Chapter 88 - Not Your Enemy

"Y-you are saying that I took advantage of you?" Persephone's eyes were wide as saucers when she questioned him while pointing her finger hesitantly at herself. 

To be honest, she wasn't very confident. It could be true that she had taken…

Ewww. 

She hid her face in her hands. No. No. She didn't want to think about it. 

"Why? Don't you remember how you…"

Santiago didn't need to complete his sentence for Persephone was taken back to the night where all this mess had started. 

She could vividly see in her mind how locked him against the door when he was trying to help her to puke her guts out. 

It wasn't him who was desperate to….

[Oh My God!! What have I done?!"

Seeing that she was about to cry, Santiago gripped her chin by his index finger and made her look at him. "Why are you looking as if your cat has died? Or are you regretting everything you did last night?" 

Persephone shook her head while pouting, "It's not that I am regretting everything that has happened between us. It's just that… it's just that I regret that I don't remember every detail… you know what I am saying?" 

The usual indifferent bastard was rendered speechless. He was shocked, surprised, amazed, astonished, and whatnot!! 

Why can this girl not think like a normal person?

"Umm...what?" Persephone asked him when she saw that he was staring at her weirdly. She wiped her face thinking something was glued there. 

Santiago just heaved out a sigh and stood up to freshen up. 

He had a doubt if he stayed here with her for too long. He would soon lose his bloody brain cells. 

Truly, stupidity is infectious. And he only learned it today. 

…..

On Killian's side. 

Killian had been in a bad mood since the last night after he had received the information from his other spies in New York. He couldn't believe his ears!

Albert Scuderi's car was hit resulting in his death and his wife was heavily injured. 

Sierra Scuderi passed away last night in the same hospital where her father-in-law died. Cause of death: cardiac arrest. 

Geoffrey Scuderi was killed in a fight with assailants who used poison to kill him when they couldn't beat him in physical power. 

Ridiculous!

Fucking Ridiculous!

He asked Isabelle for a boom. But it was a bloody earthquake! 

Finally, the call was connected and he could heave out a sigh. 

"Damn you, woman! What on earth were you thinking?!" Killian shouted as soon as Isabelle picked up the call. 

Lately, he had been losing his calm quite frequently. 

"Ugh" Isabelle groaned as she stifled a yawn."Is this how people on your planet talk to a patient?"

"Oh, you still remember that you are alive? But let me remind you that it won't be for long, "Killian wasn't threatening her but telling the truth. 

"Mr. K, "Isabelle called his name in a sickly sweet voice. " Or should I call you Mr. Palemero?"

Killian, who was roaring like a lion a moment ago, stopped breathing for a moment. How long has it been since someone called him by this name? 

Hell, they don't even know that he is a Palmero. 

"Isabelle, don't you think you know too much now?" Killian said to her. 

Isabelle was silent for a minute. Then, she sighed, "Killian Palmero, I'm not your enemy. I just want to survive. I survived a disaster just a few days ago. I gave this mission more than five years of my life and do you think I will do nothing and let you get rid of me? I'm not an idiot." 

Hearing what she had to say, Killian let out a sneer."By investigating me? I'm even surprised how you found out about me?"

Isabelle chuckled, "To be honest, I was shooting arrows in the dark but now you cleared my doubts. You are indeed that Killian Palmero who was supposed to be dead. Continuing she said, "As for your question, how do I know about you? My late husband has a file on each and every member of your family containing every detail." 

Killian wasn't surprised that Albert Scuderi had a hand in the death of his parents. After all, he was Don Marino's subordinate and his father did betray him by helping his enemy. He had no intention of avenging his dead father who was the reason for the destruction of his family. Call him a bad son but he didn't care. All he cared for was his Alcina, his little angel. She didn't deserve that dark life. She was so bright that he was left in bewilderment for how his angel didn't come with a halo. 

Enough of his sister. Now, he had to deal with this sly woman. Of course, he knew that the girl. had a motive of her own for working for him but who would have thought she wanted the demise of Scideris when all he wanted was to find some clues to look for his sister now that he had confirmation from Santiago that she was indeed alive. 

However, he couldn't let this woman go or she would prove to be a hassle later on. 

"So, what do you want?"Killian asked her. To keep the secret of his existence buried, he was ready to pay her off and let her live for as long as she didn't pose a threat to him. However, he would keep her close to him as much as he could. 

"Retirement. New identity. A peaceful life away from the Italian mafia and its dogs, "Isabelle quickly said. It wouldn't take long before Nico would discover that she was the murderer of his family. 

"Fine. Give me a few days. Things on my side are not good," Killian said. If he had given her his words, he wouldn't take them back. 

"No problem," Isabelle beamed. 

"Good. I will call you once I have made all the arrangements," Killian said bidding goodbye. 

"Hey hey wait! What makes you think I don't have leverage over you?"Isabelle said quickly. 

Now Killian was interested. "What do you mean?"

He could imagine her wearing an evil smirk and staring at her. She was so damn thick-skinned and fearless. 

"I have news on your sister." 

"What did you say?" Killian didn't know how he let those words out of his mouth. He was trembling badly. 

"I said I have news on you sister. Alcina Palmero is alive, happily married, and kicking! Probably, she had a bunch of kids from what I had heard." 

Killian felt as if he had come back to life after so many years. His sister was alive. Oh my God, his sister was alive. And she was leading a happy life. What else could he ask for?!

"Where is she now? And what's her name now?" Killian questioned her quickly. 

"That I don't know… Killian, your sister is a mystery. No one knows where she is now… I am trying to find clues but to no avail… but you can rest assured that she is alive." 

…. 

"Your Majesty, all the preparations for the moon festival had been done as per your orders," Sir Andreas aka King Leonard's assistant said in a respectful tone. 

There was only one day left before the curfew would be lifted and everything would go back to normal. Joseph's funeral was held privately with only limited media coverage as the mourning family wasn't ready to take guests.

Thankfully, Calliope has not destroyed her head pretty badly and it was fixable. They made it sound like he died of a heart attack. 

And the public was pretty much convinced. However, there would always be some elements whose only work was to spread hate and negativity about every matter.

The moon festival which was the long ongoing tradition of the empire was going to be celebrated two weeks later than the usual timing. One week was due to curfew imposition and another week was to show the public that the royal family had taken a great setback with the death of later PM Joseph.

Of course, the mastering behind the strategy was Callum Welsh, who was now sitting before King Leonardo and was sipping on his tea. 

He reached Maisea two days ago and has been pretty involved in the search operation for the Duchess of Orin. 

"Any news from Santiago's side?" King Leonardo asked the dashing young man dressed in a navy blue suit. 

Who would have thought that this young man who could put any aristocratic man to shame was raised in slums? 

His sophisticated manner of speech, his impeccable intelligence, his extremely handsomeness would never let you believe this. 

Callum nodded in reply to King Leonardo's question. "He will be arriving after the moon festival. He asked to start making preparations. Sigh, it's time." 

"Where is he these days?" King Leonard asked. 

"Lord knows...but he assured me that he is safe. And yeah, he asked me to inform you that Giselle's time with him is going to end soon. And if you want to take any step, it's up to you. " 

King Leonardo sneered. "Ask him where should I dump the fiance all of these nobles had chosen for me?"

Callum shrugged innocently. "Marry Lady Sabrina. Make her the queen. As for prince and princess...they need not know that Giselle is their mother. You can keep the charade of your twins being later queen's kids alive for however long you wish." 

...

Please throw some power stones.