Chapter 266: The Ones Who Wear Another’s Skin
Edward’s expression darkened. "What my family fears is that she will act before that happens, moving swiftly to secure her son as the official heir to the throne."
"I would like to see them try," Ivan replied in a low voice, and everyone present saw something dangerous flicker across his eyes before he concealed it perfectly, as though it had never been there at all.
"Ivan, I do admire your enthusiasm," Damien said calmly, "but even so, we can only interfere so much in another kingdom’s politics."
Cece nodded in agreement. "I agree. No kingdom or ruler would allow interference from another kingdom in their court affairs, especially when it concerns something as significant as succession. Choosing an heir is solely the king’s prerogative."
"I’m afraid Cece and Lord Damien are right," Edward added, aligning himself with them.
Ivan then looked at them squarely. "Who said I’m going to personally get involved? In fact, what you just said about King Solan lying to his people gives us the perfect leeway to strengthen Evelyn’s position there. Not only that, once the truth about her comes out, the public will begin to distrust their king, leading to civil unrest that might just push him into appointing Evelyn as the heir."
"But how are we going to prove that everything stated in the report is true?" Cece asked.
"We’ll simply have to wait for the perfect opportunity for Eve," Ivan replied cryptically, as though a plan was already taking shape in his mind.
Just then, Arthur appeared. "Your Highness, your things have been prepared."
Ivan gave him a small, approving nod and was about to rise when another thought struck him. His gaze swept over the three of them watching him intently before settling back on Arthur.
"Arthur," he said after a moment’s consideration, "select some high collar dresses for Princess Evelyn and pack them with the rest."
The unusual request made the three onlookers raise their brows once again; curiosity immediately sparked.
Arthur wondered the same inwardly, but dared not voice it. The memory of charging at Ivan like a baffoon with his shoes was still far too fresh in his mind.
Without asking a single question, he bowed. "Right away, Your Highness," and promptly scurried off.
Arthur was wise enough not to pry, but the same could not be said for the three still seated in front of Ivan.
"Why such an unusual request?" Cece asked, curiosity getting the better of her, while Damien and Edward leaned in just slightly, clearly sensing fresh gossip on the horizon.
Ivan’s expression gave nothing away as he replied coolly, "So that she doesn’t catch a cold."
"Cold?" Cece frowned at the explanation.
Both Edward and Damien exchanged looks before glancing up at the clear sky, where the sun was shining brightly overhead.
"Brother," Damien said thoughtfully, turning back to Ivan, "I must say, it’s rather warm these days. Are you sure she’d tolerate that kind of heat?"
Ivan remained perfectly composed, continuing to sip his tea as though nothing at all were amiss. "Yes," he replied simply. Though he remained outwardly calm, inwardly, the mere thought of another man’s eyes lingering on Evelyn’s decorated neck was more than enough to make his blood quietly boil.
They spoke a while longer about the academy before Ivan gathered the things he needed and vanished into thin air, telling them he would return the next day with Evelyn.
...
Some time earlier in the cottage, Evelyn’s interest had been piqued while reading about shapeshifters, to put it lightly.
She dove right in and read:
’Shapeshifters, also known as Morphs, exist in many forms. Some dwell on land, while others reside beneath the sea.
Among the more widely known underwater Morphs are mermaids, sirens, and sea nymphs.
While they prefer to remain underwater in their true forms but they can transform into beautiful beings to lure their prey. They are also capable of assuming human form when on land. However, this form can only be maintained for a limited time, as they must eventually return to the sea to sustain their survival. This necessity is the primary reason they are rarely seen on land.’
"How interesting," she murmured, turning the page and continuing to read.
’The land-dwelling Morphs comprise a far broader group, capable of transforming into wolves, foxes, birds, and other creatures. These kinds typically live among their own kind, settling in secluded regions of the world where their tribes may thrive. They rarely interfere in the affairs or politics of the Twelve Kingdoms.
However, there exists another kind of Morph, one that lives in the shadows. These individuals prefer to wander alone and are deemed dangerous in every sense by the High Council.
Their threat lies in their ability to shapeshift into other people rather than beasts.
It is widely believed that such shapeshifters are not natural beings, but individuals who have gained this ability through prolonged practice of forbidden sorcery.
It is known that they can transform into any person by tasting only a single drop of their blood.’
Eve continued reading, but the next paragraph made her frown.
’These kinds of Morphs are not only capable of altering their physical form, but can also adapt the characteristics carried within a person’s blood, including their abilities. However, to sustain such a form, they must continue consuming the blood of the individual whose appearance they have taken, at regular intervals.
Those who are sensitive to forbidden sorcery often fail to detect these Morphs because, by fully adapting to an individual’s identity, they are able to suppress their own dark magical aura.
Because of this, these Morphs are highly sought after by those who wish to employ them as spies, allowing them to pass through barriers or other forbidden sorcery detection measures.
However, it is said that maintaining such a form comes with severe drawbacks. Past subjects have shown signs of intense migraines, heightened irritability, and extreme hunger, the longer they are forced to maintain the form without consuming the target’s blood.
It is also noted that they are unable to retain any memories of the individual whose form they have taken. For now, interrogation remains one of the most effective ways to identify them.’
"This....this is so dangerous," Eve murmured, a sinking feeling settling deep in her chest as she imagined how disastrous it would be if such a being ever infiltrated the academy or Dracoria Palace.
"No. I shouldn’t think like that," she shook her head, brushing the dreadful thought aside.
She read on for a little while longer, but soon her eyelids began to grow heavy. She knew it was likely the aftermath of the intense morning she had spent with Ivan, and before she could stop herself, a soft yawn slipped past her lips.
Not long after, she drifted back into sleep, curled up on the sofa.
When Eve opened her eyes again, she realised she was no longer in the cottage.
She stood in the midst of a dark forest, one that felt entirely different from the mist-laden woods where she usually encountered fragments of her powers or met Kai. This place felt far too real. The air was heavy, the shadows thick and watchful.
And something deep within her stirred with uneasy familiarity.
She had been here before.
She looked around and then up at the sky, only to find it once again smothered by thick, dark clouds. Her heartbeat quickened at the sight, and moments later, she heard screams echoing from somewhere not too far away.
Squinting through the dense forest, she caught sight of an orange glow in the distance, coming from the very direction the screams carried from.
Swallowing hard, she took slow, careful steps towards the source of the light. The screams grew louder, soon joined by the harsh clang of steel colliding and the sickening sound of guttural growls.
When she reached the clearing, she realised she was standing at the edge of a small cliff. Looking down, her breath hitched as she saw it once again....an entire town engulfed in flames.
Her fists clenched tightly in the fabric of her gown as she stared in horror at the scene below. Absolute mayhem unfolded before her eyes, a sight she had witnessed once before during her time at the academy, and one she had hoped never to see again.
Humans ran in every direction, pursued by grotesque creatures known as the Nocthrax, which rampaged through the streets, spilling rivers of blood as they tore people apart without mercy, children and adults alike.
A handful of soldiers tried to fight back, but their resistance was futile against the sheer monstrosity before them.
Her eyes filled with tears at the horror unfolding below. She lifted a trembling hand to her mouth, stifling a scream that threatened to tear free as she watched people being ripped apart, limb by limb.
Suddenly, a deafening rumble split the sky, as though the heavens themselves were tearing open. A brilliant golden light broke through the reddish-grey clouds, bathing the land below.
From within that light, an ethereal woman descended gracefully from the sky, her golden hair flowing behind her like warm sunlight.
To be continued....
