To become the strongest person in the Belladonna Family, one must have at least three contracted spirits. But that spirit isn't any kind, but one made with the devil.
The strongest that one can get contracted is with the Basilisk. A mythology creature that no one has ever made a contract with.
Adriana flipped onto the next page of the book, which was covered with black leather. She was seen immersed in her reading that no one dared to disturb.
"Y-young lady, it's time to take your medicine," stuttered her maid, Joana, whose trembling hand placed the cup on the table.
Adriana gently shuts the book and looks at Joana, whose head is lowered. She avoided Adriana's gaze, hoping nothing would happen to her.
Joana did not want to die at the hands of the villainess.
'What a poor girl, Adriana said in her head. If it weren't for the high pay in this house. Joana would have worked in a safer environment.
"How much blood was added?" Adriana placed the book on the table and held the cup, swirling the brown texture in circles.
"About one-third only," Joana answered.
"One-third… I guess they want me to grow insane," Adriana mocked and drank the brown texture in one go.
Despite the ugly taste of the medicine or blood, Adriana had no choice but to take it. It had the blood of the unicorn. One of the purest blood that can subside the wraith of a dark magic-user.
There is a payment when one uses dark magic, and that is the sanity of a person. As the person continues to use dark magic without taking medicine, sooner or later, they will be devoured by madness.
Of course, Adriana does not want that because the three wives only give her one-third blood of the unicorn. It wasn't enough for her to sustain her sanity.
Which is why she needed to find an alternate way. A substitute, but she needed a particular person. And it was a person from the Skydane family.
This reminded Adriana that the events of the past were about to begin. Which is why she will change it this time.
"Leave the room," Adriana commanded Joana, who followed her instructions and left the room.
When the doors shut, Adriana stood up and closed all the curtains. Not allowing single sunlight to enter the room.
"Come out, Faris."
A black mist surrounded Adriana, and a transparent woman whose face was covered with a grey veil appeared. The second dark spirit Adriana secretly contracted was an illusionist. It wasn't the strongest but will be valuable as time passes.
"Master, you've called for me?" Faris lowered her head and matched the height of Adriana.
"I need you to keep an eye on Issac."
"As you wish," Faris held her hand out and blew light blue butterflies out of her mouth.
There was a reason Adriana had to hide Faris from her family. She learned from her past. If it was the past. She would have boasted about being contracted with two spirits.
This was Adriana's secret weapon for now. An illusionist that others cannot tell whether it's fake or not.
"Faris, inform me if you see him do something suspicious. You may now leave."
"Yes, master. We shall see each other soon."
The black mist surrounding Adriana disappeared, and she went to open the curtains back. Adrian shielded her eyes using her arms as the sunlight flashed down at her.
It was bright. And Adriana didn't like it.
"Master, are you not going to summon me?" asked Yashiro, an oni who appeared in a smaller form.
"Yashiro, if I summon you. My body won't handle it."
"Those old women stink. Especially that one woman."
Yashiro is the first spirit Adriana was in a contract with. An oni who came from the east. But his story was different. Instead of forming an agreement on neutral terms, he forced Adriana to be in a contract with him.
But Adriana accepted it in the end because she needed his power. For an oni, Yashiro was powerful and could stand on the same level as the current Issac.
This is why Adriana had been the possible heir of the Belladonna family.
"Yashiro, you do know something, right?" Adriana looked at the demon-like mask that had horns. "You know I went back in time. You've been feeling uneasy. You know I can feel what you're feeling."
"I don't understand either. My memories aren't clear."
Adriana did not say anything else since she felt the same. As the day continues to pass. Her memories of the past continue to fade. And every time she woke up. It felt like a dream.
But still, Adriana knew and was sure that she had gone back in time. And the feeling of death still scared her.
Her heart beats at an unexpectedly fast pace. It was like her heart was about to burst, and butterflies flying in her stomach.
"Head back now, Yashiro. I'll call you when I need you," Adriana commanded Yashiro, who listened to her commands without saying a word.
Adriana stared out of the window, and when she looked down, she met a pair of red eyes. It was Issac, who was casually taking a walk.
They both looked at each other, neither showing expressions on their faces. But the first to break the contact is the loser.
But Adriana didn't have time to play this kind of game. She turned her back away from the window. While Issac continues to look at the window, hoping to see Adriana once more.
"Young Master, the head is calling for you," informed his aide.
"Send him a message. I'll be there soon."
"As you wish," His aide bowed his head and made his way while Issac looked at the window once more.
"Are you trying to hide away from me? Adriana, you can't escape. You're mine. I'll become the next family head. And you will bear my child. But first, you should pass the test. I hope to see you on the stage, my butterfly."
A week had passed, and finally, the day had come. The day every Belladonna has been waiting for. The Grand Test.
When a son or daughter reaches the age of eighteen. The grand test will be held in the colosseum. And only three children are allowed to be alive.
Currently, there are five children in the Belladonna family. This means two must die at the hands of their siblings. Cruel, but that is the reality of this family.
"The day has finally come," commented Raven, who pulled out his black leather gloves. "Sister, promise me you'll take the spot."
"It's a must. I will win," Adriana confidently answered as she tied her long black hair to a ponytail.
"Then let's see each other soon," Raven smiled out of the waiting room.
Adriana stares at herself in the mirror. For the first time, she questioned the color of her eyes.
Since when did they look this dull?