45 Elyezer
Arayle Sistina Algernon. The princess of the Underworld.
The Underworld was just as vast as the surface realm, but the unfortunate difference was that of the Sun's reach. Unlike the surface, the Underworld couldn't receive the Sun's warmth. Its skies were painted with a crimson, blood like hue, and there were black mists that mimicked clouds floating around.
The sceneries were unchanging. Day or night, the Underworld lacked the effects of the orbital movement as it was enclosed in another spatial dimension, the only means possible to form a contact between the two realms being the power of 'Destruction'.
Those who held royal blood possessed strange qualities. They were transcendent demons, not purebloods, but they were far stronger than the demons themselves. 'Special breeds', or so they called them. They were able to wield the power of 'Destruction', which could eliminate anything that stood in their way with ease once the magic was perfected.
Arayle Sistina Algernon was the 108th Princess of the Underworld, and the second one to actively seek out contact with the surface realm.
Just like Estelle, she was born six years ago. Their birth date matched, and it wasn't long before Estelle found out that Arayle was her counterpart, not Kalis.
What happened back then was thanks to borrowed strength, which ultimately belonged to Arayle.
It was the same mechanics as how she borrowed Heine's magic the first day she came to the world.
Estelle, who learned that she was thrown into the Underworld, which had its own sets of mysteries before she could even explore a part of the surface realm, felt conflicted.
After Estelle expressed interest in the Underworld, Arayle gradually loosened up her control. She was treated as a sibling, and soon the title of 'Faux Princess' was granted to her.
In the Underworld, Estelle was free to do whatever she wanted. Free to research anything. Free to explore. All because time was stuck in place.
Simply put, the time flow in the Underworld was significantly slower than the surface. One year was equivalent to a month in the surface. Technically speaking, Arayle could be considered as six - months - old.
The Underworld lacked life. Plants were unable to grow there. However, remnants of those same plants existed, in the form of withered objects that looked like it would break in a single push.
Written in the history books, those remnants were like a token of remembrance to the races. As if saying to never overstep your bounds.. like you did in the past.
The Underworld used to look similar to that of the surface. Living in harmony, under the bright Sun and white clouds. Nature enveloped them, and their races thrived as if they lived in a paradise.
However, those things were now mere remnants of the past.. Sealed within the history books, a taboo subject for the citizens of the Underworld. They have gotten used to everything, their hearts grew numb and had already accepted the truth long ago.
And thus, the Underworld became what it is right now. A soulless, lifeless land abandoned by the higher authorities. A fallen world that centered around Elyezer, the large ice palace built by the current princess, Arayle.
Estelle recounted the information she gathered as she walked around the palace nonchalantly. The people regarded her as a princess, so the treatment she received was top notch. The palace was occupied by only a small group of people, because it didn't require maintenance.
Everything was built by magic. As a result of their past mistakes, the citizens of the Underworld had a great magic capability. The buildings, the furniture, everything was composed of magic.
Arayle was like her, a wielder of every element in existence. However, she couldn't use Estelle's [Creation Magic], just like how Estelle would face a drawback when she came in contact with [Destruction].
The only difference was that Arayle was completely fine after interacting with the power of Creation no matter how long it was.
Perhaps it truly embodied her status as a Villainess. She was the villain. Arayle would be the hero.
Arayle not getting affected by her 'evil' powers made sense.
It just made her wonder.
Why is [Creation] the evil one, whereas [Destruction] is the good one?
"Princess, where would you like to go?" From within the darkness, Kalis appeared in his usual gait. His facade as the Fae King had long been thrown out. Clad in violet clothes that matched his platinum hair, he was the spitting image of the princes described in novels.
Towards the man, she was a little confused.
Estelle had her own doubts. Kalis didn't resemble Heine, and Yion's looks was the opposite of Minerva. But their position, their dynamic with Arayle, it was somewhat similar to what Estelle had with the other two.
Estelle had always wondered. Was the surface realm a copy of the former Underworld? Now that the Underworld had fallen apart, did the authorities create a parallel version, which was now the surface she used to live on?
Then, who was in charge of creating these worlds?
Ignoring those questions was one thing, but the fact that Kalis was able to manipulate the spirits into believing that he was their King was strange. She had to delve deeper into the matters, but her situation prohibited her from doing so.
"..I'm going for a little sightseeing. As long as I don't escape the palace, I thought I was free," Estelle didn't look at the man fondly. In a sense, Kalis was her enemy.
"Is that so? I would've thought otherwise seeing how hard you try to figure out your limits by using Yion,"
"Ara gave me the permission to. You're technically lower than me, can't you show some respect? After all.. I am the 'Faux Princess', am I not?" Estelle cynically smiled.
"Respect is meant to be earned and not demanded, little lady. I originally came here to remind you about your upcoming tenth birthday. The Princess has ordered for us to invite the important guests from all over the land. This will be your first contact with people other than the subordinates under the Princess' faction," Kalis explained. He had taken over the role of Estelle's teacher over the course of years. This upcoming ball was no different.
Estelle rolled her eyes internally. Even in the Underworld, useless proprieties still existed.
"I'm here to issue a warning.. Both for the ball and your unnecessary thoughts. It would be for the best for you not to make trouble. The Princess has her own plans, you will eventually be reunited with your acquaintances. Be patient and no one would be hurt,"
"..Yion is dumber than she looks like. She trusts people easily despite how she acts. Don't betray her, please," Kalis' tone changed.
It was as if his words came from a personal standing, not just because they were co-workers. Although they fought a lot, the two still cared about each other.
"I know, you don't need to remind me so much. Just do what you were instructed to do," Estelle sighed, picking up her pace and leaving Kalis behind.
She really wanted to escape.
Just as she was given the stamp of approval to go on a journey by her father, she was kidnapped to this extent. Even though it would just be a couple months on the surface, her parents would still be worried to death.
Sighing, she walked around to ease her boredom and coincidentally passed through some people.
Aside from Arayle, Kalis, and Yion, those who lived inside the palace could be counted in one hand. To be prefise, there were only two others.
First, the Black Knight, Riel. A secretive man who hides himself behind a thick protective armor, leaving an intimidating presence wherever he went. However, due to their recent increasing interactions, Estelle found out that the man was awkward in a cute way and had a warm heart.
As a faux princess, Estelle's safety was priced to a certain level. When she dropped a cup of tea onto herself a while ago, Riel was the first one to rush and care for her, worriedly asking her questions. Perhaps it was a soft spot for children, as she didn't find him acting that way with Kalis and Yion.
Yion was the sole Archmage who helped to govern over the Underworld, assisting Arayle in her duties. Kalis and Riel were also fellow helpers, but Yion's role was far larger.
Her majestic presence brought a sense of gracefulness in her every move. Her long, blonde hair elusively flaired around as she walked, and she due to her extra attention in both fashion and beauty, she looked stunning even behind the feather mask she put on.
Although she was prudent and arrogant, Estelle had to admit that even the likes of Yulia and Minerva would not be able to compete with her. She had all the rights to be arrogant. She was the teacher Estelle sought for, the one who didn't pursue the flashy, impractical magic spells and instead tried to maximize their fullest potential in every way.
Kalis, on the other hand, was a master at disguises. Estelle later learned that Kalis' forte was [Shadow Magic], following his Unique Magic [Astral Realm]. He manipulated the shadows like his own breath, and assisted himself with the help of astral powers, giving him the ability to divine the future and thus, finding out Estelle's existence for Arayle.
The last person aside from Arayle herself was someone Estelle hadn't met, even after living inside the palace for years. Named Elias, he was supposedly Arayle's parental figure and the one who taught her ever since she was enthroned as a Princess following the death of her parents.
He was still a very mysterious person to her, but Arayle had always spoken nothing but good things about the man. It made Estelle slightly curious and left with a desire to see the man herself.
Arayle was 'kind' to her. After knowing that her magic was heavily detrimental to Estelle, she set bounds to herself in order to ensure Estelle's safety. Aside from the fact that she was the mastermind behind her kidnapping Estelle regarded the girl as a 'kind' person.
Maybe that kindness was faked. But to her, it didn't matter.
She was given a chance to live.
Even that was generous to Estelle.
"Ten years old, huh.." Estelle walked one lap more before going back to her room and collapsing onto the bed.
"Arayle's party is the shared with me. I will be introduced formally that day," Estelle pursed her lips as she stared at the ceiling.
"If I don't get accepted by the Underworld folks in that party, then I'm.... done," Closing her eyes, she began to feel drowsiness take over her consciousness, finally giving in to the feeling of comfort.
