Book 3: Chapter 322: Catella in the Dim Light

In the days that followed, Sylutia stopped running around everywhere and instead began poring over Blood Clan records, studying documentation related to the royal curse, and experimenting with ways to remove and suppress it. During this time, Carmilla came by several times, voluntarily serving as Sylutia's test subject to study the process by which the curse took effect.

Five days later, the Queen summoned the delegation once again, but this time she would only see Sylutia alone.

Sylutia hesitated slightly at this summons, but considering the responsibilities she bore for the Mage Alliance, she agreed.

Led by a palace maidservant, Sylutia walked deep into the palace. This was also her first time coming here. The corridor she passed through along the way was rather dark, requiring the maidservant to lead the way holding a candle lamp.

Occasionally her footsteps paused, and she looked at the walls along the sides of the corridor. Hanging here were enormous portraits, one after another, depicting monarchs of the Blood Dynasty through the ages, as well as some famous figures from Blood Clan history.

The founder and first monarch of the Blood Dynasty, Idvanti. The Named One and demon-blood wizard, Diyebode. The commander of the Crimson Blood Rose Knight Order, Molinkaliye. The sealer of the Maelstrom, Blood Clan Sage, Bralinke... and the last restorer of the Blood Dynasty, Clovante.

The faces of these figures from thousands of years ago remained frozen on the faded oil paintings, each exuding a different temperament, evoking sighs at the passage of time.

Passing through the complex turns and passageways within the palace, after roughly forty minutes of walking, the maidservant leading the way finally stopped and told Sylutia that the Queen was in the room ahead.

Carrying a measure of curiosity and doubt, Sylutia pushed open the half-open door and stepped into the rather dim room.

This room was decorated with ancient, intricate golden woven carpets. The curtains were old and luxurious long black silk drapes, whose inner lining, when turned over, revealed a wine-dark blood red.

There was no additional light in the room, only a golden candelabra placed on the fireplace, emitting a faint halo that cast the entire room in a hazy, dim color.

Why would she be summoned to a place like this? Sylutia shook her head, unable to figure it out.

After she sat down, quite some time passed before a faint creaking sound came from the closed door, and then Catella emerged. If she hadn't already known the other's identity in her heart, in that moment Sylutia would have felt she was looking at Carmilla.

Because the current Catella's demeanor was not as sharp and coldly arrogant as when they had met before. Instead, she gave off a solitary, lonely feeling, with a fragile, pitiable quality.

Her champagne-gold long hair, slightly curled, was exactly like Carmilla's. At this moment it was not arranged with much formality, but rather partially swept up behind her head and partially falling down her back to her waist, possessing a slightly disheveled beauty.

Her black formal gown was covered with abundant lace floral ornaments, revealing the blood-red lining within. The two layered colors of different shades formed an ancient, luxurious quality. Dressed neatly, Catella walked over gracefully. Her slender, delicate fingers emerged from the white ruffled cuffs, lifting the candelabra from the fireplace and then lighting the remaining candelabras in the room.

This added a measure of brightness to the dim room, finally allowing most things to be seen clearly.

After setting down the candelabra, Catella turned around. She did not sit down, only stood there, her face illuminated by the candlelight at her side, flickering light and shadow drifting across her features.

"So you're the one who made my little sister fall for you." Such an abrupt statement shattered all the various responses the young woman had prepared beforehand, leaving her unsure how to answer.

"I... Carmilla and I should probably just count as friends."

"She knows you very well. Although your relationship was once bad, after all, she is your twin."

"She cares about her a great deal. That kind of emotion and behavior, it's impossible to hide from you."

"To think that after living in human society for merely ten years, she'd lose the person she dislikes." There seemed to be a certain loss in Carmilla's voice, perhaps realizing that her little sister would eventually leave her side.

"She may have heard descriptions of you from your mouth, but you cannot tell her how much your personalities differed when you were young. Those words that ruined you also came true for her."

"Hmm, Clovante did disparage His Majesty, but only said that when they were young they all lived amid competition and unease, and it wasn't so comfortable."

To this, Qin Wuyan only shook his head slightly and said no more.

"Since you're so taken with her, I really can't do anything about you. After all, I only have this one little sister. If something goes wrong, I'll have to let her inherit my position in the future." Carmilla said slowly.

"However, there are some things I still want to make clear."

"How did you resolve the bloodline memory awakening issue on her body?"

"This..." Sylutia thought for a moment, then decided to reveal part of the truth.

"I entered Carmilla's dream through dream-walking, and then awakened her."

"During the process, I also came into contact with many secrets from the past Blood Dynasty era, and thus found a lost secret art that can sever this kind of bloodline memory awakening."

After listening, the Queen first nodded, then shook her head.

"It sounds theoretically feasible, but in practice it's simply impossible." She raised her white lace-ruffled cuff, her fingers within lightly tapping. One after another, flickering blood-red points of light emerged at her side. The generation of these light points came from an equally lost ancient Blood Dynasty secret technique.

"I too have experienced that kind of dream, and I also received the baptism of Clovante's memories."

"Precisely because I experienced it, I know this is not something a mortal can resist. The current me cannot be said to be purely Catella anymore."

"That you could experience Clovante's dream and still maintain your own clarity, this is impossible." She shook her head.

"There's no such thing as impossible." The young woman spoke up in rebuttal, but she knew that saying only this much, the other would not understand.

After thinking it over, she could only use the class explanation she currently grasped.

Sylutia opened her hand, and the magnificent Moon Clock emerged, bearing the afterglow of an ancient moon, radiating a clear, pure aura. As the pointer slowly rotated, hazy essence materialized around it, and occasionally several revolving "Silver Wax Leaves" appeared as well.

The materials used in this Moon Clock were so luxurious that even the core creations of some Sixth Tier masters could not match it. It could be said to be a lavish investment by the Mage Alliance, sparing no expense. Otherwise, under normal circumstances, forget a Fourth Tier mage, even a Sixth Tier master-level figure wanting to collect all the required "Terry Star-Silver," "Aisetis Silver," "Vortex Time Crystal," and "Holy Yaeg Gem," would have to spend decades.

Seeing this rare and wondrous creation, and the ancient aura it radiated, Catella finally nodded.

"So it seems your identity is definitely not that of a gardener from the Hidden Grove Alliance. No wonder that Sage trusted you so much."

"I don't want to concern myself with what exactly the Hidden Grove and Mage Alliance are scheming, having you take on such an identity. But since you could resolve the bloodline memory awakening that Carmilla suffered, that also counts as saving her."

"From this, it's understandable that she likes you. Because that child is lonely just like me. If someone could enter one's dream, completely understand one, and save one, then developing fondness and trust is only natural." Her voice was faint as she spoke, as if such things were merely the norm for all living beings.

"That's the important matter finished. Sit for a while. This isn't exactly a formal occasion, so there's no need to be so stiff." She swept aside her sleeve, letting Sylutia know she needn't keep standing.

Afterward she turned and went to a wine cabinet in the corner of the room, taking out a bottle of blood-red wine, then brought it back to the small table in the room.

The clear, blood-red wine poured into golden goblets with a fine, soft sound, swaying slightly, refracting shimmering candlelight.

Her fingers pinched the stem of the wine glass. She brought it to her lips and took a tiny sip, savoring the taste of the Blood Wine, then those vermilion eyes looked toward the candelabra, reflecting a touch of swaying gold within.

"This is probably the first time in all these years that I've spoken so much with someone in private."

Perhaps it was also the rare encounter with an outsider who was not of the Blood Clan, not requiring her to constantly maintain the Queen's airs and posture. Catella's words had also grown somewhat more.

Slowly savoring the Blood Wine in her hand, Catella saw Ya holding her wine glass, taking kitten-like tentative sips, not daring to drink too much, and couldn't help but reveal a teasing smile.

"It seems you're not used to Blood Wine. Is there any other kind of alcohol you prefer?"

"I rarely drink, and I don't have any particular alcohol I like."

"Oh, then what about other beverages?"

"This... whatever is fine."

"No, that won't do. I really dislike the word 'whatever,' because it carries a feeling of frivolous neglect." Catella once again filled her own wine glass with Blood Wine, then stood up holding the glass.

She slowly walked toward one side of the room, where a portrait hung concealed in shadow. It looked quite similar to Catella, but the face was somewhat older.

Then Catella turned around, examining the young woman with pure yet profound red eyes.

"I am particular about everything. There is no such word as 'whatever' or 'anything goes.'"

"The reason many people say such things is simply because, in childhood and now, they compromised on certain small matters due to insufficient circumstances. Over time, they also mistakenly believe themselves to be easygoing people."

"How could a person have no judgment at all about things that approach them, that are about to touch their body? Even the smallest fondness is fondness. Even the smallest dislike is dislike. This hair-thin sensitivity has existed from beginning to end. It's impossible to feel nothing at all."

"So, don't say 'whatever' anymore. I want to hear an answer with more of your own individual preference."

"Sometimes an excessive pursuit of 'harmlessness' and 'easygoingness' is instead a kind of repulsive hypocrisy."

"Is that so. I understand." Sylutia blinked. Actually, she really didn't much care what she drank, because the taste of most beverages was just so-so. She couldn't say she disliked them, but she couldn't say she particularly liked them either.

"However, in my heart, 'like' is likewise a very solemn word. It should be a genuine passion and care from the bottom of one's heart. If it's merely something dispensable, I generally rarely introduce myself as liking it."

"Because the time we've known each other is limited, with only a few encounters, a single 'like' at this time might be infinitely magnified, bringing misunderstanding."

A slightly strange conversation, yet it also revealed the two people's differing values. The former examined everything she encountered with a critical, exacting gaze, striving for perfection that matched her heart's desire. The latter only cared about those few most important matters, and could let the rest take their course.

"An answer like this is very distinct. With this, I'm reassured." Who knew what exactly she was reassured about.

The day after this meeting concluded, Catella summoned the delegation once more, telling them they could sign the Blood Crystal trade contract, but requiring Sylutia to assist with research on the royal curse subject.

"This will likely require quite a lot of time." Sage Xialanni said with concern.

"I know this will require quite a lot of time. In fact, I can also generously relax the restrictions, no longer limiting delivery to only the first batch of Blood Crystals." Catella's sudden change of tone surprised the Blood Clan and delegation members in the hall, who did not know why this Blood Clan Queen had suddenly become so accommodating.

"Of course, this also comes with a condition. That is, let this Miss Sylutia likewise bear the Blessing of True Crimson Blood. If she cannot resolve the curse within it, she herself will also suffer backlash from its side effects."

"This?" Everyone present was astonished by this requirement.

Although this method could urge Sylutia to complete the task of resolving the curse, if the Mage Alliance did not care about Sylutia's survival and safety, then wouldn't raising this condition be pointless?

Hearing this requirement, Sylutia sighed. She knew it must have been that during the explanation that day, the Moon Clock and abilities she revealed had made this Queen realize something. Indeed, the Mage Alliance had spent so many resources cultivating her. Given how much they valued her, they would not easily give her up.

If she too suffered this blessing or curse, then it would be equivalent to the Blood Clan grasping a certain weakness of the Mage Alliance. Likewise, this curse could maximally serve as a prod, making certain geniuses willingly run about to solve the problem.

A very good calculation. However, such scheming made Sylutia feel there seemed to be other reasons as well. She looked at Carmilla sitting at her side. This Blood Clan princess was frowning, seemingly very dissatisfied with Catella's requirement.

"I oppose this condition. Tying such an important contract to a single person is simply absurd. Moreover, Sylutia is not a member of the Mage Alliance either, so it would be very difficult for her to serve as a binding force on the contract." She stood up to rebut.

"Oh, Carmilla, are you certain you want to deny my decision?" Catella's gaze toward her little sister revealed a trace of dangerous sharpness.

Could it be that Princess Carmilla's return this time was not merely to participate in the contract negotiations? Or perhaps she wanted to use the power of the Mage Alliance to threaten Catella and redistribute power?

Once such a thought arose, they immediately adopted a wait-and-see attitude. After all, with such matters, if one rashly got involved and ended up on the wrong side, the result would be very miserable.

In history, the noble purges the Blood Dynasty experienced contained far too many tragic lessons. By the dynasty's later period, almost every change of monarch was accompanied by a massive reshuffling of noble families.

Seeing these nobles so hesitant and wavering, Catella also felt some nameless anger rise in her heart. Compared to the Blood Dynasty era, the current Blood Clan was still too degenerate, completely lacking the pride and nobility of the former Blood Dynasty period, left with only petty, scheming calculations.

A lament of a declining river, of an edifice beyond saving, echoed in her heart.

In truth, the reason she raised this condition was also because she had sensed that the current Blood Clan had already become too rotten. If some fresh blood were not introduced, it would be too deeply entrenched to recover, not something that could be solved by demanding a few more resources from the Mage Alliance.

If that young woman truly experienced Carmilla's memory-awakening dream, she should be able to understand this feeling, and had also grasped no small amount of Blood Clan heritage. A person like this actually already counted as half a Blood Clan member.

According to her previous personality and thinking, she definitely could not let someone who knew Blood Clan secrets live. But now Carmilla cared about the other very much. Rashly making a move against this young woman would likely make Carmilla fight her to mutual destruction, which would instead once again confirm the dynasty's decline curse.

Since she could not kill that young woman, the best method was to draw her into the Blood Clan camp as well. And this was the hidden reason Catella raised the requirement.

If she accepted her blood, then the other would also bear the Blood Clan royal curse, deeply bound to the Blood Clan's fate.

Originally, this would have been the best result. Unfortunately, Carmilla did not understand the decision this Queen sister had made. The two being at odds in the hall brought the meeting discussion to a deadlock.

Seeing the situation sink into deadlock again, Sylutia thought for a moment and stood up.

Taking Carmilla's hand and pulling her to sit at her side, Sylutia then walked before Catella.

"Otherwise, I can only pray for punishment to descend upon you and the Blood Clan." She did not say to whom she prayed. Perhaps some great existence, or perhaps herself.

Although it was a somewhat weak statement, spoken earnestly through those pale blue eyes, it made Catella feel an inexplicable shock in her heart, an indescribable strangeness, as if violating it would bring some terrifying consequence.

She then shook her head, dismissing this strange emotion. Even if the other was a genius, she was only Fifth Tier. Wait until the other became a Seventh Tier Sage someday, then reconsider the danger level of those words.

Thus, with both sides in agreement, a contract that no one had anticipated before coming was reached.

However, regarding the final matter of completing the contract requirements, Carmilla still raised a rebuttal.

"Both would make Sylutia bear the blessing and curse, so why must it be your blood? Mine can do the same." The two were twin sisters, both inheriting royal bloodline. Indeed, both could achieve the same effect.

"No, Carmilla." The Queen shook her head.

"Because the contract is being concluded between two great powers. As Queen, I naturally represent the Blood Clan's interests. But your current identity leanings are extremely uncertain."

Hearing this, Carmilla felt a surge of stifled frustration. If she had known back then, she would have fought Catella with all her strength for the Queen's position. But then again, if she had, she would never have met Sylutia.