A/N: The chapter ahead has been grammar-checked but may need proofreading and editing. The author will do so if she has free time in the future.
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Skadi can't leave the boundaries of Frostbite Mountain. I thought that our journey would be smooth until we faced a dilemma. Some force is keeping her from leaving the third barrier built by my family. The magic barriers are built to distinguish the severity of the Mountain's climate and nature. The nearer it gets to the summit, the deadlier it becomes. Ancients were allowed to pass through the first and second barriers, but the third was out of bounds.
"But you managed to leave the cave with me, right?"
I crossed my arms and looked at the invisible barrier between us. I am outside, while she's stuck inside.
Why can't she leave Frostbite Mountain?
"I think I will need my physical body." If my hunch is correct...
"And? Will you try to break this barrier? I thought you can't use magic?"
"No. But these barriers were created by my family. I'm sure only they can go in and out of the third barrier. I might be able to get inside and leave with you. Maybe only the Imperial Family members and trusted Earthlings can get in here," I assume.
"So, you will leave me here after taking me out of that cave?"
I winced awkwardly. "Yeah...?" We have no choice.
"Alright. Leave already so you can take me out of here sooner." After saying that, she began walking back. I think she will return to her cave. It didn't seem that she was upset or mad about it.
"I'll bring you delicious meals to eat." Is my farewell to her and return to that darkness where I can see the events happening in monitors before me.
But I was taken aback when I saw that goody-shoes crying, calling me.
"Bad Azarese, where are you? Bad Azarese..." she sobbed.
I look at the events playing on the screens. My eyes narrowed at what I was seeing.
Who is that?
"What's happening out there?" I voiced out, gaining her attention.
"Oh, Bad Azarese!" she ran to me and gave me the tightest hug I've ever received. I would have appreciated it if she was happy like she usually is. But crying?
"We have an impostor! You have an impostor, and she's so mean!"
Impostor?
I lift her sobbing face with both my hands before looking back at those screens. I glare at the little golden bitch wearing a mask the same as my face.
I knew it. This is why I don't want to live this second life. I knew something was up. But I didn't know some little bitch would dare take my identity.
Impostor Holy Azarese Elyzena's POV
[A/N: While consciousness Azarese is in her mind domain, time in reality flows. A minute in her domain is equivalent to one year in reality.]
"Happy 19th birthday to our Sun! May the Deities bless you continuously!" Everyone cheered as they raised their glasses for a toast.
I beam a heart-warming smile at them.
"Everyone, thank you so much!" I curtsy to express my gratitude. Dad approached me with Mom beside her.
"A year left, and you will reach womanhood. I can't believe how fast time flew. You used to be so little," he emotionally said while caressing my face.
"Dad, I will always be your little Princess," I smiled dearly while holding his hand. He smiled and pulled me for a forehead kiss.
"Yes. You will always be my Princess,"
"Happy birthday, my Holy," Mom greeted and kissed my cheek. I giggled from happiness.
"That's making me jealous!" Brother Fiery pouted, and that's when he began throwing tantrums.
"C'mon, don't ruin our sister's day. Behave, Fiery," Brother Terra calmly said, but it's apparent that he's annoyed. I chuckled. I left our parents and went to Brother Fiery.
"Alright, I'll give you a kiss too, brother!" And I did. I kissed his right and left cheeks, leaving lipstick marks on them. He blushed.
"Why---Why! I don't want your kiss! I want Mom's!"
"Hey! How dare you reject a kiss from Azarese! Give it to me instead if you don't want it!" Brother Zephyr fumed, and that's when they bicker as usual.
I laughed. We laughed.
"Princess," I collected myself and turned to the one who called me. I almost burst into tears when I saw my three pairs of grandparents.
"Oh my! You made it!" I cried and jumped between their arms.
"Oh, of course. It's your birthday. How could we miss something important?"
We were about to share warm greetings filled with love when the Imperial Knights announced their arrival.
"Grand Duke Breuce and Grand Duchess Helverica have arrived, with Fourth Princess Eowyne and Fifth Princess Aeverie of Heart!"
Those who are sitting rise to honor their arrival. Another pair of my grandparents walked down the aisle with my cousins, who also shared my birthday. Princess Eowyne held her head high, not looking at anyone but the throne at the end of the aisle. The Empress's throne. On the other hand, Princess Aeverie, her twin sister, is waving her hand to the guests cheerfully.
Princess Eowyne is wearing a laced purple ball gown while her twin sister is wearing the same designed gown, but color pink.
My grandmommies hugged me tighter.
Grandfather Breuce and Grandmother Helverica sent their children to their thrones placed on the left side of my Mother's seat. My grandmommies let me go so I could also go to my designated throne. I saw how Princess Eowyne locked her eyes on me with a raised eyebrow. I give her a small smile. She rolled her eyes.
"To begin this special ceremony---" Mom began but was cut halfway when the Imperial Knights spoke again.
"The---The...!" Our eyes laid back to them. The doors are already closed since everybody is here. Our guests are complete. Members of Pure and Impure Nobilities are present, and even the Princes and monarchs from other empires and kingdoms are present.
"The Princess Moon is entering!"
Displease was written all over our faces, except for two, when it was just her who arrived. I look back to my knight, giving him a haughty stare, asking him what's going on and if she can attend. I ensured she wouldn't under the pretext that she was sick. I even had her drink strong poison so her maid would be convinced that she was. So, why the hell is Moon here?
She walked down the aisle with her head low, quivering like a lamb. Our sharp and hateful stares followed her. She stopped below the stage where our thrones were, looking uncomfortable. She's not even appropriately dressed. She should, at least, wear her most decent ragged clothes. How dare she show up looking like a rat. She needs to find her place.
"Moon, I thought you were sick?" King Liorei, her ally, walked by her side and touched her shoulders.
"U-Uhm, I suddenly felt better…" Suddenly? The poison I gave her is the strongest poison one could ever get their hands on! And she's saying that she suddenly felt better? Although we are immortal, that poison should be enough to paralyze her for hours!
"Is that so? Are you? Come here, I'll run tests on you,"
That alarmed me. If he ran tests on her, he would find out that she was poisoned!
"Uncle!" I called and smiled kindly. He stopped and gave me a nasty glance, "Let's trust her words. What's important is that Moon is here. I'm so happy she's able to attend!" I left my family and walked down to give Moon an embrace. She gasps as I tighten my arms around her neck. I let her go before King Liorei noticed she was running out of breath.
Holding her by the arms, I chuckled, "Let's get you dressed decently, Moon. Today is your birthday, too, after all! Zoey, please bring Moon to my room and let her choose one of my dresses. Make sure she will look beautiful!" I tucked her smooth hair behind her ear and smiled even kinder until it was wicked from her perspective.
"The problem is, I can't let you join us since it's yet to be known if you're a Princess. Still, our Dragunovv blood is flowing in you, so please don't feel bad if I can't give you a spot and a Princess throne, hmm?"
She looked down while biting her lower lip. I was astounded when she slapped my hands away from her.
"Moon!" My family called in haste after witnessing her insolence.
"D-Don't touch me. I…I've had enough of your fake niceties, S-Sun! And I don't need to wear any of your dresses or a throne because I know you stole them from me. My family, too!"
What in the world…is this bitch saying?
"Moon!" Brother Fiery hid me behind his back and pushed Moon as soon as he faced her. King Liorei remained standing, observing the events with judging and calculating stares. So, her other ally came to her aid.
"Did you have to push her?" Lord Watts, the youngest son from the Ducal House of Xirquits, asks sternly.
"What? She should be glad that's all I did to her. Did you hear what she just said? My sister is being nice to her! She's trying to ruin her birthday party!"
"'Our' birthday party. It's not only your baby sister who was born on the same day, Your Highness. You're offending us," Princess Eowyne scoffs while sitting on her throne, high and mighty, with a blank face. Brother Fiery only rolled his eyes on her.
Moon successfully got back on her feet.
"I'm fine, Your Grace. I felt good. I finally said my truth."
I clenched my fists.
"It seems our Moon is still unwell. Please, send her back to her chambers---"
I was not yet done when King Liorei finally stepped up.
"She's staying. Lord Watts, kindly send the Princess and have her lady-in-waiting dress her up. I sent her a box of her outfit for today earlier. We're not continuing this party without her,"
"Liorei, what are you saying!" Dad marches forward and pushes King Liorei by the shoulder, only for King Liorei to brush the part he touches off.
"I said what I said. If you're so against it, kick us out."
King Liorei---!
No, let's calm down. Nothing good will come if I get stressed over something so minor.
"Alright, we will wait for Moon,"
Everyone looked back at me with widening eyes. "Are you for real? After what she said to you?" Brother Fiery.
I chuckled, "Brother, am I that shallow to you? She's probably still unwell, but we can do nothing if she insists on partying with us. I don't want to anger Uncle Liorei. Are we going to fight because of Moon?"
They shook their heads in disbelief. "You're way too nice. Fine. Whatever," Brother Fiery gave up and went back to the Princes' table. Dad looked at me like he wanted to scold me, so I gave him an assuring smile.
When I turn my back around to walk to my throne, my facial expression turns sour. I looked at my slaves- maids and gave them a nod to get a job done. I almost stopped when I noticed Prince Maxigaufeas' eyes fixated on me while leaning on the edge of their family's table, gently shaking a glass of wine with an alarming grin on his lips.
I corrected my poise and facial expression to give him a warm smile. I sat on my throne and asked for a light wine.
Ancients celebrate three grand birthdays. First, their 13th birthday is when they reach their first teenage year. Second is their 19th, their last adolescent year, and the 20th, the age of young adulthood.
Anyway… Why is the second Prince of Vernignac fixing his eyes on me? I'm bothered by the grin he sent me earlier. And the malice mixed in his stares… It is as if he knew something I don't. Don't tell me… Will he be Moon's third supporter? No, that can't be. I won't let that happen.
"My, the air is so tense here and awkward. Why don't we play some music? Orchestra, do your job, men! Come on, liven the mood!" Emperor Maxism says before clapping his hands. The orchestra instantly played a lively piece, bringing the perfect mood and atmosphere back around us. They began interacting as if Moon never happened at all.
"Sir Dryllivan," I called. He was a couple of meters away from me, so he took a few steps forward to be on my side.
"Your Highness?"
"I don't want Moon in this party. Follow my maids," I murmur before drinking the liquid in my glass. I immediately smiled at my grandparents when I saw them approaching with their gifts for me.
"As you wish." And he discreetly left.
"Hmm, I wonder what he'll do,"
I was frozen and cold when I heard that playful voice behind me.
Prince Maxigaufeas stepped out and placed his gift on my lap. "It's pretty advanced, but I'll give my gift to you already, Sun!" he laughed while scratching his nape. Then he leans over. It was so close that the twisted expression on his face would haunt me in my dreams later.
"IF my brother, Watts, gets hurt during the process of your petty bullshit, I'll make sure you will regret my comeback to you for the rest of your life. Do whatever the fuck you want on Moon, I don't care. But involve my brother; I will expose everything you're hiding. Hmm, Sun? Our Watts is precious after all,"
"WHAT! Why are you so close to my daughter!?" Dad shouted while marching heavily to us. Prince Maxigaufeas jumped away from me and evaded Dad's Excalibur swiftly.
"Ha-ha! Sun is just so pretty; I almost kissed her! I'll make her my bride tomorrow, Uncle, so our family will be one!" he teased while skipping away from Dad's grumpy ass.
"YES! YOU GO, SON! A Dragunovv-Covry for my eldest and a Dragunovv-Warlock for my youngest. I LOVE POWER!" Emperor Maxism boasted while laughing evilly.
I bit my lower lip.
Was he observing all this time? Is he aware of what Lord Watts knows? My power is limited to the nearest links around me. I can't put my strings to him and his family since they rarely visit our Empire. Lord Watts used to be under my spell before, and I still wonder until now how he managed to free himself from me. Moon can't be behind it, for it's been proven that she does not possess magic. She's powerless and without a Core Essence, too. Her appearance alone is the fact that she's a Veil. Yes, she is a Veil with human-like intelligence. They're keeping their eyes on her for that sole reason: she's a mere test subject for them to dissect. They're curious about her, so they kept her around.
However, when she accidentally entered the Diamond Palace, another theory arose that she could be a Princess. Therefore, they announced she was one since the Diamond Palace for Warlock Princesses accepted her when the Court reached a verdict. She may be crowned a Princess but has no political power, authority, or influence. She's nothing but a display.
Still...
With her around, I get anxious that they will learn about the truth at any time. I know they will sooner or later, but I will hold on as long as possible to buy time. I'll continue playing this character until he achieves his goal.
I am Holy Azarese Elyzena Dragunovv-Warlock until the day they catch us.