"H-huh?"
"BE. MY. PET"
Marco and Elizabeth gave each other a knowing look, implying this was a normal thing for Iris to say casually.
"W-hat- I'm so confused-"
"Not even the best healers would make me feel this good after facing a near death situation!! You…you made a poison that absolutely destroyed me and cured me in a span of…twenty four hours? That's reason enough for me to keep you forever!!"
Melda stood up slowly and looked at iris in the eye. She couldn't clearly tell what was going on in her head
"I was going to kill you and have your accomplice work for me until I got sick of her and killed her. I mean, at that moment I thought she is strong and you are just useless, but now, I completely change my mind." She turned to Marco. "Tell my father I forgive these two and there's no need for an execution today. I'll give them an even better punishment."
"Princess Iris, it is against the-"
"I know I know." She said getting off her bed. "I feel brand new, stronger than I've felt in a while." She stretched her hands. "Listen Marco, I basically do not care about the rules in this kingdom. Whatever I say goes. We are not killing her because I say so. And we are also getting Amara out of prison-"
"It's actually Eliara-"
"Oh, thank you for that vital information" she said sarcastically.
"She is dangerous-"
"More reason why I'm giving you this order… I could have some use for her"
Marco sighed deeply.
"These two committed grave crimes that you cannot overlook just because they are useful. And for them to get their release there has to be an order given by the higher council, or the king himself. With all due respect, I cannot allow you to do this."
"I-I agree with...the commander, your highness. Please, try to keep out of trouble." Elizabeth added.
Iris scoffed.
"Are you two supporting murder? Oh great commander Marco, and my sweetest Elizabeth. These poor girl doesn't want to die, probably shaking right now."
Melda cleared her throat.
"No. I want to die your high-"
"This is none of your business!! You have no right to decide whether I kill you or not!!" she turned to Marco. "Deliver the message to the king. Or you can choose not to. You may leave, the both of you."
"But-"
"I said leave."
They bowed and left the room.
Iris turned to Melda.
"You saved my life. I should thank you, but I won't. I don't think you've impressed me enough."
"S-sure thing your highness."
"I have a proposal. No, that came out wrong. I want you to join the royal army. You are in no position to say no."
"B-but i- I really can't fight."
"Really? And you concealed yourself and shot me precisely?"
"Th-that was- I can conceal myself when in contact with plants. A-and I'm only good with arrows."
"Impressive. More reason why you should join the army."
"P-please-"
"Your accomplice cares about you so much."
Eliara?
C-cares about her?
' Let's forget about each other and go our separate ways….let's forget about each other and go our separate ways….let's forget…let's forget….each other…separate….separate….ways...separate….forget….let's forget….'
"We…are not sisters anymore…" her voice cracked. "If anything….she hates me"
"She said she would obliterate us if we touched you. That doesn't sound like hate."
Melda smiled. That did sound like something Eliara would say.
Iris sighed. "That statement gave me a brilliant idea. That's why I need you alive, and in the army. So listen, the army is recruiting trainees. Since you are good with arrows," she picked up a book and wrote something then gave it to her. "Give this to captain Lillianne Noir. By my order, she will help you with everything."
"But- I-"
"You may leave. Ask around for directions."
"….."
.
.
.
.
Her head hurt.
The floor was too hard.
Too cold.
She stared at the piece of bread that had been brought in not so long ago as a fly landed on it.
There would basically be no difference whether she ate the piece of bread or not. She can go for so many days without food. If It's poisoned and they aimed to kill her, she's immune to poison. Because of Melda. Crazy how the thought of getting poisoned immediately made her think of Melda. That crazy Melda, she was sure she had tested all sorts of poisons on her. One, because as they lived together they realized that Eliara was immune to poison. Though she got the effects, she never died. And that made Melda happy. She would do all her crazy experiments on her sister, who never said no either. She liked it.
"Why am I thinking of her? She's dead now."
"My, my-"
Eliara screamed. She did not notice that anyone had gotten in. she was lost in her thoughts she completely let her guard down. This rarely happened. Her senses were always up. No way she didn't see or hear a presence coming in.
"You don't look as feisty as you were the last time I was here…" she walked slowly over to where she sat and crouched down to her level, a mocking smile printed all over her face. "…Are the guards being mean to you?"
Eliara looked away and sighed.
Iris stood up and sighed in disappointment.
"I really thought I could have fun with you. But I guess I'll go straight to business. I want to cast a strong spell on you, so stand up straight and look me in the eye."
Eliara's brows furrowed.
"What?"
"What spell?"
"I'm not in the mood to explain to you." She snapped her fingers and the chain on Eliara's hands fell to the ground.
'What kind of sick games is she trying to play with me?'
"Stand up."
"You do know I could kill you right here right now, and no one would be able to stop me." She said getting up.
"Oh, my. I'm so scared. Whatever could I do?" she said sarcastically.
"Just a reminder, spells don't work on me. Your spell technically won't work."
"Oh?"
Oh?
Did she figure out how to cast a spell on her? That's impossible.
"You underestimate me, Eliara." She looked at her, her red eyes glowing and piercing right through her. This was one of those rare times her heart skipped a beat, and she genuinely felt… was scared the right word? She felt weak.
"That is one thing I hate more than anything. I actually think you forget that I am a royal." She started walking in her direction. "Not only that. You forget that I am a first rank witch. I belong in the special class. Technically, no one is stronger than me in the whole kingdom. Royal…." A white beam glowed from her right hand, as she took a step closer to Eliara. "Special class….strongest guardian to ever exist and you think-"
"I have never heard of you. And what's a special class?"
"Huh. You-'
"You cant just brag with terms I'm not familiar with."
Her eyes stopped glowing as she stopped in her track.
"I guess, I'll cast the spell now, then brag later." Though she was clearly confused. Was there someone out there who didn't know basic things like hierarchy of the witches? Her eyes glowed red once again as she started chanting something that was unfamiliar with Eliara. She slowly closed her eyes and kept quiet for some time and Eli grew impatient and walked close to her.
She waved her hand across her face to make sure she didn't die or something.
Is this how spells worked?
She was used to the other fixed spells melda worked on.
Out of nowhere Iris eyes flew open and somehow, Eliara felt compelled by the force in her eyes. She felt like she was suffocating. No, drowning in her eyes. Then Iris held her by the back of her head for whatever reasons. A force erupted from where they stood, and everything went still. Iris eyes went back to normal as she let go off her hair.
"Good girl."
She said turning around.
"It really worked."
"What worked?" Eliara said gasping for air.
She had this different feeling inside her but she couldn't put her finger on it.
Was she…under some spell.
"My years of research on magic paid. I knew there was a way to get to you."
"The hell are you talking about-"
"I really don't have time to explain myself. And also, why would I?"
Eliara cursed under her breath.
"I need you to listen to me. You are going to train and get recruited in the army, and you will work for me."
"Why the hell would I do that?"
"Why not?"
"Why not????"
Iris smirked.
"I think you still don't understand what is going on here."
"I don't know it's probably because I don't?"
"I figured."
So annoying.
"Follow me."
Confused and without a choice, she walked out of her confinement room behind Iris. Outside, a guy in the guardian uniform stood there, probably waiting for Iris.
"Make sure everything is done precisely. Her safety is also in your hands."
He turned to look at Eliara was fuming and glared at him.
He flinched.
"Don't worry. She's harmless."
"I'll bite your fingers off for dinner-"
"She loves making harmless jokes."
"I will slit your throat if you take her orde-"
"You may go with her now."
The poor guy trembled.
Luckily, Eliara just rolled her eyes and went along with her. If anything, she had a lot of questions that she needed answers to. And killing someone wouldn't give her anything. On second thoughts, she quite literally had nothing to lose. No more annoying sisters that she has to look out for. She can actually do whatever she wants!
"Fine. I'll go with you."
"Of course you w-" Iris replied.
"I wasn't talking to you."
She groaned in frustration as she brushed past Iris who in turn rolled her eyes.