I created my own system

A pause. Then he remembered the archduke when he came once into te kingdom. His gaze at that time was so annoying that Lorenzo almost smack him. Despite that those green emerald eyes tells him that he is reading his every expression making him an open book that is easily predicted.

"We migh get compromised," he finally said. "So double check everything and erase every record. Burn the research halls beneath the capital. Kill the scientists. Collapse the caverns, I want all those involved death."

"We won't outrun a truth the Empire is now chasing," Emilia replied grimly. "Especially if the archduke is lighting the path for them piece by piece."

"That is why arent going to let them find anything on us, they find nothing!"

Her voice cracked with something halfway between fear and fury.

"Father..." she almost spat the word, "...what if we ask Eros for help?"

Lorenzo stood, then he slowly approach the large war map his ancestors had build in the throne room, it was a hidden piece of it that only the king and his successor must know.

"Your finacee?"

"Yes, he might help us"

"How? My dear he one of the hounds! We aren't sure if Apollo hadn't told his family about it!"

"He won't father, the lions had injure thier cubs way too much that it won't spare them a glance. That boy won't speak to anyone unless the emperor himself ask him"

"How about the mages, those people from the tower will do everything to find the answers they are looking for"

"Then how about we give it to them?"

"What do you plan to do?"

"If our enemies are looking for evidence then we will give it to them"

She met Lorenzo's eyes. And a smile crept its way to the king's face.

"My dear daughter, tell me your plan"

.

.

.

Meanwhile, high above the cold peaks of the northern mountain, a frozen lake can be seen. At its side is a old hut where three people are currently residing. It was already morning there and yet the sun could not reach its surface and so the lake remain cold as ever.

"You almost died"

Alicia began to scold him and Apollo could only chuckle as he wake up completely resting at Alicia's lap.

"Sorry"

"I already told you repeatedly, don't barge into danger alone. Even if you are strong"

The boy was still drowsy, tired at the commotion he made but he unknowingly made the two people with him uneasy.

"I want you to rest for now, and as for your plan with your brother's fiance just tell what I need to do and I will help out"

Apollo just smiled though he still look excessively kind.

"Don't worry there is nothing for you to do, because everything as been lay out"

"What do you mean?"

The boy weakly smiled as he snuggle to the warmth he is feeling.

Since he doesn't want to answer, Alicia began contemplating what it means.

"Wait could it be?"

Apollo's plan wasn't to confront the enemy head on. It was to lead them into exposing themselves. To make the Empire's greatest authorities chase truth. It was the truth that Apollo quietly staged for them to uncover.

One clue at a time.

Alicia narrowed her eyes and look at the sleeping guy on her lap, he was calm and look harmless, opposite to the plans he had devise.

"You're not just baiting your enemies," she said under her breath. "You're baiting the four ducal household. You want them to lead the hunt…"

She then remembered the girl Apollo just met, knowing full well what will happen to her nad to her family.

"Eros will unknowingly follow the path Apollo had set, not knowing he might be part of the hunt where the prey is the person he swore to protect." Spotanerror?VisittheoriginalpostonM&VLEMPY&R.

A cruel smiled then appeared on Apollo's face and knowing him, Alicia knows the person he is aiming.

"Emilia."

.

.

.

Away from the other right into the east a person began running in full speed towards a certain room. His loud footsteps were soon followed by a loud sounds of knowck.

"Young master! Please open the door?"

Eros felt confused at the sudden panic and as he opened the door his aid, Liam Tenor gave him a scroll.

"Please read this young master!"

He said and with a bit of confusion Eros took the scroll. Reading its content made him aghast.

"This news...how can something like this happen!"

Eros immediately took his formal attire and immediately rush out. Seeing this his aid Liam run after him, he was both surprised and worried for his master.

"Where are off to young master!"

The young an just glance at him before responding, "I am off to father!"

[Congratulations you gain a skill!

Absolute zero

Description: Absolute immunity to any attacks relenting to ice element. Can use the power of the Azure frost lotus without exhaustion.

Trait: The colder the area the more powerful this skill becomes]

"What the, this came out when I was needing this the most a few moments ago"

Apollo said to himself looking at the floating screen in front of him.

"I was dying a while ago and you decided to appear now?" He felt exasperated remember the pain he felt when his lungs began freezing, his vision dimming as frost crept into his every breath,those images haunted him still.

"I couldn't even breath" he added in his mind, he was both scared to die and hopful to survive while he was mending the shelf.

For a moment his body unknowingly shivered as if responding to the memory. It seems the sensation will linger for a little while longer.

"Ah, right, I still ned to check where the emperor's investigation is going"

Apollo was about to get up when he suddenly felt someone pinning him down. It was a gentle force though a bit domineering to push him down. Soft, cold fingers pressed his shoulders. Apollo couldnt help but look up.

"Alicia?"

"Stay still, I want you to rest for a bit"

Her voice was cold as ever but Apollo could see, a subtle worry that etched on her face. In that moment the boy couldn't help but think that his actions might have hurt her.

"She might look nonchalant at times but I know she tends to worry about others"

As he continue to look at her, he couldn't but thought.

"I need to apologize"

'I reach out touching her hand as she put a pillow on her lap, where my head is currenly resting'

"I'm sorry, Alicia"

Hearing those sincere words a pair of ruby eyes landed on Apollo's golden irises. They locked gazes, none dare to speak, its as if they don't need to speak to know what the others is thinking.

An unexpected silence envelope them, the clock slowly ticks and each wave of it follows the rhythmic sound of heartbeat.

And then she drew closer

A cold mint scent came to Apollo making him feel calm, soothing his nerves, a mischievous smirk came to him. As he give extra attention on Alicia's face, they were both so close to each other, barely inches apart, though both of thier expression were different from one another.

One was calm and unbothered while the other is smiling as if eagerly waiting for something.

Apollo's attentive gaze made Alicia's cold expression to frown, that sight made the boy eager to study her expression.

"Hmmm.....for someone Apologizing you are quite cheeky"

Alicia lifted he hand and pitch his cheeks finding them troublesome.

"I almost done something I shouldnt do Apollo" she added and this time the boy could clearly see how her expression change into a more worried expression. This time she is more expressive on how she is showing emotions on her face.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" She ask her voice unexpectedly softer than before.

Apollo just shook his head, he even close his eyes as he tried to feel the warm hands that currently cradles his face.

"I will do as you said, I will stay here for today"

As Alicia quietly watched over him Lothar finally return.

"Status"

She inquire and her previous personality revere back to how cold she usually was.

"Nothing happens at the shelf, I also cheek the ice sheets and I am certain there is no hidden devices there like the ones Apollo caught"

She just nodded as she began stroking Apollo's head.

"Make sure to report to the current situation"

"Yes my lady I will"

Lothar then left and began preparing a meal for him and to his dear guest.

On the other had the forest of Afra is currently being lead by two fake Apollo and Alicia one that thier friends made by using Blair's blessings.

"How long should we keep this up?" McKenzie ask, fortunately thier shift endedn and the rotation made it possible to make excuses about why the two is missing.

"What if someone asked what should we say?"

"Lets just told them they went on a date"

"Hey Braiden do you think someone will believe that?"

"Trust me Agnes they will"

"Really?"

Agnes was a bit confused while Matilda who was with her can't help but laugh.