CHAPTER 85: THE CAPITAL OF THE MAGES ASSOCIATION

"Hmmm...Boring"

Back in the karnstein castle the atmosphere was was heavy with Eleanor’s Melancholy as she lay sprawled on the sofa her gaze fixed blankly on the ceiling.

"When will he be Back?...I am tired of waiting..." she muttered lifelessly her voice devoid of its usual energy.

Alicia sat accross her sipping her coffee and sighing at the display of her friend she had grown accustomed to Eleanor’s Lovesickness since Valerian’s departure but it still didn’t make it any better.

"Are you still held onto that?" she asked as she set her mug down with a clink sound "I already told you he’ll be back soon."

Eleanor didn’t respond, her eyes remaining glued to the ceiling as if searching for some unseen distraction.

Alicia shook her head, a mix of exasperation and concern etched on her features. "You know,"she began gently, "Valerian wouldn’t want to see you like this."

"Oh,you know nothing,"Eleanor grumbled, burying her face in the pillow she clutched tightly."He is actually a sadistic piece of shit."

She paused, her voice muffled by the fabric as she continued,"After all, who leaves his pregnant wife to have a vacation with another woman?"

Alicia set her mug down slowly, her expression softening with understanding. She rose from her seat and moved to sit beside Eleanor on the sofa, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder."I know it hurts,"she murmured softly."But Valerian loves you. He would never intentionally cause you pain."

Eleanor snorted derisively, pulling away from Alicia’s touch as she sat up, her eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and pain."Hmph. Iknow that was just a consolation,"she muttered bitterly."He said before...after all, he used to hate me from his very soul."

She hugged the pillow tighter to her chest, as if seeking comfort in its softness."Do youhave any idea what it’s like?"she demanded, turning to face Alicia with a fierce gaze."To be hated by the one you love? Tobe seen as nothing more than a burden, a nuisance?"

Alicia sighed, realizing that Eleanor’s emotional outburst was likely a result of her hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy. "Leave it, Alicia,"she murmured to herself ."Eleanor is going through her mood swings caused by her pregnancy."

’If only her mood would get better I could ask her some things I am still curious about’ she thought looking at the mark of a heart pierced by a arrow on her her chest.

’That mark had beenbothering me for a while’ she stared at the mark with suspicion.

As if on cue, the maid Claire entered the room, carrying a tray laden with an assortment of desserts.

She curtsied politely before setting the tray down on the coffee table

."I thought you both could use a little sweetness,"she said with a gentle smile, glancing between the two ladies.Eleanor’s gaze flicked to the tray, her expression softening slightly at the sight of the treats.

Without a word, she reached out and snatched a chocolate truffle, popping it into her mouth with a satisfied sigh.

Alicia smiled gratefully at Claire. "Thank you, Claire," she said warmly."This was very thoughtful of you."

As Eleanor savored the chocolate truffle, her annoyance seemed to melt away, replaced by a more peaceful expression. She reached for another dessert, a small pastry filled with cream, and nibbled on it thoughtfully.

Alicia watched her friend with a mixture of relief and amusement, noting the subtle changes in her demeanor.

"Finally looking less annoyed, huh?"she remarked lightly, a hint of teasing in her voice.Eleanor shot her a sideways glance, but there was no heat behind it.

"Shut up,"she muttered around a mouthful of pastry, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.Alicia chuckled softly, reaching for a dessert of her own. "I’m just glad to see you eating something,"she said gently.

"You know you need to keep your strength up for the baby."Eleanor’s hand drifted to her belly instinctively, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she considered Alicia’s words.

Eleanor’s question hung in the air for a moment before Claire shook her head, her expression turning somber. "But I wonder how long it would take,"Eleanor murmured, more to herself than to anyone else."Claire, how long did it take for my mother..?"she questioned, her voice tinged with a hint of curiosity and apprehension.

But Claire’s response was immediate and decisive, dashing any hopes Eleanor might have had.

"I’m afraid I can’t answer that, my lady,"she murmured apologetically."As far as I know, Lady Eleanor wasn’t conceived naturally. Her Majesty Erzsebet didn’t have to go through a pregnancy."

Eleanor’s eyes widened slightly at Claire’s revelation, a mix of surprise and contemplation etched on her features. "Huh,"she murmured thoughtfully.

"Is that so?"She paused, her hand instinctively drifting to her belly as she considered the implications of Claire’s words."I forgot how much of a miracle it is that I’m having a normal one,"she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of awe and disbelief.

"Considering how hard it is for vampires to have children the normal way..."Alicia nodded in agreement, her expression solemn. "It truly is a blessing,"she said gently."One that Valerian and you should cherish." then she paused and continued with a curious tone "By the way Eleanor I..."

But before Alicia could finish her sentence a sound of footsteps echoed through the hall.

"Oh what a surprise I never thought I’ll see the day My dear Lil sister would be becoming a mother"

Eleanor’s smile faded abruptly, replaced by an expression of pure horror as a chilling voice echoed through the room.

She slowly turned her head, her eyes widening in fear as she took in the sight of the tall woman standing before her.

The resemblance was uncanny - the same delicate features, the same porcelain skin - but where Eleanor wore a single rose in her hair, this woman bore two, their petals as black as night.

Alicia’s breath caught in her throat, instinctively moving to stand protectively in front of Eleanor as she recognized the newcomer."Big Sis Milarca..." Eleanor muttered, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her own heart.

The chilling smile that curved Milarca’s lips sent shivers down Eleanor’s spine, a primal fear gripping her chest."Oh what a surprise,"Milarca purred, her voice like silk and venom."

"I see you still have her as you contracted witch Honestly i thought she might have abandoned you already ,"Milarca said, her eyes roaming over Eleanor’s form with a predatory gaze."I might have missed a lot of things in my absence."She stepped closer, her heels clicking ominously against the floor as she circled Eleanor like a shark scenting blood.

"my sister becoming a mother... how quaint,"she mocked, her voice dripping with disdain."And to think, I once considered you nothing more than a fragile little flower, destined to wither and die."

Eleanor trembled beneath her sister’s scrutiny, her hands clutching instinctively at her belly as if to shield the precious life within from Milarca’s venomous words.Alicia’s grip tightened on Eleanor’s arm, her nails digging into the skin as she fought the urge to lunge at Milarca and rip out her throat.

"Lady Milarca I think Its enough teasing for the moment please go rest in your quarters you must be tired" Claire came forwarded and respectfully said to Milarca.

"Tch...Alright.." Milarca’s expression turned ugly as she looked at the cold expression of the maid and decided to give up for now.

"Sadly, I can’t play with you now,"

Milarca’s words hung heavy in the air, a sinister promise that sent a chill down Eleanor’s spine. She watched, frozen in fear, as her sister turned and strode towards the stairs, her heels clicking ominously against the marble floor.

Milarca called over her shoulder, her voice dripping with mock disappointment."But don’t worry, dear sister. We’ll have plenty of time for...sisterly bonding...after you give birth to the little fella.

"Her dark smile lingered in Eleanor’s mind long after she had disappeared upstairs, leaving the two women alone once more.Alicia exhaled sharply, her grip on Eleanor’s arm relaxing as she turned to face her friend. "Are you alright?"she asked urgently, searching Eleanor’s face for any sign of distress.

Eleanor’s words tumbled out in a rush, her frustration and fear palpable in the air."Why did that bitch come back so soon?"she muttered, clutching her stomach protectively.

"I thought she was tasked with handling the dispute with the Egyptians."Alicia sighed, remembering all too well the stories Eleanor had shared about her sister’s cruelty and unpredictability.

"Thankfully, she’s not crazy enough to hurt you in this state,"she said softly, trying to offer some measure of comfort.

But Eleanor was already lost in her own thoughts, her eyes distant as she recalled painful memories from her childhood."She’s ruthless,"she whispered, her voice barely audible."Crazy...always loathing the weak. She used to beat me up in the name of training...she’s the most crazy bitch of a sister I could have asked for."

...

...

"Yawn...." I let out a long drowsy yawn as the two of us were slowly getting off the plane by the stairs.

"You seriously should have gotten some sleep" Aisha said concerned about me.

"Nah If I slept who would watch over your innocent sleeping face" I teased her with a smirk making Aisha blush hard and look away.

"Humph Anyways We are here right..." she muttered looking up at the sky.

"In London The capital Of the Mages Association"