"Kieran, I want to remind you that even I don’t know the contents of this potion. It could be poison or something that could do some damage to your body. For all we know— "
"I am going to take it," Kieran uttered. "Even if it’s poison. I am taking it." It has been hours since Ava left. The sun was finally up, and the sound of birds filled the air as the scent of the morning dew reached their ears. The two of them stood on the balcony just outside Kieran’s room, enjoying a tea that Erenes brewed.
Erenes said nothing in response.
"Ava is stronger than me," her words somehow surprised Kieran.
"How?" he asked.
Erenes shrugged in response. Even her daughter who is older than Ava isn’t as strong as her. In fact, there are only a few witches who are as strong as the current Erenes. One of them is Ulva and then there is Babaylan. But Ava?
When she first met Ava, she was nothing but a witch who couldn’t control her magick. She had the experience but had no formal education as she wasn’t a member of any coven; meaning, she had no education from any witchcraft school which belongs to the covens.
How could someone like that become this powerful in... months?
"Are you certain?" Kieran said.
"Yes."
"That’s good," Kieran nodded.
"How is that good, Kieran? The woman could easily kill you."
"If she wanted to kill me, us. Then we would be dead by now. But we are alive, aren’t we?"
"What?"
"We told her about the assassins. She could easily kill us and make it look like an assassin did it."
Erenes turned silent.
"That’s not what’s bothering me." Erenes sighed.
"Then what is bothering you?"
"That fact that she came here."
"Hm?"
"Why did she come here?"
Kieran said nothing. After a few minutes of silence, Erenes added.
"Think about it," she said. "A witch like that... would never let herself become someone else’s slave."
"Maybe it was because of Matthew?"
"You really think she doesn’t know where Matthew is?"
"I— "
"Did you really think Matthew would just make a deal with any witch?"
"But— "
"I also think that Baba would never approve of someone who isn’t worthy of Matthew. Babaylan was akin to Matthew’s mother. Perhaps, she was even more than a mother. She was a protector, she acted both as a mother and a father. A guide. If you think a woman like Babaylan would allow just anyone to be Matthew’s witch, you are very wrong." fгeewebnovёl.com
"You seem to be familiar with Babaylan?"
Erenes snorted. "Oh, I hated that woman’s guts."
"Hated? I have never heard you use that word before."
"Because I seldom hate people. Hate requires emotions and I don’t always give emotions to anyone."
"And?"
"Babaylan was a powerful witch behind Matthew’s mother and that gave her influence. However, before she met Matthew’s mother, Babaylan was already well known in the witch community. She liked to explore remnants of the previous witch’s civilizations. It was rumored that she found the greatest library of knowledge. Of course, no one was able to confirm this. But this rumor was enough to make everyone fearful of the witch who found the library of knowledge."
Kieran nodded. He always wondered why Babaylan, the one who practically raised Matthew never gave her oath to the King. At first, he thought Babaylan was just strong. But maybe there was more to the story.
But this isn’t the time to hear about her story.
"I am going to take some time to sleep. Tonight... everything will be done according to her plan."
Erenes nodded in response.
"Since you already made your decision, I can only wish you good luck. I hope the moon goddess will bless you with the things that you desire."
Kieran nodded but said nothing. Since he was a child, Kieran has always wanted to leave this place with his mother. He wanted to run away from this... breeding ground of a kingdom.
A breeding ground.
Kieran couldn’t help but smile at those words.
Those were actually the words that Ava used to describe this place.
A place where they are forced to mate with multiple women to create the perfect heir.
A breeding ground.
Funny how Kieran hasn’t thought of that term in the past.
With a slight smile on his face, he walked back to his room. Relief flashed in his silver eyes.
...........
"Since Prince Drigo and the Queen invited you for a dinner, I suggest that you give them something special," Ulva uttered towards Ava who was calmly sitting on the bed. A flask with purple liquid appeared on Ulva’s hand. "Find a way to put this towards Prince Drigo’s food. Then hide the flask on your dress. Do you understand?"
"What is this?" Ava asked.
"You don’t have to know that. All you need to do is put it in his food or his drink and you are good."
"That’s it?"
"Yes."
Ava nodded. "Alright. Is there anything else?"
"You seemed to have adjusted well?" Ulva couldn’t help but scrutinize Ava. Last night, the woman looked confused and lost. But this time, she looked normal. Except for her black eyes, that is. The absence of emotion in Ava’s eyes was especially noticeable because the woman came here with her eyes full of confidence and sharpness.
But now...
"Why don’t you take some time and take a long bath? Let Mara help you. Let her change your clothes and give you the best accessories. And you should smile more."
Ava lifted her eyes and stared at Ulva. Then her lips lifted up into an awkward almost sinister smile. "Like this?" Ava asked, her eyes wide and eyebrows lifted.
"Goddess no! What are you doing? Stop that!"
"Oh." Ava’s face turned normal.
"Don’t do that again."
"Alright," Ava said with a bland expression on her face.
"Just... " Flustered at Ava’s antics Ulva glared at Mara. "Teach her how to smile."
"Yes, Priestess." Mara bowed.
"And make her prettier tonight."
"Yes, Priestess."
Ulva stared at Ava who was still sitting ramrod straight on her bed. "After all, she will become the star of the show... tonight."
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