Into the Devil's Lair: Chapter 3
Five girls were currently seated quietly in the basement of a local restaurant. They were later joined by a young man with brown hair and green eyes and a smelly green creature. The leader of the girls, the red hair and the blonde one were currently arguing, the others just fell silent, their faces were masked with disbelief after the Earth guardian's confession.
"You what!?" Will asked in surprise. They were all gathered in the basement of the Silver Dragon after Cornelia told them that she had a very important thing to tell them. She said that it was necessary that they all will hear it, so the red hair contacted the other guardians and now they were seated on the small stools and the hot seat was on Cornelia.
After disappearing two days ago, the girl returned safely from Meridian and she became distant to the others. They all became worried and were relieved that she was okay. On the third day, she called for a meeting and now they were here but to the shock of everyone Cornelia's confession had a big impact on them.
"I already told you. I need not repeat it." The blonde shrugged and crossed her arms around her chest. On one of her fingers rests a diamond ring, which was evidently crafted by the best jewellers you can ever find. It was the size of a dime and you'll know that it costs a fortune.
"You can't be serious Cornelia! You can't marry Phobos!" Caleb blurted out. Everyone knew that Caleb has feelings for their blonde friend but the girl pretended to be blind. Apparently, Caleb wasn't Cornelia's type.
"Do I have a choice? Besides it's for the best! I just saved Elyon and everyone from Phobos' wrath and then I get what? This kind of treatment?" Cornelia snapped, her once chilly blue eyes were now blazing in anger, her chest rose and fall after yelling.
"Oh. Applause. Corny, our hero." Irma sarcastically commented and the Earth sorceress just glared at their friend. Only Taranee and Hay Lin remained silent but the fire guardian seemingly grimaced at the current situation, she doesn't like arguments.
"But what made you do this Cornelia? Why did you agree to his terms?" Will asked her friend again. The blonde's eyes fixed on the ground and Will can feel that she regrets her decision but she won't be able to take it back, she already struck a deal with the devil.
"I- I don't know. I just want to save Ellie." The girl's voice trembled and Will reached out to touch her friend's shoulder.
"We can't be sure about Phobos' motives. What did he tell you?"
"Well, he said he just wanted to have me as his Queen. He said that I'm free to do whatever I want and I can go back to Meridian and Earth from time to time." Cornelia answered and her face was still hidden from them. Will felt sorry for her friend, she may be new to the group but she can't hide the fact that she also became closer with the earth guardian. She knew that the decision was tough and Cornelia was right. It was the only choice they had and after she made the decision, Meridian's government seemed to change. Just a little bit, not really noticeable but it was a start.
"I wondered why he offered you this deal." Taranee finally had the courage to speak, she was adjusting her eyeglasses. Yes, that was also what she was thinking. She knew Phobos and the guy do not engage in empty-handed talks, his words would sometimes have hidden meanings. And his proposal to Cornelia was no different; she felt that there was something wrong with the deal.
"I think I'll just observe him. I think it's good that I'll be in the premises of the castle, that way I can spy on him and know what he really plans." Cornelia lifted her head and Will saw her eyes were again ablaze with determination. Of all the members of the group, Cornelia was the most determined one, she would always do her best to finish what she started but the young leader does not want to part with her good friend. With Cornelia's new responsibility they knew that the girl will be forced to live in the castle, she had mentioned about etiquette and history classes, and to cover her disappearance from her parents, she'll leave her astral double.
Yan Lin, their mentor didn't comment with the issue but Will knew that the old woman was also thinking the same, why does Phobos want to marry Cornelia? They knew that it wasn't just a coincidence that Phobos offered the girl marriage the first time they were alone. She too was accidentally captured by his henchmen just a few days after they learned about Meridian but Phobos didn't offer her such thing. Not that she was jealous of Corny but who would want to be tied to a usurper?
She had passed the age of listening to fairy tales and certainly, girls dreamt of marrying a handsome prince- a knight in shining armor and not a dark one. She felt sorry that Cornelia has to experience this torment. Honestly, she would prefer Cornelia to have Caleb as her boyfriend. Caleb was childish yes, but he was more gallant than their former enemy.
Then they decided to end the day and return back to their respective homes except for Cornelia who made a portal to Meridian. That night Will can't sleep, she wondered if her friend was okay in her new home. Cornelia was now playing a dangerous game, Phobos had no idea about his fiancée spying on him and feeding information to the guardians about his plans for the kingdom.
Phobos looked at his fiancée with curious eyes. They were currently eating in the lavish dining hall of the castle. Cornelia was sitting on the far end of the table while he was positioned on the opposite side. He can't help but notice the way the girl held herself. She was elegant and regal in many ways and he can conclude that the etiquette advisers won't have a hard time teaching the young girl.
He suddenly clutched his chest as he felt a weird sensation. He started coughing again and warily snatched the napkin on the table; he covered his lips with it and was disgusted to see the blood on it. Damn, his unknown sickness was getting stronger as time passes by.
For some reasons, he can't get his physicians to know what the cause of his sickness was. He had been coughing blood for the past month and then he finally decided to visit a seer- an old woman whose age he doesn't even know, she was known for having accurate visions of the future and he remembered his mother and father visit the old woman to see if they will be capable of having a daughter in the future.
The memory tasted like poison and he chose to forget it. This seer, told him that the only thing that can cure his sickness or rather stop him from dying was to absorb power not just the simple life force of people and magic of the lands but it must be great power equal to the heart of the lands.
But the seer had another vision, she told him of a girl- a guardian who would come to him after he abducts Elyon. She told him that this girl is capable of producing an heir- a very powerful heir whose powers would double those of Elyon's. And the child should be born an Escanor and not a bastard to maintain its purity.
Damn. He never thought that he'll need to marry this girl. The earth guardian was not as he expected her to be, she was just very stubborn, hot headed, haughty and determined. He would have preferred a naïve wife like Elyon but no, he was forced to suffer living with this girl and she was a total nightmare.
He knew that he will need to dispose of her in the future but somewhat he can't bring himself to do that. She may be a headache to him but her presence entertains him.
"Are you alright?" He woke up from his thoughts as he heard her worried voice or her soft tone rather. He wasn't sure if she was worried or not but for the first time, she spoke with him without hostility.
"Why guardian? Are you worried about my health?" He mocked and the girl just rolled her eyes.
"Why would I be worried? After you left me with no choice?" The girl snapped back and it made him chuckle. Such high spirits. He would love to break her in the future but now, he needs to have patience. The wedding preparations will take a month to finish, he'll need to wait for his sister to turn eighteen first for her powers to reach its zenith after that, he'll drain every drop of it and then he will focus with the capricious girl in front of him. Surely he won't die soon; he still wants to enjoy his bachelor life.
He never imagined himself marrying someone before; he was already content with the idea that he will one day become King. But after his sister's birth, it didn't change as he focused himself on finding the damned girl. Now that he found her, he won't let go until he had all of her powers.
"So tell me about your little meeting with your earth friends." He chose to open another topic. He needs to build rapport between them, gain her trust, make her fall in love with him but the girl's heart was just as hard as stone and as cold as ice. It will take him time before he can make her fall for him. Patience. That's the key. Good things will come to those who wait. He said to himself.
"Well, we talked about my decision and they didn't comment. However I'm warning you, try to touch them again or steal the heart of Kandrakar and I'll strangle you in sleep!" Her voice was full of anger and confidence and he just laughed at her. He already lost his interest with the Heart of Kandrakar, he already got her. "Anyway, about this damned proposal that I agreed on, I forgot to set my own terms." He raised his eyebrow with her statement.
Clearly the girl was really wise. Wise for her own good and he hated it.
"What is it?" He asked curiously and the girl just stared at him, calculatingly. This girl knows her games well.
"Elyon's powers." She paused before continuing. "I believed that I as your wife, are entitled to have a share of her powers. So you'll need to give me a part of it."
Okay. This has gone too far. Maybe he did pick the wrong girl. Why on hell did he need to tolerate her insolence and wit? Now she is demanding for her share of power and what will be next? He asked himself. He was supposed to play with her but it seems like he was playing her own game.
Damn. Damn. Women. He thought.
"What's wrong with Phobos?" Cedric turned as he heard his new mistress' voice. Today was a stressful day for him as he again visited some villages and checked on the rebel activities. So far, after Cornelia went back to Earth the frequent raids and troubles that the scums made lessened.
He looked at the young girl beside him, he was now accompanying her back to her chambers, she was young, beautiful and wise. He had listened to her conversations with Phobos and he can't imagine seeing such young girl with haughtiness and determination. Her icy orbs were always ablaze in front of the Prince and she was the only one who can answer him freely without fear and break his will.
"The Prince is stressed my lady. He had not been able to rest for several months to prepare for the coronation of Princess Elyon and now you're wedding." He lied. He knew that Phobos doesn't want him to share about his current condition, his real state; the fact that his life is on a thin line now.
"Uhuh. Then I believe it is your duty as his right hand to remind him to rest." The girl mocked and Cedric smiled and didn't comment. He has already done that but the Prince didn't listen to him. Phobos hated it when someone interferes with his personal life, he was only used to listening to his own thoughts.
"To be honest, I actually had a crush on you the first time I meet you." He didn't expect her to say such things but he wasn't dumb not to know about her past feelings. When he was still working at the bookstore, the girl would often visit him and he knew that sometimes she doesn't really need books but she only wants to see him. He doesn't mind it at all.
"I guess I'm flattered my lady." He gave a half-smile at the girl and she didn't bother to answer him anymore. They walked silently until they have reached her chambers. Cornelia turned to him and gave out a faint smile.
"Good night then Cedric." She said before she disappeared. He was just left there, staring at the brass doors.
Smile while you can my lady, you clearly have no idea what the Prince has in mind for you.