Thea

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In general, my subsequent days were monotonous. I would sneak out of the mentor’s house, which by the way didn’t teach me anything anymore, and go to Adeline. And that’s where I was having a good time. We were breaking dishes, and Adeline was fixing it. Well, just because I turned out to be a mediocre student who is good for nothing but smashing and breaking. My friend, by the way, stoically continued to cheer me up and never even squeaked about stopping all this torture and killing time. It is worth paying tribute to her, she turned out to be a really wonderful person. Just like Jen.

- By the way, have you contacted your sister? I’m worried about how she’s doing. - I asked once.

- Although we are sisters, but we are not particularly close to her, so we are not particularly interested in each other’s affairs. - Adeline shrugged her shoulders.

This was unexpected news for me. It turned out that Jen left home early and became independent, while Adeline was under the protection of her parents and grew up quite a spoiled child, which often annoyed Jenin. Therefore, when she found her vocation in Abion, and everything was quiet and calm in the family, then there was no need for close and frequent contacts. But despite this, they still took care of each other when it was necessary.

- I will try to find out and I will definitely let you know. You know that Abion is a closed kingdom, surrounded by magic on all sides. It’s impossible to get there without an invitation, and I can’t send a messenger bird. Therefore, there is only one way – to find out from the old prophetess who enters the vampire’s castle. Jen is very close to her, almost like a daughter. In general, I will try to find out what’s what.

- A witch entering a vampire’s castle? How is this possible? He hates witches, from what I’ve heard. - I asked.

- That’s true, but she is the only one he allows close to him from the witches. And not so long ago she returned to the coven, although for many decades she was his obedient servant. There was such a fuss, the supreme witch was very angry with her. I can’t imagine how she left her alive after such a betrayal.

- But isn’t Jen there too?

- It was her choice, I’m not her judge. But it was Tethys who dragged her there, even though parents and I were against it.

- And what happens, this prophetess was just accepted back like that?

- I do not know all the details, but I heard that the supreme witch gave her a task to find a way to lure out of Abion a girl who became close to the vampire king.

- Why would she do that? - I tensed a little, afraid to hear the answer.

- This is connected with some super important prophecy that is kept secret from us mere mortals. But you’d better answer me this question... It’s you, isn’t it?

I froze and it was as if time had stopped around me. Adeline looked at me seriously and searchingly that I was lost for a moment, not knowing what answer I should give her.

- You don’t have to answer, it was a rhetorical question. I already know it’s you. Klaus said you escaped from the vampire king.

- Did you tell the High Witch and this prophetess about this? - I asked in a low whisper, masking my fright.

- No. - she shook her head. - I told Eugene about it. In the coven, not everyone supports the supreme witch, and some even condemn her actions, although they do not show it in person. I’m one of those people who doesn’t like her, but I trust Eugene, so I told her so she could help you.

So that’s why she took me aside then and searched my memory up and down, and then blocked it from someone else’s intrusion. I exhaled with some relief, although the mondrage in my knees was still felt.

"I don’t like this Tethys either. Ever since she dragged my sister into her murky affairs. Although she treats her with kindness and care, I cannot be loyal to her, because she has never been distinguished by constancy. First she fell for her crush on a vampire and betrayed the coven, and now she’s back to betray him. You know, my parents were young when she left that time, and they said that the supreme witch swore that she would kill her as soon as she appeared in front of her eyes. I believe that only something very important, that they are hiding everything from us, helped to keep her alive.

- Then why do you want me to join the coven? Doesn’t that mean to come personally into the clutches of a tiger? - I asked anxiously.

- Eugene insists on it, not me. I’d rather keep you away from witches and vampires. Maybe Adaman would suit you better, after all, this is a kingdom of people.

The mere mention of this kingdom made me shiver with unpleasant memories of King Adaman, his wife and daughter. What unpleasant personalities. It’s better to hide among other creatures than to be under the protection of such crazy rulers.

Thinking about everything at once and really about nothing, I realized that Giselle and I would hardly find a common language and get along, even if I showed maximum obedience. If I had to stay in Abion until now, I would not be able to get over myself and continue to smile sweetly while she sleeps with Raphael, and even more so I would not be able to continue the relationship that we had planned with him. These were my life principles, which I was not ready to give up. It’s better to be alone.

- It’s going to be okay, baby. We won’t let anyone hurt you. - Adeline hugged me tightly, patting me comfortingly on the back. – Klaus, by the way, also decided to join, so you won’t be alone.

- What do you mean? - I pulled back a little, frowning.

- Eugene is making a potion for him right now that will hide his wolf smell so he can be around. People are not forbidden to be among witches. At the same time, he will be able to train in martial arts, defense and attack. Well, it’s kind of cruel to leave him here alone, don’t you think?

I was a little worried that his personality might reveal itself, just like mine, but relying on my new mentor, I discarded these thoughts. After all, they are a powerful witch who surely knows what she is doing and it is unlikely that she would risk herself so much by helping us if she did not assess the situation. And given that she had the gift of foresight, is it possible that she is doing this because it is safe for us?

***

Lilian

Outside of Eastheve in Riliya, in a once thriving kingdom, a chilling atmosphere wandered. The streets were largely deserted, and the few who found themselves on the street were only tramps or hooligans. Repression flourished in the country for any reason, people were executed without trial, and the reason for that was the current queen, who wanted to show everyone her intimidating character so that no one could go against her. After the death of her dear daughter Xana, her mother’s heart was squeezed with pain and hatred, with a thirst for revenge.

With each day she lived again, she hated the vampire king and her husband’s blood daughter more and more. She hated everything that surrounded her–this palace, these people who were not devoted to her, all these little things that somehow reminded her of Thea and her mother. She no longer cared about the welfare of this country, which began to rot and rot.

Previously, she dreamed of a quiet life where everyone would love, honor and respect her, and she aspired to this. She was vain. It was still a secret for her husband that she had never been in love with him, and all the affection was just an acting game to stay on the throne in order to create a decent future for her children. She took this desperate step to get out of poverty and debt, into which her ex-husband drove her. Lord Chester Dinua, was a native of a famous family close to the royal family of Riliya, who began to bend from the endless spending of Chester. And no matter how much Lillian loves her husband and tries to get him out of this state, he continues to drain his inheritance on gambling and harlots.

The year Madeleine was born was the year of collapse for the Dinua couple’s marriage. Unable to tolerate his behavior any longer, she personally took his life, leaving no witnesses or evidence. She was a powerful witch who had no equal, so it was not difficult for her to do this. In the same year, she wove her love nets around the heart of King Horel Rivaldi. She was not confused by the presence of that spouse. Their marriage was still young, but even that wasn’t the main reason. The main reason was that she needed recognition and wealth.

Lilian entwined the king from head to toe with love spells, but could not break this strong bond between him and his lawful wife, which caused her a caustic desire to get rid of Catherine.

The newborn boy was named Terrence. Since childhood, he was an exact copy of his father, so the king had no doubts about him for a second. He was a caring and loving father to his son, but still refused to recognize him publicly and enter the palace as the Crown Prince. This angered Lillian even more, but she patiently wove her insidious nets, not letting her mind do stupid things.

A year later, the king had a daughter. One would think that Lilian had achieved her goal, but no, the daughter of the king was born to his lawful spouse, Queen Catherine. The girl was incredibly beautiful, with a rare azure-blue eye color and snow-white short hairs on her head. Sunny baby. Everyone around began to whisper about this girl, predicted a happy and great future for her. And Lillian was sinking deeper into her own darkness. The first and only thought in relation to Thea was the desire to get rid of her.

Horel once again managed to weaken Lillian’s spells and wallowed in a happy family life with his wife and newborn daughter. Of course, he did not forget about Terrence and still spoiled him and gave him fatherly attention, but his feelings for his mistress were more restrained, although they did not allow him to completely break off this connection.

Lillian let everything take its course, got herself a young, wealthy and very active lover on the side and a couple of years later Xana was born, whom the king took for his own daughter, not knowing about the connection on the side of his mistress. He was blind and stupid, but he loved his children, there was no taking that away from him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

This continued until the Queen of Riliya passed away. No one could understand what was happening to her, but being a strong witch, Lillian felt the destroyed magical flows in Katherine, as if someone had cut them chaotically with scissors. For a magician, this was tantamount to death, because it exhausted a person and eventually led to complete weakening and sometimes death.

But she could not hope for death to happen or the queen to recover, and therefore put her hand to her demise, exposing the queen’s body to destructive contact with black magic.

The man’s heart stopped tearing apart between his wife and mistress, yielding to the latter.

Horel came a few days after the funeral, his eyes were glassy and lifeless, he looked very haggard, completely out of step with the great ruler. Then the newly returned feeling of confidence that she would be able to ascend to the throne came over her with a pleasant languor. Horel, like a soulless doll, absorbed all the power and might of the witch’s spells, accepting her "love" as a gift from the Gods.

Even Madeleine, whom Lilian had been hiding from the king all this time, he accepted as his own daughter, as if there was no thought where he would have another child. His mind was enslaved, so he sincerely believed that she was his child, despite the fact that he still considered Terrence his firstborn.

The only thing Lilin couldn’t do, she couldn’t take away his memories of Thea. It was as if a place for his daughter was blocked in his heart, which he guarded with his life. However, she was pleased that Horel had cooled down to Thea and showed more concern for Lillian’s children.