Episode 113 - Fallen Lights 4 ‘Resonating emotion!‘

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Eugene could see it in the Nameless musician’s eyes that he was broken and desperate. This man was without arms as he begged desperately on his knees at the three-year-old her. His white eye that turned red stared at her in despair and made her back away whilst Euria remained still in place.

‘Save?’ Eugene bit her inner lips as her eyebrows furrowed in helplessness.

“How are we going to save you?” she couldn’t help but ask.

‘Look at us carefully! How are we going to save you when we don’t even reach your thighs?’

The Nameless musician banged his head on the floor to plead again, “Please… Please! Hide me! I.. I can’t die yet!” his voice was heavy as he begged.

“....” Eugene’s eyebrows furrowed, even more, not knowing what to do. She was completely frozen from the emotions the nameless musician was showing.

Just then, her eyes moved past the Nameless musician to the room opposite hers. That was Aernest’s and Ramon’s shared room but she was sure that through the thick door, with Aernest’s eats, he had already heard everything and was most likely worried.

Eugene closed her eyes for a brief second. If she called Aernest over, Ramon would notice and a commotion would arise. The result of that would be the Nameless Musician being dragged away by Duke Marleigh and Duke Rodriguez or by the Palace people who should be on the Nameless Musician’s tail by now. Xenperia would not have interfered in Zene’s matters.

That would be a good solution. Or so it should have been a good solution if only she hadn’t seen or heard how wretched the Nameless musician looked and sounded. His pain was somehow resonating inside her and making her unable to choose the right decision.

“Ha…” She sighed deeply. Opening her eyes, Eugene spoke in a voice that was not loud and was only audible by Euria, the Nameless musician and Aernest. “It’s nothing. We are not in any danger.”

Aernest whose hand reached for the doorknob froze before retracting his hands. His eyebrows scrunched up but understood Eugene’s meaning. -Don’t come out. Don’t say anything.

Similar to Aernest but unbeknownst to Eugene, a hidden guard who was watching over Eugene and Euria on the balcony of their room froze. He was about to blow his cover and take action but stopped flabbergasted and dumbfounded when he heard speak just now.

‘Has she realized this whole time?’ his eyes widened in shock as he stared at Eugene’s and Euria’s back from the balcony’s transparent door.

He is a hidden guard groomed by the Veria family and dispatched by Levis to protect Eugeneia, the First Young Miss of the Veria family. He has been stationed as Eugene’s hidden guard after the incident at the Imperial Palace occurred and is not affiliated with Xeperia’s Imperial family, military, or knights, and only belonged to the Veria family, specifically Eugene.

And though he is currently taking orders from Levis, his real owner is who is currently protecting. Therefore if one day, the head of the Veria family and Eugene were to order him to do something, it is Eugene’s order who he must follow and not the head of the Veria family.

However, that does not mean he is to reveal himself in front of Eugene. Presently, he can only protect Eugene from afar and can only show himself when she is truly in danger.

No, he is to not protect Eugene when Euria was bullying her. And yes, he witnessed Euria stuffing paper down Eugene’s throat but was unable to do anything.

“It’s nothing. We are not in any danger.” Eugene’s whisper repeated in his mind.

‘Does Young miss know? But even if Miss isn’t in danger…’ he shook his head before motioning for 2 hidden guards to come out of the shadow.

“Pass the message to Duke Marleigh,” he whispered in an almost inaudible voice and watched as one of the hidden guard’s climbed up the balcony rails to notify the Dukes about the current situation happening at the twin’s room.

He then looked at the other guard and in a displeased voice he condemned, “Why did no one report about the intruder?!” -Look! He’s in front of the Young Misses!

The slightly younger guard lowered his head in failure and explained, “We have the whole palace under surveillance from the outside so the intruder must have not come from the outside. Rather, I speculate that there is a hidden segway inside this palace that connects to the place he had come from.” he lowered his head further when he finished.

“....” The hidden guard in charge of Eugene’s safety frowned. “Find out where he came from and have people check every room inside this palace thoroughly and in secrecy. Search every corner so this does not happen again.”

The younger guard nodded firmly before disappearing into thin air.

The hidden guard in charge of Eugene frowned again as he watched over the situation inside the room.

‘Everything is too under-prepared.’ he thought quietly as he fixed his eyes on the figure of the Nameless Musician.

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The Nameless Musician shook his head fiercely at Eugene’s words, “Please.. Please! I am no danger, I am unable to harm Miss. I.. I have no arms.” his voice was wretched as he tried to explain.

Eugene shook Euria’s sleeves to get her attention. ‘Help? Or not?’ For some reason, she thought that it was a good idea to ask for Euria’s three-year-old opinion.

Euria turned to Eugene with a blank look, “He will die.” she said blandly.

“....” Eugene stared at Euria flabbergasted! ‘What!! This child! What is she saying!”

“You… You.. Why are you cursing him to death?!” She stuttered on her words as her eyes showed speechlessness.

“.....” Euria too, stared at Eugene in speechlessness. “What are you talking about sister? I mean, he will die if we don’t help him!”

“....oh.” (Eugene)

“.....” (Euria)

“......” (The nameless musician)

“....” (The hidden guard)

“-cough- I spoke too soon -cough-” Eugene coughed lightly. Her embarrassment washed over the options of helping or not and made her gesture for the Nameless Musician to head inside the room, unconsciously.

The Nameless musician's eyes widened as he bowed his head again, “Thank you! Thank you, Miss!” His voice was full of gratefulness as he stood up quickly and walked inside.

Eugene blinked, ‘And.. what now?’ she thought quietly. Her hands automatically moved. ‘So… what now?’ she turned to Euria.

Euria moved to the side and smiled politely, “Please hide.” she said in a soft voice.

The Nameless Musician’s eyes brimmed with tears, “Thank you! Thank you so much! My name is Hal. I.. I will never forget this favor and will repay Miss in the future!” he said in a grateful voice and bowed at Eugene and Euria again.

Eugene stared blankly as she watched the Nameless Musician’s eyes scan over every corner of the room before deciding to hide at the balcony area.

“.....” (The unprepared hidden guard)

The Nameless Musician slid down against the balcony door, “Ah.. Ah! I’m saved. I’m saved!” his voice was full of ecstatic, and did not notice another figure sitting beside him, staring at him flabbergasted.

“.....” the hidden guard blinked blankly.

“.....” The Nameless Musician who noticed something was off and finally noticed that he had intruded into the personal space of a random stranger who dressed up in black.

“Shhh..” The hidden guard hushed him.

Surprised, the nameless musician Hal, wiggled his way out fiercely and only stopped when he heard the random stranger’s next words, “I serve the two misses.”

“....” The nameless musician stared at the hidden guard full of suspicion before he nodded that he understood.

The hidden guard pursed his lips and sighed lightly, ‘You scared me to an early death!’ Suddenly choosing this perfect surveillance spot to hide!

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“.....” Eugene stared at the balcony blankly. The spot she stared at was where the Nameless musician disappeared to but was hidden away by the thick curtain inside her room. The Nameless Musician popped out of nowhere and now disappeared as quickly as he popped up.

“.. Now, that resolved fairly quickly,” she said in a monotonic voice. For some reason, she felt as if she was forgetting something very important.

Euria heard Eugene and chuckled softly, “Do you think we offended the Royal Palace?”

“.....ah?”

“Zene’s knights will probably come after him, sister,” she said in a voice that sounded incredibly innocent. As if she did not help hide the Nameless Musician.

Eugene blinked as the realization hit her.

The rational decision would be to turn the Nameless musician to Duke Marleigh or the people who were after the Nameless Musician. But instead, she went with her emotions and helped the Nameless Musician hide.

The Great Musician had him placed under arrest yesterday, which meant she was hiding a criminal!

Whatever happened to ‘Everything comes with responsibility. Without a concrete plan, power, or responsibility, helping was useless?’ Didn’t she just say these words 2 days ago when Euria bumped into the Crown Prince of Zene and saw the bruises on his body?

Euria chucked at Eugene’s ever-changing expressions.

Eugene’s eyebrows twitched, “You dare laugh? You’re in trouble too if we get caught!” she reminded Euria in a condemning tone.

Euria blinked innocently, “What’s wrong with helping people in need, Sister?”

Her innocent words made Eugene unable to retort back. She couldn’t tell Euria to drag the Nameless Musician back! She couldn’t say that helping people in need was wrong! That would be irresponsible for a 28-year-old adult to say to a 3-year-old!

Eugene gritted through her teeth as she replied, “There’s... Nothing… wrong.. with that.”

‘Since when has Euria learned to counter my words?’ Eugene couldn’t help but grumble. ‘Sure. Sure. I sure miss times before training. Times before you began to mature.. Tsk.’ she pouted in her mind as she turned away from Euria.

“Hehe!” Euria laughed lightly. However, just as she was about to tease her dearest sister again, multiple footsteps could be heard a distance away.

Without saying anything, the twins nodded at each other tactically. Euria, who was closest to the door, rushed to close their door as quietly as possible.

Eugene put her index finger to her lips as she spoke to Euria in a soft voice, “Do not say anything.”

Euria nodded that she understood.

“Get ready, Aernest!” she called Aernest from two doors away.

‘Action!’

Just as multiple footsteps got closer and closer to their room, Eugene took Euria’s hand and loudly shouted, “Brother you’re right! Euria has woken up!” she said as she opened the door and walked in front of the enemy brazenly. As if she didn’t realize anyone was outside.

She pretended to walk to the room opposite of her, towards the ‘brother’ she mentioned in her dialogue. However, she stepped back in surprise when she saw outsiders. Specifically, 5 knights, 3 palace maids, and one beautiful boy.

“Ah!” Eugene shouted in surprise as her free hands clasped over her mouth. Her big grey eyes stared at the ‘strangers’ in horror as she pulled Euria away from them.

“Wha.. What’s happening?” she cried out loudly as her grey eyes started tearing up. Euria too, acted along as she held Eugene’s hands tighter.

“......” (The 5 knights, 3 palace maids, and the beautiful boy)

The loud commotion was naturally heard by everyone who soon started scrambling and rushing out of their room.

The door to Louis’s room flung open within 0.2 seconds. With a sword in his hands, he scouted the situation before his eyes landed on Eugene. His eyebrows twitched when he noticed her facade, “What’s happening?” What.. are you doing? He asked in a low voice.

Ron popped out beside Louis, “Eugeneia?” His eyes widened in surprise when he saw Eugene and Euria being surrounded by Zene’s people. His eyes widened, even more, when he saw the beautiful boy.

Aernest’s door opened, followed by his childish voice, “Did Euria wake up sister?” he asked innocently, following Eugene’s acting script sent over via telepathy.

Ramon tilted his head as he looked at Aernest in confusion, ‘..... what are you talking about?’ He popped out from behind Aernest and stared at the intruders blankly.

Aeselak and Aedelak were the last two to come out of their room.

“.....” The 5 knights, 3 palace maids, and the beautiful boy stood frozen. They were dumbfounded when they found themselves surrounded by people who just kept popping out of their rooms.

Just then, a knight caught sight of what Louis was holding onto and was about to unsheathe his sword when the beautiful boy stepped up and prevented him from doing so.

The boy smiled politely and bowed a centimeter lower, “My apologies for interrupting your peaceful rest. I was doing my daily walk when I saw knights rushing in this direction. I was curious so I followed them. I didn't mean to cause such a commotion.” his eyes curved up in friendliness as he apologized.

“.....” Ramon blinked.

Louis' eyebrows furrowed. “And why were knights rushing towards this direction? Did they not know ‘guests’ are residing here?” he asked coldly and in a rude tone.

“What?” The boy raised his brow and turned towards the knights as if asking what they were doing here.

The knights saluted in place, “Reporting to his royal highness, Crown Prince.”

Everyone but Ron and Euria widened their eyes from shock at the sudden revelations. The beautiful boy Louis was slightly rude to was the Crown Prince Euria and Ron saw 2 days ago!

‘....’ Eugene’s mouth opened slightly as she felt sweat running down her back.

Her plan was to come out as if nothing was happening. To look as if she came to her room to get her sleeping sister and take her to her brother’s room. That was why she caused a commotion by being as loud as possible so that the knight would back off when seeing the innocent and confused face of everyone.

But… But… How… How did the Crown Prince of Zene appear outside their room?!

If it was just the knights and some palace maids, Louis alone, can fend them off from searching their rooms.

But if the Crown Prince was here! Who could stop him if he wanted to search their rooms?

Eugene’s lips twitched, ‘Did I.. Did I just walk into the lion's den?!’

Seeing the Crown Prince looking her way, her lips curved up as she faked a gentle smile. ‘.... f-ck.’

Eugene lowered her head and greeted, “Greetings and Blessing to the Crown Prince of Zene.” Following Eugene, everyone too greeted the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince shook his head. “It’s my blessing for you esteemed guests to visit Zene and the Royal Palace. Although it was an impromptu meeting, it is very nice to finally meet you.” He politely greeted everyone back.

Though the Crown Prince looked to be 7-8 years old, he is considered to be very beautiful. Just like the Great Musician, there was a gentle charm in his smile. His eyes are light brown and curve up when he smiles. His hair is black short, and not long like the men in Zene.

The knight bowed to the Crown Prince and reported, “Reporting, a tribesman caught by the Great Commander yesterday has escaped. He was last seen heading towards this direction.”

“....” (Eugene)

“To this direction?” The Crown Prince glanced around the hall and at everyone.

Eugene felt ants crawling up her back but blinked cutely and innocently.

The Crown Prince turned towards the knights and tilted his head, “It doesn’t seem to me that the criminal has fled this way. Otherwise, everyone would have known seeing how enthusiastically everyone reacted” he smiled.

The knights looked at each other and hesitantly bowed, “Yes, Your Highness Crown Prince.”

“It is our mistake for disturbing our esteemed guests' rest. We have made a mistake and ask for your forgiveness.” The knights bowed before reluctantly retreating.

Eugene kept her innocent smile on the outside, but on the inside, she felt as if she had died a thousand deaths. ‘Ha… luck.. Lucky…’ she stuttered in her thoughts.

The Crown Prince turned around, “I too have disturbed your rest. I will now take my leave, until next time.” He bid his goodbyes and left.

As soon as the Crown Prince and his servants completely disappeared, Eugene breathed out in relief.

Aernest too breathed out in relief and glared at her once he realized how reckless her ‘pretending’ plan was!

“You almost got into trouble!” He hissed. It wasn’t many times that he got mad, but when he did, it made Eugene shiver slightly.

“......”

Aeselak and Aedelak rushed to Eugene and Euria and in a worried voice they asked, “Young miss, Eldest miss, are you alright?”

Eugene nodded, “Hn” whilst Aedelak checked her body thoroughly.

Louis stared at Aernest, Eugene, and Euria blankly. His eyes showed ‘You-Three-Are-Up-To-No-Good-Again-When-Will-You-Grow-Up!’

Eugene sucked her pitiful tears back into her eye socket and stared at Louis blankly.

“We will rest now, goodbye everyone,” she said in a monotonic voice, dragged Euria back to their room, and shut their door closed. The epitome of dining and dashing.

“....” (Everyone)

“....” Louis’s lips twitched before dragging Aernest over to his room.