory or something?" King Bayard couldn't help but ask.

"I didn't."

"Then what did you do? This silence is killing me Lorelei, speak up."

"Yes sire. For some reason, she thought I was the hybrid and I acted on as her, then disappeared when she attacked me." 

"Goodness me Lorelei, you could have been hurt. How could you let your guard down?" Gerald scolded her. 

She rolled her eyes at the adviser, "If I didn't know better, I'd have thought you were worried about me. Don't care too much Gerald, she's years too late to even imagine she could harm me."

"So what next? What's the plan?"

"Well, now I need to create a diversion for the hybrid and her traveling mate. While they are distracted fighting beasts and what not, I would capture the hybrid and prevent her magic."

"How would you prevent that?"

King Bayard listened silently as she spoke, his gaze seemed to have faltered a bit. He was lost in thoughts as he gaze into the open s.p.a.ce. 

"A magic collar that shuts down one's powers. Then I would port us back through the portal and you sire, would have your hybrid right back in your kingdom."

King Bayard didn't reply, Gerald and Lorelei noticed his absent mindedness and called out. 

"Your Majesty."

"Sire?"

He blinked, coming out of his reverie. "Yes? What did you say?"

"It's nothing. I am about to set out, put some things in order and carry out the plan. If you would excuse, I've got a hybrid to catch."

Without awaiting his response, she nodded to Gerald and walked out of the throne room. 

**********

~Princess Cyrena's Chambers~ 

Mr Irving, Sebastian and Princess Cyrena were sorted in the living room as they chatted away. 

"I am sorry glad for all your help. If not for you Mr Irving we wouldn't have found Void and you Sebastian, you did well."

"It I'd my honor serving your Highness," Mr Irving said with a smile. 

"It was all you princess," Sebastian immediately followed after Mr Irving. 

"Don't be modest. My maid would see to it that you are rewarded. Now if you'll excise me, I have other matters that needs attending to."

"Very well, Princess. Thank you," Mr Irving said. 

"Thank you, Princess."

They thanked her and left with her maid. As soon as the doors closed and she was sure they had gone, she stood up and made her way to her bed. 

WHOOs.h.!.+ 

"I was wondering when you would show up. Tired of waiting?"

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