Chapter 37: Abide The Fail Test

***WARNING: This chapter contains foul language, deaths, violence, and sensitive content.

***Alright Now Continuation Of Chapter 37...

"Marquess Dions I assume you know why you were called?" (Fake Empress Paola, asked)

She finally spoke up as her eyes scrunched looking at the Marquess Dions like a person who had violated the law.

'...' (Marquess Dions)

"I assume, to report to your Majesty for the detainment of the Second Lady Lepiliondel" (Marquess Dions, said)

"Is there any other particular reason for why my presence shall hail in front of your majesty?" (Marquess Dions, asked)

Marquess Dions wasn't successful for no reason he knew how to use his words really well.

To others, he may have seemed as if those were respectful words but his words were not.

They were hostile towards the fake Empress and she knew it because this was a man that disliked her so openly.

That was the main reason he hated to be involved in political matters.

The royal family could not lead a rightful kingdom with a selfishly inconsiderate tyrant Empress.

Including the future heir to the throne the crown Prince Jerek  Von Rhone.

He had no interest in the second Empress's son Prince Lisandro Von Rhone he knew that he was unable to structurize the throne in other words he didn't have the agility nor the capability to rule the Empire it was bound to fall apart under his ruling.

And Prince Lisandro Von Rhone wasn't involved in political affairs as he spent most of his time in the Chessuraus temple.

Although, he had heard of his amazing swordsmanship skills sadly it wasn't enough to pair those of the second Prince Dorion.

That was a whole different case if anyone was good enough and fearful with unmatchable strength and intelligence to continue the structure of this Empire it had to be Prince Dorion but his rationality was something to question it.

At the moment at least the Emperor did well enough to rule but when it came to his love choices then he was quite a fool with his affairs having to be all influenced by the greedy wickedness of the Empress who possessed this seat.

And now with the confidential news that the Emperor had been bedridden suddenly who knew the future of the throne?

As much as he hated to be near any involvement so did the Fake empress hated seeing his face.

Her lips twitched at his tone of words however she responded to him back.

"I see it's been a couple of months since I've seen your face that I've forgotten the lack of involvement the Marquess has until your hunting duty so do tell me" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

"Mind I repeat over the rules that take yearly in our hunting competition?" ( Fake Empress Paola, asked)

Just like her eyes, her tone was humiliating him as if he had forgotten the rules that had to be abided on the hunting competition.

Rules that he must have forgotten were her intentions to shame him in front of the Imperial Rhone knights that she had summoned.

She liked the power, to press down on anyone who she disliked.

"If you are to imprison any respected noble you must withhold proof first and verify it" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

She pretended to refresh his memory with one of the main rules.

"It was reckless of you to do so" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

'Luckily I've gotten rid of all the incriminating proof...he's now in a difficult possession without proof he's good as disgraced for violating the rules imprisoning that stupid child' (Fake Empress Paola's inner thoughts)

The Fake Empress had managed to quickly send assassins to get rid of the Imperial Rhone knight on standby to ambush Aurora.

She wanted to make sure there was no trace of the behind-the-scenes to what was really happening.

The Marquess Dions and everyone else only believed that Adelina had tempered with the map which was true but they did not know of the undercovered Imperial Rhone knights that were hiding.

There was no trace of them, not one drop of blood.

She had gotten a servant to confess that it was him who tempered with the map to go and meet with Aurora as he fell in love with her at first sight according to him he caught a glips of her before the hunting competition and found she would be attending and he was the very one who handed out the map to her.

The Marquess Dions should know this information as well as he came from interviewing the confessing servant before finishing his report.

Now it was Marquess Dions who had unjustly imprisoned Adelina without finding the truth behind the map and unjustly taken her to the dungeon.

If anyone would lose face it was he who had violated the laws and would lose face with everyone else for impersioning the Saintess unjustly.

That was meant to leave a great mark on his reputation even worthy of far greater consequences.

She wanted to rub more furry and what a perfect way to bring them up, his weakness.

"But of course, if we're questioning how the Marquess Dions bends the rules for his daughters simple words then it must not have been that you forgot but that your judgment was.... influenced" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

Now she had done it.

She had involved the Marquess's two daughters in this.

One could say that he had done it because his two daughters had told him to do so for their personal grudge and this matter wouldn't just involve the Marquess who had without a doubt imprisoned the Saintess but his two daughters who committed the crime of framing the Saintess as well.

The Marquess wouldn't just get the punishment for the violation of laws but his daughters would be on the terms of receiving it as well.

At that very moment those words that she had purposely spouted to trigger him to act irrationally in front of the Imperial Rhone knights just to add more consequences of what they Dions family would be charged.

She had played her cards right she thought.

'Widen'

His eyes widen instantly.

'Enraged'

Just as his jaw locked in furry.

His daughters and his family were everything to him yet she had dared to.

'Raise'

'Charmed' (Fake Empress Paola's inner thoughts)

'Open'

His lips finally opened again but this time it appeared they trembled at the resistance they forced on not yelling at her.

"Bending the rules for my daughters you say your majesty?" (Marquess Dions, asked)

He said with a cold angered voice.

"Don't you think I should worry more for the Empire's sake if the rules are continually bent for the Crown Prince?" (Marquess Dions, asked)

"My daughters words should be the least of your concerns as I've taken high pride in educating them exceptionally" (Maquress Dion, said)

"But I suppose not the same could be said for your son the Crown Prince your Majesty" (Maquress Dion, said)

'Trigger'

Now it was he who had flipped the coin and humiliated her in front of the Imperial Rhone knights who also knew of the cover-ups Prince Jerek had for his aggressive behavior and his sleeping around record.

'Grit!'

She was infuriated at this humiliation but he didn't stop there because he had more advantages to him than she sought out to be.

"And as a matter of fact" (Marquess Dions, said)

'Pull out'

'Glimmer'

'WIDEN!!'

'?!!' (Fake Empress Paola)

He had pulled out one of the needles that the Fake Empress had provided to one of the Imperial Rhone knights to poke Aurora and a similar shredded piece of cape.

How the hell was this possible was all her complexion displayed.

She thought all the evidence had been dealt with.

"I don't think your majesty's ovation towards my daughters would be enough to praise them for the proximity of uncovering the true criminal behind this case" (Marquess Dions, said)

"I've raised my raised my daughters far too well enough to find the flaw hidden behind the aggressors" (Marquess Dions, said)

"A mind so bright that they remembered the faces of all the imperial knights registered under the Empire and outstandingly deciphered those who had magically disappeared before they got a chance to ambush the Duchess Rainers with a simple glance of this shredded piece of clothing and this questionable unexpected item here" (Maquess Dions, said)

"It's impressive of my daughters, I say but enough of that rather are you not curious what I want to ask Your Majesty?" (Marquess Dions, asked)

"A syringed needle forged by the very temple" (Maquess Dions, said)

"The corruption runs deep "(Marquess Dions, said)

"And the involvement of the Imperial Rhone knights it's quite questionable your majesty do not forget" (Marquess Dions, said)

"Perhaps did Her Majesty have something to include in this case?" (Maquess Dions, asked)

His words were clearly pointed and exposed.

Just like how he had openly exposed three corrupts.

The one who had tampered with the map Adelina.

The temple for whomever of the god servers were involved and the very fake empress who must have sent out the orders to ambush Aurora and disappeared them to get rid of every evidence in sight.

'Silence'

The room went silent instantly.

This was an accusation towards the main corrupt of this case.

But there was no way in hell she was going to admit to that.

No matter how odds she was in.

'Open'

Her lips opened again with an offended frown.

"Marquess Dions you're  not saying I have any involvement in this incident are you?" (Fake Empress Paola, asked)

"Your words are of treason now so tell me are you implementing your final thoughts?" (Fake Empress Paola, asked)

'Stare'

'Close'

He stared at her expression for a few seconds before he calmly closed his eyes.

'As I expected it....without a doubt it was her majesty's plan' (Marquess Dions's inner thoughts)

There were many reasons why she could have done so perhaps it wasn't all the same for the two other corrupts but what in hell was that kind of syringe needle doing there?

It was completely empty nor did it have any trace that it ever contained anything.

He had not figured out yet what was the purpose of it but he had already figured out the individuals who involved themselves for different reasons.

"No Your Majesty it was just a question for investigation as it has not concluded until the very victim wakes up to give her own testimony we won't know who was behind this really" (Marquess Dions, said)

"Those who have done nothing wrong won't have the urge to fear" (Marquess Dions, said)

He finally opened his eyes as he said that a certain glimmer shined in his eyes looking at the Fake Empress.

He knew who it was and she knew that he knew.

"The servants log of outings are always recorded whenever they have the chance to leave the outer walls and so are the witnesses of the Rainners servants who managed the outings of the Duchess, strangely they don't add up" (Marquess Dions, said)

"That unfortunate servant was simply a discarded pond leaving the second lady Lepilondel as the main corrupt" (Marquess Dions, said)

"...." (Fake Empress Paola)

"Her logs match up pretty well even down to the person who she generously hired to adjust the map" (Marquess Dions, said)

"And upon this investigation, I've stumbled upon something quite interesting...." (Marquess Dions, said)

'Tilt'

He tilted his head to the right as if to remember something then looked at the Fake Empress expression who had already fallen.

"Not too long ago the Duchess Rainners had been Kidnapped by a couple of thugs hired for the price of a couple of golden coins, so yes I've imprisoned the Saintess with incriminating proof" (Marquess Dions, said)

"Now can your Majesty still continue to say that I've violated the law without a valid reason?" (Marquess Dions, asked)

'Clench!'

'That....fucken bitch! I knew her foolish actions were going to come and bite me!' (Fake Empress Paola's inner thoughts)

'If he digs deeper than this, how am I supposed to get that useless bitch out?!' (Fake Empress Paola's inner thoughts)

It wouldn't take much effort for the Marquess to find the whole truth if he sets himself up to be but even if she wanted to get rid of Adelina she was a liability that was not permitted.

She was the sole creation of Moraham.

If that liability was gone then she herself would be killed without a doubt.

'Glance'

She could see the faces of the Imperial Rhone knights.

She should have not called them to witness this interaction.

'Close'

This time she had to find a pleasurable excuse.

"I see, I was not aware of this however it is not strong liable proof enough to keep her imprisoned for all we know whoever is behind this could have framed those who the Marquess Dions believes himself to be involved with in targeting the Duchess as well" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

"But I shall strictly prohibit her from participating in external activities, I'm sure temporary house arrest shall do for the time being for this investigation" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

'At least that way I won't have to worry about her doing something so reckless if she is under house arrest for the time being' (Fake Empress Paola's inner thoughts)

'With this situation, he has no way to revoke my decision' (Fake Empress Paola's inner thoughts)

Her words were at least smart enough to grant Adelina's freedom and get rid of the Fake Empress's suspicion of being involved In this case.

At least on the surface, the Imperial Rhone knights thought so.

'Smile'

Marquess Dions's lips raised slightly as if he wanted to scoff at her audacity.

"Mmm I suppose your Majesty's judgment is far beyond my close mind so naturally I shall thoroughly investigate this case more deeply to bring out the corrupts" (Marquess Dions, said)

He was simply not going to let go of it either including that of the temple involvement.

In other words, this investigation was not closed rather it would be investigated even deeper.

And once Aurora woke up everything would determine the direction this case would head to.

"Then if there are no further inquires I shall retire back to the investigation" (Maruqess Dions, said)

He said to the Fake Empress Paola trying to cut all conversation to the end turning around and excusing himself or almost excusing himself.

There was one thing that he had to make sure the Fake Empress Paola had to be reminded of.

"Ah, I take that my daughters have contributed to this case so much that the safety of my family is granted by your Majesty?" (Marquess Dions, asked)

Marquess Dions's strength was not to be questioned, he was pretty capable of defending his family but he had purposely said that if anything happened to his family, especially his daughters the fault would fall to the Fake Empress who granted their safety.

His words were used in such a way just at the same time warning her to not attempt pointing a sword towards his family.

'Anger'

Anger veins formed in her jaw at the arrogance this man was giving her.

It wasn't a choice.

'That b.a.s.t.a.r.d' (Fake Empress Paola's inner thoughts)

"Yes of course your daughters safety will be granted to their contribution to this case, be at ease Marquess Dions" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

She had to hold her tongue from bitting it off at how furious she was.

If a fool tried to harm the Dions family all fall on her.

It was irritating.

"Yes I am at ease Your Majesty then I'll fare you until the next audience" (Marquess Dions, said)

Reminding her the next time they would meet again would be the concluded investigation.

'Clack'

Leaving nothing but the sound of the door and her furious cussing yells.

"THAT BASTARD!!" (Fake Empress Paola, yelled)

"HOW DARE HE??!!" (Fake Empress Paola, yelled)

Her imperial knights weren't even surprised.

She had many outbursts like this although it wasn't so nice to witness it.

.........

-Rhone Imperial Palace front entrance-

Marquess Elex's carriage stopped right in front of the Rhone Imperial palace entrance.

Something in his dark blue eyes reflected an ominous feeling.

And he was correct.

When he entered the palace the atmosphere was especially...strange.

Was it because the Emperor was suddenly bedridden?

No, whatever it was he had been summoned by the Fake Empress but suddenly was directed towards one of the Palace waiting rooms.

Was he not supposed to be summoned to the audience throne room?

Well, he soon found out the reason as soon as he saw his second daughter Adelina sitting there on a couch with two imperial Rhone knights guarding her however their eyes seemed to be in pain for some unknown reason but Marquess Elex didn't have time to question it because Adelina had moved fast.

"!" (Adelina)

As soon as Adelina spotted her father who had entered the waiting room taken back and confused she sprung up calling out to him as the two imperial Rhone Knights stretched out to try to stop her from getting up without using their words or opening their mouths but their hands did not reach her and came down by the time she was up.

"Father!" (Adelina, yelled)

"You came to get me out Father!" (Adelina, yelled)

She looked so relieved seeing him and glad that she would soon be out with the help of her father who came to pick her up.

However, her father stopped at the opposite of her as an oval table separated them.

"Is it true" (Marquess Elex, said)

His lips opened slowly as he was trying to even comprehend what he wanted to ask stopping her right in her tracks.

He looked conflicted and his dark blue eyes hid a slight terrible discomfort.

Or more like a terror afraid of it being real.

"Is it true Adelina..." (Marquess Elex, said)

"That all this time you've harmed Aurora?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

'Silence'

Silence immediately hit but not for too long as the Marquess's voice sounded once again.

"How far could you have gone to the point to attempt to kidnap her and tempt with the royal hunting ground maps?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

'Twitch'

'Cold'

Her body had instantly halted the very first moment he brought up Aurora's name into his mouth but when he questioned this the very tip of her right index finger twitched and her dark blue eyes glimer cold but only enough for her to know.

An actress like hers had naturally adapted her face to hide that very emotion she felt.

Irritation, fury, disgust, and hatred.

Her father's words had drawn a clear distance line that he purposely did not approach as he always foolishly did.

"Answer me Adelina" (Marquess Elex, said)

"I heard it all, tell me are you going to deny that you feed Aurora rotten food?" (Marquess Elex, said)

"Are you going to explain to me why you and your maids poked needles into her skin?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

"Or about the time you claimed that your sister recked your mother's sacred place?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

'?!!' (Adelina)

Instantly her blood ran cold.

To think her father actually had heard all of it.

What was she expecting only for him to know some here and there of what she had done?

This was so fucken annoying and irritating she thought.

Her body heated up in boiling fury that at the very moment she wanted to rip thoes who had mangaed to convince her father to take Aurora's side in consideration.

She could always butter up to him if she had done something wrong but she knew that the way her father had spoken was a clear indication that his treatment had changed.

There was no guarantee that he would stand by her side.

'How the fucken hell?!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'Who the hell told him everything? The maids? No, they wouldn't...it had to be Arian!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

It irked her to know who had messed up with her plans and backstabbed her like that so she wanted to paint the maids for their betrayal before even knowing if they had actually betrayed her but the most likely the human beings that had betrayed her was non other than Arian.

It had to be him.

It had to!

'Haa...so you really picked that bitch over me?!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

She dropped her head down as if she was accused innocently but in fact it was to hide her griting teeth and her distorted expression with a very dark murderous expression.

As much as she wanted to kill them all especially Aurora there was no time to inflict more doubt in her father who could still stand by her side.

'Plop'

She had to act on it and quickly.

So she fell to the ground or made it seem like her legs collapsed in shock hearing those words with her head dropped down and covering her mouth.

'Slowly look up'

She slowly looked up displaying a shocked face as if she heard some tragic news.

But her eyes had still not looked at Marquess Elex, her dark blue eyes looked at the red rug with her wide open eyes still playing the part as if she was trying to recover from the shock of things she was never aware of.

"What?" (Adelina, asked)

Her hands trembled adding to her acting still covering her mouth.

Anyone who would see this would think she was actually innocent and was hearing this for the first time.

"Such things.... what has happened to my sister within the mansion walls?!" (Adelina, asked)

If anything she could always blame her maids to start off and build pity and innocence to everything her father had said.

They could easily be discarded anyway.

"If I knew...I would have never let them serve in the Lepiliodel mansion, they dared to do such things to my sister without my knowledge?" (Adelina, asked)

She changed her emotions to appear to feel angry for her sister Aurora and angry at the maids who had done such things to Aurora.

She looked quite believable.

"...." (Marquess Elex)

'Look up'

Now Adelina looked up at her father as if she had just processed the shock of hearing the harm that had happened to Aurora.

Her dark blue eyes looked firm and with hatred towards the maids as teardrops started to fall down.

"After I treated them kindly and allowed them to serve my sister from time to time, I hic...trusted that they would treat her as kindly as hic...they treat me" (Adelina, said)

"To think they would hic...do such unforgivable sin...you must have hic...punished them right?" (Adelina, asked)

She looked up and turned to look at her father with waterfall tears throwing the blame to the maids asking if they had been punished.

'Stare'

But Marquess Elex remained silent only looking down at Adelina with an unreliable face.

So she wasn't able to tell if he believed her or if he didn't.

'Bite'

'Dam it. I can't tell what he's thinking' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'Don't tell me that idiot father actually believes Arian? There's no way in hell he wouldn't pick me over....' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

She tried hard not to bite her lip before her father noticed.

She couldn't help but feel furious enough.

'I just have to butter him up more that's all....he has to believe me I know he will' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

"There is no way you'd think it was I right Father?" (Adelina, asked)

"Father....you know that I love my sister dearly, I've always cared for sister with all my heart. I would never do anything to harm her" (Adelina, said)

"If I'm to blame it is for not being able to find out what my maids have done behind my back to hurt my sister like this but I would never harm my dear sister" (Adelina, said)

Throwing the maids was a perfect excuse to shift blame to Adelina and besides there could still be an opneing if she switched the truth to sound believable.

She liked to think that the reason why he was beliving Arian's words because this overall situation had became chaotic and stressful that must be it.

And she had heard Aurora was still unconscious so she was still ruinning on luck.

"I would never...I swear" (Adelina, said)

She acted as if she had been hurt by his insulting words.

'Clench'

As she raised her right arm and clenched it into a fist near her heart as to give a more dramatic pain.

Even her crocodile tears were playing her show as if she was unjustly framed.

"Nowing all this pains my heart and now hic...my own father is doubting me so easily after hic...you've see how much I care for her?" (Adelina, asked)

She would always put a face when his father was around making sure she cherished Aurora in front of his eyes.

So she had to remind him that he would see the love and care she gave her sister Aurora.

With an emotionally accused raised voice she pleaded for her innocence.

"You know Father that even after Aurora destroyed my mother's sacred place I stuck beside her because she is my sister!" (Adelina, yelled)

"She was just a small child who did not understand at the time of what she did! I may have been small but I knew enough it wasn't intentional she didn't mean it so how could I dare to blame her?" (Adelina, yelled)

"My love for my sister did not change and I knew Mother would not blame Aurora for not knowing what was wrong and what was right that is why I prayed to Mother every single day without a doubt to illuminate a path for Aurora so how can you say that to me, Father?" (Adelina, yelled)

"After all that you saw how can you question me like this? I would never do anything to harm my sister nor my mother's sacred place!" (Adelina, yelled)

"Although I never met mother you know how much she means to me!" (Adelina, yelled)

Adelina made it a daily routine to visit her mother's sacred place and pray so there was no one who would say she didn't care for her mother.

Everyone knew how much her mother meant to Adelina.

So if anything that was security enough that she thought she had the advantage of.

If there was one person to blame it wasn't she but.

But the words that follow...

"And how upset do you think mother would be at you Father who's blaming me for things I have not committed?" (Adelina, asked)

"What do you think mother would say, father, I never made a difference between my siblings but Father you..." (Adelina, said)

"You regarded Aurora my dear sister into a corner she could not escape it was obvious that the servants were going to treat her wrong" (Adelina, said)

"My only mistake is trusting my maids who betrayed my trust but you Father the master of the Lepiliondel household how would such a thing go so unnoticed?" (Adelina, asked)

"Am I really to blame?" (Adelina, asked)

Those words plunged like a knife at Marquess Elex she had used it so well with her pitiful act hiding her crescent diabolical smile with her covered mouth.

Yes, the person to blame was her father.

'Flinch'

He knew it all far too well that Adelina's remarks were truly all his fault.

Yes, he knew it all too well at the end of the day whose fault was it that allowed such a thing to happen.

He never asked for reports on his daughter Aurora and he knew that the treatment he gave Aurora and Adelina were very different.

So can he really say that Adelina was all to blame if it was his fault to begin with? He had created this division not intentionally at the beginning but no one would know that as time grew it became a sort of cope relief to blame everything on that child's existence.

He did not let Aurora out for the mere protection and humiliation she could receive at least that part in his heart was true even when the hatred inside his heart wanted to have all of her existence.

He didn't want to interact or know anything about her because he felt guilty that one day his heart would once again bend for her but that never happened because the nightmares repeated themselves like a broken record.

It clouded him as if fog and soon he did not want to even look at her face god who knows what would happen if he got on his knees, cried, raged, and confessed that in that hidden spect of love he really did care for her but the amount of hatred for her was just far too overbearing.

She would never understand it and he would never tell her because his stupid pride would never let him.

No.

It was because he was a coward.

He wasn't enough of a man to be called a father knowing he had done nothing and yet everything to harm her.

How ridiculous and funny those words that once Arian had said had angered him and now that his cherished daughter had said, it was as if every emotion in him had crumbled.

All of it had fallen and hit him all of a sudden, Adelina's words were proof of what he had done.

He wanted to get on his knees, cry, rage, and confess that he really did care for Aurora this time to ask for forgiveness something he hadn't let himself do.

Now it was probably too late to tell her all this, tell her he was afraid to tell her that he did love her so he put a cruel upfront to remind her that he did not love her.

He wanted to tell her that he also wanted to cherish and protect her because she was still his wife's daughter and his, a gift regardless of how his wife's life had ended.

A bad prophecy child or not, she was his daughter.

He wanted to tell her what he had kept in for so long afraid one day it would scar her but at the end of the day he scarred her far worse than if he were to tell her the reason why he didn't want to see her.

He wanted to tell her why he didn't want to interact with her or know about her.

But he never did, he didn't allow himself.

It was wrong, he knew that.

And now he was the one who had ruined it all filled with regret.

His heart understood the words Adelina had said to him because it was the very reason he finally realized his emotions when he had seen saw Aurora's unconscious bloody body carried by Arian that his daughter meant to him much more than he didn't want to show and how much he wanted to tell her that.

"Perhaps it was why the maids harmed my sister in favor of you father" (Adelina, said)

And yet this wasn't even the start of Adelina's words, her lips raised further up more at the satisfaction of Marquess Elex's expression.

Oh, that really brought her joy to see him crumble like that if he thought Adelina was the only one to blame.

"Although they served me at the end of the day they are servants of the Lepioldnel family which you lead" (Adelina, said)

She was making a great point proving her innocence and directly aiming it towards his father's power.

It was a smart move to provoke guilt from him.

And it appeared that her words had gotten to him or at least he stayed silent as if to think of something but his eye seemed to have many emotions it was hard to pick one out.

But when Adelina shifted him her blame it was as if he remembered the words that were stuck in his mind that he could not comprehend.

It was words that his wife had once told him.

Was this the reason why he felt like this when he finally saw Adelina?

"No" (Marquess Elex, said)

After he had thought to himself he had let his words out firm and sharp enough for Adelina to notice.

This time he had gathered what he wanted to say in that heart of him that shattered for his own actions.

But there was something that would turn the events of today.

His heart had not lost all rationality.

"I'm afraid you are in no position to be believed, as I am not in any position to shift blame being the horrible father who allowed everything that happened" (Marquess Elex, said)

"I am to blame for everything I stand by my incompetence, selfishness, and mistakes" (Marquess Elex, said)

"There will never be enough time to tell my children how much I regret it, especially Aurora"(Marequess Elex, said)

"I neglected what was important and denied the existence that your mother gaved to me, I've treated Aurora worse than anything I am the filth here" (Maruqess Elex, said)

"I'm a scum unworthy of living, I'd give up my own life for her and even that won't make up all what I've done" (Marquess Elex, said)

"It was all my fault I was so blind that I let my emotions get the best of me but now" (Marquess Elex, said)

He took a pause as his face crumpled in guilt and regret however there was some firmness in his dark blue eyes.

"I can think clearly" (Marquess Elex, said)

"..." (Adelina)

He took a pause before letting Adelina continue her act.

"I find it hard to believe that you didn't have any involvement in any of these perhaps the maids bit the hand that feeds them but there are acussaions that don't apply to such thing" (Marquess Elex, said)

"To think I gaved leeway to you as you acted on your own violation to step on my daughter as you liked and harm her in indescribable ways that would never heal her wounds because I payed no attention what was really going on at the time" (Marquess Elex, said)

"Or that you fogged my son's head with utter hate for Aurora because I've allowed you to have unlimited freedom without faceing any consequences without what happened inside these dam walls" (Maquess Elex, said)

'Frown'

His brows frowned the more he spoke he clearly was regertful yet acted like a complete cold man.

"I would have blindly believed you like I always did however something changed... I realized too late" (Marquess Elex, said)

Of course he had he didn't realize that the divine blast had clear the constant voices inside his head that always had it out for Aurora.

When he saw the bloody lifeless Aurora was the very begging his emotions had wavered in such way and Adelina's words were the tip of cake.

Well it was actually due to the divine blast as well but both were the very own reason of these emotions.

And drawn line.

"Adelina" (Marquess Elex, said)

His lips opened again as his expression was now frim as if he had made up his mind with no one to revok his decision.

"I am not here to come pick you up "(Marquess Elex, said)

'WIDEN'

'!!' (Adelina)

Her face grew in distorted shock and it was words from her own father that cherished her that had hit her like this.

"From this day forward you are to learn properly, nothing in life goes without having consequence you will stay here in the palace until the end of the investigation and I shall investigate throughtly about everything you have done in the mansion I will no longer tolerate any harm to any family members" (Marquess Elex, said)

"If you truly have done nothing wrong then I as a father will apologize for my words however if your behind everything you will face the consequences till the time necessary to serve" (Marquess Elex, said)

"People who commit mistakes shall learn how to own up to them just like I'll own up to mine" (Marquess Elex, said)

'Turn'

Marquess Elex turned away from her to leave he really had nothing else to say to her but halted his step.

"Your mother once told me something" (Marquess Elex, said)

Except for one thing.

'Close'

He closed his eyes as he remember his wife placing a flower crown  on top of his head as she wore the Saintess unifrom.

"It's not impossible to steal divine power but its impossible to take that power away from the original owner permanently" (Maquess Elex, said)

"If you know what I'm referring to I hope your prepared when your sister wakes up" (Marquess Elex, said)

'SHOCK'

At that very moment.

Any hope she had to keep her father's side was completely gone.

No matter the words she had heard coming from his mouth she would let him cool off and prove her innocence with the help of the Empress he'd have him begging at her knees to cool her anger for the father who was choosing to stand by the sister she hated with all her heart.

But these words are not light.

She knew what his words meant exactly and she knew that he knew now.

That the power that Adelina held must not have been hers.

She was done now.

Everything she had built...

If her mother had said such a thing then he would have known the method, there were marks on Aurora.

Arian had probably told his father there was no way she would ever recover after being found out like that.

Those words had just conflicted everything and her father was really leaving her like this?!

'Boiling anger!'

She lost it.

The sanity she was holding on to.

And she will come to find out that she had unconsciously let her emotions show a part of her form.

'AHHHH I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THAT BITCH!!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'SHE IS ALWAYS RUINING MY LIFE! I WILL NOT HAVE IT! (Adelina's inner thoughts)

"I WILL NOT HAVE IT! I WILL NOT HAVE IT!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'EVERYTHING IS MINE!!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'EVERYTHING IS MINE EVEN IF I HAVE TO DO THINGS FORCEFULLY ALL WILL BE MINE AS I DESERVE!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'I WILL NOT LET THAT FUCKEN BITCH TAKE AWAY EVERYTHING THAT SHOULD BE MINE!!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'EVEN IF I HAVE TO SIGN A CONTRACT WITH THE VERY DEVIL AND SUCK UP TO THE EMPRESS I WON'T LET YOU HAVE IT AURORA!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'I WILL RUIN EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU GET THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE MY THINGS! I WILL RUIN IT ALL!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'IF YOU THINK YOU'LL GET IT BETTER THAN ME AND HAVE NOTHING TO PAY YOU ARE SO WRONG!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'YOU'RE GOING TO WISH YOUR BOADY HAD BEEN ATEN BY THE MONSTERS AND SHIT YOU OUT ONLY TO LAY YOUR PILE OF BONES LIKE DISCARDED USELSS TOYS!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'YOU'VE TICKED ME OFF AND YOUR GONNA LEARN STARTING WITH THIS INCOMPETENT GOOD FOR NOTHING FATHER' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'YOU ARE BOUND TO FEEL FAR MORE REGRET IN YOUR MISSERABLE LIFE AND TILL THE DAY YOU DIE I WILL MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER IT EVEN WHEN YOU DEPARTH OF YOUR LAST BREATH!' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

Her whole body boiled in anger, she had tried to restrain that anger as could not trigger the shadows but furry had taken over her as she glared furiously at the Marquess Elex's back who was walking away from or was about to.

"HA" (Adelina, scoffed)

"YOU THINK AURORA WILL FORGIVE YOU?! MY, YOU ARE REALLY A FOOL AREN'T YOU!" (Adelina, yelled)

"YOU FATHER ARE NOTHING BUT A ROTTEN PIECE WITHOUT REPAIR!!" (Adelina, yelled)

"WHY DON'T YOU JUST KILL YOURSELF THERES NO POINT IN LIVING IF FORGIVENESS WILL NEVER COME YOUR WAY?!'" (Adelina, yelled)

"YOU SHOULD DIE, FATHER, YOU ARE BETTER OFF DEAD IF YOU DON'T LOVE ME DO YOU UNDERSTAND? NO ONE ELSE IS IN YOUR SIDE THAN I SO WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE FOR YOUR HEART TO PUMP?!" (Adelina, yelled)

"THE ONLY PERSON WHO EVER CARED FOR A PITFUL FATHER LIKE YOU WAS I BUT YOU TAKEN THAT FUCKEN BITCH'S SIDE!" (Adelina, yelled)

"NOW I'VE BEECOME DISGUSTED AND IRRITATED AT YOU FATHER! HOW DARE YOU NOT THINK ABOUT ME!?" (Adelina, yelled)

"WAS I NOT GOOD ENOUGH OF A DAUGHTER FOR YOU FATHER? WAS THAT IT?!" (Adelina, yelled)

"HA, I'M BETTER THAN SHE'LL EVER BE WHY CAN'T ANYONE UNDERSTAND THAT! WHY CAN'T EVERYONE GET THAT IT EVERYTHING IS MINE TO BEGIN WITH?!" (Adelina, yelled)

That instant her maniac voice first screamed made his body turn completely and stop to look at her however the instant he turned to face her was the moment he saw it.

The face of Adelina who resembled his late wife was covered in black veins and her right eye had gone black.

Half of her neck and her lips turned completely black crawling with black shadows connecting to a multitude of attached black shadows screaming like screeching hungry vultures.

"EKKK" (Shadows, screeching)

"KILL HIM! KILL HIM! HUNGRY! RIP HIM TO SHREDS!" (Shadows, screaming)

The only sign that could connect any eye contact was Adelina's left eye which had split into her dark blue eyes color and a black color.

It was horrifying to see this it was as if she had become a human being completely surrounded by darkness.

A being who had sold her soul to the devil.

And Adelina...no could you have called her like that in this state of being like this?

But what made it more horrific to watch was the suffocating anger and the raging fury of someone who had lost control.

It was as if she had lost all sanity.

'WIDEN!!!'

"?!!!!" (Marquess Elex and Rhone Imperial knights)

Sudden shock filled the room even the Rhone Imperial Knights who backed five steps unconsciously behind.

They appeared to have been informed of such a thing to happen but did not expect to witness it.

Fear had actually stuck them.

Their legs wanted to run away but they weren't allowed especially after the fake Empress had cut their tongs and forbade them from leaving if this situation had happened and spoke of it.

They had taken the fake empress's words to be strangely unsettling but it in fact it was serious when she had cut their tongs.

They did not rebel even for the unjustity that they would not spout out a word at least they were lucky they would not face execution it was pitiful that they were unfortunate to be picked to guard the Saintess.

When their tongues were cut they understood that the fake Empress's words were serious but they really didn't expect that what she told them was actually true that the Saintess was....

Well now it didn't matter, all they had hoped was that the kind Saintess that they had heard of would not react in such a way tho those beliefs shattered with the information they were told but what could have been done?

The one to trigger her fury had been the Father and the one who was now not allowed to leave.

He had been called out for the sole purpose of testing him and he...

Failed.

If he had taken Adelina's side like always and believed her there would be no need to do all this but he miserably failed and triggered Adelina.

Now it was confirmed that the Marquess Elex would take Aurora's side and the nightmares that Moraham had to summon had perished and cleared Marquess Elex's mind with the blast of divine power.

'What the hell is that....' (Marquess Elex's inner thoughts)

Marquess Elex's expression distorted in horror as his body unconsciously shivered at the thought that whatever Adelina was or what had taken hold of her had always been living with the Lepilodel family.

Now the words that he had heard at the birth of his two daughters resonated.

Aurora who was the one to suck up her mother's life, the one to hold no divine power was not her.

From the start, it was Adelina from the very beginning.

And it wasn't just empty words of a daughter who had sucked up the mother's life no, this was a sinister beginning that had forged its way and grown inside his wife's womb.

Adelina was the being and destruction of the Empire.

A demonic sinister being.

'TREMBLE!'

It wasn't fear that had taken over him rather than anger that he had let something like that live amongst his son Arian and his daughter Aurora.

He wanted to give Adelina the last benefit of the thought that she had sold herself to the devil or performed black magic out of nowhere but it didn't add up.

He remembered his wife's black fingertips hidden underneath her nails.

A discarded possibility that whatever dark destruction was actually true and it wasn't a side of childbirth that she had lost her life as she had pushed herself way too hard on birthing Aurora first as birthing Adelina who was born fast and without pain.

The only conclusion that he could draw was that from the very start, from birth that dark entity had been born.

"What the hell are you?!" (Marquess Elex, yelled)

His veins popped out in anger as he yelled at whatever she was furious like never before as if he was ready to slice her head but Adelina only smirked sinisterly and laughed as if it was the most enjoyable thing her life had brought her.

She didn't answer his yelling question because she knew it all, how he felt but there was no need to dwell on this man because the last person they had been waiting for had arrived.

'Rub, Rub'

A person whose long red fingernails rubbed against the top ring stabilizing the bracelet.

The bracelet that had been turning black was replenishing its color as the shadows and veins that were taking over Adelina were disappearing and bringing her sanity.

"I'm sure you'd like to know but I'd have to kill you if I told you" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

'HALT!'

'?!!' (Marquess Elex)

When the person who had rubbed the ring spoke up behind the Marquess and passed him with a mocking laugh and sat down on the couch across him positioning her hand under Adelina's chin harshly pulling it towards her to look at her.

"Did I not tell you to control your anger? Ha, you useless thing can't do anything right" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

'Squeez!'

'Turn!'

She spoke to her like a child as if she was useless and served no purpose with her eyes irritated and intolerable before squeezing her grabbed chin and turning it harshly to look at the Marquess Elex's shocked distorted expression.

Adelina's complexion had returned and it appeared that she had realized that her anger had gotten to her.

"It was so simple to convince the Marquess with your two-face lies but now you gave me a hassle of unnecessary things I have to deal with in one day" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

'Close'

She closed her eyes still irritated.

"Do you think I enjoy asking for the second potion today?" (Fake Empress Paola, asked)

"If the Emperor didn't drink it all everything would have collapsed and now I have to deal with your father too?" (Fake Empress Paola, asked)

'Open'

'Glare'

She opened her eyes as if the confession of the Emperor was nothing to her.

Her eyes made direct eye contact with the shocked Marquess Elex but before he could say anything she motioned with her index finger in a motion swirl and all two knights whose tongue had been cut off swished in an instant grabbing a hold of the Maquess Elex's elbows and kneeling him down to the grown while a flock of knights surrounded every part where it left no escape for Marquess Elex to flee.

If only he had brought his sword but he had rushed to the palace to get it over with and see his daughter who was lying in bed unconsciously to ask for forgiveness.

But really who was he kidding?

He was surrounded like this without a weapon may have been the least of his problems.

For all he knew there would be far more imperial knights where they came from probably guarding the waiting room right outside and what about Arian and Aurora?

If he defended himself it was not just treason for him but his whole family.

However.

Even if he hadn't interacted with his daughter's bastard husband there was no way he was going to let anyone harm her and Arian was bound to protect Aurora so if anything he was relying that their safety would be granted.

He was not afraid of what were to happen to him so when he was about to try to get up the fake Empress's words halted him.

She had read him like an open book.

"Oh there is plenty where they came from, all of them don't speak much not like they have that ability anymore but you should worry about yourself a little more after all can you really get up?" (Fake Empress Paola, asked)

'Squeez!'

'Halt!'

'Widen!'

'Shadows?!' (Marquess Elex's inner thoughts)

Perhaps it was the word of the fake Empress that stopped him or something that did not let him get up than the mere strength of the two knights and the ignorance of all those swords pointing knights at him.

It was perhaps the countless shadows wrapped around his legs like tight tentacles.

The grip was so hard it could be compared to an unbreakable chain.

It was the same element of those shadows.

That fake empress, she had made it clear she controlled everything, even the shadows.

'Clack, Clack'

She made her way in front of him with a sinister satisfied smirk as she pulled out a dark purple potion bottle and leaned towards him so her face was looking down and he was looking up at her.

"I'm wasting my valuable things here on a man like you" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

"I never liked you one bit and certainly hated your bitch wife, she was quite the irritable woman always so noble and happy joining hands with Oralith" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

"Tch. How irritating" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

"The only thing that woman did right was lose her life, ha such a hassle was to find enough of both so her body would crumple and perished according to our plan" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

She did it, she had done it.

She had enraged him that his face crumbled in anger.

Admitting to unforgivable crimes.

'CLECNH!'

'SQUEEZ!'

"YOU KILLED MY WIFE?!" (Marquess Elex, yelled)

He had clenched his jaw to the point that it almost made his teeth bleed and he had tried to lounge himself toward the fake Empress to kill her but the shadows that were holding his legs had now wrapped around his arms and chest that only his face and neck was able to move.

This brought satisfaction to the fake Empress.

"Oh don't get so agitated she had a happy ending didn't she? She meet death just like that bitch Oralith in hell" (Fake Empress Paola, asked)

"Don't you say it's a good?" (Fake Empress Paola, asked)

She asked him with a mock as if it was a joyous comment.

"Unfortunately I can't dispose of you as much as I hate you, we still need you for the final stage" (Fake Empress Paola, asked)

It was anger that he had been so blind and tricked by such being.

'Open'

She opened the dark purple bottles and grabbed his chin two revealing the purple liquid forcibly as some poured down his throat.

"Say farewell to the love for your son and your daughter" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

"It is gone now, you are bound to this enchantment Marquess Elex" (Fake Empress Paola, said)

"!!" (Marquess Elex)

It was too late to realize to realize what this potion did.

'Change'

The Marquess's dark blue eyes had turned into a dark purple color and changed slowly back again to his dark blue eyes staring at the fake Empress like a doll waiting in command of its puppeteer.