Chapter Twenty Four

"Pardon?"

Agatha stared at Melody in confusion. Melody chuckled. Once Agatha had given her request, Isaac and his companions left, leaving Melody to chat with Agatha.

"We can't do everything for you." Melody explained. "You need to help us as well."

Agatha narrowed her eyes in suspicion and for a moment, she wondered what Melody was planning.

"All you have to do is bring the baby to us at this spot. At the river. You remember? The one that you and your sister always played by. Then we'll do the rest." Melody said.

Agatha narrowed her eyes, suspicious on how she knew that specific fact about her childhood. At the same time, for a brief moment, she missed those memories, as now she was no longer as close to her sister as before when they were just little girls.

Stop

She should stop thinking about that. She'll only get more emotional/

"How will you kill it?" Agatha asked, keeping her voice from shaking. She always wondered how it would be to kill a magical child. Will it be like killing a normal child? If it were easy, Agatha would have done it herself. She bit her lower lip. No, she wouldn't. The thought of actually harming a child with her own hands made her nauseous as her stomach churned.

"Well…" Melody drawled with a blank look. Her eyes looked back at Agatha. "Isaac is very merciful."

Agatha nodded. She didn't try to ask for more details. Let me handle it. She should just do as they say then. "Then, I'll give you the child tomorrow and then you can kill her." She said.

Melody sighed. "Yes, just as I have said before. Don't worry too much. We will handle everything." She stated. "That is the deal after all."

Agatha unconsciously trailed her fingers over the burn that marked her skin. It had become a reminder that she can't change her mind now.

"Alright." Agatha said. "Thank you."

"Don't need to thank me. This needed to be dealt with as soon as possible." Melody assured. Agatha smiled in relief and with a goodbye she left.

Melody watched Agatha's figure walk back to the village before turning to walk back to the small cottage. She chuckled quietly.

"This will be interesting…" She muttered.

Today was the day that we were finally able to leave Azmarin. I walked into Mr. Miller's room as I held a tray with his breakfast.

"Good morning, Mr. Miller." I greeted. What responded me was a ghastly cough. I placed the tray on the side table before proceeding to draw the curtains back and let the sunlight enter the room.

"Thank you." Mr. Miller said as he sat up in his bed. "It feels like I'm the guest and not the host."

"You're unwell. I should be doing this." I answered.

"Did you make this?" He asked. There was concern towards the fact that I as a guest was making him breakfast. I shook my head.

"Agatha prepared the ingredients and Clara cooked the breakfast." I explained.

Even during that moment, no words were exchanged between the two distant sisters. Agatha didn't look me in the eye as she placed the basket of food on top of the table. She had then left as soon as Clara came down the stairs. They had walked past each other without sparing a glance. Clara started cooking and told me to bring the breakfast up to her father. I haven't seen Agatha or Clara after that. I knew Clara was staying in her room while Agatha was perhaps still avoiding me.

"I feel like things have gotten worse." I said with a frown. It was because of me, wasn't it?

"I agree with that but none of it is your fault." Mr. Miller said. I looked at him a bit uncertain. I knew he was right, however.

"Things were bound to happen this way." Mr. Miller said. "If Elena grew up in Azmarin, she won't be able to control her magic. Who knows what trouble she'll get into in the future?"

"Mr. Miller, Clara and I will be leaving today." I said. He turned to look at me.

"You'll be meeting the King?" He asked.

"The Royal Sorceress, to be exact." I answered. He nodded.

"I see." He answered.

"But if you're against it, I'll tell them that we'll delay our travel." I assured quickly.

He shook his head. "Don't let my health stop you. Agatha is still here to take care of me and this needs to be done. Go to the kingdom." He said.

I gave a small smile and stood up.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Miller." I said.

He smiled. "Thank you for your help." He replied.

I walked out of the room and glanced at Clara's room. I should check on her. I knocked on the door before coming in. I noticed that she was folding her clothes.

"Is everything all right?" I asked. She looked a bit haggard and it concerned me.

"No, actually. How long will we be staying at the Capital exactly?" She asked as she placed her clothes in a case. "I don't know how many clothes I should bring."

I chuckled and walked up to the cradle. I checked to see that Elena was fine. I lent her my hand and she played with my fingers.

"I'm not sure to be honest. But I'm sure we'll be there for a few days. Madam Suliman will tell us exactly what we have to do." I explained.

She sighed and sat down. "I just never left Azmarin before. Chay and I… we used to… talk about leaving together. Go on our own adventure." She gave a small smile that held so much sadness. "Now he's not here with us. With me."

I bit my lip, not knowing what to say. I wasn't sure how to console her.

"We'll be leaving soon." I said. "Pack up anything you need. I'll be waiting downstairs."

Clara nodded and as I turned to leave, she called out to me.

"Rose… Thank you." She said. I turned to smile at her and left.

I walked down the stairs and paused when Agatha walked up. She froze at the sight of me. We stood awkwardly and after a while, I started the conversation.

"Morning, Agatha. Have you eaten?" I asked. Her eyes darted away from me.

"I have." She answered in a small voice. I gave a small smile and tilted my head to catch her eye. She finally looked back at me and she cleared her throat.

"Before… when you first saw Elena and I shouted at you." She swallowed. "I'm sorry about my inappropriate behavior."

"It's alright. I assured.

She shook her head and rubbed her elbow. "Not just my outburst but also last night when you were calling out my name. I didn't hear you."

"You were panicked. Everyone else was." I said. I placed a hand on her shoulder. "I don't blame you.

She stayed quiet for a while. "You're leaving today, aren't you?" She asked.

"Yes, we are." I answered. "It's a bit inconvenient, considering the timing but we have to.

She looked upstairs at Clara's door. "I should go say goodbye to Clara and tell her sorry for everything as well.

"Go ahead." I said. I gave a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder and for a moment, I felt her get tense. I furrowed my eyebrows at the action but she walked past by me.

I hesitated for a moment but decided not to question it at all. I walked out of the house. For a moment, I took a look at the cottages. They were all burnt black as consequences of last night. I felt the gazes of contempt from the villagers but they did nothing, fortunately.

I reached my hand up to my necklace and played around with it.

"Ms. Rose?"

I blinked and turned to see a young blonde man. I closed my eyes tightly and opened them. I sighed in disappointment. It was just one of Madam Suliman's servants. It seems he came here instead of waiting at the barrier. I looked away. He looked too much like Howl.

"You're here already." I replied.

"Of course just as we have planned." He answered. I nodded with a smile.

"Are you ready to leave, ma'am?" The driver asked.

I looked back at the house but Clara had not walked out. That's strange. Why was she taking too long? I sighed. Is she still choosing what to bring?

"Just a few more minutes." I assured before walking back into the house.

"Agatha?" I called out. No one replied. "Agatha, is Clara ready yet? We need to leave now."

It was quiet as I went to Clara's door. I looked around the hallway one last time but I couldn't find Agatha.

"Clara?" I knocked quietly at her door. "Is everything all right?"

No response was given and I knocked the door a bit harder. "Clara, is Agatha with you?" I asked. "Please answer!"

Suddenly, I heard a crash and I burst into the room.

"Give me back my sister!" A shrill voice screamed. I froze at the sight of Agatha's hands wrapped around Clara's neck. All I could hear was Elena crying and Clara's choked gasps overwhelmed by Agatha's tearful screams. I snapped back into reality and rushed to stop Agatha.

"Agatha, what are you doing?" I yelled in panic.

I grabbed her shoulder and ripped her away from Clara. I held Clara close. I placed my palm against her cheek.

"Clara!" I called out. Finally, she coughed and took shallow breaths. I sighed in relief.

I soon remembered Agatha when the baby started to cry. I looked up to see Agatha run out the door.

Agatha!" I called out but I knew she wouldn't stop.

"Can you walk?" I asked. Clara gave a small nod and I helped her to stand. She leaned against me as I helped her to the stairs.

"What's happening?"

I looked up to see Mr. Miller at his bedroom door. He noticed the weak state Clara is in. "Clara! Are you alright?" He asked with concern.

"Agatha–"

Mr. Miller widened his eyes at just her name. "That foolish girl." He muttered.

"It's alright, Mr. Miller. I'll get her." I said before he could step out of his room. .

"But I'm her father! I should be–"

"Father, you're unwell. Please just rest." Clara persuaded with her weak voice.

Mr. Miller hesitated but frowned. I could tell he was conflicted on what he should do. "All right. Be careful." He answered.

I nodded and helped her down the stairs. The driver walked in and turned to look at me. He had a slight concern and confusion on his expression.

"Is something the matter?" He asked. He lent a hand and helped Clara to stand.

"Take Clara to the car and wait for me. I have some business to finish." I said hurriedly before chasing after the said girl.

I rushed out of the house to see villagers screaming and panicking at the sight of Agatha with the child. I pushed passed the frightened villagers, who were rushing into their homes.

"Agatha!" I yelled and made sure my voice was loud and clear above the scared voices.

She ran faster at the sound of my voice but I knew I was catching up to her. I followed her out of the village. I glanced to see a pathway of water. She's taking Elena to a river? I widened my eyes. She's going to drown her. I noticed that she was slowing down from exhaustion. I kicked my feet faster and gained speed to overtake her. I finally caught up to her and grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop.

She turned to look at me with a panicked expression.

"Give Elena back." I said under haggard breaths. I tried to take a breather after the run..

She glared at me. "No…" She said. My grip over her arm tightened.

"Agatha, you don't understand the situation." I reasoned.

"No." She said firmly. "You don't understand any of this."

"I'm trying to help her. I'm trying to help everyone in this village." I snapped. "You're the one stopping me."

"How can you help her?" She asked loudly.

"We can teach her to control her magic–"

"Just control? That's all you can help with!" She yelled. "But what about when she's older? When she has her own choice? What if maybe she chooses to hurt people?"

"We don't know that. No one knows what will happen. You of all people don't have the right to decide what she will do in the future." I said.

"No, I don't. But I can at least stop it before it happens." Agatha replied.

My necklace began to heat up and I winced. Elena whimpered before bursting into painful tears. Her cries rang in my ear. The screeching sound brought me to my knees as I felt pain. I gritted my teeth to see that Agatha was knelt down with one hand trying to cover her left ear. Trying to bear with the pain, I grabbed Elena and shoved Agatha into the river.

The scream soon stopped and Agatha coughed up water as she was drenched. Before she could recover, I bolted off. My ears were ringing and I was having trouble with my balance.

I stopped when a car blocked my way. I looked to see the driver leaning to look at me.

"How did you find me?" I asked, almost stupidly.

"The necklace tells me where you are." He answered.

Clara groaned at the back of the car, hands covering her ears. I got on the car.

"Drive, quickly." I answered. He did as he was told. I handed Elena to Clara.

"What happened?" She asked as the ringing slowly died off.

"Tantrum." I answered. She gave a weak chuckle as she rocked Elena in her arms.

Agatha sputtered and coughed out any water that had entered her airway as she slowly got out of the river.

A hand reached down and she looked up to see Isaac staring down at her. Flustered, she accepted his help.

"That was an absolute complete disaster. You look miserable." Agatha turned to see Melody looking at her drenched appearance with disappointment.

"Where were you?" Agatha asked in anger. "You said the river. Why weren't you waiting?"

Melody only chuckled at her. Agatha's anger flared up as she knew the girl was belittling her.

"Don't push the blame on us? Our instructions to you were specific. Don't get caught but in the end you did." Melody raised an eyebrow. "Got a bit emotional back there, huh?"

Agatha looked away. She shouldn't have strangled her sister too long. She did get a bit emotional, that part was true.

"Enough bickering." Isaac said. His stern voice garnered the two women's attention. "We are only just wasting our time. We need to get that child."

Agatha glanced at him in surprise. "You're still willing to continue this?" She asked. She had assumed he would just give up after what just happened.

He turned and reached for her arm. He pulled her sleeve to reveal the brand. "This is proof. Once I had given you this, I will fulfill your wish."

"A dependable man you are, Isaac." Melody complimented.

"But the child is no longer in Azmarin." Agatha said. "They left to meet the King."

"Then we will just have to follow them. My associates are tracking them right now." He said.

"I know where they'll stay at." Melody replied with a smirk.

Agatha blinked at them. She couldn't help but commend their skills.

"I also have a friend at the palace. She will give us information." Isaac added. However, Melody narrowed her eyes at him.

"Do we really need to trust her?" She asked with a sharp edge.

"I need all the options I get." Isaac replied.

Agatha nodded. "I see." She started. "Then I'll wait until you return."

Isaac turned to look at her underneath his hood. "You shall come with us." He said. "Perhaps you can give us more information about your sister. We might be able to learn what they'll do next and we can use it to our advantage."

""I understand. Then I'll prepare my stuff." Agatha said.

"No need. Just join us as you are. Our wizard here will conjure up clothes for you." Melody dismissed.

"Just wait at the cottage." Isaac instructed. Agatha did as she was told.

Melody watched and made sure Agatha was out of earshot.

"Friend?" She asked.

"Madam Suliman was my mentor." Isaac answered.

"She brought that girl here." Melody hissed. "She doesn't believe in you and asked for another person's help."

"Then we have to make sure we finish this before she does." Isaac replied harshly. He turned to look at Melody, his eyes burning with irritation.

"Unless… you have no faith in me." He added. Melody took a step back, her own angered appearance cracked to reveal fear.

"I am always loyal to you." Melody stated. A smile appeared across her face. "Have I ever failed you?"

She reached a hand to touch his cheek but he stopped her. "Flattery doesn't sway me. You should know that." He said.

Melody pulled a hand back, a smile still on her face. "It's a habit." She assured.

"What shall we do now?" She asked. "You're still weak. That wizard's necklace wasn't enough, was it?"

He turned away. "We still need to find the child. I need more magic." He answered. He clenched his hand into a fist. This flaw of his was the very reason he wasn't the favorite apprentice. He hated it.

"Perhaps I'll ask Agatha if there were anything else from her brother in law." Melody suggested.

"I have a better solution." Isaac answered. Melody followed his gaze to see the village. Her smile grew into a Cheshire grin.

"I'll distract Agatha for you." She turned and as she walked, she grazed her hand against his shoulder. "Have fun."

A/N: Things are getting tense. Don't forget to favorite, follow and review! As always, see you next time!