Novel The Tainted Crown

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama, Tragedy
Updated every Saturday 8pm KST/12pm GMT
Available in ScribbleHub (under MinariN's account) and Royal Road​

DESCRIPTION:​

Once upon a time, a girl had a brother, a circle of friends, and an inheritance. But when the seventh prince decided to kill them, she was never the same again.

Nerisia Circe's heart has been shattered with the news that her older brother has been executed, leading her to the dark path of vengeance. Drowning in the sea of despair, she seeks out the Stygian Society and offers them her help. Their main goal is to find Prince Evarius' weakness and use it against him, to claim the throne and bring back the Empire's order. And Nerisia, who came to them out of willingness, was the perfect person to use and the perfect ally to have. She was the heroine who will save the Empire from ruin.

But she is not the heroine nor is she the one who will save the empire from ruin. Her allies try to find a way to keep her anger and hatred at bay. Nerisia also tries to cling to the little amount of goodness she has. But how can she cling to that thin rope of goodness when all that's left in her entire existence was darkness?

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(Sidenote: If there is no Saturday update then it will be delayed and will be updated on a Sunday. English is not my native language, but I would still love to hear from you! Thank you so much for the cover edit, Arin!)



TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Prologue
• Chapter One — Woes of the Abandoned
• Chapter Two — Song of the Weeping
• Chapter Three — A Lizard's Tail
• Chapter Four — An Inevitable Sinkhole
• Chapter Five — Nerisia’s Resolve
• Chapter Six — The Stygian Society
• Chapter Seven — Haell Wyrencrest
• Chapter Eight — Newfound Allies

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Spoiler: Prologue (Revised)

A big gust of wind weaved its way into the underground dungeon of HyrenshirePrison, tossing dirt into the cells and clawing at the tattered robes of a young shackled man, his lengthy hair tousled against his face.

The dungeon was quiet this time. The lanterns hanging in their metal cages illuminated the rusted iron doors with vines and moss climbing up. This was the prison of the late emperor’s loyalists. The nobles who once held a high rank in the empire—those the seventh prince of Russenfelt had captured after they opposed his inheritance to the throne—but are now titled as traitors by the imperial prince and his faction.

Zale sat on the floor of the murky dungeon as another gust of wind tore at him. The raging storm was somewhat useful to their inescapable deaths, as if the gods were in favor of the seventh prince’s reign. The rain signified the gods weeping in joy for the prince’s victory—the child of ill prophecy born by the emperor and his peasant queen—mocked the loyalist faction who sought to put their own prince on the throne.

How disturbing.

Zale didn’t sacrifice himself for the loyalist faction to fail, or place the imperial crown on the ill-fated prince. He used his power and connections as the head of a prestigious family to put their puppet prince on the throne seeking order within the empire, not to fail and to be sent to the guillotine.

The fact that he had spent ten years of planning to grab the crown with several other loyalist nobles only to be reduced to nothing more than just a failure was already a blow to his ego. With his talents and being regarded as the genius enchanter of the empire, he could have been standing next to their imperial prince and reunited with his younger sister had they succeeded. Instead, he’d been locked up in a damp dungeon at Hyrenshire Prison for three weeks, served only stale bread and half a glass of water. He’d already been regretting his actions for the last two weeks but that wasn’t enough to silence the burning hate he harbored for the seventh prince.

Escape was impossible in Hyrenshire. Even if he and his fellow loyalists tried to plan and escape now, they wouldn’t be able to brush off the seventh prince’s dog—a muscular chap whose trust and loyalty was only for the seventh prince. If they escaped, they would be executed the moment they are caught.

Every drop of hope he had in his body was drained clean as he counted the slow patter of water droplets on his cell’s ceiling, its’ little weeds on the cracks of the stone shaking against the storm of the gods’ cry.

Two men with large builds approached his cell, swords resting peacefully in their sheaths ready to be pulled out any time he had the motivation to escape. He envied their clean uniforms—the uniform of the imperial guard and a brooch pinned to their chest—the symbol of the seventh prince’s army. It was his army of loyal dogs, ready to risk their lives for their chosen ruler. Both men stepped aside, making way for the person he despised with all his being.

The Imperial Prince—one who killed his father and siblings to attain the rights to the throne—stood before him with eyes filled with contempt.

Zale’s eyes were filled with contempt too, but that was the only thing they had in common. His hair, shaded to a beautiful gold, tousled over his face, his cheekbones sunk deeper than the last week due to lack of food, and his skin covered in muck and grime. The power running through his veins, as the descendant of the very first enchanter of the empire was useless as he had magic cancelling shackles on both his wrists to prevent him from escaping. He was inferior to the one who stood before him.

Although both men had their share of beauty, the seventh prince was far superior in both looks and talent even though he was just a boy. Had Zale bathed and robed in expensive fabric, then he would have the face to rival that of the imperial prince.

“You look no better than before,” the prince said.

Zale’s heart thundered in anger as he sneered at the prince. He answered, “And you hadn’t changed the last time I saw you, your imperial highness.”

The prince showed no sign of annoyance as he peered down at him. Zale tugged on his tightly shacked hands, spilling blood on the floor as he leaned back on the wall nonchalantly. It was an action that usually would have immediately sent him to the guillotine, but he was going to end up there anyway, so there was no harm in adding more fuel to the fire.

“You are dying today, all because you attempted to put your prince on the throne that is rightfully mine and bothered to support my late father’s inconceivable choice of placing an heir.” The prince’s eyes bore into Zale’s, but the man did not appear to be at least bothered by it.

It had nothing to do with the late emperor’s nonsensical talk. Zale had been plotting to place their chosen prince on the throne ever since his father, the previous head of his house, died. He was never satisfied with the late emperor’s chosen heir and he certainly was not happy about the ill-fated prince having the same chance of inheriting the throne like his brothers.

He gathered several nobles who had the same mindset as him—those who strongly opposed the emperor’s decision of having the seventh prince equally fight for the throne—and plotted to force their prince to wear the crown. It had been pretty simple to gather nobles who had lost imperial favor and those who had a strong opposition to the emperor.

“Do you think you can rule the empire?” A man from another cell—one of Zale’s accomplices—said. “A half-peasant like you can never rule such a rich empire!”

“Silence!” The Imperial Prince’s guard shouted as he smacked the iron door with the hilt of his sword. “Raulo,” The prince warned.

Amusement flashed through Zale, his heart thumped and his lips quivered. It took so much effort to calm his beating heart, more effort to pretend that he wasn’t interested in what his companion said. But alas, the words his accomplice uttered was too ripe to even let it pass through one ear.

“That’s right!” Zale said with enthusiasm. “Just because you happened to be born by the emperor and his beloved peasant queen, doesn’t mean you can run an entire empire.”

“And the prophecy—“ The man from the opposite cell said. “The prophecy that you carry around will be your end. Such an ill-fated child like you is never meant to become emperor, your highness.”

Zale waited to see if there was a change in the seventh prince’s expression and demeanor, but the boy in front of him—clad in expensive royal clothes—did not look bothered. “Forgive me, your imperial highness, did we hurt your feelings perhaps? Well, it doesn’t matter since all we said was true.”

“Have you had your fun?” The prince gazed down at him with an unbothered expression. The cell was rendered silent at the sound of the prince’s clear voice. His word echoed around the dungeon, ringing into the ears of the prisoners.

Zale’s words were poisonous, enough to hurt the pride of someone in the prince’s shoes. But the prince was different. He showed no weakness and was resolute. Zale hated to admit it, but the boy carried the air of an emperor.

“I don’t know what you planned to do by spouting that nonsense in front of me, but it will not get you pardoned.”

Zale flinched. “Take them to the guillotine.”

“Right away, your majesty.” The guards said in unison and started to open the cell doors, pulling the loyalists by their chains and dragging them up to the erected stage where the show of death will start.

The clouds wept and the sky thundered, as if the gods waited for the end of the traitors. The wind clawed against Zale’s dirty and tattered robes, it tore toward him, throwing grit into the air. The other loyalists are pulled behind him; the sound of chains clinking together resonated in his ears. It was only years ago when Zale was at the comfort of his mansion with his sister following him around like a little puppy saying ‘brother, brother’ while hugging her stuffed bunny. He hoped to see her again before he died, but he couldn’t ask the prince for such a request. It was fine if other people saw his demise, but he would never let his younger sister see him die.

Before him was a vast sea of people—their prying eyes all focused on him and his companions—as they waited for blood to be spilled and lives to be taken. He was dragged toward the guillotine by the prince’s guard and was brought to his knees. He faced the imperial prince and looked at him in disdain.

“Zale Yulius Circe, for the crime of planning to assassinate and replace the seventh prince, the rightful heir to the throne, you have committed treason. The Gods have been angered by your actions and the council, as well as his highness, the seventh prince, sentence you to death by the guillotine.” A man with broad shoulders clad in an expensive black suit, embellished with medals strode to Zale’s side and looked down at him.

“Do you have any last words?” he whispered.

“Cut his head off!” The crowd shouted. “Kill him! Kill the traitor!” Zale spared them a glance and grinned. Even though the storm was still raging strong, the peasants still stayed to witness the death of a traitor like him. The nobles whispered amongst themselves as they looked at him not with pity but with contempt.

“I shall ask again, do you have any last words?”

“…me.” Zale gritted his teeth and sneered at the man. He turned to the crowd and then spared a glance at the seventh prince who was standing dry under the umbrellas his guards were holding.

“Excuse me?” The man asked with a frown.

Anger flashed inside Zale, his fists, although tied, was clenched behind him and his heart that was beating rapidly was filled with loathing. “Kill me!” He shouted.

“Be it so.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Spoiler: Chapter One — Woes of the Abandoned

A picture of a man sits comfortably on the mansion wall.

Every time I look at it, my whole body shivers in amazement. His handsome face that always held a soft expression. His posture that seemed to scream he was a high ranking noble, and a bright smile that every woman in the empire would fall for. The man in the picture was my older brother, Zale Circe, the only known heir of the Circe Household. He was a person who walked in greatness and whose future was full of greatness. He was the only enchanter left in the entire Circe Household. One who appeared after my great grandfather, Horatius Circe. Everybody praised my brother for being a genius. But who would have thought he would end up buried to the ground.

“Will you be visiting him today too, Lady Niresia?” The head maid asks.

“Yes.”

“I will start to prepare the things you’ll need. Please excuse me,” she says as she bends down to make a full bow.

Three years have passed since the tyrannous Seventh Prince sat on the throne. And that also marks three years of my brother’s death. I can still remember that night. The night when the Seventh Prince’s knights came to the Circe mansion.


The sun had already dipped to the horizon. And Russenfelt’s two moons hung bright and plump in the sky, illuminating the Circe mansion with it’s silvery glow.

I was doing the same old and boring routine before going to bed. My maids give me a rose bath and comb my hair before they put me in a silk nightgown. Nothing was out of the ordinary during that night, except that I had waited all day for my brother to come back from his errand in the Imperial Palace. That day he promised to take me to the Conhal Festival and show me around the town. He promised me he would get out of work early for him to spend time with me.

The Circe Household was a household that birthed powerful enchanters. After our parents tragic death from the war, it was only my brother and I left in the cold and huge mansion. Naturally, he wound up leading the household and doing all of father’s work. But despite how busy he was, he always made time for me.

Zale was a loving brother and a charismatic leader. Everybody in the mansion praised and looked up at him. He was the backbone of the mansion and everyone trusted him. He lead his subjects with an iron fist but he also made sure not to intimidate them too much. He was the perfect example of a natural born leader.

I waited that day. I waited for him to come back home to pick me up. But time kept ticking and hours just went by—he never came home. I was worried, yes. I worried that something might have happened during his ride back home. Especially since the Circe Mansion was days away from the Empire Capital.

But like a trained dog—I waited.

He came back in the evening of Lunar the 24th, when the Imperial Guard came knocking on the mansion’s doorstep. I had been so worried that I jumped up and ran toward the door with a huge smile on my face as I was awaiting my brother’s return. But when the butler opened the door, everything came falling apart.

My brother did return that day.

But not alive.

In front of me, stood an Imperial Guard with his navy blue uniform and his fancy sword. His face remained stoic as he gazed down at me with no emotions—nothing at all. I remember looking down and seeing my brother’s head dangling from his hand. Blood still dripping out of his dismembered head.

I remember screaming for my brother’s name that night. I thrashed and I cried while the Imperial Guard did nothing but stand in front of me with no remorse. Of course. I sobbed as the butler tried to keep me standing upright. And I cried when I saw my brother’s head being thrown on the mansion’s floor like it were nothing but a mere sack.

“My lady! Please keep yourself calm!” The butler urges but I can only glare lazily at him. How could he have felt my grief? How could he have empathised with me? My brother, my only family—the only person I could rely on was murdered by the same person who promised the Empire safety.

I will never forgive him. I will never forget.


“Lady Nerisia, the carriage is ready.”

I am startled from my thoughts by Marie’s voice. “Mhm,” I murmur, setting down a white lily in front of my brother’s portrait. I can tell that Marie notices I am distracted, but I am grateful that she doesn’t say anything about it. “The preparation for your departure has taken more time than expected, my lady. So you will arrive at the cemetery in about an hour from now.”

It is my brother’s death anniversary. The 24th of Lunar, the longest day of the year. I am on my way to the Circe Cemetery, where all of the members of the Circe household are buried upon death. We pass through a road lit with lanterns and filled with merchants waiting to secure their sales to unsuspecting commoners. People dressed in their finest are found everywhere, occupying narrow alleyways, spilling into the town square and dancing in a straight line. To them, the Conhal Festival is a day of merrymaking, music, and dancing.

But not for me.

The carriage had no problem getting through the crowd because of the Circe crest. We weaved our way easily through the throngs of revellers and slipped into the unoccupied path to the cemetery. The atmosphere, despite the early merriness of the festival, was dreary. The path was surrounded by black trees and vines hanging low from its leaves created an eerie atmosphere.

The fog thickens as we ride closer to the entrance of the cemetery. In front of me, I see Marie play with her hands with an unsettled expression on her face. She has been accompanying me for three years in this place and yet she still couldn’t get used to the nightmarish atmosphere. “We’ll be there soon, my lady.” The coachman says from outside.

I look out the window as bright silver gates of the cemetery greet us. The cemetery guard opens the large gates and it creaks eerily as we pass through. Many of my ancestors are buried here, but only those who are qualified can be laid to rest in this sacred place. Among those who are resting here are my grandparents, my parents, my brother and Roahld Circe. The greatest enchanter in all of the empire.

His tomb is found in the middle of the cemetery. Surrounded by beautiful silvermoon roses and a statue in his honor. “Watch your step, my lady.” The coachman says as he reaches out a hand for me to take.

The family’s grave keeper escorts Marie and I through the massive cemetery as he chatters away about the sad loss of a perfect leader. From the corner of my eyes, I can see Marie’s trembling hands. She has always been afraid of this place ever since we took the only remaining body part of my brother here to be buried. He comes to ask me some bothersome questions from time to time. But instead of answering, I stay silent as I let him guide us through the enormous cemetery. I return to my thoughts once again.



Since my brother’s death, I have woken up with whispers of his ghost by my bedside. He speaks to me in a gentle voice, making me miss him even more, unable to move on from the loss. Other times, when I am completely still, his figure would appear before me. A smile encompassing his face as he stares at me with sparkling eyes.

He does not terrify me. He is my brother after all. But sometimes I cannot help but wonder why he still lingers beside me when he has come to pass. He is most active three days before his inevitable death. His voice ride in my brain as I go about my day and he whispers to me about something. He whispers to me about something important, but I can never seem to remember.

But in some moments, he asks me the same question:

Are you not angry, Nerisia?

Of course I am angry, I respond to him silently. But what can a powerless young lady like me do to stop your execution? I never even knew you were subjected to death by guillotine until the night that damned Imperial Guard showed up on our doorstep.

Why do you hold yourself back if you are? You are more than welcome to scream and cry. They killed me, Nerisia. They—the Emperor, his knights, the people. You… He responds softly.

I cannot. My people need me to lead them. You left me all alone at the fresh age of eighteen and you expect me to throw a tantrum like a ten year-old child?

Do you not resent them for what they did to me? Your only family?

I do resent them. I resent them more that anybody in the entire Empire. The Emperor, mostly. He took you away from me and I cannot accept that. However, I cannot move.

Why do you hide in the mansion like a social recluse when you can use that time to build connections and conspire against that tyrannous Emperor? Do you not want to seek revenge? He asks. His voice, dangerously low. Do you not want to bring the tyrannous Emperor down and kill him with your own two hands—the way he did to me?

Do you not hold such feelings?

“My lady,” Marie says as she tugs on my dress and my brother’s voice vanish. “We have arrived.

I stare at the grey tombstone laid down in front of me and reach out to caress it with a gloved hand. My eyes catching sight of the name of my brother, elegantly engraved on the stone surrounded by beautiful flowers of lilies and a bed of lush green grass. “I will wait for you over by that tree, my lady.” I nod at Marie and continue to look at my brother’s tombstone.

I feel something is amiss but I simply shrug it off. “I finally came back for you, brother.” I say.

For some reason, the wind turns unbelievably cold. “Have you waited long?” I ask. The breeze blew harder as if it were delivering me a message, a whisper—from my late brother. I shiver, not because of the cold but because of the eeriness of the Circe Cemetery. I placed a bouquet of lilies in front of his grave and kneeled down. Again, I am buried inside my own thoughts.



“Do you see, Nerisia?” My brother asks as he innocently points at the portrait laden wall in the mansion.

“My portrait will be placed here soon!” He says excitedly. Eyes glistening as he loops an arm around my shoulder. I am eight and my brother is eleven. I look up at him with a smile and tug at his sleeve. “Really?” I ask.

“Will I really see brother’s portrait with our ancestors’ portraits?”

Zale looks down and flashes me a gleaming smile. He puts a cold hand on my head and gives me a soft pat. “You definitely will! And soon, your portrait will come after mine.” He says with enthusiasm.

“Will my portrait show up on that wall too, brother?” I ask.

“It sure will!” My brother answers with a smile. But his aide, McNaren, corrects him with a cough. “The young lady’s portrait will not be displayed in this particular hall, young master. Only the rightful heir to the house will have their portrait placed with the other previous leaders of the Circe Household.”

Zale glances up and frowns at his aide. “My sister’s portrait will be hung next to mine,” he prompted. “If anybody dares to question that, it will immediately be translated into treason.” His voice did not falter when he gave McNaren a command.

“I shall make sure that nobody utters a word of this, young master.”

“Make it so.”


I clench my gloved hand and grit my teeth. The biting cold was uncomfortable. But it did nothing, not even bother me. My thoughts wander back to that night of the 24th Lunar. The Imperial Guard, my brother’s head, the screams of anger, and the sobs of despair. I will never forgive them. I think to myself. I will never forgive them. They will never be forgiven.

“Brother,” I whisper. “May you rest in peace.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TO - CHAPTER 2

 

wow shit im interested , best of luck, will sub on royal road

 

do u plan on having romance

 

nice cover btw

 

Yes I do! Thank you so much for the support =w=

 

Spoiler: Chapter Two — Song of the Weeping

I am awake in my room.

My eyes are wide open but it almost seems like I am staring at a moonless sky—dim and gloomy. Some would even call it lifeless. Everything stayed relatively still as I sit on my bed. My eyes could not see but my ears could hear. The sound of the raindrops echo around me, creating a steady and curious melody. The slow tap of the dead willow tree’s branch on my window distracted me from the disjointed murmurs of my thoughts.

I look around my bedchamber. The candlelight shimmers faintly, illuminating only my desk cluttered with open books and crumpled papers. My windows are open, showing a bright silver moon peeking into my bedchamber as fine gossamer curtains riffle placidly amidst the gentle breeze.

Beside me, a teacup sits gingerly on my bedside table next to an incense stick. The room smelled of lemongrass, one of my brother’s most favourite smells. The scent surrounds me and keeps my thoughts from ever going astray.

“What do you mean Lord Zale is dead?”

I can hear my brother’s vassals argue in front of my room as Coleberg, the butler, tries to stop them from entering. “I’m very sorry Lord Remius. but the Lady does not want to see anyone at the moment.”

“What nonsense! Tell her to come out this instant!” Lord Remius demands.

He was always such a disrespectful little bug, especially to me. He never saw me as the little sister of Zale Circe—he only saw me as someone lower than him. A young and naive little girl who he thinks he can manipulate with his own two hands. He always talked down to me whenever we met in the mansion, but that never bothered me. Not until now.

“I’m afraid I cannot do that, Lord Remius.”

“You have to! Can she not see what a catastrophe this is?!” He screams.

“I think it’s best if you come by another time, my lord. The lady commanded not to let anybody inside her room.”

I can hear Lord Remius click his tongue from inside my room. I can imagine what his face looks like even now—but I pay him no mind. I have no energy to deal with him. Not today. I am grateful that Coleberg knew I wasn’t doing well. I am grateful that he was here to handle all of the bugs my brother left in the house. I draw my pillow close to me and shut my eyes tight.

My mind wanders everywhere, remembering every moment. It has been three hours since the Imperial Guard came by with my brother’s decapitated head. And upon hearing of the news, my brother’s vassals came running into the mansion demanding I see them. How outrageous. I think to myself.

I want to sleep.

I want to get rid of everything I have seen. I want to wake up in the morning and see my brother with his usual smiling face wait for me in the dining room. I want to wake up and think that this was all just a bad dream. That this was just a nightmare.

I shut my eyes tight and curl in my bed, under the covers. But my thoughts come back rushing into my brain again. They whisper words I can’t understand. Their voices ring in my head, sinister and full of hatred. They come into a chorus, ominously low and some, dangerously high.

The people outside are banging on my chamber door—shouting and screaming as they demanded me to get up and talk to them. Their loud knocks that echo around the room soon turn dissonant and the voices in my head overpower me. They take me into a dark place as they speak louder and louder—and louder.

The door bursts open, spewing out my butler, my maid, two knights and the one who made a scene—Lord Derek Remius.

I sit upright and look at my brother’s vassal in displeasure. “What is the meaning of this, Lord Remius?” I ask him. “It must be about something really important for you to barge into a lady’s bedchamber like this in the middle of the night,” I say to him. “Unannounced even,” I add.

Lord Remius clears his throat and stands straight as he fixes his suit. “This is a very urgent mat—”

“Did I not order you to keep unwanted guests away from my chambers, Coleberg?” I cut him off. Coleberg purses his lips and takes a deep bow. “I am terribly sorry, milady. This is all because of my negligence.”

“My lady! We should not prolong this matter! This needs to be addressed immediately!”

“How rude.” I click my tongue.

I can see Lord Remius’ face twitch slightly at my response. He must have been so shocked to see such a timid young lady go against him for the first time. “Excuse me? Did you just click your tongue at me?” He asks, seemingly offended.

I smile at him from where I was sitting and shake my head. “Oh no, it must have been your imagination, Lord Remius.”

How disgusting. I think unkindly.

“I-I guess it is?”

I laugh. “It was sarcasm, Lord Remius.”

“What? Lady Nerisia! We have much more important matters to discuss with! Instead of you trying to pick a petty fight with me, you should uphold your duty as the only Lady of the house and—”

“Excuse me?” I cut him off again. “Don’t you think you are being very rude, Lord Remius?” I ask him with a frown. “You barge in a lady’s chambers in the middle of the night without prior warning while she was mourning the loss of her only brother. And then you talk to me as if you are a person above me?”

My mind is a mess. The murmurs and the voices are getting louder and louder. They speak only to me and to nobody else. My hands are shaking but I hide them under the blanket. I wish he would not notice how nervous I am.

“I will call for you when I feel it is time to speak about this.”

“But my lady—!”

“Take him away.” I order my knights and they do as I say.

They grab Lord Remius by the arm and drag him out and away of my bedroom. When the doors close behind them, only Coleberg remained. He looks at me with concern as he walks toward me cautiously. I massage my temples and sigh. “Would you like a cup of chamomile tea, milady?” He asks.

“No thank you, Coleberg. You can go ahead and rest.”

But Coleberg remains standing beside me. I look up at him and his gaze turn warm. “I am terribly sorry for not being able to stop the commotion, milady. I know how much you wanted to rest today,” he says. “Especially after what—”

“It’s alright, Coleberg. You did your best.” I flash him a smile. Although it seems like he does not believe that I am truly alright. But I am thankful that he doesn’t question me further nor does he elaborate on the topic once more. He merely said his goodbyes and wished me a pleasant night before walking out of my room.

I am alone once again.

I don’t know when it had stopped but the voices in my head that spoke garbled nonsense disappeared. It was as if they weren’t there in the first place. I lay on my bed, sweat trickling down my forehead and I waited.

I waited for the ominous voices to come accompany me once again. I did not want to be alone because if I was, I would truly feel as though my brother had really gone and passed. I waited until the dark creatures lurking inside my head to whisper incoherent words to me again. But they never came. It was if they were telling me I was truly alone.

And so I cried until I could not cry no more.





I sit silently in the parlour with tea sitting on a table in front of me. It has been a long time since I recalled that awful memory.

The memory of the first night I spent knowing that my brother was gone with the wind. “Would you like a refill for your tea, Lady Nerisia?” Marie asks me. I give her a nod and watch her move elegantly as she pours me tea.

I pick up the teacup and stare at the contents for a while. I notice Marie look at me with concerned eyes, but she does not speak. I smile to myself before I sipping on the teacup.

It tastes bitter…

I purse my lips and look out the window to the garden. The Seventh Prince. The man who killed my brother. The man who ruined it all. And the man I so despise.

Why don’t you just go and kill him? My brother appears before me, sitting across from me with a smile on his face. I notice the scar I left on his right arm when we were children and I notice another unfamiliar one.

I am far too powerless to do so.

Then stick to those with power. You can do it. You don’t have to do the killing yourself. Let other people do it.

I laugh. From the corner of my eyes, I can see Marie look at me in confusion. She does not see the ghost of my brother. She does not hear his voice. This is because he only speaks to me.

Think about it, Nerisia. There are other people who want him dead.

I guess you are right.

Then what are you waiting for? Avenge me. I know how much you hate him. I can see the colour of your hatred.

My hatred?

From there, my brother flashes me a smile and it sends chills down my spine. His smile was beautiful yet chilling at the same time. He walks toward me and places a cold hand on my shoulder. I stay still, afraid that a little movement would cause his disappearance. My brother leans in and whispers something in my ear.

It’s black. Dark and murky—your feelings. It’s twisted and very, very ugly. It is tied in your heart like little knots, looping and squeezing together forming a very tight and singular knot. You may not see it yourself, Nerisia, but I do.

I sit there in silence as my brother disappears from beside me, leaving me and my voices alone. “—Sia…” Something in me stirs as I recall what he said. It tugs slowly at my heartstrings and pulls at it albeit faintly. I don’t know what it is, but it is there.

“Lady Nerisia,” I am pulled out of my thoughts by Marie as she calls for my attention.

“Yes?” I ask.

“Lord Remius is here to see you,” she says softly.

It’s this dog again. What is his problem? I think to myself. “Should I let him in?” She asks. I wait for the consent of my voices, but they were not answering. I let out a burdened sigh and nod my head. “Let him in.”

Marie did not look too pleased with my decision, but she went ahead and did as I told her. Lord Remius walks into the parlour wearing an ironed suit and a top hat that mad him look twice as old as his age. He bows at me and greets me before I tell him to sit down.

“What brings you here, Lord Remius?” I ask.

Lord Remius clears his throat and looks me in the eye. “The vassals want to have a meeting with you present, my lady. It has been three years since the estate was managed by the butler. And we think that this is inappropriate. For someone like him to have authority over the entire estate—!”

“Lord Remius,” I cut him off with a warning glare. “I have the house seal. Coleberg does not make large decisions. He simply is the one handling the estate. We should not prat about anything if we don’t know the full story now, shall we?” I smile at him and he goes silent for a while.

But I knew he would not back down so easily. “This is outrageous, milady! Someone of higher status should lead and manage the estate! Not some butler of a household! Are you aware that a commoner like him could cheat and steal the money that should be used by the mansion?”

“Ah!” I gasp. “You are right. We should not let corrupt people like youhave authority over managing the estate!”

“Exactly! That is what I—” he pauses. “—like me? Milady! are you insinuating that I steal money from the estate?” he asks angrily.

I cover my mouth with my left hand, pretending to be shocked. “I’m sorry, Lord Remius. Were you not talking about yourself?”

“I—”

“I am terribly sorry for misunderstanding, Lord Remius. It seems as though I need some more rest,” I say. “We shall talk about this in two days time. I will be at the meeting, so you do not have to worry.” I smile at him but he does not respond. His face was contorted as he looks at me with disdain.

“I think it’s time for you to go, Lord Remius. I am sure that Lady Keira wouldn’t want her husband to keep visiting the home of an unmarried young lady.”

He stands up in his seat with clenched fists and bows to me. “I-I’ll see you in the meeting, milady.”

“Yes.” I respond as I watch him walk out of the parlour. “Was it really okay to send him away like that, milady?” Marie asks innocently. I flash her a smile and pick up my teacup and I watched as Lord Remius storms angrily outside the mansion.

“It’s alright.” I say in response to Marie’s question before I sip my tea quietly.

It really is bitter…

A very early update because I'm afraid I can't update on Saturday due to excessive school tasks :'c
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Spoiler: Chapter Three — A Lizard's Tail

Early next morning, as soon as the sun crests the horizon and the mansion servants start to do their designated work, I make my way through the empty hallways of the mansion, slipping by every single person I meet.

They bow to me when they see me and some say their good mornings, while some are baffled by how early I woke up today. Even Marie was bothered at how I woke up and dressed up by myself when she came into my bedroom earlier on to open the curtains.

As I made my way into the garden, the scent of roses wafted toward me, surrounding me gently. I look around and see the gardener’s impeccable job at keeping my brother’s rose garden beautiful and alive. My eyes catch sight of the white gazebo sitting in the middle of the garden, furnished only with a table and two chairs—one for me and one for my brother.

Two days passed in a blink of an eye, and today was the day I am having a meeting with my brother’s vassals. They do not like me and I to them but regardless of how we feel, we will have to work together in the future. I will be the one to take over my brother’s place as heir of the house.

I sit on one of the chairs and immediately I am lost in my thoughts.

The Seventh Prince slithers into my mind.

What do I know of him? I have never seen him even when I first stepped into the capital for my debut into society. Nobody has ever heard his voice or seen his face—the information about the seventh prince of the empire were all rumors and none have been proven true. Except for one of those rumors.

The Prophecy.

There are only a few people who know about the Seventh Prince’s prophecy. My late father and brother were one of those who knew about his prophecy. Supposedly, it was only my father who should know about the outrageous prophecy, but my brother chanced upon the information when he went into father’s study uninvited and scoured his table for fun. Of course, father was not very delighted about what he had just done.

If my family were just like a normal noble household, my brother would have been walloped with a cane at the mansion training ground. But father only told him to keep his mouth shut otherwise the emperor would kill us, and let him stay inside his room for two weeks. I was not allowed to visit him too because he had been under a strict watch by his knight.

“I hate to interrupt your solitary time, milady,” Coleberg says behind me, pulling me out of my thoughts. “But the vassals are waiting for your appearance.”

Something tugs at my heart and my hands go cold. It was an uncomfortable feeling. Just the thought of having to face all six of my house’s vassals make my mood worsen. I spin on my heel and look at the old butler standing in front of me. “I shall escort you there, milady.”

I thank him with a nod.

He leads me out of the garden and into the mansion. I scan around like a curious little kitten as my eyes catch the intricate designs of the corridor walls. The red curtains were drawn up and tied beautifully by the mansion maids. There wasn’t a speck of dust to be seen anywhere.

My steps gradually turn slower as we reach the huge white doors, carved with intricate swirls of designs. Behind this door will be a room filled with old men seated comfortably on their seats. “Milady, are you not coming in?”

I do not look at Coleberg.

I reach into the depths of my thoughts as I check if I could hear my brother’s voice. I concentrate on hearing him, but it was quiet. The voices were not there. I wonder since when have I become so dependent on these voices? I ask myself. But I guess it was just me relying on the hallucination of my already dead brother.

I take a step forward and push the doors open. “Lady Nerisia! Do you know how long we have been waiting here for you?” The rat, Lord Remius, asks in a very disrespectful manner. However, I do not answer him nor do I acknowledge him. I simply walk over to my seat in the far end of the table with my head held high and my chest puffed out. I hope I don’t look nervous.

“Good morning, gentlemen.”

The all look at me. Some in displeasure and some with expressions I could not read. “It is a pleasure to see that you can attend today’s meeting, Lady Nerisia.” I turn my attention to a bald and fat man sitting on the third chair to my left. His name is Lord Charles Buckley, a count from the Circe Territory who manages a small land in the far south of the territory.

“It is a pleasure to be here as well.”

“How have you been doing, Lady Nerisia?”

“Oh please, Lord Whiterne. We don't have the luxury to have some tea time chat! This is a very urgent matter!” Lord Remius says as he shoots me a look of displeasure. “Lord Remius is right.” I turn my attention to an old brunet man. His face is smacked with time and his eyes looked very tired but still held some unparalleled wisdom. He was Lord Robert Darhen, my family’s oldest vassal. If my father were alive, he would be about the same age as Lord Darhen.

“Lady Nerisia, you should really reconsider having the butler do all the work about managing the territory and the Circe Mansion. He is not qualified.” He says to me as he looks me in the eye.

This man reminded me of my grandfather. A sweet and caring old man who loved spending time with his family. Horatius Circe was an brilliant leader, a perfect father, and a amazing grandfather. He loved children and developed an orphanage where the orphans lived and were cared for. He would visit them from time to time whenever his schedule allowed.

He would often take incognito walks around the territory when he was younger and observed how the commoners lived. He ultimately stepped down as Head of the Circe Household when my father came of age and started to live a stress-free life with my grandmother in another mansion in the countryside. By the time my brother and I were born, we would often stay in my grandparent’s mansion to play and sometimes, they would spontaneously visit us at the Circe Mansion.

“Think about it, Lady Nerisia. It isn’t favourable for the nobles to talk about the Circe Household being managed by a mere butler.”

I frown. Indeed it was true. Having Coleberg handle the mansion and the territory did not look good at all for the prestigious Circe Household. However, I have yet to receive formal education about having to manage the territory. After all, my brother was heir not me. Up until now, I was only a young girl having lessons about embroidery and social etiquette, training to be a perfect bride and waiting for a man to ask for my hand in marriage. Managing the mansion or the territory was never a problem to me to begin with.

“What Lord Darhen said was right, my lady! You allowed the hands of a mere commoner to touch important documents for far too long. This is outrageous!” Lord Remius places his clasped hands on the table as he looks at me with a frown.

“Then, what do you propose we do, Lord Darhen?” I ask. Something strange glinted in his eyes. My stomach twists at the sight and something pulls at my heartstrings. My instincts tells me there is something wrong.

Lord Darhen leans forward on the table and keeps his eyes on me. “You can manage the household, Lady Nerisia. But you did not receive any education on running a territory,” he pauses, then adds, “There is only one way for us to possibly reconcile this. That is if we appoint a temporary Head.”

I feel all the blood drain from my face. “If we go with your proposal, who do you suggest we appoint as Head?” I ask him.

Lord Darhen shrugged. “My son would be the perfect man to appoint as temporary Head of the House.” A strange and loud buzzing fills my ears. It was nothing like the voices but it sounded angry. “Your son is your heir, Lord Darhen.” I raise a hand. “Isn’t he going to succeed you very soon?”

“Yes, however, I have no intention to step down as Count. Not until you have finished your education, my lady.” He shrugs. It was a very disrespectful thing to do in front of the owner of the house. But this man, despite the warmness of his looks, he is not my ally.

“What a suggestion.” We all turn to the old man sitting on the second seat at the right side. His arms were crossed as he looks at Lord Darhen in disbelief. “While it is true that the Circe Household should have a temporary Head while the real Head undergoes her education, that does not mean you can lend your son.”

Lord Darhen frowned. “You do not have a son to lend, Lord Barthem. While all the other men sitting in this room with us have sons, all of them have been married and are managing their little lands,” he pauses and looks at me, “So, by default, my son is the most qualified. Ah! Do not worry, we will return the Circe Official Seal when Lady Nerisia will be taking back the seat.”

Everyone in the room turns their attention to the man sitting next to Lord Darhen when he clicks his tongue. He has dark skin and black eyes, a trademark of the Adelard Clan. He was the youngest of the vassals and was my brother’s closest friend. However, I do not know him that well. I only ever met him when brother and him would have tea in the garden or if he would come and visit from the Academy.

“Do you have something to say, Lord Adelard?” Lord Remius asks with a frown.

Lord Adelard shrugs and leans forward. “Unless we have a written statement from Lord Circe himself that he permits this old man’s son into becoming the Head of the House, we cannot let anybody else sit on that position.”

I purse my lips. It was true. My brother would have made preparations if he knew he was dying. No—he would have made preparations regardless. My brother was not a careless man. He was a man who looked into the far future and started planning on it when he had the time. It would be very strange if he did not prepare anything to answer this.

I look at Lord Darhen, and the moment I do, I feel my stomach twist. His eyes were curved up into a moon shape and his lips are curled up into a smile. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a blue envelope with the Circe seal stamped on it. No way.

“As a matter of fact, I do have proof.” He pushes it deep onto the table for us to see. Lord Adelard grabs it and opens it up without any hesitation. I observe his facial expression change from emotionless to anger and disbelief.

No way.

“Where did you get this?” Lord Adelard asks in a low and threatening voice. Lord Barthem grabs the letter from Lord Garamond’s hand and carefully reads it. I study his expressions and it seems like there is something outrageous written in the letter.

It takes him a while to answer. “I am asking you right now as someone who is above you Lord Darhen, where did you get this?“

“It was mailed to me by the Circe Lawyer three weeks ago,” he finally responds. Lord Barthem hands me the letter and as I read the contents, I am baffled. “Is that proof enough for you?” The old man asks arrogantly.

Nobody answers. Not even I.

This is not something my brother does. This is most definitely something he set up, but we have no proof to prove that this was part of a scheme. If this were really my brother, he wouldn’t have made the recipient Lord Darhen. It would have been addressed to the Circe Mansion and not to one of his vassals.

This is a trap.

I clench my jaw and look at every one of my house’s vassals. “We will end this meeting here. I will be calling for a new one four days from now.” I say before I stand up and walk out of the room, the letter still in my hand.

♠♠♠​

I walk into my brother’s study—now mine—and sit there. The letter was placed gingerly in front of me. I should have known when Lord Remius forced himself into the mansion two days ago. They were probably in this together.

A knock on my door pulls me out of my momentary trance and brings me back into reality. “Lady Nerisia, it’s Adelard.”

“Come in,” I say.

Although I was not looking, I hear the door click open and close, and his footsteps that come to a stop right in front of me. I look up to see my brother’s closest friend, Osric Adelard. He smiles at me from across the desk as he glances at the table cluttered with important documents.

“It’s been a while, Lady Nerisia,” he says to me. “Indeed it has been, Lord Adelard.”

“I know that it has been years since your brother’s death, and that this might be very late, but I would like to extend my condolences.”

My ears perk at his voice. I flash him a sad smile and nod. Osric Adelard never went to my brother’s funeral even though he was one of the few people we have invited. That day he sent me a letter of apology saying that he wasn’t in the Circe Territory.

“That day—I was shocked to hear the news of my friend’s passing.”

“Everyone was…” I paused, “It was a dreadful memory to remember.”

Silence fills the room as the wind blows from my opened windows. A gentle breeze caress my skin, warm and fuzzy. “Zale was a very good friend.”

I chuckle. My brother was indeed a very great friend. He cared for his people and protected them with his power. He was righteous and he knew what to do when it came to territorial problems. He was also the best brother a girl could ask for.

“Enough with the lamenting,” I say, “There are more pressing matters that need my attention.” I rub my temples and frown at the letter sprawled on my desk. I glance up at Lord Adelard and see a deep frown grace his face. It seems like he was aware of this as well.

“It was a trap.” He says very bluntly.

“I know,” I reply dryly.

“Zale would never send a letter to a vassal. We have to investigate this matter, Lady Nerisia.”

“We have to find out how they got a hold of the house seal.”

“You believe me?” He asks in shock.

I look at him and frown. “Do you really think that my brother would be so careless to let his house be managed by a vassal not even of high rank?”

“No—”

“Exactly. We have to find out how they grabbed the seal.”

I stare at him before I avert my gaze and fix it on the letter sprawled on my desk. Lord Adelard lingers in front of me for a moment before he clears his throat. “May I take responsibility of investigating this matter, my lady?” My eyes land on him for a moment. Osric Adelard is my brother’s most trusted friend and most loyal ally. He is also incredibly smart, maybe leaving him to investigate this would be better.

“Do as you please,” I say and then I add, “but can you do it within two days?”

“I shall try my hardest, my lady.”

I wave him a hand, telling him he is dismissed. “I expect good results.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Spoiler: Chapter Four — An Inevitable Sinkhole

“I’m sorry,” he says with his head hung low. Why? My voices ask in a chorus. Why? They start incredibly low, the lonely word echoing in my head as I stare at Osric Adelard in shock.

“I’m so sorry, my lady,” he says it again for me to hear. But I only think it as absurd.

My heart throbbed and my blood boiled. The voices in my head are in chaos, commanding me to end his life. From the corner of my eye, the paper knife glints silver as if it wanted me to pick it up.

“What did you say?” My voice trembles as I ask him once again.

“The letter and the seal…they are all real.”

“That’s impossible!” I scream and the voices in my head scream with me. Something tugs at my heart—it is cold but is also very familiar. “Unfortunately, my lady. Zale Circe did in fact leave the house under temporary leadership of Lord Darhen’s son.”

I hear a strange buzzing in my ear as I sit down. “Do you know who is behind this?” I ask.

Lord Adelard closes his eyes and heaves out a burdened sigh. I brace myself for his answer but nothing came out of his mouth. He stayed silent. “What? Is this something I shouldn’t know?” I frown at him. He shakes his head in disagreement but he does not open his mouth.

“This is outrageous! How can someone not of Circe blood become a head?” I can feel the slight tug in my heart grow stronger as my anger rose.

“This is only a temporary leadership, my lady. I will see to it that he gives back the seal when you are ready.”

I glare at him. The words he uttered were disgusting, it was something I could not accept. A person who was not even a part of the Circe bloodline sitting on my brother’s seat. How despicable.

“Get out,” I command.

Osric does not move but when I flash him a threatening glare, he gives me a deep bow and walks out of the room, leaving me alone with the voices in my head grumbling. I sit on my chair and massage my temples. I know for a fact that Lord Darhen, that mouse, wanted the position of Head ever since my brother passed away. I tried protecting my brother’s seat, but there is nothing I can do right now. My brother’s letter was proof enough that he wanted Lord Darhen’s son to succeed as temporary head.

Sundown. My head is spinning. I spent the entire afternoon sitting down in my brother’s office. I told Marie and Coleberg to refuse anyone who wants to talk to me.

I look out the window and set my eyes on the gazebo in the garden. I wanted to go for a walk, but I know that I would only be reminiscing memories about my brother and I. I don’t really want that, not now. My thoughts wander back to Osric’s report earlier this morning. It just doesn’t make sense.

My brother wasn’t the type of person to hand over the management of the house and territory to someone who isn’t part of the family. I know him well enough to predict his next moves, even in chess. My brother will not move to carelessly.

“My lady, are you not going to have dinner?” Marie asks from the other side of the door.

“I’ll have it in my room. Thank you, Marie.”

I stand up and organise my desk. Piles and piles of documents and paperwork stacked up on each other made my head hurt. I have to deal with these matters about the mansion as soon as possible, and there was the appointing of a temporary head. What chaos.

I look outside and stare at the gazebo one last time before I walk out of the room. My thoughts were chaotic as I walk back to my bedchamber. They whisper inaudible words at me. They hiss and growl as I pass by numerous portraits of all the Household Heads and silence only when we pass by my brother’s. Come to think of it, the voices only settle down when my brother’s voice echo in my head or if we pass something that was in possession of my brother. I wonder why that is. I have never thought of it as something, but it is just fascinating.

My room is dark, lit only by the fireplace Marie had turned on. A tray of untouched food was sitting gingerly on the table, right beside a glass of milk and half a bowl of caramel candy. Marie knew just how much I loved to eat caramel whenever I am stressed—she somehow always knew when I would be needing it the most. I sit down and start to eat, but I cannot taste anything. I’m sure the chef did his best to make my dinner delicious, but for some reason, I am unable to taste.

From the corner of my eye, I see a shadow. It flickers as it moves from darkness to darkness—completely avoiding the places with light. I follow it’s path with my eyes and it stops. The little shadow creature turned it’s head and looks at me with menacing purple eyes. It glows in the darkness as it stares at me. And in a blink of a eye, it disappeared. I scan my room to look for it, but it was as if it was never there.

Weird.

I must be tired. I sometimes see things when I’m tired.

I stand up from my seat and change out of my dress into a silk nightgown. It’s cold in my room even though the fireplace was in use. I lay awake in my bed and stare at my bed chamber’s ceiling. The corners were donned with silver and gold flowers and swirls. I close my eyes and drift into sleep.

♠♠♠​

I wake up lying in a patch of beautiful flowers. The sky was clear as clouds silently pass by, blocking the sunlight from me. My arms are outstretched as I stare at the spotless sky.

The wind blows gently, caressing my face and swaying the flowers around me. I look to my side and see my mother sitting down with a smile on her face. Father sits next to her, his arm around her as he pulls her close. He stares warmly at me and his lips curl up into a loving smile.

I sit up and see my brother run toward me with a childish grin. He grabs both of my hands and pull me up with a smile. He leads me toward a big tree in the middle of the meadow and turns around. Now he was facing me. He smiles at me but this time, it sends chills down my spine.

“Nerisia…” he calls for my name.

I look at him in confusion and extend my hand toward him, asking him to hold me. But my brother, instead of taking my hand, he takes one step back as he hides both his hands behind him. “Brother…what?”

Suddenly, The once bright sky turned black and the flowers around us wilted into nothing but dead and ugly flowers. Even the once beautiful tree we were under lost its leaves, leaving only dead branches that stretched downward. It grows more until it traps me within its thorny cage, separating me from my brother.

I reach for him but I can’t grab him. He smiles at me as red and irony blood drips from his eyes as if he cried blood. He takes one step toward me and his face turns different. He was no longer the healthy and handsome older brother, instead he looked like he was starved.

His cheeks are sunken and his hands were bony. He almost looked like a whole skeleton. I flinch as he takes two more steps toward me. My brother raises a bony hand and caresses my face—it felt cold. Then suddenly, I feel a sharp pain pass my left cheek and cold blood drips onto my ragged white dress.

My brother looks at me and smiles, but his eyes were full of rage as he leans forward to my ear. And he whispers, “I’m dead.”

There was a strange buzzing in my ear as he whispered to me. “He killed me, Nerisia.” He says to me through gritted teeth. “Kill him. Avenge me. Kill him. Make him suffer the way I did.” The voices came rushing all at once, morphing together with my brother’s, creating a sinister sound.

“Leave the house,” the voices shout. “Kill the seventh prince!”

I grab my brother’s bony hand and cry. But when I opened my eyes, my brother’s hand turned to ashes, and I realise I was staring right into the eyes of my dead brother. His already decapitated head was hanged by the hair—eyes and mouth wide.

I take a step back and clench my jaw.

“Revenge…”

The word echoes loudly in my head.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Spoiler: Chapter Five — Nerisia’s Resolve

I remember music.

It used to fill the entire second floor with beautiful melodies. The pieces my mother would play on the piano used to be so happy as the sound weaved its way to my bedroom. I remember jumping out of my bed and running toward the music room only in my nightgown. It wasn’t something a lady of noble birth such as myself should do. If my tutors saw me run around the mansion like that, they will surely faint.

I remember peeking into the music room and seeing my mother sit on the piano stool with her eyes closed as her hands moved gracefully across the keys leaving behind majestic tunes suspended in the air. My father would nod his head to the music as he lifts up a teacup to his lips.

My brother would appear behind me, putting both his hands on my shoulder as he flashes me a smile. I remember making a small yelp that caught the attention of both my parents. Father would walk toward me with his hands outstretched. I remember him saying the words “May I have this dance, little princess?”

I remember laughing at him before I place a small hand on his large ones. I would stand on his toes as he glides me around the room with my mother still playing in the background. She would look at us adoringly and nod to my brother. He would sit next to her and they would perform a piece together.

When I remember those happy moments, it makes me want to turn back time and live in those moments again. But I know, more than anyone else in the entire Empire, that those moments will forever me buried in my memories. The once happy memories have now turned into something bittersweet.

The dream I had last night felt awfully real. My brother’s bony hand and his touch on my face—I can still feel them all. It was as if the things that happened in my dream were all true.

I woke up sweaty that night. My hair was stuck on my skin as sweat trickles down the back of my neck. I never had a dream such as that one before. My brother’s distorted voice and his pleads. His anger and resentment towards the Seventh Prince, turned Emperor.

I made a promise with him that night and I intend to abide by that.

Marie walks into the study with a tray full of cookies and a pot full of tea. A bright smile graces her lips as she sees me across the room. “Good Morning, my lady,” she says quite delightfully.

“Good morning, Marie.” I respond dryly.

“You are up quite earlier than usual.” She opens up a topic. Usually, nosy maids like her would have been sent to the cellar for walloping and punishment, but Marie was an exception.

I smile at her. “I had a very uncomfortable night.”

“Oh dear! Was it the fireplace? Or did the maids possibly did not do your bed well?” She asks, concern was evident in her voice.

I shake my head at her and chuckle. “Everything was alright, Marie. I simply had a nightmare. It’s no big deal.”

“Should I get you some interesting books to read before you go to bed, my lady?”

“You don’t have to bother with such trivial things, Marie.”

“But—”

“If you’d be such a dear…I would like to be alone for a while.”

Marie pauses for a moment before she dips her head into a bow. “I shall take my leave.”

I watch as she turns her back and heads for the door after she places the tray on the table. “Ah, right…”

She turns back to look at me in confusion. I give her a smile and glance at the papers on my desk. “Please tell Coleberg to call for Lord Adelard,” I pause. “Tell him I need him right away.”

“Right away, my lady.” She says before she closes the door behind her.

If my brother really did ask for that favour from me last night—no—no matter if it was my brother or if were my own feelings, I would also want revenge. The Seventh Prince is someone who I cannot swear loyalty to. Not when he was the man who killed my older brother.




My mind wanders to the dream last night.

The picture of my very own brother pitifully pleading for me to get revenge. He asked me to avenge him—to kill the person he hated the most. The person who the entire Empire despises, their ruler, the Emperor.

I wonder what he’s like. I never met him even when I went into the capital with my brother and my mother. He was someone who was very hard to meet and information about him is not easily obtained. Something tugs at my heartstrings. It was a familiar feeling—something I know all too well but at the same time, something very foreign to me.

The tug was faint, just enough to let me know it was there. And after a few moments, it disappears. My heart suddenly feels empty. It was like I lost something very important to me and all I’m left is an ugly hole etched inside. I try to find it again, but it wasn’t there. I wonder what that was.

After wallowing in my thoughts for a good while, three knocks came and then the clicking open of the study door. I drag my eyes to the direction of the door, and saw Osric Adelard step into the room. “I heard you called for me, my lady.”

“Ah, yes I did. Sit down. Let’s have a chat,” I say to him and make my way to the chesterfield. He follows me soon after and sits down opposite from me.

“You can speak comfortably, Brother Osric. It is quite uncomfortable for me to call you Lord when we’re alone.”

“Then I shall do that, Nerisia.”

I sit there in silence and pick up a teacup. The strong aroma of an unknown tea Marie had given me aimed straight to my nostrils. It was rather pleasant. “You know, I have always been wondering…” I pause and glance at him. He had a charming smile on his face. He would have been popular with the ladies in the capital if he hadn’t come back to help manage the entire Circe territory.

“What is it?” he asks.

“You are at the right age for marriage. Why haven’t you settled down yet?”

I watch him carefully as he falters. He looked like he was caught off-guard. Well, I would be too if someone I knew since young asks me that question out of nowhere. Osric looks at me with a frown and gently places the teacup he was holding the on the table. “I made a promise to your brother.”

I hum. His response was nothing like I had expected. but the loyalty he has toward my brother is a good sign. He studies me like a hawk and crosses his arms. “Nerisia,”

I glance up at him. “This is not what you called me here for,” he says.

Oh, he’s quite quick-witted.

My lips curl up into a smile. “You are right, brother Osric. I did not call you here for idle chat.”

“I know you don’t like beating around the bush. I’ve watched you grow up, Nerisia. Tell me the real reason why you called me here.”

“This is about the temporary head,” I say. When I mentioned the position to him, his expression turned from curiosity to a frown. By now, he must have caught on to the fact that I have made a decision. Something that would make the other vassals hate me. But I do not care whether they hate me or not. Their opinions and how they feel about me is none of my concern.

“Have you finally made up your mind?”

I nod.

“…What is it?”

“I agree—”

“What?! Are you out of your mind, Nerisia?” He opposes. He looked shocked and perplexed at my final decision. If I were in his position too, I would also have the same reaction as him. After all, it was uncalled for—having someone without the Circe blood manage and take control of the territory and the mansion. If the seal goes to the wrong person, it could lead to the ruination of the entire Circe bloodline.

However, no matter what he says to persuade me otherwise, my decision will remain final. “You know very well that your decision could be a risk to the entire Circe Household!”

Yes. “I know very well of that fact, yes.”

“Then why?”

I purse my lips and stare at him. “Management of the house or the territory is not my first priority, brother Osric.”

“…What?”

I stand up and pace around the room. “My brother was wrongfully killed by the man you worship as emperor. I cannot stand by and tolerate such injustice.”

Osric stays silent for a moment. He was probably shocked—I would be too. An eighteen-year-old noble girl like me was talking about revenge against the most powerful man in the empire. Of course, nobody would expect something like that.

“Are…you saying that you’re going to betray the emperor?”

I do not answer. It was a question that had a very obvious answer. Osric Adelard is a smart man. He would not need any verbal confirmation about my plans. “You could die for that,” he pauses. “Do you know what kind of man the Seventh Prince is?”

“The rumours say it all.”

“And yet you’re planning on revenge anyway?!”

I walk toward my desk and open a drawer. I stare at the bracelet I had found earlier this morning and hold it in my hand. It was a golden bracelet with a hummingbird as a pendant—the last remaining memento my brother ever gave to me. It was a present he had given me during my fifteenth birthday.

“I will not rest until I see to it that my brother’s murderer suffers the same way my brother made him suffer.” I say through gritted teeth. Osric heaves a sigh and runs a hand through his hair.

“The path you’re going to walk will not be easy.”

“I know that.”

“You will have many enemies among the seventh prince’s supporters.”

“I already have a handful of enemies, brother Osric.”

He sighs. “You will die if you will be found out.”

“…I am willing to die if it means I’ll get justice for my brother’s death.”

“Nerisia, please think this through.” He pleads. He places both his hands on my shoulders and gives me a gentle shake. But I shake my head—I have made a decision and I will not back down. “If I say I will kill him no matter what even if it means tainting my hands with blood…will you help me?”

Osric’s eyes were shaking. I am not sure whether he felt scared or angered, but I am guessing that both of those feelings are present. He lets go of me and turn around as he runs his hand through his hair again. He grumbles some curse words to himself as he paces around the room. Then he turn on his heel and looks at me with a frown.

“You ask very useless questions, Nerisia,” he says. “I will help you.” My ears perk up at his response.

Let's test him...

“You are going to get killed with me if you cooperate.”

“It is my duty to protect you—that is one of my promises with your brother.”

“Are you really sure you want to do this?”

Osric hesitates for a moment but his eyes burned in anger as he stares at me. “My life is nothing more than a speck of dust compared to yours, Nerisia. Just know that I will do anything in my power to help you.”

My lips curl up into a satisfied smile. He was helping me with my revenge against the Seventh Prince. This is only the start of my revenge. “But, if you really want to kill the Seventh prince,” he pauses. “There is only one group of people you can ally with. Just like you, they want the seventh prince dead.”

Oh? How interesting. I already knew that there were people who despised the seventh prince and I knew that there were a few of them as well. But I never knew that Osric would know who they are. “Who are they?” Osric turns his attention to me and sighs.

“The Stygian Society.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

oh shit this is interesting! i wonder if Osric has feelings for her cause it seems like he actually does. Maybe just slight

 

Spoiler: Chapter Six — The Stygian Society

“The Stygian Society?” I ask with a frown.

Osric looks at me and heaves out a sigh. He reaches into his pockets and places a ripped black cloth on the table. At first glance, it would just look like any other cloth but when you look at it closely you can make out a crest—a crown with a sword in the middle as if it were impaling the crown. It is something pretty easy to know but also really easy to miss.

“Isn’t this the crest of that information guild?”

“…That is just a disguise for them,” he pauses. I guess he is still quite hesitant to tell me everything he knows, but I will wait until he will tell me. If he fails to do so, then I can just force him to say it. Of course, that would be too simple for me to do.

“The Stygian Society is a group of nobles who despise the Emperor and want him replaced. They are not easy to contact at all and they are a really secretive group. Which is why it would be quite difficult for you to do your revenge unless you side with them.”

If these are the group of people are the key to achieving my goal, then I will use all my resources to find and join them.

I reach onto the table and pick up the black cloth. It was cold to the touch and strangely enough, I can feel a little bit of mana from it.

Weird…there aren’t many people that have mana in Russenfelt. If you take away the Circe Bloodline, there would only be the late Emperor and his children, and the Priestess of Hayden. Could it be that one of the people who oppose the new Emperor is someone who has mana?

I fiddle with the cloth on my hand and trace the crest with my finger. I stare at it for a while and stop. The voices in my head start to murmur as I continue to look at it. They speak to me in dangerously low voices. From the corner of my eye, I see my brother’s shadowy figure looming over Osric. His arms are crossed as he looks at me with a sharp gaze.

What is he trying to say? Is he telling me to not take the gamble?

“Neri?” Osric’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. My brother’s shadow no longer behind him. Osric looks at me with a worried expression.

I’m sure he’s trying to tell me not to get involved with the Stygian Society. But too bad for him…I won’t be swayed by just him giving me worried glances. I will stand by my decision to behead the Seventh Prince.

“What are you thinking about?” He asks me.

“…Where can I meet them?”

Osric frowns at my question. I’m sure he is not at all delighted to hear that I am jumping into hell myself. But my life doesn’t matter right now.

“Can I convince you to stop what you’re doing and just focus on your education?” he pleads with me.

I purse my lips and shake my head. “Brother Osric, my decision is firm. I won’t back down from the treason I am going to commit.”

For a second, I can see the panic rise up from his eyes as I mentioned the word treason. He checks around for some people who might be listening but I’m pretty sure he knows that my brother’s study is sound proof. Everything that is said here, stays here.

Osric sighs for the nth time and takes the cloth from my hand. “It’ll be difficult to track them,” he pauses, “but we can always go to their base and pretend we’re looking for someone.”

“I’ll leave it to you then,” I say to him with a smile. “I trust that you aren’t going to let me down…”

Osric stands up and bows. “I shall see to it that your command is fulfilled, my lady.”




A man in a hooded cloak walks out of the unlit room and closes the door behind him. In the room remained another man, perhaps younger than the one in the cloak, sitting down on a chesterfield with a wine glass in hand.

“…Interesting.”

A smile graces his lips as he looks out of the window to the beautifully night lit village. It hasn’t been a while since he came back from war and now he heard something that would become very useful.

How lucky. He thinks fondly.

A few moments after, the door opens and a woman dressed in a red gown walks into the dark room. The man’s ears perk up with her confident strides and he waited until she reached him. She stops beside the chesterfield and gazes dow at him with cold eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he says.

She does not answer and takes away the wine glass from his hand. He chuckles as he looks up at her. Their eyesight connecting. “You look quite happy, master.”

He gives a little hum before picking up the cigar from the table in front of him. “Do I seem that way?” he asks.

The woman pauses for a moment before giving him her sure answer. “Yes.”

He laughs at her and lights up the cigar. “Did something good happen?” she questions him.

“We might just have landed on a pawn…” he smiles. “A beautiful pawn.”

“Should I get the others ready?”

The man sakes his head and blows out some smoke. He rests his head on his palm and grins. “You don’t have to,” his smile widens. “We only have to wait.”




The next day was a hectic one.

All the other vassals started running toward my office the moment they heard my approval of Lord Darhen’s son being the temporary head of the house. Of course, I already anticipated that. With someone of a different bloodline lead the Circe Territory and manage the household, they will surely not sit still.

They all tried to convince me to retract what I approved of, but no matter what they do, my decision sits still. I do not care if a lot of them come to despise me—it’s not like they already didn’t. Especially Lord Whiterne, he stayed outside the mansion doors and refused to move if I did not agree to see him.

He was the one who opposed my decision the most. He begged and pleaded with me to think it through again, but I refused to do so. He even had the audacity to threaten me with the disappearance of the Circe Bloodline.

However, even if I stay and govern the territory, the Circe bloodline will vanish anyway. Especially when I know that I have a high chance of being killed because I am committing treason. I felt sorry for the old man. But the total disappearance of my bloodline is not my priority. It never will be. I know that is selfish of me, but I will get revenge for my brother.

I lay sprawled on my bed as I stared on the ceiling. My brother’s ghostly shadow hovering from beside me. From the corner of my eyes, I see him flicker with the wind—and then he speaks.

You are a cruel person, Nerisia.

He whispers eerily into my ear.

Do you not care about your people? The citizens living in your territory?

I shake my head without hesitation. People might see that as me being overly cruel, but their lives don’t hold a candle to my brother’s.

This is exactly what I told you about your hatred being dark and ugly. Ah…have you been feeling some tugging in your heartstrings lately?

My ears perk up. Indeed, I have been wondering what that was all about. I keep feeling it frequently now. Before, I would only feel it on certain situations like when I’m angry or when I’m threatened or threatening people. But this time, it comes and wraps itself around my heart more often than before.

I often wonder what that feeling was and why it was so strangely comforting and warm. But when I try and find out what it is, it disappears as fast as it comes.

I close my eyes and decide to ignore my brother’s shadow. He has been showing himself to me more frequently, even appearing in many of my dreams to the point where it’s just disturbing. Sometimes he stays in the corner of the room, his ghostly body flickering from the wind.

I reel my thoughts away from my brother and think of the Stygian Society.

They are the ones that would help me with my revenge. And I know that they are the only ones I can rely on with this treason.

My thoughts glide back to the feeling of slight mana imbued on the black cloth Osric had shown me yesterday. If I am right then there must be a person who carries mana in the Stygian Society.

Although I may not be the rightful heir to the Circe Household, I still have mana running through my veins. It might not be as strong and as much as the mana my brother houses, but it is still enough to be able to sense other people with magical powers.

I can’t sleep…

The voices in my head seem to be at its most active time. They whisper amongst each other, talking over themselves and saying some inaudible words ominously. At the same time, I can feel my brother’s ghostly shadow hover near my bed. He whispers something in my ear.

Get out. He says and I stand up from my bed as if I were controlled by him.

I take small steps out in the bedroom before cracking the door open and stepping out. The cold air weaved into the mansion corridor and the lights turn off. I shiver.

The only thing I was wearing was my thin silk nightgown and that wasn’t enough to ward off the cold night air in the Circe Mansion. I try to take control of my own body but it seems like I couldn’t even do that.

“My lady?” A voice says from behind. My legs suddenly get weak and I fall pathetically on the ground. Strong hands immediately come to my aid and when I look up, I see Osric’s worried face. “Are you alright? Should I call for a physician?”

I shake my head. Osric sighs from beside me and wraps me with his coat. “Where were you going at this time of night?”

What should I say to him? It’s not like I can tell him I was momentarily controlled by my brother’s ghost.

I look up at him and grab his arm for support. “To the garden, for air…” I reply hastily.

Osric did not look too convinced with my lie but I am glad he did not prod any further. “What are you doing in the mansion, Brother?” I ask him and try to change the topic.

“I…was doing rounds.”

Rounds? Osric shouldn’t even be here in the evening and it certainly isn’t his job to do rounds in the mansion. That job is for the knights…there must be something he’s hiding.

I hum in response to his answer. “Let me escort you back to your chambers,” he pauses, “or maybe you would like to go on that walk?”

“A walk would be very much appreciated.”

He offers me his hand and I take it. We walk through the dimmed corridor and out to the garden. Immediately, the cold night air caresses my face. It smelled like roses in the garden and it smelled wonderful.

The atmosphere was silent. None of us talked to each other but instead we basked in the silence engulfing us together. I hear the rustle of the leaves and from the corner of my eye, a little black shadow pops out from the bushes. I jolt in surprise.

My eyes follow the shadow’s movements. It hovered from bush to bush and darkness to darkness. It looks and glances at me once in a while…what is this?

“Brother Osric, do you see that?”

He looks around and shakes his head. “What do you mean?”

“Do you not see that shadow over there?” I glance up at him and notice his expression change from curiosity to confusion.

I guess I am the only one who can see the little guy…

I wonder what it is.

That’s your hatred and fear…

My brother’s voice whispers in my ear.

Happy New Year everybody! Even though I am a day late, I just wish to greet everyone! i do hope your year will be great this 2021! =w=

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

okay istg osric probably has feelings for her

 

Spoiler: Chapter Seven — Haell Wyrencrest

Traloa Village’s square is full of people. They walk shoulder to shoulder, crowding the streets as they go about their business. Vendors from street stalls scream for customers, smiling and pleasing a handful of nobles passing by.

Street performers gather together in the middle of the square near the huge statue of my ancestor. The musicians play their music and the dancers move in an animated manner. There are a few people who stop by to look at the ones performing before they eventually turn around after giving them a few pieces of bronze.

I wipe the sweat that trickled down my forehead and continued to slip into the crowd. Elbows against elbows, backs against backs; I try not to get swept by the flow of the people walking in an opposite direction than me.

It is hot.

Under the scorching blare of the sun, wearing a thick hooded brown cloak, I remain breathless; eager for water. I already passed by numerous restaurants and have been tempted to stop by to buy a little bit of water for hydration, but when the day grows longer, the busier Traloa Square becomes. It wouldn’t be a good idea to delay this anymore.

I am on my way to the Stygian Society’s building after Osric found out about their whereabouts a day before. He does not know I snuck out of the mansion—even Coleberg does not know I am away. I left Marie in my room to guard it in case people come. She is the only one who knows I went to meet them. I hope she didn't get found out.

At first, she was opposed to the idea of me going out to meet these potentially dangerous people, but with a little persuading, she eventually gave up. Before leaving the mansion in the break of dawn, Marie asked me why I wouldn’t go to meet them with Osric. But I did not answer her.

Osric, with such an overprotective personality, will never allow me to meet these people alone. And who knows what will happen if he comes along to help me with the negotiation. If Osric gets in the way of my goal, I will have no choice but to remove him from my side.

The voices urge me to move faster and the shadow of my brother, flickers from shadow to shadow with a sinister smile pasted on his face. My heartbeat quickens as I stop to look around. I have never been out of the mansion to stroll around the village before. There was never a need for me to patrol—those were jobs given to the mansion knights.

My eyes catch a glimpse of the crest of a very familiar informant guild. It was carved on a sign hanging from a building tucked in the very corner of the village. I sigh in relief. I had made it here safely.

But to my luck, before I could take a step, I am pulled aside by a person. “What is your problem?” I ask irritatedly. A cold hand was holding me by the arm, it wasn’t a grip that would cause a bruise. It was gentle but firm.

I look up at the man in a hooded cloak and frown at him. He was preoccupied and looking frantically around the area. He had pulled me over to an alleyway, shielded from the eyes of other people. When I realise that we were away from the naked eye, panic rises up into my heart.

I step on his feet and kick him on the stomach. He winces in pain and lets go of my arm. He looks at me with a puzzled expression as he held his abdomen. I see this as an opportunity to escape, but my kidnapper takes me by the arm and pins me to the wall.

I have no way to escape now.

The man was bigger and stronger than me who was just a thin girl.

Should I have brought Osric with me after all?

Fear swirls around in my heart, beating and pulsing. The thought of me dying too early without even starting my revenge on the seventh prince was too sad. I did not want that. If I die without seeing the seventh prince die ahead of me—it is something I will never accept.

Something tugs at my heartstrings. It was a familiar feeling, something I know all too well. It pulls and pulls as if telling me to grab it. However, I cannot focus because I might die if I let my guard down.

Pull it…

The voices say.

Pull it… Try it…

The whisper in my ear repeatedly.

From the corner of my eye, the darkness flickers and my brother’s shadow stands there looking at me with a smile. I avert my gaze back to my attacker and tremble at the sight of his eyes. He looks at me, unmoving. And soon, he raises his hand and reaches toward me, a smile pasted on his face.

Pull it! Pull it! PULL IT!

In panic, I do as the voices say and pull on the ‘string’ attached to my heart. Then, in a flash of darkness, the shadows move.

Tall and thin faceless shadows emerge from the ground. Bony hands erect from below, clawing and grabbing my attacker’s feet. Disjointed shadows and smaller shadows crawl towards my attacker with sinister smiles. Their eyes glowing ominously in the dark. They scream and talk amongst each other as they aim for my attacker.

I watch in awe and they disappear.

What—

My attacker looks at me and grabs me by the hand. This time it was strong and painful, as if he had the intention to break my wrist. Ah…this is going to bruise.

“Are you insane?” He asks quite angrily.

“…Who are you?”

He sighs. “How are you able to use dark powers?” he interrogates me.

I stand there in silence. “Are you deaf?”

“I am not obligated to answer your question,” I say to him with a glare.

His eyes look at me and immediately I feel immense pressure from him. He looks like he would kill me any minute. “I’ll ask again,” he pauses, “How are you able to use dark powers?”

“I don’t know,” I decide to answer.

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“It’s exactly as I have said,” I say. “I don’t know.”

He sits there and looks at me like I’m some kind of scum. “I can get rid of you here and nobody will even know.” He threatens me. “So tell me how you are able to do that.”

Anger rises to my heart and the voices in my head keep saying to kill him.

“Even if I do know how I can do this, it’s not like I am going to tell you.”

In a flash, I find his hand on my neck. He pins me to the wall as his grip tightens around my neck. My vision goes blurry and I am breathless. “Tell me,” he insists.

“…I told you…I don’t…know.”

His grip around my neck tightens even more. “Tell me, or you die.”

For a moment, I catch a glimpse of the crest on his cloak.

“…You’re from the Stygian Society aren’t you?”

He lets go of me and he stares at me in shock. I drop onto the floor and caress my neck, gasping for dear life. “What are you talking about?” He tries to deny.

I smile at him. “I can help you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I laugh. “You want the Seventh Prince dead, don’t you?” I try.

He turns around almost immediately and glares at me with passion. Jackpot. He is from the Stygian Society. “I also want him dead,” I say to him. “Don’t you think I can be of help?”

He doesn’t answer but instead, he pulls his hood over his head and looks away. “Think about it…“ He flinches. “With my powers, we can kill the bastard prince.”

I tempt him and he looks at me with hate. I find it so satisfying, yes. That expression he's making is beyond the picture of perfect. His hatred that he boils deep inside for me. "What do you know?" He says and walks toward me.

"I know nothing, but I have as much hate as you have toward that person," I smile at him and my vision goes black.




I wake up lying on a soft bed in an unfamiliar room. It was big and grand, almost like a high ranking nobleman’s chambers. The window was unopened and the curtains were closed. Sunstone lamps illuminate the room.

I sit up and my neck throbs. I remembered what happened earlier. I was attacked by someone amor the Stygian Society. I offered him a deal but I fainted instead.

Did I faint though? It didn’t seem like I did.

The door clicks open and a lady dressed in a red dress walks in with a tray of food and a cup of water. “I see you are awake,” she says. She looks at me with distrust and gingerly places the tray on the bedside table.

“Where am I?” I ask.

She spares me a glance and responds. “Don’t worry, you’re safe.” She leans forward and I flinch. But she doesn’t seem fazed at my reaction. She takes a look at my neck and shakes her head. “It’s going to leave a bruise.” She mumbles to herself.

“Who are you?” I ask.

The woman looks at me and hands me the glass of water. “My name is Yeva. I’ll be answering all your questions before the Master comes later.”

I gaze at the woman. She had honey-blonde hair and green eyes, but what the most striking about her is the huge scar on her cheek. “Where is this?” I ask her.

“This is Crynn.”

My eyes widen. Crynn is very far from Traloa Village. It is at least a weeks’ journey if you go at dawn. How did I get here so fast? “You got here through Teleportation.” She says as if she knew what was going on my mind.

“I am terribly sorry about what Haryk did to you.”

“…Haryk?”

She points to my neck. “The stupid man who did that to you,” she says. “He’s hot headed but he’s kind.”

“…Why did you bring me here?” I ask.

She gives me a plate full of treats and grabs the glass from out of my hand. “To be clear, we did not bring you here. Haryk was the one who carried you into the building.”

I do not answer. We sit in silence for most of the part and then the door swung open. A man with black hair strides into the room bringing with him a scent of sea, smoke, and death. His eyes were red coloured and he looks at me with a strange gentleness.

Yeva stands up and bows to the man before she walks away, closing the door behind her. I watch as the man walks closer to me and sits beside me. A smile graces his lips as he stares at me.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Nerisia Circe.”

I flinch. “How do you know me?”

He shrugs and leans back on his chair. “There is nobody in the Circe Territory who doesn’t know the beloved younger sister of the great Zale Circe.”

I glare at him. “Who are you?”

“Oh me?” He says playfully. “I’m the person you’re looking for,” he pauses. “The leader of the Stygian Society, Haell Wyrencrest.”

I sit there dumbfounded. The voices scream in my head as if they were afraid of this man. But who exactly is he? Why does he look so familiar?

Haell flashes me a smile and grabs a cookie from the plate I was holding. He scrutinises it carefully. What is he doing? “First of all, I am sorry about what Haryk did to your neck. I will make sure he apologises to you about that and of course, make sure it would not leave a bruise.” He apologises.

“I heard about you power from Haryk. Would you mind showing me?”

“…I don’t know how.” I answer timidly.

Haell hums in response and sighs. “Well, that’s a shame,” he says. “You can show me when you can, Lady Nerisia.” He flashes me a sweet smile. He dazzles in my eyes and the entirety of his being screams authority.

“Why did you seek us out?” he starts getting to the point.

I stare at him with determination. This is it.

“Let me help you bring the seventh prince down.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEXT CHAPTER |>

 

For a moment there I thought Haryk was the male lead

 

he could be though? i don't know i mean there is osric and haell as well. honestly, neri could go ahead and make a goddamn harem for all i care although i doubt they'd be noticed when she's so fixated on getting revenge for her brother... hmmm i smell bro-con!

 

She does seem like a bro-con but if you think about what they went through you'd understand. Although her bro-con-ness is kinda dangerous well gotta find someone to root for now

 

i'm rooting for osric as of now. haryk sounds like a damn hottie little tsundere puppy dude who is shy tho woieroeuwoeir and haell seems like a fucking capable bastard hiding behind the image of a good natured person. he seems shady asf! so i'll be at #TeamOsric for now yoys

 

Your description of Haryk kinda hits the right spot as far as I've known him and I've only met him in like one chapter! Haell tho is accurate he does have that vibe. I also bet Osric is the friend zoned character or brother zoned character. nothing beats #TeamMarie