V2 Chapter 150

“As I said, that idiot would not die…and as you can see, he's as usual, brimming with idiosyncratic hedonism that would never care about someone's restless heart left behind, the moment his interest was piqued.” Sibylla had not really paid attention to her questioning. With fingers pressed to her lips, she was contemplating some other matter. But she still went her way to offer consolation, out of respect; "I don't want to say this, but I had always been the victim of numerous heartaches over that hard to control whims of his. So best let down your relief as it's not necessary—especially if the other party was him. You would only decrease your life over vain concerns,"

She wasn’t that actually worried about Cian since he always has his own plans and actions. And she knows that more than anyone else in this world. Most of all, she was extremely well aware and accustomed, unfortunately, to her lover's sometimes impenetrable thought processes and the way the locus of his interest could shift sharply and unexpectedly from one matter to another, with just but the slightest stimulus.

And besides, even with the fact that his powers and abilities were all beyond one's imaginations, he had a kind of strange power that could ease people’s hearts and give them a feeling that everything is going to be alright as long as he was the one doing it. Even if that is something that claimed as impossible by others. It's as if he is capable of stealing even the stars, or move the entire sky as long as he wanted it.

Therefore, Sibylla had placed down her heart and remained calm, even after hearing her lover's somewhat unexpected bout of heroism, that seemed quite out of character. If not for the Garden's Mark presented, she would never believe that what the woman was talking about was her own Demon Prince. It's completely unbelievable.

A story out of rumors and hearsays, full of bullshit craze.

However, what made her have a headache was this woman before her.

“O, oh, I, I see… that’s a relief,”

The woman with a bundle of red hair let out a faint sigh of relief. Levelia's expression softened and her complexion turned a bit better than when she first burst into this room, feeling panicky and anxious, as if someone precious to her was dying, and trying to cling onto some hope whatever it is. However, that would never be enough for what's to come next.

And she knows it.

She brought her eyes from the ground and looks at the woman that seemed somewhat weird, odd, even. Her eyes were beautiful, but it didn't somehow assimilate with her appearance. Like the eyes looking through a hole in the wall, peering at you from behind it. Her overall appearance doesn't seem to suit those beautiful eyes. Of course, she is beautiful, but there is just something amiss with her appearance. As if she was wearing a mask. Though, if that's the case, why would she use a mask? What kind of situation is she in, to use something like that, even in her room?

What a mysterious girl.

As Levelia was staring at her, finally as if noticing her gaze, the strange, and mysterious girl in front of her, met her gaze and held it. Silence loomed over. The mysterious girl must have been used to receiving unwelcome, searching looks from strangers, as there was even no reaction coming from her...despite, Levelia's, obvious scrutiny. Her eyes, in contrast to the silent, eerie dim room that surrounded them, were among the sharpest and clearest Levelia had ever seen.

They seemed to dance like starlight amid stormclouds. She was conscious of being assessed by them, appraised, judged, with a keenness she had beheld in only one other pair of eyes before--that lying enigmatic youth who was surely out there having a blast of his life, as usual, all the while ignoring the anxious hearts left behind by him.

I heard that birds of a feather flocks together, and this pair was truly one of those birds.

They both look extremely mystifying and somehow heart-wrenching distant from any other people as if they were made not of the same mold as them. Or perhaps they were--they had said nobles are the children of God, completely different from that of commoners like her. And perhaps these two people were the best example of it.

Sibylla saw a hesitant expression and immediately understand what she wanted to ask. And as expected, while biting her lips, Levelia opened her mouth after a long, seemingly conflicting thoughts and hesitant confusion; “I, I take it you are the woman in his heart…?”

“That’s right…I am, and will always be," Sibylla answered simply, and without any hesitation. Her lips curling upwards, but her eyes seemed to have an icy glint on them, "...furthermore, I'm not just any woman in his heart. I’m his fiancée, and his other soul, love of his life...name it as you will.”

It was not something she would relinquish or hide and rather wanted to declare it to the whole world that he was hers. If only that is possible.

“I, I see…”

Levelia's expression darkened and her eyes turned moist. Her heart felt devastated. Despite already seeing what was coming, but the moment it was affirmed, it was if her life turned blank, her mind a mess, her thoughts disarrayed. What a cruel man, he was...

She wished she could create a magic spell now, and travel back in time.

She wished she had told Aerean she was coming here.

She wished she had let her talk her out of it.

Sibylla stared at the sobbing woman in front of her with a complicated expression.

It seems like Aanuel, that scoundrel didn’t say anything to her…especially about me…huh, Sibylla gnashed her teeth and repeatedly cursed Cian inside her mind. “…I'm not fond of gambling, but I can place a thousand gold for a sure win. My idiot had provoked you, didn’t he?" said Sibylla with an indifferent and calm expression. She stared at the pale expression of the woman before, and the guilt seeping in her eyes; "I can't say I was not expecting that. Your expression answers you better than your mouth ever could. But do be at ease. I won't point fingers for blame, as it is unsightly. Not noble, for someone like me. So rest assured. I may not be a priest, but I am not so narrow-minded not to listen to a confession of a sinner, even though the true culprit had already been distinguished since the very start. I know my man more so than anyone else in this world, and I am not fond of looking for someone else to blame for his mischief,"

"...?!!"

"...So what do you want to do now? Things are already laid out in the table, so why don't we have a little chit chat—exchanging topics that you and I are both interested to know. And for God's sake, don't give me a drama here, as tears wouldn't solve anything...words are,”

Hearing Sibylla’s words, the woman showed a panic look and her body visibly shook. It seems like she had never expected Sibylla to be this forthright.

“I… I, I don’t know…” Levelia muttered with her trembling lips. "My, my mind's a mess. I can't think anything, I don't even know how to look at you. What expression to use... I felt as if the world stop, and perhaps I can even vomit out of nausea, though I dare say, that's not the answer you are hoping for."

Her eyes were filled with glistening tears, prepared to fall at even the slightest wink. She didn’t say anything about her relationship with Cian. She only mentioned being Cian’s party member and that he stayed behind to confront a very powerful monster. But it seems like the woman before her immediately realized her adultery with her man.

Normally, at this moment, she would be beaten up and would be thrown away like a ragged doll. And even if she thought of herself as the victim, it’s not something she could argue or fight for either. After all, the fact that she and that man had some affair was true. And more so, Cian and the woman before her at this moment was not just any people... they are certainly Nobles. And for a Commoner, this kind of situation, already warrants an execution for her.

No matter who is to blame in this affair, Levelia would be known as the one in the wrong and she knows that. Being called a temptress and a whore would be an understatement.

“… I think, I need a drink." she smiled wryly, trying to fight back the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"Oh, rest assured. Almost everybody does. But I tell you, liquor won't solve a thing. It might give you enough courage, you seek, but it works worse with a confused and battered mind like yours. I don't recommend it, not like I had one either. Not even a small cup of water for you, so you might as well drink your own saliva...perhaps it can clear your mind a bit. Works wonders, sometimes..." Her tone quiet, unhurried, and it surprised her.

"I had noticed this before, but you really had a sharp tongue..." said Levelia as she smiled bitterly in response.

"No point in giving you courtesy, and fake pleasantries, does it?" said Sibylla, her eyes glaring at her. "I might look calm and indifferent right now, before you, woman. But if the emotions running through my veins right now could kill and manifest, believe me, you would have been torn apart, limb by limb. I might be alright with my beloved's mischievousness, and I would actually not care about it, even if he openly flirts with another woman in front of me. However, it doesn't mean I don't have any intention of killing that said woman...!" Sibylla's expression darkened, and her words became increasingly colder, so cold that Levelia could feel the ice in her words. She felt, at this very moment, as if she was being cut by the edge of a sword as she listened to those icy, cold words of hers.

"... ..." Levelia swallowed her fear, wondering whether to worry more about the torn apart limb by limb threat or feel the pain of her heart-wrenching at this very moment, of love gone betrayal. Hence, she just displayed a bitter smile. "I'm sorry,"

"We are women of caliber, so we shall talk like one. I don't need your apology, not your sweet-talk either, or the emotions of wanting to get out of this, turning away just like that. I could tear your head from that neck of yours for what you’ve done. But he wants your body intact. Hence, we shall be honest with each other...at the very least, you owe me that one.”

"... ..." Levelia nodded her head. Perhaps she understands what she was feeling right now or maybe she was hurting even more to have such a disloyal lover. She stood there, looking like an idiot as tears seeped out of her eyes. The whole room had fallen silent.

After the group managed to escape successfully towards the Outer Region, the monsters chasing them immediately disappeared. There, they stop and waited for almost half a day. However, there was not even a shadow of Cian. Most members already imagined a bad conclusion, while Levelia still believed that Cian would be okay.

However, after almost an entire day, he still didn’t come. Even she started to think of the worst outcome but still endured it and stubbornly believes in him. Despite her willingness to believe in him, they cannot wait there forever. Countless monsters came and attack them the moment they sighted. Even though they could defeat them, but they are bound to limit. And sadly, they are already reaching theirs. Thus, in the end, they could only turn back.

The moment they arrived, they had seen and heard the commotion going on inside the City. Many people had already lost their lives in each passing day. The forest is indeed acting strange, becoming dangerous in each passing hour.

Even the other Clans suffered enormous casualties already.

Even the Great Leaders of each clan, save from theirs had been reported to get killed. The people in the City had been anxious these passing days, and even the City Lord had already requested help from the Empire.

This was the moment they had realized how serious things had become!

Although Levelia wanted to organize her Clan and went back, she left it to Aerean and the others and immediately went towards Bursian Inn to complete Cian’s request. At least, if worst truly happens, she could still do the thing he asked her to.

When she met Sibylla, she immediately realized that her earlier assumption had been correct. Hence, she could only say that she was his party member even while feeling the tearing pain in her heart. Then, she was able to confirm his safety, which, better or worse was more important than anything in this world.

But now... the worst thing occurred.

She was here, face to face, against the legal lover. A tense atmosphere surrounded them, despite the calmness of the other party's expression. She never doubted the hidden dagger that she might be hiding behind that calmness. She closed her eyes. However, all she could picture was that scumbag's face—the taboo eyes she had seen for the very first time in her life, and that gentle bend of his smile—as he looked up at her.

What an unfair world...

How could it be me... to suffer this trial? What did I do to deserve this? What wrongs have I done to merit such cruel punishment...?

She shouldn’t have come here.

She should have stayed as Levelia Ornsted, the Red Fiery Tyrant.