Chereads / A Villain In Red / Chapter 24 - Crimson Embrace: Meeting the Marchioness

Chapter 24 - Crimson Embrace: Meeting the Marchioness

The carriage rolled along the cobblestone streets of Assenav. My heart pounded with anticipation.

What would the Marchioness be like?

Would she be warm and kind? Or would she be mean and dismissive.

Those were my thoughts till the very last moment. The carriage stopped in front of  the gates of the manor.

We stood in front of the huge manor. So this is the home of Marchioness Anastasia Novan.

It was a mansion that exuded an aura of wealth and opulence. It had lush and beautiful gardens, towering sculptures and dazzling stonework.

We introduced ourselves to the servants who then lead us into the mansion. And had us wait in a spacious sitting room for her. I take my time examining the interior of the room. It is beautiful and the furniture looks incredible and exotic.

After what felt like an eternity, A beautiful woman with short obsidian black hair came down to meet us. She had an air of excellence and confidence about her. She looked like the very definition of the word 'magestic'.

She took one look at me and screamed excitedly on the top of her voice before wrapping me in a tight hug. Instantly shattering the dignified aura she had given off moments earlier.

She was hugging me so tight I couldn't breathe.

"I'm so happy you came. I was almost certain you'd throw my invitation away. It's been too long, you're so big and beautiful. Ack! I'm so happy" She squealed excitedly.

She cupped my face in her palms before squeezing my cheeks.

"I couldn't believe my ears when they said you were here.Victor! Sera! Your cousin's here come and say hi"

Two children entered the room. An boy who looks to be sixteen and a girl who looked to around seven. Both of them equally as beautiful and regal looking like their mother.

"This is my son Victor and my daughter Seraphina. You two this is your cousin I was telling you about. Lady Veronica from Aendesia go say hello"

The boy looked at me skeptically and bowed slightly

"A pleasure to meet you Lady Henderson. My name is Victor Novan"

"The pleasure is all mine"

I curtsey and greet him in return.

The girl hid behind her mother refusing to come out.

"Mama I don't like that woman. She's scary! And she looks weird" the little girl whined.

Well I can't blame her for saying that. I do look rather odd. 

"Sera! That was extremely rude! You mustn't say such things. Now go on and apologize"

She begrudgingly leaves her mother's side and mutters an apology I can barely hear before returning to hiding behind her.

"I apologize for my daughter's behavior. I'm glad you're here. Who are these lovely people with you"

"This is Hermione my lady in waiting and Javis my butler. Thank you for having us"

She smiled and waved some servants over.

"It's not a problem at all. They'll show you to the guest room where you can rest. I'm sure that you have had quite the long journey and would like to relax. And when you can do join us for dinner"

The servants helped us carry my luggage and led me to my guest room. Where they began to unload my stuff. I'm so tired, a nice long nap is what I need.

*****

Anastasia's heart leapt with joy. After so many years, after so many tries she had made to communicate with her niece she had finally appeared before her.

At least now she had a chance to set things right. Or at the very least make up for the wrong she had done.

"I had heard the rumors about her but I'd didn't expect them to be true. She really was wearing red from head to toe" her son Victor said.

"Mama he's right she looked so strange. Red hair, red dress, red shoes and her eyes were red too. That was really weird" her daughter Seraphina piped up.

"You two are being really rude! Besides what does it matter if she wears red or not"

The truth was that seeing that ruby red hair and fierce red eyes had brought back some bad and unpleasant memories she wished she could forget. 'She looks just like him' she thought.

"Besides it's because of her mana that her hair and eyes are that color''

At this piece of information both siblings froze.

"Mama does that mean she can use magic?'' Sera asked her eyes lighting up.

"Of she can! She's one of Aendesia's Seven Stars. Second Star Veronica Irida Henderson. The Flame Demon" she announced.

Victor was shocked. His mother had mentioned his cousin coming from Aendesia but she'd never said anything about her being a powerful mage.

"A third name and she's one of the Seven Stars! Why didn't you tell us she was someone important!"

The Marchioness looked up at the ceiling and then back at her son.

"I forgot"

'How do you forget something that important' he thought.

Anyway now that he knew she was a mage he was going to her immediately. He wanted to see first hand a display of magic.

"Sera let's go see her"

"Yeah I wanna see her do some magic" Sera said excitedly following her brother.

"Hold on you two..." She started but by then they were long gone. Far too interested in seeing their cousin perform magic.

Alone in the sitting room she sat down on one the big beautiful cushions. Today was a good day. Her niece after ignoring her for years had finally comeback to her.

"I bet you're watching over her Melody"

She hated the silence in the room. It made her uncomfortable. It was empty and it begged to be filled with some kind of sound. She hated how oppressive silence could be.

She wanted noise no matter how chaotic or obnoxious it would be.

After all it was in this silence that her conscience would torment her. Constantly berating for the evil she had committed. She had hoped that by bringing Veronica here she could perhaps try to at least make up for what she did. But seeing her had only brought up bad memories. Memories of pain, selfishness and a terrible betrayal. She tapped her finger against the wooden arm of the couch she was sitting on. At first it was an anxious tapping then slowly she began tapping a beat. A slow rhythmic beat that soothed her nerves.

This was good, it was calming for her. 'After all anything's better than silence' she told herself.

***

I was just about to get settled into my bed and head into dreamworld when someone knocked at my door.

I didn't have time to say 'come in' before the door flew open and someone came bursting in.

It was the little girl from earlier.

"Mama said you're a Star. Can you do magic? Show me some magic!" She said excitedly as she rushed over to the bed.

Her brother stood by the door peering in.

"Sera you shouldn't barge into people's rooms. You really are mannerless"

The girl pouted before turning her attention back to me.

"You can do magic right? Show me some magic!"

"You can't even say please when asking for something can you Sera"

She stuck her tongue at her brother and looked at me expectantly.

"Please do some magic" she pleaded.

And I'm a sucker for cute kids. I spent most of my time on the ship practicing my magic. I ransack my brain for a spell that'll easily satisfy her curiosity. Till I finally come up with one.

'Levitating magic'

Like the book had instructed I focus my mana on what I want to happen and who I want it to affect.

I extend my hand towards her and lift it up. At the same time the girl leaves the ground and is left suspended in mid air.

"Wow! I'm flying"

It's actually more of being in zero gravity than flying. But I move her across the room to simulate the feeling of flying. And judging by the look on her face she is loving every bit of it.

I notice her brother still watching from the door marveling at it. I use my magic to lift him off the ground. And move him across the room.

"Woah"

After a couple minutes of this I place them both on the ground.

The girl immediately rushed over to my side. "That was incredible teach me how to do that to"

"She can't we don't have mana like she does. We aren't from Aendesia. Anyway I'm sure that we've imposed on you enough. We'll be taking our leave Thank you for everything"

And without another word he grabbed his sister who had already began protesting and left the room.

Oh well I'm going to go back and sleep.