"I want your promise first," Erica said firmly one more time.
"First? You don't believe me, Erica?" Markus smiled humorlessly. "I will definitely do as you have asked. A promise is a promise. Although I was a bit surprised when I received your message. I didn't think you would mind living in a palace as grand as this. You never like being in silence?"
"You don't know how that feels," Erica hissed. "Every time I feel afraid if the child dies."
"That's right. I don't know." Mark's voice sounded sad as if he pitied Erica. But there was dislike in Mark's eyes. There was also reproach in his tone. "If you haven't succeeded in resurrecting the witch, you shouldn't have called me here."
Erica's face contorted. "It's not easy to restore her strength. People have to find a way, but nothing works. Including… us." Erica's voice trembled.
"You mean that fragile prince?" Markus turned to Jace, who was tangled in thorns on one wall. Mark chuckled. "Kids grow up fast, don't they? The last time I saw him was when he first got the curse. He is still very young. What a shame he had to spend his youth in such a dark place."
"You're the one who caused the curse!" Erica hissed.
"The kingdom that has caused the curse for themselves," Mark replied boomingly.
"But, it's not the kids' fault. They didn't do anything!"
"Oh, I just found out that you really love children, Erica," Markus said as if pleased with the thought.
"Why...." Erica's voice was hoarse. "Jace... he..."
Mark moved his index finger. "Don't talk about the kid!" For the first time, Mark could be heard holding back anger. He stared at Jace's figure before turning to Rain, who was still trapped in an invisible net.
"You won't hurt him," she whispered. "You promised not to hurt him!"
"I never promised," said Markus. "Come on, come here." Markus moved away from Erica and started to approach Rain.
"Besides, what will you do if I plan to hurt him? You will fight me? Keep that witch away from me? Even if you could kill me, you could never get the curse off Jace and this palace. You will continue to hide here until you die. All your life, you were scared to leave that kid for even a second. What would you not trade for freedom from that fear? What wouldn't you give to get out of here and back again?" Mark said confidently.
Rain averted her eyes. She couldn't bear to look at Erica's face anymore.
With a hissing voice, Erica spoke. "Say you won't hurt him, then I'll give the witch to you."
"Not!" Markus said even more slowly. "You will still give her to me." Then he reached out to grab Rain.
"Stop it, both of you!" Rain screamed until her chest heaved up and down. She had never shouted so loudly to express her annoyance and emotion due to her ignorance.
Erica closed her eyes. For a moment, Erica's face was pained and gloomy, crumbling simultaneously under the enormous weight. Erica whispered, swearing pitifully. Suddenly Erica moved and grabbed Rain, who was standing confused. Erica removed the invisible shackles from Rain and handed the girl over to Markus.
"Thank you," said Marcus. He grabbed the girl and looked at her. "You've been looking for me for a long time, haven't you?" Markus asked Rain, who was still confused. "Now is the time for you to come with me. You must surrender all your power to sustain my life."
Rain broke away from her father's grip and walked backward. "Stop! I'm not a trophy that you can grab and transfer at will. I have my own life. I will decide where to go and with whom. And you, Dad, explain who I really am? Restore my memory! You were the one who had hidden and sealed it, right?"
Mark burst out laughing. "I hid and sealed your memories? Where did you get that information?"
Rain took another step back and another step.
"You are not my dad!"
Rain suddenly said those words with great certainty.
"You may be Markus Orwell, but you are not the man I have always known. You could be a demon disguised as my dad. The same thing the ripping demon did to Madam Adaline."
"Of course, I'm your dad, Rain. You want me to restore your memory. Come with me, and I will return all your lost memories. Also, the power is hidden within you."
"Where did you put the first gift I gave you when we just moved to this city?" asked Rain suddenly to test his father.
Markus looked a little confused and stuttered. "First-prize? Of course, I keep it and always carry it with me."
Rain kept her face as straight as possible. She tried not to give any response to convince or refute Mark's answer.
"Where is the place where the gift is now you keep? If you always carry it with you, show me the present!" she said.
Erica suddenly jolted to her senses. She grabbed Rain into her arms and protected her behind her back. Erica took out her whip.
"Like this girl said, you're not Markus Orwell!" said Erica confidently.
"Wow, what a shame. My ruse was exposed as well. You are smart, little witch. But unfortunately, your strength has not returned. Then, Erica, you must keep your promise before demanding that I remove the curse from that young man."
Very quickly, Markus knocked out the tendrils of the thorns that wrapped around Jace's body. Then, Markus took Jace in his arms.
Everything happened so fast. Until Erica was confused. She thought Markus would bring Rain. Instead, Mark turned around and walked towards the sparkling curtain of air from which he had come. He must have left the portal open behind him and taken Jace.
"Wait!" shouted Erica belatedly. "You can't just leave. You promised to take the curse off Jace!"
"That's right," said Markus. He stopped and then looked hard at Erica. "I will remove this curse from Jace's chest as long as you give me the witch and her awakened powers. "
Erica couldn't accept that Jace was taken away after such a desperate attempt. Erica tried to close the portal using the flash of her whip. However, Mark's movement was faster. He had thrown the black bone trainer into Erica's chest. Suddenly the man disappeared, taking Jace with him.
The portal closed quickly, leaving Erica banging on the wall where the previous portal had opened. All in vain.
Rain got up and approached Erica.
Slap!
One hard slap landed on Erica's lips. "You owe me a lot of explanations, Bitch!" shouted Rain.