Chapter 3

Could it be perhaps an assassin? No, no. There is no way an

assassin will be this careless and make sounds which is easier to track them.

So, it must be someone else. But who?

I step even closer to the lying figure keeping a safe

distance. Now that I am closer, I notice that this person is a man wearing neck

covered shirt and black pants with long boots. He seems more like a mercenary

rather than an assassin.

“Urgh! It hurted like hell…who used magic of such level in

this place-” he stops talking after noticing me.

“Who are you? And what are you doing here in this hour?” I

ask keeping a cold demeanor.

“Was it you who used that magic?” he asks rubbing his legs

as he stands up.

“Did you not hear me? WHO ARE YOU?” I use a

bit of the frosty magic to make the atmosphere colder and intimidating.

“So, it WAS you indeed. Alright, alright, no need to be so

tense, kid. I am Samon. You are Elanoura, right?” he says putting on a broad

smile on his face and raising his hands in the air like the surrendering

position.

“Why, no how do you know me?”

“I was sent here by master Valka.”

“Valka? You’re referring to ‘the holder of secrets’, right?”

My face lit up at the mention of Valka. She is as her title goes ‘the holder of

secrets’, the most famous guild master who knows or can find information about

anything. She basically has her men everywhere. She played an important role on

the original novel. Valka gave Adelite many important information in her fourth

life that saved her life several times. They eventually became really close

friends at one point. So, this time I befriended her first for my own benefit

using the original’s knowledge. Sorry, Adelite, but I needed her.

I already knew that Valka likes money. So, I used that to my

advantage by making mana stones with my own magic to strike a deal. People

those who don’t have magic powers or mana can use simple magic like lighting up

fire, making trees grow faster, freezing the water etc. by using mana stones

created by magicians. The more higher the power of the magician, the more

higher quality is the mana-stone. Since I have magic powers of a high level,

Valka was smitten by the mana-stones I made. So, we struck a deal to purchase

mana-stones instead of giving information and money. That’s how I became her

most precious ally and client, although not “friend” yet.

“Yes, she sent me here to let know her ‘answer.’”

“But she was supposed to give me an answer face to face.”

“Something came up which has now occupied master’s whole

schedule. So, I was sent here in her stead.”

“So, the answer?”

“The answer is ‘yes’. She agreed to the deal to give you

information about ‘the forest of nightmare’ in exchange of those mana-stones

you have.”

“Good” I smile, I actually predicted that she’d agree to the

deal.

‘The forest of nightmare’ is as it’s name goes a forest full

of dangerous magical beasts and cursed trees or places. No sane person goes

there without any high level magician excorts. That place is risky and

dangerous for low-level magicians let alone normal people. So, it is a

restricted place and any information about this was announced confidential by

the imperial family since it is like a great salvation for the black magicians

because they can perform plenty of forbidden magic there without getting

caught. Thus, leaking important information about the forest is a taboo. I need

information and location of the forest or how to get there.

“I knew that master’s top client was quite young. But, what

a miracle! You’re literally a little kid!”

Hearing his tone of saying that irritates me.

“I didn’t know that age mattered at Valka’s guild  other than goods.”

“Of course, age doesn’t matter when you are in ‘Night

Eye’(Their guild’s name). But you are way too young. Are you even 12?”

Although he is right about the fact that I am not 12 yet

but, being underestimated because of age is irritating enough since I am

practically an adult inside.

“Are you….underestimating me now?”

“What? No way. How can I underestimate someone whom my

master holds on high value? It’s just that you are too cute, kid.” he says with

a broad smile patting my head. I slap his hand away and glare at him.

“Did I give you permission to touch me?”

“Oh! Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself since you looked so

adorable, little one, no I should say, my lady.”

“Don’t sweat it. Call me Elanoura. I don’t want to be

addressed like that outside the mansion.”

“Alright then. So, were you practicing magic?” he looks

curious inspecting the traces of magic.

“Yes. If your business is done then why don’t you leave, Mr.

Samon?”

“Aww, come on. You don’t have to kick me out like that. We

are going to meet more often from now on. So, can you call me big bro?” he says

putting on a hurtful expression on his face.

“I would rather not. And, I promise to avoid you at all

cost. So, leave. You are hampering my time to practice.”

“Oh! How tragic. How much it hurts to be kicked out by an

adorable younger sister! I am such a pitiful brother.” he says wiping off fake

tears dramatically before finally leaving.

I sigh and mumble "What could have happened to Valka to go back on her

words and send someone else? I can't remember if any big incident happened

around this time when Adelite was 8."

I start practicing again and stop

only when I can see the dawn light from the east. That was a tiring day and I

guess tomorrow will also be tiring.

I quickly erase the traces of

magic from my training and run to my room as fast as I can. Then I change into

my night gown and lay on the bed as if I am deep in sleep. After some time, I

hear the sound of maids and servants talking and starting their work. I have to

do this every morning because it will cause a lot of commotion if the they were

to find out that I practice magic everyday without their permission. Actually,

even if marquess Triluver behaves the worst with me and hates me, he is still

afraid of my power. He is afraid that I will betray him. So, according to the

original novel, he starts brainwashing me from next year. I have leave this

house before that happens. Which means I have exactly 9 months to plan my

escape and finally leave.

Emma enters the room and stands

before my bed to wake me up.

"Young lady, wake up. It's

already morning."

I fake my sleep and attempt to

wake up slowly yawning. I have gotten really good at acting that I might as

well become an actress at this rate.

"Yes....( yawn ) what time

is it?"

"It's 6:30 in the

morning."

"Then you could have let me

sleep for at least 30 more minutes." I say pouting. I do not know when I

started acting like this. Oh, God, it is embarrassing.

"No can do, young lady.

Today duchess Gravius and her daughter Adelite Gravius are supposed to visit

here."

At the mention of the name

'Adelite', my ears perk up. No, no, there's no way that this Adelite is the fl

Adelite. Then again there are only one duke's daughter with the name Adelite.

And she is the original's female lead.

"Does-does she have silver

hair and pink eyes?"

"Oh my, how did you know

that, young lady?"

Oh, I am doomed. The Gravius

family has good relationship with the Triluver family. Marquess Triluver and

duchess Gravius are actually childhood friends. But Adelite is on bad terms

with her biological family. They always abused her and insulted her with words.

So, Adelite didn't like them. I should say that she couldn't help but HATE

them. They were like the third villains of the novel. And obviously, whoever

was close with her parents, didn't have a good impression by Adelite. So, the

Triluver family has been on bad terms with Adelite since a young age. So, how

am I to gain Adelite's trust if they have been enemies since childhood?! She

will doubt my every intention. Oh, dear lord, am I really doomed to die? I

wanted to meet her after I leave this family.

But there is still a chance.

Because your enemy's enemy is your ally. So, if I can just prove to her that

the Triluvers are also my enemy and I am not their biological daughter then

maybe I can gain her trust. Yes, let's do that!

"Emma, dress me up like an

angel. I am about to enter a battle."

"Oh my, oh my! Young lady

have such enthusiasm to befriend the Graviuses. Don't worry, lady. Leave

everything to me. I will turn you into the most beautiful angel!"

After that I wash my face and eat

breakfast as fast as  can. Then we start our preparation to turn me into

an angel. After two or three hour I am finally done.

"You are ready, young

lady."

Hearing Emma's statement, I turn

to look at the mirror.

"Woah! So beautiful. Is that

really me?"

"You are always beautiful,

m'lady. I just gave some touch up."

It always surprises me by how

beautiful Elanoura was. She really has got the look- of an angel despite having

black hair and violet eyes. With her looks she would have made a cool and

badass villainess. Her beauty is really mesmerizing. Despite wearing a black

dress, I or her feature looks like a dark angel.

"Thank you, Emma. You really

are good with your hands."

Hearing the compliment Emma glows

in happiness and smile broadly.

Now all that's left is to befriend

young Adelite. I have a determined look on my face. Suddenly, the sound of a

carriage stopping breaks my daze. I run through the hall and climb down the

stairs. "Hah! They didn't even bother calling me!" I mumble.

When I arrive at the main door, I

see that all the family members are waiting there for the duchess to come. Even

though they are wearing luxurious clothes, it still can't hide their inner

ugliness. Noticing my arrival, the marquess shouts, "What are YOU doing

here?! Go to your room now!" But it's too late because the duchess already

makes her entrance. She climbs down the carriage with the help of an escort.

Seeing her the whole family's demeanor changes. They put on an oily smile. I

smirk smugly at their patheticness. But the main thing is left. Adelite still

hasn't come out of the carriage.

Then the carriage creaks and she

finally steps on the carriage stairs without any help of an escort. The others

pay no attention at her and keeps themselves busy with the duchess Gravius.

I swallow my saliva as she

finally comes down. I still can't see her face because she is lowering her

head. Slowly she lifts her head. Upon seeing her face, I become speechless.

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