Chapter 76

**Tzalmon Point of View**

"We received a word from our people, Majesty."

"Did they leave for the capital city?"

"Yes, early this morning Lady was escorted by Commander Lerno and his guards."

"Good." I nodded curtly and closed my eyes for a moment to put the next phase of my plan into motion.

"Are we not following Her Grace to the capital city?" I looked at the frown Azar was giving me and raised a brow at him for his impatience.

He has been under my command for more than two centuries now and yet he gets impatient sometimes.

"This is the time we practice patience, Azar. Make no mistake, Eblilis and my son shall be safe and back by my side soon. However, putting an end to shadow spirits is also important. Now that the opportunity was given to us on a golden platter, why not use it wisely."

Lifting the curse on Shadow spirits is not as easy as it was for my kingdom. The almighty leader Zyl Vizac had everything planned out but he still missed out a small detail.

No matter into what and how they evolve into, I am and will be their King forever. That is the law set by the nature itself.

Although Eblilis is the key to their freedom, I am still their king whether they like it or not. How can any ritual or any practice be successful without the participation and agreement of their king?

It looks like the show down between me and Lord Zyl Vizac would be a fun one.

"But, you have sent Lady Dawn to Oudad, away from the capital and palace just to keep her away from these scums. Now that she was taken by them, she could be in danger." As her protector, I can understand Azar's worry.

It is in his nature and code of his duty to be protective of their destined master. But this is not the time to act impulsively.

"You learnt disobedience from your master, Azar. You now have nerve to question me. She truly has great influence on people around her." With a scowl, I released my aura targeted only to him making him drop on his knees.

After spending a few months under her command, I can see a lot of courage in my people when it comes to questioning me and speaking up to me.

That woman, not only is she against me she is also preparing an army against me.

But the thought, surprisingly, did not anger me. As startling and it is, the thought of Eblilis going against me made me want to smile.

"I dare not, Your Majesty."

"I can see how daring you can be. Nonetheless, she will be alright for now. All these months, sending her to Oudad, do you think I did not make necessary preparations for every possibility?" Leaving Azar to his own thoughts, I sent a missive to my people to stand attention and be vigilant always.

If I want to, I can go to the capital city, save Eblilis and my son and take them back to my kingdom without even sweating a drop. In that case, not even Zyl Vizac is a match to me.

Over the past few months, other than staying beside Eblilis as Aguelli, I also made sure I got all of my previous power back. I had also made several traps over past few months to catch all the rats that are rotting my kingdom.

With only half the curse lifted, Zyl Vizac is no match.

But then again, it would be extremely satisfying if I give them the hope that they shall have their freedom soon and then snatch it away when they are just one step away from it.

I will let him believe he succeeded. I will let him think he won. I will let him imagine the taste of success until I step in the last moment and burn it down to ashes.

Centuries of hatred, he and my dear father almost wiped away my whole kingdom for their own greed. Now it was my turn to return back with due interest.

Doesn't he want Eblilis? Why not I give him that?

"If that pest thought the lady who has key for their freedom is just a woman, then he will be in a shock. She is the only woman who dared to slap me and defy my every command and still got away with it. By the time I have my sweet revenge, considering Eblilis temper, Zyl Vizac shall have a very hard time from here forth." I mumbled to myself with a smirk.

If it was someone else or if Eblilis was like every other woman I know of, then I would've locked her somewhere not even a fly could reach her.

However, Acacia Dawn Winters is anything but a normal and an ordinary woman. One, her lifeline is too strong and two, she knows how to turn situation to her favor.

I'm putting my hope on you Eblilis. You should not disappoint me and wait for me to rescue you. I'm expecting turbulent times on Shadow spirits territory soon.

Exactly five days later, I received the news that Lerno has safely escorted Eblilis to the capital city to Vizac grand castle where she shall be staying henceforth.

In the meanwhile I and Azar have made the villagers and the other villages around believe of our identity. A widower brother-in-law and a brother of a dead sister as wandering merchants, pretty believable.

Now, no matter who asks, we have a solid identification and recognition.

After spending nearly a week in the village, I and Azar left to the grasslands to meet up with major team of my spies.

"Grasslands are on the opposite direction from the capital city." Azar mumbled with no confidence at all.

"We are wiping away all the suspicious loops of our presence in case of future troubles. It has been a very long time we roamed these lands, Azar. Let us enjoy when we are here."

"The Lady is in the capital city under Vizac's surveillance." I stopped in my tracks when I heard displeasure in Azar's tone.

This man is getting out of hand every passing day.

"You are asking for your death if you have any designs on the only lady you shouldn't have on." I went stiff as the warning in my voice and body was clearly shown.

Azar nearly melted himself into sweat when my words hit him and immediately knelt down in front of me assuring me that he has no such evil ideas at all.

"I dare not, Majesty. This is purely my worry as a protector of Lady and when young prince is also in the enemy territory, I was only concerned for them as a protector."

"You will live if what you said is true. Make no mistake Azar, if there is any other man who has his eyes on Eblilis, he shall either keep his eyes and die or not keep his eyes at all and live a life worse than death." I spoke in low deadly tone to make certain he gets the right message.

No one, absolutely no one will live to see the next sunrise if they have any other ideas on the lady who belongs to me.

"You misunderstood, Majesty. I will never have such ideas and this is an oath on my life. She is my future queen and my master." Only after I detected absolute genuineness and loyalty from his words and voice did I relax a bit.

"Regarding, Zyl Vizac, he will not be able to touch her. Not now, not ever. Just because he has her under his watch does not mean he can do anything with her. If I was not entirely certain, I wouldn't send my woman to someone else." I continued to walk through patches of wet grass as I returned to enjoy the climatic change.

If it wasn't for those traitors, this would still belong to my kingdom. One day, I will get it back no matter what.

For good few moments, Azar wordlessly followed me silently and would only reply when asked something. He had already informed the head spy of my visit and they are expecting me to their den soon.

A day and night of travelling like normal merchants, the next morning, Azar received the news that Zyl Vizac finally met Eblilis and as expected, it did not bode well for the grand Lord.

The details of what exactly happened is not clear yet but according to the source, the grand Lord Vizac left the room in disappointment and anger while Eblilis was unharmed, relaxed and was even smiling to herself.

She is indeed queen of driving people to insanity.

It will be interesting to see how long she would hold it.

"The source also mentioned that Vizac tried to find out the whereabouts of the previous King; but this round he was desperately looking for it."

"Now that Eblilis is with him, he only needs dear father to achieve his goal. Say, should we help him find my father or should we let him try his own luck?"

"Majesty? Why should we -"

"Didn't I already help him once; a few days ago!" I chuckled as I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.

Should I help him again or not?

**~*~*~*~*~*~

Hello Sweeties,

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