(2) Formal Matters First

My first memories upon waking up were far from welcoming and warm.

Instead, I was engulfed by a stinging cold, agony quaking in my bones as my eyes opened and while I took my first breath.

And then, there was a voice that whispered in my head. Icing on top. "Kill the queen. You must kill the queen. That is why you are alive." It said. With that, it was gone.

I looked around the cold, rough, and bare cave I was in, hissing as I balanced myself. "...Did they not want me to be discovered so badly?"

My magic came back to me, but slowly. Slower than usual. It trickled down my fingertips like a leaky faucet.

Still, curiosity was pumping in my heart as I gained awareness of my enigmatic circumstances.

'I've been revived. But for what? And by whom?' I thought to myself. 

I clenched my jaw once my memories came back to me in a flood. The Great War of Jedilka. The royal family- the death of the queen and king. The death of my parents. The death of…

'No.' I thought, allowing my logic to ripple through me. 'He can't be dead. I need to focus.

As bloody as that day was, I couldn't live in the moment any longer than these few seconds. Whoever revived me- they brought me here for a reason. To kill the queen.

"Kill the queen, huh? I wonder which queen that voice is referring to..." I thought aloud, my eyes drawn towards my bare hands. I saw the bareness of my own body and scoffed. "such a raggedy gown- this is what they lock me up in?"

With a wave of an arm, the measly grey, frost covered gown was changed. The magic that was electrifying my fingertips exploded around me in a bright green. I felt the hum of the wind around me, brushing over my body as the grey turned into green. It draped down against the cold ground, turning into a ball gown. The frost turned to emeralds and the remainder of my open arms were covered in a green fabric.

My black hair untangled in the wind of my magic, running down my back. My face felt flushed, becoming clear of any dirt, soft to the touch. Even my bony hands had gotten fuller, bronzed. 

Well, as bronzed as possible in a cave of cold and ice.

I dismissed my earlier thoughts of trying to discover who this queen was. There was a question pressing to the front of my mind that must be answered first.

"It seems I am ready to make a grand entrance." I felt my lips pulled upward, unable to stop them. "I wonder if there is a ball I am late to..."

๏๏๏ꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉ๏๏๏

The leaves crunched underneath the mysterious girls feet, her heels barely sinking into the lush grass despite their sharpness. An air of unnatural regality possessed her every step. 

Her lashes, long and dark, acted as curtains to her green orbs. Suddenly when she blinked, her eyes became brown.

 Elodie got closer and closer to the luxurious palace, large windows that acted as walls and walls that were draped in gold curtains. Inside was a crowd of rich noblemen and women. Her eyes scanned over the entire ballroom from the outside, using the brightness of the extravagant lighting to her advantage, but none of the faces were the once's she was looking for.

Elodie's faced dimmed from curiosity to displeasure. "It seems like such an important gathering... why wasn't I invited?"

As she close to the back door, few of the faces inside turned to her, noticing the presence of someone outside. Their expressions changed from one of light curiousity to intense interest.

The man closest quickly rushed to push open the door, paying little focus to the women he was just talking to.

"Miss! You must be cold. Here," Said a different one, who managed to offer a hand before the other could.

Elodie stepped into the light at the perfect angle, just as she smiled. Any look of displeasure vanished, she laughed softly at the man's naivety. But to him, it sounded like a laugh of interest.

When Elodie touched his arm while looking up at him, his heart fluttered a bit. "Thank you kind sir, I misplaced my invitation and was worried no one would let me in..."

In reality… Elodie was worried she'd easily be recognized if she entered through the front gate!

The darkness of her hair and skin made all the nobles who saw her instantly curious. Yet, behind her dark eyes was a playful shimmer that for many, pushed their curiosity into visible interest.

Another man walked up to Elodie, bowing as he took her hand. Her hand was ice cold to the touch, shocking him, he looked up at her. "A pleasure to meet you miss, I am-" He was met with a warm alluring smile that melted the coldness of her skin. He held onto her icy fingers firmly, growing confident.

Another man cleared his throat, pushing the first man to the side. "The Minister of National affairs' son. No one of important status..." he scoffed. "I however, am-"

"But a Prime minister's son." Another voice interrupted, Grabbing hold of Elodie's hand. The man smiled handsomely, exposing his pearly teeth. "I however, am duke of the-"

More men interrupted each other, all eagerly trying to introduce themselves to the beautiful lady. Stifling a yawn, Elodie glanced around the ballroom. 

Her eyes landed on angry women... Elodie looked away, pretending she hadn't seen.

She saw it as her opportunity to excuse herself from the grippy men. "It seems I must, do something. Good day, sirs."

Elodie retracted her hand while barely suppressing the look of distaste in her eyes. Weaving through the crowd of eager men, she saw women and their mothers all watched with unreadable faces as she walked in the other direction.

'So unlike him in the fullest.' She thought. Her eyes landed on the red carpet staircase that led up to seats of the royal family. There were four thrones, the one in the middle, the biggest of them all. The three off to the sides were each decorated, but with less grandeur.

Elodie pondered if she would be able to make it to the center of the room. If she could, would be able to get a better view. Perhaps she would be able to find this Queen she was supposed to kill.

After all, that was the reason she was brought back to this world. Elodie reminded herself of this fact before she got distracted by anything else. Anyone, else.

Elodie quickly dismissed her idea of going up to the thrones. Pushing through such a crowd of nobles would look too suspicious. She also knew that she couldn't use her magic right now, risking the exposure of her identity. 

Elodie the Evil Witch had become her new identity. She only discovered this after traveling all the way from her icy abyss to the palace of this kingdom. There were books, stories, and forewarnings of her, Elodie. She was nothing but a murderer to this world.

Seven years had passed since the Great War of Jidlkea. Something Elodie learned was that she had been blamed for everything- including the murder of the Queen of Solaria.

Just as she was thinking about this, the ballroom started to feel like it was closing in on her. Elodie's hands grasped at themselves in anger, restraining herself from doing anything reckless. Hate and despise bubbled up , but it was another emotion that filled her eyes with tears. Loneliness?

In this world, everyone who Elodie cared for was gone. The only people left were the ones who wanted her dead. And- for something she didn't do. If anyone in this ballroom discovered her true identity, it would be problematic.

However, amidst her growing anger, this was a chance Elodie was willing to take. After all, it wasn't like anyone she cared for was still,

"Miss? I hate to interrupt but do I-" a voice started speaking from behind her. A soft spoken one.

Elodie spun around in disbelief, wondering if her ears were playing tricks on her. "Adam?"

"-do I know you?" The man finished his words, a pair of silver grey eyes landed on Elodie. He quickly looked back up, clearing his throat. "My apologies, such a beautiful gown, it is."

Elodie remained still, as if frozen in time. "It's you..." she whispered. 

The man looked at her confused, as though he didn't know who she was. " I beg your pardon?"

The girl rested her cold hand on the man's face, causing his eyes to widened. He glanced to his left and right, laughing awkwardly.

"Miss, this doesn't seem the most-" His words stopped once meeting her eyes. "Appropri...ate..."

"You, don't remember me?" The girl asked, completely ignoring the attention her actions attracted. The eyes of nobles closest to her the ballroom watched curiously as she spoke.

"I-I'm sorry?" His brows furrowed, he promptly shook his head. "I am afraid not, Miss."

Elodie's once bright eyes went soft, blinking away a gloss of crystal tears. Such a weak expression tugged on the man's heart.

Elodie was silent as she thought reflectively, her hands were itching to bring collapse the entire castle. But, just as she was imagining this, she heard the voice from when she woke up, just a couple hours ago.

'Your mission is not complete.' The voice told her

Elodie's jaw tightened, she was forced to pull herself together. The man in front of her watched quietly, not knowing what else to say.

He reached up to remove her hand that was on his cheek, but he stopped once he made contact with her frozen skin. His hand remained stacked against hers.

"May I know your name? Perhaps that should remind me."

His words quickly caused her to feel hopeful again, she smiled softly.

"Yes of course, my name is..." Her mouth was left agape. "My name..."

The man watched intently, waiting for her to continue. "Yes?"

"My name is, Victoria..." the girl said slowly.

The man frowned, shaking his head. Interest that once swirled in his eyes seemed to fade. But only a little.

"I'm sorry, I do not know who you are." He brought down his hand, holding hers in it. "I'm also at fault, I- I must've mistaken you for someone else, it seems."

Elodie's fists clenched again. "But, of course."

Of course he would not know who she was. Because Victoria was not her name. Elodie stepped back from the man in the blue.

The mysterious girl who had approached him was none other than Elodie. The Evil Witch, Elodie. To make matters worse, the man standing in front of her was none other than a general for the royal army. Adam Ademandi.

Elodie knew that having been revived, carrying out her summoners request was her first responsibility in this life. Such, feelings... We're something she could not focus on.

As she thought to herself, sulking, everyone's attention suddenly turned. Even the man in front of her turned to the source of attraction.

"It is Princess Isabella!"

Elodie's anger lit aflame. She looked up at the person currently standing on the stairs, her mind racing through ten memories per second.

The girls hair, a light brown was pulled into a neat bun adorned with gems and crystals, and a shiny tiara. Her skin a lightly tanned white. Her dress, an iridescent silver cascaded to the floor, even as she stood at the top of the stairs, staring around the room with happy, hazel eyes.

Despite the appearance of the woman, Elodie was reminded of a past which contrasted greatly to what stood before her. The neatly shined, prim and polished princess which Elodie knew was nothing but a sham.

"Welcome! Ladies and Noblemen to the 6th anniversary of my late mother, the queen. With that being said, it it my greatest honor to present my eldest brother, King Elicus!"

A dim smile appeared on Elodie's face just as an idea came to mind. If she could crack into that neatly shined and polished exterior right now, why shouldn't she?

-to be continued-