Novis

Chapter 20

Alicea beamed as Celia approached her with a horrified look. She pointed at Alicea's dress and gasped.

"You ruined my dress!" she looked down at the torn lace at the bottom of the dress. "This is what I get for being nice."

"Celia, I'm sorry. I'll make up for it but-

"How? How will you ever make up for it?"

Eric rubbed his head, as though he had a headache, and then crossed his arms. "This might have not been the best idea." he said in a low voice and then sighed.

"How can I ever find something to replace my beautiful, my wonderful, my-my-why do you have a sword in your hand?" she blinked as she looked from Alicea to the sword. Alicea laughed nervously.

"Of course, that would be the last thing you notice." Eric sighed.

"I am tired of everyone thinking they can just stand around while I wait here." lady Sullivan spoke causing everyone to face her. "I will kill everyone here. Celia, you have just walked into your death. You can thank your Novis friend for that."

Celia looked at Alicea and then back at Lady Sullivan. "I don't care about this. Where's Eric? I came to see him and tell him something. Eric!" she turned around, enthusiastically searching for him, ignoring Lady Sullivan completely. "Come up here, Eric." She waved at him. Eric looked at his father and then forced a smile whilst walking up to where Alicea and Celia stood. Straightaway, Celia grabbed a hold of his arm. "Aren't you proud of me? I killed all those goblins by myself." Eric pushed her away.

"My father already told me he sent a troop out to help you."

Celia turned her head to General Beaumont, who watched with confusion, and scowled at him. "Forget about that. Alicea wanted you here, although I am not exactly certain as to why she needs you." he gestured towards Alicea who looked from Lady Sullivan to Celia and then smiled.

Alicea lowered her sword and took a few steps back until she stood behind Celia.

"What is your grand plan, Novis? You cannot fight me, so you set the vampire princess on me? Pathetic." Lady Sullivan sneered, "She'll be easier to fight than you." Celia scoffed and shoved Alicea out of her way.

"You know, I don't really care about all of this, but I will fight you just to prove your statement wrong. I'm stronger than she'll ever be." Celia said with a prideful tone.

"You know, Celia, Lady Sullivan thought you couldn't handle those goblins by yourself." Alicea whispered so that only Celia could hear her, "She even insulted your dress and the fact that you care too much about your looks to be able to fight well."

Eric pulled Alicea back with an angry expression.

"What are you doing?" his tone was serious.

"Trust me on this."

"That is a lot of trust you are asking for."

"Elves are invincible, but they have flaws. One of them is being easily offended when they are mocked about their strength, beauty, or their connection with nature. Now, you and I don't have much to say that can offend her but-

"Celia can..." Eric had an expression showing that he finally realised the plan. "Yes. No one can degrade someone as much as Celia can. That is a fact for sure. Once she is distracted, we can attack her." Eric nodded as he understood the plan.

"Now, you listen here, Lady Sullivan. I don't really care about your status, and honestly I always disliked you for not choosing my father to be part of the council, and I really don't see why you act like the leader." Lady Sullivan narrowed her eyes at Celia, "Everyone in the head council is as strong as you are. I bet I am stronger than most of them too. Probably even stronger than..." Celia looked at her nails and then smirked.