Chapter 407 - Lord Knigthley's Plans

The hours they spent searching has turned to days, and soon days were turning to week. The search for Scott's hidden palace has been a drain for Elizabeth and Jo who ended up with nothing every time they receive hopeful news. Luckily, news of Jo traveling with Elizabeth and being her companion has not been known, or else they would have a hard time gathering information from the mercenaries and black markets.

"So, any luck?"

Elizabeth got up from the sofa where she was seated and welcome Jo who just arrived from visiting another mercenary guild. Jo only shook his head disappointedly stating he found no clue once again of Scott's mystery house.

"I see…" She spoke in a low disappointed tone.

"I'll go around check again if only we can gain access to the Western Org, I mean, they probably have information on…"

Jo did not finish what he wishes to say for he realizes he spoke without thinking.

"Must we?" Elizabeth sighs desperately.

"I mean, we tried all the black market here and most mercenary's guild who'll have the knowledge to it yet we ended up with nothing. The Western Org is one of the biggest origination, I'm sure, a member's child must have visited Scott's palace…" Jo explained yet doubt himself of the statement he was spouting for he knew Scott was one of those people who would likely not invite people to his home.

"Then, we have no choice then."

"Are you really?" He looked awed and surprised.

"Well, you said we have no other choice, then I must do my part." She responded miserably.

"Girlie, you know if you do this, they'll find out of our location right?" He reminded her of the fact up until now no one has located them and the Knightley system has still not worked for she continues to break it wall day and night.

"I know."

"So, you're really doing this then?" He questioned her once more.

"Don't worry, I trust her." Elizabeth smiled as she walked out of the room leaving Jo to take a rest.

Just one look and one can tell Elizabeth was not preparing and welling on what she was about to do. It was a risky task which can ruin her plan, but she needs help and despite her doubts that thing will work out, she needs to take a leap of faith.

As she dialed the number, she sighs heavily waiting for the person on the other end to answer.

"Hello?"

Elizabeth did not say anything and only listen to the person's voice on the other end of the line.

"Hello, who's this?"

The familiar and cheerful voice yet sounding a little out of breath spoke. She realizes why the voice sounded different, it must have been caused by all the stress the girl was experiencing because of the task she was left to handle.

"If you're not going to answer then I'm hanging up."

Before the call could end, she gathers all her wit and spoke. "Jackie."

Jackie who was on the other end of the line ended up mute, she was shocked to hear the familiar voice she'd been longing to hear. The girl was like her sister and to have thought she was dead was like the end of her world.

"Jackie, it's me…" Elizabeth reintroduce herself once again hoping to bring some sanity back to the girl on the other end yet she heard nothing but only the sound of her breathing. "Jackie, I need your help."

A few seconds passed by yet she heard no response, she could partially guess why Jackie was no answer, she has hidden herself from them and knows that the girl right now is in so much pain.

"Jackie, I'm sorry for not calling you. I'm sorry that you and your brother are left with such heavy tasks because of me. I know I've place such burdens on you, but Jackie, I had no choice, I was left with memories I don't know of and I wanted the truth yet no one will answer me. Seeing none of you will tell me the truth, I have to take things with my own hand, I'm sorry Jackie. I'm truly am sorry…"

After Elizabeth finished explaining with a pang of heavy guilt within her, still she did not hear any response from the person on the other end. She sighs heavily wonder what to do.

"Jackie, please, I know you're angry with me but right now I need your help. I know you and your brother are handling the task of my father as you to do. Please, I know you have access to information about the Western Org, I need your help with something…"

The more Elizabeth explained the more the other end turned silence. She could even hear the person breathing anymore…

"Jackie?"

"XX City, South Road, take a left turn and you'll find a forest path which lead to nowhere, just keep going there you'll find the entrance to the palace."

Elizabeth was stunned for a moment before answering back. Jackie who finished explaining the necessary information the girl wanted sighs heavily. She couldn't believe that she gave away top-class information at the same time to the girl whom everyone is trying to find. What's worse, she was one of the people tasks to find Scott as well and now she has the information she gave it away so easily. Just because of her love for the girl as a sister and best friend.

"Jackie…"

"If you don't find him there, then who knows where he is…"

"Jackie, I-"

"We all have something we need to do in life, so, do what you needed to do, just please, come back in one piece."

"Jackie, I'm sorry…"

Elizabeth ended the call without saying anything further, her tears rolled down her face as she felt so much pain inside. She felt like molting lava was being poured inside her and her inside was burning alive, it was so painful and no matter how much she wanted to scream she couldn't. All this pain was due to her selfishness to find out the truth, despite how those around her wish to forget such past, she couldn't and now she must suffer and accept the consequence.

"Jackie, I'm so sorry…" She cried silently as she collapses to the ground tucking herself into a ball as she wraps her arms around her knees.

Jo listened in to what was happening and turned his head away. He knew this would happen and he knew the girl is suffering so much already. What can he do when the girl must face this on her own? This was a challenge which she need to face alone and no one can help her, even her own family and friends.

Meanwhile, Jackie who looked unaffected by her conversation with Elizabeth turned around when she heard the door suddenly open.

"She called you?" Alex asked noticing the gloomy expression on the girl.

"She did." Jackie forcefully smiled despite her watery eyes.

"And?"

"I gave her what she wanted…" She responded disappointedly of herself for being so weak.

"Hmm," Alex took a deep breath before responding, "Then, let's hope she'll find him?"

Jackie looked up at Alex and was taken aback for a moment. She thought Alex would tell her off for making such move without their consent. She smiled as the tears she was bottling up rolled down her face.

"Miss Goldsmith, don't worry, the Young Princess will be fine."

Alex went over and patted the girl on the shoulder to comfort her. Of course, Jackie was a few feet taller than Alex. So it looked like a big sister trying to comfort her tall young sister.

"Alex, will everything really be fine?" Jackie asked as she wipes away the tears on her face.

"As you know, we have almost taken full control of the Western Org, once we do, we can access more classified information and hopefully find the whereabouts of the old man and the professor." Alex explained.

"Do you really think the Western Org has such information?"

"I'm not sure, since Lord Knightley can't gain the information recorded by the Royal Family, we have no choice but to find other ways."

"So you mean, all this time, Lord Knightley has always planned to take over the Western Org but only used Liz as an excused?"

"Disagreeable it may be, but we have no choice, we need to find a way to stop such engagement."

"So, all this time, we've actually been fooling everyone including Liz."

"Miss Goldsmith, sadly yes, we have…"

Jackie couldn't believe what she just knew, who would have thought that all this time everything was due to Lord Knightley's plan. Her mind wanders off and ponder if whether Lord Knightley has already anticipated that Elizabeth would call for her help.

"He knew that she will call me? That is why you all ask me to handle the situation with Scott and take part in the task in handling the Wester Org. All this time I was so puzzled why you allowed me access to such information, it was all because of this."

"Forgive us, Miss Goldsmith, if you feel as if we cheated you, but everything was according to Lord Knightley's plan. Rest assured, no harm will fall to the Young Princess. We hope you'll continue to cooperate with us and avoid contacting the Young Princess."

"What? You mean, all this time… F*ck! I thought, wait, don't tell me Lord Knightley knew all along that Yun Shen planned to run away with Liz as well. That he planned act dead?"

Jackie was shocked when she was the answer written on Alex's face. Alex need not answer for it was obvious.

Who would have thought, all along everything was planned out by Lord Knightley?

But why?

Why risk his own daughter's life?