"AHHH!"
Elaniel woke up with a blood-curdling scream, her eyes flooded with tears, and her breathing heavy and erratic. She clutched her body as she could still feel the intense pain from the horrifying ordeal in her dream.
"Your majesty! Are you alright?" Her servants, concerned and attentive, rushed to her side.
"Your majesty, please calm down!" They tried to soothe her.
Elaniel looked around, her gaze darting in confusion, and then she realized that she was back in her own room. The nightmare still fresh in her mind, she shuddered, trying to comprehend the terrifying images that had haunted her sleep.
"What happened? Why am I back here? I'm pretty sure I—"
The moment she recalled what happened, a wave of nausea overwhelmed her, and she began vomiting violently.
"Your majesty!"
"Hey, call the healers immediately!"
"Inform Princess Elowyn"
Her servants, in a state of panic, rushed to her aid. This was the first time they had seen their queen in such distress, and it left them deeply concerned.
.....
"Mother, are you okay?"
"Y-yes," she stammered, trying to reassure me with a smile.
However, the slight tremble in her hands as she sipped her water betrayed her true condition. I couldn't help but sigh, looking at her now.
Her appearance had deteriorated significantly, and I knew that her nightmares and illness had been taking a toll on her day by day, but I hadn't realized it had reached this level.
I raised my hands and signaled the servants to leave. As the door closed I looked at my mother again although she seemed fine now based on what the servants told me it was the first they had seen the queen acting like that.
And for some reason I can feel that something is wrong with her especially her mana which was concerning even though she didn't have to use it why does it keep fluctuating in and out of her body?
I held my mother's hand, and although she was surprised at first, she allowed me to do so. My mana spread around her body, and my right eye began to glow with a vivid green light.
As I examined her, I noticed not only the fluctuations in her mana but also the cracks in her mana veins.
'What's going on?' This level of damage to one's mana veins would typically be fatal.
it's like her very mana core was cracked or something, and yet my mother seemed fine, aside from the dark circles under her eyes. Her overall appearance was that of someone who was slightly unwell.
There are only a few reasons why a mana vein can break. One is if it's severed by a sword master's aura, which can cut directly through mana. The other reason is if a summoner's spirit dies.
I looked at her again, and a shiver ran down my spine. I was slightly taken aback by the creepy, ear-to-ear smile that had suddenly spread across her face. It sent goosebumps across my body, and I couldn't help but stand up in shock.
"Elowyn, what's wrong?" she asked, her face returning to its normal expression.
"N-nothing," I stammered.
"I see," she said, looking down at her hand, which I had accidentally brushed away. I couldn't help but wonder if what I had just witnessed was just my imagination.
The door opened, and a servant entered.
"Excuse me, Your Highness, but it seems the elders are pressuring the border guards to allow them entry into the city once again."
Those old farts are at it again? When will they learn? I sighed and looked at my mother. She just smiled at me gently, and waved her hand to tell me to go, but for some reason, it made me nervous.
'What exactly was going on with her?'
...
Strange and loud laughter echoed inside Elaniel's head the moment Elowyn touched her hand.
"W-wait, no, please—"
Fael cut her off abruptly. "Anyway, sleep for now, your majesty" She exerted her dominance over Elaniel once more, leaving the queen helpless and forced into a slumber against her will.
"Now should I take what I came here for?"
.....
"Your majesty" the guards said in unison as they bowed their heads.
"Is Iselia inside?" Elaniel inquired, now standing in front of Iselia's room.
"Yes, your majesty," confirmed the guard as he opened the door.
Elaniel walked into the room and immediately took in Iselia's scent.
"Ahh, she's so fresh, this beautiful aroma really is the best," Fael thought, savoring the scent. She looked around the room and finally saw Iselia's bed. Despite the late hour, Iselia was still fast asleep, lost in dreams.
Elowyn walked over to Iselia's bed and took a seat beside her, her eyes filled with maternal affection. Carefully, she stroked Iselia's hair and cheeks as she watched her daughter sleep.
"Mother...?" Iselia woke up, her eyes blinking in the soft light filtering into the room. She rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep.
"Oh, did I wake you up?" Elaniel said, her voice laced with a touch of concern as she leaned down and kissed Iselia's forehead. Iselia didn't notice the unsettling look in her mother's eyes or the subtle, eerie grin that followed the affectionate gesture.
"Why are you here, Mother?" Iselia inquired, slightly puzzled.
"Hmm? Do you know what time it is?" Elaniel responded, a strange glint in her eyes. Realizing she might be late, Iselia attempted to get out of bed, but Elaniel gently forced her to lie back down.
"It's fine, it's fine, Iselia," Elaniel cooed.
"You can rest for a little bit more. Mama also wants to sleep a bit longer, hehe." She pulled Iselia closer, hugging her daughter while her nose twitched as she sniffed the child's small body, the unsettling aura around her growing more apparent.
Iselia was puzzled by her mother's sudden change in behavior, as Elaniel showered her with more affection than usual. She didn't mind it, though, because she cherished any moments she could spend with her mother. These displays of love were a rarity, and Iselia welcomed them eagerly.
But then, Elaniel abruptly stopped her affectionate gestures and released Iselia. The child looked up, concerned by the sudden change.
"Mother?" Iselia inquired with a furrowed brow, trying to understand what had just happened.
Elaniel, her expression filled with shock and confusion, stared at Iselia, her eyes wide and troubled.
"Why do you have father's energy as well?" Elaniel asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and disbelief.
Iselia simply tilted her head in confusion, not comprehending what her mother was talking about.
....
'Should I proceed with my plan?'
'But I don't know how father will react if I kill another person he blessed'
'I'm glad I checked her first before eating her right away I almost couldn't contain myself there'
'Although I wanted her potential, I guess that will have to wait until I reunite with father'
Elaniel's actions grew more unsettling, her mind struggling between her malevolent desires and her attempts to maintain a facade of affection.
"Mother?" Iselia's voice quivered, her confusion mounting.
Elaniel, hugged her Iselia once again, attempting to brush off her previous strangeness with a gentle smile.
"Oh, sorry, I got you startled there" she said, her voice honeyed with feigned tenderness.
Iselia, though still puzzled, offered a hesitant smile in return. She couldn't quite understand her mother's odd behavior but found comfort in her mother's embrace.
Unbeknownst to Iselia, the darkness lurking within Elaniel's mind continued to wrestle with her intentions, creating a chilling undercurrent beneath her seemingly loving gestures.