The Devil Is The Villainess (✔)

Chapter XVII: Unfamiliarity

In the grand halls of the Genovian palace, Crown Prince Friedrick stood before the imposing doorway of the Chamber of Secrecy. With a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, he hesitantly pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into the dimly lit chamber beyond.

Inside, the air was heavy with ancient magic, the only illumination emanating from a faint glow that surrounded a singular object - a book encased within a shimmering barrier of protective enchantments. Friedrich approached it cautiously, his gaze lingering on the mystical barrier that seemed to pulse with otherworldly energy.

As he stood before the book, Friedrick couldn't help but ponder its significance. "I wonder what kind of secret this book holds that even Medea coveted it," he mused aloud, his voice barely above a whisper.

He was well aware of the book's history, passed down through generations of the imperial family. It was said that his ancestor had acquired it from the magicians of the Black Tower with the assistance of the Falaguerra, although the details surrounding its acquisition remained shrouded in mystery. The reasons behind its importance had never been fully explained to him, but Friedrich understood one thing - it was the most precious possession of the imperial family, a treasure to be guarded at all costs.

***

Caelus's brows knitted together in a slight frown as he posed his question, irritation simmering beneath the surface. "Was the petty prince bothering you?" His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken tension, as he awaited her response.

Medea opened her mouth to reply, but before she could utter a single word, he abruptly turned away, as if dismissing her words before they could even leave her lips. Startled, she reached out and caught hold of his arm, her grip firm yet gentle.

Turning his head to meet her gaze, Caelus paused, his expression unreadable as Medea spoke once more. "I understand what you're thinking, but you need to stop and listen. It's not what you think, okay?" Her words were firm, tinged with a hint of urgency as she sought to quell his sudden agitation.

A heavy silence settled over them, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric in the stillness of the room. Medea couldn't fathom the reason behind Caelus's sudden shift in demeanor. Why was he acting so strangely all of a sudden? She hadn't even mentioned the Crown Prince yet.

Medea let out a tired sigh, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion as she trailed behind Caelus, gently urging him toward the sofa. "Come on, why don't you have a seat and relax? It'll do you good," she suggested, her voice soft but firm as she guided him forward.

Caelus simply raised an eyebrow in response, offering no resistance as she pushed him down onto the plush cushions. With a gentle yet insistent touch, Medea settled him into a comfortable position before taking a seat beside him, her gaze meeting his in silent understanding.

"Let's talk about something else," she suggested, adjusting her position to face him directly. "I recall you mentioning something about sleeping for five hundred years. Does that mean you've lived even longer than that?"

Caelus nodded, his gaze drifting towards the moon that cast its soft glow through the window. "You could say that," he replied cryptically.

Observing his uncertain demeanor, Medea couldn't help but press further. "Why do you sound so unsure?" she questioned, her arms crossing over her chest in a gesture of curiosity.

Caelus met her gaze once more, his expression inscrutable as he shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm not unsure. It's just that... there are gaps in my memory. Things I've forgotten since awakening from my long slumber," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.

Taking a deep breath, Medea settled back into the sofa, allowing herself to relax into its comforting embrace. "That's a shame. I had hoped to pick your brain and test your knowledge of this world," she remarked, a note of disappointment coloring her words.