[Music Rec: Homura - LiSA ( 『炎』- Demon Slayer Movie)]
Blade finally stops teasing, "Ok fine, her acting skills are really something. If I hadn't seen how she reacted when she saw the mana-call, I'd probably still believe that she's some innocent little princess."
Claude finally explains everything to Blade, including Violetta's amazing skills that destroyed his barrier when he was off guard.
Blade's face turns pale from shock, his eyes wide in disbelief, but that was all he allowed Claude to be satisfied with.
Claude pouts, "Jeez, you could be more surprised…"
Gradually recovering from his shock, Blade contemplates, "It's sort of strange though, how did she go into the forest without being attacked once?"
Claude ponders for a moment, finding no explanation other than, "Probably because she's strong?"
"And why didn't she attack you earlier when you were first following her before she saw the tree?"
"Because I'm strong?"
"Ok… fine… I guess... that's probably what happened. Besides, it's quite a surprise for you to show interest in a girl~"
"..."
They sort their thoughts for a moment, in absolute silence. Then, they walk back into the palace, where the 'old man' is waiting.
The Supreme Demigod looks up from his majestic throne, his wise eyes laying itself on the two outlined figures.
"You'd better explain yourself, brat."
Violetta heads into the room she's staying in, giving proper greetings to the guilty acquaintances.
She heads into her room and closes the door. She pulls off her fake innocent personality and pounces onto the bed, feeling the softness of the mattress under her.
"I reincarnated… and with my memories…" she whispers to herself.
Her eyelashes lower, her eyes closing until it looked like a half awaken state. A small tear drips down her face.
"I'm finally… free from that bastard… finally!" she gives a cold sinister laugh, filled with craze, yet self-hatred.
'All that I left behind in that world… what happened to them… he better not dare lay a hand on my dear friends or family!' Somehow the comfort and freedom she craved for so long doesn't seem real at all. Locked in the chains of the past, she recalls the sick CEO's voice filled with obsession, "You. Are. MINE."
She shudders on the bed and curls up into a ball.
A longing regret lingers:
'If only I was just even a bit more powerful. I could protect everyone by my side...'
After a long moment, a soft smile appears, "At least, I'm truly, finally, free! He can't do anything when I'm in this world, in a totally different world! Heavens blessed me with a second chance, and I will make good use of it!"
'To live in the present, I must move on and stop worrying about a past I can't change... besides, it's been five years since I reincarnated. Who knows what happened...'
She rocks back and forth on her bed, tears slowly dripping as she reminisces of all she's left behind in that world. Her dear family, friends, faithful subordinates, coworkers, the innocents that support her. To her, the most scary thing may be to say the last goodbye and never see someone again. Imagining them panicking, attending her funeral. The thoughts flow through her, and her tears start to drip faster and faster... until she falls victim to fatigue and the comfort of the soft bed.
…
A couple hours later, Violetta sporadically wakes up, rubbing her eyes. Standing up, she starts to wander the room and looks at the goods that the knights and Kate bought while she was in danger.
"Whoa, herbs?!" She talks to herself.
A joyous smile comes across her face. As much as she hated her position in her past life of being coveted, tricked and attacked, she still stayed as head because of all the new technology and amazing things that will help her become a better doctor. Studying about healing and treating patients actually brought her mind to another world and made her forget many problems, even her love with that CEO. Therefore, Violetta is quite grateful for her passion in medicine in her past life.
Along the way, she had learnt quite a lot about traditional Chinese medicine involving herbs. Since most of them involved plants from nature and not a lot of specific equipment, it's quite useful and easy to apply. It was also quite an interesting subject, so she remembered it well.
Violetta sorts out the herbs bought. The amount was almost negligible in pile of goods, since the knights didn't think the princess is interested in such stuff. They bought way more books, since the past Violetta reads a lot.
Along the way of finding herbs, she finds the container of finished spicy food. 'Spicy food, hmm.. was such a thing in my past life?' As if on cue, all the specific memories pop up in her head, making Violetta gasp a bit in surprise.
First of all, there are different types -ooh jalapeno- and chili dishes - stuff actually makes more sense now.
Meng Xiang is actually from Sichuan, her favorite food also being spicy… Not to mention, her best friend Xiaoxia absolutely loves eating, pulling Meng Xiang into the world of foodies.
'Maybe that's why I was quite interested in these peppers even though I didn't regain my memories yet…'
She then sighs, 'Being entrapped by that bastard for so long has made the memories of before almost disappear! Otherwise, I would've known more about the peppers sooner...by the way I wonder how Xiaoxia is now…'
She rummages her meager supply of spicy powder.
'Hmm… I wonder if they have more peppers here… I'll go ask'.
Violetta stashes the herbs away and walks towards the door, but then stops in front of it. She takes a deep breath in.
'It's so hard to act pure when you're not anymore. Luckily I have my amazing acting skills back too.'
Violetta walks out the strolls out of the room where she is greeted by one of the mages of the Demigod Society.
"Good timing, I'd like to have an audience with the Supreme Demigod please. Would you please make an appointment for me?"