Chapter 225 - Sheilalev's Turning Point

The king was someone who is an important figure to the entire empire. He is the one who is in charge of uniting his people, integrating laws, and being the example to the citizens. He should be the epitome of grace, as well as power. All the kings of Feuersturm bore an air that was fit of the title of their names. 'Fire storm' and 'Fire hawk'. The Feuerkriegers, who have sat in line since the first king Octavius had established the country, were great rulers that were recognized for their own contribution to Zuerst.

Although over the course of many generation, some of those in the Feuerkrieger line decided to establish their own name, which then had given birth to the branching royal families—the Feuerlon, Feuerfalke, and Feuersoldat. The Feuerlon are the ones governing the Dukedom; they are said to have the closest tie to the royal family. The governors of the capital, the Feuerfalke, are said to be the ones who are first to suggest the 'branching' system of the royal family. They are also the ones who govern the capital—and are said to hold a great influence over Feuersturm. On the other hand, the Feuersoldat, are considered to be the hidden soldiers of the imperial family who protect Feuersturm. Their castle is in a barren, harsh land found deep in the province, where harsh rains are frequent. They are said to be the embodiment of the name 'Alexander' in the king, who meant 'defender'.

Sheila had served the Feuerkriegers ever since she was young due to her bloodline bound to be their loyal servants. The history of Feuersturm had been repeated over and over again to her. She memorized all the years significant to the country, and the laws they need to uphold.

And above all…

She was bound to serve the first king, whose soul persevered over a thousand years.

The magic that sealed the first king's soul was an old, ancient one. The magic was passed into his incarnates, the ones who 'look' exactly as he was. They all suffer the same faith, given how their blood and soul is linked to their predecessor. However, years of research had suggested the means to an end.

A Heilen.

They said not only can she stabilize the ninth king's body, who was forcibly awakened Nightmare on his body, she can also put an end to the curse. The reason for this is the unique mana Heilen holds; their mana was a lot more ancient than Warlock magic, and thus is more advanced. The Heilen who can sustain the life of the ninth king can also break the curse, had they known how to.

But Faustina's magic was deemed to be 'sealed' and she was nothing but a crying mess.

If she wasn't like that, and had known how to break the curse…

Sheila would have had to kill her early on… as per the first king's orders.

None should interfere with the curse.

'I will stay as I am. I will not let that child break my thousand years' worth of rule'

…Sheila knew that she was bound to the first king the moment her father explained to her whose authority comes first, and where their loyalty belongs to. And from that point on, Sheila detached herself from the ninth king, and only served him on the surface. 

She lost her two eyes for power, just to be worthy to serve him.

And that was a golden ticket to earn his trust.

The ninth king let himself be a vessel to Sheila's eyes. He was always wary of her, and she fully knows that. And yet, even with that given, he still looked at her as an equal, not a servant. He acknowledged her capabilities and kept her close. However, the first king… the moment he had seen her, he had demanded her only absolute obedience, nothing else.

Like a master and a servant.

Sheila clenched her fist, walking to the streets of Magierstadt.

The ninth king.

He was hers for so many years—he needed her. She was the one sustaining his life; her magic was his lifeline, and he could only fall asleep peacefully in Sheila's embrace. She was the one who was with him from the time he ascended to the throne until where he is now. After she graduated at the academy, she served him right away the moment she acquired her title as the high priestess of the clairvoyants.

She prophesied a cure—a girl who will sustain his life.

"All you had to do is to absorb her mana, Your Majesty."

It was the original plan he agreed to, as well. And Sheila knew that after they get the Heilen that girl the oracle was pertaining to, then they would be able to resume the ninth king's investigation to end the curse.

She could help him find the forsaken to enact revenge, but she couldn't help him end the curse.

Her loyalty only stays to the first king.

That is the oath the Ortfalcon line promised to the first king of Feuersturm, in exchange of their title and power. The first king's decision is absolute.

So Sheila doesn't have to struggle.

'Kill the one who saw your servants in the Archive. Kill that knight.'

Why is Sheila hesitating when she specifically told herself not to be attached to anyone? It's not like she had a deep relationship with Abe…

No. Sheila couldn't deny it longer.

She didn't want to break the ninth king's trust.

Although Sheila could kill Abe any moment from now, she still couldn't help but delay her objective. The first king's patience was thinning every time he meets her, and Sheila knew that by the end of this night, she had to end Abe's life.

Sheila then tried to use her clairvoyant magic, trying to find where he is.

"A hidden place among the stars, huh." Sheila began to saunter to the streets—heading to the path that she had foreseen.

**

Sheila stares at the two of them.

"What is happening here?"

What a dumb question.

Sheila clenched her fist as she stares at the king. He was staring at Faustina with hooded eyes filled with emotions she had never seen before. 

She had seen him lean down to her. Even if she was blind, she had seen how their mana touch. How their warmth had gotten closer.

And her heart broke apart the moment he met his eyes, seeing his cheeks red in surprise.

Why?

Why is he making that expression?

What is happening?

The king then glanced back to Faustina, tentatively carrying her to his arms. He leaned her head beside his neck as he had her sit on his forearm, with his other hand supporting her back. Sheila bit her lips, trying to hold herself back.

"Care to explain, your majesty?" Sheila asked with a cold, monotonous voice. "Why did you suddenly disappear like that?"

And why are you with her?

"We shall escort Faustina to her dormitory."

"…Why?" Sheila gritted her teeth. "WHY IS THE KING OF FEUERSTURM DOING THAT TO A MERE HEILEN SLAVE?"

Sheila's fist were trembling. Only the king could see her through the glamour, and so Sheila couldn't hide anything from him.

"Sheilalev,"

"No, your majesty. I've noticed this before. All your plans—our plans—got ruined because of her. Why? You weren't like this before. She changed you; where is the king, who prioritized rationality over emotion? Where is the king that I had admired, and I have known for long?!"

Sheila stares at the king who was being illuminated by the moonlit night. His platinum-blond hair gleamed against the moonlight. His sapphire-blue eyes looked at Sheila not the same as he looked at Faustina.

"What is so special about that girl, your majesty?" Sheila murmured. "You know very well that she's only meant to be a pawn. Sure, she must have some connections to the forsaken and the prodigy, but that's just the ends to it, right? Why are you giving her more value than she actually has?"

The king didn't respond to Sheila. Instead, he only stares at Faustina, who he had put into a momentary sleep using his magic.

"You can't be distracted by this anymore. I shall forbid you, in the name of the high priestess, to meet this girl—unsolicited—ever again!"

"Sheila," the king stares at Sheila coldly, which then sent shivers down her spine.

The first king…? No…

"Who are you to tell me what to do?"

"I-I…" Sheila bit her lips as she lowered her gaze. "I… deeply apologize."

The king had warned her.

"Faustina," the king murmurs. "I'm going to get going now."

His gentle voice pained Sheila. How he held her so tentatively.

"Call Orwell Lotheringwood." The king asserted. "He shall accompany the lady."

"Yes, your majesty." Sheila obeyed silently, turning to leave.

But before Sheila could even take another step…

"Noah…" a chuckle. "You're warm."

Sheila's eyes widened as her heart painfully slammed against her chest.

"Shh," the king mumbles. "Rest."

Sheila unclenched her fist with eyes dead into the night.

She walked a dark path, with her glamour fading.

"This is a problem…" Sheila said monotonously as her staff reappears.

"I shouldn't have let her live." Sheila exclaimed as her staff gleam red, and the veins in neck protruding.

With eyes filled with sheer anger, she ambled away.

"Just wait, my king…" Sheila whispered. "I will guide you back to the right path..."

Sheila then thuds her staff to the ground, making the snakes around the forest slither their way towards her.

Sheilalev smirked.

"And that path," Sheila murmurs as she points her staff at the island of the sixth Ianua's dormitory.

"Is her doom."