"I understand everything now, Miguel Rothschild."
Suzanne held her breath as she felt Death caress all parts of her soul. She shut her eyes upon sensing the sharp blade of the ax swinging down straight to her nape.
CLANG!
"Ha…" Suzanne shut her eyes tightly as she anticipated the end of her life. However, the pain didn't arrive. When she mustered the courage to open her one eye, all she saw were pieces of the broken ax on the floor.
"My, my. Is this what truly happens in the coven?" suddenly, a seductive voice of a woman resonated in the quiet great hall. "I thought it will be more exciting and interesting. What a letdown."
Everyone turned to the woman's voice, only to see the man on top of Suzanne's back flying in a certain direction. The executioner instantly crashed into the wall, creating a small thick fog in a small area.
"What do you think you're doing, Marsella Grimsbanne?!" someone in the Raven shouted while Marsella, who was wearing the same robe as them, pulled her hood down.
'Marsella?' Suzanne was still holding her breath, looking back at the person who stopped her execution. Marsella stepped over Suzanne and then stood a few steps from Suzanne, almost blocking Suzanne's view of the council.
"What am I doing?" Marsella chuckled, caressing her jawline with the back of her fingers. "I'm adding more fun to this boring coven. It's unfair if it's only you who is having fun, you know?"
"This wench…"
"Does she think a coven is a joke? This is not a place for fun!"
Marsella shrugged indifferently, ignoring the complaints she was getting from the council. She slowly moved her gaze in Aries's direction, smiling.
"It seems we always see each other in these types of situations, Ram," remarked Marsella, assessing Aries from head to toe. "You are already the queen, and yet, you still allow others to put you in such a pathetic state. My… what a pathetic student I have."
Aries laughed weakly. "I'm sorry for disappointing you, Master."
"Nevermind. The pretty Marsella is already here." Marsella reeked with confidence, which annoyed the council even more. "Miguel Rothschild… and Giselle. Poor, pitiful Giselle. You're already blind and now a failure. What a sad life."
Miguel and Giselle's expressions turned hard while Marsella was dawdling with her insults. Miguel kept his eyes on Aries, watching the latter look back at him before smirking.
"Marsella," he called under his breath. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Isn't it obvious? I thought you were smart." Marsella blinked. "I'm here because you promised me fun! What's the fun in killing this pitiful handmaiden?"
"Marsella, have you decided to betray us in the end?" Giselle kept her composure, knowing exactly where Marsella was standing.
"Betray you?" Marsella burst out in laughter. "Betrayal only comes from alliance and friendship. Our relationship was neither. I hung out with you guys because you promised to help me resolve my dilemma. That was two years ago. Do you know how long that is?"
Marsella lifted her chin while her eyelids drooped. "Do you think my patience is that long? I side with anyone who can help me. I don't think you are the people who can do that."
"Did she promise you she will resolve the matter?" asked Giselle, referring to Aries.
"Well." Marsella shrugged. "She is the holder of Maleficent, after all. If there is anyone powerful enough to separate two souls, that would be Maleficent."
"She isn't Maleficent."
"She isn't, but she's the holder of Maleficent." Marsella cocked her head to the side. "Even if you got a hold of that power, just how long will that take for you to tame it? Even the most powerful witch in the mainland needed time to tame Maleficent and the twelve witches."
"Moreover…" Marsella glanced over her shoulder. "... this woman, Suzanne, was it? She's mine. I killed her once, but she's still alive. My… Marsella sure is sloppy; she didn't get the job done. In other words, this woman's life is still in my hands. Her life and death… is in my hands. No one else steals my prey."
She faced the council again and pointed at them. "I can go on with the long list of why you lowly vampires cannot stand on the same ground as Her Majesty Marsella. I am kind enough to stick around, but you took my mercy for granted."
"Is this your plan?" Miguel, who didn't cast Marsella a look, asked Aries.
Aries sported a subtle smile. "Did you really think you'll find my witches if I don't want you to find them? Miguel, even if you used Davien's memories of me, I am no longer that Aries Aime Heathcliffe. That woman is dead a long time ago."
"My name now is Aries Aime Grimsbanne," she continued while all the softness and hopelessness she carried moments ago disappeared without a trace.
"Aries!!!" Miguel's voice thundered, but Aries was unfazed as she continued her remarks.
"If I am going down, I'll make sure to drag everyone with me." Her eyes grew icy, staring at Miguel straight in his eyes. "I told you, Miguel. You can try as much as you can, but I will not stop. That was not a joke. After all, I am fighting to survive… just like how I always did since Davien's passing."
Miguel balled his hands into a tight fist while his jaw tightened. His eyes slid to the corner where Marsella was. Continuing the coven was easy since Aries was already restrained; the queen had no other means to do anything. However, Marsella was here.
It was obvious Marsella turned her back on them. This problematic psycho would do anything to sabotage them.
"Giselle," Miguel called under his breath. "I'll handle that woman from the Grimsbanne. Continue the coven."
"I'm afraid we cannot do that anymore." Deep lines appeared between Miguel's brows at Giselle's remarks, turning his head in his direction, only to notice the man standing behind Giselle.
The man was also wearing their robes, but when he pulled his hood down, his face was unfamiliar. He was not a part of this council.
"They said blind people had stronger other senses," said the man, smiling from ear to ear until his eyes were squinting. "I guess it wasn't a lie."
The man's eyes slowly cracked open as he shifted his focus to the queen. "I was in tears watching your act, my Queen. Can't you see there's still tears in the corner of my eyes?"
"Stop that nonsense, Fabian." Aries chuckled, watching Miguel look back at her with surprise dominating his face upon hearing the man's voice. "It wasn't an act. I truly felt sad about the Count's story. It was genuine."
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢