we entered the Erveldote mansion, the guards' eyes widened in surprise, and they hastily opened the gates. The atmosphere inside the mansion was electric, with servants and maids whispering among themselves.
The butler and head maid escorted us to the lounge, where they served us tea. "I'll go call Young Master Nathan," the butler said, bowing. "Please wait, Your Highnesses."
When Nathan arrived, he greeted us formally, but I waved my hand. "No need to be so formal, Nathan."
Nathan's curiosity was piqued. "May I ask what brings you to my house, Your Highness... Athanasia?"
I explained, "You gave me a stargazer emulate when we were young. My uncle, Grand Duke Kyle, has a similar pattern on his body. I'm worried, and I need your help."
Nathan's expression turned thoughtful. "Ah, yes... the stargazer pattern. I'd love to help you, Athanasia, but first, I need to see your uncle. What happened to you was an emotional breakdown, causing the black roots pattern. It happens when we overtax our emotions and lose hope, causing our powers to overreact and our treasure to turn black."
He paused, his eyes narrowing. "But I can't say the same for Grand Duke Kyle without examining him."
I nodded urgently. "Do whatever you need to, Nathan. Please, save him."
Rohan watched the exchange, his eyes gleaming with interest.
Nathan stood up, his expression determined. "I'll accompany you to see your uncle's condition. Let's go."
We followed Nathan to Grand Duke Kyle's chambers. After a thorough examination, Nathan's expression turned grave.
"This isn't the same case as yours, Athanasia," Nathan said, his voice measured. "Your uncle has a different kind of curse. The pattern on his body is more... sinister."
Athanasia's eyes widened in concern. "What do you mean? Can you lift the curse?"
Nathan hesitated, collecting his thoughts. "I'll need to study this further, but I fear it won't be easy. The curse seems to be rooted deeper than I initially thought."
Rohan's eyes narrowed, his interest piqued by the complexity of the curse.Here's the continuation:
Athansia turned to Adrian, "Did you inform Arion about Uncle's condition?"
Adrian shook his head. "No, I didn't. He's at the war front... I didn't think it was a good idea to bother him with this."
Athansia sighed, understanding the concern. "I guess you're right. We'll get Uncle cured at all costs. He'll be alright, for sure."
Determined to find a solution, Athansia visited Nathan, who was deep in thought amidst his research. "Did you find anything?" she asked, her eyes filled with hope.
Nathan hesitated, his expression troubled. "There's something... but it's forbidden."
Athansia's curiosity was piqued. "Forbidden? What do you mean?"
Nathan leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "The ritual to lift the curse requires a powerful artifact, one that's been hidden away for centuries. But the catch is, it's guarded by a dark entity that demands a terrible price in exchange for its power."
Athansia's determination hardened. "What kind of price?"
Nathan's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a mix of concern and warning. "A piece of one's soul."Here's the continuation:
Athanasia's eyes widened in horror. "A piece of one's soul? What do you mean, Nathan? Isn't there anything else we can do?"
Nathan's expression was grave. "Athanasia, it's a curse done by dark magic. It can only be broken by the one who cast it, but we don't know who that is. We're trying to find another cure, but breaking a dark magic curse requires... something dangerous. Something that's taboo for normal mortals like us."
Athanasia's determination turned to desperation. "What are we talking about, Nathan? What kind of taboo?"
Nathan hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "We're talking about rituals that go against the natural order of things. Rituals that require sacrifices that can change a person's very essence. Are you prepared to face that, Athanasia?"
Athanasia's resolve hardened. "I'll do whatever it takes to save my uncle. Tell me what we need to do."
Nathan immersed himself in research, pouring over ancient tomes and seeking out experts in the field. Days passed, and Athanasia stayed at her home, anxiously awaiting news about her uncle's condition.
Meanwhile, Rohan returned to the royal palace, his mind preoccupied with the mysterious curse.
As Athanasia's uncle's condition worsened, Athanasia devoted herself to caring for him and her younger brother, Adrian. Adrian's eyes were filled with worry and fear as he clung to Athanasia.
"Athi, will Father be okay?" Adrian asked, his voice trembling. "I don't want to lose him too. I don't want him to go to Mother."
Athanasia's heart ached as she hugged Adrian tightly. "Everything will be alright, Adrian. We'll get through this together. Nathan is working hard to find a cure."
Adrian nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. Athanasia held him close, trying to reassure him that everything would be okay.
As the days turned into weeks, Athanasia's uncle's condition continued to deteriorate. Athanasia's determination to save him only grew stronger.
Nathan's words hung in the air, heavy with implication. "It's not like we'll kill someone," he said, his voice measured. "We'll take a piece of someone's soul. The person won't die, but... they'll become... different. Empty, hollow. A shadow of their former self."
Athanasia's eyes widened in horror. "You mean, we'll take their soul and leave them a shell of a person? Who would agree to such a thing?"
Nathan's gaze met hers, unflinching. "Someone who loves your uncle as much as you do, perhaps."
Athanasia's mind reeled as she grasped the enormity of what Nathan was suggesting. The weight of the decision settled upon her, and she knew she had to make a choice.
Athanasia's resolve hardened as she stood firm. "No, I'm not going to do it. Please find another way, Nathan. I'll try to find out who cast the curse."
Days passed, with Athanasia and Nathan pouring over research, desperate for a solution. Meanwhile, Adrian's visits became more frequent, his concern for his father palpable.
One day, Adrian burst into Athanasia's chambers, tears streaming down his face. "Athi, Uncle... Father is acting weird. He's having trouble breathing!"
Athanasia rushed to her uncle's side, horror etched on her face. "What's happening?"
The pattern on her uncle's body seemed to be spreading, creeping up his face. Nathan's eyes widened. "The curse is getting stronger. It's growing rapidly."
Athanasia's panic set in. "What do we do, Nathan?"
Nathan's expression was grim. "There's only one way to save him now. We need to take a piece of someone's soul."
Adrian's eyes lit up. "I'll do it. I'll give my soul to save Father."
Athanasia hesitated, torn. "Adrian, you don't understand what it means. It'll change you forever."
But Adrian was resolute. "I don't care. I'll do whatever it takes."
Athanasia stood firm. "No, we're not doing it. We'll find another way."
The argument escalated, with Adrian and Athanasia locked in a fierce debate. Meanwhile, their uncle's condition worsened, his breathing growing shallower.
Just as it seemed the argument would never end, the butler entered, his face somber. "My lady, Young Master Adrian... His Grace is gone."
Athanasia and Adrian rushed to their uncle's side, horror etched on their faces. Athanasia's world shattered as she realized her uncle was truly gone.
Adrian's face contorted in grief. "Dad, wake up! Why aren't you waking up?"
Athanasia's tears flowed freely as she held her uncle's lifeless body. "Uncle, wake up... please."
Adrian's anger turned on Athanasia. "It's all because of you. You didn't do anything. You were selfish."
Athanasia's shock rendered her speechless, her mind reeling with grief and guilt.
Athanasia's anger flared up, her voice shaking with emotion. "How dare you, Adrian! You think I didn't try to save him? I was trying everything, every possible way to save him. I lost my mom, my dad, and now my uncle. Do you think it doesn't hurt me? Do you think I'm not grieving too?"
Adrian's face was red with anger and grief, but Athanasia's words seemed to pierce through his pain. He looked at her, and for a moment, his anger faltered.
Athanasia's tears flowed freely as she collapsed to the floor, her body shaking with sobs. "I'm sorry, Adrian. I'm so sorry I couldn't save him."
The room fell silent, the only sound Athanasia's anguished cries and Adrian's ragged breathing. The weight of their loss hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, they just grieved, their anger and accusations forgotten in the face of their overwhelming sorrow.