Trails of Butterflies

As expected from the Bryfiel family. They never fail to recognize a voice they heard before. But Adriana had to expose herself and had no choice.

It wasn't like their meeting from the library was planned. It was all just a coincidence which makes things a bit troubling.

"Lady Adriana, is Elphina?" Leena asked, still in disbelief. "How are you? I don't understand."

"Yes. I won't apologize for fooling you. Since it wasn't a planned meeting."

"I-I must have been stupid for not recognizing you. I apologize."

Adriana could not understand the way Leena thought. She did not understand why Leena had to apologize when she had done nothing wrong.

But this is what makes them different from each other.

"What brings you here?" asked Leena, who did not know she was being trailed.

"I don't like being in crowds. Which is why I went out to stroll time," Adriana answered.

"I understand that feeling. Talking to others surely is tiring," agreed Leena.

"That reminds you. That guy is not here with you?" asked Adriana wondering how Leena got abducted in the first place.

"Ah, I escaped from his sight. Sometimes it gets annoying when someone is always around you," Leena awkwardly laughed and sat on the bench.

This answers why Leena got kidnapped just like that. A girl like Leena does not have magic. She wasn't born with mana which was a bit unfortunate. But thanks to her intelligence, she was a bit different from others.

Leena Bryfiel is a daughter of the forest clan. They specialized in making medicine, and Leena is a great doctor. Even in the future. She'll turn even greater. And maybe she could have cured Raven's eyes.

This was going to be unlike her. But Adriana needed to bring Leena away from this place or do something for Leena to get back in the ballroom.

Water dripping behind Leena. Adriana saw a water fountain and thought of a plan. This will do.

Adriana glares at Leena, who shuddered with the sudden change of expression.

"Don't you think your life is in danger?" Adriana asked, pulling a dagger under the dress. "Haven't you ever thought that this meeting was not a coincidence?"

"L-L-Lady Adriana, what do you mean?" stuttered Leena, terrified. Her lips were trembling, and so were her hands.

Adriana now understood how Leena had gotten abducted. They weren't much security around here. And the only way to call for attention is by screaming.

Adriana stepped forward while Leena took steps backward, not knowing she was about to fall into the fountain.

"Lady Adriana, can't you consider?" Begged Leena, who took another step back and bumped her foot on the edge of the fountain. Then fell backward, crashing into the fountain and drenched in water.

"Lady Leena!" called Pierre, who immediately pulled Leena out of the water fountain.

While Adriana took this time to slip her dagger into her dress. She acted indifferently. Acted cold and cruel, just like what a Belladonna should be.

"You, how dare you do this to Lady Leena!" Yelled Pierre, which caught the attention of the servants who had passed by. "You grab a warm blanket for this lady."

"What do you mean? Is it my fault that you lost her?" Inquired Adriana, which made Pierre pull his sword out. "You can never trust a Belladonna. Remember that."

"Master, they're gone," whispered Faris. "Should I follow them?"

"Yes," Adriana answered in her head.

"As you wish."

"You'll pay for this, you villainess," cursed Pierre, who carried Leena in his arms.

Adriana watched the whole mess being cleaned, and soon, she was back alone in the quiet garden.

At least this worked. At least she avoided the kidnapping of Leena. Adrian tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she sat by the fountain.

Just doing these acts made her exhausted. When will she need to pull this off? Maybe the next twenty years?

By now, the news about this incident will spread amongst the nobles. Since the only way to leave this place was through the ballroom. Which they most probably used.

The nobles must be asking who in the world pushed Leena Bryfiel into the fountain? Well, the answer was simple. Since the two famous people were not around.

"Master, they have died," whispered Faris.

"By who?"

"Issac."

Issac. Of course. A failure is a failure, and no exemptions. If they fail, they die, and even if they succeed, they will still die.

Adriana massaged her temples as her headache grew. It was aching badly as if a force was pushing down both sides of her forehead.

This told her it was happening.

"I have to get out of here, ugh—"

Adriana fell to her knees and grasped her chest. A lump was stuck in her throat, which forced her to cough. She looked at her hand covered in blood.

The pain was bearable, but it was stronger than usual. Was it because she had been using Faris too much recently?

But it wasn't like she had the choice. She needed to trail Issac.

Adriana had no time to think and focused on the pain in her chest. It was like getting stabbed in the chest all over again.

The pain this time was different. It was as if someone was trying to take over her body. This was a sign that her body was slowly being engulfed by the dark.

Her breath was short, and each time she breathed in, her chest would stagger. It was getting harder to breathe. She wished someone was here to save her.

Adriana did not want to die just yet.

The commotion in the room grew when they saw Leena Bryfiel being carried by Pierre. Since Leena came from outside, that meant that the other person should also be there.

When Astell set foot in the gardens, he saw a trail of blue butterflies. He blinked twice and rubbed his eyes, thinking he was dreaming. But it wasn't.

But the blue butterflies looked familiar. His eyes grew wide, and he followed the trails of butterflies leading him to Adriana, who was on the ground, unconscious with black blood smudged on by her lips.

"Are you alright?"

Adriana felt her body being picked up by a man. The first thing Adriana thought was the man had strong arms. And his voice sounded gentle and caring that she wanted to possess it.

"Lady Adriana?" called Astell, who took out his handkerchief and wiped the smudged blood off her mouth.

Astell called out once more, but Adriana was no longer conscious. She fainted from the extreme pain.

"Why?" Astell looked at his gloves, which had blood on them. As he was about to touch his face, he was reminded that her blood was poisonous.

Astell wiped the blood on his pants. Then laid his hand on her forehead and used his magic. He thought using his magic could at least help her, and it did.

Adriana's complexion turned back to normal, and she did not look in pain anymore. She took a deep exhale, and her eyes fluttered open.

"Lady Adriana, are you alright?"

"Sorry about that," Adriana pushed herself away from Astell. And pushed herself up. Her legs trembled, and she almost lost her balance. But Astell was there to support her.

Once more, Adriana pushed his hand away from her. She did not want to be helped or rather look weak.

Adriana looked at her dress, covered with her own blood. It was a mess which does not look appropriate.

"If I were you don't you say a word about this," warned Adriana, who glared at Astell. "And no, I won't thank you because you did that out of your own will."

"I don't expect it either."

Despite saying that. Astell was curious. He did not understand why Adriana looked so sickly and weak earlier. Maybe the rumors about her being sick were true.

Then why did she come today?

Once again, Astell watched the back of Adriana until she disappeared. But he found something interesting.

"Why does she leave a trail of blue butterflies?"

But despite that, it was beautiful. He, for the first time, felt captivated by someone.