An unknown person enters the room. The room appears to be larger and more crowded. Instead of books, this place smells like vanilla. As they walk, they come across another woman sitting on the couch, reading a book. The woman is so engrossed in her book that she fails to notice the person standing before her. At least, that's what Natalie initially thought.
Furthermore, neither person is aware of Aurora's presence. As if she never existed or was never present. That's when she realises she's in someone else's memory or perhaps in a dream. The individual is still standing there, waiting for the woman to finish reading. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the woman put down her book, adjusted the bridge of her nose, and sighed at the person.
"You will keep doing this, aren't you?" the woman suddenly speaks.
It's been weeks since the person has returned to the location, requesting the same favour from the woman. Every day, the person will wait for her and return at the same time.
"It's my fault," the individual admitted.
"It is, indeed, yours. So why are you dragging me into your shambles? " the woman questions the individual, tapping her fingertips on the table.
"I should be angry at you, but things happen. I almost burned down this Empire because of what you did," the woman points at the figure.
"Because I love her, and I will never let her go again," the person stands there for a while before saying something, almost causing the woman to miss the person's words.
"Bullshit!"
The woman is perplexed by the figure. Perhaps she does not believe what she's hearing. The person's request is so difficult to fulfil that even the most powerful magician would struggle to make the wish come true. It's been ten years since the rebellion, and the person still can't get over it. She even wonders if the person can bear her words. It's easy to say, but doing it is an entirely different story.
The individual has been consumed by guilt, swallowed by darkness. Her fanaticism toward achieving their goal has cost them a lot of things. Another person has been following the individual since day one. Perhaps the individual is aware of this but is unconcerned. And it's also another day for the woman to pick up another book or practise her magic.
The following day is the same; the person walks back into the same room, and the woman is always there with another book. The individual would remain standing until the woman said the first word, "Come on, she's already gone. You must accept it."
The person replies again, "Even if I have to turn this Empire into ashes to bring her back, I will," before leaving the woman.
The woman expects the person to return the next day, but this does not occur. She feels strange because the person used to bother her and then leave. That's when the woman realised something was wrong and changed into all black. Aurora continues to follow the woman, and at that point, she realises she has arrived at a cemetery.
Their eyes are watery as they stand in front of a graveyard without a name. It's been ten years since the person passed away, and they're still mourning. They did everything they could to dull their emotions, but it was no avail. It's excruciatingly painful; they keep having the sensation that their heart is being torn in two. They've lost a lot of loved ones, and this one is different, so different from the others.
They are clutching hydrangeas and roses in their hand. As the woman approaches the individual, she expresses her condolences for their loss. Then, when something unexpected happens, the person kneels on her knees, pleading for her wish to be granted. The person is aware that the woman in front of her is capable of such behaviour, and she will not stop doing so to carry it.
"Please bring her back," the person said, their voice glimpse trembles.
The woman appears perplexed by this behaviour, but their demeanour shifts instantly. What's the big deal about begging on your knees? She can do it as well. More importantly, the incident harmed her in another way. But she handles it differently than the person kneeling in front of her.
As Aurora examines the scene before her, she realises why the woman looks so familiar. She looks precisely like Duchess Smith, with her blonde hair and striking ruby eyes. As if she were a carbon copy of Natalie. However, the woman appears to be much more mature. That's when Aurora realised the woman was one of Natalie's ancestors, Duchess Anastasia Smith, the last holder of magical power in the Smith household.
As Aurora comes out of her slumber, she tries to get out of bed but is halted. Suddenly, she feels a pair of strong arms around her waist, and she turns around to see Medea hugging her from behind. Of course, it's possible that Medea subconsciously embraced her due to the close quarters of their tiny bed. But it bothers Aurora because she dislikes when other people intrude on her space.
A sharp pain spike in her head again, throbbing, almost exploding Aurora's brain, so she lay down again and rested in Medea's arms. The dream still bothers her, and she cannot recall the scene from the original novel. The person appears familiar, but Natalie cannot identify her. Duchess Anastasia is a descendant of the Smith family from 150 years ago.
"Why would the woman appear so suddenly in my dream? And how did I know it was Anastasia Smith?" Aurora closes her eyes, trying to dissolve the headache.
After a while, it subsides quickly, as if it's never been there before. Then, the Duchess of Light tries to free herself from Medea's grip, but it is so firm that it appears impossible to do so without waking the Duchess.
"No, do not leave me," mumbles the Duchess in her sleep, tightening her grip.
Aurora still feels awkward in Medea's arms, but a knock at the door saves her from the everlasting awkwardness. But unfortunately, it is already night when Veronica emerges from the door, while the pink eyes are stuck on the Duchesses' position in the first place.
"Do you want some tea, Your Grace? Maybe a dinner?" Veronica inquires, rousing Medea from her slumber.
"Oh, my Lady! Do you want to join us?" Veronica asks Medea another question.
Duchess Smith smiles and nods in response to the gesture. She tells the pink-haired woman that she will visit the location later. Both women remain in bed as Veronica leaves, and Natalie takes advantage of the opportunity to slip away, leaving Medea alone.
"Nate," she suddenly said, stopping Natalie in her escape track.
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry," Medea said, but Natalie was a little off at the moment.
She is perplexed by the sudden apologies. That's when she recalls their argument before all of this happened.
"Express how you are feeling and thinking. I'm not sure what you're thinking, but it would be beneficial if you could tell me. I'm not great at communicating either, but I'm hoping we can grow out of this," Natalie said while smiling at the lady in front of her.
Medea returns the blonde's smile, and it is the first time they both genuinely smile at each other. It's like going back in time. Then they leave the room and come to Veronica's for tea, along with the other men, including Apollo and Hector. Fun fact, though, it's the first time all four have sat at the same table without trying to kill each other. Lord Apollo and Marquess Hector make dagger eyes at both ladies, but the Duchesses don't care.
Both are too tired to deal with their childish antics. As time passes, the man who treats Natalie returns, accompanied by his magician friend. He appears to have had difficulty examining Natalie just now, wanting to check on her again. His friend is more skilled than he is, so he is standing in front of them, asking for permission from the Duchess of Light.
Also, as much as Hector and Apollo want to dismiss what happened earlier, they know that a new power is emerging within Natalie. While Apollo is unaware of Hera's divinity power, Hector has an epiphany that it is somehow related to Hera. But he couldn't figure out why the power appeared simultaneously as Hera's divinity.
Natalie leaves, curious about the mysterious power that emerges within her. It feels strange to her, and she can feel the energy flowing through her body. It was as if it had always been there, waiting for her to unleash it. As soon as they enter the room, the man begins to examine her. He appears serious at first, but his expression quickly changes.
He speaks, "It is peculiar."
Medea enters, concerned that Natalie might be uncomfortable alone with the man. After all, she knows the younger woman despises being alone with a stranger. Nevertheless, the blonde woman stares at the man, oblivious to Medea, who has just entered the room.
"Did he knows about me? Fuck, I forgot about it!" Aurora sinks herself in the wild thoughts of that possibility.
She is concerned that the man knows who she is. Aurora has completely forgotten about her origins because there is so much going on. How could she have forgotten the most fundamental thing? Survival!
The man speaks again, "Who brings you here again?"
The man's question perplexed both women, while fear clawed up in Aurora's throat at that moment. The worst has happened, and it is only a matter of time before the magician finds out the truth. Though Aurora does not anticipate it being this way. The blonde woman now realises Medea has always been present.
"Shit, Medea is here. Oh Lord," Aurora's throat tightened at the thought alone.
If the woman in front of her has figured it all out, she has no idea what to do.
"What do you mean?" the blonde asks with her voice glazed in anxiety.
"There is an ancient power surge within you, and I have only known of one woman who possesses that power. Only by resurrecting time could the power be transferred. I am certain she has turned back the clock, but the risk is too great to take," the man elaborated, scratching his head.
Medea and Natalie couldn't help but stare at each other. At the moment, the blonde woman could only gulp. Dread twisted Aurora's stomach until she felt she wanted to throw up. She is afraid that Medea will discover her true identity.
"Could you please explain in detail?" Medea inserts herself into the conversation.
"Lady Natalie's magical ability. Unlike most magicians, she is born with four specialities: ice, fire, time, and teleportation. As a magician, only one person in my life can match your power, and she is a legend in our world. However, I believe that woman is similar to you, with your eyes and hair colour being the most noticeable differences," the magician scrutinises Duchess Smith's features, especially the ruby eyes.
"Furthermore, because the power is derived from ancient magic, the only way to transfer it is to travel back in time. That means someone brought you back here and was born with the power within you. Yet, the magic is risky to be made even by the most powerful magician. "
Aurora could only stare at him while the pile of information continued to dig and bury herself in the grave. Is someone bringing her back? She comes from another world. Why would anyone want to get her back? Is it possible for the magic to be false and bring another person back to this world? Why does that dream correspond to her current situation?
"Do you know their name?" Medea's voice changes slightly when she inquires the question.
"Her name is unknown to us, but she is a living legend. However, she is currently in hiding. Therefore, you will only be able to meet her if she chooses you."
All the blonde could do was sigh, knowing there was no way to flip this situation.
"What do you mean by risky to be made?" Duchess Valimos continues with her another question.
"It is risky because returning to the past could upset the world's balance. Furthermore, it has never been performed by a magician. A magician engaging in such ritual risks losing all of their magic and altering future events. It is truly a miracle when Her Grace is born with this power. But I have faith that someone can bring her back," the man has finished, holding his chin.
The man then excuses himself from the situation. He refuses to accept payment for his services because he is honoured to meet someone with magic like Duchess Natalie. The blonde woman could only imagine how Medea would react to this incident. But she is correct; Medea has deduced everything from this single incident. As the man walks away, she grabs Natalie's hand and pulls her back into the room.
Aurora is unaware that a dagger is pressing against her neck as Medea asks in a chilling tone, "Who are you?"
"As expected, she knows."