Chapter 9: The Fairytale

The host's eyes darted nervously before…

***

IVORY:

Well, I was doomed.

Ten men stood in front of my cell, each of them equipped with some sort of weapon. A few of them had already started sawing at the bars of my cell, and clearly, they were going to break it soon. There was not point in crying or screaming like some damsel in distress, because no one would save me. There was a narrow window, however, I seriously doubted I would ever be skinny enough to fit through that. I spotted a device in the corner of the room that resembled a camera.

A Viewing Device.

Many students in the original otome game would buy these devices to constantly check if their significant other were cheating on them. Efficient but super creepy. Normally, these devices only worked if they were charged with magic, like how a phone needed battery. If I remembered correctly, the host had fire power.

I grabbed the device and used a long, metal rod from the corner of the room to break it open. As soon as I broke it, it burst into flames. Careful not to touch it, I heated the tip of the rod from the fire, until it glowed a fiery red.

"I'm sorry." I smiled innocently.

As soon as they broke down the cell bars, I whacked each of them with the rod to make sure they wouldn't get too close to me. Every time they took a step forward, I burned them. What a reliable magic! Fire power would have really helped me in this situation… too bad I had darkness.

"Sister!" I heard Luke yell from a distance, "Are you okay?!"

"Lady Ivory." I also heard Rei exclaim, "Are you injured anywhere?

Footsteps thundered down the staircase and Rei, Easton, and Luke as well as some of our family's knights.

They instantly halted, when they saw all the groaning bodies of the men gathered in front of me.

"I can't believe I was worried for you…" Easton sniggered. "What did you do to these poor, poor victims?"

"Be careful Ivory!" Luke earnestly warned, "They may be acting and might attack you if you get too close!"

"Don't worry about it." I smiled, "I've got it all under control."

I pointed the rod to the closest person.

"Stand."

He abruptly stood.

"Sit."

He immediately sat.

"Dance."

He waltzed around the around.

"Wooow!" Easton clapped, his eyes wide, "It's amazing watching how much power and influence you have in the room!"

"Let's go home." Luke smiled, extending his hand towards me.

***

"Oh, did you get your sword back?" Rei asked, as Luke sat on the couch in the living room.

"Some of the knights found it." Luke shrugged, "By the way Easton, I thought you said that once you activated the bombs, it would kill people. Why did no one die?"

"Ahahaha…" Easton yawned, "I didn't feel like killing anyone. I got the feeling if I killed anyone, Luke would force me to bury each and every one of them."

"That's right." Luke nodded in agreement, sipping his tea casually, "There's no point in sending so many people to die."

"Don't listen to him." Rei smirked, "I would have killed them. Annoying people."

"Why did you hide your power until now?" I asked.

"Too much of a bother. I couldn't be bothered boasting about it." Easton flopped onto the couch.

"You're speaking my language." Rei smirked.

"It's time for my sword lessons." Luke looked at the clock, "I'll see you later."

"No fair…" Easton grumbled, "I have etiquette lessons."

"Well, I'll see you later." I stood up, "I'll be going to the library."

***

I heaved a sigh; I had finished reading all the books about magic. I spotted a leather-bound book on the top of the shelves.

Hm?

I grabbed it and flipped it open. Inside were filled with pictures, telling a fairy-tale.

"Oh, that story." Rei peered over my shoulder, "My mother used to tell me that story all the time. Every noble child should know it off be heart."

"Really?" I opened the book from the beginning.

***

THE CURSE OF SORROW:

Once upon a time, there was a girl who was born with extreme beauty. Her hair looked like melted shadows and her eyes were sapphires. No one in her village could hold a flame against her beauty. But beauty is only an external advantage. Beauty would attract many people, some may be good, however, most only had motives to approach her. As such, the girl grew up to be cynical and cold.

Eventually, their village fell into a deep poverty. Everyone, including her parents, were willing to sell her off just for a bit more resources and money. So, the marriage with a baron was scheduled in five years' time, when she was eighteen. Her younger brother was the only one on her side and begged their parents to pull back the engagement. Their parents refused and eventually, her brother was locked in the house to prevent him from causing any trouble for the marriage.

Two years later, the girl went into the woods to go collect some raspberries for her younger brother, who was still locked in their house. She collapsed and developed a mutated elemental power. Although it was rare for commoners to receive elemental powers, if was unheard of a commoner's elemental power to become mutated. The girl received a healing light power, which mutated to the power to bring back the dead. Quickly, the girl rushed home to tell her brother.

Three years later, the girl had turned eighteen. Her younger brother had grown to be as tall as her.

"Go and run." He told her, looking out at the window during the night to see if anyone was till up. "I'll follow you in a few hours' time."

So, as his sister ran, he took his hair out from his low ponytail and wore one of her dresses.

"I'll buy her time to run away." He thought to himself, "Though, I can't be sure whether I'll live or not."

Nine hours passed and the girl still waited besides the raspberry bush for him. Meanwhile, her brother was being escorted for a hanging for letting the bride slip away.

"Finally…" He looked sadly up at the sky, "I can walk under the sun after so many years. I can die peacefully now."

Three hours had passed since his death, and the girl realized that something wasn't right. She sneaked back to the village and found her brother dangling in the middle of the village, with a rope around his neck.

She tried many experiments with her powers until she could finally do it. She brought him back from the dead, however, crows had eaten his heart, so he would die seconds later. So, she placed a raspberry as a replacement. He lived for quite a while, until the raspberry rotted, and he died again. She tried placing rocks and non-living things, however it proved that her brother needed a living organism to live.

Eventually, she contacted the infamous Snow Witch to assist her. The Snow Witch agreed to help her as long as she worked as her servant.

She agreed.

The Snow Witch placed a permanent shield of ice around his raspberry heart to keep it from rotting. As well as that, he received a mutated version of water elemental power: ice.

However, the power she gave him had a curse as well. Everytime he used his power, ice from his heart would inch across his body, and he would feel colder. Eventually, he used it to the point that his body felt so painfully freezing.

Unfortunately, the witch refused to cure him. Although, the girl had a light elemental power, which had healing properties, her powers had mutated into something completely different entirely and could not heal anyone.

But finally, the girl had placed a bargain with the witch. The witch lessened the boy's pain, however, the girl had cursed the world because of the bargain.

Every generation, a raspberry child would be born.

***

"…That's a creepy story." I frowned, "Why would you read it to kids?"

"Aaaand the moral of the story is to never run away from home!" Rei announced sarcastically while clapping.

"I received news that you're attending the Christmas Ball with us." I placed the book back.

"Yes." Rei nodded, "Your father is worried if other people may harm you."

"Hey Rei." I stated while looking out the window.

"Yeah?" He replied, dusting a book.

"Easton's going to try to set you up with loads of girls." I snickered.

Rei dropped the book he was holding,

"Easton wouldn't dare." Rei frowned while rubbing his forehead.

"I wouldn't dare what?" Easton casually strolled up to us.

"Don't you think Rei needs a girlfriend?" I smirked at Rei's annoyed expression.

"Of course!" Easton beamed, "That reminds me! What type of girl is your type?"

"Please don't talk to me." Rei sighed, "I don't have the mental strength to deal with you."