V2 Chapter 203

Wearing a light blue armor Sayrash Stormblade sat straight on her mount, appearing all battle-hardened.

Last time Ruka saw her she still has some immaturity in her expression and eyes. But now, after joining the war at the newly conquered trading City, experience and maturity colored her features, causing it to be even sharper than before. Though, not as terrifying as Nedia Bornhusky, she was now like a fully matured wolf that had tasted blood and gotten used to drinking it.

Just like the saying goes, 'War indeed can change people'.

Seemingly sensing the observing gaze, Sayrash Stormblade turned towards the source and saw Ruka’s sharp cat eyes gazing at her, seemly scrutinizing her in every detail, and dissatisfaction appeared in her heart. Her eyes narrowed. Her mouth opened slightly, revealing her long canines hiding behind those pink, sweetly shaped lips. Her hands gripped the sword’s hilt hanging on her waist. No doubt, she meant to intimidate the foolish servant who seemed to have dared to eye her with a scrutinizing glare. However, when she seemed to be about to lash out, in anger—her eyes widened in sudden realization.

Ruka was not the least bit unperturbed. Even if Sayrash suddenly lashes out at her in anger, wanting to punish her for foolish action, she was not afraid. Someone is standing behind her, and even if ‘he’ was not present, the arms she had longed for every night to embrace her, to hold her, seemed to be all around her always.

The arms that gave her an absolute sense of security, and therefore, she was never afraid of her life.

No one can bully her, even if they are high-ranking nobles or officers, even if it is Sayrash Stormblade who had possessed strange hostility against her beloved Master. In fact, because of this fact, she had never liked the Wolf Shifter Demon and had great prejudice at her.

Sayrash brows 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, her beautiful face distorted in pain, her pearl white teeth gnashed against each other, and the slit of her eyes narrowed into a line. She then 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. 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!’

She was never afraid.

Sayrash frowned and her aura rose up.

Ruka immediately shivered from the cold power surrounding her. But her expression still retained the look of defiance. Fortunately, however, the cold power disappeared almost a second later. Sayrash 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 the Lady Marquise.

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 had 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, heading 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 Acknowledgement. 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.

Why does the proud Lady Avidhorn do something incomprehensible as this?

They couldn't understand.

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, the lowly servant is not one she can give cold shoulders to, even if this is a formal event.

Although she cannot approach her obviously, and even initiate a talk, at the very least, she can give her an expression of acknowledgment that only high-level status could enjoy.

After all, status and birthright aside, Ruka has 'that person'.

That is already more than enough of a reason.

Ruka furrowed her brows.

Why is Marelys Avidhorn, the infamous Lady of the Avidhorn Family treating her favorably and even acknowledging her presence in public?

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. And even those who are scared or who hated the Second Prince still treated her indifferently.

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. But no matter how much they rack their brains, they just couldn't think of a reason.

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. Gold-framed mirrors hung in prominent positions on the walls.

There were paintings on the walls and ceiling, all outlined with gleaming gold-leaf stucco work. The people featured on the canvases looked dark or oddly unhappy, demonic even, and there were even some, possibly malformed in an indefinable angle, but still, the type that attracts attention in an indefinable and incomprehensible way.

And most of all, all the pictures were done by him… surely.

Marelys Avidhorn mused.

Not being an art critic, and type that liked pictures and paintings as a hobby, Marelys could not pinpoint exactly what was wrong with all the people drawn in the canvas. Perhaps the strange, and mysterious demon prince was just playing a malicious trick on his subjects, or rather perhaps he simply saw deeper to an inner ugly side of those who he has drawn.

In fact, even Sayrash and Nadia felt something wrong with the pictures, but just couldn't point something weird from them, like her. The first impression gave it rather upsetting feelings, but as one stared at it for a long time, they find something else, something that seemed to attract them, making the ugly pictures somewhat appealing.

The portraits seemed to be trying to convey something to them, something hard and difficult to understand, but certainly right there, just a veil away from them. Like an emotion, like a feeling. A message.

And Marelys too felt something it as well.

She even had the urge to stop and look at the portraits much closer. But with the princess waiting for them, such a thing can't be done, of course. Fortunately, the strange, mysterious portraits stopped and as they proceeded in the corridor of the castle, they were then replaced by beautiful and artistic paintings that were completely different from the previous ones.

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. A Demon carrying the entire world on his shoulders. A Portrait of a strange reverse, standing upside down and were divided into nine levels, with creepy and wailing demons and imps that seemed to be being punished and made to suffer. Then, there's also a portrait of 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 flatteringly beautiful.

Beautiful enough that she wanted to steal a piece or two and take it home. And what made it even more desirable, and worthy enough for her to steal them from the Royal Palace, is the fact that Marelys Avidhorn knows who they belonged to, the one who painted such masterpieces of all times—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 escalated to almost obsession.

"I will surely have at least one of them...for certain!"

Finally, however, the seemingly long journey reached its end.

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

Oriel Heretarium Vorn Sormfury, sitting at the throne seemingly made of ice at the end of cavernous hall, looking at her with the usual calm and indifferent expression.

Marelys Avidhorn preceded 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 knelled 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… were extremely questionable. But for certain, it surely had to do with her secret lover. Hence, Marelys didn’t try to investigate as to how the always cowardly man, suddenly become a brave man and charges into the battle like a fool, finally falling into his doom.

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 now couldn’t give much consideration. We need you. Hence, I can only apologize for the suffering you 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.

“And you don't neet concern yourself in the death of my husband. For such matter is unnecessary for someone like him. Someone had said, he had betrayed a God. And now he’s gone punished…death, the price,” she said softly with a faint smile on his face, and the entire hall turned to silence.

Marelys raised her head and stared at the Ice Princess whose brows furrowed at 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!

Marelys Avidhorn’s lips curved into a faint, confident smile.

Seeing her expression, the Ice Princess couldn’t help but narrowed her gaze. She was indeed irritated, especially after what she had just said. She thought that Marelys should have aimed the culprit’ suspicion on her, as even her, she admits that she has the intent to kill him, and Marelys as well on that matter.

They are plain as the snow in winter that they are already not in her side. But she was bidding for time—until the situation in the trading city had subsided.

However, who would have thought that someone would suddenly appear out of nowhere, and kill the Marquis. Oriel had never believed that Loren Vortan had died fighting in the war. Someone certainly had killed him…but who?

It was not her, of course.

But who would have the guts to kill a Marquis in her land?