Chapter 9: Unmasking the Intruder and, The Queen's Worry

Lucian, his telekinetic grip still firmly in place around the intruder's neck, listened intently as the man gasped for air. With a controlled release of pressure, Lucian allowed the intruder to breathe but made it clear that he was not to be taken lightly.

"Speak, now!" Lucian commanded, his voice carrying the weight of his power and seriousness.

The intruder, now somewhat relieved to be able to breathe a little, stammered out an apology. "I...I...I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't know you had powers. I really am sorry."

Lucian looked at the man with a mixture of inner disgust and a deep sense of disappointment.

The warlock could not help but wonder how many others had fallen victim to this thief's feigned kindness and deceitful actions.

"So you've been doing this for a long time," Lucian began, his tone cold and accusing. "Deceiving people with your facade and stealing from them?".

With a menacing undertone, Lucian tightened his magical grip around the intruder's neck once more. "What should I do with you?" he asked, in a threatening tone. "Should I transform you into a small, harmless animal so you can't be able to steal from anyone again? or should I simply end this right now and break your neck?".

The intruder, his face almost losing colour, trembled with fear. He felt the weight of his actions bearing down upon him, and the consequences of his choices looking him in the face. He pleaded with Lucian, his voice trembling, "I... won't... do it again. Forgive me, please."

Desperation filled the intruder's words as he sought mercy from the warlock who had him at his mercy. As a last resort to save himself, he remembered that Lucian was a newcomer to Sibiah.

With a shaky voice, he offered an alternative.

"How about I aid you in navigating Sibiah?" the intruder proposed. "I've lived in the city all my life so I know my way around the city very well"."I could assist you in reaching your destination at any time."

Lucian considered the offer for a moment. It was indeed tempting to have a guide in this unfamiliar city, but he was not willing to let the intruder off the hook so easily.

With a very stern expression, he delivered a warning that carried the weight of his power.

"Don't you ever deceive and steal from people again in your life," Lucian warned, his voice dripping with authority. "Or you're dead.", it was not like Lucian could kill but he had to sound like that so the intruder can know that he means business and change for the better.

The intruder, now fully aware of the consequences of his actions, replied with a trembling ,sober and sincere voice, "I... I promise. I won't do it again."

With that promise, the warlock released his telekinetic grip around the intruder's neck, allowing the intruder to fall to the floor.

The intruder, shaken and chastened, knew that he had narrowly escaped a dire fate and that he had been given a second chance—one that he was determined to use very wisely, come back here in the morning, Lucian said with a calm voice "if you try to run away, I will find you and you will be dealt with seriously so don't try anything stupid","understood?", the Intruder answered ,"Yes sire".

As the intruder prepared to leave, Lucian called him back, his curiosity getting the better of him. "What is your name?" Lucian inquired.

The intruder turned back and replied in a little calm and shaky tone, "Brendan. That's my name....sire." he then walked away, leaving Lucian alone in the room.

......

The sun rose over the Kingdom of Sibiah, casting its warm light upon the city.

It was a day of great importance and significance for Queen Amarissa, as she prepared to continue the duties that her father, King Theophilus, had left behind.

She had a sole responsibility to her subjects, one she took with the utmost seriousness.

As the Queen prepared herself for the court meeting, her preparations were abruptly interrupted when Ser Alanis, the personal assigned bodyguard of Princess Felissa, urgently arrived at her chamber.

The Queen's guards initially halted him, but Ser Alanis used the secret code word, "Butterfly," known only to a select few trusted individuals.

Upon hearing the code word, Queen Amarissa granted Ser Alanis access to her private chamber.

She instructed her maids to leave them alone, ensuring their conversation remained confidential. "Speak," the Queen commanded, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

Ser Alanis, still feeling reluctant despite the private setting, took a deep breath and said, "I can not find the butterfly." He referred to Princess Felissa by her code name, a term only a handful of trusted individuals were privy to.

A hint of anger flickered across the Queen's face as she demanded more information. "Explain," she urged. "What do you mean you lost my daughter?".

Ser Alanis, trembling slightly under the Queen's controlled anger and worry, continued, "I... I've searched everywhere, Your Majesty. I can't find the princess in her hidden chambers. I've failed you; I'm incompetent. Punish me as you see fit, Your Majesty."

The Queen regarded Ser Alanis with a mix of emotions, her anger directed toward the situation rather than the loyal bodyguard.

She knew the stakes were high, and the consequences of Princess Felissa's true identity being revealed were grave.

With a clear determination, she issued her orders. "You must find her, quickly," Queen Amarissa instructed. "No one must find out about her identity. If anybody does, you are finished."

Ser Alanis nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. He pledged, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will find her and bring her back." His loyalty to the Queen and his determination to protect the secret of Princess Felissa drove him to find her at all costs.

However,Princess Felissa, hidden beneath her hooded clothing, reveled in the excitement of her newfound freedom.

She had successfully evaded Ser Alanis and navigated an underground tunnel that led her out of the palace into the bustling streets of Sibiah.

It was a taste of liberty she hadn't experienced within the gilded confines of the palace before, and she enjoyed every moment of it.

As she skipped and danced through the lively streets, she felt unburdened and unbothered, free to explore the city without the constraints of her royal identity.

The world seemed vast and full of so many possibilities, and she relished in the simple joy of mingling with the people of Sibiah.

However, her carefree adventure took an unexpected turn when she stumbled upon a group of bullies who were tormenting a market woman and her young daughter.

The woman allegedly owed them rent and protection fees, but her sales had not been sufficient to meet their demands.

Despite her pleas, the bullies showed no mercy and began to destroy her belongings.

Princess Felissa, standing at a corner, infused with anger born of disgust and pity at the injustice she witnessed.

The sight of the defenseless woman and her daughter being pushed to the ground filled her with fury.

She was about to intervene when the situation escalated further. As one of the bullies wanted to start kicking them on the ground.

The Princess couldn't contain her rage any longer. She was on the verge of stepping in to protect the woman and her daughter when a remarkable and unexpected event occurred.

The bullies were suddenly attacked by an unseen force, the tormentors becoming the tormented.

Lucian controlled his elemental magic with precision and power. The very elements seemed to respond to his will, and he used them to defend the helpless victims.

The air grew dusty and chaotic as his magic swirled around the bullies, beating them into submission.

As the dust settled, Princess Felissa, her heart pounding with a mixture of relief and curiosity, tried hard to see the heroic savior.

The people gathered around, applauding the unknown hero. She tried to approach the crowd to catch a glimpse of the person responsible for the bullies' downfall.

Among the gathering, she glimpsed the figure of the hero, but before she could get closer, he walked away, disappearing into the bustling streets of Sibiah.

However, she briefly caught sight of a distinctive necklace he wore. It was a moment that left her both amazed and impressed by the stranger's bravery and extraordinary abilities.