A/N: Thank you for your reviews and for following this story. This is the longest update I have posted in my stories. It was kind of longer than expected, so I broke it into two parts. Happy 1st anniversary to this fanfic. I appreciate your support. Please enjoy reading.
Irene stared at her own reflection, her eyes darting from head to toe. She bit her lower lip as her hands removed her cloak, letting it pool at her feet and revealing her scanty clothing beneath her black cloak. The room was silent, the only sound being her own steady breathing. She gritted her teeth as her hand traveled lower to her navel. She closed her eyes before gathering her courage to undo the spell she had cast to hide the large angular scar in her stomach. When the spell ceased, she bit her lip enough to make it bleed as she stared blankly into her reflection, the scar revealing itself again into her sight.
"Die, you monster. That cursed blood running in your veins killed my entire family." A familiar voice replayed in her mind, causing her to shiver uncontrollably as the pain and guilt zapped her body once more.
Her knees buckled, and she sank to the floor, her hands clutching her abdomen. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she remembered how her trembling hands crawled into the child's frail neck as her dark thoughts clouded her judgment.
"Why? Why did I do it?" she whispered to her reflection, her voice trembling as the memories flashed before her eyes.
Three hundred years ago
After almost a month of running away from the kingdom, Irene found herself in a dark, damp cave, tending to her mother's wounds. The flickering light from the small fire cast shadows on the walls, making the atmosphere even more somber. Irene watched as her mother bit her lip, trying to suppress the pain as Irene gently applied the crushed plant ointment to the deep wound on her abdomen. The queen's face was pale, and sweat beaded on her forehead. She bit into a piece of cloth to muffle her groans, but the sound of her grunts still echoed through the cave.
"Hold on, Mother," Irene said gently as she clasped her other hand to her mother's trembling hands. I'm sorry; I can't still use my magic," she said, looking somber. The queen smiled weakly as she patted her head. You're doing well, love."
"No, I can't be of any help to you," she shook her head as she continued to apply the ointment. The sight of her mother in such pain was almost too much to bear. If only I could use my magic, I could've helped her fight for the kingdom. Father won't be forced to be left behind if only I'm powerful enough. She thought to herself. They had been on the run for weeks, evading the newly elected King's soldiers and hiding in the wilderness. How could they turn their back on us? It was as if we had never been a good ruler to them. How could they do this to us? She gritted her teeth as her gaze met her mother's pitiful state.
The queen squeezed her hand and smiled as she kissed her forehead.
"Love, you're doing more than enough. Suppose it wasn't for you, Irene, your mother's long dead. So, lift your head, okay? You're doing well," she consoled her child.
Irene nodded, blinking back tears. She finished carefully bandaged the wound, hoping that it would be enough to stave off infection. The queen then sat back, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion and pain. Irene leaned against the small dragon behind her, breathing fire to sustain the bonfire's warmth. The queen drifted into a fitful sleep for a while. Irene outstretched her hand to the flame, feeling its warmth. Sensing her dilemma, the dragon paused and nudged its nose to her hand.
"I'm okay," she said as if understanding the dragon.
In the middle of the night
The queen's senses tensed as she heard distant screams echoing through the forest. She knew that their pursuers were closing in, and in her current condition, she had no hope of outrunning or fighting them off. Desperation filled her heart as she realized that her only chance to save her daughter was to send her away. With dried, bloody hands, she reached out to Irene's shoulders to wake her up. "Irene, wake up," her voice as feeble as a whisper.
"M-Mother?"
"Hurry, you must go," she said as she wrapped her cloak around her body and used her magic to wake the silver dragon. Irene shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "No, Mother, I won't leave you. I can't."
"For my sake, Irene. You must go. Stop being stubborn." She insisted.
"But I can't leave you here alone. I can't." Irene pleaded as she refused to be dragged to her dragon's back.
"Iridea Scarlet Dragnof, don't be stubborn. You have to survive for my sake, I beg of you. This is your parents' wish; you have to survive no matter what." The black-haired queen begged on her knees, matching her daughter's height.
Realizing she had no choice, Irene nodded, her tears flowing freely. "Promise me you'll come back alive, Mother," Irene asked as she rose to her feet. The young dragon lowered himself to the ground, allowing Irene to climb onto his back.
"I have always loved you; please remember that, okay?" The queen smiled weakly, her heart aching as she used her magic to create a magic portal.
"Mother, promise me you'll come back for me, right?" Irene asked one more time after hearing no answer from her mother.
"I will. Now go, take her to Tenrou Island," she commanded, and the dragon nodded before flying to the portal.
After traveling relentlessly for days, with only brief stops for rest, Irene and the small silver dragon finally arrived at Tenrou Island. The island loomed before them, its strange, tree-like appearance exuding magic. The entire island seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow, indicating the presence of a powerful magic barrier. As they approached, Irene noticed her necklace starting to glow, its soft light growing brighter as they neared the barrier. The dragon flew closer, and as if recognizing the magic within the necklace, the barrier parted slightly, allowing them passage. The dragon descended, landing on the verdant ground of the island. It nudged Irene gently, urging her to dismount and continue on foot.
"Thank you," Irene whispered, patting the dragon's head.
The dragon responded with a soft rumble, its eyes following Irene as she looked around in awe. The island was unlike anything she had ever seen. Enormous, ancient trees with twisted trunks and sprawling branches towered overhead, their leaves creating a dense canopy that filtered the sunlight.
"Is this the Tenrou Island?" she asked the dragon as it paused, sensing a familiar scent drawing nearer. A few moments later, a blonde-haired lady came running in their direction. The magic barrier of Tenrou Island had alerted her to the presence of a newcomer, someone who had been permitted entry. As she approached and saw Irene, she froze in her tracks, her eyes widening in shock and recognition.
"Iridea?" she whispered, almost unable to believe her eyes. The queen's daughter had visited their island. This was unprecedented. Her cousin, the queen, had never visited the island herself after her parents established the kingdom, but now she had sent her daughter to her hometown by herself. This was impossible. Could this only mean that something terribly wrong had happened to the kingdom? The island was far from civilization, so the thought of any news reaching them was an inch away from impossibility.
"Aunt Mavis," she said, her voice filled with relief as she ran to her side.
Mavis quickly composed herself as she enveloped Irene in a warm embrace, hoping to console the child.
"Iridea, what happened? Tell me everything," she said gently as she let go of her hug.
Irene clung to Mavis for a moment and nervously told her about the recent events. This was their first meeting in the flesh as the two had already often met and contacted each other regularly through the magic lacrima. But it still feels surreal for Mavis to see her niece for the first time.
"Mother and I have been on the run for weeks. Alvarez Belserion's soldiers are after us, and Mother... she's hurt. She sent me here to keep me safe, but Auntie Mother was wounded trying to protect me. Please save, mother."
"Why are they after you?" Mavis asked, puzzled by the thought of the King's adviser pursuing the queen and princess of their own kingdom.
"Alvarez was a traitor. He staged a coup against the kingdom, but we did not anticipate it. Father was left behind in the kingdom as he asked Mother and me to escape, but now I don't have anyone on my side. Mother had also asked me to save myself," she recalled, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Shhh, it's okay. You're safe here. We'll find a way to save your mother, too," Mavis said as she rubbed the child's shivering back.
Three months later
Mavis watched Irene as she fell on her knees, her face glistening with sweat. She was trying to undo the seal on the child's core, but to no avail, so they tried using this approach.
"Iridea, focus," Mavis urged gently, stepping closer.
"Feel the magic within you."
"I'm trying, Aunt Mavis, but it won't respond." Irene clenched her fists in frustration.
"Your mother sealed your magic to protect you. It will be hard to undo the seal, but we need to find a way. You need your magic to protect yourself,"
"I can protect myself; Yuri already taught me hand-to-hand combat," she said.
Why would you seal your daughter's magic with a forbidden enchantment, Eileen? She asked herself, not seeing any signs of the seal. It would be far easier to undo the seal if she used an ordinary enchantment to cast it, but a forbidden enchantment to contain the child's magic. How enormous was the child's magic? Mavis's serious demeanor shifted abruptly. She turned around, her senses heightened by an ominous presence that seemed to blanket the island. The tension filled the island, and her eyes narrowed in fear after a loud, chilling cry of a dragon echoed through the forest.
"Black Dragons?"
"The Dark Witches!?" Mavis's hands trembled as she saw the mages from afar, riding their familiars.
Panic gripped both of them, but Mavis strived to remain calm as she quickly clasped Irene's necklace around her neck and squeezed her hand. "Iridea, listen. Go hide in the cathedral; there is a secret passage there. Do not ever take this necklace off; it prevents them from seeing your true self. Do you understand?"
Irene opened her mouth to protest, sensing a familiar déjà vu, but Mavis shook her head firmly. "This is not up for debate. Listen, Irene, your safety is paramount. Please, do this for your parents and for me."
Reluctantly, Irene nodded as she turned and sprinted through the forest. She clutched the necklace tightly. The ground shook beneath her feet as the dragon's roar grew louder and closer. The cathedral loomed ahead, and she dashed inside, but the door was locked. Luckily, her familiar, the small silver dragon found her and descended in her direction. It used its wings to open the door, and Irene asked him to come with her. The small dragon shook his head, insisting on protecting the cathedral if ever someone followed them. She bitterly hugged her familiar and bid her farewell.
"You'll be fine, promise?" she whispered before she bolted to the cathedral, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she hurried to the hidden passage in the altar.
She looked back at the entrance of the cathedral once more, and the dragon shook its head, asking her to continue. Taking a deep breath, she found a hidden lever behind one of the stone pillars and pulled it. A section of the floor shifted, revealing a narrow passageway leading down into the depths of the island. Taking a deep breath, Irene descended into the passage, the entrance closing behind her. She was enveloped in darkness, the only light coming from the faint glow of her necklace. The air was cool and damp, and the silence was almost oppressive. She followed the passage, her steps echoing softly in the confined space. After what felt like an eternity, the passage opened up into a small, hidden library. The room was filled with ancient books, and a soft, magical light illuminated the space. To Irene's surprise, as she explored the library, she realized she was not alone. In the dim light, she saw a figure sitting quietly with a book in hand. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the person; it was the same person who let them escape a few months ago.
"What are you doing here?" Irene asked as she took a step back, grabbing the piece of wood nearby.
Faris looked up from the book she was reading, her eyes meeting Irene's eyes with a calm intensity. "It's pointless to hide here," she said, not answering her question.
"If they can't find you, they will turn the entire Tenrou Island upside down. Hiding is not an option."
"Answer me, who are you, and what are you doing here?"
"I've been here for some time, waiting for you, Your Highness." Faris closed the book and set it aside, standing up slowly.
"Are you one of them?" Irene asked as she glared at her.
"I came with them, but I am not one of them, Princess Iridea."
"Shut your mouth, who are you?"
"If I tell you I'm your savior, will you believe me?"
"Enough, take one more step, and I'll hurt you," Irene warned.
"If you could use your magic, that could've been possible," Faris stated as she leaned against the shelves.
"Well, there's no time for niceties, Your Highness. I don't wish for you to trust me, but please, I have a favor to ask of you." She paused as she took a step closer, Irene flinching.
"I need you to disappear; that's the only way to save my brother in the future," Faris said urgently as she grabbed Irene's wrist and began to create a dark halo of a portal. Irene's eyes widened in shock at the sight of the strange black magic.
"Are you Alvarez' hidden child?" she asked in disbelief, seeing the familiar magic.
Faris staggered forward, her body trembling as the dark magic consumed her. Dark marks began to spread across her skin. She clicked her tongue as the strain was too much for her small body to bear.
"Please survive; you are the only one who can save my brother. I beg of you," she pleaded.
Before Irene could react or protest, Faris pushed her into the vortex. The world around her blurred and twisted as she was pulled through the portal. She heard Faris's voice one last time.
"Save Charteris in your timeline,"
The vortex engulfed her, and she felt herself being consumed by the dark magic, sucking her into an abyss of bright midnight light. The sensation was overwhelming, and she lost consciousness. When she finally came back to her senses, Irene gasped as she looked around, disoriented and breathless. She was no longer in the Tenrou Island. Instead, she found herself lying on the forest floor, the dense canopy above filtering the sunlight. Before she knew it, she traveled into the future a hundred years after the attack on the island.
Ten years later
Somewhere in the dimly lit basement, Irene sat with her legs crossed, watching with detached interest as a long blonde-haired man mercilessly beat another man before her. The harsh sound of fists meeting flesh echoed through the room, accompanied by the occasional grunt of pain.
Zancrow grabbed the orange-haired man by the head, forcing him to look up and meet Irene's unyielding stare. The man flinched, his eyes widening in terror as he took in the sight before him. Irene sat, her scarlet hair cascading over her shoulders down to her waist, contrasting sharply with the stark surroundings of the basement. Beneath her, a figure knelt on both knees, serving as her human chair. It was the orange-haired man's father, his face etched with pain and humiliation, yet he dared not move.
"You see," Irene's cold and sharp voice echoed slightly, "Pegasus, defiance has its consequences."
The man's breath hitched as he watched his father trembling in fear, trying to remain unbothered as he kneeled on his knees supporting the scarlet-haired woman. Irene leaned forward slightly, her piercing eyes never leaving the man's.
Zancrow tightened his grip, making the man wince in pain. "You'd better start talking, Ichiya," he snarled. "Or this will only get worse." Then whispered, "Do it before that mad woman loses her patience,"
"Do not make me repeat myself," Irene said, her voice like ice. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned the ledgers she had found earlier, the heavy books thudding before her. Ichiya's gaze darted to the ledgers, recognizing them immediately.
"Undo the spell locking these ledgers," she demanded in an utterly calm voice.
As the Ichiya struggled to find his voice, Irene's patience wore thin. Her lips curled into a cold smile, her eyes glinting with malice. She stomped her heel down onto the man's hand, eliciting a sharp cry of pain as he flinched. The slight wobble in her stance did not go unnoticed. Irene tilted her head and addressed the muscular man behind her, "Dispose of this defective chair."
"NO! Alright," he gasped, tears welling in his eyes. "I'll undo the magic. Just please, don't hurt him anymore." He pleaded as he watched the black-haired man drag his father.
"Spare us; we were just following orders, serving the empire." He started.
Irene listened, her expression unchanging. The man before her was the guild master of Blue Pegasus, an intelligence guild connected to Alvarez. Eradicating him and his colleagues was a significant victory for the rebels as they were the ones tasked to locate the rebels who were against the empire. But Irene was not content with a swift death for her captives. She wanted to play with them, to extract every bit of valuable information before deciding their fates.
"You misunderstand your situation," she said smoothly as she turned to face him.
"If you think you are heroes because you are serving for the empire while we are rebels. You are wrong; the real oppressor here is the empire you serve so faithfully." She said as she used her magic to make one of the ledgers float.
"Think about it. The empire simply uses you and discards you when you're no longer useful. But we... we offer you a chance. Give us the information we seek, and you and your father will be spared."
It was obviously a trap, but desperation clouded his judgment. He glanced at his father, who was barely conscious.
"We are just an extension of the main intelligence of the empire, the Pergrande Kingdom. They are the main force in safeguarding information about the rebels."
"Is that all you have to offer?" she hissed. Her patience had finally snapped.
She approached Ichiya, his eyes wide with terror. Without hesitation, she wrapped her claw-like gloves around his throat, the sharp metal tips sinking into his soft flesh.
"You think you can waste my time with redundant information?" she growled, tightening her grip.
The man gasped for breath, squirming in his futile attempt to free himself from Zancrow's grasp. Blood began to seep where her gloves pierced his skin. His eyes bulged as he struggled. Irene's face was inches from his, her eyes burning with fury. "You have one last chance," she whispered. "Tell me something useful, or I'll ensure your suffering is prolonged."
His voice came out as a strangled whisper, barely audible through the pressure on his throat. "Pergrande... the main hub... coordinates... with... Tartaros... They… are… d-double agents," at the mention of Tartaros, Irene's fury erupted.
Her eyes darkened with rage as she processed the implications of his words. Without a moment's hesitation, she twisted his neck with a sharp motion, the sound of bones snapping echoing through the basement. The man's body fell limp to the floor, and Zancrow burst into laughter.
"What a weakling! How dare he accuse one of the strongest forces of the alliance as double agents?"
She stood over the lifeless body. She stepped on it and stomped her heels on his chest, ensuring his death. After Zancrow's amusement died out, the only sound that could be heard was the faint dripping of blood from her clawed gloves.
"We need to report this to Master Hades, Lady Irene," Azuma said as he emerged from the shadows behind.
Irene glanced over her shoulder, her eyes still blazing with annoyance and anger. "Clean up this mess," she commanded.
Azuma nodded and signaled to Zancrow to work. Irene requipped the ledgers to her personal space and summoned a magic scroll from thin air, "Finish that and follow me," she instructed, tossing the scroll to Azuma before teleporting herself to their headquarters.
As Irene made her way to her Master's office, she encountered a familiar figure in the dimly lit corridor. It was Ur, the first recruit of Grimoire Heart. Her irises were black, and she kept her dark purple hair at chin length, framing her face. Ur's eyes locked onto Irene's bloody gloves, her expression unreadable. Sensing the intensity of Ur's gaze, Irene paused, her own eyes narrowing slightly.
"I heard you're retiring," Irene said, her voice laced with disdain. "How can the first child of Hades turn her back on him?"
"Retiring doesn't mean turning my back on Master Hades."
Irene scoffed as she listened to Ur's excuses about her retirement from their organization. "What about your convictions? Did they all change?" she demanded.
"Was our fight for freedom futile after years of struggling against the empire's exploitation? Have you gone mad? Didn't those bastards burn your family alive?" Irene continued.
"The reason is rather personal, Irene," she replied as she started to walk away, but Irene's next words stopped her in her tracks.
"Is it true? The rumors circulating that you are pregnant. Is that the reason you don't want to be part of us anymore?"
Ur turned slowly to face Irene. "Yes, it's true," she admitted. "I'm pregnant. And it's not that I don't believe in our cause anymore. It's just... I have someone else to think about now."
Irene's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. "You think a child is a good reason to abandon everything we've fought for?"
Ur shook her head. "I want to give my child a chance at a life without constant war and bloodshed. I can't do that if I'm constantly risking my life on the front lines."
Irene's expression hardened. "Your personal reasons won't change the empire or bring justice to those they've wronged. You will regret your decision, Ur. Your indifference will cause your future child to suffer at the hands of the same oppressive empire." Irene's eyes blazed with fury as she stepped closer to Ur.
"I'm not indifferent, Irene. I'm making a choice to protect my child. I'd rather shield it from danger than fight for freedom and expose it to the same risks. I can't afford to lose my child."
Irene's fists clenched at her sides, struggling to understand Ur's perspective. "You think hiding away will protect the child? The empire will still exist, still oppressed, and the child will suffer the consequences of your inaction."
"I believe that I can offer her a different kind of protection, one that doesn't involve constant danger, which is part of this job. Whatever reasons you have for continuing this fight, I respect them. But I have no interest in putting my child's life at risk, Irene."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Irene's heart throbbed with frustration at the loss of a comrade she once admired. How could she value the child more than our freedom? Irene thought as she sighed in defeat. "You're making a mistake, Ur," she quietly said as she watched her leave.
"Perhaps," Ur replied. "But it's a mistake I'm willing to make for my child's sake."
Irene entered Hades' office, her footsteps echoing on the polished floor. The room was dimly lit, and Hades sat behind his desk.
"Master Hades,"
"Irene," He replied as he looked over his shoulders to see her.
"It seems that our suspicions about Pergrande Kingdom as the main intelligence hub for the empire are true; they are indeed the ones spying on the rebel guilds." She said as she brought back the ledgers to his tables.
"Just as you had predicted. Irene, I have a proposal, one that I have been planning for some time." Hades paused as he turned to face her.
"This was supposed to be Ur's assignment," Hades continued. "But given the current circumstances, I believe you are more than capable of infiltrating the Pergrande Kingdom. Although I initially wanted you to be in the field with the Seven Kin to eradicate those threats, Ur's retirement has caused significant problems with our management and intelligence operations."
"Infiltration?" Irene raised a brow as she watched him grab some papers on his desk.
"We need detailed intelligence on their operations and any weaknesses we can exploit. The Pergrande Kingdom is a linchpin in the empire's control. If we can undermine them, we can significantly weaken the empire's hold."
"I understand, Master Hades."
"Make sure you learn the etiquette of the kingdom," Hades instructed as he watched her read the papers. "You will be disguising yourself as the illegitimate daughter of Baron Hyberion. You'll take the identity of Zera Hyberion, and one more thing: your red hair stands out too much, so you'll need to dye it to blend in. "
"I understand, Master. However, there's something else you should know. I've received information that Tartaros are double agents."
"It's possible that this is a scheme to break our alliance. The Balam Alliance cannot fail. We are the main rebel forces against the empire. They are simply trying to pit us against each other," he paused and tapped the ledgers twice before continuing.
"Focus on your mission in the Pergrande Kingdom. We can't afford any distractions. The success of your infiltration is crucial to our rebellion."
"Of course, I won't fail you, Master Hades," Irene vowed as she dismissed herself.
As the carriage rattled along the rough path, Irene stared at her appearance in the mirror beside the purple-haired man. Her once fiery red hair turned into a soft chocolate shade like her own eyes. The necklace magic never fails to alter her appearance, and not even traces of magic can be seen in her disguise. Draculos Hyberion sat in silence after explaining the situation. He was their double agent for the Pergrande Kingdom, and they could've taken an easy route to reach the kingdom, but Hades had insisted on traveling by carriage to avoid any suspicions.
As they neared a small village, the carriage came to a halt. Irene peered out of the window, her eyes scanning the horizon. In the far distance, she could see the remnants of what was once the proud kingdom of Dragnof. Her heart clenched at the sight, rage bubbling within her. A century had passed since the fall of Dragnof, but the pain of its destruction felt as fresh as ever. The dilapidated buildings were now overgrown with bushes and vines, reclaiming what was left of her homeland. The painful memories of her parents, Mavis, and the life she had once known flooded her mind.
"Whoever your name was, you will regret saving me," she muttered to herself. "I will kill Charteris Belserion with my own hands."
For the first month of her stay in Pergrande, Irene managed to keep a low profile. Considering the status of the House of Hyberion, a baron at that, the news of his illegitimate daughter did not draw much public interest initially. However, it changed with the arrival of the invitation to the prince's birthday celebration. The grand event invited the nobles and the most influential figures in the empire. The rumors even shared that Alvarez would send Charteris Belserion on his behalf to witness the celebration, and it intrigued Irene. Sensing a rare opportunity, Irene chose a gown that accentuated her natural beauty. She wanted to catch their attention, particularly Charteris's, but she knew she had to play her cards carefully.
"I will finally see you, Belserion."
On the night of the event, the nobles from across the kingdom gathered. As Irene entered with her father, all eyes turned towards her. Her beauty captivated the guests instantly. And before she knew it, Prince Rung, the celebrant for today's event, already couldn't take his eyes off her.
"Who would've thought that Pergrande could have such a beauty?" he thought to himself as he titled his head and drank wine to satiate his thirst.
In the corner of the throne, Irene glanced at the short-haired silver-haired man before her; it was the crown prince of the empire, Charteris Belserion. Irene's breath caught in her throat as their eyes met. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Charteris's gaze felt scrutinizing as if trying to pierce through her disguise.
The next day, Irene received an unexpected invitation from Prince Rung. It seemed her presence at the previous night's celebration had left quite an impression on him. She accepted the invitation, knowing that any opportunity to get closer to the prince and gather information. Arriving at the prince's private gardens, Irene noticed a tall and slightly tanned, black-haired knight standing nearby, his piercing eyes never leaving her. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease under his intense gaze.
When Rung arrived, he greeted her warmly. "Lady Zera, it's a pleasure to see you again."
Irene curtsied gracefully. "The pleasure is mine, Your Highness."
Rung gestured for Irene to take her seat as the maids brought in refreshments. The delicate porcelain teacups and ornate silver trays added a touch of elegance to the meeting. As Rung settled into his chair, he fixed his gaze on Irene.
"Lady Zera, I have heard quite a bit about you. They say you helped Baron Hyberion resolve a dispute with the locals in his barony." He paused as he watched her take a sip from the cup, which he found subtly seductive. "Such intelligence is rare for a woman like you," he continued.
Irene inclined her head slightly, acknowledging the compliment. "Your Highness, I merely offered my assistance where it was needed. The credit belongs to Lord Hyberion and the local leaders who worked together to find a solution."
"You are modest, Lady Zera. But in this kingdom, intelligence is highly prized. If you were to become known for your wisdom, your status could change significantly."
Irene's mind raced as she understood the subtle offer hidden within his statement. Gaining recognition for her intelligence could elevate her position and influence within the kingdom, potentially giving her greater access to the information and connections she needed.
"Your Highness," she said carefully, "I am honored by your words. My goal is to serve my family and the kingdom to the best of my abilities."
"I would like to offer you a position as my advisor. Although you still have to take the test and pass it, one thing I can assure you is that I can grant you anything you desire. Wealth, status, influence—all could be yours if you can pass the eliminations."
He wanted to use her as a pawn, someone he could manipulate to strengthen his position and leverage his status over the throne. The realization made her chuckle softly, amused by the transparency of his ploy.
"I am flattered by your offer. I am still lacking in many ways. But I must admit, your proposal has certain... appealing aspects to it."
Irene was determined to pass the upcoming eliminations and secure her position as the prince's advisor. To prepare, she decided to visit the royal library. As she perused the shelves, she suddenly felt arms wrapped around her from behind. Startled, her instincts kicked in, and she quickly shifted her weight to throw her assailant to the ground. In one swift motion, she drew a hidden knife from her belt, ready to strike. But before she could follow through, a strong hand grabbed her wrist, stopping her blade mere inches from her target. Irene looked up to see the same black-haired knight from their first meeting. Without a word, he lifted her wrist and distanced the prince from her direction, who was knocked unconscious. She quickly sheathed her knife and stepped back, her heart pounding with the sight. He assisted the prince and exited the library as if nothing happened.
"Is he mute?" she asked herself as she watched them leave.
After the meeting, Irene couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Prince Rung seemed to have completely forgotten the incident in the library, treating her with the same charm as before. He even granted her unrestricted access to his private study, a gesture that should have reassured her but instead deepened her discomfort. Sitting before him, she glanced the black-haired knight standing beside him. His silent presence unnerving.
"You seem to be interested in my knight, Lady Zera?" Rung commented seeing her
"If you are wondering why he's silent, he is actually mute. This slave was gifted to me by Charteris after my birthday. Despite his inability to speak, he is particularly adept in magic." He reasoned as if reading her mind.
With Prince Rung becoming increasingly occupied with the upcoming eliminations, Irene found herself spending more time alone with the knight. One afternoon, Irene decided to take a walk in the palace gardens. Rung insisted the knight accompany her, and he followed silently. As they strolled through the manicured paths, Irene couldn't help but notice a section of the garden filled with vibrant yet dangerous blooms. The poisonous flowers, with their vivid colors, stood in stark contrast to their lethal nature.
She paused before a particularly striking flower, its petals a deep, rich hue of red. "These flowers," she mused aloud, "they are so beautiful," she said as she glanced back at him. Yet so deadly. It's a fascinating dichotomy like myself, Irene thought to herself seeing the bewildered look on the knight's face.
Until one night
Irene ventured into the heart of the city to meet with some members of the Oracion Seis, a guild part of their alliance. Their meeting place was hidden beneath an abandoned warehouse. As she entered the dimly lit hideout, she was greeted by the tense, expectant faces of the Oracion Seis members. The crimson-haired man hissed, seeing the disguised form of their ally.
"Scarlet Angel," Cobra greeted her. Outside the guild, Irene was known as the Scarlet Angel. We've been expecting you," he said as he guided her to where his comrade was. The man in the red suit bowed to greet her.
It seems that Zero had only sent two of his men for the briefing. She thought to herself, checking for possible hidden members. Irene took a seat at the makeshift table, spreading out a map of the kingdom. "The operation is set for tomorrow night. Your target is the supply depot on the outskirts of the capital. Disrupting their supply lines will cripple their operations and give us an advantage." Irene continued to discuss the details of the operation, strategizing their moves and assigning roles. Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from above, followed by the clanking of armor. Irene's heart sank as the realization hit her, and knights encircled the hideout. They had been found.
"Shit, we're compromised!" Racer hissed, his eyes darting to the exit with Cobra.
The group sprang into action, but the escape routes were quickly blocked. Irene ducked behind a stack of crates. She needed to get out. As she made her way toward a narrow passage at the back of the hideout, she felt a cold blade press against her neck. She froze, her breath catching in her throat.
"Don't move," a voice whispered, icy and threatening. "One wrong move, and you're dead."
Irene's eyes widened, seeing the reflection of the knight's face on the blade. Isn't he the very mute knight Rung was keeping? She asked herself as she raised her hand, trying to lessen his alarming presence.
"I said, don't move." He raised his voice, pressing the blade into her collarbones, drawing blood.
Irene gritted her teeth, seeing it graze the necklace; if the necklace were loosened, her disguise could be blown. Fuck, she cursed as she used her magic to teleport herself somewhere after blinding him with her magic.
The next day, the atmosphere was tense yet festive as the eliminations round was set to begin with a grand banquet. Irene carefully observed and gathered information as she mingled through the crowds. As the evening progressed, Irene stepped out onto a secluded balcony to catch her breath and gather her thoughts. Did the attack proceed as planned? She asked herself, remembering the previous confrontation with the knights last night. She sighed as she inhaled the cool night air, which gave her respite from the crowded hall.
She gazed out over the gardens, lost in her thoughts, when a sudden, sharp sound drew her attention. Startled, she glanced down and saw Prince Rung standing over the said black-haired knight; his face contorted with anger. The tanned man was on his knees, his expression impassive despite the redness spreading across his cheek. Their eyes met for a brief moment. The so-called mute knight's expression was stoic. Irene quickly darted her gaze sideways, pretending not to have seen anything. She took a deliberate sip of her wine, trying to mask her concern and the surge of anger she felt remembering their encounter last night.
As the banquet came to a close and Irene was on her way home, she felt a strong hand wrap around her wrist, pulling her into the maze-like gardens of the palace. Reacting instinctively, she grabbed at the hand, ready to defend herself. Her heart raced as she turned to face the black-haired knight holding out a small jar of ointment.
Irene scoffed, clicking her tongue in irritation. "So, you're not dumb and mute," she said, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "What is this for?"
He did not say anything but offered the ointment. Irene's anger subsided slightly, and she was now filled with confusion as she took the jar from his hand.
"Quit acting," she insisted, but he turned to leave, causing her to grab his hand, pinning him to the ground.
"I said, quit acting. Who are you?" Irene demanded, pinning him to the luscious green grass with her weight.
"Zera," he whispered as he smiled, reaching to touch a strand of her hair and bringing it to his nostrils to indulge himself with her intoxicating perfume.
"Urgh," she grunted as he immediately turned their position, now pinning Irene to the ground.
"Do you have any idea how much I wanted to stab and punish you this instant for the failure you had caused me?" his voice as rough as his calloused hand pinning her wrist, asking in a whisper dangerously close to her earlobe, eliciting a tingling sensation in her body.
"I don't like it when people know my secrets, Zera", he said, staring directly into her brown eyes.
"I hated it as much as I loved these maddening thoughts of you in my head," he said as he cupped her cheek, earning him a hiss from her. He laughed and used his magic to bind her limbs as he applied the ointment on her collarbone, healing her wound in an instant.
A/N: I don't know if it's just me, but I haven't been able to access FF for a few days. I could've finished my draft sooner. The next chapter will be posted soon. Please leave reviews. Thank you, and don't hate me for killing a bunch of characters in this chapter T~T.