My Wonderful Second Life

Chapter 41- Flôr di Aniz

Cedric wandered by the tremendous walls of the Mountnero house in a frantic search for a clue on Lulu's whereabouts. A hand touched his stiff shoulder, and the prince glanced back to see his aide, Wolff, stop and sniff around. The wolf's ears of his friend moved rapidly, capturing every sound, but while Cedric hoped it would lead to Lucreatia's, the strong nails carving his coat meant someone else.

"Your highness." the voice held deep scorn underneath the sing-along tone. "Happy to see you here."

The prince turned to the voice and looked at the tall and prim high priestess. Her hair flowed like golden cascades and her vivid blue eyes pierced through his. A moment passed before he did a curtsey nod, noting she had done none, herself more preoccupied with watching Wolff walking closer to him. Though held as a bringer of light, she carried herself out with coldness and dryness instead of the warmness promised by the sun's faith. To them, Lady Belladona was nothing more than an enemy disguised as a benevolent saint.

She stepped forward and her energy made the prince's neck shiver. He had to force himself to avoid stepping back as a response to her power. 

"High Priestess." he acknowledged, never losing sight of her domineering frame. Inspecting her stern features that graced him with a tight smile, he saw the uncanny resemblance she had to the Duke, her younger brother. And if he was known as the snake of the Empire, she, on the other hand, was known as the shadow of the Sun.

"You seem disoriented, your highness. Has your dog lost his way?" polite and still facing him, the high priestess tore a glance to the side. Both her voice and her eyes bore a horrid distaste, which made Cedric's blood boil.

"Wolff is my royal aide and he deserves the respect that position entitles, even from you, High Priestess." he moved forward, a straight hand covering his friend.

A haughty smile appeared on Belladona's lips, while she touched her long blonde air, her white sleeves moving with the movement. She made little effort to hide her genuine feelings towards them.

"Indeed. I apologize your highness." her aura grew more powerful as the light shone upon the room, causing a nauseating feeling on the prince. A feeling he hid from her, as he growled.

"We are in search of Lady Lucreatia, your excellency." intervened Woff, cool and collected. He moved away from Cedric's protection and took for himself the indomitable aura of the high priestess.

The air around them got tight and the High Priestess smile disappeared along with her lacklustre pretences. Now she was an angry lady, whose hands pressed firmly her everflowing blank tunic.

"Oh... you were?" she focused on Cedric. Her body was a little closer by then. "For what purpose? More trouble?"

"Trouble?" his voice echoed the large corridor, incredulous with such accusation.

Belladona crossed her arms and peered below her chin. "Oh yes, your highness. Maybe you can tell me who has taught my niece alchemy? The dark arts? Who used her to cause a gigantic ruckus in the palace?" Their quiet faces became a triumph to her, and the air cleared with her radiant smile. "Of course I would know of your plans. I am not an idiot and neither is my brother, for that matter... We just pretend to go along, due to your lineage and because children are children. They are bound to do some naughtiness." she then bent her knees, her face close enough for her to whisper to them. "We ought to forgive them unless their behaviours cause too much chaos and pain..." blue against red, heavy breaths from both sides.

"Too much chaos... us? You dare to accuse a royal prince of a mess your people created?!" his voice was low and dangerous, and he felt Wolff preparing himself for a confrontation.