72 Chapter 72: The Promise

Meanwhile,

Back in the Crystal Kingdom,

Papers scattered across the messy floor, ink splattered on the table as the people sat rigidly inside the room. Even though the people inside were all high ranking officials, before the demoness in front of them, they had to be docile.

The rainy atmosphere did nothing but help in enhancing the gloomy atmosphere inside those close doors. The quiet splashes of raindrops broke the silence of the night as the officials waited for their verdict. The officials watched as the demoness tapped on her table slowly, ignoring the ink tainting her nails.

Soon they heard the cold voice demand, "How did they escape?"

The calm cold voice sent shivers down their spines. One of them reported shakily, "Princess, we had confirmed all the main people inside before making a move. So, how can someone escape?"

Hazel turned towards the speaker and asked impassively, "So are you saying that I imagined the ambush?"

The official hurriedly shook his head vehemently. 

"No, Princess Hazel. This could be a new assassination guild under the same name."

Hazel's eyes shifted to the window as she watched the rain splashing hard against the window. She mumbled, "Those eyes carried a hatred for our family. It can't be a new guild under the same name."

Everyone heard the cold deadpan murmur, echo inside the silent room. They watched the demoness restlessly before turning towards the thunder squad members for help.

Hak sighed before he ordered, "Investigate them and find out how many of the members are left. Track them down, instantly."

Everyone turned their heads towards the demoness who was silently observing the rain splashing against the window. She watched as the raindrops trickle down to the window sill and form a pool.

Suddenly her eyes turned towards them and asked, "Help me find out what happened back then."

Everyone inhaled deeply in shock as they heard those words. No one dared to ask her why she wanted to find the truth after so many years.

Liz knitted her brows in worry as she voiced, "Princess, wh-"

Her words were cut off when Hazel turned to the people inside watching her cautiously. She rested her chin on her folded hands on the table and said darkly.

"Ït's about time I learn what happened. What and why the guild attack him?"

Liz nodded but her eyes still transmitted her worries. Suddenly, the door opened as a small chubby kid came into view, "Sister, Can I sleep with you?"

Everyone silently thanked the Little Prince for saving them from the demoness. As seconds ticked by, it became hard to breathe in that tense atmosphere. Even the smiling Jinha unveiled a dark atmosphere.

Hazel's featured softened as she gazed at her brother warmly, "Sure Rin-Rin."

Everyone nodded their heads firmly. On noticing that the demoness had no other orders for them, everyone excused themselves and hurried out.

The thunder squad members watched as the people run for their lives as if, a moment late and the Princess would eat them alive. 

Hazel walked up to her brother and lifted him in her arms. She noticed him trying to stay awake irrespective of his drowsiness. She murmured, "Sleep Rin-Rin. Big Sister is here, I will keep you safe."

Her eyes sharpened at her last words. 'She would keep her family safe this time.'

The thunder squad members remained silent hearing her words though they promised in their minds to protect her. They followed her to her room and saw her place the sleeping little Prince, on her bed. She covered him with a blanket and kissed his forehead lovingly.

Rin's lips arched up into a sweet smile before burying under her blankets. 

Hazel watched her brother sleep warmly before getting up and turning to her friends.

She gestured them to enter her study room as she left to make some tea for them. 

....

When Hazel entered her study room, she wasn't surprised to find everyone to make themselves at home. She placed the teapot on the same table in the middle of the room, before making her way to her chair.

Jinha munched on some biscuits as he asked, "So what is it that you found out?"

Hazel arched her eyebrow at him as she asked, "What made you think that I found out something?"

Hak snorted, "Don't play with us Freya. We are not seeing you for the first time."

Hazel let out a smile as she said, "I'm just testing for now. I haven't narrowed down any suspects."

Shocked by her words, Liz asked doubtfully, "Wait... Don't tell me, you doubt some conspiracy behind the incidents?"

Hazel nodded her head seriously as she raised her doubts, "Don't you think it is strange that someone tried to assassinate me after all these years? They waited for everything to die down before instigating another attack against us."

Zeno leaned forward as he analyzed her assumptions., "She is right. The incident back then happened out of blue that we couldn't protect...him well."

Hazel flinched slightly when he mentioned that night. Her grip on the table tightened as she recalled that night. She could still feel his warm hug which eventually turned cold as he protected her from those assassins. His blood dripping all over her body as he desperately buried her in his embrace. She couldn't do anything other than sob as she felt his body turn cold.

His last words still rung by her ears as he managed to smile at her, for the last time, "Be strong Freya, protect our family." and his eyes lost its shine forever on that horrendous night.

Hazel snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a hand grasp her shoulder. She turned to look at Jinha's worried eyes in shock before turning to her other friends who looked at her worriedly.

Zeno looked troubled as he said, "Sorry, I was being careless."

Hazel shook her head as she said softly, "There is nothing to be sorry about."

She gripped the hand on her shoulder as she said, "It is quite late. Don't we have to return at dawn?"

They nodded their heads yet their eyes couldn't stop worrying about her.

"Freya-" 

Hazel cut them off and accented her words, "Just hurry and go to sleep." 

They sighed as they stood up and said their farewells. Hazel watched as they left one after the other and sighed.

"Jinha, Aren't you leaving?"

"Do you want me to leave?"

Hazel's lips trembled as her eyes moistened slightly. She bit her lips trying her best to hold back her tears. She nodded her head in difficulty.

Jinha sighed resignedly as he watched her shoulders shaking. He bent down and wrapped her in his embrace as he whispered, "Don't hold it in Freya. You don't have to be strong in front of us."

Her valve opened from his words that she shifted and clutched Jinha's shirt tightly and mourned, "I miss him... I miss him so much."

Jinha's heart ached for her, who had to take responsibilities at a small age. He caressed her head as he said, "I know.. It's alright, you have done your best fulfilling his promise."

Hazel shook her head as she buried her head in his shoulder and say, "Not enough, I haven't done enough."

Jinha tightened his arms around her as he whispered, "Freya, don't let the past haunt you anymore. It wasn't your fault."

Hazel stopped crying for a moment making Jinha sigh. He knew what would happen next, so he released her before she could push him away. He looked at her pursed lips and heard her say, "It is... I'm the one who caused his death."

He knitted his brows as he looked at the woman before him who stood resolute in her words. She was punishing herself for his death. He couldn't help but worry when she would walk out of that shadows and be free.

"Freya -"

"Jinha, Please leave."

He furrowed his brows but before he could say anything, she turned to him and begged him, "Just leave me alone."

Jinha exhaled as he nodded his head at her. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead as he said, "You are not alone."

Her lips lifted slightly as she managed to send him off with a smile.

'You are not alone'

His words rung in her mind as she made her way back towards her bed. Seeing a ball covered in her blanket, sleeping soundly calmed her down. 

Indeed she wasn't alone. She had her family and friends with her...all except him. 

She opened the door to the balcony making the curtains flutter. She stepped out and enjoyed the night breeze which caressed her face. She rubbed her arms as she gazed at the moon.

Her entire frame oozed loneliness. 

'When will you stop letting the past haunt you?

'When will she do that? When, indeed?'

She gazed at the stars and thought whether it was true that the dead turn into shining stars that shine brightly at night, looking over their loved ones. She wondered whether he had his star and was looking over her.

She whispered, "I will not let anyone escape. I will avenge you."

And, turned to return to her bed. She laid down quietly without disturbing the cute ball on her bed. She brought him in her embrace as she closed her eyes and remembered the promise she made that night.

"Protect our family."

Freya cried as she resolutely promised, "I will."