CHAPTER 17

At midnight, amidst the quiet solitude of the manor's back garden, I find myself grappling with a torrent of troubling and desperate thoughts. With a determined resolve, I straighten my posture, bracing myself for the challenges that lie ahead.

Today, I must succeed, for time is slipping away and the looming inevitability of my return to Ironhart Duchy draws nearer with each passing moment. Before that day arrives, I must become stronger—so much stronger that even the esteemed Imperial Family will have no choice but to bow before me.

As usual, Tenebris casts a protective barrier around us, ensuring the safety of our surroundings. For the past four days, I've been tirelessly attempting to convert my mana into stones, albeit without success. However, amidst the failures, I've made significant progress—I've mastered the art of controlling my mana entirely. Now, I can prevent it from seeping out of my body uncontrollably, a skill that proves invaluable in its own right.

"Shall we begin?" I turned to Tenebris, who, as always, stood by my side, ready to handle whatever situation lay ahead.

"As you wish, but exercise caution," Tenebris responded, his concern evident in his tone.

"Don't fret; this time I'm determined to succeed," I declared, a steely resolve shining in my eyes as I met Tenebris's gaze with a confident smirk.

For a fleeting moment, Tenebris returned my smirk with one of his own, a hint of playful challenge in his eyes. The unexpected exchange sent a rush of warmth through me, momentarily distracting me from the matter at hand. "It's unfair," I murmured under my breath, my heart racing.

"Unfair?" Tenebris echoed, his curiosity piqued by my cryptic remark.

"Nothing," I replied quickly, clearing my throat and refocusing my attention as I raised my hand to begin our endeavor.

After taking several deep breaths, I focused on calming my nerves and preparing myself for the task ahead. With determined concentration, I began to channel my mana into the air, feeling it gradually leave my body and gather above my outstretched hands. The ethereal blue waves shimmered, casting a radiant glow that illuminated the surroundings like scattered stars on the ground.

Despite my efforts, the pressure of managing this mysterious energy began to weigh heavily on me. A cold sweat broke out across my forehead as I struggled to maintain control. The familiar sensation of my mana slipping beyond my grasp threatened to overwhelm me, testing my resolve once more.

Amidst the turmoil, a nagging doubt crept into my mind—would I ever succeed? What if I failed to achieve my goals, repeating the mistakes of my past life? Tears welled in my eyes as I clenched my teeth in frustration, feeling the weight of past failures bearing down on me.

"It's enough; you should stop," Tenebris urged, sensing the weight of my negative thoughts.

"Just a little more," I insisted, determined to push through despite the overwhelming pressure of mana bearing down on my body. I refused to yield—not now. No matter the obstacles, I had promised myself that I would succeed, emerging as the strongest and most feared villainess of the century.

Suddenly, before my eyes, my mana coalesced and fused together, transforming into a mana stone imbued with pure, beautiful power. The stone tumbled to the ground, a tangible symbol of my perseverance and determination. Exhausted but exhilarated, I gasped for breath, a triumphant smile playing on my lips as I beheld the fruit of my labor.

However, my victory was short-lived as dizziness washed over me, my vision blurring and my mind growing hazy. With a heavy thud, my body collapsed to the ground, succumbing to the overwhelming strain. Darkness enveloped me as consciousness slipped away, leaving me to surrender to the oblivion of unconsciousness.

I could faintly hear Tenebris calling out to me in desperation, but my exhaustion weighed heavily on me, rendering me unable to open my eyes. A pang of guilt gnawed at me, knowing that I was burdening him with my weakness.

That night, as I drifted into a deep slumber, I found myself immersed in a series of vivid dreams, each one unraveling memories of Seraphina. In this final memory, I witnessed Seraphina, at the tender age of fourteen, wandering alone in the garden, her eyes betraying a profound sense of sadness and loneliness.

And then, in the distance, I saw Father—Seraphina's father—observing her with tears streaming down his face before turning away and disappearing into the darkness.

Choked with emotion, I watched the scene unfold with a mixture of sorrow and understanding. Despite his outward aloofness, I knew deep down that Father didn't hate Seraphina; he loved her fiercely. However, his fear of losing her, compounded by the painful reminder of her resemblance to Mother, had left him paralyzed with uncertainty.

The shattered fragments of the scene coalesced into a new reality as a voice called out to me from behind. Turning, I was met with the sight of Seraphina, her presence radiating a sense of tranquility and serenity. It was as if a fragment of her soul lingered, coexisting beside me in this ethereal encounter.

"Are you happy now?" I blurted out, unable to contain the question that weighed heavily on my mind.

"I don't know if I am happy or sad," Seraphina replied with a gentle smile. "But I am at peace."

Moving closer, Seraphina reached out and took my hands in hers. "But I want you to be happy, something I've never experienced."

A smile tugged at my lips. "I will find happiness in this life; I'm certain of it," I assured her. 

Seraphina chuckled softly before vanishing into the ether, leaving behind a lingering sense of warmth and closure. I knew that this encounter marked the final farewell, but I was grateful for the chance to glimpse Seraphina's spirit one last time.

As I opened my eyes, the soft glow of the rising sun filtered through the drawn curtains, casting a warm ambiance in the room. A sense of peace washed over me, a lingering residue from my encounter with Seraphina's soul and her comforting words. Meeting her had lifted the burdens that had weighed heavily on my mind, leaving me with a newfound sense of clarity.

A gentle knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and Maya entered the room with her usual grace. She approached the curtains and gently slid them open, allowing the morning sunlight to flood the room. 

"You're up early today," Maya observed, noting my wakefulness.

"That's because I had a good sleep last night," I replied, my tone soft and content.

"Shall I bring your meal to your room today?" Maya inquired, ever attentive to my needs.

"Sure, I would appreciate that," I responded gratefully.

"Your wish is my command, my lady," Maya replied with a warm smile before stepping out to attend to her duties.

After Maya left the room, I rose from my bed and stretched, feeling the stiffness dissipate from my limbs. With a determined resolve, I moved to my wardrobe and selected a fresh set of clothes for the day. As I changed, the weight of responsibility settled upon my shoulders once more, reminding me of the task at hand.

Once dressed, I called out to Tenebris, summoning him to my side. True to his nature, he appeared as a misty fog, his form obscured from view so that even if someone were to enter the room, they wouldn't be able to see him.

"Tenebris," I began, my voice steady as I addressed the shadowy figure before me, "do you have the mana stone?"

"Yes, I have it," Tenebris replied, his voice echoing faintly through the mist.

With a wave of his shadowy hand, the black mist parted, revealing the gleaming mana stone hovering before me. Its surface shimmered with a mesmerizing brilliance, imbued with the pure power that I had worked so tirelessly to harness.

I reached out, my fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the stone. A surge of energy pulsed through me, igniting a spark of determination within my soul. With the mana stone in my possession, I knew that I was one step closer to achieving my goals.