Thanks to Marco's magic we were quickly back at the palace's foyer. He was still trying to plead his case to Maliece who was still ignoring him in favor of me. Maliece looked at him in disgust until he gave up and defeatedly cried to himself.
"Princess, are you sure you feel okay?" she asked "No pain right? Do you remember anything already?"
"No," I said leaning against the wall, "I thought maybe it would be quicker than that."
As I looked up for her response I noticed, everyone had disappeared from around me. I walked in alone and saw a little girl, with features like mine, talking to a woman similar to my stepmother. The woman was coaxing the little girl to drink something. It was a light blue liquid in a small bottle. She told her it would make sure she didn't get motion sickness on their way to Kitelle. The little girl nervously drank it and passed out.
"What did you give her?!" I yelled
I ran towards the little girl, but she suddenly appeared on the other side of the room with temple workers around her. I heard my stepmother talking to them as a seal appeared on the girl's chest.
"Make sure she can't use her powers." she said "I was able to deal with her father's powers on my own, but hers are strong. Hmph! Envy the youth."
I couldn't believe it. My stepmother had been the one behind everything. She had been the one that sealed my memories and my magic. But, why kill herself in the end? Did she or was it whoever is behind all this?
I sank to my knees. I felt like the world was crashing down around me. I had been so blind to what was happening. I had trusted my stepmother, so had my dad and like Maliece had said earlier, she was truly our downfall. Why did father date her?!
I stood up and ran to the little girl. I touched the seal on her chest, but it wouldn't budge. I tried to use my magic, but it was blocked.
"Let her go!" I screamed. "She's innocent! Whatever you people are so upset about, whatever is making you do this, stop! She doesn't deserve this. I didn't deserve any of this!"
My stepmother laughed. They all disappeared and I could hear my father's voice behind me. Raindrops pounded against my ears and the sound of sobbing boomed around me.
"We'll have to be strong together now sweetheart." my father's voice cooed. "Mother is gone but she's in our hearts forever."
I could hear his voice cracking and my heart ached. The little girl, whom I could now tell was me, stood beside my father who was holding an umbrella. A grave was in front of her, and the little girl dressed in a neat black dress cried.
"She said she would be back to see me just like usual! Why did she lie?"
"I'm so sorry about your loss." A hand touched my father's shoulder. He turned to see my stepmother. She was smiling sympathetically, and holding tissues. He took one and as the little girl stood crying her little eyes out, father began to talk to her about his sadness.
"No!" I said pointing at the little girl "Comfort her! Your daughter!"
My stepmother smiled, kneeling down to the girl. She looked up at her, her eyes still clouded in tears. "I'll be sure to come visit you, sweet little Theodosia. I want to make sure you and your father get through this okay. I have a son near your age. You could become good friends."
I shook my head. "You're wrong," I said. "You didn't do any of that. You lead us to our misery."
She stood up and went back to him. I was so angry and frustrated, I felt like I was going to explode. Then the little girl spoke to someone.
"Do you think we'll really be okay?" she asked wiping her eyes, "Do you think everyone will be okay without her?"
I could see her being picked up by a man with a large build. He cradled her before giving her a hug.
"You two will be fine. I'll make sure of it."
Who is that? I tried to make out their face but the figures in front of began to melt. All I could hear was more crying and a distorted conversation between my father and stepmother.
The room went dark and I turned and ran out of the palace. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I couldn't stay there. I can't see any more of this!
I didn't know what I was going to do, but I knew I couldn't be there anymore. As soon as I stepped out, Maliece was holding me. Her expression was worried and she was breathing heavily as if she had just finished a race. I looked to see Evanil with a look of distress and Marco's neck in Evanil's hands.
Oh my. I seemed to have started someone's murder.
"Princess!" She said breathing heavily. "You fell unconscious for almost an hour. Are you okay?! Can you hear me?"
What?
What just happened?
"W-what?" I stammered. "I'm okay. I don't know what happened. You all disappeared and I kept seeing this little girl. I was alone."
"We were just making a joke about Emilia's pies." Malice said worriedly. "But I noticed your eyes looked glazed over. Then, you looked like you were going to faint and you fell. We didn't go anywhere. We never left your side. "
I coughed, collecting myself as they all examined me. I told them I was fine, but Maliece tilted her head at me before launching a fist at Marco.
"What's going on Marco?!" she boomed
"I don't know!" he dodged. "Why're you attacking me?! It could be an after effect of the magic. It's bound to happen! I did a spell with a pretty heavy amount of magic. It messes with me too y'know."
"Oh." she said "Then, princess did you recover any memories?"
What in the world is this situation? Did nothing happen to them? Those scenes could've been memories.
Evanil grabbed Maliece and Marco. He sighed before bowing.
"I think it's best that we allow her some rest." he said "If you did recover anything, you can tell us later or when you're ready. I can tell it took a lot out of you, so please rest."
"That's nice of you to say after trying to kill me just now!" Marco whined.
He's right. I do feel significantly weaker now. Dizzy as well. I should get some rest. But my dreams could be scarier than reality." Evanil grabbed my hand.
"I'll have Nanny Emilia prepare you some tea to rest your nerves and help you sleep. We have a special herbal tea that helps with giving you sweet dreams. Have some and sleep well."
He dragged the other two off with him as he left. I headed up the stairs lost in thought. It's confirmed my step-mother was behind my magic and memories, but what was her reason behind what she did to us? I hope I'll be able to find out as my memories return.