Temperatures rising, hearts squealing.

Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock.

Everyone's heart was in a mess.

Would she do it? Would she betray her people for her mother's past?

Even Kora couldn't say that in Lucy's shoes, she too wouldn't be tempted.

To know the truth is to understand and prevent all torture problems too.

In other words, to know one's past is to know one's future.

Everyone's heart thudded widely, with sweat running from their armpits down below.

'Princess, don't listen to them!'

'Com'on, sister. You are a witch! A traitorous one for that matter. But don't worry, we will fulfill your promise and tell you all we know about your mother once you leave with us. After all, that was the promise. For you to come with is in exchange for your mother's origins. But after extracting all information from you, you will still continue being the chosen one. Yes! The chosen sacrifice to appease our rage!'

(*^*)

The flames of countless emotions rose fiercely within the room.

And the person who held everyone's attention only stayed in a daze, looming at both sides severally, with her head moving back and forth between the desperate hostages and the Number 5's extended hand.

It was as if she had an angel on one shoulder and a demon on the other.

But you know, the wait didn't take long because in under a minute, she had made her choice.

And at this moment, seeing Lucy turn to them in an aggrieved manner, as if saying sorry, the hostages felt their faces turn pale.

The worst had come. Their princess had chosen the side of these dastardly women!

.

Lucy took a deep breath before turning towards Number 5 and reaching for her hand.

The temptation was indeed too great.

Growing up, she had always had a hunch that there was something different about her mother.

But, because the woman hadn't said anything about her past, Lucy didn't even know who her mother's relatives were.

In short, there were indeed rumours saying that her mother's family were all peasants.

But would a peasant be able to teach her daughter how to read and write at a young age without any tutor?

Would a peasant who was supposed to be unskilled know how to secretly kill a soaring bird with a stone in one shot?

Her mom said it was luck.

But growing up, Lucy always had her own suspicions.

Her mom seemed like a capable woman. Growing up, her mother had once thrown her food away, and she suspected that it was because her mother knew it was poisoned.

But it was just that the theory wouldn't make sense since her mother died of poison herself.

So if one was so capable, why allow themselves to get poisoned in the first place?

Lucy felt like there were too many things about her mother that were contradicting.

Who knew if her mother's name was genuine?

The mystery surrounding that woman was too great.

And in truth, only she had that speculation.

This was because apart from her, no one knew that her mother had a strong side.

In front of anyone, even the cooks, her mother would shower and recoil in fear. And even when with her sometimes, her mom would still put on that fearful act. So could it be that during those times, there were hidden guards watching or observing?

.

Again, how does one explain that her mother would sometimes speak this strange language that these women spoke too?

Of course, her mother wouldn't speak it intentionally, but when she was angry or trying to curse.

And after catching or realizing herself, her mother would say that she was making random sounds and words up.

At first, Lucy feared that because of the constant abuse from her father, her mother might've been rambling and going into madness when she was younger.

And there were some words that she recalled that had always stood out.

So after hearing the exact same words from these women, she knew that their claim might've been more accurate.

Her mother was an enigma wrapped in a mystery.

Lucy had never voiced it out, but her last had always been one of the things she wanted to uncover the most.

She never said anything because, deep down, she felt like uncovering anything would be a waste of time.

Her mother was too good at hiding secrets. And unless she wanted one to know, they would never do so.

If she felt that her mother was going towards madness, how could she also claim to be taught how to read and write by such a person?

And if you said your mother is strong, then how could she be so bullied to the point of death?

.

Over the years, even though many thought her mother was a peasant, others thought she had been an abandoned noble instead.

Why? Because when she first married in, she had been too fair for a peasant.

(In truth, this was because people from Tenola had fairer skin when compared to people from Veinitta, Pyno or Morgany.)

Others also speculated that she was a brothel woman or prostitute who used to be well taken care of too.

In short, when it came to Lucy's mother in the beginning, there was no actual proof of her identity. But after a while, evidence of her village burning to the ground came out, finally proving that she was a peasant. And even though the majority believed it, there were still people who had their doubts while she was still alive... Probably why hidden guards would spy on her from time to time.

But looking at the way the woman was oriented and just ended up dying like that, it was clear that those who were suspicious had highly overestimated the woman.

She was an orphaned peasant. Case closed.

But even though the case was closed for many, how could Lucy let it go?

Thinking of her suspicions growing up, she was now pumped up and was hell-bent on uncovering the truth.

Indeed. Her decision had been made.

But unfortunately, there was something else Lucy was forgetting.