Erschelle's eyelids fluttered softly as she shifted in her slumber, and a tranquil smile adorned her lips. I have never seen him sleep this peacefully. She reflected as she observed Jellal sleeping peacefully. His typically intense and centered demeanor had softened, revealing a vulnerability she rarely observed. His facial features softened, and his respiration became steady and calm. The synchronization of their respiration created a soothing sensation in her heart. Erza attempted to reach out and stroke his face but paused as she felt him drag her closer. He instinctively drew her closer to himself to safeguard her in response to her slight movements.

"Aren't you tired, Erza?" he asked as he opened his eyes to see her.

"I thought you were sleeping,"

"I was," he replied.

"I'm-" Erza was about to speak when Jellal's lips lightly touched against hers, causing her to pause in astonishment. The gentle and persistent touch silenced any lingering thoughts or objections in her mind. The gentleness of the kiss roused her with warmth and electricity, reigniting the simmering passion between them.

"Don't get me started; it's still dawn. We can still do that again."

Erza's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she recalled the passionate night they had shared, marked by the traces of Jellal's affection on her body.

"You're as red as your hair." He teased as he kissed her forehead.

"Stop teasing me," she replied as she leaned to his broad chest.

Under her touch, she could feel his heartbeat racing. The echo of his heartbeat rang in her ears like sirens. Jellal's visage began to burn as Erza's proximity sparked a fire within him. The sensation of her body pressing against his, the gentleness of her contact, and the tension between them left him wanting more.

"You're all red too." She noted.

Erza's laughter, filled with a mix of playfulness and desire, resonated in the air, taunting Jellal and tempting him further. Her exhilarating contact sent chills down his spine, and he could not resist silencing her with a passionate kiss. Her eyes were aflame with ardor, and the room soon vanished, leaving them alone in their respective realms. Their impassioned caresses intensified once more, each kindling their desire's embers.

"I love you, Jellal," Erza said as they lost themselves in the intoxicating bliss of their connection again.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the woods

The wind rustled through the trees, conveying a faint scent of mystery and intrigue, as the hooded figure halted and surveyed their surroundings with a keen eye before uttering an incantation that made the abandoned tower visible to the unaided eye. The figure pushed open the creaking door with a gloved hand, revealing a dimly lit chamber. As soon as he shut the door, the tower disappeared from view.

"You should really change your poor habits," the hooded figure said as he flicked his hand, lighting all the magic stones in the chamber.

The archmage stood in the chamber, encircled by ancient texts and spells strewn across the floor. As he surveyed the scenario in front of him, his brows furrowed in displeasure. The influx of light that had interrupted his research as it had impeded his concentration. The archmage cast a spell with a wave of his hand, causing the dispersed books and manuscripts to levitate and return to their proper shelving. The chamber regained some semblance of order, but the archmage remained dissatisfied.

"It has been a while, Your Highness."

"Did you receive the letter already?" he asked as he walked among the shelves, his fingers gently tracing the books.

"Was it the winter hunt festival?"

"No," he replied sternly as he picked up the book about black magic.

"Oh, I see. You haven't seen her yet, didn't you?" The dark-blue haired turned to face prince, his expression calm yet tinged with a hint of intrigue.

"Ah, Alexis," the archmage began, his voice steady and measured.

Alexis clenched his fists, his anger intensifying. "Why did you alter Erschelle's memories?

The archmage sighed, his gaze softening slightly. "I understand your frustration, Prince Alexis, but it is not a decision I made lightly."

"Even if the emperor asked you to do it, you pledged your loyalty to the empress. That means you should be considering how that situation would affect me." Alexis's voice quivered with anger and hurt.

"The effect is only temporary, Your Highness. It will be effective for a month or so. Those were the only side effects of the drugged I used to cure her. It will be more beneficial to you if she can get Jellal's trust. She could not feign such acts if it were not for the drugged as she had openly hated him before; my actions are abetting you in one way or another."

"I don't need her to do that."

His distress and resentment of Alexis were palpable. His mind whirled with ideas of how Erschelle could find solace and passion in another person's affections. He couldn't bear the idea of her sharing such intimate moments with Jellal, a man whom he believed had no rightful claim to her affection.

Erschelle's genuine smile had been a beacon of light in Alexis's childhood. He remembered how she had eagerly crafted a friendship bracelet for him, their laughter mingling with the gentle breeze that swept through the gardens. It was a simple token of their bond, a symbol of their shared connection and the joy they found in each other's company. He recalled those precious moments spent with Erschelle in the desolate imperial gardens, where their friendship blossomed.

"There's a way to let her remember everything earlier than it should. You can purify the spell that I had created using your holy magic, Your Highness."

Later that morning

Caleb's gaze lingered on Jellal and Erschelle as they sat together, sharing a meal filled with laughter and affection. He couldn't quite put his finger on the exact reasons for his discomfort. Perhaps it was because of the fact that he couldn't still see through this woman. Erschelle Blance. He thought as he remembered Jellal's words.

"She's no longer a Blanche. She is now my wife. You can exclude her if you still have bad blood in that family."

You can't be overly confident of her change. Once a snake, she'll always be a snake, no matter how many times she'll shed skin. Deep down, Caleb knew that no matter how deep his animosity with her family, his loyalty to the prince would always prevail. No matter how repulsive it is for him to put his trust in that woman for now, he will always set aside his own personal feelings and biases to support the prince's decision.

The warmth of the morning sun filled the room, casting a gentle glow on their faces. She took a sip of her tea before looking up at Jellal with excitement in her eyes.

"Jellal," she began, setting her cup down, "I've been searching for books on a certain subject, but I haven't had much luck. None of the books in the library cater to such a subject."

Jellal paused, his gaze meeting Erza's, a mix of intrigue and concern evident in his expression. "What subject are you interested in?" he asked.

"I want to read books about holy magic. I heard only the temple or the tower has it."

"Why are you interested in such magic?" a tinged of shock and concern was evident in his voice.

"Why would the temple and the tower keep that magic to themselves where it could be helpful if the wizards in the academy were to be trained in that useful magic?"

"You are not answering my query, Erschelle."

"I heard it can purify black magic."

Jellal's eyes widened as Erza mentioned the idea of purifying black magic. He knew firsthand black magic's darkness and destructive power because he had it himself.

"No, you can't."

"Why?" she asked.

"Purifying black magic is an incredibly difficult and perilous endeavor. It is not something to be taken lightly or pursued without great caution. Many people from the temple had died, risking their lives to contain that magic." He stated, causing silence to erupt.

Erza's iris widened. It was too late that she realized that she had misspoken. It was a secret in the temple and the imperial family that Jellal had black magic. A curse that erases everything in sight. Damn, I had totally forgotten the possibility of her not knowing the curse's existence. She knew all too well that he did not use his black magic openly in the first novel, only after witnessing Erschelle's death. But he would not react indignantly to her request unless he knew something about her magic. Was he already aware of the fact that Erschelle possessed holy magic?

Their breakfast concluded abruptly, with tension perceptible in the air. Erza excused herself as the awkward silence between her and Jellal grew heavier. In the distance, she made her way to the tranquil gardens. Jellal exhaled a sigh before traversing the elegant corridors of the estate, his mind still reeling from his conversation with Erza regarding the purification of black magic.

"Your Highness," Caleb said as he silently trailed behind.

As Jellal entered the library, he began perusing the shelves; Caleb cautiously approached him, clearing his throat to get his attention.

"Your Highness, Prince Jellal," Caleb called, his voice laced with concern. "May I know what's troubling you?

"Nothing," Jellal paused as he tilted the book, revealing a secret chamber in the library.

"Why would you not let her read the books about the ancient magic of light? If she's interested in it, then you can just give it to her. It's not like she can use that magic, though." He stated as he followed him as they entered the narrow, dimly lighted passage.

"That's the problem!" he shouted, voice reverberating to the empty yet spacious secret chamber.

"Erschelle can wield holy magic. And if she learns about my curse, she might attempt to undo it. It can put her in danger."

"What do you mean she can wield holy magic?" Caleb's eyes widened, contemplating his words.

"I saw it with my own two eyes. She can wield holy magic." He confessed.

Caleb shook his head in disbelief at Jellal's revelation. The notion that Erschelle, who possessed the ability to wield holy magic, could also be a vessel for dark magic seemed contradictory and highly unusual. He shook his head, trying to comprehend the implications of such a situation.

"That's... unprecedented," Caleb said, his voice filled with uncertainty. "Someone who possesses holy magic is inherently pure and incompatible with dark magic. How is she possibly even under a spell of dark magic?"

"What do you mean?"

"I said she's reeking of black magic. The archmage had used dark magic to cure her, but you can't cast such incantation on someone with that contradicting magic if she wields holy magic. That's the reason why your curse is hard to cure. That's why it's pretty impossible that she can wield the holy light." He paced back and forth, deep in thought, his mind racing with the implications of this information.

"That's only possible if the person who had possessed such magic had died already, and he had used his black magic to switch her soul with someone else."

Jellal's heart sank as Caleb's words settled in. The realization that the Erschelle he had grown close to might not be the same person he believed her to shake him to his core.

"Are you saying that this Erschelle might not be who she appears to be?" Jellal asked, his voice heavy with disbelief.

"It's difficult to say for certain, Prince Jellal," he replied, his voice tinged with sympathy.

"No," he shook his head as he felt a flood of emotions wash over him-confusion, anger, and a deep sense of betrayal.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading this update. I'm very happy about your review, JusaLove. The answers to the mysteries will be revealed soon.