Tettia was now talking far more than her own good. It was never publicly revealed that Valas and his wife had borne a child together. Only the palace and the three families had known. A veil-born was a scorned existence, and it was disparaging enough that a human and demon had fled. The news of them having a child together compounded that sin beyond measure.
But because Tettia framed it as a theory, Astaroth saw the situation in a new light.
"That child wasn't just a veil-born but a veil-born carrying the blood of the Great Three Families! It' make sense if he held both blessings!" It was harder to contain her overwhelming emotions of the puzzle pieces clicking together.
Even the masked spy got caught off-guard.
"That's a dumb theory. They didn't have any children together. They were found and executed as they should have. Only them," Astaroth shot her a warning glare.
"No it-"
"Quiet!"
It's such a blot to the Great Three's reputation. How dare she even utter them in public? Your head would roll off for this crime alone!
Though privately, he could see exactly why whoever was responsible behind these disappearances had latched onto this notion with passion
A random veil-born would never naturally become the Blessed. That's why they need the forbidden ritual.
Astaroth broke into a sudden maniacal laughter that showed no signs of stopping.
"Ahhh, so there're some genuinely crazier people in the world than me! We despise and loathe humans - and yet you people hold no qualms in using them to create veil-borns? The very existence we find even more repulsive than humans?"
He chuckled, then grabbed a fistful of the spy's hair, his ember eyes glowing with a cruel smile.
"Give me a name."
The spy visibly recoiled at demand. "No…I cannot…"
"You want me to burn your legs next? Or your face? Take your pick."
He was still hesitating when Astaroth moved to clasp his charred hand. The mere imagination of the pain made his heart sink.
"I'll spare your life if you talk. I'll also won't let anybody kill you," he sneered. "You're too useful to die on me. Otherwise, you're dead either way - whether you die by my hands or your superior's. Once they find you already confessed this much."
A shudder ran through his spine. There was no place to return to now. Not after his betrayal. He leaned in and whispered a name, low enough for only Astaroth to hear.
Astaroth stared at him for a long moment. "Last chance. If you're playing games with me around, then…" he eyed his leg pointedly.
The masked demon shook his head with all his might. His body trembled with sweat pouring freely. A fear Astaroth believed to be genuine.
"Huh…" A slow, wide smile stretched his lips. "Lools like I finally have my ticket back to Rudaheim after all."
—
On the other side as Zerath returned to the palace, the very first thing that greeted him was Lucian rushing to his side.
"My lord! Where were you all this time?"
"I…It's a long story, Lucian," he exhaled. "I'll tell you in detail tomorrow. There're some precarious details I've come across."
Lucian blinked. "My lord had gone to visit Nethermoor. Did you discover something about the cave?"
"Something so grave a soft heart cannot stomach. Ah, I'm so tired…"
Zerath pressed his brows to ease some of his headache when he noticed Lucian's tense expression.
"Is something the matter?"
"No, my lord. You must eat and rest for now."
His eyes squinted. "You, who always make me work to the bone without mercy, wants me to rest?"
"Even I understand the term 'limits' my lord," he said expressionlessly.
"Just tell me what's going on. We've known each other for a long time now."
Lucian hesitated for a moment, but eventually conceded. "Her Majesty fell sick."
"What?" His eyes went wide, stunned. "What happened to Mother? Is she alright? Did you summon Sir Doloros?"
"He's already in her chamber."
Zerath rushed, taking large strides towards Veloria's chamber. His heart dropped the moment he saw her lying weakly against the pillows, her countenance pale.
"Your Majesty…"
He approached her - but the quiet disgust in her eyes made him stop.
"I'm fine…" she spoke through quivering lips, gripping the bedsheet. "Don't come any closer..!"
"Please don't take stress, Your Majesty. My lord is only concerned about you."
Zerath took a look at the figure, whom he hadn't expected to visit the palace.
Sire Izrus of the Twilight Sanctum stood respectfully beside the bed. Nefarion was in bed, holding his wife's hand, worried and anxious. On the other side was Xeraphine, who looked just as concerned.
Zerath turned to Doloros. "What happened to Mo- Her Majesty? She was fine this morning."
Doloros said sternly, "It seems like Her Majesty is being careless about her medicines," he eyed her maid, Moira, unfavorably.
Moira, who stood at some distance from Izrus, pursed her lips. "I do try to tell her, but Her Majesty doesn't like bitter medicines."
"Medicines are not delicacies you like. Their job is to heal you."
Nefarion pressed his lips in dissatisfaction. "What is this I'm hearing Veloria? You had promised me you'd listen to Doloros."
A drift of fatigue passed over her eyes. "I hate the medicine, Nefarion. I hate taking it. Why must I take them?"
"Then how will you get better?"
"I don't want to…!" Veloria broke into a peal of anger, knocking the breath out of her chest. She coughed hard, gasping for air.
"Ve-Veloria…" Nefarion squeezed her hand tighter.
Doloros's two disciples helped to steady her while Nefarion kept rubbing her hand.
Zerath stepped forward instinctively - only to halt. He knew closing the distance now would only agitate her further, so he promptly took a step back in an uncomfortable silence.
"Sister, please calm down..." Xeraphine's eyes glistened with tears, shaken by her sudden outburst.
Doloros helped her drink some water. "Please calm down, Your Majesty. I apologize if my words offended you, but I simply worry for your health. If you don't take your medicine on time, your condition will only worsen."
"I…I don't need…" her lips paled to a shade of dull grey. "I don't need any medicine…!"
"But-"
"Enough!"
Izrus stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty. Please don't distress yourself. Shall I read a passage for you? It may help ease your anxiety."
Doloros stared acutely. "She needs her medicine now."
"Do you see any point in forcing it down Her Majesty's throat, Sir Doloros?"
"And how exactly does reciting a holy passage supposed to help her heal?" He shot back.
On one side was a doctor who believed in the power of medicine and the practicality of his years of experience and research.
On the other side was Izrus, whose humble devotion to God helped bring peace in distressed hearts - which at times, even medicine couldn't.
Two demons, holding opposite principles, had always clashed any moment they met. Things became even more dire when it concerned Veloria, the Queen's health.
Zerath said, "Sir Doloros is right. Her Majesty's symptom will ease if she takes-"
Xeraphine interrupted him with a cold glare. "Of course you'll say that. You always do the opposite of what my sister wants and keep causing her pain!"
"That's not true, Aunt."
"Don't call me Aunt! You lost that right when you drove your own brother away to some distant town," she trembled with fury. "And now you're acting as if you care? She doesn't want to eat medicine, yet you force her to have it. And, I believe His Majesty was quite clear that you must abandon the cave's investigation - but that's where you were, weren't you? You were at Nethermoor today, defying a direct order!"