Ceres

94

The woman referred to as Blood Snow coughed out blood while Ceres only kept on looking. Then, she started to bit her tongue and spit out some blood.

One can hear murmurs flowing out of her mouth. She seems to be doing some unknown magic with the use of her own blood.

She intensely closed her eyes and was about to call forth another magic.

"Don't make it more difficult for you."

Blood Snow coughed out more blood and sat frozen.

Ceres could only shake her head. She didn't even need to go near the woman. The only thing she did was to stand in front of her and look at how pitiful the woman was.

Ceres closed her eyes and right then, the woman fainted on the spot. This is the only time she got close to the woman and was even about to carry her back when suddenly, another shadow showed up. It wanted to take the woman away.

Ceres half-closed her eyes and watched as the shadow was about to get the woman when another shadow interrupted.

The second shadow to appear was Gil and in his arms was the woman Ceres was fighting before. Gil stood in front of Ceres trying to block the other person in front of them.

The other person was dressed in a servant's clothes; one that serves the snacks and drinks back at the banquet. If one looked closely, one would not notice anything different, even his presence and aura seems to be normal. This person seems to be good at blending with the crowd and thus, doesn't have any identifying features on him. He has smiling eyes but those eyes are not really smiling. It was rather full of hostility and anger.

"Leave her alone."

Gil was about to make a move when Ceres tapped his shoulder and went in front of him.

"If I leave her with you, how sure are you that you can cure her?"

"80%"

Ceres nodded and when it seems she would agree, she then poised another question.

"...But how about the one inside her?"

With such statement, the person in front of them knitted his brows and seemingly looked like he was puzzled.

Ceres raised one of her eyebrows and kept on waiting for the reply of the person in front of them.

"You don't mean..."

The person in front of them stopped smiling but still, his eyes were half-closed; examining every bit of action that Ceres and Gil would make.

Even though it seemed like the Ceres of this night was a bit chatty than usual, she still wasn't going to explain everything in detail which is why she called for Gil.

It was then, Gil's moment to talk.

"Thousand Face, a well-known assassin for his disguises, fell in love with Blood Snow. Surprisingly, Blood Snow is now carrying their child."

Gil actually wasn't able to know of such detailed information. The only thing he reported to Ceres was about Thousand Face and Blood Snow having a relationship. Regarding Blood Snow carrying a child, it was Ceres who told Gil about it through sheer telepathy and only right at this moment.

Ceres crossed her arms across her chest, still waiting for Thousand Face's reply.

"She... She would have told me..."

Ceres looked sideways which is a signal for Gil to continue speaking.

"Blood Snow didn't tell Thousand Face because the child is someone she wasn't supposed to have. Blood Snow is planning to abort the child yet, undecided and unwilling even up to this point."

Ceres then, looked back at Thousand Face.

"I don't like to speak with you! Give her back or I'll---"

Thousand Face was going to execute his magic when he was surprised that he couldn't. For some unknown reason, he wasn't able to call forth his magic. This is just like what happened to Blood Snow.

"What did you..."

Gil was about to speak since he knew that Ceres wouldn't like to waste her saliva but then, Ceres stopped him.

"Emotions are only hindrances. An assassin must eliminate all his emotions in order to execute his job perfectly. A cold-hearted and merciless person... That is what a true assassin means."

Ceres waved her hand and some needles flew out of Thousand Face body which she got in turn.

With narrowed eyes, Ceres said,

"You can now use magic but, how sure are you that you can defeat me?"

Thousand Face wouldn't like to abandon Blood Snow particularly now that he knows she was carrying their child. However, he can never accept that he, too, failed his job and even more so, failed his beloved.

I was wrong... I should have just forced you to elope with me... Why do you want to sacrifice our child for that damn clan anyway? Why did you want to keep everything from me? Am I really not good enough?

Thousand Face, amidst his reluctance to accept defeat, half-knelt on the ground and clenched his fists. He punched the ground which caused an earthquake and even left cracks on the ground. He was angry at himself, at the world, at the fate of Blood Snow and him. He was angry yet, he was also somehow... Delighted.

Perhaps... This is the change of fate that she was waiting for?

He was laughing and crying; a mix of emotions was welling deep within him.

Ceres was looking at this man who was torn with everything. She recalls Leona, Blood Snow, and then... Ceres. Then, she recalls her past life.

Ceres looked up at the starry sky.

After some time passed, Thousand Face calmed down and Blood Snow also finally woke up.

Blood Snow kept her indifference but somehow, a gentle look can be seen in her eyes whenever she looks at Thousand Face rubbing her belly.

Ceres and Gil sat across them; quietly watching the two love birds.

Thousand Face suddenly kowtowed in front of Ceres and Gil.

"Thank you for keeping us alive, for making sure that our child will be safe."

Blood Snow was about to kowtow when Ceres spoke.

"No need."

Ceres also signaled for Thousand Face to sit properly. Now is the time to talk properly.

Ceres still had her arms across her chest. Gil was only quietly sitting beside her but a little bit behind her, too.

"I know your circumstances... All of it."

Cereswasn't joking. She really knew about them not only from Gil's constant reportsbut also because of her ability. The so-called 'time mage' ability. -tbc

A/N: I am putting this note to check whether you are still okay after reading this chapter update. If you want to throw some potatoes at me, I will gladly hand over 100kilos of potatoes for your wasted time!!!