Chapter 119: 119 — A Decade Old Promise

"Please, tell me what promise you made to Mother." Cynthia clasped his hand in hers, her eyes filled with urgency. She needed answers—desperately. Perhaps he held the knowledge she had been scouring the magic books for.

Vincent, who had always been devoted to studying magic and had insisted on becoming a mage professor, might have delved deeper into this field than she ever had. After all, she had been avoiding magic for years now.

"Please answer me," she pleaded, her voice trembling, a gasp escaping her lips. Her heart raced, caught between the excitement of discovery and the fear of the secrets she might uncover. "I need to know. It’s very important to me."

She waited, but her brother remained silent. "do not just keep quiet," she pressed.

Vincent exhaled deeply, his hesitation palpable. His heart pounded as he prepared to divulge the secret he had concealed for eleven long years. "You are a saintess, Cynthia," he finally admitted. "You possess the power to eradicate all evil energy."

"But I know that," she interrupted, her tone firm.

"What?" Vincent’s eyes widened, panic flashing across his face. Where could she have learned that? It had been a closely guarded secret, one the king had sworn them all to protect under the gravest of threats: never speak of it, or lose their tongues.

"I have met a... lady at His Majesty’s wedding. She told me mother was a saintess, and so am I."

Looking into each other’s eyes, the pair of siblings shared a mutual understanding.

Vincent inhaled deeply before he began, "Her Majesty told me and Alistair about your powers the day you were born. However, she took a promise from us. She said we had to keep it a secret until you realized your powers and protect you because you might have countless enemies who might want to use you for that purpose."

Cynthia recalled the countess assassination attempts. Every piece of the puzzle she crafted over the years seemed to be falling into place. However, she couldn’t wrap her mind around one question yet. It was supposed to be a secret, so who knew about her powers that would want to eliminate her?

"Her Majesty has blessed me with her powers. Rather, a part of her manacore before she departed that day..." Vincent paused, his gaze dropping. The day he referred to was the day the king and queen had passed away and Cynthia understood that very well.

"Only to never return," Cynthia continued.

The calm in her voice sent shivers down the blonde-haired young man. She appeared nothing like the fragile little girl who cried her eyes out to the point they had turned red during the funeral.

"And she asked me and Alistair to find her sister."

"Her sister?!" Cynthia exclaimed, her eyes widened in disbelief as her brother revealed something she never knew of even in her past life.

"Yes. She told me she had a sister. She looked exactly like her, although she had golden eyes. Alistair and I have been searching throughout the kingdoms but we found no signs of a lady who might possess divine power as Mother had told us."

"Maybe she is keeping a low profile?" Cynthia said, clenched her hands together, trying to keep away the overwhelming feelings from her.

Not only did her mother hide the fact that she was a saintess but also that she had a sister. Even Duke Ramsel never mentioned having a sister!

"Perhaps Duke Ramsel would know something about it," Vincent muttered as if he had heard Cynthia’s inner thoughts.

"But would he ever tell us?" Cynthia raised an eyebrow.

Her question was valid. Ever since she had learned of his involvement in her parents’ death along with King Valerian and Queen Isabella, she pushed him away.

She refused to keep any contact with him. Mostly, when she visited his mansion after returning from the war, Duke Ramsel had dared to attack her. Hadn’t she reacted quickly, she would have possibly lost her life.

Yet, she could not bring herself to reveal that to King Alistair, who might behave the whole family, resulting in the Ramsel household, her mother’s family, to disappear from the whole kingdom. She could not allow that to happen at any cost.

The Ramsel household was an essential part of the kingdom, and its fall would cause a huge loss to her brother as the king because they possessed several businesses and mines, profiting the whole country. And she once overheard the Duke Ramsel talking to someone, telling them that he had done something in his will who might result the kingdom to lose everything he has if he were killed.

"We could visit someone else. Someone who is alive, not afraid of Duke Ramsel. And above all, his enemy."

"Who are you referring to?" Vincent asked.

"Duke Dorian’s father."

"I will handle the matter then. You should remain here. I will also notify His Majesty that there is no need to fear the grand duke’s presence on this land," Vincent rose from his seat, gently placing his hand on her head, caressing her hair.

"I am no longer a child, brother," Cynthia grumbled.

"Of course. But to me, you will always be," Vincent grinned, retreating his hand.

"Are you leaving?" Cynthia followed Vincent to the exit of the tent.

The young man nodded.

"We met after such a long time..."

"I know. I promise to visit you soon, my dear sister. do not miss me too much," he chuckled, walking toward his men who seemed to have just settled down for the night.

He spoke words Cynthia failed to hear and soon, they all began packing up their materials. A few minutes later, the group had departed from the forest, leaving only Cynthia, Lucian and his knights.

"He had left. How long do you plan to stay here and watch? He is nowhere to be seen," Lucian whispered softly, causing Cynthia to glance at him.

"Right... we should sleep," Cynthia said, as if disoriented and entered her tent.

Sitting on the bed, she could notshake off the secrets her brother had revealed to her.

She had an aunt she never knew of and her mother had given her brother some power?

A bitter feeling of betrayal filled her heart, her stomach turning as if she were stabbed in her heart.

Why did they never tell me? Even after my mother passed away... No one told me anything about this.

She didn’t resent her brothers for hiding it from her; however, it was something important. Had she known of her powers, she would have gone through all those hardships she had too.

But in my past life... King Alistair despised me. Is that why he never told me the truth? So does it mean in this life he doesn’t? Because Brother Vincent is alive? And if he were dead in this life too, would the cycle continue? Would he have hated me just as much as he did in the past l?

With unsettled feelings, Cynthia slowly drifted to sleep, unable to find any answer to her questions.

***

The next morning, Cynthia and Lucian decided to visit the lake in case they could find any traces of demons. However, their efforts were in vain. Having found no clues, the couple decided to return to their base.

"Are you alright?" Lucian asked, his face seemingly filled with concern.

Cynthia glanced at him only to look away.

"Yes. Why do you ask?" She snorted, her voice lingering with a mocking tone.

He didn’t care about her until recently and suddenly it seemed he actually was concerned about her well being.

What a joke! do not fall for it, Cynthia.

She inwardly told herself.

Lucian’s expression darkened at her response. His concern wavered under her cold demeanor for a moment, but he shook her head.

"She must be bothered by something for her to act so cold towards me," he reassured himself.

After all, she always talked to him nicely and politely.

"I asked because you looked pale," he replied, his voice steady but edged with a slight irritation. "If you’re feeling unwell, you should say so. I will arrange for your return."

Cynthia stopped walking, turning to face him. Her violet eyes burned with quiet defiance as she crossed her arms.

"And if I were unwell, what would you do? Pretend to care? Offer empty words? Spare me the act, Your Highness. It doesn’t suit you."

Her words were sharper than any blade which cut deep. For a moment, Lucian said nothing, his jaw clenching. He had always known Cynthia was guarded under the pretence of politeness, but hearing her mistrust so plainly stung more than he expected.

"Why is it so hard to believe I care about your well-being?" he finally asked, his tone softer now, almost cautious.

Cynthia let out a dry laugh, stepping closer.

"Yes, Your Highness, it is. For someone who hates me, your sudden concern is... suspicious, to say the least."

Lucian locked gaze with her, the tension between them lightly like the spark of a fire.

"I do not expect you to trust me, but I need you alive."

Her lips parted slightly, a scoff escaping her.

"I know. You do not wish for another war. And my death might cause one. However, for now, we must hurry and complete our mission. I have asked my brother to notify the king that we are no threat to Eldoria but if the nobles urge the king, he might not be able to against them either. Let’s finish and return before the Eldorians soldiers attack us."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read