"Your shooting skills improved, Your Highness." Daniel complimented me on our way back to my manor. We just finished a game of hunting for the morning, bringing back a few fowls and rabbits. "Let me guess, you want me to thank you for teaching me." I chuckled.
"I believe I deserve to be." He confidently replied. He hastened the speed of his horse to catch up with me, "Besides, I caught more than you did." the corner of his lips curved up.
"You wasted three bullets, I say your skills are getting blunt." his smug quickly disappears,
"Hey! That was –"
"Your Highness!" the two of us immediately looked at Ebiene coming towards us with urgency. "What happened?" Daniel asked.
"We have a guest." she stated without her usual calm voice.
"Without sending prior notice?" Daniel then transferred his gaze towards me like accusing me of something, "What did you request to the Coin Collector this time?"
"I didn't-"
"It's her, Your Highness." Ebiene quickly interjected. The three of us shared a look before it dawned upon me.
----
With every brisk step I took, I could hear my heartbeat getting louder and louder. Ironic how I wanted to get away the moment I was informed that she was here and yet I'm coming towards her like my life was on the line.
"She's waiting for you at the Summer Rose Pavilion." Ebiene beside me said as we got closer. We stopped right at the end of the passageway leading to the garden where the pavilion is. I sucked in a deep breath through my nose and exhaled through my mouth to calm my nerves. Leaving the two behind, I trod the passageway leading to her.
With light steps and a calm demeanor, I reached the entrance of the pavilion where I immediately saw her figure. The Summer Roses are in full bloom in the background while she sits patiently in her chair at the tea table. It seems that tea has already been prepared and its accompanied by a few light snacks. Her silver eyes were focused on the flowers when suddenly a light breeze blew through our way, a lock of her flaming crimson hair flew out of place. She tried to tuck it back behind her ear and that is when she saw me standing still at the entrance. I froze the moment she locked eyes with me and memories surged back to my head, a chill runs through my spine. Those silver eyes are reminiscent of the blade which she placed above my neck and the color of her hair matches the blood spilled from my body. I will never forget that moment. My breathing shortened but tried to conceal it.
"It's been a while, brother."
"Veiltrese..." her name softly came out of my lips. Despite the wrecking anxiety, I was thankful I didn't stutter. She then gestured for me to sit with her. How troublesome.
"What's with the sudden visit?" I casually asked her with a small smile and sauntered towards her, never breaking the eye contact.
"It suddenly came over me. It's been a long time since we've seen each other, don't you agree?" she took a sip from her tea. Unfortunately, I don't share the same sentiments as her of wanting to see your step-sibling. I made a mental list of people I don't want to see and she's first on the list. Well, actually she shares the spot with a certain person.
I smiled, "I appreciate your time to visit. If only I had been informed earlier about your visit, I would have prepared something more than tea and snacks."
She giggled softly, "It's fine. Like I said, it was rather a decision I made hastily. And there's no need to be so formal, I am not on official business...and you're my brother."
Hastily, she said. But looking at the snacks she brought, she must have requested this to the royal cook beforehand. Moreover, it's step-brother.
"True. But I am also talking to the future queen of the kingdom, am I not?" her smile slowly retreats as she also puts down her cup, she sighed before speaking. "Must you really act like this? Even with a smile on your face, I can perfectly sense your dislike towards me."
"Then pick up the cue and leave already." my mouth opened before I could restrain myself.
"I believe I cannot yet. I wish to talk to you." she stubbornly replied.
"I don't want to."
"Why?"
"Just leave."
"I just got here."
"I don't care. Leave-"
"Are you hiding something?"
"I-"
I body stiffened at her question, my mouth hangs ever-so slightly, processing the situation. I stared at her face, trying to discern her expression. Silence ensues.
Ah, shit.
"What are you up to these days?" she beats me first and my lips thinned for a second as I think for an answer. "Nothing much, just the usual routine." I answered calmly.
Her eyes wandered on the garden.
Shit.
"You have a wonderful garden. I was strolling earlier and can't help but be captivated by the flowers, especially by some that I haven't seen before." She muttered, bringing the cup close to her lips.
"..."
"But this place...it reeks of magic."
My fist clenched under the table. There it goes. The magic traces used here haven't completely dissipated yet. It takes a minimum of a week to make the traces unnoticeable and it's been only 2 days since magic was cast here. Although what we've done here was completely concealed from the outside, it is not the same once inside. I did not take into account that someone would be here especially her. I mean... who visits me here?! No one did before.
"I was experimenting, just trying out new spells. My mana levels are spiking up lately so I need to let out some." I answered and she hummed as a response. "I could see you doing that," she chuckles softly, "I remember when we were kids, you once told me that you'd rather have a green thumb than be born with mana. Only when you realize that you can conjure flowers out of thin air using magic that you've become interested in studying it."
My lips thinned awkwardly at her narration, "Yeah, fun times." And then shoved a macaron into my mouth.
"But the current level of human magic can only do as much as make a flower bloom, change its color, or grow a plant to a few meters. Even so, it would take years of mastery and a large amount of mana.
"But to revitalize a whole patch of barren land into fertile... it would take a miracle."
Our eyes locked with each other.
"Which is why you need that elf, right?"
YOU ARE READING
The Villain, The Hero, And A Deal (UNDER MAJOR REVISION)
FantasíaLlavin, the "villain" of the story, was given a chance by an unknown deity -- a second chance in life to fulfill his desperate wish. But as he goes back to time, things turned complex and complicated than he expected it to be. To fulfill his wish, h...
