Chapter 268 - Forsaken's Daughter

"His Majesty has returned!"

Sheila immediately stood from her seat. "Did they find him?" Sheila asked.

"No, it seems his majesty had returned on his own." Answered Captain Roth.

Sheila had always detected the king's presence. So, why didn't she now?

The doors opened as the seneschals welcomed the king of Feuersturm who had the royal guards trailing behind him. One could see this as a form of respect and protection, but upon closer inspection, it was the sign of hostility.

The guards were being vigilant.

Of whom?

Sheila was blind. She couldn't see what was happening around her, and thus she could not exactly know who the king was with, or whereas to why she couldn't detect his presence.

And then, it occurred to her.

"Your majesty," Sheila mouthed. "You formed a contract with her."

Sheila felt dumb. How could she only realize this now?

Something innate has changed inside of his majesty.

And it was his soul.

The king's subjects—the ministers of Feuersturm, mages, and the clairvoyants who were gathered for the counterattack were all surprised to hear such a thing.

And it wasn't only them who are in the throne hall—

Gathered in the hall were every representative of the branching royal families, marquis, viscounts, and barons.

"Contract?"

"What is the priestess saying?"

Duke Feuerlon stared at Sheila, eyeing her moves.

"I have," he answered.

Sheila clenched her fist. The similar strong aura was exuding from someone beside the king.

And she knew who it was.

"The holy land of Feuersturm do not accept individuals of infernal birth."

The people grew silent, listening to the priestess whose words were beginning to answer each of their deepest questions that they could not mouth.

"It is according to the laws set upon the signage of the armistice." Sheila held onto her staff. "Your Majesty. Faustina, the daughter of the Forsaken, cannot stay here!"

Chatters flooded upon the room—mostly from the uninformed nobles.

Duke Feuerlon narrowed his eyes at Faustina.

'Now, child… what will you do?'

Faustina saw how people looked at her. It was as if she was something evil—something that must be disposed of;

An outcast.

She knew her presence alone was triggering chaos. It was a call for her to leave the premises. And so, when she decided to step away…

"Imprison her." Sheila exclaimed, cold voice resonating across the room. "Until we have cleared that she is no threat to us, then she will be released."

"Priestess, you can't do this!" It was Elliot, a member of the knighthood, said. "Faustina—"

"—is a threat!"

"Sheilalev,"

Faustina turned to the king who tightened his grip around her.

"Do you know what you're saying?" He said. "You want to imprison someone who was sustaining my life?"

"Your majesty, with all due respect." She said.

"I am doing this for the safety of Feuersturm. The citizens."

Faustina bit her lips. She knew she had to go. "Y-your majesty, I'll go." She said.

"I am the king." He said, "Faustina will stay."

Sheila sighed.

"Then," she turned to Faustina.

"The clairvoyants will not take part of this meeting."

The king blinked. "What?"

"We, the clairvoyants, could see bits and pieces of the future." Sheila exclaimed as her eyes glared daggers at Faustina. "Know well that I am doing for the good of the country, your majesty."

Sheila then walked away, with a team of clairvoyants following her. Each of them looked serene; however, even with the calm faces, they weren't able to hide the dim look they had upon seeing Faustina.

Faustina lowered her head.

"I…" Faustina parted her lips, however—

"Take Faustina to her room." The king said to Elliot.

"Yes, your majesty."

--

Elliot and Faustina walked to the hallway of the castle with royal guards following them still.

"How have you been?" Elliot started.

"Huh?"

"It's been months since I last saw you." He smiled. "How was school…? Well, that's what I wanted to ask, but your learning has been cut short due to the events happening now, huh?"

Elliot was the same as ever. He still exuded the same warm disposition, and he made Faustina's heart ease, even for a little.

Ever since they entered the castle, everything had become so suffocating.

"Elliot," Faustina said, "there is going to be a meeting on how to counterattack the forsaken, right?"

Elliot then turned to the guards, who stood alert.

Faustina noticed this too.

It seems like she cannot even ask these types of questions.

"Master Elliot. I think you are headed for the wrong way," said one of the guards.

"What do you mean?" Elliot asked, stopping short as he faced the guard.

"The prisons are on the opposite way,"

Elliot scowled.

"Are you implying the lady must be thrown into prison?"

"The king did not explicitly deny the idea." The guards retorted.

Elliot felt his blood boil. "Faustina has sustained—"

"Faustina!"

Coming towards their way was a bespectacled man.

Someone who was not affiliated with Feuersturm—

And someone who can be trusted with Faustina.

"Orwell!"

**

"Thankfully, I made it in time." Orwell said.

"Or they would've imprisoned me?" Faustina retorted as she sat on the chair.

They were on the library, which was now occupied by Orwell for his research.

"No. If I was a minute late, Sir Elliot would've chopped one of the guards' hands off."

Faustina felt relieved seeing Orwell. "I'm glad you're safe."

"So am I." Orwell smiled at her.

"So…" Faustina started as she fidgeted a little. "Aren't you afraid of me?" She asked.

"Why would I be?" Orwell smiled as he patted her head.

"I'm… the forsaken's daughter." Faustina stated, "I'm that man's daughter… shouldn't I be hated for that?"

Faustina bit her lips as she looked down.

"No," Orwell smiled.

"Why would I hate my student?" He said. "And why would I hate someone who's weaker than I am?"

Orwell pinched her cheek, making her look at him in return.

"Since your learnings have stalled," He said, "I think it's time that I, Orwell Lotheringwood, teach you some magic."