As expected the orb shown a dazzling white. This symbolizes I didn't use any dark magic, but if it had shown a dark purple, it would have signified the usage of dark magic.
I staggered backwards, breathing heavily and gazing at Elowen. I watched as everyone's gaze was glued to the orb, and then snapped towards her "Elowen was wrong" ," to aacuse someone just to steal their beast consorts despicable," "not only her consorts even her title" the crowd murmured.
Elowen's eyes went rigid, frozen. "I-I can explain. I didn't mean to accuse her, i was only stating the obvious, come one we all thought the same." She yelled, yet everyone's gaze was full of distrust and disgust.
"cou--sin," I called out weakly, and she stared at me. The hatred, I could see it vividly, but it only made me happy.
Finally… a bad child gets punished for her wrongdoing.
"You have to kneel and apologise now!" I said, and Elowen's eyes darkened. "But—"
Darian stepped forward, still holding onto his sword. "You have crossed the line, Raven. You still want me and your sister to kneel? Isn't that shameless!" He cursed, and I rolled my eyes.
"Shameless? You both accused me of cheating, which the orb proved I didn't… Darian, if reverse was the case, would you stop me from kneeling? No you would probably ask for worse." I asked, my eyes completely dark. I watched as his lips parted, but nothing came out.
"Drag them down!" I said, and two guards behind me strode to the stairs. Elowen held onto the Duke's sleeve, yanking hard, but she didn't look her way. My words must have cut deep into her soul.
"Don't dare touch me. I'm th—"
"Elowen, don't test my patience," I said, giving the guards a fierce look. "If you don't bring them down this second, I'll behead you both," I spat.
They were both dragged, struggling to break free.
I watched as Elowen was about to go on her knees, but Darian stopped her. I laughed and moved a step closer, this time…
My beast-men thought I would kiss his boots, lick his hands, and crawl. I could feel their gazes sharpen, but instead...
POW!
A slap landed on his face. He staggered back in shock, and Elowen held him. "Sister, how could you..."
"Elowen, looks like you also want to be slapped," I asked. Although I was weak with the little energy I had, I would use it to make her feel as much pain as i could muster. I watched as she shut her lips and lowered her head, signaling the guards… a kick landed behind Darian's knee, and he collapsed to his knees, burning with anger.
"Raven, if you do this, I'll never look your way again!" He cursed, and a maniac laughter escaped my lips.
"Who said I wanted you to look at me? Death bit.. that's what you are to me!" I cursed, and immediately Elowen's shoulder was forced down. She cried out in pain and got on her knees, her lips trembling as fake hot tears poured from her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Raven. I shouldn't have accused you of cheating!" She muttered, choking on her tears. I could feel everyone's pitiful gaze, but I really didn't care. I turned to Darian, and his lips parted.
"I'm sorry," he said, and I smiled.
"Now to my beast-men!" I said, and the three of them stepped forward. I couldn't read their emotions, but I did feel their hatred had calmed down a bit.
"Apologize to them!" I yelled again when they refused to speak.
Elowen lifted her head, bursting into more heavy crocodile tears. "Sister, is this how it is… all because Darian never chose you? You want me to apologize to lowly beast-men?" She sobbed, and I clenched my fist. I felt Ryker's gaze intensely on me.
"ELOWEN!" I yelled, and the entire arena went deadly silent, even her sobs stopped. She licked her lips, and her jaw clenched.
"I'm sorry for everything… and for calling you guys useless," she said, panting heavily.
Then I turned to Darian. His eyes locked on mine, full of contempt and hatred.
"I'm sorry for everything I did to you guys. My apologies," he said, and my eyes brightened.
"Good."
[Congratulations Host, you have been rewarded for your bravery and leveled up to D rank]
I smiled, but my whole body went weak. My eyes closed shut, everything blacked out, and I fainted… but I still felt the cold hands of all my beast-men on me.
"Master."
************
(ILLUSION/DREAM)
"Mum, I really didn't do it!" I said, bursting into tears while kneeling down.
"Do you mean you're accusing Rosy of stealing the cookies?" She yelled, jabbing her fingers at me and raising the cane, striking it down on my palm.
"Ahhhhh!" I cried. This was me when I was little, barely age six, yet my family only favored Rosy my twin. That day, Rosy had stolen and eaten the cookies. I watched from the stairs, and she saw me.
I had walked up to her and said, "Don't worry, I didn't see a thing," and she nodded. Yet the next morning, she rushed to my parents and said she saw me eating them.
My parents never believed me. Staring at my past self… I really was pathetic. I wanted their love. I wanted them to care about me.
Even when I grew up, I used my hard earned money to pay for Rosy's luxury makeup, I even got a down payment on her car, yet I was never noticed.
"Don't be ungrateful."
"Your the older one, don't be childish."
"She's your little sister."
All those words…
I stared at the ground, watching water drip down. What was happening? I thought, reaching for my face. Why were my eyes leaking? I asked, staring at my hands… then I realized I was crying.
The moment I looked up, a mirror appeared. It was me in college…
"Why don't they acknowledge or love me?" I muttered.
"Master," I heard three voices in unison, and I blinked as the world crumbled.
My eyes snapped open. I was welcomed by the three faces of my beast-men staring down at me. Their eyes carried a hint of worry… and something else.
"Ho—"
[New mission: Kiss two of your beast-men in the next two days.
Failure: bed ridden/coma]