Valencia Esmeray

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 - XI : The Witch's Brew

The rain had stopped, leaving behind a cool, damp air. Valencia stood by the window, watching Prince Ian ride away, his figure slowly disappearing into the mist. She sighed, conflicted about the night's events. The safety of her children came first, but now, alone with her thoughts, she wondered if she'd been too harsh with him. She shook her head, brushing the thought away. There were bigger concerns to address.

She turned toward Grandma Eldira, the old woman watching her with wise, knowing eyes. "You're a witch, aren't you?" Valencia asked, though she already knew the answer.

Grandma Eldira chuckled softly, her wrinkled face lighting up. "Of course, child. And so are you."

Valencia's shoulders tensed, though she wasn't surprised. The truth had always been just beneath the surface, carefully concealed with years of practice. "I've had to act normal for so long. Hide what I can do." She paused, her frustration building. "It's exhausting, pretending to be something I'm not."

Eldira nodded, understanding in her gaze. "The world fears what it doesn't understand, especially in these times. But you should never deny your true self."

Valencia glanced around the small cottage, taking in the array of herbs, potions, and other mystical ingredients that lined the shelves. "Do you have any virelia root?" she asked suddenly. "I need it for a potion I'm brewing."

The old woman raised an eyebrow. "Ah, virelia root. Quite a powerful ingredient for someone like you. What are you planning to make?"

"A confusion potion," Valencia said, matter-of-factly. "It's essential. I need it to cover my tracks."

Eldira nodded approvingly and began searching through her stock of ingredients. "Come, child. Let's make this potion together. I might be needing some too".

Valencia joined her, the two women working in silence, blending herbs and muttering incantations under their breath. The air in the room grew thick with the smell of magic, an earthy, ancient aroma that reminded Valencia of her younger days, before the royal court, before all the secrets.

As they stirred the potion, Grandma Eldira spoke again. "Tell me, dear. Why did you seduce the prince?"

Valencia scoffed, stirring the cauldron a little too vigorously. "I didn't seduce him with magic, if that's what you're implying. I hate manipulating people unless I have no other choice. It's too much effort, keeping a spell going. They always wear out, and it's exhausting."

The old woman chuckled softly. "Still, the prince seems quite taken with you."

Valencia rolled her eyes. "It's complicated. But seduction wasn't part of the plan."

The potion bubbled and turned a shimmering shade of purple. Valencia grinned as she ladled the thick liquid into a glass vial, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Now I can finally go back home."

She held the vial up to the dim light of the room, admiring the deep, swirling color. The confusion potion was complete, and with it, she would ensure no one in the kingdom would remember her or her manor.

Valencia concentrated, sending a message through the ether, carried by magic. Within moments, Henry, her loyal butler, would know to fetch her and the children. They wouldn't be staying here any longer than necessary.

A short time later, Henry arrived in a carriage, his expression calm as always, though he sensed the urgency in her summons. He gathered the twins into his arms while Valencia adjusted her hood.

"Guards are waiting for you at the entrance," Henry said quietly as they prepared to leave.

Valencia glanced at him, a knowing smirk on her lips. "I know exactly what to do," she replied confidently.

The carriage ride back to her manor was uneventful, but tension hung in the air as they approached the gates. The royal guards stood at the entrance, watching for any sign of her. Valencia stepped out of the carriage, her hood low over her face, and with a subtle flick of her wrist, she uncorked the vial.

A gentle mist seeped from the potion and began to swirl around the guards. Their eyes glazed over as the magic took hold. Within moments, their memories of her-and the very existence of her manor-began to fade. The confusion spread like wildfire through their minds, erasing all trace of Valencia Esmeray and her home from the kingdom's collective memory.

Satisfied, Valencia turned back to Henry, who was cradling Nina and Deborah. She took the twins from his arms and made her way into the manor.

Once inside, Valencia felt the weight of the day lift from her shoulders. She was finally home, safe, and in control. She removed her hood and set the twins down for the night, kissing them both on their foreheads before sending Henry off to rest.

In the quiet of her room, she finally allowed herself to relax. Slowly, she began to undress, pulling out the pins that held her hair in place, letting her long locks fall over her shoulders. Her corset loosened as she slipped out of her gown and reached for her black silk night robe. The robe clung to her form, ending just halfway down her thighs, and she pulled on a pair of black lace stockings she loved the they looked on her she likes to admire herself before she goes to sleep.

She approached her vanity, the flickering candlelight casting shadows across her face. Carefully, she removed her makeup, wiping away the day's stress. With a slow breath, she blew out each candle, one by one, leaving only a single flame illuminating her reflection in the mirror.

Valencia paused, staring at herself in the dim light. She had seen so much, been through so much. Her past clung to her like a shadow, always just out of reach, and yet she could never fully escape it.

As she reached to blow out the last candle, a presence filled the room. A tall figure pressed against her back, and she felt a familiar hand sweep her long hair to one side. His breath was warm against her neck as he leaned in close.

"Missed me?" a voice whispered in her ear, low and smooth.

Valencia didn't flinch. She knew that voice all too well. Slowly, she raised her hand, gently touching the face that rested against her shoulder. "Welcome back, Cassian," she whispered.

Cassian's hand brushed down her arm, his presence both comforting and unsettling. He had been gone for so long, and yet here he was, as if he was never dead. Valencia turned slowly, meeting his gaze in the flickering candlelight. His dark eyes gleamed with mischief, and a familiar smirk tugged at his lips.

"So you finally decided to revive me ? What changed your mind ?" he said softly, his voice like velvet.

Valencia smiled faintly, though her heart raced. "Don't question me."

The candle flickered one last time before she blew it out, plunging the room into darkness.