Chapter : 55 Accusations
My eyes drooped as I slowly opened my eyes. I had woken up in my room feeling oddly refreshed.
"What happened, I hadn't fainted like this in a while"
{It's due to the Amount of mana needed to form a contract plus naming}
An Ai like voice echoed in my mind
I see, so the higher power of the contracted, the more mana it requires.
{That's correct}
This must be my inner guideline. Like those ones in rpj games.
. The door slammed open, I nearly jumped out of my own skin as Ryu and the others swamp in looking like an unsettled jury.
"Hey guys" I waved a bit uneasy by the tension they gave off.
"Lady shiori..., Why did you accept to perform a contract with that conniving lizard!!?" Ryu yelled in disbelief, crossing his arms
" having a triumph card like him would be useful ...." I replied.
"Then why accept his money?!" Kuro pouted
"He was offering free cash, only an idiot would let go of such a chance!" I said smugly
They all sighed in disbelief.
"Hey it's not like I set off a nuke it something, I'm just opportunistic. By the way, where's Nox?" I queried searching the room.
"He left last night " kyokota deadpanned
"Ok, then concerning the new information we discovered. It's best we take this investigation one step at a time " I
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[Location: Draco academy]
The sky was grey and moody as if predicting the elven prince's current mood. Nathaniel stared out of his dorm room window, irritation visible on his face.
Not so far from him was jasmine, hiding her own agitation as she got comfortable on a lounge.
"So, lady jasmine, explain it to me again..." He spoke, seeming far to calm for someone who seemed ready to snap.
A storm on the verge of raging
"Recently, lady amber has been convincing other students to rally against lady shiori. Leaving a trail of fabricated evidence to boost her claims. Such include, Sharp stones found in her shoes, bugs in her meals and even destruction of her school supplies, nothing seriously dire enough to pose her as a criminal but these Accusations were enough to portray her as a petty bully..." Jasmine explained, massaging her furrowed brows with a tight expression
Nathaniel remained calm, but his body didn't as he clenched his fist to the point the knuckles were turning white..
"She's managed to gain a fairly large number of supporters, they've been slowly spreading and becoming pettier each day, making things rather inconvenience for lady shiori..." Jasmine sighed
"I'd wish she'd come to me for advice.. even if she's the type not to care about such things, she must still feel uncomfortable with being harassed....." Nate sighed.
"That would be a bit out of character for her, don't you think. If anything she seems greatly unbothered by the drama...." Jasmine pointed out as she ate a creampuff.
She stared at him from the corner of her eyes, noticing how Nathaniel was trying his best to reason.
"However something seems off" he said
"Hmm?" Jasmine blink as her trail of thoughts were interrupted.
"She's not doing anything directly. If anything her actions were to cast shiori in the light of being a villainess.. " he explained
"How so?"
"Because if she comforted her directly, she'll be the one looking like a villainess. Turning the tables on her. Being a commoner with such little standing, the fallout with be catastrophic..."
"You have a point.... But we can't really do anything with this second hand information...." She said
"I agree, " he stared at the bracelet amber have given him as a form of friendship, now looked like a joke.
He walked over and picked up the accessory before tossing it into the trash like meaningless junk.
Amber hunt, commoner or not, you'll not go unpunished for this.
He stared outside, his eyes filled with determination.
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"So whats the purpose of this meetup?" Luto asked smiling like he had just won a lottery.
"I'm also sitting right here, or were you planning on ignoring my very existence..." Kuroha glared
"Enough bickering you two, back to our discussion..." I spoke calmly, knowing well showing expression only fuels his crazies obssessio
"Oh right, I'm interested about the hoshiko trading company. You have shops in the elf nation, beast human nation, draco nation and even the Human nation, correct?" He quired
"Yes, I'm surprised you even know that..."
"You're quite impressive for an agent of Melvialine..." Luto smirks
"We not connected to any nation, I'm on no ones side" I said casually drinking tea
His eyes widened in shock
"That really shouldn't surprise you, can't people be neutral?." I shrugged
"Not really, it's not advised because actually neutral only brings suspicion. So why you're gathering information.." he sighed
"None of your concern...."
"That said I heard about this dragon from Ryu, this pervert is known for using seduction and charm in order to have his way. I'd be wary around him, shiori-sama...." Kuro said eating a spoonful of sweet and sour pork as luto, now nox glared at him.
"You said you were neutral earlier, are you planning to reap chaos from all sides?" Luto quired
"No, I simply don't intervene with things that wouldn't affect me..."
"In that case I suggest we learn more about each other.." he winked
"More about each other?" I asked, tilting curiously
CRACK.
"Luto, if you dare sleep with shiori-sama, you'll regret it for the rest of your life..." kuro said with a serious expression, his spoon cracked in half from the pressure in his hands
Oh that's what he meant 😐
"What a shame, I was hoping to know each other more intimately..." Luto whined
"Ha!, I think you fail to see shiori-sama's bottomless power" kuro said smugly
"In any case, you'll be assisting one of my subordinates, libara on researching for interested information..."
"Very well..." He pouted
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I was currently riding in a carriage with Nathaniel. The break was almost over so i suggested a get together with everyone. I had chosen so wear something simple
"These days just keep getting hotter and hotter despite summer is months away" Nate chuckled
"I guess so" I smiled back
He's sitting awfully close to be complaining about the heat 🫤
We arrived at the lake.
"Wow, it's so beautiful ~" I awed at the scenery
"Agreed, it would be a nice spot for a date, but.... I'll settle for this group activities..." Nate said with a forced smile as the rest stared from him
"I'm so happy you invited me lady shiori, I can't believe I almost fell a step behind..." Elliot whispered the last bit.
"Me to! thanks for the invitation " jasmine smiled as Felix nodded
"Same!" Chris grinned while Oliver smiled softly
We set a picnic blanket and laid out the snacks.
"These are simply delicious!" I moaned with delight as I ate a cupcake
"It is yummy, and my brother seems to be having a great time." Jasmine said
"Really how can you tell?"
"Just look closer, his smiling the tiniest bit" she smiled
I stared at Felix who was munching on a cookie, staring at his lips deliberately, yet still no reaction from him.
I don't see it😑
We were all laughing when a goose snatched my biscuit.
"Hey, give that back!" I whined, not caring about my flowy skirt as I chased it.
"Lady shiori, you skirt!" Elliot blushed
"Worry more about whose watching you" Chris muttered
"Oh shiori..." Nate chuckled amused. Felix stared at him with an unreadable expression
"I'm still not used to seeing you smile like that" Felix spoke, catching the attention of the elf prince
"What ever do you mean?" Nate asked
"Before, even if you were smiling you still looked bored" Felix replied
"I guess that's true but what about you , you only smile when you're around you know who" Nate smirks
"Oh come on, that's not-" Felix turned to see the fox girl as she childishly chased after the goose. Staring at her with an unreadable expression.
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Later that evening
We arrived at buarheld palace, stepping into a large ballroom with a stage where the piano was stationed. I was dressed in an elegant blue ballgown.
"There's a lot of women here" I noted
"Well prince Christopher would be playing" jasmine shrugged as she headed towards the front of the stage
"Oh, so that why" I sweatdropped
"Looks like the gangs all here" Oliver said heading towards us.
"Yeah, were very excited to hear Christopher play tonight" I smiled
"I'm so happy to hear that" he smiled. The lights deemed down as the Christopher begun to play.
(Song: piano version of rewrite the stars)
I noticed Chris stealing a few glances at me as his played.
My heart thumped with awe as the melody echoed throughout the room. Each chord was like a breeze that carried through the hall.
Every girl in the audience were starstruck like simps, as if the piano player wasn't the angry Pomeranian they mocked behind closed doors.
By the end of the performance, he'd received a standing ovation, I handed Chris a bouquet of flowers as congratulations
"Thanks" he said
"I don't think I've heard you play that song before..." I said
"Oh, it's a new piece from the upcoming music protege, merquis. It was my first time playing it. It's titled rewrite the stars, a story about two lovers" he explained
"Wow really, it was amazing. So does that mean you were playing while thinking of someone special in particular?" I quired.
His face flushed
"It's not like I love her or anything! But.. yeah..." He immediately looks away, not meeting my gaze.
Look at him squirm, so adorable. I giggled at his flustered state
Just then I spotted oliver by the food table
"Hello again Oliver..." I greeted warmly
"Hello lady shiori" he said with a small smile
"So how's your break been going?"
"Stressful, I haven't figured out the imposter yet." he sighed
"You'll get there. By the the way I noticed your not engaged yet..."
He froze. "Yes, Ive had options but haven't been able to settle on anyone I suspose"
"Really? That must be tough..." I smiled at him simpatetically. The music for the first dance started playing, oliver grabbed my hand and begun to dance with me.
I panicked, looking around for Nate to be sure he wouldn't be upset.
"Don't think much, I'm only dancing with you so the other girls don't bother me " Oliver clarifies
"You could have left that part out you know " I Deadpanned. I stopped dancing and lead him out of the ballroom and into the garden.
"Why are we out here?" He asked
"Cause if my fiance see me dancing with another man we're doomed, plus you can leave now without suspicious"
He started laughing
"You're so strange, but Thanks, goodbye lady shiori" with that he Left
I smiled, unaware of the future that's yet to come.
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A few days later
[Location: Draco Academy]
I and the girls giggled, chatting about our fun during break as we left the dorms and headed to school.
we were about to enter campus, but a hand stopped our path. It was third year knight grade upperclassmen, their sword on its hilt.
"What's going on?" Mia asked confused at the situation
"Shiori komori, it would seem as that Nicole valentine has not return to his dorm for the past few days..." One of them said in a clear voice as they glared at me.
"So? How does that involve me?" I rose a brow.
"We're suspecting that it's potential kidnapping. A first year said that she saw you talking to him the most outside campus, making you a prime suspect..." They explained
"We'd like you to come with us to answer a few questions, would you please corporate?" They surrounded us, Jasmine and Mia were surprised as well as terrified.
"I'll come with you, but leave my friends out of this" I said in a stern voice. The guys smirked as they led me into the building.
Well Shit🫤
Third person pov
Nicole woke up to see that he was in a dungeon cell. He looked around and noticed he was on a hospital bed with his arms and legs chained to the bedposts with mana blocking cuffs.
"Where am I ?" He questioned turning his head to the left he could see that there was a open broken wall, on the other side was another cell where a dirty white haired fox boy close to his age was lying on another bed unconscious.
Looking to his right there was another cell, this time containing a younger white haired boy with red markings on his face, he look around six years old.
"Finally, your awake" a deranged yet cheerful voice said, followed by pair of heavy boots footsteps .
Man in a lab coat, wearing thick round glasses walked over to Lucian carrying a box of large syringes.
"Who are you?" Lucian asked nonchalantly
", I'm the doctor! Finally! a rare breed!" The man said with a crazed expression
"What are you talking about?" Nicole flinched
"Your blood contains a key ingredient we need, with it we can resurrect the demon king!" He replied still smiling like a lunatic
"And these kids?" Nicole quiered
"That one is a test subject!" He said gesturing to the young six years old boy
"And that one is also a key ingredient, but not as strong as what we seek for!" He screamed with futstration.
"What do you mean?" He quiered as the doctor injected the needle and begun to draw some blood into the syringe
"His sister, that's what we need! But no matter where we search, we can't Find Her! All our men that get close, ALL DIE!" He screamed again , kicking a random bucket like some toddler having a tantrum
"Till we find her we'll just have to make do with you three..." The doctor said.
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I sat in the interrogation room for hours.
My arms and legs were littered with marks and dry blood as I was still Being questioned, gaslighted and tortured but they still couldn't get anything out from me.
"Tell us what you know!" One of them demanded while holding the bloody tool he used break my fingers.
"I've already told you, I don't know anything about Nicole's disappreance.." I panted, lips dripping with blood .
eventually they let me go, still surprised by my lack of confession during torturing. Most would just lie to make to torture end.
Normally if it was someone else they would would have died from the pain and blood loss but I already had the pain numbing skill so it was easy for me to endure.
[Location: demi plane]
Everyone stared at me horrified at the scars on my body
"Shiori-sama! What happened?!" Dayama quickly rushed to my side.
"Someone get her a healing potion!" Kyokota ordered as maids ran around to get some.
"What happened to you?!, say something!" Kuro begged , already planning on how to enact his revenge
"I'm fine really, a potion, a warm bath and some rest would make me right as rain..." I said stumbling as I headed to my room
"Petals,.meeting upstairs, now!" Ryu said.
Everyone nodded
[Location: headquarters]
" What?! She's been frame!" Kuro was shocked.
"That's correct, Nicole valentine. A student in her year, disappeared a few days ago and now she's been seen a prime suspect. I read her memories, it checks out.."
"How cruel..." Kyokota clenched his fist, his knuckles turned white
"They must pay!" Kuro growled menacely.
"We'll investigate the situation, as for shiori-sama, some of us should follow her around just in case.
"I volunteer!" Kuro and Madara rose their hands
"Very well, the rest of us would investigate on the case of Nicole's disappearance"
"Hai!" Everyone nodded....
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Nicole was very weak as he had been constantly losing blood.
"How long as it been? I'm sure my absence has been noticed and a search team should have been dispatched by now..." He thought as the doctor was extracting the fourth syringe.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't take too much of my blood, I'm not ready to die yet..." He said emotionlessly
"Don't worry, I won't take too much, I want more so I won't kill you. At least not .." He replied, humming cheerfully.
Nicole kept staring at the unconscious fox boy. He looked so familiar, but from where?
"Oh I just remembered.." the doctor left and came back with a bowl of mushy looking substance.
"What is that?" Nicole tensed immediately at the sight
"You're low on blood, I had almost forgotten to feed you" he poured the substance over Lucian as 60% went into his mouth and it tasted absolutely disgusting.
Nicole's eyes had lost their light. Where the hell was he?