Reincarnated As The Fated Villain - Chapter 42 CHAPTER 12

I presented myself courteously and they did the same.

“Ahh. You’re such a lovely young lady!” One of them says. “Such a shame your powers haven’t awaken yet”

With this again?

“Aerra doesn’t need them! She’s amazing as it is!” Kain interrupts. “She can climb tall trees with just one jump!”

That’s not even lady like!

I wish he didn’t open that up.

“Oh my! Where did you learn that?” One of them asks

“Is it from the boy the Duchess had taken in?” the other one added.

“Ah yes, isn’t he a former assassin?” The third one asks.

They all looked at me with wondering eyes.

“Umm. No, I learned it from someone else”

The three ladies exchanged glances.

One of then carefully talked in a rather slow manner as if trying to be tactful, “Is that during… when you were kidnapped?”

I guess there’s no better way in asking such.

I nodded. “Yes, my Lady”

They made all made an ‘Ohhh’ sound, placing a hand over their lips. It appears it somehow hyped their mood.

“Must be a terrifying experience, poor thing! Yes, it must have scarred you!”

“Maybe that’s why your powers haven’t awaken yet! Yes, it must be some sort of trauma.”

“Aw. Dreadful indeed.” says she as the two nodded in agreement

“I wouldn’t know what to do without my powers! You must be frustrated about this, right?”

“But your twin is quite powerful, yes? It must be devastating for you not to have powers at all. It’s quite embarrassing in fact.” she clicked her touch. “Well my powers awakened by the age of nine!”

“Oh mine too! It’s more common by the age of ten, right?” Another one replied. I don’t think they’re letting me talk anymore. “But… she’s twelve now. Such an awful trauma it must be”

“Yes, the girl was held captive by some barbarians after all! Tsk. I wouldn’t know how to live-on with my life after such!” She then moves closer and whispered, “Tell me, were you…” she pauses and uttered a soft fake cough, “You know… raped?” She stood back up and looked at me with feign pity. They all did but they await for my response now.

Ah. So finally they want me to talk?

I just gawked at them, either amazed or just shook how admirably insolent they can be. I would’ve clapped. I wonder if they genuinely believe saying such things out loud are really helpful because if they do then they must really be fools.

“Disgusting.” I hear a low mutter from behind me, cutting off my train of thoughts. I turned my head over my shoulder and saw Kain’s eyes turn dark as he glared at them with a blank stare. He stood just behind me so he heard every chatter they said and even the whisper. “You should watch your tongues, you old hags. It would be a shame if it suddenly falls off from those pretty little mouths just from talking too much. Better yet your entire head…” He raises one hand and begun to crack his knuckles with a thumb as if bracing himself, and to my surprise I saw his nails growing sharp and long like claws.

“Kain!” I called out. He lifts his eyes at me and saw the same gentle innocent looks in them, as though the growing malice from them just now never happened. He abruptly hides his hand from his behind. “Yes, Aerra?” his sweet voice returned.

I turned to check at the three ladies but they didn’t seem to have fazed at all. I sighed in relief they didn’t saw what Kain was doing from behind me.

“Ah. The second prince! We almost forgot you were back there! Forgive us if we sounded rude, your Highness! We mean no harm. Truly!” One of them says in a wry smile. “So why are you here? I mean, why not the high King himself or the real crowned scion?”

I feel like their going to verbally attack Kain next so I bowed my head before them, “Excuse us. It has been a nice chat. Have a great night.”

I grabbed Kain’s hand and strode out to the terrace

I grabbed Kain’s hand and strode out to the terrace. I dragged him towards the baluster railings and made him sit down. “Kain, I appreciate what you did back there but you mustn’t hastily throw thoughtless words! You represent the High throne right now.”

He frowns at me. “Why are you mad?”

“I’m not mad. I just want you to understand…” I replied. Even if we’re almost the same height, Kain is still just a young boy. I don’t want anyone verbally attacking him… or him literally attacking anyone. “Look— I would have done the same for you… and that will certainly get us in trouble! Imagine if I go on arguing with anybody who tries to talk trash against me or my family in a roundabout kind of way? That means I would be arguing with majority of guests here! Do you understand what I mean? I will certainly be angry with them if they start talking bad against you. But this doesn’t mean it’s an open chance to physically hurt anyone!”

I watch Kain’s eyes lit up. He smiles so profoundly even his cheeks are flushing. “Aerra is so kind” he stated. “You’re scolding me because you’re just worried about me”

“I’m asking if you understand?” I rubbed my temples seeing his eyes glitter at me.

“I do!” he nods, still smiling.

“Some of these noble men here seem to take pleasure stepping down on people, especially if they know you’re a young vulnerable kid who hail from a much higher noble family than them. Maybe it boosts their ego. And there’s nothing we can do about that so we just need to put on our best face. It’s pointless to snap and argue, stooping to their level”

Kain nods vehemently. “We can also play with them, Aerra. If they’re like that, then they are a lost cause. Someone told me, we may need to put them in place by reminding them who is on top.”

Both brows raises in surprise, I ask him, “And who told you that?”

“It doesn’t matter. So… what do you think we should do to them? ♪ There are a lot of games to choose from!” he kept his sweet smile but his eyes have a wild look in them. A brewing madness waiting to be unleashed.

Kind of disturbing…

This boy….

“Nothing! We’ll do nothing to them!” I sat beside him and grabbed his shoulders, “Why are you like this, Kain?”

“Why am I what? What do you mean?”

“Why do you talk like you’re planning to…” I stopped and reconsidered my next words. “…to repeat what happened to Kyupo.” The doll he beheaded few years ago.

“I don’t understand what you’re asking, Aerra.” He replied, making it sound like ‘there’s nothing wrong with that!’

“Yes, there is” I murmured to myself, sitting properly now with both my hands over my lap. I wonder what happened to Kain that is making him think this way?

“I’ll send you lots of dolls if you want?”

“No, Kain. I don’t mean it like that”

“Then what do you want, Aerra?” he peeks at my face and blinked his natural imploring eyes. I reach a hand to pat his head.

I wonder if I can make him change for the better? Perhaps if he can spend more time with us, with Aeron and Eriol, and even with Levi— Kain can have a change of heart? He wouldn’t end up growing as a twisted cruel boy who likes beheading people.

“Kain, how about you visit us here as often as you can? We can play together with Aeron and Stray?”

He calls Eriol using his former name so I still use that to refer to him when talking with Kain.

Kain lits up, “I would love that!” He replied, suddenly hugging me. “I’ll come visit every week then!!!”

I gently rubbed his back as he snuggled his head on my shoulder, embracing me a little more tighter but just enough that I can still breath and move. Apparently, he is really overjoyed with the idea. “Thanks, Aerra!” his words were muffled but I can hear them.

I can after all imagine how gloomy Grantzæl castle is. Kain must be really lonely in there.

Back then, when Greenrun has just been given as a feif to my parents, reigning over it became handful. So much paperworks to be done and problems to be solved. It made our parents so busy. That’s why as we grew up, Aeron and I were almost always alone, it has only been just the two of us every single day since. Even servants are too busy to play with us. Maybe that’s also the reason why Aeron became somehow wary with other people, aloof, and developed his over protectiveness for me.

But he was able to change that. And now he can greet and talk to people like a proper Lord. He even became dependable too, with friends surrounding him.

And I want Kain to become a better person too. I may have no idea what happened to him but I want to learn more about him as much as he should learn to socialize. I wish he becomes a great kind prince someday.

I gently wrapped my arms around him and pat his head. Patiently waiting for him to let go at his own pace.

And when he did, he lied down and placed his head down on my lap. He beams so sweetly at me as I pat his head; if he could, he might even purr.

He swept his eyes to my side, gazing up behind me and points up above. “The night sky looks beautiful tonight, look look!!!” I looked up and saw the two moons above us, one is gleaming in a soft golden hue and the other one is white. The stars scattered around them with deep purple lights flowing throughout the night sky. They are beautiful, I thought. “You can’t really see the stars too much back in Grantzæl. You can only see the moons. I wonder why?” he says.

“Maybe because of the City lights? Grantzæl does look majestic at night.” I replied, I took glimpse at him and saw him staring at me instead. I gaze back at the night sky, nonchalantly.

A minute passed before he spoke again, “You know what… You’re the only family I have who carried and hugged me, Aerra. I was so happy back then when you took me up even if that useless maid begged you not to.” He suddenly digresses, I noted.

I looked down at him and he just blinked his slanted downturned eyes, gazing up at me.

The only one?

“How about aunt Lenna?” I asked

He shook his head, “Not even the high queen. She’s not allowed to. I don’t know why though. But it doesn’t matter. I have you now.” he fumbled his fingers together. “I’m so happy right now.” He chuckled and smiled some more.

But why?

I still don’t understand other traditions and rules inside Grantzæl…

No wonder that nursemaid few years ago looked so shock when I carried Kain up in my arms. It’s making sense now.

“I will come visit here as much as possible! And then I can stay by your side! I want to have you by my side, always and always!” He says this with so many gestures with his hands. Like a child telling a colorful story that only his eyes can see the picture. “Wait for me to grow up, okay? I won’t stay like this forever so wait for me. I’ll build you a castle where we can live and we can watch the night sky there together and eat cakes, we can have afternoon tea together and climb trees! Just you and me!”

I just smiled at him. “That’s a nice thought, Kain. I’m always your cousin so no need to keep me too close or build me a castle. I’ll be here when you need me or Aeron.”

“But I always need you.” he frowns. “Just you.”

Oh boy. What to say?

“Kain…” I paused, he springs up and sat upright, crossing his feet together then faces me. “How about you just visit here weekly for now?”

His eyes drops down.

“Kain?”

He suddenly grabs my wrist tight. “There are other ways to keep you by my side. Plenty of ways.” He murmurs, his grip going tighter and tighter. I’m more at awe with where his strength is coming from. “Kain…” I winced. He gasped seeing me do so and instantly lets go, “But okay, just for now while I still haven’t grown up yet. I will visit here as often as I can that way you won’t forget about me.” He takes my hand and inspects my wrist, “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

I shook my head. “It’s alright. I’m glad you agreed. How about we head back inside? I still need to finish greeting the guests” I replied, mildly caressing the sore area. His eyes turned panic-stricken seeing me do this; looking direly alarmed and disheartened as he stares at my wrist. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m so sorry, Aerra! I’m sorry!!!”

“Kain, it’s alright! It’s not even painful anymore! See?” I pump a fist and waved my hand around. I grinned at him. “I’m alright. I swear!”

“I’m sorry…” his voice trials off

“Do you want to join me and greet to guests together instead?” I sat on my heels and tried to catch his eyes.

He shook his head, “I’ll stay here for a while” he says, bowing his head down.

“Alright then. Are you sure you’ll be fine by yourself out here?”

“Uhn—!” he just nods once, without looking at me.

I stood up and walked back inside. I glanced at him and he just sat there. I guess I better leave him be for now. I told myself I’ll check up on him later. There’s few more groups of people I need to greet.

I looked around the banquet hall and searched for the guy with silver hair and vermillion eyes. I began to walk around while trying to see which guests I haven’t greeted yet.

“Lady Aerra!!!” A familiar voice hollered. I hear footsteps running towards me. I turned about and saw Princess Ifrit and Prince Maru. “I never thought we will see each other again too soon! Turns out my father was invited so Maru and I had to come!”

“It’s good to see you again, your Highness.” I replied. Princess Ifrit is a really cute girl, I thought. I especially like her natural dark rimmed eyes.

“Wow, so you really are a girl huh? You really looked like a guy just this morning!” she says in a grin. “I bet if we can dress Aeron up, he’d look great in a gown. Hahaha!”

“Aeron cross dressing? Hmmm.” I tapped at my chin and tried to imagine. I chuckled, that would seem funny. I bet he’ll put up a lot of fight before we can get him to wear a dress. “Eriol will surely tease him!”

“I’m trying to look for Aeron. I somehow err… lost him. Have you seen him?” she asks. Maru just held his sister’s hand watching us.

I scanned my eyes around. “I’m sorry. I don’t know where he is.”

“Oh. I see… I wanted to dance with him but he’s not asking” she sighs in dismay.

“You might want to try to ask directly instead, Aeron might not actually understand signals and hints.” I told her, beaming at her with an apologetic smile.

She instantly flushes red. “You think he would have me for a dance?” she runs her finger behind her ears as if tucking a stray stand of hair. “Isn’t it kind of embarrassing to ask him so candidly?”

In a corner of my eyes, I saw my brother. “Ah. There he is—!” I pointed at him. Aeron dancing on the dance floor with a guest. I can see Mama near by. She must have urged him to dance with a Lady. “Let’s go, Princess Ifrit. I’ll ask him myself for you.”

“R-really!? Thanks, Aerra! Oh and—! just call me Ifrit. Calling me princess feels too distant.”

“Okay, Ifrit” I nodded and off we walked towards where Mama stood.

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

After a few minutes of dancing, Aeron walked back towards the corner where Mama and I stood. I looked at Ifrit and she was looking down the ground, seeming so nervous. “Ifrit?” I called her, she lifted her eyes at me and I reached a hand to her. She took it and we met Aeron halfway.

“Can I ask you a favor, brother?” I said as Aeron bowed mildly at the lady he just danced with and we watch her walk away. “Sure. What is it?”

“Can you dance with Ifrit? She’s nervous to dance with anyone.” I tagged at her hand and made her stand beside me.

“Of course.” Aeron nods and walks in front of her, “Shall we dance, Princess?” he bows down and offers a hand.

Ifrit looked at me. I smiled at her and nodded, “Go!” I mouthed as she bashfully nodded back and took Aeron’s hand. When they walked off, I noticed Maru had followed us and he was about to follow them now to the dance floor. He was behind us all along.

I blocked him. “Do you want to dance, Maru?” I bent down a bit to meet his eye level. He grins and nodded.

I took Maru towards the dance floor and danced with him. I remembered Maru is mute so making small talks would be awkward. I can’t honestly remember his age though. I think it’s nine or so. He just keeps looking around, so I let my eyes wonder about too. Maybe I can introduce Maru to Kain. They’re almost the same age.

I felt a tap from behind me.

I turned and saw a tall young unfamiliar guy. “May I have this dance, my Lady?” he asks, politely with a bow. Maru just nodded at me and ran towards his father.

I faced the guy and we began to dance around. “I’m Rohan. We haven’t met before.” he stated. “I’m the cousin of Princess Isera of the West. Also the Prime Minister of our country.”

I tried to recall if I have met Princess Isera. From all the people I have greeted tonight, I can’t seem to remember all of their names.

“Come, I’m sure she wants to meet you.” he stops and takes my hand as he led the way. Mama greeted me back as Sir Rohan introduced himself to her. Mama stood beside me and we walked towards a corner where a small group of guests gathered. Sir Rohan led us through and the crowd was cleared, revealing a young girl standing in the middle with a lovely gentle looking face. Her hair flows straight in a shade of cobalt and her eyes are arctic blue, almost gray. She stood there with fine posture wearing an elegant white dress, not too extravagant but not too simple either underneath her flawless ivory-white skin. She’s the epitome of grace and beauty.

Mama made the first introductions as Sir Rohan went to follow, “I present to you, Princess Isera. Second daughter of House Ellafale of the Western Holy City, Diër Selecí. She’s the current warden and our dearly beloved Arch Priestess.” Sir Rohan introduces, Princess Isera subtly smiled when our eyes met.

The Western Holy City(?)

Oohhh. Right!

I remembered the Western City is a powerful theocracy, governed by an Arch Priestess. Unlike the Eastern Empire of Osteell that is known for their military advancements.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Aerra and your Grace. My parents spoke highly of you.” she says, sweeping her eyes at me first and then to Mama. Unexpectedly, she has such heavy yet airy voice.

“I’m sorry to hear about your parents,” Mama says as Princess Isera just shook her head. “It’s alright, your Grace. The goddess is with them now, but they live forevermore in the hearts of my people as much as mine.

I apologize if my eldest sister couldn’t come. She’s currently not well, so I hope you don’t mind that I came on her behalf.” Princess Isera uttered, bowing her head down.

“Of course I don’t. I’m glad you could come, your Highness.” Mama replied.

She looks so young. I wonder how old she is?

“The princess has the power of Prediction. If you want, she can read your future!” Sir Rohan interrupted. “Rohan!” Princess Isera nudged an elbow direct to Sir Rohan’s stomach that made him crouch in pain. They exchanged meaningful glances. “S-sorry” he whispered at her but my heightened sense of hearing enabled me to hear him.

“That’s a wonderful power. Perfect for the Holy Ciy!” Mama says in a clap. “Aerra, why don’t you have yours read?”

My eyes grew wide.

Prediction?!

No way—! She’ll find out what I will be destined for.

“No, Mama. It would be rude to ask.”

“Not at all” Princess Isera says in a sigh, sounding as if it was the only polite thing to say. “It can’t be helped…” she gave a quick cold eyes at Sir Rohan before facing me. “Give me your hand.”

I looked at her eyes as she looked back at me impassively. I swallowed the knot on my throat and raised my hand with hesitation.

I’m doomed.

I gave her my hand and she took it, closing it in between both her hands. Such soft warm hands.

She closed her eyes and I watch her as her body glows, enveloped in a warm white light.

I waited in bated breath for her to spring her eyes open and perhaps throw a horrified glare at me, spewing words of profanity or tell everyone who I really am.

But as the warm white light dies down, she slowly opened her eyes; her brows furrows and tears began to roll down her cheeks. She parted her lips open and her breath trembled and snagged as she tried to talk.

She gently releases my hand and looked directly at my eyes. Against the flooding noises around us, her lips began to move. “You can’t change the tide you’re riddled with. If there is hope, it’s one that I cannot foresee.” She whispered low but I heard it clear. “I’m sorry”

“What did you see?” I asked her but she shook her head. Her tear drowned eyes averted from me and she faces Sir Rohan, “It’s getting late. We should go home now.” I noticed her discreetly wiping her eyes dry.

“I apologize if we can’t stay any longer, your Grace. We still need to travel all the way back to the West tonight, y’see.” Sir Rohan stated in a bow. “But it was a lovely evening. It had been fun!”

Mama looked confused for a bit but exchanged her farewells with them.

“It would be nice if you can come visit us when you have spare time, your family is always welcome to our palace.” Princess Isera added. “May the grace and blessings of the goddesses shine upon you.” She bows down in a very peculiar way with fluid hand movements.

“Go ahead and get changed. I’ll just see them out” Mama tells me.

“But I haven’t finish greeting all the guests” I replied. She just pats her head, “It’s fine. I’ll handle the rest. You should dance more. Go enjoy your party, my darling. I’m sure you’re tired interacting with so many people in one day. Anyway, I’ll be back.”

I watch Mama and Princess Isera walk away with Sir Rohan following them from behind. I can see Princess Isera glancing at me over her shoulder with weary eyes. I wonder what she saw.