The air around him throbbed stronger than ever, but his belief in his sword was more powerful than anything. He stepped, and pulled the sword above his head. His strength was stronger than it had ever been before.

Shiing-! The moment the sword and the barrier clashed, Uriel didnt miss the crack that appeared in the barrier. He pushed the sword through the crack. Shock reverberated through his body.

Clang!

She knew it instinctively. The barrier had been broken. Uriel threw himself onto the bed, and his gleaming silver sword swung through the air. Its tip stopped an inch from the girls forehead.

The silence was stifling. With only a sword between them, their eyes clashed. He could see her pupils getting larger. She was panting.

You

Her voice trembled. The corner of Uriels lips lifted in satisfaction. She was nervous.

Barely a foot apart, the two stared at each other. Neither of them moved. Then

Bang!

The bedroom door slammed open, and a middle-aged man rushed in.

Swish! Thud!

Uriels attention had been focused on the girl, and he barely had enough time to react. The mans dagger flew towards him and lodged in his left shoulder.

*****

Sid jumped forward and pinned the robed man to the floor. He didnt resist.

Sorry for being late, Your Highness. Please punish me later.

Apollonia didnt answer him. She couldnt stop thinking about what had just happened. Just now the barrier had

Shed thought it was impossible, but her eyes werent wrong. That black-robed man must have severed the barrier. There was no other way that his sword wouldve been able to get so close.

It had only been a brief second, but for that moment their eyes had met, shed realized he was capable of killing her in an instant.

Nevertheless, he was now being held captive by Sid with a dagger lodged in his shoulder.

Get me a chair. Ill interrogate him myself.

Without looking away from the man, Apollonia waved at Sid. Sid brought a chair and put it in front of the kneeling man. Apollonia slowly walked towards him.

Take it off.

Sid pulled off the robe that covered his head with the tip of his sword. Moonlight flooded onto his face. Apollonias eyes grew wide. Sid shrugged in shock.

The boy kneeling on the floor was the same age as Apollonia.

His appearance was truly beautiful. His soft silvery hair shimmered softly, as if it were made of strands of moonlight. His distinct pair of eyes and his sharp jawline resembled a perfect statue. His slightly downturned eyebrows were delicate, as if theyd been drawn by a brush, and his red lips flushed in a cupids bow.

He was like an angel, one who represented all the beauty in the world. His azure eyes, deep as the sea, were overflowing with life and vivacity. It wasnt specifically directed at Apollonia or Sid, it was just his natural intelligence.

I cant believe it. This little brat Sid was in shock. Is he really one of Safiros wolves?

Im sure of it. Safiro is the only person capable of sending an assassin to the imperial palace so quickly. I knew there were only a few wolves left, but I didnt anticipate there would be such a talented person.

.Safiros wolves.

A low, tranquil voice chimed across the quiet room. The boy opened his eyes for a moment once she realized his identity. Soon the boys eyes were fixed again on Apollonias foot, and he refused to say any more.

Are you here to kill me?

Only

The boy kept silent. Apollonia accepted that as positive confirmation, and laughed bitterly.

I know my aunt doesnt really want to get her own hands dirtied with my blood.

At that comment, the boys forehead creased slightly. Apollonia saw it, and continued.

Do you know who I am?

When he shook his head, Apollonia beckoned Sid to remove his sword from the boys neck. Then she gently reached out and grabbed the boys chin.

Look carefully.

The two once again looked into each others eyes. The boys angelic eyes glistened softly. But his mouth wouldnt open.

You must have been shocked to learn that the person you needed to kill was a young woman. Not only that, but also Petras niece and the daughter of Gaius Liefer.