Chapter 20. The Beast Who Learned to Pretend to be Human

Remesis spent the rest of the night thinking about what she had seen, and even admitted to herself that perhaps Asil was not as soulless a monster as she had thought. Even she was no stranger to something human.

The love Remesis saw in the princess' eyes could not be faked. Like a mother gazing in awe at her child, or a couple who had lived together for decades. The same unconditional love that the girl had never experienced before.

No actor can portray such sincere emotions.

Therefore, even if at first it was hard to believe, after seeing it for herself, Remesis had all doubts. In the back of her mind, she felt relieved and happy. If the princess loved this girl so much, Remesis had not yet left any chance to re-talk about the divorce.

After all, since she had promised to be with Gardenia for the rest of her life, it would be foolish to continue to stay married to Remezis in such a situation. Oh, and the head's daughter herself would hardly want to remain as a mistress for long. What truly loving woman would like that?

So Remezis was patient and was going to wait until Asil herself would not talk to her about divorce. The girl only hoped it would happen as soon as possible. Killing Asil for the sake of leaving the North was a last resort. If possible, the girl didn't want to take such a dangerous risk at all…

Remesis pondered her plans for the upcoming divorce until she fell asleep. And in the morning, when the sun was just beginning to show from behind the horizon, the girl was awakened by shocking news. All the inhabitants of the northern castle were talking only about it.

Tonight was undoubtedly the most fateful night in the history of the empire.

All the members of the Daehsin family were killed in just one night. Including Remesis's older sister, Katrina, who had married Liana not too long ago. Remesis jumped out of bed and before she could even wash her face, she began to question her maids about what had happened. And they reluctantly shared their information with her.

As it turned out, the details of the massacre were known by morning to almost everyone in Nadal. News from the capital spread at the speed of light. All news publications wrote about the fall of the astrological order and the future of the empire. No one could believe that the organization, which was the stronghold of the empire for centuries, collapsed in just one night.

And the reason for that was love…

After yesterday's conversation, Gardenia, without warning anyone, brought Asil to the Daehsin residence for a family dinner. The girl wanted to introduce her beloved closer to her relatives. Of course, no one expected how it would end.

Khalias Daehsin became furious that his daughter dared to bring a «cursed demon» into their home. He demanded that the princess leave the estate immediately and never bother Gardenia again. A scandal broke out. And that's when Asil put Gardenia in front of a choice:

— Decide. Will you stay with me or will you accept your father's will?

The princess's quiet and ingratiating voice was like the hiss of a tempting serpent. As Gardenia trembled from head to toe, not knowing what to do, Asil approached her from behind and whispered in her ear:

— Do you love me?

— Y-yes…» the girl swallowed her saliva.

— Then there's no way you're going to let anyone keep us apart, is there?

Slowly, she put the knife in her hand. Gardenia's fingers clenched it painfully. At that moment, it was as if some kind of veil covered her eyes. The very thought that she and Asil would have to part made her mind go blank. Instead, her eyes filled with rage. And she cried out, lunging at her own father with a cold dagger.

The High Astrologer's bodyguards didn't have time to do anything. Neither did he. The man didn't believe to the last that his daughter was really capable of such a thing. And he realized it only at the moment when the metal pierced his heart.

The corpse of her father, who had passed away rather quickly, lay at her feet. Gardenia's hands were covered in blood. She turned to Asil with hope in her eyes that it was finally over. No one else would be able to stand in their way.

— Sil…» the girl's eyes sparkled with a glint, «Now do you promise to always be with me?

Asil smiled gently at her. She stroked her head. The nickname 'birdie', with which the princess often addressed her in private, escaped her lips:

— My little bird, as long as you are with me, you will always be happy.

Gardenia's bloodied face contorted in a happy smile. Asil's hand slowly traveled down from her hair to her neck. She whispered softly to her:

— Even if I make a scabbard for my sword out of your beautiful skin, you'll still be happy, right?

Gardenia's pupils dilated. But she didn't have time to react in any way. In the next instant, Asil's fingers closed around her neck, and there was a corresponding crunch. The princess slowly squeezed her fingers until all the ligaments crackled. Similar to snapping the neck of a bird.

When Asil unclenched her hand, Gardenia's corpse fell in front of her like a sack of garbage. The girl's neck had become a shard of broken bones that could barely hold her head up. A bloody stain began to spread across the white carpet.

Everyone around could only watch in horror at what was happening. The soldiers of the northern army, who had been secretly following the carriage all this time, had already rushed into the manor. Not even a few minutes later, a terrible massacre began. Since that night, almost no one had survived.

When Remesis learned of what had happened, she was horrified. Nausea came up to her throat, and the girl even threw up. Although she thankfully didn't witness it live, one glimpse was enough.

Remesis couldn't believe it.

Just yesterday, the princess was confessing her eternal love and looking at the girl she wanted to tie her life to with glowing eyes. And today she ordered her knights to dismember her body and feed it to the pigs… She skinned the corpse to use it as material for her new sheath.

— Ah, I always knew that. My bird's skin is so nice and supple. It's like suede. So much better than deer.

Remezis overheard all this creepy talk from Asil's mouth after she returned to the castle. The princess was chatting casually with her master, who was making weapons and armor for her. The next day she returned as if nothing had happened, and went straight back to work as if nothing had happened.

Only then did Remesis realize that all her hopes were but a fleeting illusion. The beast had merely learned to pretend to be human. Asil could not feel real emotions, but she was able to portray them so believably that she seemed more realistic than real lovers. All her beautiful speeches and actions were just an act.

Necessary for the fulfillment of a long-standing revenge.

Despite her usual coolness, the princess was still very cunning. With her capabilities, it would not have been difficult for her to simply storm the central astrological tower, Glencia, whose location was no secret to anyone. But she did something much more sophisticated than that: she seduced the daughter of the supreme astrologer, whom he valued more than anything else in the world, and then forced her to kill her father with her own hands… And all this in front of not only the subordinates of the Order, but the entire empire.

A stain on the reputation of a great cult that could never be washed away.

Now, as the girl thought back on it, many vivid images flashed before her eyes. Meeting Liana had been perhaps the most unpredictable event in her new life. For a while Remesis couldn't take her eyes off her, and almost forgot that they didn't even know each other.

«They do look alike…»

The sisters shared the same hair and eye color. However, there was no denying that Gardenia was still more attractive. The younger sister was as sweet and charming as a fresh May rose. Liana, on the other hand, didn't have such smooth features or an adorable face. Although she was pretty too.

The young noblewoman who had turned fourteen not too long ago was a bit embarrassed by such close attention from the little girl. Especially since they hadn't met before.

The silence was broken first by the priest.

— Lady Daehsin, to what do I owe this visit?

The Holy Father's attitude towards the guest was extremely unkind. He couldn't even hide the disgust in his voice. Liana noticed his hostile aura, but remained calm. She greeted the head of the temple properly.

— Liana Daehsin greeted His Eminence.

— …

The Holy Father's eyes squinted as he watched the bowed successor of the Astrological Order. As members of two opposing organizations, they didn't meet very often. Therefore, he couldn't help but wonder what had prompted such an unexpected visit.

— I heard that this year you are holding an ancestor worship service,» she continued, «It just so happens that due to my busy schedule, I was unable to attend the previous services. It's a pity that I didn't make it this time…

The man pressed his thin lips tightly together.

— Did you want to attend the service? — He asked intermittently.

— Of course. The temple is an integral part of our empire's culture. As its servant, I wanted to show my respect for tradition. Isn't everyone who wishes to do so allowed to do so?

Although there was a relatively neutral expression on both of their faces, the atmosphere was heated to the max. Remesis suddenly realized that she was short of breath.

The clergyman gritted his teeth:

— God's mercy is open to the heart of anyone in need. However… It only applies to the faithful.

— Is that so? — Liana said nonchalantly, «So I'm not welcome here?

— Lady Daehsin, our services are meant for the faithful to turn to God, not for you to put on a show… This is what our flock calls blasphemy.

— …

— Let me ask you, do you consider yourself faithful to God?

Although the question was clearly provocative, Liana's expression didn't change. Despite her young age, she was surprisingly mature and able to control her emotions. The girl's lips stretched into a polite smile.

— First of all, I am loyal to our empire and the people who live in it. Your commandments speak of loving your neighbor. Isn't that enough to get me to come here?

The Holy Father clenched his fists. Liana managed to deftly twist away from his question, and in such a way that the priest couldn't even counter it. «As you'd expect from those hypocritical bastards. Good with their tongues.»

— We may have different methods, but we're on the same mission. To do good for people. Therefore, I find no reason for contradiction between us.

The holy father remained silent. When the noblewoman, who was clearly unaccustomed to denying herself neither comfort nor pleasure, had spoken of «good» for people, he had almost made a grimace of bile. Yet the priest held back.

This was not the place for bickering and swearing. Liana had come to the temple on her own, and by the rules of the temple itself, he couldn't just kick her out. The main law of the faithful stated that anyone who wanted to confess had the right to do so. Besides, if word of this got out in Glencia, the situation would take an even worse turn.

As much as he hated it, there was nothing he could do.

— Then I wish you a good prayer, and that God will hear you,» he said dryly, «I won't interrupt. I will leave you to it.

The priest's long white robe fluttered as Remesis watched him walk away. The man left very quickly. Soon they were alone in the hall.

— And you are Princess Rania, I presume? — Liana addressed her casually.

Remesis gave her a grim look before answering. The feelings she had for this man were mixed. Suddenly pride surged in the girl, which prevented her from bowing her head to the successor of the head of the order. She remained standing still.

— Do you know me? — Remesis asked quietly.

— Oh, of course,» she replied with pleasure, «our families have been planning to get engaged for several years now. Of course I know all about your family. You are Remesis Carter's youngest daughter. Rumor has it that you've been dubbed a once-in-a-century genius.

Remesis replied bluntly:

— It seems you are indeed well-informed.

The supreme astrologer's successor couldn't hold back a chuckle. In such situations, it was customary to say 'you exaggerate my abilities', or 'I'm not as good as you think I am', but Remesis simply recognized it as fact. Such insolence, especially from a child, is not common in noble society.

Liana was a little interested.

— So you really are a genius?

— Who knows,» Remesis shrugged, «But since everyone says so, I guess it's true.

Liana laughed again. They sat down on the same bench, leaving a decent distance between them. Despite this, Remesis could still get a good look at every emotion on her face.

— I heard that the professor of the imperial institute was personally going to take you under his wing. You had every chance to advance your career. Why did you refuse?

— Why should I have said yes? — Remesis objected, «Maybe I've dreamed of becoming a princess of the north all my life.

Liana looked at her a little surprised. After which she asked:

— So are you happy now?

— More than happy.

Liana was silent for a moment, then said with a smile:

— Then congratulations on your new title, Your Highness.

— Thank you, Lady Daehsin.

Remesis replied briefly and purely formally. The resentment that was building up in her could not be reduced by anything. In that moment, she suddenly realized what the villagers of Araken had felt when they had beaten her… Because of the Astrological Order, Remesis' life had been ruined from the beginning. And now the successor of this lousy organization was by her side.

Deep down, the girl knew that it was wrong to hate a person she didn't even know. Liana is only fourteen years old. In fact, she is a child like them and has nothing to do with the deeds of her ancestors. It was a logical point of view. However, Remesis still couldn't deal with her feelings.

— I believe our wedding with Senior Lady Carter will take place soon. I hope you will be able to grace the ceremony with your presence.

— I'll do my best.

— You will?

— I can't know for sure, but… Congratulations in advance on your wedding.

Liana grinned.

— Thank you for your wish.

— Don't mention it. I'm sure you and my older sister are perfect for each other.

Remesis didn't even try to placate her as the heiress of a great family. What would be the point? In any case, she and Katrina would be dead just a couple years after marriage. But Remesis didn't feel sorry for either of them. She only sighed.

— I have to go now,» the girl stood up from the bench, «My consort is probably already waiting for me.

Liana smiled and stood up as well.

— Of course. I dare not delay you, Princess Rania.

The girl held out her hand, and Remesis did the same in return, initially thinking of shaking hands. But Liana's soft lips suddenly touched the back of her palm. The girl almost flinched in surprise.

— May the stars bless you, Princess Rania.

Liana was still holding her hand. At those words, Remesis couldn't hold back a faint chuckle. Had she really said that in the temple? Especially to her? That was a funny thing to say. The girl didn't know if she did it out of malice or if she just didn't give the situation much thought.

At any rate, it was time to end this show of feigned politeness.

Remesis pulled her hand out and answered her with the same casual smile:

— Oh, yes. Luck of the stars, something I will certainly need.

  ***

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