"I've been doing quite alright in your absence, Lady Elby"
No matter how exasperated I was, my perfunctory smile would slip unto my face when in the presence of others. Moreso, someone like her. The only version of me that the world needed to know, was the perfect Adrianna Deor. Not the emotionally inclined one.
"To what do I owe this encounter, Lady Elby?"
"Adrianna, I thought we were close on a first name basis"
She spoke, then raised her head even higher because she was rather short and could barely reach my eye level. Her mid-length aquamarine hair swept past her shoulders.
"Fine, then care to tell me, why you're here, Megan?"
"Always straight to the point" She clucked her tongue, before her sweet smile transformed into a menacing smirk. "Shouldn't you at least spare some pleasantries with your best friend in this life?"
"What do you want Megan?"
She sighed then gestured forward. "Let's take a walk"
I obliged to her suggestion and we began walking at a steady and calm pace, her attendants trailing behind us at a distance.
The garden's expanse was filled with newly planted flowers. After all, these grounds were that of an old temple. It seemed it was only recently that the area was tended to. No bloomed flower was in sight as most plants only just began to bud.
I took a glance at her through my side vision. It had been over three years since I last saw her. The last time time I did, I failed to succumb to her demands and wiles before I told her off and warned to kill her if she got in my way. During that time, she did get more mature. Although, her childish semblance failed to completely disappear. Her face, which did remain quite youthful compared to others, coupled with her short stature, would make you liken her to her child from afar.
However, if you got to know her, you'd realize this lady was nothing close to a child, but more of an evil being. Her villainy could match my own past notorious deeds. Possibly, hers could be even worst. And that's saying something.
When we had gotten into the garden at a considerable distance, I broke the silence by speaking up.
"Just what vision of yours prompted you to appear here?"
"Whatever do you mean? The reason why I made an appearance is because it's your wedding..."
She slurred her words for a moment, before folding her arms and turning to my direction. Her eyes looking at me, were unfocused.
"....a rather controversial one at that"
"End your nonsense and just tell me"
At this point I was frowning. She couldn't see that, but probably heard the annoyance in my voice. Megan bowed her head for a moment, before she broke into a hysterical fit of laughter.
"Tell you? Fine." She stopped closer, and stopped barely a few inches in front of me and smirked. "But at what price?"
The thing that always amazed me was Megan's ability to locate my position. Even though her gaze seemed unfocused most of the time, it was always hard to notice...
The fact that she was blind.
Her usually dim golden eyes seemed to glow as she tilted her head. No, they were literally glowing at that moment, as she intensely 'stared' at me. The power in her eyes was so intense and bright and glowed a brilliant gold. Honestly, I always envied her ability of foresight and easy use of her family powers.
As previously mentioned, there were three founding families in the South — Deor, Farret and Elby. After using the powers of hypnosis, I conducted an intensive research and found out these families were said to possess mysterious hereditary powers. Interestingly these powers seemed to lay beneath the families eyes.
The Deor's family power of hypnosis was possessed by a few members who had dark purple eyes like my own.
The Farret's family power was the ability to see evil, and was possessed by a few who had red eyes.
The Elby's family power was the power of foresight and was possessed by a few with their rare golden eyes.
Over the years, the power of the families have greatly diminished. I had no idea if anyone currently possessed the evil seeing power of the Farret family. Just like me, Megan was the only one in her family who possessed the family's inherited powers.
Hers was the ability to see the future and didn't seem to have any limitations. These powers seemed to have granted her an insight into my life considering as she knew of my reincarnation and intentions. How lucky she was to possess such, while my mere power of hypnosis was bound by constraints.
"For you to know the future I saw..." Megan's words brought me back to reality. With a sidestep, she reached out to a flower and caressed its closed petals. "You have to pay the price we talked about three years ago"
"If so, then keep your crystal ball sight to yourself"
When she brought up the past topic that had ended our partnership, I immediately dismissed her. It was better to not know the future than to agree to such a deal. It was equivalent to selling my soul to the devil. I was wiser than that.
"Are you sure?" Following her question was a rhythmic low hum. "This vision concerns you and that silver eyed slave of yours"
For a moment, I paused. She was referring to Nathan. If I were to guess, her vision was something indicating that Nathan's demise drew near because of his curse. I knew the nature of Megan's visions; They were always negative so I made a conjecture, considering all worst scenarios that could likely play out around me.
"What happened to Nathan in your vision?" I asked, trying to sound indifferent.
"Hmm. Who knows?" Was her only reply as she grinned and 'looked' at me tauntingly. "I can only tell you my vision after you agree to the terms"
"Well then. I bid you a good day, Lady Elby"
If I were to listen to her further, it was possible that I'd be persuaded. So without a second thought, I turned around and began to walk away.
"You're trying not to make the same mistakes from your past life, but how errorless can you be? You're only human"
I heard her speak up, as I got further away. Her servants bowed as I passed and I acknowledged them with a nod. Megan knew how to get into people's heads and often liked to identify everyone but her as mere humans.
Such an odd person. Today, I wouldn't dwell on her presence any longer. The sound of the wedding orchestra filled my ears, reminding me of where I was and what I had in store.
'Megan, I may be a human, but I'm no ordinary one'
From the garden I entered into the hallway and walked down, going closer to the sound of music and chatter. The lonesome hallway echoed with the sound of my feet, and I glanced at the sun then at my shadow, realizing it was noon.
"Adrianna"
Someone appeared in front of me, making me pause. I looked up from my shadow and recognized the person.
"Brother Cardin...Hello"
In front of me was my cousin, Cardin, whose existence I had entirely forgotten about. When recalling the people I had not seen, I'd only remembered Olivia, his sister, but not his strange person.
"I can't believe, you're actually getting married" He took a step forward and came closer to me.
His words weren't the emotional excitement one shared with a family member who was about to get married. Rather, he sounded aggravated and reached out to hold my hand.
"I won't allow this marriage happen. That Ronald Belv doesn't deserve you"
Cardin looked like my protector, as he took my hands into his and raised it to his face. Internally, I cringed, but I had my innocent act to keep up.
"Unfortunately, it's father's will. There's nothing either you or I can do. I appreciate your concern as a brother, Cardin"
I sharply retracted my hand from his hold and put on a sweet smile. I took a step back and examined his face. The title of 'brother' seemed to irk him.
"N-no. I can't let this...."
He spoke lowly, then mumbled a few things under his breath before turning to look at me.
"The wedding march has begun. The Marquis is waiting for you"
Hurriedly, he turned and walked away. His back came into view and I looked him over. Most of the time, Cardin often appeared to be a simple minded debauched noble man, but at times, it seemed like there was more to him as he never failed to look creepy. His obsession towards me seemed to grow on a daily basis.
Paying him no further attention, I walked towards the wedding hall.
'Let's get over with this ridiculousness'
***
As the wedding music reached a diminuendo, and the groom, Ronald, appeared, the chatter quieted down.
All eyes were on me as I stepped unto the white carpet which was rolled and ended up at the altar; The white altar decorated with flowers, where an aged priest stood, his hands clasped, while making a solemn prayer.
Father glared at me and muttered. "Don't try anything funny."