Remaking Of Lady Cruel

Chapter Twenty-Six: Not A Saint

The bad news reached the Crown Prince’s ears. Without a second thought, he teleported from the palace to the dukedom in just a second leaving his affairs. He teleported right inside Viviene’s room and saw the duke, Arthur and a doctor.

“I greet the future emperor of the empire. Your Majesty, you’re here.” Arthur said in a lifeless tone.

“That’s a very warm greeting from you Young Duke.” He muttered in sarcasm with a feign smile on his lips.

“You came in the wrong place, Your Majesty.” Arthur’s coldness can be felt in the whole room but the prince ignored it.

“Wrong place? I don’t think so Young Duke.”

“Your Majesty is in my sister’s room.”

“I know, Young Duke. I told you I’m not in the wrong place.”

“What?”

They glare at each other when the duke interrupted.

“Your Majesty.” The duke gave him a meaningful stare which he understood. He walk towards the bed and touch her forehead. Light covered her body then disappeared immediately.

“Its done.” The prince said solemnly. He glance at the doctor who was mesmerized by his healing magic and asked. “How’s she?” The doctor snapped back in reality and answered carefully and politely.

“Lady Cruel, there’s nothing wrong in her body. Her illness is something, I cant quite grasp with my own knowledge as a professional doctor. I apologize, Your Grace, Young Duke and Your Majesty for being incompetent.”

“Then what’s wrong with my daughter? She definitely didn’t throw blood without having an illness, did she?” The duke said with suppressed anger from the doctor.

“The doctor is right, Duke. There’s nothing wrong with Lady Cruel’s body.”

“Then what is it?” He asked in frustration.

“The problem is her soul.” The prince answered.

“What do you mean, Your Majesty?” Arthur asked in confusion.

“A soul in the human body radiates light. That light brings life to the person possessing it but, Lady Cruel is different.”

“Different? What does Your Majesty mean?” The duke asked.

“Instead of radiating, her soul is also obfuscating.”

“What?” Arthur muttered in disbelief. The prince throw him a serious look and speak again.

“Her soul is both light and dark. And those two elements were fighting within.”

“B-But what happens if that light lose, Your Majesty?” The duke asked nervously.

“Duke, you already know that when a soul lost its light, the person will definitely die.”

Its like all of them were splashed by a very cold water. Their face paled and darkened by the horrifying news they received.

“Is there any, cure?” Arthur asked with trembling eyes. The prince didn’t answer him which made the mood heavier than before.

“Only miracle, can help her now.”

Those words throb their hearts even to the monstrous prince who knows nothing but kill people. His eyes shine differently looking at her sleeping face.

“Lets discuss things in my office. Your Majesty, thank you for your kindness.” The duke with his usual cold tone. The prince did not answer, instead, he teleported without a word. Its rudeness to both Arthur and the duke but they decided to let it slip for now. The duke left the room first, Arthur glance at Viviene for the last time before shutting the door.

The room is silent once again, Viviene whose faking her sleep opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a while.

‘I’m dying, huh.’

Strangely, it didn’t scared her perhaps because this is not her life to begin with, however, she cant stop thinking about the real Viviene.

‘What will happen to her now?’

She sits on the bed and touch her chest feeling heavy. She’s disappointed that Axxiale didn’t show up in her dreams especially when she need him the most.

‘I feel so hopeless here.’

“I knew it.”

Her eyes widen when she heard a familiar deep and husky voice beside her. She turn her head and saw the prince looking at her with his deep violet eyes.

“Hi, Your Majesty.” She tried to smile but she couldn’t. She just look away and lay down again. Feeling awkward by the tranquility surrounding them, she force a laugh and muttered.

“Dying huh.”

“We’re searching for the cure.” He suddenly said as he sits beside her. She look at him with her wrinkled forehead and puzzled expression.

“Your Majesty, its hard to find a miracle like what you said.”

“Perhaps there is, if I search thoroughly.”

“Your Majesty can ignore this matter, aren’t Your Majesty already busy with political affairs in the empire?”

“Shut up.”

She shut her mouth immediately. She glance at him and saw how his eyes glow dangerously and his face darkened.

‘Is he angry?’

“Your Majesty?”

“Didn’t I order you to shut up?”

“..Sorry.”

She stare at the ceiling and swallowed her saliva.

‘I cant believe I’m threatened in my own room!’

She felt her brain stopped from working due to his deadly aura surrounding him. She silently murmured a prayer for her short life when he suddenly open his mouth to speak.

“If you’re hurting, tell me and I’ll heal you.”

‘And now he’s acting like an angel.’ She thought as she saw his unexpected soft side. Astonished by his words she nodded unconsciously. He stared at her for a while before standing up and walking a few steps away from the bed.

“I’ll be going now. I’ll see you next time.”

After that he disappeared. She felt herself blinking stupidly over something stupid. She just imagined that the prince looked like her imaginary friend with darkness behind him. Thinking about that makes her felt even more dumb.

“… lets just sleep again and forget this absurdity.” She mumbled and pull the blanket to cover head.

Morning came and she woke up very early. She sits on the bed with her messy hair and half-closed eyes. She stood up and walk towards the window. Its five in the morning and the sun hasn’t risen up yet. She grab her coat and went out to take a quick stroll, taking advantage of the peaceful surroundings.

She arrived at the garden full of red roses. The wind gently blow and the surroundings filled with the fragrance of flowers. She felt at ease a little bit, drifting away from the stressful situation she had in front of her.

“What are you doing here?”

She turn around when she heard a familiar voice. Its her father with his usual cold yet handsome face. However, his eyes were showing an expression that made Viviene felt weird.

“Its cold and you’re not feeling well.”

He added to his previous words but Viviene remain silent while looking at him. His eyes were tired and the bags under his eyes seems become even darker than before.

“Father, you didn’t sleep well?”

“Its not important. I can endure sleepless nights, child. More importantly, why are you here? You just woke up from fainting. You’re straining yourself.”

With his cold looks, she can feel his genuine concern towards her but the bizarre feeling wont fade away every time the duke acted like this in front of her.

“Do you love me, father?”

The wind blow gently to them as a little strands of her hair tickled her cheeks a little. She didn’t break her gaze to the duke’s shaking blue eyes which were staring back at her amber irises.

“Why are you asking that, child?”

She just notice now that the duke didn’t call her name up until now.

“Why aren’t you calling my name?” She added. The duke press his lips tightly and his eyes were shaking continuously.

‘Oh. Did I hit an awkward nerve?’ She wondered looking at the duke’s expression. She force a laugh to lift the mood.

“I guess I’m just sick. Sorry for the weird questions, father.” She muttered with a big smile in her face.

The duke remained silent until she went back to the mansion. As they went upstairs, the duke suddenly called her.

“Child.”

She glance at him.

“If you want anything, just tell me.”

What does she want when she’s already dying? That’s a funny statement for her while looking at the duke with an absurd demeanor but she immediately erase that expression quickly nodded.

The people around her seems to care more about her. She’s forbidden to go to the capital and when she’s going outside of her room, she must bring both Merriam and Sir Rowellius with her. She must eat the food on her plate or she will be forced to lay down on her bed to rest due to her loss of weight. What’s more tiring is the sudden visit of the prince inside her room that she even pleaded to refrain him from appearing unexpectedly in her room very carefully to avoid raising his anger. Thankfully, the prince understood.

‘This is tiresome. I’m not this weak to be guarded twenty-four-seven!’ She muttered helplessly.

“Miss. Is something wrong? Are you hurt?” Merriam asked in a worried tone.

“What’s wrong? Seriously? Everything around me is wrong.” She said in annoyance of the unwanted attention to her.

“Miss.”

“Please get out. Now.”

“Y-Yes Miss.”

Merriam went out from her room. She sigh heavily and took a sit on the chair near the window.

“… I don’t want this. This is so suffocating!” She mumbled feeling irritated.

‘Damn that colorful chicken.’ She thought angrily towards Axxiale who’s still nowhere to found in her dreams. She stood up and went to a secret compartment where she’s hiding her teleportation ring.

‘I’m going out and no one can stop—’

She was startled by the sudden knock of the door.

“Milady, its me Finnian.”

She immediately hid the ring and sit on her bed.

“Come in.”

The butler came in and politely bow down to her.

“The crown prince and Lady Walmeir were here to see Milady. The guests were already in the audience room.”

‘Again!? And with Eliza!?’ She massaged her aching forehead.

“Miss?”

“Please tell them I’m not feeling well. And if His Majesty insist, tell him that there’s no need for healing magic and I just need a rest.”

Seeing her pale face, the butler immediately obeyed and told the crown prince and Eliza that Viviene cant meet them.

“Not feeling well? Then I must heal her this instant.”

The crown prince was about to walk out from the room when the butler speak again.

“Milady also mention, Your Majesty that there’s no need for healing magic. She’ll just need to rest.”

The prince glance at the butler with a dreadful look. Finnian, who can sense very well his killing intent to him trembled for his life.

“Your Majesty, lets just stop this for now.”

“Eliza.”

“Lady Cruel seems want to rest.”

He felt annoyed of Eliza stopping him but he tried his best to calm his nerves.

“Alright. Then take these gifts. Its for the lady.” The prince muttered as she showed boxes of dresses and accessories for Viviene.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After that, they left the Cruel Dukedom. Silence took place between them as they rode the carriage going back to the imperial palace. Eliza glance at Aleiandro who’s in deep thoughts looking at the view outside. She open her mouth to eradicate the peacefulness around them.

“Your Majesty.” She called. Aleiandro glance at her direction with an expressionless face.

“If His Majesty don’t mind, there’s a good tea I want for His Majesty to taste. Its good for soothing stress and relaxes the mind.”

“I want to but I have to meet the wizards in the Imperial Palace. Maybe next time, Eliza.”

“Oh. Alright.”

His first refusal gave an unknown feeling, like a c***k just appeared in her pure, crystal heart.

The next day, Viviene saw another boxes of dresses and accessories from the crown prince including the gifts from her father and her brother in the audience room. She’s with Sir Rowellius, Merriam, Sir Valor and Cedric, the aide of the crown prince.

‘How can I wear them all!?’ She thought and looked troubled staring at the boxes. She glance at Sir Valor and Cedric who were standing not far from her.

“T-This is so much kindness from His Majesty.” She mumbled.

“His Majesty expected your fast recovery, Lady Cruel.” Cedric said with the brightest face like the sun in the sky.

“I-I thank His Majesty for his concern but this is too much.”

“His Majesty also said that the lady must accept this as an imperial order.” Cedric’s grin suddenly turn into a mischievous one.

‘Who gives s**t orders like that!?’

Her expression change in one second and accept all the gifts from the crown prince for her dear life.

“I’ll tell His Majesty the lady’s reply.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

Cedric smiled at her curtesy then bowed with respect.

“Lady Cruel.” Sir Valor suddenly called her. She glance at him.

“Yes, Sir?”

“If you don’t mind, can I talk to you privately?”

She blink twice before asking Cedric and the others to step backwards away from them.

“I want to confess to you about something, Lady Cruel.” He muttered with intense seriousness. Her eyes are slightly widen and her heart beating faster than its regular beat.

‘I-Is he going to confess his love to me?’

“W-What is it, Sir Valor?” She asked nervously.

“I..”

‘Oh my gosh! Relax Viviene!’ She calmed herself as she stare him. ‘This is my first time getting a love confession from a handsome man!’ She cry in excitement.

“I, I’m a bad person, Lady Cruel. I failed as a knight and as one of the heroes of the empire. I’m very ashamed of myself, lady.”

She remain silent as she watch him with keen eyes. Her heart is still beating so fast.

“I, I’m..”

Getting annoyed of his delayed words she opened her mouth.

“Sir Valor, please speak directly.”

“I apologize, Lady. Actually, I, that time when the lady was drowning on the lake. You’re maid came to save you but I, I didn’t do it because the Crown Prince ordered me. I, I’m sorry.”

She was disappointed of what she heard and her heart immediately sank to the bottom of sadness.

‘…Its my fault. I expected so much from his words and forgot that I’m an evil woman in this world.’

Sir Valor glance at her face and saw the coldness in her face.

“Milady?”

“I see. I understand, a royal order is always absolute. Goodbye, Sir Valor.”

She turn her away but she was held by the knight. Sir Rowellius who was in the corner was about to take off Sir Valor’s hand but Viviene stop him.

“How can you forgive me, Milady?” He asked with so much regret.

“Let me ask you one thing, Sir Valor. Did you ask forgiveness and said those things because of sympathy? Because I’m dying?” Her words were so cold that the people in the room can feel chill. He didn’t answer and just lower his gaze.

“Hah. Why am I asking these nonsense questions. Sir Valor, I’m not an angel nor a saint to easily forgive and forget.”

Her face darkened and her eyes glowed pure hatred. With a wicked smile she speak again.

“Goodbye Sir.”

She turn her back and left the room while Merriam followed her and Sir Rowellius. Her vision is dim due to extreme anger.

“Merriam, don’t come in my room until dinner. I’m skipping lunch.” She muttered.

“But Milady the duke doesn’t—”

“I said I’ll skip lunch.”

She glared at her and that made her shut up.

“Milady, its bad for your health.” Sir Rowellius butted in.

“Hah. And now you’re telling me what’s bad for me? Just how low do you think of me?”

“I-Its not like that, Miss.”

“Shut up, knight. Don’t talk as if you knew everything about me.”

Her eyes were burning with anger and hatred while her face became obscured.

“I, I apologize, Milady.”

She turn her back and started to walk again. She cant think straight because of so much feelings in her chest. She hurriedly went to her room and close the door behind. She look at her ring think of a place far away. A place no one knew and will become her hiding spot to clear her head.

‘please take me there.’