Chapter XIX: The Devil's Warning

Frederick looked at Medea in disbelief as he watched her sit comfortably on the guest's sofa, sipping a cup of tea. With a troubled sigh, he dismissed all the servants and instructed them to leave. Once they were alone, the crown prince settled himself on the sofa across from her, crossing his legs and arms. His expression was serious and composed as he spoke in a measured tone, "If I recall correctly, I provided you with a specific time and date for a formal meeting. So, what are you doing here, Medea?"Medea, dressed elegantly in black, gracefully placed her teacup on its saucer before setting it on the small table between them. She met his gaze with her piercing red eyes. "I came to warn you about your brother, Your Highness," she said with deliberate seriousness.Frederick furrowed his brows at her words. He was well aware of his older brother's capabilities and the need for caution around him, but a warning from Medea? Destiny must be playing tricks on him. Maintaining his composed demeanor, he replied, "If this is one of your games, then I have no interest in hearing it."She chuckled incredulously at his words. "Surely if I were jesting, you would not appreciate it, and neither would I waste my time on such frivolities," she replied. She crossed her arms and leaned back against the sofa, her demeanor cool and unyielding. "Prince Rezef was the one who tried to kill me," she stated bluntly.Frederick couldn't believe what he was hearing. Medea's claims about his brother seemed utterly implausible. Why would Rezef do such a thing, especially when it had nothing to do with the throne? Pinching the bridge of his nose, Frederick spoke with grave seriousness, "Do you understand the consequences of accusing a member of the Imperial Family? You could be executed for this, Medea."Medea remained unfazed by his warning. With a calm demeanor, she replied, "Believe it or not, Your Highness, but Prince Rezef was the mastermind behind my assassination attempt."Frederick frowned, skepticism clear in his eyes. "How am I supposed to believe you? Do you have any evidence to support this serious accusation, Medea?"Annoyance flickered in Medea's eyes. How could he be so ignorant about his own brother? Perhaps he knew but chose stubbornly to deny it. She couldn't blame him; who would believe a woman who had once fooled his lover into drinking poison? With a troubled look, Medea took a deep breath to steady herself. She had no choice but to reveal the truth, even if it meant reopening old wounds."We made a deal," she began, her voice steady despite the gravity of her words. "Rezef and I joined forces to separate you and Elysia. Despite our agreement, I went rogue and acted on my own, leading to Elysia's poisoning out of my own hatred and selfishness."Frederick was astounded, reeling from the unexpected revelation. He massaged his temples, struggling to process the information. "Are you saying that after I broke off our engagement, you allied with my brother to achieve your own ends? To get me?" he asked in disbelief.Medea nodded, her expression a mix of regret and frustration. "Unfortunately, I failed due to my own stupidity." Internally, she scoffed, resenting the fact that she now bore the brunt of her vessel's actions. I wanted to blame it all on this woman. But I remember I was her currently.Frederick sighed deeply, clasping his hands together. "But why would my brother go to such lengths just because you nearly killed Elysia? It doesn't make sense," he muttered.Medea's red eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing within them. She placed a finger on her lips, her voice dripping with mockery. "Oh, how clueless you are." She smirked menacingly, leaning forward slightly. "It must be because he loves her too."Frederick's eyes widened in shock, the pieces of the puzzle finally starting to fit together in his mind. The realization was both painful and enlightening, revealing the complex web of deceit and hidden desires that had been spun around him.The crown prince then furrowed his brows and grimaced. Shaking his head in denial, he spoke, "That's impossible, Medea. I've known my brother; he wouldn't..." Frederick's voice trailed off as he recalled moments when his brother was around Elysia, thinking about how he behaved in her presence. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his thoughts.Medea silently observed him before speaking up, "Can't you see your brother's selfishness? Why would I side with him if he didn't want your lover? Think logically, Your Highness."Frederick glared at her and stood up abruptly. "Our conversation ends here. I will see you at the banquet," he declared. Before he could turn to leave, Medea's voice stopped him."Well then, before you go, I have something to tell you," she announced, disregarding his distressed posture. She stood up elegantly, her hair swaying slightly, and looked at him with a sly smile. "Do you know the current head magician of the Black Tower?" she asked.Frederick furrowed his brows slightly. "I do. I've read that he froze his heart and is currently inactive," he replied.Medea shook her head. "The truth is, he is awake and managing his own affairs in the tower," she revealed, crossing her arms. A plotting smile played on her lips. "I recommend appointing him as the official head magician of the Imperial Family."Frederick stared at her, processing this new piece of information. The implications of having the head magician of the Black Tower active and involved in imperial matters were significant. "Why would you suggest that?" he asked, suspicion lacing his tone.Medea's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with cunning. "Because, Your Highness, his skills and knowledge are unparalleled. Aligning him with the Imperial Family would not only strengthen your position but also ensure you have powerful allies in these uncertain times. Think about it," she urged.Frederick stood silent for a moment, contemplating her words. He knew he had to tread carefully with Medea, but the idea of having the head magician's support was tempting. "I will consider your suggestion," he finally said, his voice measured.Medea nodded, satisfied with his response. "Good. I trust you will make the right decision, Your Highness," she said, her tone dripping with subtle manipulation.As Frederick turned to leave, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and doubts. Medea's revelations and words had shaken him, and he knew he needed to gather his wits and assess the situation carefully before making any decisions.The scene then transitions to Frederick returning to his chamber where Elysia, his lover, awaits him. The priestess sensed his presence and stood up from her chair, her eyes filled with concern. "How did the talk with Lady Medea go?" she asked.Frederick sighed deeply and flopped onto the sofa, taking Elysia's hand in his. "She came to give me a warning." He placed her hand on his forehead and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, Elysia," he began, his voice heavy with regret. "I didn't tell you everything. I chose to hide the fact that I conversed with Medea, my former fiancée and the one who poisoned you, without considering how you would feel about it."He explained why he had talked with Medea again, admitting it was for the throne and that he needed her aid. "I need her help to secure my position," he confessed, his voice tinged with guilt.Elysia looked at him with a mix of pity and understanding. She sat beside him and gently said, "I'm not mad, Frederick. I'm just a little upset that you didn't tell me earlier. Just please, don't trust Medea too easily again. She might betray you."Frederick hugged her affectionately, holding her close as he remembered everything Medea had told him. With renewed determination, he declared, "I promise, Elysia. I won't do anything that would jeopardize our relationship or my position as the crown prince of the empire."The weight of his responsibilities and the importance of protecting his loved ones solidified his resolve to make decisions that would uphold his honor and safeguard the empire."I will not repeat the same mistake again."***Medea Falaguerra returned to her manor, only to find her aunt standing by the fountain with the butler beside her. The elder woman, exuding an air of dignity, held a folding fan in front of her face. When their eyes met, Medea was sure she saw a glint of mockery in her aunt's unsettling gaze, causing her to furrow her brows. Deciding to ignore the annoying woman, she turned away, but her aunt's voice halted her."I heard you visited the palace, my niece," the countess called out.Medea paused, sighing in annoyance. Her aunt approached with deliberate steps, her tone dripping with carelessness. "Did you finally realize how significant the power and influence of the Imperial Family are to us, Falaguerras? Did you go to beg the crown prince to marry you, hoping to become Empress?"Oh, I just came back and you choose to pick a fight with me?Medea scoffed, a smirk playing on her lips. She turned to confront the countess with arrogance. "Why would I do that? Such actions would only tarnish my reputation further. I am not so petty as to turn myself into a desperate woman again, Auntie. I am no longer the 'Medea' you used to manipulate."She spoke with dignity, holding her head high before turning her back on her aunt once more. With purposeful steps, she headed towards the front door of her house, leaving the countess to stew in her own contempt.I have no time to deal with some insignificant human like you.The countess gripped her fan tightly and clicked her tongue in frustration. "The little wench," she muttered under her breath before turning her attention to her butler. Her irritation was palpable as she glared into the distance. "Since when did she learn to fight back?" she asked, disbelief evident in her voice.Her butler, standing by her side, interjected, "Lady Medea is certainly an unusual woman, my lady..."The countess shot him a frowning look, her brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"The butler didn't meet her gaze. Instead, he stared off into the distance, recalling the events of the previous night. He pursed his lips before replying, "She is someone you can't easily fool."The countess's irritation deepened as she processed his words. She had always seen Medea as a pawn, easily manipulated. The realization that Medea had grown beyond her control was unsettling. The countess turned her sharp eyes back to the manor, her mind already scheming her next move. She would not allow to be outmaneuvered by her niece, no matter how cunning Medea had become.As Medea ascended the grand staircase, her footfalls echoed on the expensive marble floor. She encountered her brother, Vincentius, the Duke and current head of the Falaguerra Family. He stood with an air of elegance in front of a series of family paintings spanning generations, his gaze distant and contemplative.With curiosity, Medea approached him. "Why are you staring at that painting as if it holds so much significance?" she inquired.Her elder brother smiled softly, turning to look at her. "I was just being sentimental, Medi," he replied, using a nickname that made Medea grimace. Sentimentality was a concept foreign to her; she considered it pure gibberish. Typical of humans, she thought disdainfully.Crossing her arms, she spoke again. "Why dwell on the past? It's insignificant."Vincentius chuckled at his sister's bluntness. "Medi, why so bitter? Ah, yes. You still don't know the history behind these paintings of our ancestors."Medea furrowed her brows, a flicker of impatience crossing her face. "Do I even need to know that?" she asked, her tone edged with irritation.Her brother fell silent for a moment, contemplating whether to reveal the truth to her. After a deliberate sigh, he decided to speak. "I suppose you do need to know. Because, after all, you might become the next head of this family."Her eyes narrowed slightly, a mix of curiosity and skepticism in her gaze. "What do you mean?" she asked, her patience thinning.Vincentius turned fully to face her, his expression serious. "These paintings, Medi, are not just art. They are the legacy and the burdens of our family. Each one tells a story of our ancestors, their triumphs, and their failures. Understanding them means understanding our heritage, our duties, and the weight of the Falaguerra name."Medea's interest was piqued despite herself. The notion of becoming the head of the Falaguerra family was not something she had considered in such concrete terms before. She regarded Vincentius with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, wondering what hidden histories and burdens came with the role he was hinting at."You need to understand, Medi, that our history shapes our future. If you are to lead this family, you must know where we come from, the sacrifices made, and the responsibilities we bear," he continued, his tone gentle but firm.