The tender embrace between mother and daughter lingered for a few fleeting moments, a bond unspoken yet deeply felt. Reluctantly, the duchess withdrew, rising gracefully to her feet. Andromeda's gaze remained fixed on her mother, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and her cheeks slightly flushed from their affectionate encounter. With a voice softened by emotions, she spoke, "I will see you later, Mother."
Andromeda bid her farewell and departed from the room with the same grace that characterized her every movement. Stepping out of the duchess's opulent office, she lowered her gaze to her petite hands, their fragile elegance a stark contrast to the responsibilities she carried. The remnants of her mother's scent lingered in the air, a lingering reminder of their connection, and the residual warmth still clung to her skin. The experience of seeing her mother alive and well had stirred her emotions, momentarily flooding her heart with a tide of sentiment. Perhaps inhabiting a child's form had the unexpected effect of heightening her sensitivity.
Yet, as Andromeda walked further from her mother's presence, a sense of calm settled within her. The turbulent waves of her emotions had subsided, replaced by a tranquility that she welcomed. She acknowledged that her period of confinement was finite, her house arrest a temporary measure. Her thoughts then turned to Dennis, who remained stationed outside the room, a sentinel to her circumstances. She appreciated her silence. Dennis wasn't chirpy like few of her other maids. That just made her even more desirable in her eyes. Silently, Andromeda resumed her graceful stride, her path leading her back to the designated wing of the estate that was her current abode.
Despite the constraints of her confinement, Andromeda was aware that she must make use of this time wisely. The impending visit to the temple loomed in her mind, a prospect that necessitated careful preparation. Her mind, ever strategic, was already mapping out what she ought to do next. There was no time to rest.
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As Andromeda gracefully departed the room, the Duchess's elegant hand rose, holding a newly unfurled fan. With fluid motions, the closed fan traced intricate fire symbols in the air, each motion accompanied by whispered incantations. "Your master summons you, Ignatia, harbinger of the fiery storm. Answer my call."
The utterance of these words triggered a spellbinding transformation. The air itself seemed to shimmer, as if the very fabric of reality bent to the Duchess's will. From the interwoven threads of existence, a figure emerged—a manifestation of ethereal beauty and power. Draped in flowing obsidian robes, with closed eyes that held an air of serenity, and hair of cascading crimson that appeared aflame, this was Ignatia. The fire elemental, bound to the Duchess, embodied ancient wisdom and ethereal mystique, a being of formidable presence—an entity of profound influence.
A melodic undertone infused Ignatia's voice as she addressed her summoner. "I am here, master. I have been present, observing the intriguing exchange that took place."
Duchess Anastasia's attention shifted from the departing Andromeda to the manifested spirit before her. A mixture of contemplation and curiosity played across her features. "What insights do you have regarding Andromeda's revelations, Ignatia?"
A suspended pause, a heartbeat between moments, before Ignatia's response emerged—a voice laden with understanding that resonated like the crackle of flames. "A potent power awakens within her—a force that transcends the mundane. I sense a tremendous potential, a torrent that could reshape destinies. Yet, there is a shroud veiling the future, an enigmatic fog that eludes my vision. Something unfamiliar lies on the horizon."
The Duchess's gaze held an unwavering intensity, a complexity of emotions swirling within her eyes. "Is this power a force for creation? Or does it bear the seeds of destruction?"
Ignatia's eyes remained closed, yet they exuded a profound wisdom. A smile, as enigmatic as the flames she represented, curved her lips. "Power is a tool, a canvas upon which intent is painted. It carries no inherent morality. It is the heart that guides its purpose. Do you doubt your own blood?"
A frustrated sigh escaped the Duchess's lips, her composure unbroken even in the face of an ancient spirit's enigmatic nature. Wrangling older spirits was no simple feat, and the Duchess's concerns ran deep. Only her husband knew of the challenges she faced when contracting Ignatia—an elemental of immense power. Despite having subdued the fire spirit's defiance, it retained a certain rebellious edge. "My concern is not her intellect. But elemental spirits like yours rarely extend mercy, even to the innocent."
Ignatia's smile deepened, her form flickering like flames in a gentle breeze. "Worry not, master. Her potential burns brighter than the stars, an intensity I've seldom witnessed. Do not forget master, the future is an unfeeling void, and her decisions are but insignificant ripples in its vastness. Besides, are you not here to rein her in should her path diverge?"
The Duchess's eyes closed gently, a measured breath escaping her. "Disperse," she commanded softly.
With a slight bow, Ignatia's ethereal presence began to wane, its brilliance fading into the ether. The room returned to its previous state, leaving the Duchess alone with her contemplations—
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Andromeda retreated to her chamber, a refuge from the tumult that had erupted within her. The opulent surroundings seemed to close in, contrasting sharply with the storm that raged in her heart. She sank onto a cushioned seat, her gaze distant and haunted, her breaths uneven. A wave of sickness washed over her, a bitter reminder of the darkness she had embraced.
"Would you like me to bring tea, Princess?" Dennis asked she saw the princess walk off to sit on the couch with a blank expression yet those puffy eyes betrayed her silence. 'The duchess must have scolded her.' Dennis thought to herself. She knew that the princess had done something really out of ordinary and she would be punished for it but in her heart, somehow, she still didn't believe that the princess could do it. After all, the princess was someone so pious and regal.
"No. You may leave for now." Andromeda told her in a calm voice, void of any traces of her true emotions. Even as a nine years old, the princess was more mature than all of the noble children. Even her own sister who was just a year younger, was completely different from the princess. After all, while nothing made the older princess cry, even smallest of things made younger princess cry. They were like night and day.
"Yes, Princess," With a small bow and graceful steps, Dennis left, not questioning and leaving the room.
Andromeda remained calm, sitting there perfectly like a doll, just looking outside the huge window until she heard the soft sound of the door closing. She briefly closed her eyes, as if allowing herself to finally feel what she had been suppressing.
The name 'Erhard' escaped her lips in a whispered plea, a tremor in her voice betraying the ache that accompanied it. He was her beloved, her partner in the intricacies of life, lost to the shroud of time. And then, a litany of names flowed forth, each one a shard of memory that pierced her soul. Elonzo, Lukariah, Conrad, Harper, Turin, Gem, Ivy—their sacrifices were etched into her memory. Their lifeless cold bodies still haunted her.
Her fingers clenched into tight fists, nails biting into her palms. The pain was a welcome distraction from the turmoil within, a reminder of her own corporeal existence. The anger surged, a torrent of fire and ice that coursed through her veins. She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the memories that clawed at her mind.
The weight of her actions bore down upon her—a burden she could no longer evade. The darkness that had been set loose within her churned, wrestling for control over her thoughts. She was back to the past yet she couldn't forget it, she couldn't act like it was just a bad dream and move along in her new life.
The faces of her men, now returned from the beyond, filled her mind. They lived again, a testament to the power she had harnessed. But the knowledge brought little comfort. She could still taste the raw flesh on her tongue, the taste of their blood. It was still there and she wanted to pull her tongue out and break her teeth. Just to get rid of that feeling. 'Delphine….Antioch'. They had made her do something so evil. They had made her do the forbidden. The anger simmered, an inferno waiting to consume her. But then suddenly, her hazy eyes lit up. Her clench hands loosened as she breathed out, a smile creeping on her lips.
She pressed her fingers to her lips, as if to stifle the laughter that bubbled forth. It was a laughter drenched in bitterness, echoing her own descent into madness. Her return was marked not by relief but by the resurgence of her wrath. She thought about all of the people who had been the reason of her downfall and she wondered….
Who would save them now?
The fools who were now living happily and naively in their homes…
Completely unaware that she was going to ruin them all…
Collapsing onto the seat, a manic laughter erupted from her, mingling with the shadows that danced across the room. Her mirth was a discordant symphony of pain and chaos. Her lovely hazel eyes were filled with a dark glint. She had come back and for them, this was their first life.
The thought of playing this cat and mouse game felt incredibly exciting. She could practically taste the thrill of it, like a dance where she controlled every step. She pictured herself slowly dismantling their plans, enjoying every move she made. This realization brought her a strange kind of peace, a calm feeling that everything was falling into place just as she wanted.