5 The Villainess

While Heine was dwelling on his thoughts, Estelle rewinded his words in her mind.

There was one thing that caught her attention.

[I'm a monster?] Estelle wanted to frown at how Heine described her.

<If we are going with this world's common sense, yes. Terribly yes.>

[Is that so? How exactly are you going to prevent me from going astray in that case?]

<I thought to make a deal, but I'm not sure. I could probably kill you off here, but the fact that you possess such powers and even has the knowledge of the Spirits' language makes me hold back.>

The way Heine straightforwardly mentioned his ability to take Estelle's life right then and there did not anger her. In fact, it brought some sort of relief to her.

It was easier dealing with someone who openly showed their intentions than those who choose to lay down like dogs, pretending to be weak and harmless.

Just like how Hikari had to set up a trap to get her. But then, since she fell for that trap, would the foolish one be her?

That said, there was one thing in Heine's words that did not sit well with Estelle.

A simple question.

[Why?]

Making a deal with a baby was an action any sane person would never execute. The current Estelle was no different from a slightly strong baby, so although she had enormous potential no one had ever seen, a deal was still disadvantageous for the fae King in front of him.

After all, he was the literal ruler of an entire kingdom.

<Because it means you hold great meaning to the Creator. The Creator only gives powers and abilities to those he likes or... those who will be important in the future. The word 'important' varies, some are good, the others are bad. As far as I know, it works like a cycle.

The Spirits are the closest to the Gods, so we are usually acquainted with every blessed person in the lands.

For example, The Sage who held monstrous powers. He was blessed and loved by spirits, so although he grew between humans and was indeed a human, his knowledge, manners, and thinking were all under the spirits' guidance. In the end, he was the one who contributed the most to equality within the races.

That's why, I suspect that you might be someone important. I don't know whether you're good or bad, but I'd have to heed someone's call, so it seems like I will be your 'guide'.>

Heine had his hand up to an 'I-don't-know' pose.

From his words, Estelle concluded that guides were essentially the same as teachers. Heine was offering himself to be her teacher, which struck Estelle with another horde of questions as she still could not see the point of doing this.

[Deals can't be made if I'm the only one profiting off of this. What do you want from me?]

<It's simple. As a King, I naturally have to protect my people, so I hereby ask you to promise me... never hurt the Spirits in case you turn evil. No, even if you are good, please keep this in mind.> Heine shrugged.

[Hoh? What if the spirits are the first one to make a move? What if they are hostile?]

<As for hostile, they shouldn't be. You probably possess the Spirits' Blessing, so spirits will treat you as someone friendly. But if my people attack you first, then so be it. You are free to do what you wish. And if possible, I'd like to request a one-time chance.>

In other words, he wants me to be a guarantor for the future.

[What great harm would it be, that it is unable to be taken care of by the spirits?]

<The birth of someone good means the birth of someone evil. This is what the cycle truly means. If you hold great power, the other side will hold basically the same power. It's only a matter of the powers' cultivation. In case we get threatened, I want to be able to borrow your power once.>

Estelle carefully considered the sides. She would be able to benefit a lot from this deal.

Meanwhile, Heine only wants protection, which is manageable if she were to obtain powers stronger than the spirit and her enemies.

As Heine said, the only thing that matters is the cultivation. So if she were to madly train herself and best her enemy in every aspect, it should be no problem. Weighing her choices, Estelle gave in.

[Once. Deal. I keep my promises, so don't worry.]

<To a good partnership, then.> Heine's lips curled to an arch as he created an imprint out of nowhere. He gestured to repeat his former words.

[To a good partnership.] Estelle regarded the imprint as a contract. Repeating words would mean both sides agree. The imprint cracked and shattered into pieces right after Estelle finished her sentence.

Her mind felt hazy, and once again, she fell asleep out of her control.

---

A scene played before her eyes.

It was of a girl possessing silver strands of hair, a pair of stunning golden eyes in tears. She seemed to be in agony over something. Her whole body had injuries, but rather than the physical complications, her agony felt like it came from her feelings and thoughts instead.

Then again, how would she be able to tell?

No, the correct question was, how was she able to tell?

Estelle felt like she was being called.

No, it wasn't in a literal way, but her soul resonated with the girl's. The beautiful girl was someone unfamiliar to Estelle, so she felt quite puzzled as to why she was so attracted to her.

The more she looked the girl, the more she felt unsettled. She wanted to stop the girl. When the girl cried, it resounded in her heart as well. It was as if she was the one crying.

As per mentioned before, her previous life never heeded any emotions. It was always based on rigid data. Logic.

Now that she saw this girl that appeared to be massively controlled by her emotions, she hesitated to approach her.

In a way, she was scared.

Even the term 'scared' was something new to her. For the first time in two lives, she felt 'scared'.

She was uncertain as to what would happen. She refused to accept the entity in front of her.

However, even without an approach from Estelle, the unknown being took it into her own hands by slowly floating towards her.

In a fleeting second, the girl was right in front of Estelle.

She looked straight into Estelle's eyes.

Unwavering.

Her hand slowly extended to where Estelle's chest was located.

"You... are the... villainess," her tearful eyes slowly closed as she broke the silence with her voice.

Her material figure started to disappear into fragments and entered Estelle's body without warning.

"What do you-" Estelle intended to respond to her claim, but her voice was cut off as her vision slowly warped. The girl had faded into nothing, or perhaps not. Perhaps she was absorbed into her? Or did she really disappear into nothing?

She felt like the girl was her. But at the same time, she wasn't her.

Estelle's mind theorized a couple of possibilities, and she truly sought to meet the girl once again, hoping to get some answers pertaining to the whole accident concerning her reincarnation and new emotions.

All she could see was an endless sea of pitch black.

Her eyes opened to reveal a startled Heine.

It was a dream?

<Are you awake? Seems like making a contract with me was too much for you to bear. My apologies, I forgot for a second.> Heine's words were laced with guilt, worry, and concern.

Someone who had never been exposed to magic would have an adverse effect upon sudden large exposures.

Heine didn't forget this fact, but he thought that she was capable of handling it.

Estelle also didn't tell him about the dizzying feeling she felt the first time she used magic, so Heine did not hold back from forming the contract.

Seeing how Estelle had turned silent, Heine's worry elevated as he regretted his decision.

Estelle was staring into Heine's emerald eyes in wonder.

[What color is my hair? My eyes?]

<Huh?> Heine thought that Estelle would rebuke or reprimand him, but did not expect such a question.

[Just answer.]

She had so many questions but the answers were close to none.

<Your hair is silver, your eyes are golden?> Heine was visibly confused, but he still replied.

[As I expected... That's why she felt so familiar. She was... Estelle? The original Estelle? No, that would be weird... Unless I took her spot.]

Estelle also thought it was absurd. She didn't know why she believed so much in her newest theory, but something inside her told her that it was correct.

But there was one thing that matched what Heine said perfectly.

The concept of good and evil.

She was told that she was a villainess.

An evil person.

Then...

[I am the villainess.] Estelle suddenly said.

<...?> Heine raised one of his brows. He didn't understand what was going on.