Chapter 30 - Chapter 30

"I've been doing quite alright in your absence, Lady Elby"

No matter how exasperated I was, my perfunctory smile would slip unto my face when in the presence of others. Moreso, someone like her. The only version of me that the world needed to know, was the perfect Adrianna Deor. Not the emotionally inclined one.

"To what do I owe this encounter, Lady Elby?"

"Adrianna, I thought we were close on a first name basis"

She spoke, then raised her head even higher because she was rather short and could barely reach my eye level. Her mid-length aquamarine hair swept past her shoulders.

"Fine, then care to tell me, why you're here, Megan?"

"Always straight to the point" She clucked her tongue, before her sweet smile transformed into a menacing smirk. "Shouldn't you at least spare some pleasantries with your best friend in this life?"

"What do you want Megan?"

She sighed then gestured forward. "Let's take a walk"

I obliged to her suggestion and we began walking at a steady and calm pace, her attendants trailing behind us at a distance.

The garden's expanse was filled with newly planted flowers. After all, these grounds were that of an old temple. It seemed it was only recently that the area was tended to. No bloomed flower was in sight as most plants only just began to bud.

I took a glance at her through my side vision. It had been over three years since I last saw her. The last time time I did, I failed to succumb to her demands and wiles before I told her off and warned to kill her if she got in my way. During that time, she did get more mature. Although, her childish semblance failed to completely disappear. Her face, which did remain quite youthful compared to others, coupled with her short stature, would make you liken her to her child from afar.

However, if you got to know her, you'd realize this lady was nothing close to a child, but more of an evil being. Her villainy could match my own past notorious deeds. Possibly, hers could be even worst. And that's saying something.

When we had gotten into the garden at a considerable distance, I broke the silence by speaking up.

"Just what vision of yours prompted you to appear here?"

"Whatever do you mean? The reason why I made an appearance is because it's your wedding..."

She slurred her words for a moment, before folding her arms and turning to my direction. Her eyes looking at me, were unfocused.

"....a rather controversial one at that"

"End your nonsense and just tell me"

At this point I was frowning. She couldn't see that, but probably heard the annoyance in my voice. Megan bowed her head for a moment, before she broke into a hysterical fit of laughter.

"Tell you? Fine." She stopped closer, and stopped barely a few inches in front of me and smirked. "But at what price?"

The thing that always amazed me was Megan's ability to locate my position. Even though her gaze seemed unfocused most of the time, it was always hard to notice...

The fact that she was blind.

Her usually dim golden eyes seemed to glow as she tilted her head. No, they were literally glowing at that moment, as she intensely 'stared' at me. The power in her eyes was so intense and bright and glowed a brilliant gold. Honestly, I always envied her ability of foresight and easy use of her family powers.

As previously mentioned, there were three founding families in the South — Deor, Farret and Elby. After using the powers of hypnosis, I conducted an intensive research and found out these families were said to possess mysterious hereditary powers. Interestingly these powers seemed to lay beneath the families eyes.

The Deor's family power of hypnosis was possessed by a few members who had dark purple eyes like my own.

The Farret's family power was the ability to see evil, and was possessed by a few who had red eyes.

The Elby's family power was the power of foresight and was possessed by a few with their rare golden eyes.

Over the years, the power of the families have greatly diminished. I had no idea if anyone currently possessed the evil seeing power of the Farret family. Just like me, Megan was the only one in her family who possessed the family's inherited powers.

Hers was the ability to see the future and didn't seem to have any limitations. These powers seemed to have granted her an insight into my life considering as she knew of my reincarnation and intentions. How lucky she was to possess such, while my mere power of hypnosis was bound by constraints.

"For you to know the future I saw..." Megan's words brought me back to reality. With a sidestep, she reached out to a flower and caressed its closed petals. "You have to pay the price we talked about three years ago"

"If so, then keep your crystal ball sight to yourself"

When she brought up the past topic that had ended our partnership, I immediately dismissed her. It was better to not know the future than to agree to such a deal. It was equivalent to selling my soul to the devil. I was wiser than that.

"Are you sure?" Following her question was a rhythmic low hum. "This vision concerns you and that silver eyed slave of yours"

For a moment, I paused. She was referring to Nathan. If I were to guess, her vision was something indicating that Nathan's demise drew near because of his curse. I knew the nature of Megan's visions; They were always negative so I made a conjecture, considering all worst scenarios that could likely play out around me.

"What happened to Nathan in your vision?" I asked, trying to sound indifferent.

"Hmm. Who knows?" Was her only reply as she grinned and 'looked' at me tauntingly. "I can only tell you my vision after you agree to the terms"

"Well then. I bid you a good day, Lady Elby"

If I were to listen to her further, it was possible that I'd be persuaded. So without a second thought, I turned around and began to walk away.

"You're trying not to make the same mistakes from your past life, but how errorless can you be? You're only human"

I heard her speak up, as I got further away. Her servants bowed as I passed and I acknowledged them with a nod. Megan knew how to get into people's heads and often liked to identify everyone but her as mere humans.

Such an odd person. Today, I wouldn't dwell on her presence any longer. The sound of the wedding orchestra filled my ears, reminding me of where I was and what I had in store.

'Megan, I may be a human, but I'm no ordinary one'

From the garden I entered into the hallway and walked down, going closer to the sound of music and chatter. The lonesome hallway echoed with the sound of my feet, and I glanced at the sun then at my shadow, realizing it was noon.

"Adrianna"

Someone appeared in front of me, making me pause. I looked up from my shadow and recognized the person.

"Brother Cardin...Hello"

In front of me was my cousin, Cardin, whose existence I had entirely forgotten about. When recalling the people I had not seen, I'd only remembered Olivia, his sister, but not his strange person.

"I can't believe, you're actually getting married" He took a step forward and came closer to me.

His words weren't the emotional excitement one shared with a family member who was about to get married. Rather, he sounded aggravated and reached out to hold my hand.

"I won't allow this marriage happen. That Ronald Belv doesn't deserve you"

Cardin looked like my protector, as he took my hands into his and raised it to his face. Internally, I cringed, but I had my innocent act to keep up.

"Unfortunately, it's father's will. There's nothing either you or I can do. I appreciate your concern as a brother, Cardin"

I sharply retracted my hand from his hold and put on a sweet smile. I took a step back and examined his face. The title of 'brother' seemed to irk him.

"N-no. I can't let this...."

He spoke lowly, then mumbled a few things under his breath before turning to look at me.

"The wedding march has begun. The Marquis is waiting for you"

Hurriedly, he turned and walked away. His back came into view and I looked him over. Most of the time, Cardin often appeared to be a simple minded debauched noble man, but at times, it seemed like there was more to him as he never failed to look creepy. His obsession towards me seemed to grow on a daily basis.

Paying him no further attention, I walked towards the wedding hall.

'Let's get over with this ridiculousness'

***
As the wedding music reached a diminuendo, and the groom, Ronald, appeared, the chatter quieted down.

All eyes were on me as I stepped unto the white carpet which was rolled and ended up at the altar; The white altar decorated with flowers, where an aged priest stood, his hands clasped, while making a solemn prayer.

Father glared at me and muttered. "Don't try anything funny." Then he opened his left arm, so I could hook my elbow unto it. And I did.

Right after adjusting the poison bottle, since I had put it in place, slightly above my sleeve, in a way it wasn't visible.

As I and father walked further, I scanned all the faces of the people in the crowd. I looked over from Paisley and Olivia, who could barely contain their hateful expressions, to Cardin, who remained staring at the floor.

Paisley's mother, lady Ashley, nodded almost as if she were approving my appearance and she seemed to chuckle at something someone close to her, had said. At the far back row, was Megan who faced straight ahead, probably able to feel where I was, despite her lack of sight.

Majority of the faces seated, were acquaintances from gatherings, but the people that I tried to spot were Harper and Henry. But they were nowhere in sight. Instead, my eyes met that of Count Thomas Farret, Olivia's fiancee. He looked at me with such a forlorn expression, as if he wanted to reach out and come closer to me.

'Another one of my admirers'

I had hoped that one of my admirers, would come forth and disrupt the wedding. However that didn't seem plausible. No one would want to earn the wrath of Duke Belv, who sat at the front row and observed my movement.

For a moment, our eyes met and I smiled kindly at the man.

'I apologize for the loss of your son, in advance'

Although he couldn't hear me, I was sure my warm smile would suffice for heartfelt condolences. It was his fault for insisting on his son's wedding, when the bride was unwilling.

My gaze rested on the person who sat next to the Duke. It was my mother. Feelings of betrayal resurfaced as I scanned her from her bright red hair, to the elegant white gown she was clad in. Her words of doubt towards my abilities, rang clearly in my head and it felt like a fresh wound on my skin.

Insanely painful.

I didn't want to look at her any longer, and was about to turn away and it was then that I saw her calm expression morph.

In that brief moment, the sweetest and brightest smile graced her lips, before she mouthed something to me.

'Wait...'

It looked like she was saying, 'Focus on the lead', but that didn't make any possible sense to me. I wasn't particularly good at reading lips so this didn't help.

Not giving me a moment to dwell further, I and father halted in our steps because the white altar was before us. I looked up at the priest who had a pious air surrounding him, then at Ronald who shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

I clicked my tongue.

Even if anything, my real wedding would never have such a stiff air surrounding it. How drab and plain this event was. Nothing was spectacular nor grandiose enough to match my tastes.

With an elegant step, I ascended the small steps and got on the altar. I think I even stepped on a few daisies which were clumsily scattered as supposed decoration.

'What poor decoration skills.'

Well, the affair was probably rushed since the wedding was abrupt.

'But still'

Finally I stood atop the altar, and stared intensely at Ronald while getting into place. He returned my gaze nervously, then glanced at Duke Belv in the crowd, before looking at me one more time.

He spoke in a hushed tone, not minding the priest.

"Ha! In the end you crawled back to me. How de-

"Oh, shut up"

I interjected coldly, all while maintaining my sweet demeanour. I had to look like an innocent bride in order not to be found out during investigation.

"You barely look like a man while you're continuously glancing at your father for affirmation. Poor Ronald"

While taunting him, I got into my position facing him, while the priest prayed in between us. Simultaneously, the music stopped and some heads bowed while others looked onward.

After all, our Empire wasn't influenced by religion. Most temples were even abandoned like this one, and we lacked priests. The priest who was presently ordaining the ceremony probably came from our neighboring Agios Empire.

Although it wasn't necessary to hold a religious wedding, father and Duke Belv must have wanted to leave such an impression.

As the priest almost finished his prayer, I took one last jab at Ronald.

"Why are you constantly looking at the Duke?"

His behaviour had drawn my attention. The way how he could barely focus on the ceremony and continuously looked at the crowd and at the Duke. All of it was suspicious. They had something planned.

Noticeably, he flinched as I pointed this out, but remained silent as he finally tore his gaze away from his father's position.

"Oh, is it that you desired him as your bride instead? How cute. Such a loving son"

My ridiculing remarks had to be halted as the priest finally finished his prayer and declared.

"This matrimony is divinely favoured"

'Bullsh*t'

The priest didn't hear my internal cussing and went on.

"So we may proceed, with everyone here as a witness to this union"

The priest went on and on with the endless formalities. Ronald stood at his left side facing me with a stiff expression, while I looked calm, at the priest's right hand.

When the priest's declarations had reached its climax, he gestured for his attendant to come forward.

The attendant clad in white priestly robes from head to toe, came forward with a tray. A tray containing two grails.

'Perfect. I guessed as much'

Two grails in which the bride and groom would drink from. They were a shining silver, probably to check for poisoning. But I wasn't worried. The poison I had couldn't be detected.

The attendant stopped in front of us, then went on their knees, and raised the tray high for us to take the grail.

The priest droned on with his declaration.

"The vows have been internally made. No verbal declaration is needed as everything is divinely decided"

'Yes. Such is the marriage ceremony style of the Agios Empire. Solely decided by the holy messenger'

"Now the bride and groom may drink"

Hearing these words, I reached forward and grasped one ceremonial grail, before Ronald could act. In the rush, my grail hit the other one and it tipped to the side on the tray. 

The attendant who held the tray, visibly flinched, probably scared the two grails would fall.

But I hurriedly grabbed it before it fell.

"Ah, sorry"

I apologized for my actions and smiled before raising my grail to my lips, a smirk playing on my features.

No one had noticed as I had slipped the vial of poison from my sleeve and poured its contents into both our grails.  The liquid blended seamlessly with the wine, and my smile hid my feeling of triumph.

Steeling my resolve, I grabbed the silver grail, then took a small sip from it. Ronald reached for his, and my eyes locked onto his for a fleeting moment.

'This is it'

I tried to contain my excitement as everything seemed to go in slow motion. Just as Ronald raised the grail to his lips, a commotion erupted at the back and there was something like an explosion.

The grail fell from Ronald's hands and unto the ground.

The priest's attendant suddenly stood up and came closer to me and whispered.

"My lady, follow our lead"

'No way'

I recognized the priest's attendant.

"Harper?"

I whispered her name and she nodded, slightly shifting her white robe to showing me a bit of her face.

"Yep!"

Although her voice sounded a bit different, and her hair colour was no longer brown, but now black, and her face covered with the priestly garments, I was able to recognize her anywhere.

Suddenly, she took my hand and held it tightly before finally whispering.

"I'm sorry for this my lady, but..."

Abruptly she dragged me down the altar and at the end of the stairs she shoved me to the ground.

I fell unto the floor, right in front of the altar. It hurt very much and I craned my neck to observe the situation in the crowd. Everywhere was a mess. Guests had began to run, but it seemed the doors were locked. Knights were already in the hall, with their swords unsheathed as they shouted.

"We tracked a young beast to this location! The others have approached, everyone stay calm!"

No one could, after hearing such an announcement. Nobles here in the South, rarely encountered beasts. Most went their whole lifetime without ever seeing them.

They banged on the hall's locked doors screaming.

"Someone come open this thing!"

"The security is terrible!"

"I don't want to die!"

"Just what kind of wedding is this, organized by the Deors and the Belvs?"

The doors seemed impenetrable, probably designed with the best steel, befitting for an old temple.

As the more fearful nobles dragged at the locked doors for escape, others shook in their seat shouting out for help. I could see father's face turn as white as a sheet, Olivia ran to meet Thomas Farret while Duke Belv, although scared, quaked with anger.

Mother stood up and tried to satiate the guests.

"Everyone please calm down"

Seeing mother act, I realized she wasn't shaken by the beast's presence. Probably she knew about it beforehand.

I noticed that the knights present donned the uniform of the imperial knights. For a moment, I wondered why and when they had appeared. Then in the next, I moved to get up and run out.

Beasts were something even I would be susceptible to.

Harper, acting as the priest's attendant, got on her knees and knelt before the priest, her hand clasped in a position for prayer.

"Priest Matthew, I just received an ordinance from above"

The priest, albeit shaking in fear, remained steadfast in his faith, and also got on his knees, right beside Harper and beckoned.

"Yes my pupil, speak"

"This union, between Lord Belv and Lady Deor, is wrong!"

Even though most of the guests present, were searching for ways to escape the wedding hall, most of them heard the declaration.

"Oh really"

"Of course it is. Lord Belv is a cheater"

"No wonder the events turned out like this!"

"So will this cursed wedding cost us our lives?"

Even the non-religious nobles believed that the wedding was forbidden, considering the chaos that was about to ensue if the young beast revealed itself.

Just as some nobles surmised that the windows were the only escape route and gestured for the few servants present, to break them, someone unlocked the doors from outside and swung them open.

People rushed out of the hall. Gone was the image of elegant nobles as it was a stampede to make an exit. I was now standing upright and glanced at the priest kneeling alongside Harper, and a fear frozen Ronald on the altar.

His eyes were frozen and I followed his gaze and looked up. And there it was.

A hideous creature, resembling a gigantic mutated fly, lay perched on the wall, below the stained glass windows.

No wonder Ronald hadn't moved an inch, the beast had probably caught him in its enchantment. He remained like a statue focused only on the beast that flew down and now laid on the ground. It had about eight eyes and it's gaze reached everywhere.

It seemed to be staring into my soul.

'No. Snap out of it'

Here was a beast, about to use powers similar to my hypnosis, on me.

Honestly, I had learnt enough about such a creature, to be free from it's trap.

I noticed now, both Harper and the priest, had fallen for the creature's enchantment. Looking around, I realized all those remaining in the hall had also fallen into the beast's trap.

I was the only person.

Until I realized there was someone else who hadn't fallen as a victim for the beast. The person stepped forward, away from the door which they had unlocked, brandishing a sword that glimmered with the sun's reflection.

First I caught a glimpse of purple hair, short and cropped around a handsome face. I observed the smile that tugged at his lips.

Before me, his silver eyes which looked like they were usually cold, held an undescribable warmth while gazing at me.

In that moment, as this man raised his sword and stabbed the beast mercilessly, his silver eyes never left me.

And I confidently held his gaze.

Those pair of silver eyes gave me a sense of reassurance. That if everyone else was nowhere to be found, he'd be there as an impenetrable shield I had carefully crafted for years.

He was Crown Prince Nathaniel of the Keres Empire.

He was a renowned name on the bloody battlefield.

He was the perfect male lead of the novel.

He was the young boy I had raised into my personal monster.

He was a man who had devoted all his life to my plans.

He was the person who I selfishly clung unto because I had claimed possession of his entire being.

And he was my ticket to unlimited power.

My gaze towards him was probably obsessive, and the smile he returned was even more so. From long ago, his love towards me began to transform into the dark desire currently pooling in his eyes.

"Your knight has arrived, my dear Adrianna"

As he drew nearer and spoke, his husky voice had a soothing timbre — a stark contrast to his blood-stained clothes. The air seemed to vibrate with an intensity possibly from his unyielding gaze that looked over at me possessively.

Instead of feeling scared by his form, I felt comforted. Comfort because I saw so vividly, that I wasn't the only one with such twisted emotions.

In that moment where he slayed the beast, I realized in a gentle silence, that love didn't have to always be beautiful. It could take the form of an ugly monster seeking to destroy whoever dared to claim the person of your interest.

Such was the nature of my love. Or rather my....

Crazy obsession.

So I'd like to say this; As long as you continue to love me Nathan, I will show you passion in kind.

To anything in this world or any divine force that seeks to destroy me, I'm sorry to say, but I can't go down that easily. I had learnt so much and would never repeat the same mistakes from my past life.

This twisted love I have with Nathan is my trump card over every character in this novel.

And I'd make sure to use it, wisely.