Chapter 39: Chapter 39:Dark magic(2).

❝Did something caught your eye? ❞ a feminine voice asked.

Zhia Xiang turned her head and meet a pair of green eyes and a smile.

❝I hope I'm not bothering. I saw you looking at the clothes from here and I assumed you don't have enough money to buy it so I offer to pay. ❞ The girl added, keeping a sweet smile on her face.

Zhia Xiang narrowed her eyes suspicious and asked:

❝Who are you? ❞

The girl looked confused for a second, but then softly gasped at the realization.

❝How impolite of me to forget to introduce myself... My name is Isabelle Albertine. ❞ The girl said bowing a little.

Zhia Xiang looked at her with no expression, trying to sense any ill intentions that may be harbored by the stranger.

❝What's your name, if I may ask? ❞ Isabelle asked, worried by Zhia Xiang's silence.

❝Is your father Oliver Albertine? ❞Zhia Xiang simply asked.

Isabelle kept a confused face, but answered nonetheless.

❝Yes. ❞

❝How old are you? ❞Zhia Xiang asked again.

❝Sixteen... ❞

❝Sixteen? ❞ Zhia Xiang asked confused.

❝Morgan is only eight years old and she's the daughter of Sophia, Oliver's wife. Did the bastard had an affair and a secret child?! ❞

❝Did something happen, miss? ❞Isabelle asked touching Zhia Xiang's shoulder.

❝Who is your mother? ❞Zhia Xiang asked.

❝My mother... she died while giving birth to me so I never meet her. Why are you interested in my family, miss? ❞Isabelle asked confused.

❝Your mother... she was Oliver's mistress? ❞

Isabella's eyes widened.

❝Mistress? That's scandalous! They may not have been married but father said he can't marry her because of his father... ❞ Isabelle explained.

Zhia Xiang looked at Isabelle and sensed that she's truly clueless.

❝Oliver Albertine was married to a woman named Sophia since they were teenagers. And they have a daughter. ❞

Isabelle froze and shook her head.

❝This can't be... father wouldn't do that... how do you know this? Who are you? ❞

❝Morgan Albertine. ❞ Zhia Xiang said looking into the girl's green eyes.

Isabelle's face turned pale and she covered her mouth in disbelief.

❝How... how is that possible? I... father never told me about this. Are you really telling the truth? You're my sister? ❞

❝I am, but unlike you, Oliver threw me out together with my mother who loved him all her life. ❞Zhia Xiang said.

❝No... father wouldn't do that, he's a good man... he wouldn't throw his own wife and child out. ❞Isabelle said in denial.

❝But he did. You shouldn't let yourself so easily deceived. ❞

❝Why would he do that do his own child? ❞Isabelle asked looking at Zhia Xiang with tears in her eyes.

❝I was born with red eyes and dark magic. That was enough for him to throw us out like we were nothing. Because of that, I lost my mother due to illness. ❞ Zhia Xiang explained.

Isabelle let her tears fall down her face.

❝You're really my sister? And father threw you out because of your magic? ❞

❝That's right. He thought I was cursed. ❞

❝Then... we're sisters. This... is unexpected. I, I don't know how to react. ❞Isabelle added trying to calm herself down.

Zhia Xiang entered the store without saying anything else. She looked around and chose a new attire, more to her liking.

Agent 0 returned from his information gathering mission and begun to speak about his discovery.

❝It seems like the Duke had another daughter. I haven't seen or heard about a new duchess. ❞

❝I already knew that. ❞Zhia Xiang replied as she admired herself in the mirror.

Agent 0 looked at her waiting for an explanation.

❝I've meet his new daughter outside this store. It seems like the bastard had an affair while being married to Sophia. ❞Zhia Xiang explained as she walked to the counter to pay for the clothes.

❝Is this all? ❞ the woman behind the counter asked.

❝Yes. ❞Zhia Xiang replied.

The woman counted the money and nodded her head.

❝It's the right amount, thank you for choosing my store,miss. ❞

❝Have a nice day. ❞Zhia Xiang replied and left.

❝Wait! ❞Isabelle said grabbing Zhia Xiang's hand.

Zhia Xiang looked at her hand and then at Isabelle.

❝I can't let this situation like this. If you're telling me the truth, father will have to answer for his actions. I won't let him get away with lying and doing such horrid acts to his own child... ❞

❝And what can you do? Make him say how sorry he is for ruining his child and wife? Is that going to revive my mother? Erase the suffering we lived through because of him? You better stay away from this, I plan on killing Oliver, do you understand? I'll kill you too if you stay in my way. ❞Zhia Xiang replied as she snatched her hand back.

Isabelle looked into Zhia Xiang's red eyes with a sad expression.

❝I can see the suffering behind those eyes...you really must have been through a lot. I'm sorry, I know my apologies won't to anything, but I'm really sorry you had to go through that. ❞Isabelle said sympathetic.

❝It's better if you stay away. ❞Zhia Xiang replied and left to search for Morgan's old small house.

She opened the door and entered the house, the dust making her cough a few times. Zhia Xiang took a card out of her sleeve and burned it, the house being now squeaky clean.

❝That's better. ❞Zhia Xiang replied.

❝I found out that Oliver is trying to gain ties with the royal family by matching Isabelle with the second prince. ❞Agent 0 spoke.

❝Oh? I see, maybe that's why he's treating her so good. ❞Zhia Xiang said as she looked through the empty cabinets.

❝Possible. Do you want to know more about the crown prince? ❞agent 0 asked.

❝Of course, spill the tea about him and the royal family. If Oliver wants ties with them, I'll ruin that for him. ❞

❝The royal Sapphirus family of the Sapphirus Kingdom is composed of the King, Albert Sapphirus, a composed, strict man;the Queen, Vivienne Amana Sapphirus, she comes from the Amana Kingdom and is a sweet, smart woman that involves herself in political issues and help Albert in taking decisions; and their two sons, Victor Sapphirus, the crown prince, he's seen as a scary man as he doesn't speak much and prefers to stare at people or research about magic day and night. It said his stare makes the knees go weak. I discovered that he has a secret study room where no one is allowed, I tried to enter it, but he has a berrier around it that stopped even me from entering. A interesting thing about him is his dislike for the church. And not last, the second prince, Philip Sapphirus, a childish teenager that likes horse riding and outside activities. ❞ Agent 0 explained and projected an image of the royal family.

Zhia Xiang analyzed Victor in silence.

❝He seems interesting. You said that Oliver is trying his luck with Philip? How old is the kid? ❞Zhia Xiang asked.

❝Seventeen. ❞

❝I see, Isabelle is sixteen so it's a pretty good match. What about Victor? ❞ Zhia Xiang asked.

❝ Twenty six. ❞

❝At least Oliver had the decency to chose the younger one. ❞Zhia Xiang added, scoffing.

Knock knock.

❝Who the fuck... ❞Zhia Xiang muttered as she walked to the door. ❝Seems like three men are outside.❞ She concluded.

❝Who is it? ❞Zhia Xiang asked softly, trying to sound helpless and harmless.

❝Excuse us miss, we are royal guards under crown prince's orders. There has been a massacre not far away from here and we want to ask some questions so please open the door. ❞ one of the man explained politely.

Zhia Xiang clicked her tongue and quickly ate a pill to change her eye color in case someone will recognize her.

She then opened the door, looking at the three men shyly.

❝Enter in, don't stand at the door. ❞Zhia Xiang said and moved from their way.

The guards took the offer and entered inside.

❝I hope you don't feel disgusted to be in such a cheap house. ❞Zhia Xiang spoke, looking down at her legs, embarrassed.

The guards looked at each other awkwardly and one of then quickly swung his hands in front of his face.

❝We aren't, don't worry about it, miss. Please, feel relaxed, we aren't here to hurt you. ❞ the guard spoke.

Zhia Xiang looked up at him and smiled sweetly.

❝Thank you kind sir. May I serve you some tea? ❞Zhia Xiang asked.

❝If it's not too much... ❞ the same guard replied.

Zhia Xiang smiled and walked to the kitchen, putting water to boil.

❝While the water is boiling... let's discuss. What were you wanting to ask me? ❞Zhia Xiang asked as she sat down in a chair.

❝Like I said earlier, the has been a brutal crime committed today. A large number of people has been burned alive and we are searching for the culprit. From what we gathered the murderer is a little girl, around 10 with black hair and red eyes. Have you seen such a child around these parts? ❞

Zhia Xiang covered her mouth, pretending to he surprised by the news.

❝I haven't seen a girl to fit the description, sir. ❞Zhia Xiang replied.

The kettle announced that the water is boiled so Zhia Xiang rushed to stop the fire and pour the water in cups, slipping a special ingredient in the tea.

❝The tea is ready, I hope it's good enough for the respectable royal guards. ❞Zhia Xiang said and offered tea to the three.

❝Do you live alone? ❞ another of the three asked.

❝Yes, my mother recently passed away and I was left alone. ❞Zhia Xiang replied with sad eyes.

❝I'm sorry for your loss, may her soul rest in peace. ❞

❝Thank you for the kind words, sir. I wish I could help you more... ❞Zhia Xiang said sadly.

❝It's alright, miss. If you do see the child, come to the Palace and raport immediately. ❞

❝I understand, sir. ❞Zhia Xiang replied, smiling at the sight of them drinking her tea.

She looked at them slowly falling asleep and her smile grew more.

❝Seems like it worked already. Now, tell me, why is the crown prince searching for the culprit when the King himself should do this? ❞Zhia Xiang asked.

❝The crown prince.... wants to meet the culprit... ❞ the hypnotized guard replied.

❝Why? ❞Zhia Xiang insisted.

❝He...didn't told us why. Just to find the girl and take her to him. ❞

❝I see, so these guards aren't close to him. He must have other subordinated then... ❞ Zhia Xiang thought as she tried to find the reason behind Victor's desire to meet her.

❝Agent 0,you said he has a secret room and he doesn't allow anyone in? ❞Zhia Xiang asked.

❝That's right. ❞Agent 0 replied.

❝I wonder what he has in there... ❞Zhia Xiang wondered.

She snapped her fingers and the guards woke up, unawares that they feel asleep in the first place.

❝I will come to the Palace if I see or hear anything about the culprit. ❞Zhia Xiang said, looking at the three.

❝Alright, thank you for the tea, miss. ❞ one of the guards said and they all stood up.

❝Have a safe trip back. ❞Zhia Xiang said as she saw them out, locking the door after them.

❝What are you going to do next? ❞Agent 0 asked.

Zhia Xiang poured tea for herself and sat down, drinking some.

❝Let's see, we have to make Oliver suffer and there is also the church, they are the ones opposing dark magic like it's gonna eat their ass in their sleep so they're guilty too. ❞Zhia Xiang replied as she tried to come up with a plan.