Because of Natalia, they gained access to the backroom. They sat across each other, sizing each other up. Natalia could very easily see that Denitra’s magic level was hidden and Denitra found that she couldn’t gauge the depth of Natalia’s strength, even after using her technique. “I’m curious. If your excellency didn’t wish to sell the sarcophagus, why did you put it up at the auction?”“I was looking for…like minded people. When I saw your highness betting so fervently for the item, it made me overjoyed. I’m a collector of antiques like this so it pained me to put it up for sale. But they say you have to sacrifice some things to get what you want.”“I see. How much do you want to offer for the sarcophagus?”“2,000 high quality mana stones and 50 supreme quality mana stones.”Princess Denitra found it hard to hide her surprise. Mana stones were rare and expensive. Low quality mana stones could be purchased for 5 gold coins a piece. Mid quality mana stones could go for 50 gold coins a
“You can’t make me do this!”“I already have. If you weren’t so persistent in wasting all our time, then I wouldn’t have to do this to you. I don’t know why you think of me as a villain when I’m doing this for your own good!”“You’re always doing something like this! You act like you're omnipotent and you make too many rash decisions on behalf of people. You like to control their lives and expect them to thank you for lording over them! I can’t bear it any longer! I want you to stop controlling my life!”“You are overreacting. When have I ever lorded over you?! I gave you a choice in this matter and I helped you out. I’m not even asking for thanks! I’m asking you to finish what you started! In the first place, you’re the one who came to me for advice!” “And I regret that choice very much! I am not going through with this and I don’t want to hear anything about this any longer.”“Well, I’ll just have to see how long you can hold out,” she settled, glaring at him. He stormed out of the
Before she could go to Berinda, she was called back to the Hazel estate by her grandmother. Since the message was tagged as urgent, she left right away with a portal. When she arrived, she was led to her grandmother’s office. “With how quickly you answer my summons, you give me a sort of anxiety and unrealistic expectations.”“I will try to delay my journey next time, grandmother.”“No, I know you don’t like to waste your time so I’ll get straight to the point. Crown Prince Reagan sent another letter to ask if we will be attending the ball. He was vague but it’s obvious he wants you there. This choice is entirely yours if you want to attend but if you want to proceed to Berinda, then…”“Grandmother, giving me a choice whether to attend can be seen as favoritism by the other members of the family. I appreciate the intent but I don’t want grandmother’s heart to be broken if the family is divided. However, the Crown Prince didn’t specify that I had to show up, did he?”“No, he did not.”
The roads leading to Berinda were rockier than the ones leading to Polivia. Natalia couldn’t help comparing the two, especially since one had less landmass and had less financial power yet it seemed to be the only one with good facilities as compared to the one who boasted rich nature and resources. It was laughable. Worse of all, she couldn’t use magic so she had to bear with the uncomfortable trip up the mountain.“Cheese, are you doing alright?”The fairy’s yawn was more lethargic than usual. Cheese had to seal her magic to be able to make it through the anti-magic zone. They finally made it halfway up the mountain and took a break in the cave nearby. “I certainly regret this,” she grumbled, staring at the falling snow that began almost immediately after they entered the cave. Ever since she got magic, she had never traveled this slowly but this journey was forcing her past her comfort zone. It was annoying. “Master, we’ll have to make the rest of the journey up by foot. One of u
“Marvis, you’re…home.”“Yes, mother. I’m home.”Marvis used to speak well of his home and his parents yet their reunion was so awkward. Perhaps it was because they left on a sad note but he couldn’t look them in the eyes. His mother dropped what was in her hands and ran to embrace him. His father defeated their expectations by embracing him first, his mother joining from behind. “Why did you leave home like that? We were so scared that something horrible happened to you!”“Father, that’s enough. You’re embarrassing me in front of my friends. Father!”“I am so sorry, I didn’t know they were your friends. It wasn’t my intention to be so rude to our guests but our son hasn’t been home for months now and it has bothered us so much,” his mother said, pulling away. “Months? From the way he spoke, I guessed he hasn’t seen you in years,” Alana said, very confused. “No, I last saw my parents a few months ago after I left home without telling them. They were so worried that Sebastian secretl
Adelie…Adelie…Adelie…“Yes, my lord?”Your destiny…has changed. You have derailed from a glorious path and are now forging a path in darkness. Why have you chosen this path?“This path…is the only proper way forward. I will not lay my resentment to rest yet they shall not bother my life. This happiness within me is like an oasis in the desert. It feels like my heart has been craving it for a long time.”Happiness is not what you should desire! Power! Prosperity! Ascension!“What is all this without happiness, my lord?” Happiness is for mere mortals!“I…am a mortal, my lord.”Nevertheless…the mortal you call your sister is the reason why your path changed so much. You are destined to be enemies yet here she is, buttering you up to kill you. You must get rid of her before she kills you!“My lord, you know and see everything. Why would my sister want to kill me?”You are right that I can see everything and I know everything. However, there is one mortal I cannot see or know the depth of
"He's asking for too much!" Fredrich exclaims. Marvis nodded, holding Sebastian's shoulder to show he supported him. "Right now, we can only get an invitation through three people, His Majesty, Dame Violet and Count Selene. I doubt any one of them would be willing to give us one, especially with Natalia's foresight. The way it's going, we might have no other choice but to wait for her to come back," Marvis said. "There's nobody else we can ask?" Fredrich asks, frustrated. "How many people do we know can get through an anti-magic zone unperturbed?" Alana asks, hopelessness in her voice. Sebastian snaps his head up and looks at her. "There is one person.""Who?""Princess Temara.""I don't think…""The people of Polivia have little to no magic so they have lived their lives without magic. Technically, their whole kingdom is an anti-magic zone.""Even if she can go, how is she going to get an invite?" "For that, I'll just have to speak to her. Alana, could you stay behind to look af
"You are so…predictable, Lord Sebastian. I'm amazed to see it in reality. It's very fascinating.""I'm glad you're fascinated by this, your highness. Please, help us.""Unfortunately, I already gave my word to Lady Natalia that I will not be helping you. She also asked me to pass you something. Steward, go fetch the letter on my desk.""Yes, your highness!"Temara turned back to the men and smiled wryly when she saw their downcast expressions. They looked like the world was ending, or rather, their world. The steward returned and gave the letter to Sebastian. He opened it and read out loud. [If you're reading this letter, Bastian, that means you've come to Princess Temara for help. This also means you must've exhausted all available options, like the king, right? Have you lost your mind? Is your level of belief in me so low that you will put your pride aside to beg for scraps? Coming to Berinda won't do you any good. You all could die. I cannot die! You know this! Why do you insist o