Before exiting the room, the redhead put on a black cloak for me over the white dress I was wearing and together we walked to where the soldier that came to my room was bringing us. The whole journey was silent and stressful.
First, the guy wouldn't stop fidgeting in anxiety and second, the soldier walked too fast. My body was still exhausted from whatever the hell this Luna went through so I was having quite a hard time catching up.
'Hey,' I nudged the redhead. He turned. 'What's your name?'
He didn't hesitate to reply, 'It's Elias.'
I nodded. 'Elias,' I repeated his name in a murmur.
'The magicians have arrived!'
It was the soldier that announced our arrival. I looked up and saw a huge door, guarded by two men clad in armored suits. The two guards opened the door immediately and we were led in.
A red carpet led the pathway towards the throne, which was rather far at the end. We walked halfway and were told to kneel and bow. I copied Elias's actions, not really sure how the courtesy works.
A short laugh echoed.
I frowned. That's not what I–
'It was reported to me that after the bandits' attack, you have lost your magic mana. Do you admit it?' a voice spoke.
My eyes widened. It's the exact phrase Lucilius asked Luna!
What should I say?
'Your Majesty–' Elias began.
'Oh I didn't know Luna is a guy,' Lucilius interjected quickly, smiling at Elias, to which Elias went silent. Then he rolled his eyes and fixed his gaze on me. 'I want Luna to answer me.'
I stared at the red carpet anxiously. I could feel all eyes in the room were fixed on me and me alone.
'I…' my voice was like the squeak of a mouse. 'There is no way for me to prove that I lost it, or if I still have it.'
Silence.
'Oh?' Lucilius was obviously surprised at my answer.
I braved myself to look up and almost choked on my saliva. Black hair, glistening red eyes, fair skin– he looked like someone who'd jumped out of a romance comic. Well, he IS technically from a romance web novel (although a villain).
Embarrassed, I coughed politely and cleared my throat. 'W-What I mean is,' I stammered and mentally cursed at myself. 'I can't remember.'
Surprisingly, he was smiling.
Umm, I thought he's supposed to be cold and mean?
He removed his elbow that was resting on the throne's armrest and sat upright.
'You don't remember?' he asked.
I gulped. He might be smiling but he definitely sounded like he would kill me in an instant. 'Yes, Your Majesty,' I said in a small voice.
He chuckled.
I almost clicked my tongue out loud. It's never a good sign when a villain chuckles…
He crossed his right leg over his left one and stroked his chin with his forefinger. 'Hmm, Elias,' he called.
'Yes, Your Majesty,' Elias replied carefully.
'What do you think of this?' he asked, raising an eyebrow.
'Your Majesty, I–'
Before Elias could say anything, Lucilius cut him off, ''Should I behead her or hang her upside down and slit her neck until all blood drains out?'
Elias gasped. 'No, Your–'
'Ha! Beheading it is!' he concluded excitedly.
I gaped. He's not cold and heartless… h-he's a psycho… this is not the Lucilius I imagined when I read the novel!
Lucilius stood from his seat and walked towards us. He held his hand out and a sword materialized in his hand.
Only a few more steps until he reaches us, I need to stop him.
'W-wait!' I yelled, both hands in front of me. But he didn't halt, he kept on walking. In fact, his eyes lit up when I told him to wait. 'Lucilius, stop!'
Only then he did stop.
But loud gasps echoed throughout the room. Elias, who had his head down, was looking at me in bewilderment.
Oh.
I called his name instead of "Your Majesty".
It would be something like an offense to the royal family or something and I could be executed.
'I-I can actually turn into a dragon!'
What?
What did I just say?
'What?' Lucilius frowned.
Elias blinked at me confusingly.
'I mean, it's a shame that you decide to kill me now,' I said. 'For all you know, I could turn into a dragon or something!'
'But can you?' he asked.
'Well, it takes time,' I replied.
Lucilius strode forward again. 'But I don't have one,' he said.
He was right in front of me by then. His hand was raised. His sword glistened against the light and as it slashed down–
I quickly closed my eyes, bracing for impact, waiting to see the world from the point of view of a carriage wheel before I leave for Nirvana (or hell). My heart was pounding against my chest like a caged lion.
I have nothing to fear, I told myself. I will go back to my world if I die here.
I was ready for it.
But then I felt a sharp pain on my neck, and it didn't feel like a blade wound. It felt like an… electrostatic. Eh?
I opened one eye to peek but was immediately surprised at what I saw. Between me and the sword Lucilius was holding, there was a translucent barrier or some sort, preventing the sharp blade from hurting me. I looked at Lucilius, who had a frown on his face.
Whoa, what?
'Put down the barrier, Elias,' said Lucilius.
'I can't let you hurt her,' said Elias, touching my shoulder and pulling me so I would shift backwards. 'Do you truly believe that she lost her magic mana?'
'You're committing a grave sin,' Lucilius thrust the sword while Elias defended. The barrier was buzzing and small fire sparks exploded around us. 'Interrupting me like this. I don't like it.'
'With all due respect, Your Majesty,' Elias urged. 'I have no intention of doing so. I just want you to reconsider your decision.'
'My decision is absolute,' Lucilius replied.
'Not even a single shadow could go past her without being noticed, what makes you think the attack was an accident?' Elias argued.
'I never said it was an accident. What matters now is the fact that she's worthless, and I don't need someone like that. Whether it was an intentional attack or not, that could be investigated later.'
This man makes no sense.
'Would you say the same if your aide was the one who's attacked?' Elias seemed to think like me, as he asked such a question.
Without hesitation whatsoever, Lucilius curtly replied, 'Yes.'
Bullshit, I thought.
The emperor then changed his grip on the sword to the transverse volar grasp and stabbed the barrier, putting in every strength he had. Elias winced at the force. It looked like he wouldn't be able to hold the barrier any longer.
I saw the barrier thinning and the tip of the sword was inches away from Elias. Lucilius seemed to be using magic as well since the redhead was weakened.
'Careful!' I yelled and lunged towards Elias.
My intent was only to push Elias away from the blade but as soon as my body overlapped his, the sword broke through and I felt a terrible pain on the left side of my body.
I groaned, touching my waist that was stabbed. This indescribable feeling of pain was on another level. I could almost feel my organs being destroyed. Blood was pouring out like spilled tea.
I gritted my teeth and frowned, containing the excruciating agony then turned my head towards Lucilius, who displayed no sign of remorse as he pulled his sword off my body.
Ugh, whatever. If I die, I'll go back to my world anyway.
… Right?
I squinted my eyes at him, breathing heavily.
His sword disappeared and his bloody red eyes stared into mine nonchalantly, as I lost my…
Hmm?
I wasn't feeling any more pain. In fact, I felt really healthy and refreshed. Brows furrowed, I removed my hand that was applying pressure on the wound. It was bloody but my waist was doing just fine.
I blinked repeatedly, making sure of my eyesight. My cloak and dress were torn but my skin was good as new. There was no cut or any stab mark or even any scar.
As if it was… healed.
'L-Luna,' Elias, who was watching, whispered in surprise.
I remained silent. What the hell happened? Is this magic I'm witnessing? Is Luna's magic restored?
Lucilius, who anticipated my death, frowned when I was being quiet and looking at my perfectly fine body.
'Healer…' the emperor spoke.