Arlan stood in a corner of his chamber, his body radiating a golden gleam that flickered like the ebb and flow of ocean waves. His eyes, once bright, were now darkened, filled with a fury that glared hatefully at the woman before him. Despite his small stature, a strong and threatening aura emanated from him.
A woman, roughly the same age as Julien, stood in front of Arlan, attempting to approach him but seemingly unable to do so. Karla observed from the side as the tension unfolded.
"What’s happening here?" Julien exclaimed, still processing the shock.
The expressions on the two women’s faces changed upon seeing Julien, and the young woman glared at Karla, accusing, "You didn’t lock the door?"
"Forgive me, Master."
Ignoring the two women, Julien walked toward the Prince. "Arlan, what’s going on... Ahh... cough...?"
Thud!
In the next instant, the chamber door slammed shut. Julien, mid-approach to Arlan, was halted by an unknown force, coughing and gasping as if something were suffocating her. She collapsed to the floor, writhing in pain.
"It’s fortunate you arrived, Lady Julien," the woman approached. Her dark gray eyes held an ominous mist, her fair and delicate features tainted with malevolence. Her long, dark hair swayed as she advanced toward Julien.
With a pained gaze, Julien struggled to breathe and couldn’t utter a word. The woman knelt beside her, then turned her attention to Arlan. "Did you see, my Prince, how powerful I am? I can end your second mother’s life with just a snap of my fingers."
Arlan, resembling a wild, lost creature, displayed a flicker of emotion in his dark gaze. The woman glanced at Julien and laughed as she observed his reaction.
She then looked at suffering Julien, "What? Are you so shocked that you can’t even ask anything?"
Julien, wanting to question and confront the woman, found herself weakened.
The woman taunted, "You want to ask what I am doing here and what happened to our lovely prince?" She stood up, snapping her fingers. Julien felt the grip around her throat suddenly loosen, allowing her to cough violently and gasp for breath.
"Let me tell you something," the woman began, "I am a witch, and this young prince is my delicious food."
While still on the floor, Julien gathered herself and issued a warning, "Edna, I am warning you to stop whatever you are doing."
Edna laughed, "You weakling, haven’t tasted my strength just now? Just because I was acting as Verner family’s servant, do you take me for granted? To make you believe me, do you want me to strangle you to death? Won’t it be painful for the king to lose both of his wives in a single night?"
"You... are you the one...."
"If I was, I wouldn’t need a sword to kill her," Edna interrupted, "But you are free to think whatever you want. It will only make every passing moment of your life more terrifying."
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