As I made my way back home, I still struggled to digest all the information that Kyle—no, Kevin—had revealed to me. When I entered the house, I saw my mother through the glass wall, tending to the garden and watering the flowers. Taking a deep breath, I approached her.
"Hello, Mom! You must be bored here, right? Because I'm not around?" I said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm fine, dear. But I've missed you so much, my child. How was your training and evaluation?" my mother replied, her face filled with warmth and love. It was hard to believe she was my mother sometimes. She looked so young and vibrant.
"Mom," I began with a pout, indicating that I had some bad news.
"What is it, Rose? You can tell me. Although I'd be very happy if you didn't get accepted," she joked, trying to ease the tension.
"Mom, come on!" I exclaimed, feeling even more saddened by her response.
"Okay, okay," my mother chuckled awkwardly. "Then what was the result?"
"Mom! I got approved!! Weeee~" I exclaimed with joy, unable to contain my excitement. But my mother's reaction was different.
"My child, I'm scared. What if everyone finds out our secret?" my mother said, her voice filled with fear and concern.
"Don't worry, Mom. I can handle myself. I can do it, Mom. I wouldn't have taken on this responsibility if my sister weren't sick. She's more deserving than me. But I don't want her to be the one in danger," I reassured my mother, determination shining in my eyes.
She took a deep breath before responding, "Guess I have no choice but to accept then," she sadly told me. In response, I hugged her tightly, trying to offer comfort and support.
"Mom~" I acted cutely in front of her to lift her spirits, and it seemed to work. She smiled and gently brushed my hair.
"Okay, alright. Change your clothes now, you're dirty," she joked, lightening the mood. I laughed and bid her goodbye, then made my way upstairs to my room. However, as I climbed the staircase, a sense of unease settled within me. The entire palace seemed unusually quiet, devoid of the usual hustle and bustle of the royal maids going about their tasks. I shook off the thought and continued towards my room, feeling a mix of shock and unease as I found no one there to greet me. With a sigh, I proceeded to undress and prepare my bath, realizing that there was no one available to assist me. I finished my bath, changed into fresh clothes, and stepped out of my room.
"Mom, Dad? Where are the royal maids?" I asked, scanning the huge living room. Their eyes turned towards me, and my parents exchanged a glance.
"Oh, I'm sorry, my child. I didn't know you would be back today, so I rewarded the maids with a short vacation. But don't worry, they'll be back by tomorrow," my father explained, regret evident in his voice.
"No problem, Dad," I reassured them, though a tinge of disappointment lingered. I noticed my sister, Lilly, standing in the corner, her expression filled with sadness. I called out to her, hoping to lift her spirits.
"Lilly? Why are you sad? Would you like to go to the market with me? I'll buy you something cool," I suggested, trying to brighten her mood. I didn't want her to feel left out, so I thought spending time together might help.
"That's great then. You guys should enjoy the town. It's boring here anyway," our dad chimed in, offering his approval. He even arranged for a ride for us, and soon we were on our way to the town, ready for a little adventure.
We arrived in the town, greeted by a charming scene. Colorful buildings adorned with intricate designs lined the streets, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and blooming flowers. Narrow cobblestone alleys led us to quaint shops and cozy cafes. The central square bustled with market stalls offering fresh produce and local crafts. Street performers entertained the crowd with lively music. The town exuded a warm and welcoming ambiance, with friendly residents and clean streets adorned with flowers. It was a delightful escape from the palace, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the lively spirit of the town and create cherished memories together.
"Wow, this town is amazing! Look at all the colorful buildings and bustling market stalls!" Lilly exclaimed, her eyes filled with excitement.
"You can choose whatever you want and I'll buy it for you," I told her with a warm smile.
"I can really do that?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with delight, as she had never been to town frequently due to her frequent bouts of sickness.
"Yes, you can," I reassured her, and she jumped for joy as if she had never experienced any illness before.
"Oops, not too much, you might collapse again," I warned her, mindful of the potential risks of her being reckless given her weakened condition.
She simply smiled and put up a peace sign, and we continued walking forward, mesmerized by the town's beauty. She eagerly tried out various items and foods from the merchants, while I happily took care of the payments, watching her with joy in my heart. As we were about to approach another store, Lilly accidentally bumped into a woman carrying a baby, causing the cloth covering the baby to become loose and revealing a cursed appearance that frightened most onlookers.
"Call the Security Mages, right away!" Lilly shouted, her voice filled with urgency and a hint of disgust, as she continued to gaze at the child and its mother.
I immediately reached out and held her shoulder, attempting to calm her down, all the while apprehensive that the intensity of the situation might overwhelm her delicate state.
"Please, don't take my child away from me. He's all I have left. Please, don't separate us," the woman pleaded desperately.
Lilly's anger got the better of her, and she slapped the woman, despite my efforts to calm her down. "Can't you see your child? HE'S A MONSTER! HE DOESN'T BELONG IN THIS WORLD!" Lilly shouted.
In that instant, my sister collapsed, and I managed to catch her just as the Security Mages arrived. I called for the royal knights to assist me in carrying my sister, and as we left the scene, I glanced back to see the mother and child crying, begging for their separation to be prevented. However, the Security Mages paid no heed to her pleas and took the child away. While I was looking back, distracted by the heart-wrenching scene, I accidentally bumped into a security mage. As I stumbled, about to fall to the ground, he swiftly caught me. I caught a glimpse of his face—a face so handsome, it seemed almost otherworldly.
He noticed my gaze upon him, and I detected a momentary shock on his face before he gently released his grip on me and covered his face with his cloak, disappearing into the crowd.
"Your Royal Highness, we need to depart immediately to take Lilly to her private Royal Doctor," the Royal knights called out urgently, their voices breaking through my thoughts. I nodded in acknowledgment, still scanning the crowd in search of the man I had bumped into earlier, but he had vanished among the bustling multitude. With a sigh, I climbed into the royal carriage, and we embarked on our journey back to the palace, my mind replaying the encounters with the mysterious security mage.
Upon our arrival, my mother and father's expressions immediately shifted to concern as they saw my sister lying unconscious. "What happened?" my father inquired anxiously, his voice laced with worry. I recounted the events to him, explaining the encounter with the cursed child and Lilly's reaction.
"Are you alright? Did you not get attacked by the cursed monster?" my father asked, his eyes searching mine for any signs of harm. I shook my head in response, assuring him that I had not been harmed. He gently placed his hands on my arms, rubbing them comfortingly before letting go.
"Good," he whispered, his voice filled with relief. His attention then turned to the royal knights who were swiftly carrying Lilly to her room, urgency etched on their faces, while my mother summoned the royal doctor. I remained by my father's side, my gaze fixed on his worried expression, contemplating whether he would react differently if he discovered the truth about my own cursed nature. Would he accept me as my mother did, or would fear cloud his perception of who I am, as it had with Lilly earlier?
As the palace bustled with activity, my thoughts swirled with uncertainty, unaware of the unpredictable future that lay before us.
"Dad, I will go to my room first," I politely excused myself, aware of the lingering worry for Lilly but also desperate for some rest amidst the turbulence of my thoughts.
"Of course, my dear daughter. You must be tired as well. Take a rest now; we will take care of everything here," he reassured me with a gentle smile. I nodded, offering a smile in return, though I kept it guarded, concealing the unease that gnawed at me. With that, I made my way upstairs to the sanctuary of my room, seeking solace from the chaos. As I closed the door behind me, I released a deep, weary sigh, feeling the weight of the day settle upon my shoulders.
My knees gave way beneath me, and I slowly sank to the ground, my back still leaning against the door for support.
"Demon," I called out, my voice filled with both exhaustion and a hint of desperation. In response, my loyal demon emerged gracefully from within, a towering shadow of a dragon, its piercing green eyes fixed upon me. Fortunately, my room was spacious enough to accommodate his formidable presence.
"What is it now?" he asked in a bored tone, his voice laced with detachment.
"Can't you just disappear? Vanish completely?" I foolishly inquired, my weariness clouding my judgment. His eyes met mine, his expression tinged with indifference.
"Can I not simply get some proper rest?" he retorted, his tone nonchalant.
"You're always sleeping anyway," I replied, hugging my knees tightly as I gazed up at him.
He shook his head dismissively. "Did you summon me solely for a meaningless request?" he questioned, his boredom palpable.
With a long sigh, I uttered words I had long kept buried within me. "I mean, how much better and perfect could my life have been if only you didn't exist?" The words slipped out, unfiltered, without consideration for their potential impact.
"Nonsense," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of hurt before vanishing swiftly, dissolving into the air in a matter of seconds.
Left alone amidst the silence of my room, the weight of my confession settled upon me. I pondered the consequences of my words, grappling with the complex emotions that surged within me.
Feeling emotionally drained, I slowly rose from the floor, my body heavy with fatigue. Weary steps carried me to the comfort of my bed, and I eased myself onto the soft mattress, craving the solace of sleep to temporarily escape the tumult of my thoughts. With a heavy sigh, I allowed my eyelids to close, inviting the embrace of deep slumber to envelop me.
Hours passed, and as the sun began its descent, I gradually emerged from the depths of sleep. Stretching my limbs, I sat up, feeling a renewed sense of clarity. However, my stomach rumbled, reminding me of the passage of time and the need to nourish myself. Hunger beckoned, pulling me away from the tangle of emotions that had consumed me earlier.
I stood up, leaving the sanctuary of my bed behind, and made my way towards the door. As I opened it, the warm glow of the setting sun bathed the room, casting a gentle golden hue upon everything it touched. The aroma of freshly prepared food wafted through the corridors, tempting my senses and guiding me towards the source.
Following the delightful scent, I found my way to the palace's grand dining hall. The room exuded an air of elegance, with polished marble floors, intricate chandeliers, and a long, ornately decorated table adorned with an array of delectable dishes.
Taking a seat at the head of the table, I served myself a modest portion, savoring each bite as the flavors danced upon my tongue. The familiar tastes provided a comforting respite, grounding me in the present moment. As I ate, I allowed my mind to wander, contemplating the events that had unfolded earlier and the lingering questions that remained unanswered.
Despite the temporary reprieve, I knew that the challenges I faced were far from over. But for now, in the midst of this quiet meal, I found solace and nourishment, both for my body and my spirit.
Having finished my meal, I made my way towards the expansive living area in search of my parents. However, with each step I took, an inexplicable heaviness began to settle upon my body, as if invisible weights were pulling me down. Puzzled, I pressed on, determined to find my parents and seek their guidance.
But then, an alarming sensation coursed through me. It started as a subtle warmth, growing into an intense heat that seemed to ignite every fiber of my being. The sudden surge of energy overwhelmed me, and I struggled to comprehend what was happening. A searing pain gripped my head, throbbing relentlessly, and my surroundings blurred into a disorienting haze.
From a distance, I could make out the figures of my parents rushing towards me, their voices muffled and distant. The world spun around me, and I fought to maintain my balance, but the pain intensified, rendering me weak. With every ounce of strength I had left, I tried to comprehend their words, but they were lost in the chaos unfolding within me.
Collapsing to the ground, I clutched my head, my body wracked with agony. The world around me faded into a blur of indistinct shapes and colors. My parents' mouths moved frantically, their voices a mere echo that failed to reach my ears. The pain consumed me, blinding me to everything else.
In the midst of this torment, a fragment of memory resurfaced, echoing Kevin's words from earlier. "And this time, it's your turn to lose control. It's okay, though. You still have..." His voice trailed off, and he consulted his wristwatch before continuing, "5 hours before losing control to that demon. Good luck."
Those words echoed in my mind, a chilling reminder of the impending struggle I would soon face. As the pain continued to ravage my senses, I clung to the hope that somehow, I would find a way to overcome this ordeal.
The intensity of the pain became all-consuming, overwhelming my senses until everything else faded into insignificance. Just as I teetered on the precipice of losing sight of the world around me, my eyes caught a glimpse of my younger sister, Lilly, holding a gleaming knife in her trembling hand. A wave of shock coursed through me, momentarily dispelling the fog of agony.
"Nooooo~" The word escaped my lips, a desperate plea, before darkness descended, enveloping my consciousness. In that split second before losing all awareness, a horrifying realization pierced through the haze—I felt warm liquid splatter against my face, and the metallic scent of blood invaded my senses.
The details of the scene blurred, leaving only fragmented impressions etched into my memory. The image of Lilly, her eyes wide with terror, the knife still clutched tightly in her hand, haunted my fading consciousness. The weight of the unspeakable act she had committed settled heavily upon my heart, entwined with the excruciating pain that consumed me.
In that harrowing moment, as darkness claimed me, the world stood still, and the consequences of this unimaginable tragedy remained unknown, suspended in the void of uncertainty.
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As I regained consciousness, a surge of terror coursed through me, my eyes widening in horror at the scene that unfolded before me. I found myself in the living area, my trembling hands stained crimson with blood, clutching a knife tightly. My gaze darted around the room, and my heart sank like a stone as I beheld the lifeless bodies of my beloved parents, their once vibrant spirits extinguished.
"Mom, dad! Please wake up!" I cried out, my voice filled with desperation, as I rushed towards them, dropping the knife in my frantic state. I knelt beside them, my hands trembling as I attempted to shake them awake, hoping against all odds that it was just a nightmare, that they would stir from their eternal slumber.
But amidst my desperate pleas, insidious whispers crept into the recesses of my mind, their voices cruel and accusing. "You killed them," one voice hissed, its words reverberating through my thoughts. Another voice echoed the accusation, "You killed your parents," each syllable dripping with accusation and self-condemnation.
Panic surged within me as I searched for the source of the voices, my eyes darting around the room, but there was nothing, only the haunting silence that enveloped the space. The weight of guilt settled heavily upon my shoulders, as the realization of what had transpired began to sink in. How could this have happened? How could I have been responsible for such unspeakable horror?
A sinister presence seemed to loom over me, its voice taunting and cold. "What did I tell you? You were destined to bring only doom to those you hold dear," it whispered, its words searing into my consciousness, amplifying my anguish.
"It's okay," the voice continued, oozing malevolence. "I won't allow your pain to linger for too long. After all, you will meet your demise at my hands. Consider it an act of kindness, sparing you from the misery of living."
The weight of those words bore down upon me, a chilling realization that my life would soon be snuffed out, that my existence would be extinguished by the very darkness that had consumed me. Amidst the overwhelming grief and guilt, a sense of resignation washed over me, mingled with a flicker of relief at the prospect of escaping the anguish that had consumed my soul.
"Ahhhh~" The piercing scream belonged to my sister, Lilly, who had stumbled upon the gruesome scene. Fear and shock painted her face, her eyes wide with terror. Like an alarm bell, her cry summoned the royal guards, who rushed to the scene, their expressions mirroring Lilly's horror.
In a matter of seconds, I found myself cornered, forcefully dragged, and bound by the royal guards. They showed no mercy as they hauled me out of the palace, ignoring my pleas and attempts to communicate with Lilly, who recoiled in fear, unable to face the devastation that had unfolded before her. The town's people, driven by anger and grief, hurled insults and objects in my direction, their rage palpable. The atmosphere was charged with hatred, demanding my execution.
"Kill her, kill her!" the crowd chanted, their voices united in a bloodthirsty plea.
"She doesn't deserve to live!"
"She doesn't deserve the crown! She deserves to die!" The cries grew louder, fueled by their desire for vengeance.
As the tumultuous protests reached their peak, my inner demon seized control, the darkness within me breaking free. I watched helplessly as chaos ensued, my body becoming a vessel for destruction, wreaking havoc and endangering innocent lives. The sensations of my own body faded away, as if I was cast aside, a mere spectator to the carnage unfolding before me.
The security mages, responding swiftly to the escalating danger, intervened, casting spells to stabilize me. Their magic temporarily held my demon at bay, preventing further harm. But the strain on my body was immense, and just as they attempted to apprehend me, I collapsed, my strength depleted. The world around me blurred, fading into a haze, but amidst the disorienting chaos, I caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure in the distance, a smile etched upon their face. They whispered hauntingly, "You're welcome."
In that hazy view, the surroundings became engulfed in flames, my body consumed by searing heat as the townspeople hurled torches at me, their anger manifesting in a fiery storm. Through the flickering flames, I strained to make out someone's face. It grew increasingly blurry, but I could still recognize the features of the security mage whom I had encountered earlier in the town square.
"Damn it," his words escaped his lips, a mix of frustration and regret, before darkness claimed me once more, and I succumbed to unconsciousness.