CHAPTER 314: I Should Have Known

Almost ten years ago...

Months before they went to that land, Raynisha came to the library to look for Ardel.

Somehow this place became his staying spot.

At the same time, as the person closest to him, she had felt that some things have changed within him.

She frowned when she got close to the corner table of the imperial library.

It was the most secluded area of the library and mountains of books were surrounding him.

But the reason why she frowned was because the books he was looking at was books on dark controlling magics.

They are magic that was banned by the empire, though they still have some books as precaution.

Ardel being a trusted person, was allowed to make use of it.

"You are really have become interested in these things," she started.

Ardel didn't even look up, "Yeah, well, you know. I though we can learn more and understand things more by expanding our knowledge."

"Hmmm."

She picked one and opened it, it was just like the rest. They were thin books about fifteen pages each, they were also half a foot in size.

The more she flipped through the book she was reading the more she felt that something was wrong.

In the end, she was unable to stop herself and ended up burning the book she was holding.

Ardel looked up instantly and his face was dark.

"What have you done??"

His tone was a shock to her but Raynisha really didn't mean to but the book was too much for her.

"I- I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to. I was overwhelmed by my emotions," she apologized.

Though her heart was in turmoil, Ardel was not this snappy. He was doting towards her and this attitude was truly hurting her.

"Just go, these things are disturbing I understand that but studying it is essential," his tone mellowed down.

Raynisha bit her lower lip, she came here to ask him out since it is their anniversary as a couple but it seems that Ardel was busy and that he was focused on these things at this moment.

She lowered her head, "I'll just go and apologize to the emperor about this book."

'I'll go with you, let's apologize together.'

Was the answer she wanted to hear but…

"Go on then."

Ardel's reply came to be the complete contrast of her expectation.

She forced herself to smile before she turned her back.

Ardel was here, he was physically with her but somehow she was missing him dearly.

She went and apologized to Reginald about the book she had burned and promised to rewrite it as she was able to memorize the contents when she read it.

Reginald didn't punish her because she promised instead he felt worried as she was obviously affected by something.

"What is it dear child?" he asked.

Raynisha blinked before smiling and shaking her head, "There is nothing wrong, your majesty. I may just be too tired for the past days."

Somehow she couldn't talk about Ardel.

Because the heads were all feeling uilty towards Ardel who almost lost his life more than a year ago.

Then the day of the exploration came.

The beasts of the children were made to fall asleep in order to train them with the sudden surge of power within them.

Ardel advised it and they agreed to it, especially since Raynisha did the same in the past.

There was a time where Vermilion Bird was made to sleep after he had woken up and his power increased Raynisha's power.

She had been feeling weird with her powers lately especially when she tried to pull her sword, the family heriloom, out of its sheath.

She was even wounded a day ago because of some electric shock she couldn't understand where it was coming from.

Vermilion Bird was also bewildered but they couldn't find the reason for it.

And so on this day, she had decided to leave the sword behind.

It was a simple exploration anyway...

That's what she thought.

A thought she was now regretting now that she realized what was wrong all along.

When they arrived in that open area, she felt something hatching inside her.

"DARKNESS!!!" Vermilion Bird exclaimed inside her.

She hunched over as she felt the surge of it within her body.

The pain was too much but she knew with Vermilion Bird, she would be able to suppress it.

She just needed time, then she can think why this suddenly happened.

She just turned to look at the rest and make excuses when she saw dark mists coming out from their bodies.

Even their eyes are changing colors.

All three were behind the six children and all of them were unaware of what was going on behind them.

"What are you doing?" Vermilion Bird asked in sock.

They both need to concentrate in order to suppress the darkness yet Raynisha moved and pulled out her sword.

"The children are the priority," she replied.

"You- arghhh."

Vermilion Bird was the first to be attacked, he can't go out because that same mist was suppressing him inside Raynisha.

Without the cooperation of the host, the mist will be free to roam the body.

"Hang on, Vermilion Bird."

Raynisha rushed and slip the throat of each of the three.

Tears instantly fell from her eyes as she felt the her sword slicing through their skin and their blood coming out.

They were all doing things just because they were a group, not even friends due to the difference on their opinion when it comes to teaching the children. But Raynisha never thought of killing them or that they will be killed one day.

She heard the children's scream but her eyes instantly went to Ardel, who didn't made a move from everything that suddenly occured.

And her tears that was already being hidden by the mist that started coming out of her body, came flowing like a river.

Ardel was looking at them with an evil smile.

'I should have known,' she cried inside before rushing to him.

And the moment her sword pierced through his flesh, her whole being shook, her emotions going haywire.