The memory of Luciana disregarding Aristo's wishes to spare the 7th Division members rang through her mind. Knowing what followed after that moment in her previous life, the witch wondered if she should repeat the past.
It was then that Luciana was reminded the word of the shining woman who offered her a second chance in life.
[But if you really can't trust me, then you should trust him.]
[Unlike what you did in this life, this time you should listen to whatever what he has to say. Listen to his heart.]
[There is a reason why the ancient prophecy said he will be the one to bring the entire world to a grand new age, Luciana.]
Recalling those words to her mind, Luciana put on a huge frown and let out a sigh. It was clear she did not like what she was going to do next.
The silver-haired witch lowered her hand and caused the dark spell over the 7th Division to be lifted. The six men immediately dropped to the ground, gasping and recovering from the terrible suffering they just endured.
Seeing Luciana had spared his army, Aristo turned to the witch.
"Thank you, Miss Witch!"
"No, Your Highness. I believe I must apologize instead for my extreme behavior." replied Luciana in humble tone and bowing her head. "I failed to realize the extent of your care and mercy to your subjects."
Seeing her regretful face, Aristo placed his hand on Luciana's shoulder and spoke to her in a calm and steady voice. The anger in his tone had entirely vanish.
"Miss Witch, there's something I need you to learn from early on if you really want to serve me."
"Something I need to learn?" repeated Luciana with wondering eyes. She could feel the comforting warmth of Aristo's hand on her shoulder.
"Indeed. A very important lesson." said Aristo nodding his head.
The Second Prince stared his deep purple eyes toward Luciana and made sure all her attention was fixated on him, for he wanted her to listen to his words.
"Though powerless I might be, I would strive to move mountains if it could help my people." spoke the Doomed Prince. "My people is the only precious thing to a worthless Little Sun like myself. I value them more than even my life."
"My prince…"
He turned his gaze toward the six pathetic men.
"Though unpleasant they may be, the men of the 7th Division are still my people. And I would do anything to aid them." stated Aristo.
The tall dark-haired prince returned his eyes toward Luciana. He removed his hand from her shoulder and onto her hand. He encapsulated the witch's ice-cold palm with his warmth.
And with the same gentleness and warmness, Aristo spoke to Luciana, "Just like how I would do anything for you, Miss Witch."
Luciana stared at Aristo with the most bewildered look.
"Anything for me? But we only just met, my prince."
"You did pledge your service to me. That makes you my subordinate and my people, Miss Witch." said Aristo. "Attaining that status alone made you deserve my care."
Back in her previous life, at this moment Luciana was teaching Aristo that he had to anything, even killing his own people, in order to get him to the throne. But now, she was instead being taught by the Doomed Prince regarding an important lesson of how Aristo regards his subjects.
Luciana had known Aristo cared for his people so much. But this was the first time she truly understood just how much his subjects meant to him.
As someone responsible for guiding one of the Little Suns to the throne of Terraluna, Luciana needed to know if Aristo was the one prophesied to become the Sun that would bring the entire world to a grand new age.
The witch was correct before. And now she was correct again. Aristo was the Prophesied Sun.
But it was only in this second life of hers that Luciana understood completely why Aristo was the one mentioned in the prophecy.
"How terribly stupid of me…" whispered Luciana with a soft chuckle, realizing the mistake she had done in her previous life.
"What was that, Miss Witch?"
"Nothing, my prince." replied Luciana pulling her hand away from Aristo's. "We should move now. There're still plenty of monsters to kill."
"Very well! We will fetch our horses and wait for you to clear the mist ahead." said Aristo. He walked toward the 7th Division members and spoke to them. "It's safer for you all that you come with us. You can still finish this quest and reduce your sentence. We still have the chance to succeed. It's not too late!"
The 7th Division looked at Aristo with doubtful eyes still. But the sound of the monsters inside the white mist and Luciana's cold glare quickly casted their doubts away. They knew it was better to follow the prince rather than keep demanding for their wishes.
"Fine, fine! We will follow you!" said one of the men.
Hearing their approval, Aristo went back to Lance and fetched their mounts. The 7th Division members did the same. But as the rowdy men were preparing to continue their journey, Luciana walked over to them and gave them a threatening face.
"The goddesses must have blessed you for giving you worthless scums such a merciful leader like His Highness." said the silver-haired witch. "But I hope you don't take Prince Aristo's kindness for granted."
Luciana waved her hand and caused the mist behind the men to close in on them. The act made the 7th Division members to be terribly frightened and walked closer to Luciana to distance themselves from the mist.
"Beware, all of you." continued Luciana. "Should you do anything that could endanger His Highness's life, I won't hesitate to end your life right there and then."
A purple flame emerged on Luciana's palm. The intense heat it radiated could be felt on the 7th Division men standing around it.
"And I'll make your death so painful you'd wish His Highness had let you be killed by the monsters instead."
Luciana closed her palm and let the fire died.
"Go ahead and see if I'm true to my words."