#3 Hechicera Vera of Valor

I don't know why I received a ton of mana, but in the end I fought too hard that I may have lost the fight.

Maybe because it's like a rejuvenation? Or maybe a Hechicera lend me a hand.

But.. how—

And not only that, but I also can feel that my life force is draining.

I sighed as my vision became more blurred and memories of the past flashed before my eyes.

—

"What's your name? And why do I only see you just know?"

I saw a boy, probably around my age with a emerald doe-like eyes.

'Don't talk to strangers, that's what mum said.'

I stared at him with curiosity.

Mum never said to not to talk with kids like me right?

"Anyways, if you don't want to tell me your name, it's okay. I'm Hel Vandel, and I'm lost here little girl. I should be with my dad but I now I don't know where the castle of Sapphire is."

I looked at him and just nodded, a signal to follow me.

I can't and won't talk to strangers, but I can't let a boy around my age be lost and linger here.

"Oh wow! You know the way around

here?" he had this glint of amazement in his eyes.

I just nodded.

"Goodness! There you are Lord Van! Where have you be— Oh! You found a friend?" a middle-aged man asked, giving me a look of nothing but care.

The boy beside me smiled and nodded.

"Butler Qin, where is dad?"

"He sent me to look for you. Anyways, thank you little girl for leading Lord Van back here. I hope to know your name so that Lord Vance may grant you a gift of appreciation."

I shook my head and innocently looked at them.

The guy whom the boy—Vandel—called Butler Qin laughed heartily.

"She's a shy one. Well then, thank you, uhmm, Lady of Sapphire for leading back Mi Lord back here." Butler Qin then turned to Vandel with a smile, and made a gesture to go.

"If I'm with my dad when we make another diplomatic visit here, I'll hope I could make you talk! Bye my friend!" He said and waved at me as he ran back towards his Butler.

But as I walk back to the garden, alas!

I saw mum staring at me.

"Venice? You seem to have wandered off." she said in a stern voice.

"Don't worry mum. I didn't speak to them. I just lead the lost boy to the castle since he asked for directions." I said in a low voice.

"As long as you don't speak to them you are safe. That little boy whom you helped may or may not be from here, and may be from another high ranking family. You must not involve yourself with politics here in the kingdom, or with those people. Your father even told me to keep you away from the main castle! My goodness, Venice!"

She would always use my name and not my nickname whenever she's mad.

But it's okay. I have a beautiful name after all.

Venice Everette Raja Wisteria.

But the name I usually use outside would be Aria Vera Zeron. So that no one would ever know who I really am, and what I am to this Kingdom.

At a young age, I know what to do, for the betterment of the Kingdom, it's to hide myself away from the crowd and not attract any attention not unless my Father was strong and ready enough to let the world know. That's what my mum told me.

When my Father told the whole kingdom about my existence when I reached 16, my mum disappeared just as what she told me, and Van was there too. We became friends eventually.

Turns out he's the heir of Nightshade, while our Fathers are both acquaintances.

—

Looking back, I was too foolish to let him be my friend.

Look where our friendship led us.

"V-Vera? You still alive there?"

"I'm still alive alright. Why? Wanna end this and know who's the winner?" I taunted him, even if I can't move at all.

"Sh*t. I was.. I was engulfed by my uncontrollable rage Vera. Forgive me, I'll.. I'll call Martha! She'll be able to heal you."

"Shut up." I chuckled humorlessly.

Even with a blurry vision, I knew he looked down at me with those emerald eyes.

One that of I can't forget, nor forgive.

"At least I was able to defend the House of Valor until my last breath." I said.

"Hey Venice? V-Vera..? Sorry for ruining your Kingdom. Sorry for the damages, I promise I'll let you go and everything else, I'll help you. Yeah yeah, I'll help you rebuild your place.. Just let Martha heal you and be alive. Please." he mumbled.

"Do I look that bad?" I muttered.

"Vera... Uhm.. I—" he was lost for words.

"If I die, let it be known to the world I left behind. Build back Sapphire, or else Nightshade will suffer when I'm back." I said with eyes near sleepy.

"Don't close your eyes. I'm sorry okay? I'M SORRY!"

Yes, panic all you can. Panic.

I will use my remaining life force to place a curse, you will pay for what you have done.

I knew what you have been up to all these years.

One I can't possibly forgive and forget.

'I hereby curse the family of Hel Vandel Vaughn and his future descendants. I will kill all of you, in exchange for harming me, my Kingdom and the House of Valor. And let it be known that Vera shall rise again, when that happens that's the day you shall die.'

I will be back. But for now, I'll sacrifice my life.

I'll be back, and rob you of all the things precious to you.

I closed my eyes with a frown.

I'll be back. I swear I'll be back geared up, and you're the one who'll die.