Tangled By Fate

The children started to talk. "Pretty sister, will you punish those bad guys?"

"Sister, punish them. I wanted to buy some medicine for my sick mother. But then, I was kidnapped. No one is there to save my mother now."

"Sister, I wanted to play with my friends but I was kidnapped too. I want to play with them but I can't do it anymore. Punish those bad guys, okay?"

Veronica looked at them, feeling overwhelmed.

She shut her eyes and thought, 'I could have saved them. If only I was more powerful …'

As if they could listen to her inner voice. They told her, "No matter how much you regret, it won't bring us back. We don't know what you have done but if you help us now, we will know you as our benefactor."

Veronica hesitated, "…But…"

"You can do this!"

"We have high hopes for you, beautiful sister!"

Veronica heartbrokenly stared at them. 'If I was more experienced and knowledgeable, they would be alive today. It's true that I cannot change the past. But I can change the course of the future.'

She clenched her fist and looked at them. "I promise I will bring you justice. Just give me some time."

Everyone smiled at her as she promised them.

"You have all the time you need."

"We will be rooting for you."

"Good luck, beautiful sister!"

"May the Goddess bless the light upon you."

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"Nica? Nica!"

Veronica sensed someone shaking her body. She slowly opened her eyes. Her head was feeling lighter but her body felt heavy.

She glanced at him and uttered in a tired voice, "Arthur, I feel weird."

Upon hearing her weak voice, Arthur's frown deepened. He helped her to sit up and stated, "Of course you feel weird. You have a fever."

Using his magic, he brought a tray of food. There was a bowl of chicken soup.

"Here, finish this and take medicine." Arthur took a spoonful of soup and blew it before feeding her.

Veronica shivered as she felt chills. The hot soup made her inside warm. It felt good.

The more he was being gentle, the more she felt miserable. She chewed chicken and secretly stole a glance at her husband.

Arthur noticed her behavior and inquired, "Is there something you want to say to me?"

She fidgeted and then asked, "Um… Arthur… Do you hate me now?" Her voice quivered as she talked. She was afraid of being despised by him.

Arthur put down the bowl and looked at her. "Why on earth will I hate you?"

Veronica lowered her head and mumbled, "I caused a big trouble again, didn't I?"

Arthur paused before saying, "Well, I won't lie to you. All you had to do is lay low and not use your healing power outside the Magic Tower. Felix did his best to make everyone believe that the blessed child is dead. But the enemy already knows that you are alive and kicking. And we have no idea who the enemy is."

"…" Veronica wished she could crawl into a hole.

"…Do I have to stay inside the Magic Tower for years?" she felt restless just to ask this question.

Arthur was speechless by her train of thoughts. He told her, "You have to stay in this bed as long as you have a fever."

She played with her fingers and questioned him, "What will happen after I get better?"

Arthur observed her worried expression and delayed his answer, "You can go outside with a disguise."

Veronica exhaled loudly. "Oh, okay." She was feeling better as if her fever had gone down.

Arthur added, "You are allowed to go to the imperial library with Merlin. He needs your help."

Veronica was stunned. Her blood started to boil. "Imperial Library? For what?"

Arthur disclosed, "We have to catch the enemies who killed those innocent people, don't we?"

"Arthur… I love you!!!" Veronica jumped onto him.

She was so excited that she forgot that she was sick. The dark cloud was gone from her face and her face beamed.

Arthur broke into a smile. "Easy there. You have a fever, remember?"

Veronica breathed in and stated, "You know I just had a dream. Those people came to my dream and asked me to get them justice. After everything that has happened, I'm really scared to go out. I think I'll make mistakes even if I have goodwill."

Arthur held her securely and asked, "Then, do you want to stay inside your room?"

"I'll just do whatever I'm capable of. I won't do anything that is not meant for me."

"What is not meant for you?"

"Dangerous tasks, such as fighting. I don't want to risk others' lives for my selfishness."

He caressed her back and agreed to her wish, "Fine. You can have some action after learning how to fight. Now, you can help us find those assassins by reading hundreds of books. You are good at it, right?"

"Yes!"

Arthur smiled as he saw her excitement. He lovingly gazed at her and reminded her, "Finish your meal and sleep tight. If you don't rest enough, you won't be able to get better soon and work with us."

She finished her meal without objection and took the medicine. Afterward, Arthur tugged her under the blanket.

The medicine started its work. Veronica felt drowsy. Soon, she went to dreamland.

The next day, she was all better. She went to Ovior's room where she found Merlin.

Ovior gave her a brief look before asking, "How are you feeling, Veronica?" She requested him to call her by her name.

Veronica replied, "I'm feeling better. I want to assist you with work."

"Please don't forget to take your potion. Merlin made it for you. I have a humble request. Please don't cause us any trouble. The Imperial Palace is out of our reach as you may know well."

It sounded like Ovior was practically begging a child not to be mischievous.

"I'll do my best," Veronica swore. She was feeling embarrassed realizing how much trouble she caused for this poor man who had dark circles under his eyes.

"Off you go."

That's how Veronica stepped into the Imperial Palace of Tybu.