.·:¨¨ ≈☆≈ ¨¨:·.Chapter 11 — Confrontation in the Shadows.·:¨¨ ≈☆≈ ¨¨:·.

The palace was unusually silent, interrupted only by the distant murmur of the guards and the creak of the old floors under their footsteps. Marlene walked behind Dante and Max, feeling the accumulated tension of days of investigation. Every corridor seemed like a labyrinth of shadows, and Kira meowed softly, as if reminding them that the intruder was still there, lurking.

[Kira: Quest progress: 100%. Affinity with Dante +1. Affinity with Max +1. Intruder partially revealed.]

“Your Highness, I’ve reviewed the blueprints and marked possible escape routes,” Marlene said, pointing at a parchment spread out on the portable table they carried. “If we block these exits, the intruder will have nowhere to go.”

Dante nodded, his eyes fixed on the details.

“Good. Max, cover the south entrance and make sure there are no distractions. Marlene and I will advance towards the main entrance.”

“Understood,” Max replied, his voice firm but with a note of concern. “If he appears, I won’t let him escape.”

Marlene took a deep breath, aware that every second counted.

“Kira, activate maximum alert function. Any suspicious movement must be detected immediately.”

[Kira: Maximum alert activated. Reward: Intelligence +1. Quest progress: 100%.]

They advanced through the silent corridors, each shadow seeming more menacing than the last. Suddenly, a metallic clatter echoed near the library. Marlene stopped and looked at Dante, who raised an eyebrow and nodded slightly.

“It seems we have company,” he whispered.

Max advanced quickly, sword in hand, illuminating the dark corners with a gesture. The hooded figure appeared again, blocking their path and showing an agile movement that betrayed his training.

“Stop right there!” Dante shouted, though with a controlled calm. “You can no longer hide. We know who you are and your intentions.”

The figure turned, and for an instant the hood concealed his face. But Marlene noticed a fleeting glint in the intruder’s eyes that seemed familiar.

“No… it can’t be,” she murmured, more to herself than to the others.

[Kira: Intruder partially identified. Reward: Intelligence +2.]

“Who are you?” Max asked firmly, taking a step forward.

“Not so fast, Sir Knight,” the figure replied, with a voice that chilled the air around them. “You didn’t expect to catch me so soon.”

Dante took a step forward, his presence imposing:

“Don’t underestimate the reach of this palace or our vigilance. It’s time to put an end to this.”

Marlene took a breath, aware that she had to choose her words carefully. The intruder was cunning, and any mistake could risk her identity and her plan.

“Your Highness, Sir Knight… I trust that together we can resolve this without further damage,” she said, with a firm but elegant tone. “Your identity will be revealed, but control is still in our hands.”

The figure took a step back, assessing their movements. Dante and Max strategically surrounded the intruder, while Marlene remained in the center, acting as a mediator and strategist. Every gesture, every move, had to be calculated.

“It’s clear you know too much about this palace and its secrets,” Dante said. “But you’ve underestimated our coordination and vigilance.”

“Don’t underestimate my strength!” the figure exclaimed, lunging toward Max with surprising speed. Max dodged with agility, but the tension became palpable.

Marlene took a deep breath and remembered Kira’s clue.

“Kira, activate movement pattern analysis. I need to anticipate his next action.”

[Kira: Pattern analysis activated. Reward: Intelligence +2. Quest progress: 100%.]

With the information provided by the system, Marlene pointed out a weak spot in the intruder’s strategy:

“Your Highness, Max… over there. If we block his escape route toward the library, he won’t be able to flee.”

Max reacted immediately, running toward the indicated spot. Dante moved with precision, cornering the intruder. The figure tried to retreat, but Marlene had anticipated every step, guiding them both toward a perfect blockade.

“It’s useless,” Dante said firmly. “Your flight has come to an end.”

The intruder, finally surrounded, raised his hands, defeated but defiant. Marlene stepped forward, assessing the situation: every word, every gesture had to keep her identity and authority intact.

“It’s over,” she said. “Surrender and there will be no further damage.”

With a sigh, the figure lowered his hood, revealing his face. Marlene recognized him immediately: a forgotten court member, resentful and jealous of the main nobles’ power.

“So it was you,” Dante murmured, with coldness. “You thought you could play in the shadows and manipulate everything.”

“You underestimated the palace’s protection,” Marlene said, with an air of calculated calm. “And thanks to our coordination, your attempt has failed.”

Max nodded, relaxing the tension in his shoulders:

“There’s nothing more to say. Security has been restored.”

[Kira: Intruder finally revealed and contained. Reward: Affinity with Dante +2. Affinity with Max +2. Intelligence stats +5. Main quest progress: 100%.]

As the intruder was escorted by the guards to a secure, guarded location, Marlene took a deep breath. Every choice, every strategy, and every trust placed in Dante and Max had been worth it.

“You did great work,” Dante said, his gaze softening slightly toward her. “Miss Volkov, your intuition and leadership have saved us from a disaster.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Marlene replied, with a slight smile. “But this only proves that there are still many secrets to be discovered in this palace.”

Max, for his part, approached with a warm smile:

“And that together, we can face any threat, Miss Volkov.”

Marlene looked at both men, feeling the mix of tension, respect, and admiration. She knew that every decision in this novel was crucial, and that the night that had started with a simple intruder had revealed a lot about those around her… and about herself.

And as the sun fully illuminated the palace, Marlene understood that the true battle was just beginning. Every secret revealed, every ally gained, and every choice made brought her closer to dominating her destiny in this story that was now her life.

                                                                                                                      ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥to be continued˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥