SPEAKING UP

"What's taking you so long? You look moderately dressed. Quite sophisticated and elegant. Who gave you the dress?" Alexander asked as soon as he saw Felicia walking towards the entrance of the house. 

"I was caught by the whims of the Empress, inviting me over for a tea party. With Helena, that is. However, nothing happens if that's what you want to know." Felicia answered as she then sighed. 

"Oh, and the Emperor gave this to me. I do not know whatever reasons as to why he gave this, but I already said my thanks to him." She added, folding her arms as she then stared at Alexander who was fixated on everything she said. 

"Did the Empress try to ever hurt you?" He asked, his eyes darkened at the thought of the Empress ever hurting her. The Empress, Tyren's family is quite close with Helena. Therefore, the Empress definitely tried to hurt—

"No, she didn't. Rest assured that nothing happened. I wouldn't put myself in a difficult position, can I?" She chuckled at him as he then just rolled his eyes upon her answer. Even if she were to say that, it's very clear that someone has caused her trouble and it's definitely the two of them, ganging up on her. If not them, then who? Given the circumstances yesterday, it's clear and it is none other than the two of them.

"You really should be looking behind your back-"

"Can I talk to you privately?" Felicia asked, cutting her off as she didn't want to hear him nagging about it. She understands where he's coming from but nothing really happened. "What do you want to talk about?" He asked, his ears perking up with excitement as if he was glad and excited that Felicia wanted to talk to him. She never associated herself first with him, like calling him first because it is always him who always approaches her.

"About someone." She said as she proceeded to walk past by, making him follow her with confusion and curiosity washing all his face. He was baffled over what she wanted to talk about as she sounded serious. Could it be that something had really happened and that she didn't want to talk it to her but rather in private?

Whatever it is, he really is curious about it.

As soon as they went inside her room, Olivia was nowhere to be seen. She must be working elsewhere. But she did spot Noctua sleeping on her own bed which made her lips form into a smile. Look at that, this bird missed her. 

"So? What do you need to know about this certain someone?" Alexander asked as he closed the door and sat on the chair in her little living room. "As much as I don't want the news relating to that Crown Prince, I feel like that's the someone you wanted to ask about. So go on, sis. Tell me what happened so that I can punch him in the face." He added, cracking his knuckles which made her grin at his silliness. 

"That may sound pleasing to me but dear brother, we can't do that to him. He is still a person from the royal family. As much as I wanted to support you doing that for me, I wouldn't let you suffer now, wouldn't I?" She answered him as she walked onto the opposite couch, facing Alexander and sat comfortably.

"Besides, he's not the person that I wanted to know about. I already know him as a scum... but actually... I found something odd about him." She mumbled, looking so distressed about what she had found out. After all, he was being controlled last night and she's having second thoughts about whether to tell him or not.

"Why? What happened?" He asked, curious about it.

"Actually... I really am not sure whether to tell you this or not-"

"For Goddess' sake, tell me because I'm your brother. Even if it's a top secret relating to the Duke, I basically don't care. So go on, tell me Felicia. Whether I have someone to kill or not." He cut her off, not wanting to make this conversation longer about her contemplating whether she would tell or not.

"You don't have to be so rude about it," Felicia commented and chuckled about what he said. She wasn't offended at all but rather, she found him very impatient like an old auntie wanting to know rumours and such. Just like the old women in the society. 

"Actually, remember what I said when I told you that I went to the balcony to be alone and rest?" She asked him which he replied only a nod. "I saw Helena and the Crown Prince there. They were arguing-"

"You've seen them? You didn't even tell me about it? Or you didn't punch him in the fucking gut?" He exclaimed, frustrated that he even slammed his hand on his leg, showing how much it made him feel shit. 

"I couldn't... Besides, the uhm... The young Duke of North Imperium is beside me. So I couldn't react fast. But anyway, stop interrupting me. Gosh, I wouldn't be able to end my stories if you keep on interrupting me " she groaned, glaring at him for cutting her off once again. 

"I could hear you guys talking so loud. What's with the tense atmosphere?" Olivia asked as she entered the room, holding a tray in her hand filled with refreshments. "I mean, by opening the door that is. Rest assured, no one was following me." She added as she closed the door using her other hand and went to their side.

"Young Duke." She greeted informally to which Alexander didn't mind. She felt like a friend of him now because of their constant arguments. "It's great that you're back, Mistress." Olivia then smiled sweetly at Felicia, placing their refreshments on the table. 

"It's good to see you too. But anyway, back to our business." Felicia smiled before turning her head to face Alexander. "I saw them both on the balcony... It seems that the Crown Prince was being... Controlled." She said, making Alexander frown while cocking his eyebrow. 

"What do you mean controlled? Does such a thing even exist?" He asked, under suspicion of what she said to him. Felicia sighed, well she had already guessed his reaction would be like this. 

"Yeah, it does. Even the young Duke has noticed the dark aura being manifested by Helena. It made her control Constantine. They were arguing about something when all of a sudden, Helena suddenly manifested a heavy aura. Even I as the Saintess wasn't able to repel that energy that it attacked me." She explained while both of them listened carefully. 

"Witches are real," Olivia responded. "Damn, she is a witch. Should we burn her at a stake?" She even suggested, making Felicia snort at her reaction. 

"Where... Where did you see it being manifested? Is there some sort of an item she used that made her do such a thing? Because right now, it doesn't make any sense as she is a Saintess. Well, a fake that is but still... She's giving light magicules whenever she's in the presence of everyone. Why is it that what you saw is dark?" Alexander asked. 

"Good question," Noctua mumbled as he flew right into Felicia's lap, awoken by their discussion. "I'm very curious, what's with the welding of an ominous power?" Noctua asked to which Felicia shrugged. 

"It came out of something... Like a necklace that she kept. Like a locket or was it a cross? Nevertheless, the magic being poured was heavy, dark and powerful... Her eyes were glowing as she manifested that dark power and managed to control the crown Prince. It's as if it's suppressing and tampering with the emotions of the crown Prince." She said telling them in horror. 

Of course, she was horrified. She thought that Helena was a simple person whom she could easily stomp upon. However, the power she currently has that Felicia saw, suddenly brought her fear which is not good.

"What was the colour of the aura?" Noctua asked, facing Felicia as he asked her a question about it. "It was dark green, very dark that I thought it was black first. Why?"

Felicia asked back. 

"The North Imperium knows how to wield auras which we from the Empire couldn't. Like the aura adjusted to their situation of the north but that is only applicable for people who are directly born within the blood of the family." Alexander told her before she could even answer Noctua. 

"It's also the reason why the Empire is in a hostile situation with the North. Even if the second Princess, who married the Duke of the North was able to wield an aura despite coming from the Empire. It's been a long grudge among those royal families from the North. But anyway, the young Duke is an excellent Aura-core user. They said auras have a similar effect with the holy power however it only works with limitation. Its main effect is being able to wield swords that will prevent them from fighting off with the beasts." He further explained. 

"How did you know this?" Olivia asked, without even addressing Alexander but to be honest, who even cares about it? Alexander has already been accustomed to her either disrespecting her or blatantly ignoring his privilege. 

"I study, Olivia. It's part of the Empire." He answered, sipping tea while looking at Olivia who was glaring at him and pouting. How cute. 

"That's what Alistair told me and he used his aura to fend off the disgusting feeling being exposed by Helena. I thought I was going to die there." She commented, making Alexander spi

t his tea and cough hard, didn't expect what she said. 

"WITH WHAT?!"