Chapter 126 - ANOTHER THREAT

When there was no hope left for Arthur, Veronica, and Sebastian, someone shouted, "Everyone stop right there! If you move even an inch, you will be shot to death."

Everyone ceased fighting and turned to the source of the sound. Even Veronica opened her eyes, wishing to see who was trying to kill both groups. In the low mountain area, behind the stones, she saw about ten arrows were pointed at them. The heads of the archers could slightly be seen. An eleventh head raised from them. That person wasn't holding any bow or arrow. It was a familiar face. 

Veronica's face brightened up when she recognized the person and she yelled gleefully, "Sir Felix. is that you?" 

Flicks smiled seeing the human Veronica and then threatened the assassins, "Let them go or you will die here like stray dogs."

"…" The assassins exchanged glances before withdrawing. However, the leader of the assassin guild was hellbent on taking the girl with them. He wanted to finish off the people who'd protect her. That was his final stance. 

He looked at his men and shouted, "What the hell are you doing? We took money from the client. We have to kill them!" 

Seeing that his fellow assassins wouldn't follow his orders anymore, he turned to Arthur and attacked him. But before he could go even a step further an arrow sprinted toward him and perforated his back. The long sword fell from his hand and his body slammed to the ground. 

Felix said loudly, "These are poisonous arrows. Once it penetrates you, you will die in a second. So, don't you dare to raise your weapons. Now, leave before we catch you and kill you." 

The assassins left and Felix ordered his men to follow them. He instructed his men to kill them before they reached the border. After giving them the instruction, he came down and got closer to Arthur, Sebastian, and Veronica. 

Veronica on the other hand ran toward Catherine. "Are you okay?" she asked her friend, feeling worried. "Are you injured? They didn't harm you, did they?" 

Catherine's face was as pale as a sheet. She weakly gazed at Veronica and replied, "I am alright. What about you? Did they hurt you?" Her voice was full of concern.

Sebastian was thunderstruck. "What the hell! Why are you acting like a good friend when you betrayed her?" he asked Catherine in rage. 

"She didn't betray Miss Veronica," Felix defended Catherine. "There was no reason for her to betray a friend when she cared for her so much." 

Veronica supported Felix's claim by saying, "He is right. Cathy would never betray me."

"You knew all along?" Sebastian was astonished. 

"No, I didn't know," Veronica replied. "I realized when she was lying to us. That's when I understood she was forced to do it but she meant no harm to me." 

"What was she lying about?" Arthur inquired. 

Veronica explained, "Well, she was saying that I was more intelligent and more popular and drawing more attention. But, that's not true at all. The person who is more intelligent, popular, and would always draw attention was Catherine herself. I wasn't popular at all. Everyone thought of me as a troublemaker and avoided me. And yes, I am indeed a lazy person who is always looking for trouble. As you see, she has no reason to envy me. If you ask me, because of her I was saved from a lot of trouble." 

"My eyes never lie," Sebastian remarked. He couldn't believe he was fooled twice in a row. His pride was hurt. "I saw you crying, Miss Veronica. You lowered your head and wept because she hurt you with her words." 

"I wasn't crying," Veronica calmly refuted. "I felt like laughing so much that it was hard to bear. She doesn't usually act. As a result, her acting isn't as good as mine. But, she was trying so hard to act like a villain, I couldn't just laugh openly and ruin her hard work, could I?" 

"…" Sebastian was speechless. 

"And what about you?" Sebastian questioned Felix. "You weren't supposed to be here. How did you know we would be here?"

"That's precisely what I was going to say," Felix answered politely. "Sometimes I sent messages to Sebastian. However, the next time I got a reply it wasn't suggestions in writing. It was Catherine's. She told me what Lord Alexander was planning. She also told me that she was forced to do this. Some people in the temple were in danger because of Lord Alexander. She asked for my help. So, I instructed my group to protect those people in the temple and came here to save all of your asses." 

Veronica stated, "I can't believe people in the temple were targeted. Why didn't our king do anything?" 

Felix replied to her, "It was done in secrecy. Moreover, the people in the temple didn't know they were being targeted. They were living peacefully without knowing that they could die at any moment."

"That's terrible." Veronica shuddered. "Thank you so much for helping us, Sir Felix."

Felix responded, "Please don't mention it. It's my duty."

Arthur's sharp gaze fell on Sebastian. "How come your message was replied to by someone else?" he demanded an answer. 

"Umm…" Sebastian cringed under his glare.

Before he could reply, Catherine opened her mouth and said cheerfully, "He was sleeping when Sir Felix's messenger bird arrived. Therefore, I took this chance and sent him the messages. I also had to continuously report to the assassins. At first, I didn't know if it was a trap or not. But, I had to take this chance or else you were all going to die and Ver would have the worst life possible. I gambled and I won." 

Arthur commented, "You never had a plan to betray us. did you?" 

He was doubtful of her the whole time. He didn't catch her communicating with Felix or the assassin guild. He realized that she had done it when she was bathing or responding to mother nature. 

At that time, Sebastian was supposed to keep an eye on her. Who knew he would mess up like that? He even fell asleep while guarding her.