Erza's footsteps crunched softly on the snowy ground as she made her way through the greenhouse. The stillness of the greenhouse offered a brief reprieve from the chaos that erupted earlier. She allowed herself to get lost in the tranquility of the greenhouse, breathing in the scent of earth and foliage. The delicate snowflakes continued to fall outside the serene environment.
As she wandered further, her sight gazed at the blooming nightshade. Erza stood before the nightshade plant, its dark and alluring presence captivating her attention. As her gaze locked onto the plant, a vivid memory surged in her mind.
Erschelle was standing in a dimly lit room, a table adorned with nightshade before her. The room was filled with tension as Erschelle's gaze hardened. With a swift motion, she crushed the nightshade in her hands as she listened to her father's reasons. With her magic, she crushed the nightshade into powder as she stood her ground, her gaze locked with those of the individuals responsible for overseeing the mergers.
"No one will have the authority to oversee the mergers rather than I do," she said before emptying her lungs.
"I can provide magical items as an alternative," she said as she cast her magic.
With a wave of her hand and a flicker of power in her eyes, she unleashed her magic. A golden light enveloped the powdered form of the nightshade then after the light subsided, it had turned into magical lacrima.
"Only those I allow can see the lacrima." She added before she stooped to their level.
Bacchus and his men's knees were trembling as her gaze was directed in their direction. Her aura was enveloped in a dark magic, she cupped his cheek. He swallowed the lump in his throat as she whispered an enchantment on him, leaving an indelible mark on the individuals standing before her. It soon disappeared after the white light etched a dark spell on them.
"If you dare to reveal any of the contents of the mergers, I'll turn you into dust." She said as she turned her back, leaving them all speechless.
Erza's head throbbed with pain as a sharp ringing sound pierced through her ears. She instinctively withdraws her hand from the nightshade and it instantly turned into dust. Her vision starts to blur momentarily. She closed her eyes, as the ringing persisted, intensifying with each passing moment. It felt as though her head was being filled with an overwhelming cacophony, making it difficult to focus or think clearly. Erza wobbled to her side but with swift reflexes, Jellal caught her before she could hit the ground, holding her firmly in his arms.
"Are you alright, Erschelle?" Jellal asked, his voice laced with worry.
Erza tried to steady her breathing, hoping to calm her racing heart. She felt him tighten his hand around hers. She could feel his warmth against her, opening her eyes to see Jellal's face. Oh, he did return. She struggled to find words amidst the lingering pain and the remnants of the ringing in her ears.
"Call the physician," Jellal said as he cradled her body closer to his arms, carrying her.
"No need," she said in a feather voice.
The pain in her head subsided slightly, though the lingering questions and uncertainties still weighed heavily on her mind. The ringing in her head, felt almost like a warning, a sign that there was more to uncover. Erschelle can wield both holy and dark magic. She felt uneasy with the thought as she was slowly learning the secrets of Erschelle's past.
"You're in distress."
"I'm fine." She said as she signaled him to put her down.
"Look, I might've acted childishly earlier but I deeply cared for you." He gently brushed a strand of hair away from Erza's forehead.
"Call the physician, Caleb," he said as he carried her to their room.
As Erschelle settled onto the bed, Jellal ensured that she was comfortable. He adjusted the pillows to provide her with the right amount of support and positioned them to suit her needs. Once Erza was settled, Jellal remained close by her side. He placed a hand on her hand, offering a reassuring touch to let her know that he was there for her. Erza turned to Jellal, offering him a reassuring smile to ease any lingering worries. Despite her reassurance, Jellal's concern remained evident.
"I'm sorry about earlier, Erza. I didn't mean to act that way." He said as he brought her hands to his mouth, kissing them languidly.
"It was my fault. I didn't consider such thought."
"No, it was my fault. I was being inconsiderate of your interest in such magic. You don't need to worry. After the hunting festival, I will assure you that I will be handling you those books." He smiled as he gently placed a kiss on her hand.
As the physician approached, Erza reluctantly allowed herself to be examined by the royal doctor. His jaw tightened as her gaze was now diverted to the physician. Jellal's emotions swirled within him as he struggled to maintain his composure. The presence of another woman's soul within Erschelle's body was a disturbing concept, one that repulsed him to the core. His desperation to sever that foreign presence from her body and restore her true self was evident but he needed to suppress his revulsion.
"We need to confirm our suspicions before acting hastily." He remembered his words well but it was easier said than done.
He sought to prod her for answers without revealing his intentions. He knew he had to tread carefully, as any misstep could potentially push the truth further away. He wanted to jump the gun but he later decided to play along and channeled his conflicted emotions on the investigation, determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding Erschelle's current state.
Rung's brow furrowed as Ruvelise's insistent cries pierced his ears. His younger brother's impatience only added to the weight on Rung's shoulders as he prepared for the winter hunting festival. The empress' letters had been incessant. It seems as if she had grown increasingly restless, demanding to know his next moves. Rung knew that the success of their plans hinged on his daughter, a realization that left him feeling powerless and, at times, pathetic.
"Rung, I know you're confident with your daughter, but you must remember that our plan needs not to be solely confided to a single person. A plan needs moving pieces."
"We'll proceed with the plan that she had intended," Rung replied, his gaze fixed on his brother's eyes. "But you are right, it doesn't sound a bad idea to have a different preparation aside from hers to ensure the consummation of that plan."
"But until then, we must let her think that she still has us under her wraps." He continued.
The day of the winter hunt festival
The snow-clad mountains stood tall and majestic, their peaks glistening under the winter sun. It was a picturesque scene that set the stage for the grand event about to unfold. The nobles and various delegations had arrived well in advance, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the imperial family, who were the esteemed guests of honor.
The nobles, adorned in their finest attire, exchanged pleasantries and engaged in conversations, their voices blending harmoniously against the backdrop of the snow-covered landscape. The sight of their lavish clothing and exquisite jewelry added a touch of opulence to the wintry surroundings.
The sound of distant heralds broke the silence, their trumpets announcing the imminent arrival of the Prince of Fernandes. The guests shifted their attention towards the grand entrance, their faces lighting up with anticipation to see the prince but it was soon extinguished as the cold gaze of the daughter of the vilest man entered alongside him.
As Erschelle stood there, adorned in an elegant blue gown, a bittersweet smile played upon her lips. She couldn't help but reflect upon the state of her reputation. Whispers and sidelong glances followed her every move, a constant reminder of the rumors and accusations that had tainted her name. Her smile held a tinge of bitterness, for she knew that her true character. I am a villain after all. She thought to herself.
As they made their way toward their tent, they were approached by a striking figure-a silver-haired woman, exuding an air of holiness. She was none other than the sole priestess of the temple. The priestess stood tall, her presence commanding attention. Her silver locks cascaded down her back, framing her face with an ethereal elegance.
"I greet His Highness, Prince Jellal and the daughter of the Duke of Blanche, Erschelle Blanche."
Erza stood there, utterly captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the female lead. The descriptions she had read in the first novel paled in comparison to the ethereal presence standing before her. It was as if an angel had descended from the heavens, surpassing any expectations or imaginings Erza had held. Her reverie was interrupted with her husband's cold voice.
"Oh my, Priestess Callista. You must've been sheltered much by the pope. How dare you address my wife as the duke's daughter?" Jellal's voice was stern.
His blood ran cold as he heard the priestess utter Erschelle's last name, a name that should have remained at the duke's household. The mention of it felt like a chilling reminder of how humble his preparations were for their wedding that a handful of nobles knew of their wedding. Her words struck a nerve within him.
Erschelle's gaze shifted to Jellal, shocked to witness the open contempt reflected in Jellal's eyes. Jellal remained unmoved, he pressed forward, urging the priestess to greet Erschelle once more, his voice carrying a firm resolve.
"Do not make me repeat, Callista."
A/N: Thank you so much for waiting for this update. I apologize for not posting this update sooner than my last update. JusaLove, I appreciate your constant support for my work. To the new story follower, thanks for tuning in, and to the silent readers. Thank you for waiting for this chapter. I will be posting the next chapter soon.