V2 Chapter 179

The brows on Sayrash face furrowed. Her chin tilted up and she turned her gaze away.

When Ruka thought Sayrash had chosen to ignore her, suddenly she stumbled backward. She grimaced, pearl white teeth gnashed against each other, and the slit of her eyes narrowed into a line.

She pressed a hand against her brow, then realizing what had happened to her, she raised her head and glared at Sayrash Stormblade who was smirking as she looks down at her, mockingly. Obvious to all, she was gloating.

Ruka grit her teeth in anger.

‘…you deserve it. Just because you have that idiot’s protection, doesn’t mean you can act unbridled. I may not be able to kill you, but I can still make you feel pain!’

A voice appeared in her head.

‘You are not to insult my Master!’

Ruka hissed as she replied through the mental connection the proud, brave wolf had made.

‘And what can you do? I can call that idiot whatever I want—you better behave yourself, or else I will take it upon myself to discipline you!’

‘I dare you to do it!’

Ruka scowled, slowly recovering from Sayrash mental oppression.

‘Don’t think I fear you, Lady Sayrash. If you think you can hurt me, then be my guest. I shall await whatever you can do to me!’

Sayrash frowned and her aura rose up. Ruka immediately shivered from the cold power surrounding her. But her expression still retained the look of defiant. Fortunately, however, the cold power disappeared almost a second later. Sayash was startled and her eyes widened in shock. She frowned and turned her eyes towards a certain person who was looking at her with clear annoyance.

‘You shall not harm her, Sayrash…I’m giving you a warning,’

It was none other than Marelys Avidhorn.

Sayrash grimaced upon hearing her voice inside her mind. Then, she snorted in anger and a bad mood. Ruka breathes a sigh of relief, then she turned towards Marelys Avidhorn. That power that had protected her, it was familiar—it has the aura and presence of Marelys Avidhorn.

However, why had she helped her? She stared at the Marquise but the latter was conversing with her attendant. She almost thought Marelys Avidhorn was ignorant of her plight and was not the one who protected her. But she can’t be mistaken.

She had always been quite sensitive to people’s aura and magic power.

The scent was surely similar to her.

Ruka studied the beautiful black-haired woman as she dismounted from her Drakon—a lesser dragon being, with the appearance of an oversized lizard having six legs and two heads.

“Her Highness awaits your arrival, Lady Avidhorn.”

Ruka snapped out from her doubt and said as she greeted her arrival.

Armour clanking, Marelys Avidhorn walk through the Castle doors, glanced at Ruka with a faint smile, and nod before passing through her and head towards the inside of the Castle.

Normally, Marelys would not care about anyone greeting her, much less a mere servant like Ruka. They would just pass by her with a cold, indifferent expression. However, Ruka’s status was different. Despite being a mere servant, she was one that had obtained the favor of the Second Prince and was treated with jealousy-inducing affection. Hence, not as much as a noble, but no one would dare ignore her or gave her cold shoulders.

However, this was a formal event, and Marelys Avidhorn was a victorious returning general. For someone on her status, Ruka, even with her special position should not be able to gain the Avidhorn’s Mistress acknowledgment. But she had, and this somewhat baffles those who had seen her expression. Even Nedia Bornhusky was doubtful and she looks at Ruka with suspicion, while Sayrash could only frown. Though, doubt colored her eyes as well.

Marelys Avidhorn ignored the people’s reaction as she greatly understands how much importance Ruka has to the Second Prince. Hence, she felt a great familiarity with the servant.

To Marelys, she’s not one she cannot give cold shoulders to, even if this is a formal event. Although she cannot approach her obviously, and even initiate a talk, wanting some answers like wherever her beloved prince was at this moment. But at the very least, she can give her an expression of acknowledgment that only high-level status could enjoy.

Ruka furrowed her brows. Why is Marelys Avidhorn, the infamous Lady of the Avidhorn Family treating her favorably and even acknowledging her presence? Although she came to greet the important people and led them inside due to orders of the Princess, all of them would just actually ignore as if she didn’t exist. They would treat her as air, and she would not care about it. But why is Marelys Avidhorn different?

Ruka cannot give any answer and could only walk behind the Marquise, along with the doubtful Nedia and Sayrash as they too as well were sharing similar doubts.

Rows of red glass votives flickered, casting a warm glow against the stone walls. Her boots wobbled on the uneven pavement as she walks through the red carpet corridor.

Two large statues of the infamous demon ancestors flanked the entrance, frowning at her. The end of the pews was decorated with white ribbons and lilies. Another floral arrangement rested above the enormous door. There were paintings on the walls and ceiling, all outlined with gleaming gold-leaf stucco work.

All the pictures were done by him… surely.

Marelys Avidhorn mused as she looks at the portraits and paintings lined up in the walls—paintings of demons and winged people in a war, there are also demons standing up, with a winged woman at his feet, the demon’s sword pointed at the winged woman’s throat. Then, another was four demon knights riding horses of different colors, with striking auras- [The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse] characters written in the ancient demon language could be seen under it.

Strange pictures, but the workmanship in each piece was flutteringly beautiful. Beautiful enough that she wanted to steal a piece or two and take it home, and admired them for all eternity.

And Marelys Avidhorn knows who they belonged to, then one who painted it—the name signed at the edge of each frame is the proof of it.

[Aanuel]

Written in curvy and beautiful characters. Knowing it, her desire to have one increased even more. Sadly, it would be considered stealing if she suddenly took one of them without permission.

Ruka strode toward a large door and bowed, then the two guards standing tall at each side of the door cried out her name—announcing her arrival, and then pushed them open. She then walks over a polished terrazzo floor and saw several people waiting for her, including the princess they had worshiped and honored with pride and glory.

The Demon Princess, as well as the infamous Princess of Winter Mountain; Oriel Heretarium Vorn Sormfury, sitting at the throne seemingly made of ice at the end of cavernous hall, looking at the people arriving with the usual calm and indifferent expression.

Marelys proceeded forward, the scabbard of her longsword scraping against the floor, creating a gritting sound. She scanned the small crowd, looking for a particular person. She didn’t see him, and her expression turned to longing.

He’s not here… she sighs before her expression returned to normal.

Although she wanted to see him, she knows that she also has a role to play, just as he had his own. No matter where he is, only her heart can follow, but she could never disturb him because of her own selfish desire.

Patience… she needs to exercise them, for the future.

She kneeled in one knee; “I hear and obey, your highness. I brought glory and victory upon your presence, and may your grace and power be everlasting!” she said with a loud voice.

Armors clanking and weapons made noise, saluting to her words. Most of the people present were high ranking officials and military men. All of them wore fierce and serious expressions.

The Winter Palace remained a vital port of call, especially now that the new trading city they lately obtained had been constantly harassed by the human army. Marelys Avidhorn had brushed shoulders with more than her share there and here in the Okmahun Demon City.

Candles glowed in golden wall sconces and from three ornate chandeliers. Antique furniture was clustered around with a marble mantelpiece.

The tense and cold atmosphere loamed around the hall.

“Is it true, then?” a cold but beautiful voice echoed in the hall.

“Is…what true, I may ask?” startled by the sudden question, Marelys raised her head and look at the Demon Princess, somewhat confused.

“The honorable loyal Marquis, Loren Vortan Avidhorn, your glorious husband, had fallen into the battle. Is it true? Is the Great Marquis dead?”

Marelys Avidhorn seemed to flinch, her gaze unwavering at the Demon Princess.

“Such is war,” she muttered, under her breath, as if the words were not meant for anyone else’s ears.

“I see… I gave my condolences, he was a brave man,” the demon princess muttered softly.

Marelys Avidhorn snorted inwardly after hearing the Demon Princess words.

Brave man, was he? No, he was a tricky bastard, and also an extremely paranoid idiot too, as he should be. It's part of why he never left the camp and let the soldiers do battle for him. Though, the circumstances of his death… was extremely questionable. But for certain, it surely had to do with her secret lover.

Although she felt somewhat complicated, as he was still the husband she had been with a couple of years, she didn’t regret anything. Even if Aanuel has indeed had something to do with his death, she would ignore it. Right now, Aanuel is her life, and he is her everything.

A cool breeze swept through the gaps and windows, causing the flames to flicker and the gold to gleam.

“Thank you, your highness,” she breathed deeply of the cool, humid air.

Candles glowed behind beveled glass strapped on the walls.

“Although I wanted you to rest to ease your pain, the situation doesn't give such a leeway. Hence, I apologize but I couldn’t give much consideration for your loss. We need you. Hence, I can only apologize for the suffering you currently have... and will endure,”

“Your words are wasted on me, your highness. Whatever you wanted, I’m on your beck and call,”

Her current suffering was actually non-existent. And she was actually pretty damn happy about the death of her stupid husband. No suffering whatsoever, Marelys mused inwardly.

“Someone had said, he had betrayed a God. And now he’s gone punished…death, the price,” she said softly, and the entire hall turned to silence.

Marelys raised her head and stared at the Ice Princess whose brows furrowed by her sudden words. But she was not afraid; after all, the people present were all people standing on the same side. Not the Vortan Family is here, nor the traitors of the Court of the Winter Palace.

“Are you suspecting that it was my doing, Lady Avidhorn?” a sharp tone could be felt from her voice.

You’re doing? No, of course not…

“No, you misunderstand your highness. The death of my fool of a husband is surely not in your account. And I would never dare think otherwise…”

I’m talking about a different God. A God that I am willing to worship with bended knees!

“So you’re saying, that the death of your husband is not an accidental matter, but an intentional one?”

“Indeed, it is…”

Marelys Avidhorn replied without hesitation.

Another bout of cold breath being sucked and the atmosphere turned solemn solidified in frozen ground.

“Marelys, what are you saying!? Take back what you sa—”

“It’s fine, Lord Avidhorn…let her speak what she wants. Her bout of victory and success she had brought with her, earns her the right to speak before me.”

Marelys heard her father’s panic cry, but she didn’t even give her a glance. She turned towards Princess Oriel, with but a faint, gentle smile devoid of any malice or hostility.

At this very moment, she finally was present her absolute loyalty to the Ice Princess. She was revealing bare all kinds of doubts and suspicions that might occur. Even the clearly strange death of her husband. If she tried to ignore it, and keep quiet about it, she would instead earn doubt and suspicions from the other side.

After all, everyone knows her passionate love (?) to her husband that she is willing to burn bridges with her family just to be with him.

They would surely think that she was just keeping it all, and was waiting for revenge.

But would she?

No!

She now felt freedom, she had never tasted before.

Why would she seek revenge for the death of that fool?

More so, when she knows that the one behind it, was the one she now loved and worshipped with all her heart and soul, body and mind?

Although she has no proof, she was certain that Aanuel was surely the one who had asked for his death and the master behind that strange masked person who had manipulated her husband as if he was nothing but a mere puppet to rush into his death like a fool, masking the true cause of his death.

Marelys even suspected that perhaps, her husband had long been dead, but as to avoid suspicion, have been delayed, so was the reason for Loren's strange, and queer behavior moments before his 'death'.

“Death is the only ending for one that had angered a God…and I am his executioner. Laugh and celebrate, the moment of freedom has come…!”

Those were the words that that masked person that had appeared in front of her had said, strengthening her suspicions.