บท 8: At What Cost?
"Your highness!" The sound of Ellsie's sweet voice filled the room, Lucian turned to see the radiant heiress standing in his doorway.
"Lady Ellsie, come in." In front of people, whether it was servants, family or other nobles, the pair were always politely formal. "You may leave now Joseph." He indicated that everyone leave them alone. The old butler closed the door as Ellsie walked into the prince's study. "Please come and take a seat." Lucian referred to the navy blue lounge setting where there was a set of tea already waiting. Ellsie took the seat opposite the prince and picked up the rosemary tea in front of her.
"So what would you like to know?" Ellsie nonchalantly sipped her tea.
"Let's start with why you turned down Viscount Henry's proposal, only to then propose to me?" Lucian already had a fair idea about who was after her life, but what did Mara have to do with Marquess' son?
"So you too already know about the Duchess?" Her eyes filled with sorrow. How was it possible that she was the only one who never knew of the Duchess' ulterior motives?
"Yes, now are you going to answer my question?" He was indeed impatient.
"Well since you already know about the Duchess, Marquess Matthew and Viscount Henry are both conspiring with Mara." Ellsie spoke with such confidence it was hard not to believe her. "I don't know exactly what she's promised him, perhaps Clarissa's hand once she's head of the family."
"But what about Eric, isn't he next in line as head of the family after you?"
"She'll send him to the knighthood before getting rid of me, he can't become head of the family if he's part of the knighthood and it's a perfectly honourable thing for the second child of a noble family to do." She explained sipping her tea. She had clearly thought this through thoroughly, it almost was like she knew the future.
"Ellsie do you really expect me to believe you?" As much as he wanted to Lucian knew fairly well what it would mean if he assisted her.
"You said it yourself the Duchess is up to something, why is this so hard for you to believe?" Ellsie bit her lip, she knew convincing him would be difficult, he was loyal to the Empire and his family, if something did not benefit them he would stay out of it.
"Okay let's say I believe you and agree to marry you, what do I get from this, what proof do I have that you actually know who the royal mole is?" The dark haired prince knew he had to be rational, but he couldn't seem to get his brother's words out of his head, 'because you love her'. Was that true?
~~~
Knock! Knock! Knock! Before the heiress could reply the office door opened. Furious Lucian stood up, in curiosity, Ellsie also stood up to see who would be rude enough to just barge into the prince's office.
"Forgive my intrusion." The pair stopped in shock. In front of them stood a young girl about 11, with long bright blue hair, that indicated she hailed from a mage background, and matching were a pair of the famous Creston family ocean-blue eyes, she worn a elegant yet childlike dress, despite her young age, the child seemed to have such a strong aura of sophistication and wisdom about her.
"Princess Alissa." Ellsie instantly curtsied at the young princess.
"Sister, what are you doing here?" Lucian was in shock, never had he suspected his brother would stoop so low as to send their beloved little sister to determine Ellsie's true intentions.
"I believe I can be of some use to Lady Rosewood," Alissa's childish smile hid her mature intentions. Lucian could not believe his sister's words. "And no, eldest brother did not send me, I'm simply aware of what our Lady Ellsie has been through." Ellsie's eyes widened, did the princess know of her rebirth?
As a child of both a mage and mortal, Alissa's abilities were still quite mysterious. Will of course it had happened before however, these people were generally quite mysterious in themselves and were still rare to come across. Alissa flicked her wrist and a golden rope appeared in her hands.
"Now both of you sit side by side on the couch," Alissa smiled walking towards her brother and the heiress. "This may be a bit awkward, but I need you to hold hands."
What! Lucian's heart raced uncontrollably, taking a deep breath he extended his hand out to the beauty beside him and looked the out the window. As Ellsie placed her small hand into the prince's her heart rate increased. Alissa watched as both her brother and Ellsie's faces flushed with a pink blush, the young mage giggled to herself.
"Now I'm going to tie your hands together than I need you to close your eyes and I will put you both to sleep." Alissa bent down and tied the golden rope tightly around their wrists. The rope was heavy and sent tingling sparks up their arms. "Once you're asleep you will visit Ellsie's past future. You must remember you are only spectators, you cannot be seen by anyone else, you can't talk and most importantly you can't let go of each other's hand. Lucian you will be in Ellsie's memories if you let go you'll be lost in there forever. Ellsie this particular spell I can only perform with you both because Lucian is my brother, it's a kind of blood magic meaning if you let go I won't be able to wake you up." In spite of her age the princess held the wisdom of 100-year-old mortal. The pair shared a look and then nodded at the princess.
"Wait, what do you mean 'Ellsie's past future'?" Lucian didn't seem to understand just what his sister was talking about.
"You will see. I don't have time to explain now!" Alissa sounded impatiently nervous, "Hurry close your eyes now!" She demanded, they followed her instructions, as they closed their eyes they heard heavy footsteps hurriedly heading into the room, "Sleep!" The princess yelled and the two instantly fell. Lucian fell to the left, leaning against the back and arm of the couch, Ellsie fell onto Lucian, her head laid against his chest.
"Alissa, what have you done?" Alissa spun around to see a tall woman, with long straight blue hair, her fiery red eyes stared at her daughter in shock and horror. The empress looked at her stepson, and beautiful woman beside him, lay lifelessly on the couch.
"He needed to know Mother," Alissa said with a perturbance in her voice.
"At what cost? Their lives?" The empress looked at the children in fear, but she could do nothing about it, Alissa was the only one who could bring them back now.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง