The Princess And The Lord

Back to the real world things have gotten worse, most of the forest that used to be fertile has turned arid due to the fight between monsters with Byroft although it is profitable that many monsters have died at the hands of Byroft unfortunately after Byroft has finished slaughtering the other monsters it will shift its threat to humans.

Fear gripped their once-vibrant village as everyone had no idea when a threat would come and this uncertainty it only made things worse.

All of the gifted people, including Arthea and Cavio, gathered in the main building in order to discuss what strategy they should take to deal with this unimaginable threat, Cavio didn't say much but Arthea knew that Cavio had made up his mind.

Not far from their village there is a hill from which you can see a wide forest spread out clearly but unlike the usual green scenery, most of the forest area has now been destroyed, trees have been uprooted and green grass has now been replaced with withered grass.

Cavio stared at the scene silently, his eyes gazing far away with an unreadable expression.

"Are you going to face it alone?"

Cavio was stunned but then the corners of his lips curved into a smile, he turned around and sigh "No one knows me better than you Thea"

But arthea was not happy and her whole face was contorted with anger. "don't you have another way other than suicide?!"

Cavio's silence confirms her question immediately her anger sparked like wildfire "Have you ever thought about how I feel, how about Demian? Do you want to make him an orphan like us? you can leave me but you can't leave Demian all alone"

His expression turned bitter, obviously, he didn't want to leave his sister and son, but unfortunately, there was no other choice.

"He won't be like us and he won't be alone...cause you will be there for him," Cavio said.

"How could you say that?" she shouted in a hoarse voice while holding back her sobs "How can I...I can't.."

"But you've seen it right...my death?" Cavio looks inquisitively at her, he finally understood the sudden change in Arthea's attitude at that time.

Arthea averted her eyes and tears rolled down her cheeks she didn't want to admit it but she knew it was useless to hide them.

"I still can save you," Arthea reassured him.

"For what cost?" cavio cut her off "Where there is death there always be death, you know that better than anyone"

"No!" arthea refused to accept it "If I can't change your fate so what's the point to have this power? Why the god show me this vision if that doesn't mean for me to change it?"

"Thea, our strength is our test... how do we use our power, for who and what we do with this power is a test that the gods gave us," Cavio said earnestly "Everything has its cost, and for dam* sure we'll pay for it, one way or another!"

"Then I'll pay for it!" Arthea shout impatiently.

"Thea...." Cavio sighed helplessly.

"I will save you Cavi no matter what it takes! You can't stop me!" Arthea stomps off without waiting for Cavio's reply.

Cavio watch Arthea's back disappear, he took a heavy sigh and then cast his gazes back to the distance "That's what I'm worried about…" he lamented in a heavy tone.

Frustration weighed on her heart as a stone dropped into the depths of a river. Arthea felt lost and alone then she too began to question whether her decision was right or not, she wondering should she give up.

Arthea opened the door of her house and was greeted by Demian and his little friend's laughter meanwhile, Carlie was preparing food on the table, and the peaceful sight froze her for seconds.

"Lady Lucient?" Carlie greeted Arthea who stood frozen at the door.

Arthea quickly collected herself and nod with a friendly smile as if nothing happened, then crouched in front of Demian.

"What are you playing, Demi?"

Demian giggled while showing some of his growing front teeth, the little baby swung a knitted sword filled with corn kernels while babbling baby words in front of Arthea.

A big smile spread across her face while thinking Demian was so much younger when she and Cavio lost their parents even then it was hard for them she couldn't imagine how Demian would feel when he couldn't even remember his father yet.

Arthea clenched her fist, her wavering heart became firm again, Arthea hugged Demian's soft little body tightly before she reluctantly let him go then she headed to her room.

Once she entered her room she closed the door then lay on her bed and slowly closed her eyes.

In oblivion, Lazarus had been waiting, his eyes as steady as glass he had no doubt that Arthea would come, Lazarus stretched out his hand, "Come on, Thea..." his voice was warm and welcoming but at the same time hinted with danger. Arthea stared at Lazarus' hand for a long time before slowly raising her hand, all of a sudden her heart shuddered as their fingers intertwined.

"Don't waste any more time" Lazarus give serene smile almost angelic.

However, Arthea could hear her heart pounding with every step she took but she wasn't going to back down now. Arthea took a deep breath as Lazarus led her to the stairs, she wasn't sure what she was doing was right but she knew she couldn't stand by and watch her loved one hurt without doing anything.

In front of the glowing crystal, Arthea froze in the face of the unimaginable power, once again a small voice whispered inside her head warning her of the unimaginable consequences that might even be worse than she had expected but Arthea forced that tough behind her back while reassuring herself that everything cannot be worse than the future she had foreseen.

suddenly Cavio's words flash in her mind 'Our power is our test'

Arthea pressed her lips into a tight line she was hesitant but what choice did she have?

"Are you ready, Thea?" Lazarus' voice woke her from her stupor.

She look at Lazarus and nod firmly, Lazarus smiled in satisfaction "Close your eyes now" he said.

When Arthea closed her eyes the crystal shone brighter and brighter, Arthea raised her palm in front of the crystal and the crystal began to rotate slowly clockwise like a machine that had been started.

Lazarus saw the crystal operate in slow motion and then turned his gaze back to Arthea, later, a faint smile played across his lips.

It starts with something as simple as love, family love, platonic love, and romantic love, then it all turns to jealousy, possessiveness, selfishness, and finally obsession.

'What once started, will begin again'