As for Erika, she joined them the moment they arrived at the mansion—her face looking exhausted while rubbing her body covered in bruises from today''s extra practice. However, Katheryn looked just fine, not even a trace of tiredness.

    "They''ve gone?" Alan asked, hearing the door click shut and turning to his little niece with his eyes narrowed in a stern gaze. "We have to talk, Liana."

    "Uncle? What''s the matter, your face..."

    Liana usually found her uncle would never look at her with such an angry look, his lips pressed together and narrow eyes looking at her sharply.

    Did I do something wrong?

    She couldn''t help but feel vulnerable after discovering Ryuji''s hidden truth and accepting his trust. Not only that, but he made her feel it was okay to accept the feelings growing inside her. Liana couldn''t help but show a small grin, her lips and cheeks loose from her happiness, despite Alan''s angry and conflicted face opposite her.

    "Is there something wrong with my face? I''m just a bit tired—I''ll be better after some rest."

    Alan sighed deeply before finally smiling sadly. "You can''t act that way. Princess Liana Girgor."

    The moment Alan spoke, his tone shifted to a more official and stiff tone, like when he spoke in the meetings inside the throne room, which caused Liana''s eyes to widen. Her hands, grasping the chair, tightened, letting her nails dig into the fabric while black lightning arced from her body with unstable magic.

    "Alan! What is the meaning of this?" Liana cried out, unable to stop the volatile lightning surging from her body while her eyes darted around. She found Katheryn was no longer sitting beside her. Now, standing by the door with the same stern and cold eyes of judgment.

    "Liana! You know your position. How could you be so stupid!?" Katheryn shouted as she looked at her master with her hand placed over her heart like she was trying to force down the ache rising in her chest.

    "What are you two saying? I don''t understand!" Liana exclaimed with a shaky voice, her body trembling and her breathing getting faster as the panic settled in.

    "Princess, we''re sorry. But if we don''t report this, then." Alan began speaking, his expression full of sorrow as he dragged out a logo from his coat and slammed it on the table. The symbol of royalty trembled with a loud echo, the golden material shimmering in Liana''s eyes. "What do you think might happen to Ryuji if you keep those feelings and your relationship secret?"

    "Ryuji?"

    "Yes, if Lord Ryuji was found out to be involved with you, wouldn''t he be the first target of the royals when they find out? After all, he is an easy target for them and their foul plots...

    Not to mention, his background and lineage are suspicious at best already." Katheryn explained with a sorrowful sigh as she leaned her head against the door and closed her eyes, a powerful sigh blowing from her lips.

    "No! Alan... Kathethyn, please. If they find out about Ryuji, then who knows what will happen to him? Please, I beg you, keep this a secret." Liana cried out in a shaky voice as she trembled in her seat while begging. Her face was slick with tears, which rolled down her cheeks and dripped onto the floor.

    "I''m sorry, princess, but that isn''t an option anymore..." Alan apologised, his eyes lowering in shame while his hands grasped into fists. "You''ve fallen in love with him, after all." His chest heaved as he placed both hands on the wooden table with a bang. "So we must speak with the king about this matter; otherwise, Ryuji will become a target as soon as the king finds out about it!"

    The black arms could gather her lightning energy and form a small ball of lightning within their palms.

    "Remember how Ryuji hugged you like an idiot, oblivious to how your dangerous magic flowed into him!"

    "But I... can''t... it''s... different..." Liana grunted.

    She struggled to force down the overwhelming desire to release all the power as the tiny, dark arms brought the orb to her face. The glistening purple orb looked beautiful. They pulsated with the power of lightning inside, making it feel dangerous.

    "Then close your eyes. What did Ryuji do when you were scared or upset?" Alan questioned quickly as he remained cautious of the lightning arcing around Liana''s body, the arms hovering around her with two balls of lightning in their palms.

    "I..." Liana closed her eyes. She thought of Ryuji''s scent, the feel of his body against hers, the deep tone of his voice when he accepted her lightning into his body constantly. The warm hand on her head when he called her name, his gentle fingers wiping away her tears. The way he held her close and accepted her despite her curse...

    The feelings she wanted to protect were the ones that caused the lightning to transform.

    A beautiful flicker of light flowed from her body as the mana dispersed, and Liana slumped in her chair exhausted, but this time... when the arms vanished, only a small jolt of lighting that flickered from her body and a strong smell of burnt leather remained.

    Alan looked at her with a wide smile, a tender gaze in his eyes as he nodded towards the chair she was sitting in.

    "That''s not a curse, but your magic Liana... Your grandmother and my sister were the same, born from a bloodline of witches" He chuckled cheerfully.

    "But to think... that damn boy stole your heart. I guess I will speak to my brother and make sure he doesn''t overreact. Kathryn, you saw he is the key to her awakening fully as a witch, make sure nothing happens to them. Okay?"

    "We have to investigate him..." She added, but Alan glared at her, and before she could react, a heavy magical aura forced Kathryn to her knee, causing her mouth to gasp, unable to speak as if something grasped her throat.

    "You will not do anything of the sort. Ryuji is my friend, and I will not allow any rude actions. If he wishes to tell me, I will listen, but I shall never force or sneak in the shadows to learn his secrets." Alan''s eyes looked terrifying for the knight as her eyes darted away from his gaze, her body trembling, unaware of Alan having this much power.

    "Now go!" Alan waved his hand dismissing Katheryn from his sight and gaze before he turned his attention to his niece.

    "Alan... you..." Liana whispered weakly.

    "I guess, this time, your magic was not only because you were scared but also the way you felt for Ryuji. Don''t worry, Uncle will shoulder all the burden and let you enjoy yourself until you are completely sure how you feel."

    He gave a slight smile, his lips barely curling upwards, while closing his eyes, thinking back to his sister''s warning...

    "Ryuji is dangerous; if you approach him without an honest intention, our family will perish."