Cornelius's question left the two girls he was questioning confused. They exchanged glances before answering, "We're human, just like you."
The thin man shook his head in disbelief.
"Listen, dear," the woman standing behind Lucy explained, "Long ago, King Ivander Hale, the first king of our realm, prayed to the Angel, seeking protection after years of demonic enslavement of his people. The Angel answered. He granted magical powers to seven chosen noble people to protect the king. With this magic, they defeated the demons. However, the demons multiplied and grew stronger over time. Nevertheless, the noble people passed down their magic to their descendants, creating the Imperial Knights."
"Well," Lucy spoke up, "I know about the Imperial Knights, but I didn't know about the rest. I thought they were just a special unit that protected the king."
"That's true. We're sworn to protect the king and his lineage. How do you think we defeated two neighboring kingdoms that attacked sixteen years ago? With so few soldiers, it would have been impossible without magic," the woman replied.
Lucy swallowed hard.
"Now," the woman continued cheerfully, "can you understand Cornelius's shock from what I just explained, dear?"
Lucy nodded hesitantly and answered, "Only descendants of the seven Imperial nobles possess magic."
"And do you know what the symbol on your sister's nape means? That's the mark of multitransformation magic." The woman clapped excitedly, her smile widening. "It's an extraordinary symbol. A blessing."
Those familiar with the symbol were astonished. They couldn't hide their newfound interest in Katherine.
"And you?" Cornelius asked Lucy.
The girl shook her head. "I don't have any marks."
"Have you checked?" Ash suddenly chimed in.
Lucy was startled, almost forgetting the young man's presence. She shrugged in response.
"I can help you check," Ash offered, his eyes roaming over Lucy, making her feel as though she were being stripped bare.
"No, thank you," she replied hastily.
"Lucy doesn't have any marks," Katherine added. "If she did, I would have seen and recognized them."
"Well," the woman behind Lucy leaned down until her head was level with Lucy's, "don't worry, dear. Not having a mark doesn't mean you can't use magic. So, let's test it."
"What if I don't have any?" Lucy was agitated, fearful, and overwhelmed with many unpleasant feelings.
"Then you're not Katherine's sister," Daniel stated. "And it seems that's the case."
"Calm down, dear," the woman reassured her again. "No one will punish you."
"Promise?" Lucy asked hesitantly, glancing at the slender-waisted woman behind her with pleading eyes. She remembered her neighbor who was imprisoned for accidentally entering the academy grounds.
The woman nodded. "Now, draw a symbol."
All eyes squinted at Lucy, curious.
"I don't have a pen," Lucy felt foolish.
Smiling, the woman said, "Draw it in the air, dear. Use your finger."
Lucy moved her hand, unsure of which finger to choose. "Should I use my index finger? Or my middle finger?"
The woman began to grow impatient. "Whatever you like, dear."
"Alright." Lucy pointed her index finger in the air. "What symbol should I draw?"
The woman clicked her tongue and straightened her back in irritation. The sound of clicking tongues echoed from everyone awaiting her action.
"Forgive me. I've never known about magic or anything like it," Lucy panicked.
"Well, you can try this symbol." The woman demonstrated. She moved her index finger, drew a V, then crossed it in a straight line down the middle. The symbol glowed bright blue for a moment before vanishing. "That's the elk symbol, a healing sign."
Like a child full of imagination, Lucy moved her index finger, mimicking the symbol, and waited. But nothing happened.
"It seems you really aren't your sister's sibling," Daniel concluded.
"No," Ash corrected. "She drew it wrong." He turned to Lucy. "Draw the line straight down and make it a bit longer."
"Try again," the woman encouraged the girl.
Lucy drew the symbol in the air again, extending the line downward. When it was long enough, she released it. The symbol glowed faintly. She was momentarily startled.
"Well, you clearly have some magic ability," Ahn concluded, "but it's weak."
"That means you are Katherine's sister after all," Ash raised one eyebrow, his lips curling into a smirk that made Lucy uneasy.
"But how is that possible?" Cornelius still couldn't believe it.
"It means, dear Sir Cornelius," Ash said, glaring at him, "you or Maxmilian, or some older man from the Imperial noble families, had an unofficial relationship with those girls' mother."
"Watch your mouth! We are all honorable men. We are not your fathers!" Cornelius snapped, clearly irritated.
Ash's jaw clenched at Cornelius's denial. He rose abruptly, knocking over his chair. "You should watch your mouth!"
"Enough!" Maximilian's thunderous voice silenced the room. He then turned to Lucy and asked, "You said Mags was killed because she didn't answer the demon's question. Do you know what that question was?"
Trembling, Lucy nodded. "The demon accused Mags of hiding something."
Now, all attention was back on the girl. Ash and Cornelius restrained their anger.
"What exactly was Mags hiding?"
Lucy shook her head. "I don't know." She swallowed before continuing, "But besides that, the demon was also searching for a girl."
"A girl?"
"When the demon captured me, he said I wasn't the girl he was looking for."
"Then your sister?" Maximilian pressed Lucy relentlessly.
The girl looked at Katherine with envy. "Maybe the demon didn't want Kathy alive because she possesses extraordinary power. They fear her."
Maximilian stroked his beard, his eyes drifting toward Lucy. He pondered for a moment before deciding, "Until we know what they want and who you really are, you'll remain under our watch. From now on, you're not allowed to leave here until we determine your fate."
"But what about Mags's funeral?" Lucy panicked.
"And George," Ash added. "And the coachman."
Lucy glanced at the young man briefly. There was no mocking expression on his face. He seemed sincere. "Yes."
"Trust me, dear, this is for your own good." The woman who had been accompanying her earlier patted Lucy's shoulder briefly before turning to join Ahn and another person. They then walked out of the room.
The decision was made. Maximilian stood and left with long strides. Cornelius followed.
"Wait, wait!" Lucy tried to stop them, but her voice seemed unheard.
"It's no use." Daniel approached the table beside Katherine, leaning on it with one hand. "Once Maximilian has made a decision, you can't overturn it."
"I can turn us into air and get us out of here," Katherine suggested to the young man.
"And you just told his son," Ash mocked. "Brilliant."
"I don't mind your idea," Daniel quickly praised, "I think it's brilliant. Just don't do it for your own safety. And I'm sure other demons will come to your house since the demon from last night didn't get what it was looking for."
Katherine and Lucy exchanged glances, regretting not being able to see Mags one last time. But the young man's words made sense. Still, they didn't want to give up. They wanted to give their mother a proper burial, with the respect she deserved.