He collapsed on the floor, bloodied. As for her, she took her cup of brugmensia in her hand and looked at him. As he tried to get to his feet, the scarlet-haired woman landed on the ground beside him.
— I don't understand... What have you done to me? he asked numbly. How did you know that yours wasn't poisoned?
She took a sip, staring into space.
— But who told you my cup wasn't? she asked wistfully.
After many attempts, he still couldn't sit up, and lost even more blood.
— Explain, then.
She took another sip before sighing, this time looking at the contents of her container.
— Before you came, I imagined every possible scenario, and the one in the refreshment bar was well thought out. So I taught a fairy to mask her presence almost entirely so that she could spy on us. Depending on the turn of events, she would play different roles. Because you were too confident in your abilities, you neglected intelligence and observation. You didn't even suspect that I might want to hurt you with my colleague.
She finished her tea in one gulp and continued her explanation, under the troll's gaze.
— Your cup contained a few mixtures of odorless toxic flowers, to make you think you were out of danger, and low-dose brugmensia, preventing you from feeling the symptoms. Mine just contained brugmensia, in normal doses, so that I could feel the effects and thus make you believe you were in control of the situation. But what I find ironic is that you don't even know the effects of this flower, do you?
He didn't answer, which confirmed the witch's doubts. She made no comment and continued to speak, her gaze growing sadder and sadder.
— Brugmensia is a hallucinogenic plant, and the most important alkaloids can be found in the aerial part, here, she said, pointing to the spot with her finger. As for symptoms, they're usually dilated pupils or pupils of unequal size, like mine. It's also used by certain individuals to abuse a person, hence the name "date-rape drug". But this use is known only to care centers, and is not disclosed to anyone else. Since the plant isn't for sale, and elves are the only healers on this planet, that means your accomplice is one of them, she concluded.
At last, she looked at him, waiting for an answer. But he only asked her one question.
— Who do you see?
She looked away, delicately tearing off all the parts of the flower as she asked him a question of her own.
— Do you know why these are the flowers I hate most in the world?
He nodded in disapproval.
- Because in the past, you've used them to rape Lycair. She asserted more firmly. I know you remember. You and all the inhabitants, including the king, abused her.
- We made sure she didn't say anything, how did you know?
Losing more and more blood, he cried out in pain.
She held out her hand, as if caressing her face. With this gesture, pure melancholy had now invaded her.
— The origin knows everything.
Unable to bear the sight of these plants any longer, the witch burned them in her hand.
— I've wondered for a long time how I could make you pay for what you did to her, and only death can solve that problem. I hate killing, and I think those who take pleasure in it have no soul. But if it's to protect me and my loved ones, I'll stop at nothing.
She flew her cup to the table, and spoke no more.
Looking at them, you'd have thought they were part of a painting worthy of a museum. There they were, leaning against the low liana wall. One was dying with a katana in his torso. The other, bathed in his victim's blood, as she stared into the void, the hallucination slowly dissipating.
— Won't you tell me who your accomplice is? She asked.
He laughed lightly, with what little strength he had left.
- I'd rather die, he said, smiling.
- Then die.
And so she stayed by his side until she heard his last sigh.
She sighed as her colleague arrived to take the body.
— Are you coming, Hucral?
— No, thanks, she replied, elsewhere. I'll stay here a little longer.
— As you wish.
While Hucral was deep in thought, tears streaming down her face, the fairy decided to leave without a word.
— Lycair...
___________________________
— You killed him? Asked the queen, still in shock.
— Why are you acting so shocked? I told you I'd kill him if he didn't answer my questions. Asserted Hucral in a detached tone. Besides, I intended to finish him off even if he did.
Before treating Titania, the witch put on another outfit, as her black dress was soaked in the troll's blood. She took refuge behind the screen and selected a white top with wide, puffed sleeves. She put on a long brown skirt, with two belts in the same shade. She even changed her black hat for a khaki green one. However, she decided to keep her favorite black heels. After changing, she gave the queen her treatments. The diviner was about to leave when Titania called out to her.
— What do you say we go and choose your book? She asked with a smile.
Hucral stopped and turned around, intrigued by her request.
— But my stay only ends in eleven days?
— No. It ends the day after tomorrow.
— You've got to be kidding me!
Her Majesty sighed loudly and got up from her bed to go to her desk. She opened a drawer and took out a piece of paper that looked like some kind of contract. She handed it to Hucral, who read it carefully.
— Are you sure you heard correctly when your employer gave you this assignment?
— Well...
She tried to recall the exact moment.
"I'LL HAVE TO WHAT?"
"It's all right, you don't have to shout like that. It's not like you'll be here for two weeks."
She snapped out of her thoughts and turned to the window, suddenly captivated by the beauty of the landscape.
— God, the weather's gorgeous today. Not a cloud in sight...
— Just like there's not a neuron in your brain Hucral, Titania retorted.
— It hurts, she said, falsely saddened.
The queen took the paper from her hands and laid it on her bed.
— You won't be so sad when you get your book. Follow me.
As if by magic, Hucral returned a radiant smile and followed the queen, as if a big sister were giving the little one a reward.
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HIIIIII. I hope you're well and that this chapter was more for you. If you have any suggestions, don't hesitate as long as it's constructive!😆
Kisses my witches and take care.🧙♀️🫶
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An Eternity of Nihility
FantasyHucral is a thousand-year-old witch who is immortal. She and her mother have explored galaxies together. But after an incident, Hucral found herself all alone. During her travels, she crossed paths for the first time - but not the last - with a very...
