Ceres

58

One day, when Arcyl went to the royal palace for some meeting, Dotrald met with his brothers and skipped the said meeting.

They met in a hidden villa not far from Winsterein's capital, Winsterein Royal City. It was a villa located in one of the towns near the capital city. They wanted to avoid a lot of eyes so they secretly met in that place.

All of them were sitting around a round table with serious faces.

Dotrald was the one who spoke first.

"Lonwarlt finally finished the medicine I asked him to do."

Both Noctyrus and Simbeon were stunned because it only means that Dotrald will be able to make another Ceres.

"I have long prepared the girl who will disguise as Ceres. All we have to do is to plan some more because we must not let father know that this Ceres is fake."

Noctyrus started speaking.

"Wait. Didn't grandfather already know about this medicine? Even if we pretend this Ceres is real, grandfather will always have a doubt."

Dotrald laughed at Noctyrus.

"That is why we need to plan this out smoothly. Anyway, I have already predicted this so I asked Lonwarlt to make another medicine."

Lonwarlt then, started saying stuff about the other medicine he made.

"...Basically, we will have father drink this medicine once every two days and he will make hallucinations that Ceres is real and alive. Eventually, he will start to think the she is really the real Ceres."

"Are you sure this would work? Father started investigating Ceres' disappearance privately. What if he found clues and eventually came back to his senses? Aren't we digging ourselves our own graves with this?"

It was Simbeon who spoke. He was hesitant about the plan because he knew how powerful their father is. Also, he doesn't desire that much power anyway and was much more concerned about his son. If they continue to meddle with the affairs of others, maybe there will really come a time that they would have to pay a price.

Dotrald clicked his tongue.

"You're being a coward. Aren't you one of this kingdom's generals?"

Dotrald narrowed his eyes while surveying Noctyrus and Simbeon.

"Everything was already laid out. You only have to help us and get father to drink the medicine every now and then. Also, protect the identity of the fake Ceres."

Dotrald stood up and placed his arms across his chest.

"Father's investigations are all in my hands anyway. I can manipulate everything he know and will know. You don't have to worry about a single thing."

Noctyrus and Simbeon felt a chill down their spines. It only shows how powerful their first brother really is. Even though on the surface he looks like someone who already gave up and backed away, the truth is that he didn't and he only laid out his plans to conceal his true intentions.

This is real power.

They felt afraid and can only agree to his arrangements.

"We already spread the rumors about her taken in by a rogue expert. All we have to do is return her in one piece and spread that the rogue expert decided to return Ceres because he needed to do something important. That will damage her reputation more but who cares anyway? It was already damaged before. After all this, we will even let the third prince get close to her to avoid suspicion."

"Wouldn't that expose her? Aren't the third prince and Ceres so close?"

"Ceres will be mute. She was poisoned when she was attacked by assassins and it was even before her supposedly savior came to rescue her. Lonwarlt again prepared the medicine for this and the girl was willing to become mute anyway."

Noctyrus and Simbeon only nodded their heads however, Lonwarlt spoke his concerns.

"Are we really sure that Ceres died? What if she suddenly came back?"

Dotrald coldly snorted.

"That girl will never come back anymore."

---

Weeks after executing Dotrald's plan, news spread about Ceres' reappearance. The news was that she was returned by a rogue expert because that expert needed to do something important however, in the minds of everyone, Ceres was returned because she is a trash. However, the most surprising news about her was how she became a mute. The reason behind it was the assassination attempt that happened in their mansion. Everyone instead pitied her because she was already a trash and now, she even became a mute. The heavens must be punishing her for her previous life if not, why is a girl like her with an amazing background became so pitiful?

At first, Arcyl couldn't believe everything but somehow, a part of him believes in it. He doesn't fully understand it. It's just that he can feel the blood of a relative flowing in Ceres. He questioned her but because she was mute, it was hard to really communicate. She had to write everything and sometimes, she would even be so frail that she would just almost faint in front of Arcyl.

Arcyl also tried to recollect some information he has acquired before about Ceres but it seems that he can't find them or even, remember them. He would always feel dizzy trying to remember and he acquainted it with his old age.

In the end, Arcyl didn't get that much information. But overall, he was glad that Ceres was safe. Right now, he was pretty much treasuring Ceres more than before. He even sent servants to serve her which were all arranged by Dotrald.

The other relatives remained cold towards Ceres. But at least, she has returned and it was all that Arcyl thought of.

This news didn't reach Cerbous who was confined with Black Dragon and also, Lucas who was in closed door training. Beatrice heard this news and was gritting her teeth in anger but Dotrald reminded her that there was nothing to worry about.

The emperor sent spies to investigate if everything was true and all they can say is that they are not sure. But it seems that that Ceres was real. Even if the emperor was not close to Ceres and even hated that girl, he still sent some herbs to help relax and refresh the girl. She was still the daughter of Winsterein hero.

---

"That girl is surely a fake."

Glenn was holding on a document containing the reports about Ceres' reappearance.

"They have prepared well but it was still not enough to fool us."

A black robed person was respectfully bowing behind Glenn.

"Your Highness, it seems even Arcyl was being manipulated."

"I know. So it seems that this is all he can do. He was even used by his own sons. What a pitiful father. I knew that when general Ceraph died, Ellions would soon disappear."

Glenn faced the black robed person.

"With your report, we now know that the search for Ceres must now stop. We will quietly go along Dotrald's plans since our own plans will soon commerce."

Glenn's lips started to curve upwards. But his smile was so sinister that one can feel goosebumps and chill when he sees such smile.

"Apity that a girl was sacrificed for nothing."  -tbc