Chapter 22 - Organize My Thoughts!
-Helia Palace; Royal Infirmary-
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFuhyzBCdf
"Easy, Your Highness," Veles said softly, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You've been through a lot. Just take it slow."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd8n16AFKr
I stirred awake, my senses slowly returning to me like a fog lifting from a distant shore.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs1q5kA0rc
"Where...where am I?" I asked, I managed to croak, my voice barely rising above a whisper. The dim light in the room made it hard to see, and the outlines of the furniture appeared as shadowy figures in my mind.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4sndTDaVu
"You're in the Royal Infirmary," Myla explained. "You've been unconscious for several days. We were soooooooooo worried about you."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjaWJIQIie
Several days? The last thing I remember was having a conversation with mother which was absolutely very...Ah, the pain! It hurts a lot! No! Luxana, bear the pain! If you can't even handle this much, how do you plan on getting your so-called "REVENGE" anyway? Just think of it as a punishment I must bear for... not even attempting to reach out to that Japanese woman earlier? I thought, doing my best not to scrunch up my face due to the unbearable pain.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18m5spVrC4
“How are you feeling, Princess?” Myla’s gentle voice broke through my spiraling thoughts.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7FlcLZob8
“Like my head’s going to explode,” I admitted, rubbing my temples in a futile attempt to ease the pressure. “But I’ll manage.”
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EMiFqPFQo
“I’ll get the healer,” Myla said, rising from her seat. “Just stay here and rest.”
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREBnsjuurb
“No! There’s no need. I don’t want to deal with anyone right now. Just let me rest for a while. I’ll be fine,” I insisted, sinking deeper into the bedding, desperate for solitude.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHTX91wlop
"Lumi, seriously, just give yourself a break! You gotta quit pushin' yourself to the limit before you implode." Veles interjected, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on the door with a detached expression. "It ain't gonna do anybody any good if you keep pushin' too hard. So cut yourself some slack and take a breather, got it? You're useless to everyone if you're burnt out anyway~"
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fcmm1wlhX
“Just…shut up…for a second,” I mumbled, pressing my head into my hands, hoping to block out both the pain and the world around me.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HPEFCzJkt
The pain in my head was relentless, but it was nothing compared to the turmoil in my heart. How could everything have gone so wrong? And what did Mother's words mean? Hades...Helios...the killer of her family...I thought.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0c7v1b6jc
I closed my eyes, trying to silence the chaos within. Each name echoed in my thoughts like a haunting melody, pulling me deeper into a web of confusion and fear. I had to find clarity. I had to understand what had happened to my family and why I felt so lost.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBvMb2PdFU
Turning to my right, my eyes widened in surprise. "Myla? Why are you.......crying?" I asked, concern threading through my voice.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4wR8fETBV
Myla quickly wiped away her tears, her face flushing with embarrassment. She tried to muster a smile but failed.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoeucs3d5D
"She's been doing that ever since we found out you were unconscious," Veles exclaimed, his voice steady but his eyes betraying a flicker of worry. He stood with his arms crossed, his face remaining expressionless, as if trying to hide his own emotions.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIeUvatcKh
"Myla, please don't cry," I said softly, the guilt gnawing at my heart. I gently reached out to touch her hand. "I'm still here. I'm still fighting."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGi0hzKVUd
Myla gave me a watery smile, her eyes red and puffy from tears. She clasped my hand tightly, as if afraid to let go. "It's just...I was so scared, Princess. I thought we might lose you."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6UOyv80us
"You won't lose me," I promised, though the words felt heavy with uncertainty. The pain in my head was overwhelming, and the weight of my responsibilities felt like a mountain on my shoulders. But I had to be strong. For them. For my family.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKyUJQmHlj
Veles sighed deeply, running a hand through his disheveled hair. His eyes were filled with concern as he looked at me. "Look, we all know you're tough, Lumi. But tough doesn't mean invincible. You've got to take care of yourself too."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDiPWCwTZQ
I nodded, though I wasn't sure how to follow his advice. Every time I tried to rest, my mind was invaded by relentless and defiant thoughts.
-Afternoon, Helia Palace; Roxana's Room-
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKjPx17wWL
As I sat in the guest corner of my room, gazing out of the window at the sprawling gardens of Helia Palace, the sunlight filtering through the delicate lace curtains painted dappled patterns on the wooden floor. The room itself was a blend of regal opulence and personal comfort, with plush cushions and a tapestry depicting ancient battles adorning one wall.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemdGufgPnv
Leena, dressed in a crisp maid's uniform, entered with a warm smile. Her uniform was meticulously pressed, and she wore a small, silver brooch of the palace insignia on her chest. Despite the King's illness, which had restricted entry and exit without a royal permit from the Queen, I had managed to disguise Leena to avoid drawing attention, thanks to Myla's cunning.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs98l8OmKnF
"Thank you for showing up, Leena," I said, gesturing for her to take a seat on the velvet-upholstered chair across from me.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEOiR4iNDY
"Of course, Your Highness. It's my honor," Leena replied, settling into the chair. Her eyes were filled with genuine concern. "I'm glad to see you're doing well, Your Highness."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KQCAU8GsB
I smiled reassuringly. "How about I start by introducing you to my allies first?"
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG8DTLDcKA
“Oh! I’d be delighted,” Leena said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiK6Tk9Crb
I snapped my fingers.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn0HZjxRhF
The room seemed to darken momentarily as Myla and Mylo glided in, shrouded in an ethereal fog that swirled around their forms.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkazgQiNch
Myla, a witch with cascading brown hair and piercing green eyes, wore long, flowing robes that billowed as she moved. Her eyes, vibrant and alive, hinted at her deep well of magical knowledge and her connection to the natural world. Each step she took echoed with the soft rustle of ancient fabric, and her presence exuded a serene yet powerful aura.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpQ6eEC0M8
Mylo, in his werewolf form, was a towering figure of raw power and intimidation. His fur, a deep, almost midnight blue, shimmered subtly in the dim light. His whitish hair framed his fierce yet intelligent face, with hazel eyes that seemed to pierce through the very soul. Standing on two legs, his muscular form was covered in dark, intricate patterns that seemed to shift and change as he moved. His demeanor was calm and calculating, always observing, always analyzing, with an aura of primal strength.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6U2ceYMiA
Veles, in his human form, had blue hair and striking blue eyes that seemed to glow with an inner fire. Materializing out of my necklace, his appearance was both mesmerizing and awe-inspiring. His hair, like a cascade of the clearest sapphire, framed a face that was both regal and fierce. Veles's eyes, reflecting the depths of the ocean, burned with the intensity of a thousand suns. His presence commanded respect and admiration, and the air around him crackled with energy.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHJxgWpyv5
Leena blinked, her eyes wide as she tried to make sense of the surreal scene unfolding before her.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZnTem6mR5
"Meet Myla and Drake!" I exclaimed, raising my hand to my right, “This is Myla, the witch you met with me at ‘The Moonlit Tearoom Café.’ And this is Drake, a werewolf who, along with Myla, has been helping me communicate with the wine dealer.”
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34M0PKfOzS
(P.S. forgot to mention, when I informed them that I was going to introduce them to Leena, Mylo begged for his name to be changed because everyone teases him for having a name that matches with Myla and others think they're siblings, though I really liked their names matching I was forced to change it. (┬┬﹏┬┬) So I named him Drake but I really hope I can still call him Mylo sometimes.)
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPrtBaZfRU
“And this is Veles, the Dragon of Dragon Flames,” I added, gesturing to my left. “They’ve all been a tremendous help to me since things took a turn for the worse.”
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6f0QLzzUN
Leena stood frozen, her eyes focused on Drake, who was still in his wolf form. Her hands trembled slightly.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ1oDVUxl9
"Oh, umh...Drake, please go back to your usual form. You too, Myla," I said gently.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VR2DmKVYC
Myla and Drake nodded, their forms shifting back to their usual appearances. Myla's glow dimmed, and Drake's features softened, making them look more human. The fog dissipating around them.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsmzkmWwAY
“Oh, um....................it’s...........good to meet all of you,” Leena stammered, her voice trembling slightly, a sheen of sweat glistening on her brow.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJy236S1ir
“You too,” Myla said with a warm smile, trying to ease Leena’s evident fear.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedTJd9FPEY
"Can we sit down now?" Veles asked, sounding slightly irritated, his tail flicking impatiently.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq9HgOYOmD
“Yeah, go ahead,” I replied, watching as Myla, Drake, and Veles settled into their chairs beside me. “Now, let’s get straight to the point!"
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4OJYV8pfF
"Leena, I’ve called you here because you know my mother better than anyone. There have been unsettling things happening to me recently, and since you’re one of the few I trust, I would appreciate your insights about her. But first, I’d like everyone here to help me categorize, prioritize, and conceptualize my thoughts. Since they've been in disarray ever since I woke up today." I added, my voice tinged with a mixture of apprehension and hope.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG7dnmOoXq
Everyone looked a bit puzzled and hesitant, their expressions mirroring my own inner turmoil as uncertainty hung in the air.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yCQ65teYJ
“Ah, I’m sorry if this makes you uncomfortable,” I added, feeling a twinge of guilt.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlea6quIi2N
"No, no, it's not like that, Your Highness," Leena quickly reassured me, raising both her hands and shaking them, her voice earnest.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjRPOrYy2t
“Princess, I’ll get a pen and paper. Please give me a second,” Myla said, rushing to my ornate mahogany drawer to retrieve them. “Here,” she exclaimed, placing the paper and pen in front of me. “We’re all set to hear what you’ve got,” she added with a soft smile, her eyes encouraging.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSTIgc7xlo
"Honestly, it's good that you're finally opening up to us a bit," Drake chimed in, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly in a rare smile.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0slfYyIXET
“Then let’s begin!” I exclaimed, feeling a surge of determination.
"Let's start from where it all began," I stated, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "It started on the day of fat— I mean, His Majesty's Birthday Banquet. That day, Cillian invaded and assassinated two people, who I suspect to be Elmirians."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY1LVxdshq
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouFx18WXFT
"It's been like 3 months since His Majesty's banquet!" Leena exclaimed, her eyes wide with incredulity.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoQDYZVijR
"And who’s Cillian?" Veles asked, his curiosity piqued.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMzxMCULjL
"Yeah, is he another of your allies whom we don't know?" Drake added, his tone tinged with impatience.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhc8f4hcpJ
"He's the Prince of Valentine, a duchy in Elmir," Myla answered, her voice soft but firm. "He's...um...I think he's an ally?" She turned to me, seeking confirmation.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB2NG4efBm
"Oh, um...well...I'm not sure," I said reluctantly, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. "We'll get onto that in a moment."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZajg9D8m6o
"Oh? Don't tell me....is he your-"
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLmaGz1PjL
"SHUT UP, Veles," Myla interrupted, glaring at him with such intensity that he visibly recoiled. "Can't you see the Princess is uncomfortable?" she raged, her fists clenching.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwyGynaB3w
Drake let out an exasperated sigh. "Okay, enough already! Please continue, Princess."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs3q0huysI
"Ah, yes! So then, the very next day, His Majesty called for me in Helia Palace, but I refused to take a step out of Amoria Palace. He definitely wanted to ask whether I was the one responsible for that incident. Oh right, after a few days it was my birthday. That night, Cillian showed up again at the balcony and got me to disclose the information about the Annex next to the Helia Palace. Oh, just so you know, it's an abandoned annex that secretly houses a casino where the nobility gather. His Majesty drinks there. He uses these gatherings to forge relationships and manipulate visitors using illegal methods."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gFY8DHwEg
"Oh my my~ this Cillian guy's got quite the nerve," Veles added, a smirk playing on his lips.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwreFule2D
"Shut up, idiot," Drake retorted, rolling his eyes.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwjJqbpupA
"Wait! Is there really a casino run by the King?" Leena questioned curiously, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKizqXfrCF
"Yes," I added, letting out a sigh. "Though I'm not sure why Cillian wanted information about such a trivial thing."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBsCy7RbOK
"Could it be...he's going to infiltrate it or something?" Drake suggested, his eyes narrowing.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T17bZqHZw
"There's a high possibility," Veles remarked, nodding thoughtfully, his tone serious.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIGeqjgOKc
"Hmmm...maybe. Then the next day, I...*sigh* killed my nanny." I added, my voice barely above a whisper.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTshmZBvSp8
Everyone fell silent, shock etched on their faces.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqnieOb8x4
"WHAT?" Veles exclaimed, jumping up from his seat. "HOW?"
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIrzYRGNM9
"Long story short, she wasn’t a good person to begin with. She tortured and traumatized me, so I used whatever I could find around me to kill her. Once I did, Cillian appeared and helped me hide the evidence. The doctor came in but failed to save her. Then I ended up meeting her husband that night, and he committed suicide in my garden in front of the butler because he hated her and couldn’t bear the pain of losing her. So, he took his own life. Of course, this is how it was presented in court, but the truth is, his family was pressuring him, and he couldn’t handle losing the one he loved, so he took the easy way out. I wasn’t caught."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4j5OGDg0l
Everyone was speechless. The room seemed to grow colder, and the silence was deafening.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMG4X1Re5T
"Oh! Then Cillian, before leaving that night, said he would help me avenge my mother! I know that my mother and his mother had a close friendship, but could this have something to do with him?"
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJZrj2rwUc
"Hmm....let me see..." Leena said, her brow furrowing in concentration.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ws1U2Faev
"Oh! I forgot, he traded my mother’s keepsake in exchange for the information about the casino," I said, instinctively touching the necklace around my neck.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdENwhNvoA
"Huh? But the Queen had taken all Her Late Majesty's belongings. Where did he get that from? Are you sure it's not fake?" Leena questioned, her eyes narrowing.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNMIEQd6Jn
"Oh no, it isn't. It definitely isn't. Cillian is a demon contrac-"
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88kS8n70wU
"WHAT?" Veles jumped up from his seat again, his face pale. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?"
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2mvgvaACc
"Na...no?" I stammered.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkvmtaT5lP
Veles walked towards me, grabbing my shoulders with a tight grip. "DO YOU KNOW HOW HE MADE A DEMON CONTRACT?"
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsmUL79nOl
"No........I don't..."
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZTNlnpjRO
"AH! You're so useless, Lumi!!!!!!!" he exclaimed, shaking me slightly.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1AMWo7rd9
"HEY!" Myla and Drake shouted in unison, trying to pull Veles away from me.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN6ucsV4do
"Veles, please sit down. Things would work out better for everyone here if you could explain why knowing ho-"
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbo1V5RZwR
"Kay, kay! I get it," Veles said interrupting Leena, snatching his arms away from Drake and plopping back into his seat.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uFkhfukbi
"Are you okay, Princess?" Myla whispered, her hands gently resting on my arms from behind.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWu0rRcrXe
"Yeah, I am," I remarked, seating back.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeltp1IYJ9
"Look. From what I know, demon contractors are extremely rare. No, demons themselves are extremely rare to find on this planet anymore. They’ve been yanked back to the demon realm. Since the gate between the human and demon realms has been sealed since the time dragons disappeared from the human realm, it’s impossible for a demon contractor to exist," Veles explained, his voice steadying.
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVrR8iFeeh
"Then, aren't you and him the same case? Your Dragon race disappeared but you remained-"
To be Continued...
ns 15.158.61.54da2
