Alavin and his companions returned to their room to continue their soak in the bath.
The medicinal spring indeed had healing properties; soaking in it felt as though warm energy was flowing through their Channel of Energy, invigorating flesh and bone alike. The warmth and tingling sensation at the site of their wounds were indescribably comforting.
"A marriage alliance?" Balder realized with a start, no wonder the fierce beating.
"What secrets does Botanic Haven hold?" Cedrick lifted his goblet, tossing back the contents in one gulp.
"I'm not sure," Alavin deflected vaguely.
"You pummeled Marak to..." Balder looked intently at Alavin, leaving the rest unspoken.
"Since he witnessed the tournament, he'll see me as a threat. With his arrogant temperament, he'll eventually seek my demise. So... what I mean is, if you can strike first, why wait for the future, right?" Alavin turned his gaze to Balder.
Thrashing Marak wasn't just about releasing pent-up anger; it was about making a statement so the whole city would know Marak trespassed in The Clash of Eight Orders.
This would mean the Eight Orders wouldn't let Marak off lightly and would aggressively hunt down his guards, aiming to catch them all in one sweep.
Cedrick said, "The Eight Orders won't kill Marak. They'll either negotiate with Lord Viperbane to have him taken back or deliver him personally."
Balder lay back in the warm water. “Leave it to me! He won’t be returning to Lord Viperbane.”
Alavin chuckled softly; this was exactly his plan! An ambush en route to eliminate Marak. Not only would this rid him of future trouble, but it would also incite Lord Viperbane, potentially leading to war with the Eight Orders. With both parties preoccupied and at odds, no one would bother him, nor would there be any more talk of unwanted alliances.
Killing several birds with one stone. He never believed in the inherent goodness of men or women; dangers were better snuffed out early to avoid future suffering.
Cedrick took a longer look at Balder, understanding Alavin’s ruthless disposition. He was curious as to why Balder would cooperate. The rotund fellow was no pushover either, it seemed.
The hallway outside had returned to tranquility, as Enosto had personally appeased the guests in each room.
But after a brief moment of quiet, Alavin's door was rudely pushed open, and Lylian, wrapped in a bathrobe, stepped inside. "Alavin, do you have a grudge against Marak?"
Her dripping hair casually spread over her shoulders, and her skin was soft and tender, revealing enticing arms and legs, like a nymph emerging from water. Though she was barely fifteen, she was well-developed, with curves in all the right places. She lacked the fierce demeanor she had on the battlefield and was instead exuding a soul-stealing charm.
"Aren't you afraid of being misunderstood, wandering around in a bathrobe like that?" Alavin lay back in the spring, languidly.
"I'm asking you a question," Lylian retorted with a hint of petulance.
"Are you friends with Marak?"
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