Monica sat in her study as she pondered deeply about her conversation with Jiu. She wondered why the lady seemed hesitant to ask for help with something that was troubling her. Then again, she and the lady were barely acquaintance much less Monica being someone the lady could confide in. Maybe Lucy knew something, no- she definitely do with how strange she was acting if Lucy wasn't just as confused.

"If you don't mind, tell me more about it. Perhaps I could offer some assistance,"

"Oh, there's no need but thank you," Jiu chuckled.

"Anything for the future Queen of Dulryn," Monica noticed how Jiu's smile dropped upon hearing the word 'Queen'. It was something worth taking note, it would help Lucy in assisting the Lady knowing small details like this.

Lucy's description of Lady Jiu previously were completely off. The Lady wasn't hard-hearted and unapproachable like what she was told. Could her sister be lying? For what reason? It was then realization struck Monica. There was an attempt of assassination on the lady with poison. Still, it didn't make any sense to Monica. Poison could kill, but what are the chances of it erasing your memory? If anything, the poison might just be an excuse the assassin had used to distract others and put a curse on Jiu. Though it was odd, if she really was cursed, why can't she see anything lingering around the lady? Monica's pendant that was supposed to sense things of that kind didn't glow either. There was only this odd, almost demonic aura surrounding her that Monica could only feel but not see.

Lucy could be in danger so she need to look for that someone.

***

In the midst of dinner, chaos unfold when the King collapsed. Royal doctors were summoned by the Queen and royal guards stood firmly all over the palace. Royal maids scattered around on full alert as they prepare for the worst.

As soon as the royal doctors had arrived and examinations were made, the King demanded for his advisor. Everyone in the palace knew what it meant. Word quickly got around that the King didn't have much time left.

The King was resting in his chamber, tended by the Queen and Della when the Crown Prince rushed inside, followed by Rachel. The prince immediately kneeled by his father's side, giving his greetings as the King spoke up.

"Fortnight," he said with a coarse voice. "By fortnight, you will be King," The mood in the chamber turned more sombre than it already was before and the King chuckled. He was aware of how unfit his son would be as a King, but what could her ever do? Only a man can be trusted to be on the throne and his incapable son the only man of royal blood.

"I hope you don't drag the kingdom down with you, my son,"

***

She couldn't believe what was happening. Why was destiny so eager to ruin the lives of Dulryn? A monster blinded by greed shouldn't be given the chance to reign over so many innocent people yet there they were, preparing for the marriage and coronation of the kingdom's future King, Stefan Dulwich. That scoundrel, Della snarled as she stomped into her chamber. Rachel, who had been trailing behind her, stopped in her tracks before turning to leave without a single word spoken as the doors of her sister's chamber closed.

She understood why Della would be so agitated. The moment the prince sits on the throne and the King passes, her mother would be deemed unworthy and they would be kicked out of the palace. If Stefan would have mercy, that is.

If not, they would be exiled out of the kingdom or worse, executed.

***

"I knew I could trust you, Gahyeon!" Minji pounced on her poor maid and hugged her tightly. Lucy decided to just leave the over the moon lady be as they walked closer to their awaiting carriage.

Once again, Minji's wished were fulfilled by the ever so loving Duke Winston. Permission to explore the town weren't the only thing that was given but in the carriage, awaits Della who would accompany Minji on her journey. Minji was told that Della's just as capable as Rachel when it comes to fighting but the older of the sisters prefer to not deal with things physically as much as she can.

Their ride took off as Minji sat silently across of Della who had a calm expression on. The lady admired the princess' features without a thought on her mind. If the princess was aware of the curious stare, she didn't let Minji know with how not once she drove her gaze away from the view outside of the moving carriage. Minji really wondered how someone could be so pretty. Just like Handong, Della had this glow on her that once your eyes fell on it, you wouldn't be able to pry away.

Della shifted her gaze onto her and gave a grin but with a hint of shyness. "If you stare too hard, I'm afraid I might fall,"

Minji blinked out of shock and in just a split second she was met with Della who was still gazing outside as if she hadn't move an inch before. The lady frowned and this finally took Della's attention, "What's wrong?"

"Oh? Nothing," Minji blurted out. "Did you say something?"

Della's expression remain unchanged as she shook her head. "No, I didn't,"

Minji felt slightly uneasy. What was that? But she couldn't deny the warmth she felt.

When they arrived, the sun was about to set and the town was crowded with merchants. Minji trailed slowly beside Della as she took as much as she can of the festive atmosphere around her. "Is this your first time in town?" Della's question caught Minji off guard but the lady managed to quickly get herself together and replied.

"No, I came here once with Gahyeon before," Minji said as she pointed at Lucy behind the both of them who nodded. Della let out a soft hum at the revelation. "But you know..." Minji started.

"Yes?" Upon the reply, Minji told the tale of her getting robbed by a child who disappeared into the wall and how she woke up in the middle of the forest right after. It was a long talk that ended with Minji telling Della about her encounter with Rachel. It emitted a laugh out of the princess.

"I wonder why Rachel kept such an event to herself,"

"Is Princess Rachel not into idle chatter?" Minji asked then pouted. "I thought she disliked me,"

"She didn't get to socialize much growing up so Rachel can be a little awkward and shy,"

Without realizing, they had arrived at the town square and the sun hat set by then as the stars started to shine brighter. There was a huge crowd surrounding a decent sized platform with a bunch of people on it. It was later announced that these people are going to compete for the 'Most Amazing' prize. The various participants started introducing themselves as Minji observed carefully.

"I had no idea you are into this type of event," Minji turned and found the princess with an amused smile.

Almost a minute passed by with no reply from the lady until a jab was received from Lucy. Minji gasped before letting out a nervous laugh. She had forgotten to say her reply out loud. "Not really, it's just so new to me,"

"Though right now you seemed out of it," Della placed a hand on Minji's shoulder. "Should we go and get some food?"

Minji lit up at the mention of food and a huge smile displayed across her face.

They strolled around going from stall to stall as more types of food filled Minji's hands which eventually went into her mouth. Minji's bright smile never falter aside from the time where she was amazed by the performance give during food preparation on some stalls. Della and Lucy were behind the joyous lady, smiles evident on both of their faces. Somehow, seeing the lady enjoying the festival made their day a lot brighter.

Fireworks went off and the starry sky was illuminated by colourful lights. It made Minji froze in her place to bask in the moment but her smile turned into a serious one upon the explosions. Neither Della nor Lucy were aware of it as all they could see was the lady's back.

They approached a wall in dark alley. They went to the on-going festival as a disguise to investigate what would be behind the wall without raising any suspicions. They had been waiting for this moment. At that moment, fireworks went off as the sky was illuminated by bright and colourful explosions but that didn't matter at that moment. Her eyes scanned her surroundings as the person in front of her spoke out some words that would be unintelligible to most but she understood it perfectly. Soon, the wall morphed into a void which they stepped in. They were met with a huge door guarded by two well-built men. One gave them a look before the words came out of her mouth.

'The moonflower blooms at dead night.' And the entrance were opened for them.

Inside was a place that resembled a casino and everyone in there were aware of what the source of funds for the place were yet they were enjoying their life as if there would be no tomorrow. They were led into another room which was reserved for special guests only. She kept her head up, walking with confidence into the room.

"And today! We have a special good that had just arrived," A masked burly man spoke in front of the room as a young girl was dragged from backstage onto the stage to be put on display. She was fully exposed but her skin was clear from bruises unlike the boy that was shown earlier. Her hands were tied together and on both of her ankles were jade bracelets meant to supress mana.

'Jiu,'

'Hm?'

'She's a witch,' the other person said but their mouth remained unmoving. It was their way of conversing without having anyone listening in. All through their minds only.

'Thank you, I couldn't tell,' Jiu said sarcastically and the other chuckled.

Bets were placed on the girl and with time, the number spiralled higher and higher until it died down leaving an old nobleman with the highest bid. As the winner was about to be announced, another man lifted up a board with a number she couldn't see but knew that it was high enough for anger to flash on the old nobleman's face as he sat back down with a grunt. Jiu couldn't see the face of the highest bidder but from the frame alone, it was clear to her who it was.

'He's as dramatic as always,'

'Should we bid on her?'

'And attract everyone's eyes on us? No, thank you'

'Don't you love attention?'

'Not when it cost me my life, sweetheart,'

Minji dropped the candy she was holding and this earned giggles from the two behind her.

"Are you that amazed, Jiu?" Della asked as she took a peek of Minji's face with a grin but all she saw was a frowning lady. She sure see a lot of that today. She was about to ask what bothered Minji but Lucy beat her to it with a loud gasp.

"Are you alright, My Lady?" Minji blinked.

"Yes, the fireworks were just so pretty,"

***

"Here," Sua set down the food for the children with a warm smile before patting their heads. "Make sure to eat a lot," this earned a simultaneous 'yes mom' from five children.

With a filled bowl in hand, she went outside and head for the back area of the house. Under a tree stood a grave which Sua soon kneeled aside and placed the bowl on it. It was a daily routine for her. After all, even in death, she couldn't leave her daughter to starve alone here under the tree. She placed a hand on the dirt that was already covered with newly grown grass and she noticed the jar on the right side of the tree. Sua reached out for it and took a closer look. It was filled with seashells, the thing her daughter loved most, perhaps even more than her. She remembered how the partially blinded child enthusiastically talked about her dreams of being a pirate just to catch all types of seashells to ever exist. Sua didn't have the heart to tell her that a pirate needs both eyes. She was just too precious for her.

Her only child.

***

Minji barely had time to gather her thoughts when she was summoned into the palace. Word had gotten around that soon, the kingdom will have a new ruler as the current King had fallen seriously ill. She knew it was coming but not as soon as this. She was given her freedom just days ago but now she would be tied down with a crown and a responsibility she couldn't grasp the weight of.

The King lied on his bed when her fiancé led her inside the King's chamber. She was greeted with a weak smile and as Minji stared harder, the King looked way older than he was the last time they've seen each other. Being sick sure took years off of you, she thought.

"I'm sure you know why you're here," the Queen said. Her hand were placed on the King's as she spoke, her voice as gentle as it had always been. The King waved his hand and the Queen leaned closer as words were exchanged between them. When they were done, the Queen stood up and gave Minji another smile before walking out of the room with her son following her right after.

The room was silent until a cough emerged from the King in his attempt to speak.

"You'd make a great queen one day," the King cleared his throat. "But there's something I want you to keep in mind,"

Minji stayed silent, waiting for the King to continue.

"As a queen, your only job is to satisfy the King and bear his son," the King smiled and at that moment even a small smile from a sickly person appeared sinister to Minji hearing the words spoken by him. It was as if he was belittling Minji, "If a daughter is born, keep trying. That much you can do, right?"

***

"Just what have you been doing?"

"I'm trying to figure out the best way to-"

"Stop trying and just put it to work!" Dami flinched, expecting a hand to come in contact with her body. It did, but unlike before the person only gripped on both of Dami's shoulders. "It's your job, why are you taking so long? He's about to be King and by the time he does, I will lose everything I've worked hard for. And I wouldn't be able to pay you by then,"

"He's the last person we need to worry about," Dami glanced on the bracelet wrapped around her wrist, it didn't glow. "Even if he no longer lives, there's someone else way more powerful,"

"What do you mean by that?"

"You," The assassin hesitated but the question slipped out of her mouth after a second of thinking. "You wish for the throne, right?"

"What foolishness," The other person laughed as if what they were told was unbelievable. Though it didn't matter much to Dami whether she was taken seriously or not. "The throne is not for me, but someone way more worthy of the crown. Unlike a boy who couldn't handle matters without his sisters in his shadow. So please, get the job done."

***

Harsh knocking were heard from the wooden door of a small house, this time the guest was not anyone Sua was familiar with so she casted a spell in advanced in case something were to happen. Another spell of protection on the children's room.

She closed her eyes as she tried to sense the amount of visitors she had and their condition. Sua sighed when she found out that it was just a drunkard knocking on her door. It was odd that a drunkard would be here in the forest but decided not to pry. Not until the knockings got louder and louder each time. Before Sua could cast another spell, the drunkard said aloud, "You- you can help me, right?

Help.

The word that made Sua the person she was. The word that brought her daughter back to her even just for a moment. Sua knew that was a weakness of hers but it lead her to offering help anyway every single time. Of course, it was only after she made sure the one asking would not posed any threat to her and her family.

Sua opened the door, only keeping it slightly ajar as she stared down on the drunkard.

It was a young woman dressed much like a noble, her attire that of a rather high quality cloth and she was a little hunched forward, seemingly still trying to catch her breath. When Sua smelled the scent of fruit instead of a reeking alcohol, she figured what happened. At least, the reasoning behind the non-sober lady in front of her.

"Oh, wow," the woman said and chuckled. "You're very beautiful,"

"Of, course," Sua said with a smug grin and the woman laughed at her response.

"And very confident too," she said before grunting in pain. Sua's eyes trailed down and she saw the bleeding wound on the woman's left leg.

"Is that what you needed help with?"

"What?" The woman said as she tried to find what Sua meant and she saw the red stain of her pants. "Oh, no! Thank you for your concern but it's not this," She laughed. "You're a witch, right?" Sua narrowed her eyes before inviting the woman to in after making sure once again she wasn't followed by anyone.

The woman stood straight as if she wasn't in pain for a moment, "I'm Monica Dupont, an unwedded baroness of Dulryn," she said followed by another chuckle. Sua wondered what's so amusing but she reminded herself that this was a drunk person.

"So what is it that you needed help with? If there's nothing, you may leave,"

Monica gasped loudly. "Children... you're a mother?" Panic was evident on the woman's face as she stumbled out words. "Oh lord, please tell me you're unwedded or divorced. I can't afford having another person's spouse threatening me for my life,"

Sua frowned. How did this drunkard found out about the children? Did her spell not work? Sua was about to question the other when she saw Monica's irises glowing under the warm light from her fireplace. A blessed child. That answers everything.

"Yes, she's married," Behind Monica, stood Dami who had her hand on the front door handle. When had she arrived? For once, Sua had no idea. The baroness gaped but as she stumbled to turn around and face Dami, she fell onto the floor and passed out.

"Why didn't you send her home?"

"Even if I did, she'll come back,"

"Then let her be, she's not in the right state of mind to ask for help from a witch," Sua simply stayed quiet.

***

When Monica woke up, she was greeted by an unfamiliar wooden ceiling and her body ached all over.

"Good to see you're awake," To her right sat Dami on an armchair. She seemed unpleasant and Monica was glad that between them there was a wooden table. Is she upset that I spent a night on her sofa?

"Right, yes. Thank you," The Dami's sharp gaze on her made her feel nervous and she had yet to know who she was. She had a faint aura around her masked with an unknown one and Monica just had to guess that she knew of her abilities and was protecting herself.

Monica was about to stand and take her leave after uttering words of apologies when another person came towards them serving food and drinks on the wooden table. It was a stunning woman with a glow around her that Monica had never seen before. She remembered how her mother once told her that the more beautiful the aura, the more powerful the person would be.

"What were you thinking when you decided to eat random fruits in the forest?"

"What?" Monica blinked.

"You came here drunk yesterday,"

Oh, so that's what happened. "I apologise for intruding," Monica said and Sua hummed in acknowledgement.

"So what is it that you need help with?" Sua asked as she placed the last plate on the table. A witch.

"I felt a demonic aura around someone but my pendant couldn't sense it nor could my eyes see it," Monica's hand fumbled on her nape before taking off the necklace she had been wearing. "Is it broken?" She handed it over to Sua who carefully looked at the necklace.

"There's nothing wrong with this," Was all she said as she returned the necklace to Monica.

"Then-"

"The problem lies on person you're talking about," Dami stood up as Sua took a seat on the armchair to face Monica. "And I don't think the pendant is what you came here for, Baroness Monica,"

The baroness sighed. "Do you know the future queen of Dulryn? Lady Jiu of House Winston," Sua nodded.

Whenever I sense but couldn't see an aura, it means that the soul doesn't belong here.