"So... the day really came..." The King said, sighing at what he have just heard. Beside him is his wife, the Queen, with the same expression of exhaustion in her as he have.
Duke Giorno, one of their closest friends and ally, have just came bearing news of their daughter's recovery and gift. They were glad that the young Airla has now been given a gift by the Goddess, and according to the report made by Dermon, her gift shows that she was given the best amongst her generation.
She was given magic far better than the first prince... and she carries with her complete affinity for holy magic.
But, with this happy news, came something that they have expected for a very long time.
"I am sorry, old friend... but my daughter may have had enough of your son's treatment of her." Right from the start, when rumors of young Airla's villainous nature have came around, they have never believed anything that came from the mouths of the other nobles. They knew how much jealousy they have about her.
With her beautiful silver hair that was once compared to the Goddess' own hair, and her golden eyes; she was a beauty to behold even at such a young age. Some may say that the scar on her face have lessened her beauty, but most of them knew that it is not the case.
The scar have actually made her look much more... mysterious? Exotic? Or so that is what they've heard the servants say about the young lady Airla.
And now that she has been given the best kind of magic, daresay the most powerful magic even compared to them adults, everything is now going to change in her life soon. The third prince have lost someone that could have helped him in his pursuit for the throne.
"We understand Giorno. We ourselves do not condone the way that our son have treated her. Nicolas is no fool, but as of the moment, I think..." It might be somewhat harsh to say something about your own child but as a future candidate for the throne... judging him is an absolute must.
"Yes, yes. We ask for your forgiveness and for Airla's as well. She has not been treated right because of unfortunate circumstances..." Having no magic means instant death for the commonfolk. Airla have only stayed alive for this long because she was protected by the people that truly cared for her.
To think that she almost died because of the third prince...
"But everything is going to change for her now, isn't it?" Tomorrow, news of Airla's magic would be announced to the nobility. At the very moment, Jilliana is their golden girl, the only one with the biggest affinity to holy magic and the possibility to enter the church's favor.
But Airla? She can be the Saintess.
"Be ready for people who would want to use the young lady." The Queen warned, grimace shown in her mouth. The Duke nodded, expecting that there would be people who would take advantage of his daughter's ability in using magic. If Sir Dermon, a student of the Ethereal Mage Corneillia, have praised his daughter so much and have even offered himself as her teacher, then what would others say?
"They are going to regret ever going after Airla."
"Milady! T-There are people here to visit you..." Airla was in the middle of writing a letter to Adiran when her maid suddenly opened the door to her room.
"Who is it? And why are you deathly pale, is it someone dangerous?!"
"Well..." Angelica stepped towards her quickly.
"It is... the third prince and Jilliana." Ah, so that must be why Angelica is panicking. Her father has gone to the King and Queen to announce her decision of breaking the engagement with the third prince, while her mother have told her that she is going for an errand for a moment.
And since both the lord and the lady of the household isn't here... then she has no choice but to face the guests/
'It's not like I can ignore them...' Or her reputation will certainly go down the drain again because of it.
"Tell them that I will be down shortly." Angelica nodded, leaving her after a minute of fussing over her hair and her clothes.
She understands why Angelica acted as such, everyone knows (in their household at least), how two-faced Jilliana is. She is no angel as the other nobles would say she was, she is the polar opposite of it. An angel is someone that would never take advantage of anyone's situation no matter what it is, Jilliana on the other hand...
"I hate them."
She quickly fixed her hair, seeing as the clothes that she is wearing is enough for her to face the other two in whatever plan they have of her.
'Are they really this stupid to visit a recovering person's house and NOT even ask if they can see them?!' She doesn't want to think about the poor Airla, and the many times that she has to succumb to greeting one of the princes (except the second prince of course) even in her sickly state.
"Milady!" Well, she certainly did not expect people lining up and waiting outside her room. She tried to stop her giggle from escaping at how worried everyone is for her, even the cook is here!
"Are you certain that you are alright, milady? We could personally tell them that you have not recovered enough to face them?" Telling one of the royal princes no is like telling them to throw you in jail. She still can't let go of the fact that the people in the manor loves her (Airla) so much to even suggest something like this.
"I am fine. Lead the way everyone!"
She could tell that they tried to slow down as much as possible, possibly trying to give her time to gather herself. To be fair, she noticed that a few of the people here were with them when she keeled over back when she overused time magic.
"We are here, milady. Please, please, call for us if they did anything to you." She smiled, nodding and thanking them for their care and help.
"Anything for the young lady."
Without losing any time, she opened the door. She is confident that she can handle these two children that are waiting for her. To be honest, they would probably look like babies in terms of experience to her.
'I have faced countless of bitches and bastards that are far worse than you two. Bring it!'
"Lady Airla! It is so nice to see that you are recovering well." Or maybe she might have to relearn how to control her anger. Just by seeing her twisted smile and judging eyes, she could see that they are going to drop a bomb on her or something.
The third prince, on the other hand, is looking at her like a bug to be squished on his feet. Oh if only he knew how much he is going to regret doing anything to her.
'I know that my magical test's result will be announced soon. I hope that it's going to be sooner because I'm going to enjoy the look of regret in this bastard prince's eyes.' She thought, trying to calm herself down so that she won't use magic on these children.
"I am glad that you found the time to visit me, Lady Jilliana... and Prince Nicolas." If it was up to her she wouldn't even acknowledge the third prince. If Jilliana is the reason for all of Airla's suffering, then the third prince is main reason why it continued. He never did stop them... though he did that once, that was the last time he does so.
"It seems that we have came at the right time! We are actually here to see how you are doing... and to announce something to you." If they are going to announce their engagement being broken, then she is happy. She does not need a thorn on her side after all. What she needs is a reliable man, not a sorry for an excuse of a prince that only relies on his parents' power.
"I am happy that you are here to visit me. I am doing well... especially now that the Goddess have given me a gift of my own." At the mention of her receiving magic from the Goddess, the two froze in shock. Maybe she could have waited a bit more to say that she has magic but... well, it was worth the look on their faces.
"Gift...? The Goddess have given you magic?" It is not unheard of for someone to be given magic much later in life. Though her parents did not mention how miraculous it is that the church would even consider the person as a part of the church even without holy magic.
Being given a gift at a later date is shown to happen to most of the famous priestesses and saintesses in history. It is seen as an ultimate form of blessing from the Goddess... and having the church behind your back is no easy feat.
"Yes. She has given me a gift after falling ill. She may have seen me and have blessed me with a miracle for being her humble servant." When she said that, she swore she could hear the Goddess giggling at her words, knowing how much she hid her holy magic in her first life.
Still, she is devoted to the Goddess though she have never used much of the holy magic that she was given.
"I-Is that so..." Oh, the unsure look on the third prince's face is absolutely satisfying. She couldn't wait for Dermon to announce her magical affinities!!!
"Yes. Now that you have known how I have been... what is this news that you came bearing for me?"