Chapter 3— Replica

LARISSA AURÉLIE FARSULEIA

I found myself outside the premises, crouching down as I dug the dirt with my bare hands, the soil feeling cool and damp against my skin. By now, the relentless rain had drenched me completely, I wasn’t in the mood to bring Honoria with me as I don’t want to bother her furthermore. I gently placed the corpse on the hole that I had made. I took a last look at the bird, my heart felt strangely numb, before I reached on my side and grabbed a handful of dirt. I then started to slowly fill the hole, the soil raining down onto the bird's lifeless body, gradually burying it.

As I did so, I heard footsteps drawing closer, the blades rustling against each other under the weight of each step. A bigger shadow engulfed upon the small spot where I was crouching, now casting a dark silhouette over me. I clenched my jaw, knowing who it was already. 

“I see that you’re done changing, are you not going to have supper?” Myra asked.

“I’d rather spend my precious time burying and mourning for this bird.” I answered in a cold tone as I continued burying the bird in dirt, refusing to look at her.

“My lady,” she chuckled,  “How important is this bird for you to bury it and not let it rot and get eaten?” 

I smiled to myself. “That’s a really good question, Myra.” 

I rose to my knees, my gaze turning to face her without a trace of mockery in my eyes. “Because unlike you, this bird saved my life.”

“Do you think you’re the only one that’s growing up? Mind you that I am not a child anymore, Myra. I am not the old Aurélie that you can fool.” I said in a low tone as I took slow steps towards her.

“You know, I’ve been wondering if you used me as an excuse for my father to host a dinner. Are you still earning enough, Myra? But I know one thing for sure, I'm not the only one you gave poisoned food to.” I took the final step forward, the gap between us almost closing as I moved to stand directly in front of her. “Be honest with me, Myra, what are you planning to do?”

With a blink of an eye, her demeanour suddenly changed. A broad, amused smile flickering across her face and replacing the stern expression that had been there before. “With every word that you’ve said, my eagerness to find another way to poison you grows. Mouths like yours should really be kept quiet.” 

“Don’t you worry, I did not put poison on the Marquess’ plate.” 

My brows furrowed upon hearing her. “So you just resent me, is that it?”

“How can I really resent you when I should be grateful for letting me make you my subject?”

That caught me off guard. My jaw dropped at her words, my eyebrows furrowed even more as a look of pure dread filled my gaze. “What do you mean—”

“Your blood. For the past years, I’ve been working on making a replica of your blessings. Your power to manipulate negativity, erase memories, and mind control…think about what I could gain from it. I could end your lineage if I wanted too, now that I’m finished.”

I couldn’t believe what I just heard, my mind struggling to let it sink in. The truth was far more sinister than I could have imagined—they weren't seeking a cure as my father and I believed, but were instead driven by a thirst for power to the point they made a replica. Suddenly, I felt a heavy weight had been put on my heart as I realised how devastated my father would be if he ever learned of their true motives.

“You fooled my father..?” I asked, already knowing the answer to my own question.

“Guess the Marquess wasn’t so sophisticated afterall.” Myra shocked her head and shrugged her shoulders simultaneously, a mischievous smile forming in her lips, “Mark my words,” She declared coldly, “The moment I get close to your father, I shall make certain he forgets all about his precious daughter. Your existence will mean absolutely nothing to him”

I scoffed at her threat. Though she managed to make a replica of my blessings, I’m still the original holder, we still wouldn’t be the same. With a newfound assurance bolstering my demeanour, I confidently crossed my arms and shrugged my shoulders.  “Fine, mind control against mind control.”  

“If you can.” Myra responded promptly, her tone radiating the same confidence I had. 

She took one step closer to me and leaned towards my ear, then she whispered, “If I were you, I’d pack my things and leave before my father told me so.”

My gaze followed as she leaned back away from me. I clenched my jaw. 

“I’m giving you one day after the debutante ball.” She sternly said as she forcefully made me open my hands to hold the umbrella. Then, with a gentle pat on the back of my hand, she stepped away from me and began walking back towards the manor, letting the rain drench her.