Chapter XXIV: Sin and Defilement (Part 4)

"Have you heard the news?"Medea strolled through the obsidian tower's library, searching for a book on natural magic. Caelus followed closely behind, his presence a comforting shadow. It was a particularly sunny day, and Medea felt a surge of enthusiasm as she visited the magician's tower, eager to begin her lessons on harnessing magic through her vessel's mana. She was dressed impeccably in a white blouse with a cravat, a red blazer, and a long white fitted skirt. Her bangs were swept aside, revealing her forehead, and her long black hair was combed loosely but neatly.As she browsed the shelves, Caelus, arms crossed, broke the silence. "About the crown prince?"Medea turned to him and nodded. "Yes, about him." A flicker of satisfaction crossed her heart, and she could already picture Frederick's likely distressed expression. She bit her lips, suppressing an unusual smile."Some of my students come from noble families, so I've already heard the news. It's the talk of the town. People across the Empire are surely in disbelief," Caelus remarked, his eyes scanning the bookshelf for another interesting read. His gaze shifted back to Medea just as she struggled to reach a book on the top shelf. He blinked in incredulity before sighing to himself. Did she forget she has powers to use? he thought and stepped forward to assist her.Caelus positioned himself behind her and awkwardly leaned in to grab the book she was trying to reach. Medea tensed, acutely aware of his proximity. When she turned, their eyes locked—his amethyst gaze meeting her ruby ones. Her back pressed against the bookshelf, and her mind began to whirl, nearly losing all rational thought. The scent of lavender and the sight of his strawberry-stained lips overwhelmed her senses. But then, Caelus handed her the book, cleared his throat, and walked away.What's wrong with him? Medea scoffed internally, clutching the book to her chest as she followed him. When they reached his chamber, Caelus spoke again, this time with a seemingly indifferent tone. "Are you not bothered by the sudden arrest of the crown prince?"Medea noticed the shift in his tone and furrowed her brows. Is he changing the topic to diffuse the tension? She shook off the thought and flopped comfortably onto his sofa. "Well, I honestly don't care. I told you, I have a plan." She traced the cover of the book with her fingers. "You see... I will not stop until I manage to get my hands around his neck," she declared, her words hanging dangerously in the air.Caelus smirked. "Ah, right. You're going to turn this situation to your advantage?"Medea looked at him, a malicious smile spreading across her lips. "Sharp as ever, my dear Cael," she replied.Their conversation carried on, thick with unspoken plans and shared understandings. Medea's mind raced with possibilities, each one a step closer to her ultimate goal. Caelus, despite his calm exterior, seemed to be piecing together his own thoughts about the unfolding events.Caelus leaned against the edge of his desk, arms crossed, watching Medea with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. She was flipping through the pages of the book with such carelessness that it was clear she wasn't actually reading any of it. After a moment, she closed the book with a decisive snap and set it aside."Let me tell you something interesting," she fixed her gaze on Caelus and approached him. Dressed in his simple white button-up shirt and signature magician robe, he watched as she grasped his white sleeve, lifting it slightly. She lifted the fabric slightly, her touch was cold and deliberate."If a white cloth falls onto muddy ground, it becomes unclean. This defilement of what was once pure shows what a sin does to a person: it taints, thereby defiling them," she explained, letting go of his sleeve and taking a step back. "I want them to fight for the throne they crave. I want to see who will dive deepest into the depths of darkness and who will succumb to sin the most."Her eyes glistened with a mix of amusement and anticipation. Caelus, observing her closely, couldn't fully grasp her motives. They seemed so different—her ideals leaning towards chaos and his towards neutrality.He straightened up, still keeping his arms crossed, and furrowed his brows. "What will you gain from all this?" he asked, genuinely curious.Medea blinked and glanced away, her expression momentarily blank. "Nothing, really... just satisfaction and fun," she replied nonchalantly.Caelus, still perplexed, pressed further. "How so?"Medea turned back to him, her smile widening into something almost maniacal. "I'm going to make them fight and see who lasts. Isn't that amusing?"He stared at her in disbelief, his mind struggling to understand her twisted sense of entertainment. "I didn't realize you had such a childlike mindset," he retorted sharply."Read the room, Cael," she snapped, irritation evident in her tone.Does she think watching others destroy themselves is amusing? She was toying with people's lives and thought it was a game. Hmph, as expected from the devil.The tension between them was thick. Caelus couldn't help but reflect on how vastly different their perspectives were. To him, it was all about maintaining balance and neutrality, but for Medea, it was about stirring chaos and reveling in the results. Despite their alliance, moments like these highlighted the precarious nature of their relationship.Medea broke the silence, her voice softer yet still carrying a sharp edge. "You see, Cael, life is a game, and power is the prize. Watching them scramble and claw at each other for the throne... it's not just amusing. It's enlightening. It shows me their true nature."Caelus sighed, shaking his head slightly. "You find enjoyment in watching others fall apart. But what happens when you push too far and everything crumbles?"Medea's smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful look. "Then, I'll rebuild from the ruins. That's the beauty of it. Out of chaos, comes opportunity."Caelus couldn't help but admire her resilience, even if he didn't fully agree with her methods. "You know, Medea, sometimes... the chaos you create can swallow you whole."She laughed lightly, waving off his concern. "I can handle it. Besides, I have you to keep me grounded, don't I?"He sighed, though he wasn't entirely convinced. Their paths were intertwined, but their goals remained their own. Only time would reveal if they would withstand the trials ahead.Caelus looked up at Medea, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of confusion. "One last question," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Why help Frederick, the crown prince, instead of his brother Rezef? From what I can see, Rezef holds the upper hand in everything right now. Wouldn't it have made more sense to offer him your assistance and negotiate for the Book of Revelation in return?"Medea paused, considering his question. "That's a good question," she replied, turning to face him. "The answer is actually quite simple. Frederick is easier to manipulate, whereas Rezef is not. Rezef is a man whose weaknesses are not easily discovered. He's not like his brother, who wears his heart on his sleeve and whose intentions are as clear as day. Despite Frederick's unpredictability, I can still gauge what he wants. That makes him the better target. Plus, I despise Rezef," she added, her expression hardening as she clenched her jaw. "He underestimates me, and nothing would please me more than witnessing his downfall."Caelus nodded, absorbing her words. "So, in short, you plan to use the crown prince as your pawn instead of the first prince," he summarized, placing a hand on his chin as he pondered. "Given that you view everyone as pieces on your chessboard, I wonder... am I just a pawn to you as well?"The question seemed to surprise even him, as it spilled out unexpectedly. He quickly looked away, trying to brush it off. "Forget it. It wasn't significant enough to be answered—"Medea's genuine smile interrupted him, a rare and unsettling sight. It wasn't her usual façade; it was a smile tinged with intrigue and sincerity. This smile stirred something within Caelus that he couldn't quite name, leaving him uncomfortable."You, a mere pawn?" Medea echoed, her red eyes gleaming with an invisible light as she approached him. "There's no way the person who managed to deceive me and plot against me could be just a mere pawn. Is 'rival' the right word?" she suggested, her voice carrying a mix of respect and challenge.Caelus felt a shiver run down his spine at her words. The dynamics between them had just shifted, and he wasn't sure what to make of it.Their relationship was far from simple."Now, shall we return to our lessons?" Medea turned on her heel, heading back towards the sofa, leaving Caelus out of words.After their brief lesson, Medea covertly made her way to the Imperial Palace using her teleportation skills. As Caelus had taught her, she channeled her mana and directed it to transport herself elsewhere. By sheer luck, she found herself exactly where she had hoped to be: the interrogation room within the palace, where the crown prince was held.Medea materialized silently in front of the man, who sat with his head bowed and fingers interlaced, deep in thought. The sharp click of her heels resonated through the room as she approached, breaking the heavy silence. "Well, well. Look who we have here. You appear quite pitiable, Your Highness," she taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm and disdain.Startled by the intrusion, Frederick's ears perked up, and he lifted his head to meet the gaze of the woman he both loathed and begrudgingly needed. Standing confidently before him was Medea, her lips curling into a contemptuous smirk. "How unfortunate for you, being wrongfully accused," she continued, her tone mocking.Frederick's breath caught in his throat as he abruptly stood up, his eyes blazing with fury. "Medea, what are you doing here?" he demanded harshly, his voice trembling with anger.Medea folded her arms across her chest and regarded him coolly. "What else? I'm offering you one final chance to take my hand and ask for my help," she said, her persistence evident. Medea was relentless, determined to manipulate him just as she had his brother, drawing him deeper into her web of intrigue. This was her game, and she intended to make it as thrilling as possible, with twists and turns yet to come."You knew this would happen from the beginning, didn't you? You saw it coming and chose to stay silent, using the situation to your advantage," Frederick accused, his voice tinged with disbelief and frustration. He felt trapped and powerless, the realization that this woman was his only potential ally gnawing at him.Medea couldn't help but laugh softly at his distress. She placed a finger on her crimson lips, giving him a sly, knowing look. "Desperate times call for desperate measures, Your Highness. If you hadn't been so stubborn, this could have been avoided," she replied smoothly."Enough, Medea!" Frederick's voice echoed through the room, filled with exasperation. Medea shook her head and chuckled to herself. The sound of his vulnerability was music to her ears. She perched herself on the edge of the table, crossing her legs elegantly."I hoped you might have agreed to the deal last night," she said, feigning disappointment. "I was ready to reveal your brother's scheme."Frederick's brow furrowed in confusion and anger as he slammed his hand on the table. "What? What are you talking about?" he demanded.Medea flicked her fingers dismissively. "Still in the dark? Haven't I warned you twice already?" she said, exasperated."Stop playing these mind games, Medea. I don't have time for this nonsense!" he shouted, his patience wearing thin. She could see him unraveling, and it only fueled her desire to push him further, to expose his true nature."Just tell me everything you know. I'm begging you," Frederick's voice was a mix of desperation and defeat. Medea's eyes gleamed with satisfaction."I like it when you beg," she said with a menacing smile. she said, rising to her feet, her heels clicking ominously as she approached him. She leaned in close, her voice low and sounded like a whisper, "The person who killed the Emperor was your brother, Rezef."