CHAPTER 394: CLOSE TO SALVATION-I

To cover the truth that he had killed his parents, Renard was sent to be adopted by another family. A peaceful family without a son who wishes to have children of their own even if they aren’t related by blood. His sister was also brought by another family and since grew up without ever remembering the fact that their parents had sent her to be bought because she was still a virgin, allowed to be killed if she doesn’t bear a son.

Afraid that the truth was known, Renard had always lied about his peaceful family situations that even his close ally Karnala wouldn’t have known.

It wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for Cassius, the crown prince who had noticed the truth behind his murder, and so since then Renard who followed him into the battlefield promised to protect him, even if it cost his life.

"I love a good wolf," the witch relaxed her back, "A good obedient dog that would wag their tail only at me, but at the same time, I do not wish being bitten by the dog for stealing it by killing its master." And sure enough Renard who was smart and could catch up to the hints quickly glare when looking at the witch, baring his teeth for her claim where she intent on killing Cassius to take him.

"Then again," the witch sighed, "I do not like a dog with two master."

"Don’t you already have an obedient dog, your Majesty?" Lastor was the one who spoke as he could tell the air was getting far too tense. "The man outside, the one who showed us inside the manor, isn’t he an obedient servant?"

"Craven is different, he is a bird," the witch replied before noticing something that was out of place and let it known with an "Ah," then she smiled, "Take a seat you two. It seems I have forgotten my manner with how long time has passed since my last guest. The last guest wasn’t so friendly and had even tried to burn the forest so it wasn’t such a pleasant mood back the which made me forgot how to house a guest. What a shame to me, how could I allow my guests stand without introducing myself first?"

Glancing at each other, Lastor and Renard finally sat down on the chair placed for them. They didn’t feel any different but still felt as though they had sat at a chair full of thorns.

"I am Lastor, Lady Circe’s sorcerer from her coven, while this man beside me is sir Renard, The King, Cassius Crown’s closest aide." Lastor introduced himself first as according to the rank, witches are always far above sorcerer, almost an existence of a Goddess.

"Circe, Circe, hm," her expression turned solemn before she lifted her silver lashes to look back at them, "I am the owner of this forest, well, I was here before anyone could ever step inside the forest therefore it is mine. I have gone by many names and most people had noted my names everywhere, so do be grateful for knowing my name, Miranda Sterling. You may call me, Lady Miranda."

Lastor gulped, "I thank you for the honor, Lady Miranda and apologies for the lack of manner I am about to show. I need help from you and it’s extremely urgent."

"The new witch is on verge of death," Miranda spoke, brushing her silver hair as she raised her hand for a silver mirror to manifest suddenly on her fingers as if it had grown from her hand. "She is still a far too young child, adorable and green. How saddened it is for me to tell you that since birth a Black Death Star hovers above her and now it grew to the point that I cannot count how many few days she has left to live with my hands."

Renard frown, knowing that means that Arabella was on verge of death and each day she as closer to death. "But the curse, they do not eat the person cursed by it alive."

"Stars are fate, they cannot be avoided. While the curse won’t kill, something else would soon take her life," Miranda answered as she tapped the mirror for it to quake. The mirror that was supposed to be made up of glass had trembled like it was made up of water and soon it turned dark and reappear with the image of Arabella who was studying in the room, standing before the cauldron pot, her eyes trying to concoct a potion earnestly.

"I see, with one more death she would die," answered Miranda and Lastor was startled.

"Is there no cure for the curse at all? Nothing to strengthen the curse so her power wouldn’t explode?"

"Unfortunately." Sighed Miranda, "her power has grown to the point that it could exceed mine. She’s a child whose fate was write for death early since birth, it’s amazing that her mother was so quick minded to have put this curse so she could alive for long. If the barrier protecting her power now break, she would definitely explode alongside all the souls living in Versailles."

"So there is no help..." Lastor buried his face in his palms, harried by the fact that he could hear his heart loudly thumping over his chest, nervous and filled with fear.

"But you came to the right person," Miranda smiled softly with a hum, "If we can simply remove the curse alongside the power inside of her, she could survive."

Renard raised his eyebrows, "You are taking her power?"

"Her magical power exceed her ability to contain it," shrug Miranda with a matter of fact tone, "So what we could do is remove both the curse with the extra magical power so she could learn to exists with her power. It shouldn’t leave a long side effect on to her."

"What is the chance for this to work without harming her in the process?" Lastor questioned with a tight gulp.

"At least more than seven chances out of ten. But because I am the one who would be performing the ritual, it should be close to nine chances out of ten."

"Then!"

"Not so quickly tiger," said Miranda, "Congratulation on finding the solution but I need my payment as well. Surely I do not help someone without a payment in return."