What was this? Sehun wondered baffled, watching the scene before him. He had prevented Kyungsoo's death, but it seemed Mark had to die in his stead. Something he never saw coming until it was too late. Did that meant another person would die when Sehun tried to save the one supposed to die, as though to keep a balance of some sort? Well if that was the case, then it would be ed up. A life at the cost of another? No, Sehun had found the culprit and no one had to die again. Rue might have the memories of the past, but she wouldn't be able to outsmart Sehun. He wouldn't let it. "Rue?" Kai called, voice choked with shock and confusion, that had Sehun feeling for the emperor. Sehun could understand how Kai must be feeling right now. The woman he loved, and trusted turned out to be responsible for not just the death of one of his consorts, but the attacks on his son as well several crimes. Though Sehun didn't like Mark but he was still sad to see the kitsune die. He didn't deserve it, no matter how bad he was. Rue started, swirling around to face them with something in her eyes that Sehun couldn't quite pinpoint. She had a blank look for a while before she began shaking her head back and forth in obvious denial as if suddenly realizing what she'd done. She trembled as she glanced at the dead body next to her feet."No, i–" she began, lifting her hands to her view as though in shock of her own actions. "What have I done?" She questioned, flinching when Kai took a step toward her. Crossing both hands over his chest, Sehun narrowed his eyes. She could pretend all she wanted but Sehun wouldn't be fooled. Not in this lifetime. "Why?" The emperor asked, stopping a few steps away from her. She continued to shake her head, tears running down her cheeks. Sehun would have believed she was for real if he hadn't witnessed it himself. Was it how she had fooled him in the past?"I don't know." She mumbled, a lip trapped between her teeth."Why I am even here." She asked, gazing at Kai, with desperation, like that would provide the answer she needed. "I was in bed, and then i–" she broke off, heaving unevenly like someone about to have a panic attack. Kai nodded. He took a step forward, then withdrew and Sehun could see the conflict in him as he repeated the action. Eventually he made up his mind and went all the way to pull her into his arms.  What the ? She sobbed loudly, clutching the emperor as if he were her lifeline.  "You got to be kidding me." Sehun mumbled in disbelief, staring at them. Kai held her, one hand tight by her head ,the other around her middle in a protective way. Well . This wasn't going to be easy. Footsteps had Sehun glancing behind to see five of Kai's shadow guards Jungkook, Chanyeol, Minho, Wonho Yuri and two of Sehun's guardians. Luhan and Zitao. The ones he'd tasked with guarding Kyungsoo's apartment "Blink told us to come find you, some is going down". Luhan sent, reaching Sehun. The fae looked around and frowned at the sight of Kai and Rue still locked in an embrace.  Jungkook that had his weapon drawn, sheathed his sword when he didn't see the danger he clearly expected."What's going on?" He asked eyes flickering between Sehun and the pair,"I felt Kai's distress" the shadow guard made a gesture toward said emperor. Heaving, with both hands going to his waist, Chanyeol nodded. "I felt it too, i was at the gates, about to leave the palace."  The other three Shadow guards must've felt it too. It seem they share a connection with Kai, similar to the one Sehun had with his guardians.  Minho abruptly stopped in tracks, he seem to have noticed Mark's dead body. "Wha–" "Oh Goddess!" Chanyeol gasped, eyes rounding on Mark. Yuri hurried over, crouching to place a finger on Mark's neck. "He's dead." Sehun told them, uncrossing his arms. "We found Rue shooting Mark and trying to make it looks like he's committed suicide. And Kai is–" he made a gesture toward said man, his chest tightening. "Is comforting her or whatever the it is." He couldn't help the traitorous feeling of jealousy. this wasn't the time to feel that emotion. This was what Sehun feared with the undoing of the spell in his heart, he couldn't help how felt. "Want us to separate them?" Zitao asked very seriously. His sword an inch out of its scabbard. "Nah, let them be." Sehun forced himself to stay. "It doesn't make sense." Jungkook said, shaking his head. "What didn't? Kai comforting her?" Sehun raised an eyebrow. "Not that, I mean her to kill Mark, even though they weren't really friends." "Exactly my thoughts." Chanyeol spoke and flinched when Sehun pinned him with hard look. "Why do you think so?" Sehun asked, a hand going between the two shadow guards. "I–" Jungkook began to say, but shook his head again. Minho finally got over his shock to kneel in front Mark, next to Yuri that was still observing the body. The two shared a look as Minho nodded rising to stand. He pulled out his com-device and made a quick call. Sehun could tell it was to his husband or probably the homicide department. "I will get to the bottom of this." Minho declared. "Secure the crime scene. Taemin and his team will be here soon." He glanced at Sehun. "I will need your statement." Sehun hummed noncommittal. Kai and Rue finally broke away. The emperor grabbed her and suddenly walked over to Sehun. His eyes were bloodshot,"I know what you saw and I haven't the slightest idea what's going on, but I know there's an explanation, Rue wouldn't do that." He said the moment he was close to Sehun. Sehun didn't see this coming, he had thought Kai would be conflicted, and sad or even angry to know that Rue was the culprit. However he didn't think the emperor would refuse to see what was right in front of him. Or he was probably in denial. "Alright." Sehun said, with a bitter laugh. "Whatever you want to believe, you're the boss after all and your word is law." With that he turned and began waking away, his guardians right behind him. He didn't expect Kai to be blinded by his love for his consort to discard the obvious.  "Sehun wait." Kai called desperately. Sehun didn't stop, he didn't have time for like this. Kai could protect Rue all he want, but Sehun would make sure she get what she deserved with or without the emperor's consent. He didn't need Kai to give him permission to do what was supposed to be done. A hand grabbed him. "Listen to me. Please"Kai said, holding him in place. Luhan and Zitao made a move to grab Kai, but Sehun stopped them with a wave of his hand. "Let me handle him." He sent them. They grunted, stepping aside. "Contact the others, we're gonna have a meeting" Letting out a sigh from the depth of his chest, Sehun didn't turn to face Kai, however he didn't walk away as he spoke."What else do you want me to do? Look I get that you love her and feel conflicted but you don't have to convince me to unsee what I saw. You get the final say anyways" He yanked his hand out of Kai's grip and continue on his way, only to be grabbed by the shoulders. "Just give me a moment." Kai said, turning Sehun to face him."I am not asking you to unsee it. Just–" he let go of Sehun when Sehun gave the hand a pointed look. Running a hand through his hair, Kai made a gesture. "I know Rue, she wouldn't do that in her right mind." Sehun hummed uninterested. His eyes flickered to where the lady was crouched, both hands on her head, in a show of distraught. The next moment she stood and began pacing, hugging her middle. She was the perfect image of misery. "She doesn't have a reason to do any of this." Kai went on. "I promise you." "Why do you trust her so much?" Sehun wanted to know, wanted Kai to help him understand his desperation to discard the fact that consort Rue had murdered someone. "Because she's –" he clenched his hand, biting his lip as if trying to stop the words out, "I just do trust her" If only Kai had trusted Sehun just as half in the past. Sehun thought bitterly. "I believe him." Jungkook stepped up. "She wouldn't do this in her right mind." "Sehun I understand what it might look like, but I know Rue." Yuri said. "I agree with them." Chanyeol mumbled, nodding to himself. Of course they would side with Kai, he was their master."So what? You're all going to sweep this under the rug like it never happens?" Sehun scoffed. "No" Minho stepped forward. "We'll investigate thoroughly. I am not the type to neglect such things. Even if Taemin were the one in her place, I would never let it go no matter how much I trust him." He placed a hand on Sehun's shoulder. "I will get to the bottom of this" he repeated his words. At least there was one sane person that wasn't fully blinded by loyalty. Sehun nodded, looking over to Kai."You're saying she's influenced by someone to commit murder?" A part of Sehun knew it was possible Rue wasn't the one he was looking for, but something was stopping him from reasoning.  Petty jealousy. A voice said in his head. You needed a reason to get rid of her. No that wasn't true. Sehun was mad at Kai for siding with her because he loved her, and couldn't see the monster that she was. Yes that was It.  With a thoughtful look, Kai said. "I am not certain if that were the case, but I wouldn't overlook the possibility. What I am certain is, she wouldn't have a reason to do this. At least give me a chance to prove her innocence." Sehun snickered, taking a step back. "Whatever suits your fantasy." This time he didn't intend to stop untill he was back in his apartment. But he was stopped by Blink, that came to land on his shoulder. He's right Sehun. Blink told him, her voice calm. She's not the one you're looking for. Or I wouldn't be able to tell. In other words the mastermind is a powerful er and is messing with you. For some reason they like to toy with you. You behaving like this is probably what they're hoping for, do not play right into their hands, don't give them the satisfaction. What? Sehun knew Blink wouldn't lie to him, he trusted her with his all. If she say Rue wasn't the mastermind then she wasn't. "Why do you stop?" Zitao asked, placing a hand on Sehun's other shoulder. "I am communicating with Blink." He told the skinwalker. "Blink are you sure?" Yes, Rue doesn't have what it takes to be the final boss, she's just a pawn. I have a feeling they want to sow discord between you and Kai. Do not see her as a competition, but a person with a different role. And you shall see clearly. I am not blinded by jealousy. Sehun grumbled. But he allowed his mind to see things differently. Now that he thought of it, Blink was right. The mastermind wouldn't be so sloppy to expose themselves the way Rue had. He had a feeling the er was watching and most likely predicting Sehun's every move. Though Rue might not be the puppeteer he was looking for, but he couldn't push aside the possibility of her being involved in the whole scheme. To find answers he needed to be calm and think with his head not his heart. Alright, this mama believes you. Blink said, her tone coaxing. I just need you to be open minded. She caressed his cheek softly with a wing. Sehun was trying to be as open minded as he could be, alright. It was just a little hard when it was Rue in the middle of it. Cursing under his breath, Sehun swirled to face Kai."Fine, I will let you prove her innocence. But on one condition, she should be locked up, I don't care how well you know her, I saw her commit murder, and I cannot risk her roaming freely. After all I am also in charge of someone's security." "Fair enough" Kai agreed, his eyes on Blink with a nod of gratitude as if he was aware Blink was the one that convinced Sehun to give in."I will have her sent to the cold palace, with guards to keep an eye on her. You can send your men to watch her if you like." Sehun wanted to protest that she should be locked in the dungeons alongside other criminals, but he couldn't find a strong voice to use. Cold palace was invented as prison for royal consorts/concubines. No matter what crime she committed, it was the one place she would be sent to and Sehun had to accept it."Alright." He nodded. "There's no need to send my men. I trust you'll be fair." His guardians had better things to do than watch Rue. Kai sagged, his relief evident. He didn't say more to Sehun as he turned to walk back to Rue. First consort Jennie and her two female bodyguards had arrived. She was holding Rue's hand mumbling to her and Sehun frowned. He didn't get why everyone had so much faith in Rue. Was there something he was missing?  With another sigh, Sehun turned and walked away. He wasn't strong willed enough to stay and be clear headed without being petty. He couldn't stand to see Kai all over Rue, like she was all that mattered. You should be glad Kai has something to occupy his mind from figuring you might be the curse breaker. Blink said, playfully poking him with her wing. Right. Sehun had touched the cursed tree and something strange had happened. Oh mothers. What lie was he going to come up with if Kai brought it up? Damnation! Sehun was truly getting tired of lies. Tell truth. His beast suggested. Not an option.  Bad human, bad mate.  Yeah, bad is my middle name. If you know what I mean. The beast blinked at the human dumbly. Beast no know. Of course you don't. What do I expect?  Beast smart.  Very. Sehun said, sarcastically, a hand going to his belly, and the babe pressed against his palm. He could feel Luhun's scrutiny on him, but Sehun didn't bother to pull his hand away, he was enjoying and taking comfort from the way his babe responded to him. Besides he had been thinking about coming clean to the other four guardians. Sehun needed their bond stronger, especially with the things happening. It was up to them to believe him or not. ***** Since after Mark's funeral, Sehun rarely saw Kai. More like he'd been avoiding the emperor deliberately. No matter how Kai tried to get an audience, Sehun always find the perfect excuse to evade him. The emperor took the hint on the third day and stopped seeking him out. Even during the funeral, Kai's eyes had remained on Sehun, while Sehun tried to ignor