Chapter 103: Paper bird

Severus and Noworry came back to the palace and straight went to Severus' bedroom. Noworry perched on the nearby window whereas Severus was stretched on the bed. Needless to say, he was very tired from all that fighting.

[Who would have thought that a simple stroll would change into battle.]

"You are right birdie. We should always be prepared for every situation."

-------------------

The next day Severus told Desella about Jane. He told her that she perished and now everything related to her is useless. 

Desella was angered when she got to know that Severus went alone to fight with a vengeance spirit however after Severus' persuasion she calmed down. It took Severus great efforts to calm down her anger. As he was trying to persuade her, Desella and he discovered the garden that Melanie told them about. 

"Wow, this garden is beautiful Severus". She was enchanted with the beauty of the garden. Severus released a sigh of relief and started diverting her decision.

"It is, after all, it's Imperial garden that is personally decorated by ex-empress. Late empress was very fond of flowers and all the plants that you can see here are planted by her with her own hands. After her death, the king ordered everyone to take special care of this garden since it was related to the late empress. No one except King, Crown prince Maverick and Melanie is allowed to wander here. We should head back before anyone see us"

Desella felt odd while hearing this. Cherishing memory was one thing but not allowing anyone to appreciate the beauty is another thing.

"This is odd Severus"

Severus knew what Desela wanted to say but this was not something he ever gave thought about it. Most of the royal people had their own weird habits. Severus even knew about one or two of them but he chose to remain silent. It was not his job to interfere in people's personal interests.

He just shrugged.

"Flera, remember to offer Rose petals and white lilies on Severus grave. You can also conduct a small feast and distribute food among the poor for sake of Severus."

"I don't want anyone to talk bad about Crown prince. Just don't forget to announce that it is prepared on the orders of the crown prince."

A bunch of ladies were coming to the imperial garden. 

"..."

"..."

Desella heard them. It was none other than Melanie and her royal maids/"I see, they are offering prayers on your behalf. RIP to you Severus"

Severus's face turned black but he didn't refute as he grabbed her hand tightly.

"We need to hide or else we are done for"

Severus dragged her behind the bushes and they both crouched there to hide. 

Desellla lowered her voice as she whispered in Severus' ear.

"Severus, it's uncomfortable here"

"..."

"At least it's better than being beheaded."

Desella was shocked. She thought Severus was joking earlier, but now, after seeing his expression, Desella got to know that it was no joke. She quietly sat there but then again something struck her mind, and she poked Severus on his arm.

"..."

"What? Why you are poking me?"

"Well, they can't behead me. I am not a living person" She replied with a goofy smile.

"..."

"Sure they can't behead you but they sure have enough resources to chain you up inside a second prison for a couple of decades. Wanna try it?"

Desella was scared stiff and this time didn't even look at him.

Severus laughed in amusement and waited for the royal troupe to go away.

"Miss Song, why do we came here?" 

One of the maids who was following Melanie wasn't able to contain her curiosity and finally asked it out.

Melanie who was earlier smiling stopped in her tracks as a rather angry expression covered her place.

"Know your place"

Only three words and they were enough for the maid to be traumatized for her entire life. The maid choked on her sobs as he apologized profusely.

Melanie just waved her hand in the air. "All of you, leave me alone and if someone asks about me, tell them that I am meditating inside my room."

The head maid who was responsible for everything related to Melanie's personal need raised her question which was a very important one. "Miss Song, what if the crown prince asks about you? We possibly can't stop him from meeting you."

Melanie gave some thought about it as she replied, " Tell him it's my order to not disturb me while I am meditating. I don't think he will force his ways but even if something like that will happen, I will take care of it. You need to worry."

All the maids present there exhaled a breath of relief. Working inside the manor was not an easy job. Every time there would be a sword hanging on your neck and can kill you anytime.

All the maids bowed and left the garden. 

Melanie sauntered around the garden and picked a bunch of red roses as she casually made a bouquet of them. After strolling she sat on the nearby bunch which was near the bush where Severus and Melanie were hiding.

"..."

"..."

They both were speechless.

Melanie casually sniffed the flowers and radiated a happy smile.

"Finally, finally he is back"

"Omg, earlier I was so scared. What if he dies and never reincarnated? What if the prophecy was a lie? What if everything was just crap written by that onyx head? So many what if's and they made me go insane every day until..."

Melanie jumped on her two feet as she twirled in her dress.

"Until…..he came back. Goodness Savy came back. It's a pity he became amnesic and forget us but on the other hand, it's a good thing. Who knows what Maverick will do Savy if the truth is revealed. Well, I don't mind mincing that Desella into nothingness. She is nothing just a pain in the ass. Every time she is seducing Severus with her sultry appearance."

"Shameless slut"

Melanie bit her lips when she came at this point. "No, I can't let that happen. I need to carry out my plans as soon as I can or else Severus will be dead gain. Poor Savy. I need to save him at any cost. I guess it's time to arrange the meeting with that old monk. He is a tough nut to crack. We only met two times but every time it's more to him than he shows it. Always so secretive and dark. I bet on my life he knows something that we don't know or perhaps, that has been buried deep inside the place. Well, whatever, I need to meet him and discuss the plan further with him, or else it will be too late."

Melanie was behaving like an Idiot. 

Even Severus was surprised by the behavior of Melanie. In his previous life, he never saw her talking to herself. It was rather creepy. Severus felt goosebumps on his skin. With every passing day, he was regretting his choice more and more. 

How can he remain unaware of his entire life about her creepy nature?

Severus pushed the uncomfortable feeling to the back of his mind and concentrated on What Melanie was blabbering.

Melanie stood up as she took out a hidden notebook and a pencil from her pouch and started writing on it. After she was done with it, she folded the paper in the form of a bird and to everyone's surprise, the paper started levitating in the air. It became alive and looked like an original paper bird.

"Quesca Guerica"

"Please visit your master and send my humble greeting to him"

Melanie ordered the bird-like she would do to any normal bird. The paper bird nodded her head and flew away.

Melani felt her world turning upside down and Severus felt nothing but anxiety. The level of magic that Melanie used was something that no low-level magician could perform and Rivera, even banned magic. Whatever Melanie did was against the kingdom rules and if caught, can cause her death penalty. 

Melanie saw the bird disappearing far in the blue sky. She too left happily after the bird completely disappeared. Severus felt the happiness radiated from her and he concluded that it wasn't her first time dealing with all of this. Everyone in the kingdom is aware of the king's temperament and hate to magic. Severus never bothered to look deep into Melanie's background but now it seems like he needs to dig into his past lover's personal life.

Severus had a hunch that he may stumble to something great.

After checking their surroundings Severus and Melanie and came out from their hiding.

"What the hell. My legs are all sore from crouching in such a palace" Desella stretched as she murmured.

"Come"

Severus again dragged her to his room. Once they were inside his room, Severus started packing his clothes.

"..."

Desella heard whatever Melanie said but she was unable to think about the reasons Severus was packing his clothes.

"Hey, are we going somewhere?"

Severus didn't lift his head as he replied. "Yes, we are going to Hui Island in the southern region. Hurry up and pack your clothes too. We might end up sending several days there"

"..."