284 Why Should I Help You?

"So, what has this got to do with anything?" Lorelei asked. She could not see the correlation as to why Erwina was looking for him, yet.

"The Prince has gone to provide arms for the people living there when I did not. Also, this matter has been exposed to his majesty, this making him put more eyes into my affairs and this does not sit well with me."

"Okay. It sits well with no one when eyes are in your problems."

"True. The problem now is that Owen is not capable to digging something like this out, meaning one thing, he had help."

"Obviously that stupid prince had help. Have yupu queried Gerald?'

"No."

"Why/"

"Because it is not him."

"Then who?"

"This is where you come in, Lorelei."

Lorelei's eyes widened at the statement. "Me?" Erwina nodded at her, to confirm her thoughts. 'What has all these got to do with me? Or does she feel I told the King?' Lorelei could not help questioning herself.

"Yes. You see, I control East Bane and he has gone to expose somethings to the king. He is supporting the prince. Cullen is ruining my plans."

Lorelei finally calmed down now that she heard what was going on. 'It is no wonder that Bayard matched them up together. Cullen would be the transformation that his son, the prince needed.

Immediately, Lorelei looked back up at Erwina. Her stoic expression mirrored that of Erwina's before it was changed to a smiling one.

"You need me to call him to order. This is what you meant by where I come in and why?"

"Yes. Cullen listens to only you and as an ally, I have come to ask for your help in cautioning him."

"Why should I help you? This is not part of our deal."

"You have to because you need me for the deal to work. I control and have the support of more than half of the kingdom and if you really want this war to go in your favour, you need me."

****

By the time Erwina and Lorelei finished discussing, Erwina left and Amelia came out.

"Are you seriously thinking of considering her offer?" Amelia asked as she stepped out of the inner room where she hid.

"I do not know. This is a bit detrimental to us as well. To reach our goal, we need her."

"And Amelia? What about Owen?"

"Easy there, child. One step at a time. Obviously, Erwina would not come to me if it was not serious, her position as royal concubine is being threatened."

"Then let her be my guest. Shouldn't we be happy if she falls?" Amelia placed her hand on her waist while the other moved up to massage her temples.

To her, it was quite simple and a whole lot easy. Let Erwina fall and carry on with your plan. She was never part of their plan in the first place so why was Lorelei considering helping her?

"She would just bring us down with her, my lady. Kindly reconsider."

"Then you wouldn't?"

"I never said so either."

Amelia threw her hands in the air. Her godmother was not helping matters being like this. She hated indecisiveness so much.

"The truth is that this decision does not boil down to me but on Cullen. I can forbid him from doing so, but he is much too good and noble to want to and I would have to tell him why I do not want him to fight for justice."

"And we cannot expose all these to him."

"Yes. Not yet at least. So, you see, it is not in my hands. I can only warn him to be careful as him going dig out their secrets would put him at harm's way. Anything other than that, I am afraid I won't be able to do anything."

"It is better this way. I would also be on the lookout for him and protect him in the shadows."

"You be on the lookout for yourself. Cyrena may request your help soon."

"The family is desperate. Cullen's help is making the crown prince gain back his lost glory and supporters, thereby threatening Erwina and Cyrena's ambition. I would be careful. I should take my leave now."

"Okay. I would see Bayard when I have wrapped things up here."

--------

~THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VALLEY OF LOST SOULS~

It has been days since Prince Terrence, Aelfdene and the others have been on their journey to capture Astrid.

Ever since they left the palace, they have been on top speed heading out of Elvendel and straight for the valley of lost souls were Aelfdene last spotted signs of Astrid and her team's prints on the ground.

Since they could not go through the Valley of lost souls, the entire army had no choice but to take the long route around the valley.

Currently, they had gotten to the cave where Astrid, Jareth and Snow once stayed in when the mermaids spotted them.

"They were here alright," Terrence's voice echoed in the cave as he looked at what was left of the ashes from the fire that was lit up days ago.

"We may still have a chance to catch up with them if we maintain and even increase our current speed," Aelfdene said as he moved from where he was inspecting in the cave to near the entrance where Terrence stood.

They could see Astrid's hand work in the cave. Starting from the earthen like mini chairs she made to other little things she did.

"True, but a tired army would do us no good. We rest today and before dawn tomorrow morning, we journey at top and maximum speed. Get those to stand guard and prepare those who would replace them so they can rst as well."

"Yes, your highness. I would get to that now." Aelfdene bowed down and left the cave.

'Hmm, Isadora, we are getting closer and closer to the day we meet again.'