❝𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄❞

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙚

chapter forty-nine: “Melanthaha.”

(n/a: Rukkhadevata is MC's mother figure.)

—

COLD. The temperature wasn't the only cold thing, the tension between the former ruler of Khaenri'ah and his forgotten wife as well. There are two harbingers behind him, seemingly bringing the Jester to Childe's house...

     "Good evening, (Name)," he bowed. "It's been a long time since we've last seen each other."

     They didn't expect the next scene—(Name) slapped her former husband, sending him kneeling before her as he grabbed his face. "You dare speak so casually to me after knowing what happened?" She asked, the hatred towards him growing again.

     The taller Harbinger behind him was withdrawing his sword, but the female sitting on a robot stopped him. "No, don't attack her. I'll handle her here," the Jester instructed. "(Name) calm down."

      "How can I calm down? Now that my bewitched husband is in front of me thinking everything's alright?" She questioned, her lips quivering from the memories. He tried to reach out for her, "No. Stay there."

     Despite his now wrinkled face, there was bitterness on it. "Alright, if you insist. I'll stay here," he agreed and left them at a short distance. "I was just checking if you're alright here in Snezhnaya..."

     "I don't need your kindness, Pierro. I'm not a child you could dote on," she told him and still bears the same expression as she has earlier. "You still need an explanation to tell me."

Only the cold wind blowing around them was the only noise, she waiting for his answer. Even though this was just her human form in front of him, she still bears the same aura as when they first met—the kind, yet intimidating vibe...

     "... I was married to someone, that someone bewitched me and you knew. Right?" He started, earning a reluctant nod from the immobilized goddess. "Once you left, I was married to her and she removed the bewitchment on me."

     She scoffed, "You're still as oblivious to things as before..." She remarked, earning a disgruntled sigh from him. "I know there's something more in this story. I need to know."

     "I know who's the woman who bewitched and you know her too, that's why you fled from Khaenri'ah," he added and now it's (Name)'s turn to be surprised. "She was the sole reason why you hate your kind if I'm not mistaken. It was your grandmother who bewitched me, forcing me into marrying her."

That title again, that title has always left a bitter taste on her tongue. Her people, who catch the ruling of her relative, have suffered a lot due to how many times she sacrificed their loved ones in nonsensical wars she causes. Everyone was in misery during her reign, that includes her granddaughter—(Name)...

     "And then?" (Name) asked, in a blunt tone. "I knew she is ruthless towards people she uses. Often killing them to remove evidence of her tampering with someone's life after she finally got something that she wanted... What did you do to survive, Pierro?"

     Bingo, Pierro flinched from the question. He never underestimated the intelligence since she was raised by the Goddess of Wisdom, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, "... I—"

     "You're back already?" The voice of Tartaglia interrupted their session, snapping the heads in his direction. "HEY, CAPITANO AND SANDRONE AS WELL! GOOD TO SEE YOU!" He greeted, walking towards (Name).

     "It's rude to interrupt someone's conversation, Childe," the one with a mask—Capitano—said.

     The ginger-headed male wrapped his arm around the (h/c)-haired woman's shoulders, "Sorry about that, Capitano. You see, Ms. (n/n) over here is my guest and you need to wait for your turn if you're so willing to have her attention!" He chortled, starting to pull her back to his home. "I prepared some hot soup, so it'll ease the chilly temperature, Ms. (n/n)!"

     (Name) smiled at him, "How wonderful, Ajax. I would like to taste it," she agreed. He chuckled as he opened the door of his home, before she could enter—she mouthed something to Pierro, "Try and bother me again. I won't hesitate to end something my grandmother couldn't."

A sharp thud left the remaining Harbingers hanging, leaving them in the harsh cold. The agents dispatched with Pierro and the other two (Capitano and Sandrone) returned their way towards the Zapolyarny Palace, leaving the first Harbinger at the entrance of the house...

     "I'm sorry, (Name)..."

— (FLASHBACK)

The day of (Name)'s disappearance led people from Khaenri'ah to wonder—where did the horned woman go? Did their King cheat on her? Did she betray and used him? Too many rumors are spreading in the region...

     In one of the chambers, the new soon-to-be wife of the King of Khaenri'ah is humming a tune. "What a lovely little bride I'll make..." She hummed, combing her hair. She then pulled the mirror, "My dear, I'll look divine!" She chortled, touching her face.

Unbeknownst to her, the King of Khaenri'ah (still in bewitchment) is currently in the hole of the door. Instead of seeing the long white hair and blue eyes in the mirror, he rather saw a woman—similar to (Name), but more wrinkly and old. Her snake-like yellow eyes stand out from her gothic features...

     She then chuckled, "Things are working out according to my ultimate design!" She continued. "Soon I'll have that little granddaughter of mine... And the whole Celestia will be mine!"

In some way, he didn't expect to be freed from her curse. He didn't waste any time searching for his original wife—he found no one in her chambers or their shared room. He covered his mouth, wondering what has he done...

     "Your Majesty?" Someone knocked on the door. "I heard you gasping over there and you sound terrified, is there something wrong?" One of the Royal Guards, the Twilight Knight, questioned.

     The King opened the doors, "Dainself... What happened? Where's (Name)? Where's my wife?" He asked, shaking his protector's shoulders. "Who's the woman in the guest room? What's she doing here?"

     Dainself raised an eyebrow, "Your Majesty, that's the new woman you're gonna marry. You told me yesterday you already divorced Lady (Name) and she vanished the day you proposed to marry Lady Melanthaha—the woman in the guest room..." He remarked. "The maidens are currently preparing her wedding—" (Melanthaha means dark flower.)

     "Cancel the wedding."

     "Pardon?"

     "CANCEL THE WEDDING!"

— (END)

The “Tsaritsa” is currently pacing back and forth in her chambers, thinking of a way to possess her granddaughter's body. Knowing the power between the body she now has and the other, there's no possible way to overpower (Name) even tho she's immobilized at the moment...

     "I SHOULD'VE NOT KILLED HER CHILD!" She grumbled, destroying the bed with an ice shard. "NOW I DON'T HAVE ANYONE LEFT TO USE AGAINST HER!"

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マレウス