Unfamiliar footsteps approached the door. The sharp clack of high heels against the floor made it easy to guess that it was a woman.
The door burst open violently. A woman stormed in, moving with a combination of grace and authority. She strode toward me and leaned in close.
"Get up. I know you're faking it, little lady," she said. Her voice was cold, dripping with disdain. She reached out, touching the blood on the floor with the tips of her fingers.
She seemed like someone important; no maid or knight dared to stop her. Their silence was telling that they feared her presence too much to intervene. She didn't seem to care if I would make it out alive or not. She was here for another reason.
"Playing dead won't save you," she added in an unnervingly calm voice. "But if you want to keep pretending, I'd be more than happy to make it permanent."
A glint caught my eye, a reflection from the small dagger she was holding. She twirled it effortlessly between her fingers, the blade gleaming in the dim light, as if taunting me with the promise of danger.
I tried to speak but my pain was too great for me to utter any word. Darkness crept at the edges of my vision, it was only a matter of minutes before I lose consciousness completely again.
"Oh. You really do seem in pain," she sneered with a mocking voice as she grabbed my head by my hair. "But tell me, don't you think you deserve this wound? Poor Ellis is being tortured as we speak, because of a mere outsider."she said bitterly.
Tortured? Didn't Aloen say that she was only imprisoned? I couldn't process it fully before she continued."I wonder… what would happen if I kill you now? Would we finally get rid of the curse?"
The mention of the curse stirred something within me. Again this curse story. It haunted everyone, but no one ever gave me answers. Maybe this was my chance. I mustered every bit of strength I had left and croaked, "What curse?"
Her eyes flashed with fury. She stared at me, her expression full of loathing. Without warning, her hand lashed out, striking me hard across the face. The sharp sting brought fresh pain, but the slap wasn't what triggered me, it was the venom in her glare, a deep hatred, that I couldn't comprehend.
"How dare you look at me like that, you insufferable wench? Trying to curse me, are you? You are not getting away with this!" she snarled angrily.
She reached for her dagger, her aim set on my neck. Just as the blade was about to descend, she froze mid-motion. Not by her own will, but someone had stopped her. The air shimmered faintly around her, a telltale of mana at play.
"Who dares interfere?" she shrieked with rage. "I swear I'll cut their head off myself!"
"Ravenna, please stop." a calm yet commanding voice echoed through the room.
Her expression shifted instantly."Aloen! It's you, you are well! Come here my boy,"she exclaimed, her tone softening.
She stood up hastily and moved toward him with open arms. But as she attempted to embrace him, Aloen raised his hand and gently pushed her away. His expression was firm, unyielding, and tinged with disappointment.
"That is no way to treat your aunt, Aloen," Ravenna spat, her voice dripping with feigned hurt. "I am the one who raised you and your siblings, and yet look at you... giving me the cold shoulder like this. This brat has truly bewitched you!" she said, her venomous gaze fixed on me.
Aloen's golden eyes locked onto her, sharp and glowing like a wolf about to strike its prey. The room felt colder under his intense glare.
Furious, she slapped him with all her might. The sound echoed through the room like a whip crack.
"You've become more insolent by the day!" she hissed angrily. "Don't forget your place, Aloen. I am the current head of the family, and if you dare defy me, you'll regret it."
Aloen didn't flinch. His jaw tightened, but he remained silent, his defiance blazing in his unwavering stare.
Ravenna turned away abruptly, dismissing him with a flick of her hand. "Now then,"she demanded, "Where is Asher? At least he wasn't an ungrateful child like you!"
"I have no news about him," Aloen replied bitterly. "I was told he went to the human realm to patrol….my Lady." The formal address was laced with quiet defiance.
"Well, didn't you think to go look for him? Or perhaps... you were busy with this woman?"
Her gaze froze when she saw Aloen carrying me in his arms, cradling me protectively despite my bloodied state. I could see envy in her eyes. Yes. I could read it clearly.
You rejected my touch and your holding her, filthy with blood?
Remembering Philamina's warning about mind reading, I decided to close my eyes and rest in his embrace, sinking into the quiet comfort it offered.
Whatever...
*****
When he stepped outside, in the soft and warm sunlight, Aloen said gently: "I am sorry that you had to endure this Mia. You must hold on a bit longer okay?" he said pressing a light kiss to my forehead.
I felt a faint burst of energy coursing through me, igniting my insignia. The surge was just enough to keep me conscious, though it did little to alleviate the searing pain wracking my body.
He carried me further into the estate, his arms unwavering despite my weight and the strain of the situation. We entered a strange room. At first glance, it seemed like no place to rest, it was more a laboratory than anything else.
Glass beakers and vials lined in the shelves, glowing faintly of varying colors, as if they were… alive. Odd instruments were cluttered on the counter; based on their state, they had been recently used, this morning at the very least.
Aloen placed me carefully on a padded table and brushed a strand of hair from my face.
"Why are we here?" I said worried. "I am pretty sure this is not the nursery."I added firmly, trying to mask my unease.
"It is not, indeed." he replied. "Trust me okay? Everything is going to be fine if you cooperate."
Suddenly, Alphonso barged in, wearing a weird dark robe, similar to the one Lucius wore. His eyes met mine, soft and reassuring, a stark contrast to his ominous attire.
"I think you deserve to know what I am going to do," he said.
"Alphonso!" Aloen snapped, his tone sharp with disapproval.
"My Lord,"Alphonso began, bowing slightly, "I cannot fully operate without her consent, I should tell her. Besides she is one of us now, is she not? Do not fear my Lord, she is not going to leak any information. I'll make sure she won't."
He turned to me, his expression serious. "We believe that Lord Asher's soul is trapped deep within you, my Lady. I would like to take a look into your inner self to locate him and free him. For this, you will need to let you guard down to let me in. Do you understand?"
Save Asher huh? Whether I accepted or refused seemed irrelevant.. Their decision was already made. Alphonso was merely being considerate enough to explain it to me.
I glanced at Aloen. He stood silently against the wall, his arms crossed, his eyes closed as if he distanced himself from the situation.
"Lady Mia?"Alphonso prompted gently.
"Sure, go ahead."I said, closing my eyes.
I felt his hand rest lightly on my chest. A moment of tension followed, and then… nothing. Nothing happened. Confused, I opened my eyes to check, Alphonso stood frozen, his face white as a ghost. His eyes, clouded with troubled thoughts, stared blankly ahead.
"What is it?"Aloen's voice broke the silence, laced with concern.
"Lord Aloen…"Alphonso hesitated. "It's Lord Asher. he is gone!"
Aloen's golden eyes snapped open intensely. "What do you mean. Gone?" he demanded, his tone unyielding.
"I can not sense his presence," Alphonso said shakily, his gaze falling to the ground. "We are too late!"