Selena's eyes flashed as Lillian caught her off guard and swept her leg. Lillian struck again with her long sword, "If you're not happy, why don't you let it go? Emperor... I can do better than you!" Selena grunted and raised her sword to meet Lillian's attack, sneering, "For this position, you caused so many heroes of the Riddle Group Empire to die tragically. You killed the king with your own hands and your hands are stained with their blood... what right do you have?!"
Lillian hesitated for a moment. Selena took advantage of this moment to kick her out and swung her sword diagonally across while exuding an icy coldness mixed with bloodlust in her eyes.
"This strike is for Preston! He had the miraculous ability to create wonders that was revered by the empire but because of you he died! He could have saved countless lives but now he is gone." Lillian was hit on the wrist causing blood to spurt out. Selena kicked at Lillian's chest who staggered back several steps before recalling another tragedy from before she retaliated again: "This strike is for Eason! At only sixteen years old he should have been one of our empire's most outstanding archers but because of your actions his life was destroyed!" Another mouthful of blood sprayed out from between Lilian's lips.
The roar of fighter jets echoed in Selena's ears as she plunged into memories once more: "And this last strike…is for Taylor! His son had just been born when you robbed him of his father leaving his wife without a husband!" Another cut landed on Lilian's shoulder causing both their eyes to be filled with redness due to all the spilled blood.
Lilian fell onto the ground looking up at Selena whose eyes were now completely crimson as she spoke through gritted teeth: "For my empire I am willing to sacrifice everything even if it means being cursed throughout history!"
"I can kill you once and I can kill you twice!"
"There won't be another Aarav or Osvaldo coming here to save your sorry ass!"
Selena was caught off guard when she heard the name "Aarav." Her heart raced with a familiar excitement, and her vision momentarily blurred. Suddenly, Lillian lunged forward and aimed her knife at Selena's heart. "Your Majesty, you lose!" she exclaimed.
Meanwhile, two privileged young ladies from the Riddle Group Empire were engaged in a fierce battle within the palace walls. Outside, a tall figure approached the private residence of the governor.
Osvaldo looked up at the sprawling estate before him. Dante had discovered that Lillian owned four private residences that could be used to hide people; he had already searched three of them without success.
This was their last chance.
Osvaldo stepped inside and found himself in a heavily guarded hallway. It took him nearly an hour to make his way into the main hall where he finally came face-to-face with Aarav - who was standing by a large window overlooking the palace grounds.
The two men locked eyes unexpectedly but naturally as if they were meant to meet this way all along. Aarav smiled slightly and said, "Thank you."
Lillian had left many guards and powerful weapons behind in this residence - perhaps for protection or imprisonment or both - making it difficult for Osvaldo to escape without help from someone on inside like himself. He stared at Aarav's face intently; it matched his regal demeanor perfectly... just like Selena's would have if she stood beside him now...
In that moment, even Osvaldo couldn't explain the feeling in his heart.
"Come with me to see her," he said coldly.
Selena wanted to find her brother.
He promised to help her find him.
But Aarav seemed not to have heard him, walking towards the door. "Take her to the underground city and... don't let her know I exist."
Osvaldo's tone grew colder. "But she already knows!"
Selena knew she had a very good big brother who cared for her deeply.
She also knew that she was missing a piece of memory - one that involved someone who had been with her as she grew up and was connected with Riddle Group Empire.
Knowing Selena's personality, just hearing fragments of the name "Aarav" would trigger memories for her again and again.
Aarav walked past him towards the night sky. "Then let her forget once more!"
Osvaldo didn't turn around but pointed his knife straight at Aarav's heart. "What are you trying to do?"
He existed here, treated well and yet refused to acknowledge Selena - his own twin sister.
No matter what happens, Selena would never hurt him.
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