All eyes were on Agatha as she danced. Even though Ophelia was supposed to be the star of the party, Agatha easily stole the spotlight. She was like a fairy wearing a rose as a skirt snd dancing across the night sky. I didn't even need to use Empath to make people entranced with her. Her beauty was outstanding, her elegance unmatched. I stood in a far corner, feeling a lot better but also feeling guilty. The mana running through my veins was refreshing-- but it wasn't mine. I wanted to dissolve in a puddle and not be seen.
'He was just so handsome!' My outside was cool and calm while my insides I was fangirling and screaming. My eyes kept looking at the large clock placed over the door of the grand staircase. It was bordering midnight, just the time I needed it to be. I couldn't help the sly smile that cut across my lips.
'It's almost show time.' My eyes scanned across the room. Over the main terrace directly across from the grand staircase I saw Ophelia. I couldn't see who she was speaking too, but it was a pale blonde haired man in a white royal knights uniform. Her eyes locked with mine for a brief moment, and I could see the resolve burning in them. She was angry. Good, I needed her angry. My eyes turned back to Agatha, twirling and glittering in the chandeliers light. I could see her clutching on to a golden haired tall man. I didn't need to see his face to know who it was. Everyone else who was blond had pale hair, while the fluffy hair I could see far away looked like pure gold. I knew it would happen soon. At about midnight after dancing with the prince, she drinks the poison and collapses in his arms. In the book it was supposed to be a dramatic and romantic scene, but now it sickened me. It was a sham, a cheap facade for a greedy power grab. As she twirled and danced amongst the rest of the nobles, I noticed knights in both white and black filing around people, silently and discreetly shuffling out as many servants as possible. Since I didn't know that name nor a description, the best thing I could have done was just warn her of the plan. I saw the Count on the far side of the banquet hall, chatting with some delegates. His crisp white and navy blue suit was pristine as he spoke, and his hair pulled back neatly. He was standing next to a large circular table with a tower of champagne glasses filled and stacked on top of each other. That was unfortunate, as the guards walked over to the glasses and gently started to take them down and dart out the hall. He noticed snd his eyes widened for a breif moment in confusion, looking over to Agatha's dancing. He was sweating in his hot seat, realizing that something in his air tight plan was awry.
'Please get the right one.' I begged internally as the guards flitted about. It would be less painful for me personally if they did. I stayed hidden, and as of I was invisible everyone ignored me. I was a fly on the wall watching their plan unfold before before eyes. Agatha's eyes slid over and saw the tower being taken down and even her own face displayed shock breifly before smacking on pretend joy. I was so focused to her reaction I actually got a good look at the Prince's face. He was classically handsome, with fluffy gold hair, a sharp jawline, soft eyes and a kind smile. He looked like a classic prince charming, and I slipped my eyes on for a moment, just a tad bit curious about it. Everyone's else's auras were muddling everything up, the colours too intense to make out anything or who was explicitly feeling what. I was a little annoyed, but dropped my vision after almost blinding myself in a psychedelic hazy vision. I had to blink dots out of my eyes and rub them as spots were dancing across my vision like I looked at a bright light. I was so delirious for a moment, I didn't notice for a moment when the ballroom fell into absolute chaos. People were muttering and rushing to deeper into the dance floor. I had to suppress the urge to roll my eyes. Her antics have began.
"Somebody! Help my daughter! She's been poisoned!" I heard the Count scream out, his voice bouncing off the walls of the large room. She must have caught on that something was wrong, and either the servant hadn't been caught or she was faking. I walked forward, steeling my nerves. I was hoping that I could avoid as much pain as possible, but that wasn't going to be a choice anymore. I made my way with the crowd, and I saw Ophelia close to the mostly gone champagne tower. Our eyes met for a moment and she seemed a little worried, but I gave her a reassuring nod. By the way she was looking around, the knight she had sent to find the poison in her room wasn't back yet. If Agatha had consumed poison, there was a chance everything could fall apart. I had to stop that.
"Excuse me!" I made my voice as shrill as possible, throwing myself I to the crowd and pushing past.
"Excuse me! That's my sister!" I shoved past the bewildered crowd, my tiny frame almost being crushed. I was squished between a large man and a knight trying to push their ways through. They had me stuck in place, and as much as I pushed and tried to pry myself between them I was unable to overpower them. Suddenly, the larger man pushed forward, the material of my dress tore viciously at the bottom. I didn't really care, but it was loud enough for people to look over. Suddenly a large hand wrapped around the collar of both the large man and the knight, ripping them back and around me.
"Move out of the way!" A loud voice boomed above me. People parted like the red sea, fearful looks in their eyes. For a moment I felt so exposed, dress torn and ragged, hair a mess and red faced. They moved enough that I could see Agatha laying on the ground in the Princes arms, unconscious. I sprinted forward, turning my head to the back to see my hero. I wish I hadn't. The Archduke was staring back at me, and actually hot on my heels behind me. I was filled with worry that despite my best efforts he may have already been attached to Agatha. I had to fix things, and quickly. The Count was kneeling beside Agatha and when he saw me he couldn't hide the confusion on his face. I was told to remain aloof and uncaring, but here I was rushing up to them.
"Is my sister okay?" I called out, falling to my knees in front of them dramatically. The Prince looked up, his dark brown eyes looking at me. More like he was looking through me, it was a strange feeling. I could feel anger rolling off the Count as the Prince's attention was on me, not the fainted Agatha.
"What happened?" I lookd up to see a frightened maid being held by a set of knights in white. She was sobbing, her hair tousled and her skin flushed. There was shattered glass across the floor, sparkling like stars against the velvet carpet. I reached out and gently touched Agathas's wrist, feeling out for a pulse.
"She told me she was thirsty and asked for a drink," The Count said between gritted teeth, "This maid gave her poison!" Everyone started to mutter but the maids kept wailing, mumbling about her innocence. I believed her, because Agatha's pulse was steady and her skin warm. When I was consumed by the posion, my skin was cold and my heart rate rapid. In one minute I was sweating bullets while her skin was clear
'Slimy bitch.' I thought to myself.
"Find who poisoned my daughter!" The Count bowed his head to me. I was confused but then I felt them looming presence behind me. I realized that the Archduke was hovering over me. I didn't have to turn around to confirm that, I just felt it. It was like a cold breeze behind me, a little uneasy but strangled comforting. Everyone was muttering to themselves. I looked around but still couldn't see Ophelia. I couldn't risk a search of the castle, on the off chance the poison not being found yet. I had to do it.
"I'll send my knights to search every room. I want everyone searched, including..." The Archduke's barking orders dropped off. In fact, everything dropped to you could hear a pin drop. I clasped Agatha's hand in mine, pouring my borrowed mana into her. Blue lights danced in the air around us like falling stars.
"That's... healing magic." The Prince said deadpan, but shooting a look over to the Count who looked like he was about to shit a brick.
"I thought the Counts second daughter didn't have any powers."
"I heard that her tainted blood meant that light could never shine through."
The mutterings began and as much as they stung, I did my best to ignore them. I was unsure if I was healing correctly, but deep in my bones I knew I was right. I could feel Agatha's life force in my hands, thrumming with a primal power. It was like I was pushing myself into her, allowing myself to manipulate her. It was like I had a road map her her entire body. I could just instinctively tell that there was no poison in her. I looked to her eyes and saw her eyeballs moving under her eyelids, obviously trying to stay 'fainted'.
"You can look everywhere in the castle," Ophelia's voice called over the crowd. She gracefully managed to part her way into the circle, surprisingly alone. She shot me a small smile and nodded to me.
"If there is any poison, I would like to me safe than sorry." Something in her words were strange, and I had a funny feeling.
"Do you think you can heal her?" Ophelia kneeled down to the floor, her dress circling her like a magic circle. The Counts veins were almost popping out from his forehead.
"If there's any poison in her system, I will do my best." There wasn't, but Ophelia seemed to have a plan and I did not want to interfere. She was more cunning than I thought, a glint in her eyes that screaming revenge.
"I didn't poison her drink I swear!" The maid screamed out sobbing. The knights holding her scowled, watching as she turned into a blubber mess. Jayce cocked his head to the side and they dragged her out.
"Start your search. If there's any poison I want you to find in and bring the perpetrator to me." The Prince barked out the orders this time, pulling Agatha closer to his chest. Her head lulled as she released all her muscles pretending to be unconscious. She was a great actress, really trying to play the part. I wanted to go with Ophelia's plan, but I knew they would only have three minutes to search before I would be forced to call in. This was only possible because of my chance encounter earlier. I turned my head so see that Jayce was now kneeling next to me, looking down at Agatha. He was focused on Agatha with worry etched on his face. It was heartbreaking for several reasons. The look on his face hurt to look at, but the worst part was I was certain I didn't stop him from falling in love with her. I suddenly felt uneasy and like I was going to vomit. All the efforts, all my suffering was it for naught?
"Are you okay Lady Mercy? Your face is flushed." Ophelias words snapped me back to reality and Jayce's head snapped over to me quickly as if he almost broke his neck. I looked away from his handsome worried face, and back to Agatha with shame filling me. I failed.
"I'm OK." I didn't mean for my voice to crack but it did as I was on the verge of tears.
"She's so worried about her sister."
"What a good family."
"If they really were a good family why would the Count lie about his daughter having powers?" The rumours circulated around us, and I thought that the Count would burst an artery. His image and hardwork was falling apart around him, and the worst part is he couldn't beat me in front of everyone so his outlet for rage was gone too. The both of them could only sit their helplessly as the knights searched everyone. It wasn't long before my breathes became ragged and my chest started to burn. A thin sheen of sweat started to stretch over my skin. I was begging internally that whatever Ophelia did gets discovered quickly.
"Jasper," Ophelia called out. It was almost like the man materialized beside her, pulling himself out of the crowd with ease. My vision was fuzziness a bit, but the sharp man I recognized. His pale hair pulled into a low ponytail, icy skin, and white crisp royal knights suit. It was the man I saw her speaking to on the balcony.
"Do we have another cleric somewhere to relieve Lady Mercy? She's losing lots of mana." Just as she spoke, I felt my nose starting to run. I tried to sniff to pull it back up but it didn't work. I kept sniffing again, warmth spreading to my fingers but it dripped to my lip. People around me started to gasp.
"Milady are you okay?" Prince Sylvain asked, his hand clasping around my own.
"I'm fine." I mumbled back, sniffing again as nausea fell upon me. These symptoms were new, however I knew I hadn't overused my mana more than once in one day before.
"You're not okay, your bleeding." Just as he finished his words I felt what felt like a fountain pouring from my nose making it hard to breathe. Red fell from my face and on Agatha's and my hand. It was warm, as it was my blood.
"Oh." I managed to say as it kept pouring from my nose, and down my chest. Everyone around were gasping and looking away as if I was a disgusting freak. The Count looked irritated, Ophelia and Sylvain looked shell-shocked. It wasn't until I felt someone hold up a cloth against my nose to stop the bleeding just as I gasped through my mouth to breathe. My lights flicked for a bit.
"Find a damn cleric!" Jayce barked to the pale Jasper as he held a napkin to my nose. It took about ten seconds for it to turn scarlet as I choked on my blood and my arms dropped. My magic faltered and I felt like I was drowning. I couldn't breathe properly, even when Jayce moved his hands away. I couldn't wait anymore for Ophelias plan, if she even had one. I was drained and drowning in my own blood.
"I can find out what's wrong." I gasped between my ragged breaths. I knew I had to play it big to win big sympathy from the people, even if the pain was excruciating. There were prickling pains in my back, as if someone was prodding needles into my skin. I tried to pull away from Jayce but he yanked me back, pulling off his black military jacket. He put it around my shoulders, using the sleeves to wipe my neck and press my nose. I was making a gross choking gurgling noise, squeezing my eyes shut as my body was burning. I couldn't do it anymore, my arms dropped go my to my side. I was still sputtering, and my gasps mixed with Jayce's pressure against my mouth, all the air was push out of the tiny area I had to breath. There was a sputter in my throat, and droplets of blood sprayed out. It was like it was happening in slow motion when I realized what happened.
It sprayed directly over Agatha and Sylvain. My blood splattered on the Prince's coat, but it also went directly over Agatha's chest. She jerked in his arms at the feeling and the room fell silent at her sudden involuntary movement. Even I was stunned, speechless at the absolute stupidity I saw before me. At least that was until she opened her eyes, pretending to be groggy and confused.
"What's... happening?" She forced her voice to crack and sound sleepy. To the untrained eye, she was good. However, to several in the crowd including the prince there was speculation and suspicion. I could seenit cloud their faces, furrowed brows and small frowns alike. Jayce was stone faced, still pressing down on my nose. I actually reached up and gripped his wrist, trying to hold onto some balance. The skin of his wrist was also very cold, giving me an anchor on reality.
"Lady Mercy, you should lay down." Ophelia scooted over to me, looking at me with worry and touching my steaming shoulder.
"She'll be fine, what about Agatha?" The Count couldn't hide the annoyance in his voice as the attention was on me. Agatha started to act groggy, as if she was shaking off the effects of the posion. She tried to look innocent and ill, but she came off as more out of tune. The silence was pointed, and I could feel the muscles on Jayce's wrist coil and tense.
"Father...?" Agatha said weakly and looked around. She was a pathetic rat trying to stick to her gun, but without even looking at his aura I knew the prince wasn't buying it. He was as stoic as Jayce, but definitely gave off the vibe he didn't want to be there. The Count played into it, trying to look like the doting father. He couldn't hide his indifference to me. He would turn his head from cooing to Agatha, to bluntly asking me of I was okay.
"She probably couldn't take a mana transfusion right now. She should go home and rest." Jayce's voice was cold, unfeeling. I was sort of out of it, barely even paying attention to what was happening. Did I fail? Did I succeed? I couldn't tell. I saw a flash of black, and saw a figure out of the corner of my eye. I was unable to move to see what they looked like.
"Sir, we found no poison anywhere." A strong but silent voice said.
"That's impossible!" The Count barked. "She had to have been poisoned!"
"There was nothing in the palace. We even use a hound who confirmed it." The Count was fighting the urge to gnash his teeth. Even Agatha looked bewildered.
"Perhaps it's was exhaustion? You were dancing quite a bit." Ophelia smirked at Agatha. Agatha put her hand on her chest as if she was going to say something heartfelt but lifted her hand when she felt the wetness on her chest. She turned a light shade of green, realizing that my blood was splattered against her. The crowd began to mutter against themselves but my brain was so fried I was barely able to process anything else.
"I'm sorry for ruining your jacket." I managed to say between my gasps as the intense bleeding in my nose slowed down. I meant it honestly, but it caused Ophelia to chuckle. I lazily looked my eyes over at her, and she flashed me an apologetic smile. There was a quite burning rage behind her eyes, and I could tell that whatever she was planning she couldn't achieve. I've been those disappointed burning eyes before. It was the only thing I could focus on as my brain just sort of started to shut down. I was overheating and burning up everything became a blur. I could hear people talking around me but it sounded like they were underwater. It felt like everything was a haze and confusing. Like the world was swimming by me. I took the numbness as a blessing-- a final time of peace before even more excruciating pain.