"Sometimes, free will is far better than any magical contract, but there are always exceptions that must be taken into account."
The third-floor corridors of the prestigious dormitory were, as a rule, always quiet. Even today, despite the events unfolding at the academy, only a few students dared to leave their rooms. Nova and I walked in silence down the corridor. I watched her every step, including the way she glanced at room number 332. Her eyes held an undisguised sense of guilt, which I assessed as the possible beginning of their gentle break-up—the first active step toward resolving the issue of my mission.
Because we had slowed our pace on the way to Evelina's chambers, a woman overtook us. She moved quickly and almost silently, her figure almost completely hidden beneath a dark burgundy mantle of thick, expensive velvet—not of the academic cut. The hood was pulled low, concealing her face, but even from a distance, her posture exuded a grace inherent to the highest noble circles of Valtheim. She was definitely not a servant, nor a teacher, and certainly not a student.
The royal guardswoman on duty at Evelina's door—a woman whose face was an impenetrable mask of duty—noticed the approaching figure. She did not ask a question, did not demand an introduction; she simply straightened in a subtle movement full of respect and, without a single word, stepped aside, opening the door. The woman in the mantle glided inside without a sound, and the guardswoman obediently closed the door behind her, as if it were meant to be. Nova, though she saw the same thing I did, walked beside me as if nothing had happened. Her lips were tightly pressed together, and for a split second, a flicker of recognition mixed with poorly concealed wariness crossed her gray eyes. She undoubtedly knew who this woman was, and likely had for some time.
Soon, we were at the threshold of Evelina's chambers, and the guardswoman opened the door a crack.
"Lady Nova, Lady Artalis," her voice was even and impersonal. "Her Highness is expecting you."
Nova took a deep breath, as if preparing for something inevitable. I simply nodded, knowing full well what awaited me.
Nothing had changed in Evelina Valtheim's sitting room, except that Catherine was sitting there, her face slightly pale; evidently, the conversation with the princess had not been the easiest for her. Nova and I approached. I sat on the sofa next to Catherine, and Nova sat opposite us, silently placing her hands on her knees.
When I looked at Evelina, a mysterious smile appeared on her face.
"I assume the matter of Nova's expulsion has been resolved?" she asked, as if to distract from the main issue.
Nova looked at Evelina and coldly reported, handing her the expulsion order.
"Yes, it's resolved, but not without sacrifices."
Evelina looked at Nova with a gaze full of hidden curiosity and asked, "Did Frederik set conditions for you?"
Nova clenched her fists, but not a single emotion appeared on her face.
"Yes."
Evelina shook her head.
"And what are these conditions?"
Nova clenched her jaw, then, trying not to betray her state, forced out, "Let Arta tell you."
Nova was likely trying to test my emotional involvement in the matter, but I do not experience emotions; for me, any emotion was merely a set of data for analysis. I deliberately smiled gently before beginning to speak:
"Prince Frederik set three conditions for Nova: no duels like the one that occurred, no conflicts, and no relationships," I replied, perfectly calm and disinterested.
The corners of Evelina's lips twitched for a second, but she instantly regained control and looked at Nova.
"And what do you plan to tell Ren?"
Nova drew in a breath and was silent for a few moments before answering, "I'll tell her the truth. I'm not going to sacrifice everything." Nova hesitated. "That doesn't mean I won't…" She paused and looked at Catherine, as if assessing whether she could be completely open, but Evelina's expression forced her to continue. "If her feelings for me are real, she'll understand." Nova unclenched her fists, as if resigned to what had to happen.
Evelina nodded.
"Very well. In that case, we will close this matter."
Evelina looked at the door of the adjacent room—likely a study adjoining her bedroom—which was currently closed.
"Ice Snake," she said loudly. "Is everything ready?"
"Ice Snake" was probably the pseudonym of the woman I had seen recently. As if in confirmation of my words, the study door swung open, and she emerged—the same woman I had seen earlier. She did not utter a word and, approaching, handed Evelina magical parchments.
"Artalis," Evelina's gaze suddenly shifted to me. "I have prepared blood pacts for you and Catherine."
How hypocritical of her to say that. She not only readily used Blood magic, forbidden by her own laws, but also violated the terms of our agreement. The guarantor of power and future heir to the throne literally confirmed her own lie, steeped in flattery, with her own words. She thinks I am just a naive girl, a foreign student, but she does not understand that I am capable of turning the entire game against her in a matter of moments.
"Pacts?" I asked, my voice deliberately a shade tense. "As I recall, we only spoke of one pact, which would contain all the restrictions."
"Yes, that was before I spoke with your lovely roommate. My plans have changed slightly now," Evelina replied, as if burning me with her eyes.
"But wait, Your Highness. We explicitly spoke of only one pact. I asked for Catherine to be involved as my assistant; she is not to bear all the risks and restrictions associated with the pact."
"Is that so?" Evelina looked at Catherine, who flinched under the tension.
"Arta…" Catherine began uncertainly. "It's a necessity. Without it, there will never be trust between us."
"That is not a logical position," I said, turning to assess her frightened state. Evelina had likely worked on her thoroughly while I was away.
"But Arta…" Catherine tried to object.
"No, we had clear terms. There was never any talk of a second pact."
I looked into Evelina's eyes and saw something akin to a smirk; she was clearly amused by manipulating the inexperienced and trusting Catherine, signing her death warrant. Unlike Catherine, I had many ways to escape this diabolical trap, but she would be locked within these confines for years without any chance of changing anything, and I needed her free will to aid in my mission, upon which the fate of an entire Petal depended.
"I remind you, Lady Evelina Valtheim," I replied coldly, forgoing all formalities, "I have the right to stand up and leave right now. If you think I will tolerate violations of agreements, you are mistaken." However, I decided to continue, putting her in an even more difficult position. "And bear in mind that the Nox family carries special weight in the Tarvarian Empire. My words will be heeded at the court of Emperor Gregor IV when this diplomatic conflict is decided."
Evelina leaned back in her chair and smiled. Her smile became softer but did not lose its predatory nature.
"Since you've resorted to formalism, I suppose I have the right to do the same," she said with a smirk. "Arta, though you haven't signed the pact yet, you have already chosen your side. My brother has already taken note of you, and be assured that he will kill you if you do not stay by my side. It is only a matter of time." Evelina placed her hand on the armrest of the chair and gripped it with all five fingers. "So if you do not sign the pact, it would be better for your own good to pack your things and return to your homeland."
During her speech, Catherine's trembling hand clutched the edge of her academic skirt; she was likely very frightened by the unfolding conflict.
"Your threats are illogical. Even if I leave, you give Catherine no chance. She is a subject of your kingdom, and you would just take her life like that?"
Evelina shook her head.
"Don't put words in my mouth, Arta. If you leave, Frederik will kill Catherine, not I."
Evelina was playing dirty, but her motives were clear. She did not hesitate to use any weapon against me. I deliberately bit my lip to make the decision seem difficult and clasped my fingers together.
"I cannot risk Catherine's life in either case. Your position looks like an ultimatum," I replied in a deliberately uncertain voice. "In that case, I am prepared to include all risks in my own pact. Catherine will not sign something we did not agree upon."
"Is that so? So now you speak for yourself and your roommate? How amusing," she asked in a serious voice, though her eyes betrayed the irony of the question. "But perhaps we should ask her personally? Is she willing to take the risk of you dying in her place?" Evelina looked at Catherine again.
Catherine swallowed, her eyes darting between me and Evelina, but I did not let her answer.
"As I said, either only I sign the pact, or no one does." My voice was cold, with deliberately added notes of disappointment.
"Your bargaining is inappropriate, Artalis. You will both sign the pact," Evelina replied in a predatory tone.
I was about to answer her, knowing that her threats of Frederik eliminating Catherine were just another lie and hypocrisy—after all, no one had seen her with Evelina yet—but Nova intervened.
"Evelina, let Arta take the risks upon herself. Why force her to do something that was not originally discussed?" Nova's voice was uncertain; she rarely argued with Evelina.
"Nova…" Evelina shifted her gaze to her. "Did I give you the floor? This is a conversation between me and Artalis, and you are not a part of it."
Nova sighed, her eye twitched as if from a nervous tic, and then she replied, "Alright, I understand."
"Ice Snake, bring the ritual dagger, please," she addressed the woman in the hood with respectful politeness. The woman nodded and immediately went back into the study.
"If you think the matter is resolved, you are mistaken," I cut in coldly. "If you wish, you can find another Order mage. The current terms are a violation of our initial agreement."
"Very well, Artalis, then please leave my chambers," Evelina replied coldly. "Catherine will take your place. She also has abilities in Order magic, and Nova will be the mage-guardian."
Nova's eyes widened in surprise at these words, and I, choosing not to comment on the decision, stood up from the sofa, realizing that further conversation was pointless. However, Catherine stopped me from taking any further steps by pulling on my sleeve.
"Your Highness, I am not willing to serve you without Arta," she said suddenly, standing up with me. "If you believe I must die in that case, then so be it," she replied in an uncharacteristically icy voice.
"Is that so?" Evelina clenched her jaw, realizing her manipulations were not going according to plan. "And have you thought about what your parents will say?" she replied coldly.
At that moment, the Ice Snake returned with a silver dagger and, placing it on the table, leaned toward Evelina and whispered something barely audible in her ear. From the fragments of phrases, I understood that she was risking losing a trump card in her political struggle.
Evelina exhaled.
"Alright, let's end this conversation. Please, sit down." She gestured to the sofa where we had been sitting. "I will include all risks in Artalis's pact. We will not discuss any other blood pacts." Evelina paused. "If Catherine violates the terms, Artalis will die. Consider it a triple pact where Catherine's loyalty is ensured by a blade held to Artalis's throat."
Hearing these words, the Ice Snake, taking the magical parchments, went back into the study. Catherine and I, sitting back on the sofa, spent the next five minutes in a silence that was tense for everyone but me.
The behavior of the Ice Snake was surprisingly strange. Evelina not only respected her but also listened to her advice. Perhaps she was of greater value to her, perhaps even more than Nova or me, which, however, made Evelina's position even more vulnerable than I had previously assumed.
After five minutes, the woman returned with a magical contract and handed it to me. I took the contract and, placing the silver dagger beside it, examined it. The text of the pact was written in a runic language, each rune imbued with the blood of the contract's author—the Ice Snake.
Blood Pact of Service.
This pact is made between Evelina Konrad Valtheim and Artalis Feda Nox, where Evelina Konrad Valtheim is the owner of the pact, and Artalis Feda Nox is the executor.
Terms of the Pact:
I. The executor of the pact undertakes to remain loyal to the owner of the pact in the role of mage-guardian. Any disclosure of the owner's secrets is forbidden, even if the executor's life is threatened.
Exceptions:
Evelina Konrad Valtheim;Nova Victorian Cross;Catherine Edward Holu;The author of the pact's text.
II. The executor of the pact undertakes to supervise the mage-guardian's assistant, Catherine Edward Holu. The risk for any disclosure of the owner's secrets by the mage-guardian's assistant is borne by the executor of the pact.
Note: Catherine Edward Holu is not a party to the pact, but her actions may lead to the death of the Executor of the pact. She is designated as a third party upon signing.
Termination of the Pact: The pact cannot be terminated unilaterally.
Conditions for Fulfillment of the Pact: The pact is considered fulfilled by the Executor of the pact as soon as the Owner of the pact ascends the throne of the kingdom of Valtheim.
Conditions for Non-Fulfillment of the Pact: The Owner of the pact may unilaterally decide on its non-fulfillment, which will lead to the immediate death of the Executor of the pact.
On the pact were engraved three special ritual circles with ancient symbols for blood offerings, with signatures in runic: Owner of the pact—Evelina Konrad Valtheim, Executor of the pact—Artalis Feda Nox, Third party—Catherine Edward Holu.
"An interesting pact, Your Highness," I replied dryly. "I assume if you do not ascend the throne, I must remain loyal to you as a mage-guardian for the rest of my life?"
Evelina smiled, looking me directly in the eye.
"You know, Artalis, you know the runic language too well, but I like that." Evelina paused. "Yes, if I do not ascend the throne, I suppose under the terms of this pact, you will be obligated to serve me until your death."
Nova intervened in the conversation again:
"But is that really fair to her?" Nova looked at the pact I was holding, then at Evelina, who was sitting contentedly in her chair.
"I suppose it is a risk I must take," I replied dryly to Nova. I had engaged in enough of Evelina's theatrics for one day.
Evelina smiled predatorily, knowing she was about to put a noose around my neck.
"Artalis, perhaps I was a bit hasty. With your answers, I like you more and more. I think we will work well together."
However, Evelina did not understand who she was dealing with and had no idea that with my power, I could easily cancel its terms. But I would let her play her foolish game with forces she did not understand.
"Very well, Your Highness, I am ready to sign the pact." I took the silver knife; its blade was cold, but it was just metal.
A sharp movement, a quick, perfect cut on my thumb—and blood was already showing from my flesh. The blood slowly seeped from the wound, and I touched my finger to the paper where the Executor's signature was. The pact glowed a dark crimson and absorbed my blood without a trace.
The Ice Snake approached the table and, taking the pact, handed it to Catherine. She moved smoothly, as if savoring every moment of her unseen power. For a second, she leaned toward me, and I partially saw her face: pale skin, thin, tightly pressed lips, a sharp, determined chin, and—barely perceptible in the shadows—amber eyes.
"Catherine, take the dagger and leave your blood to the right of Artalis's," Evelina said authoritatively and handed Catherine a clean silver dagger.
Catherine nervously and uncertainly pricked her index finger with the knife and placed her blood in the designated spot, after which the pact glowed again, this time a darker, bloodier hue.
Evelina was the last to sign the pact. She did so with a smile and, cutting her thumb, sealed the pact on all three sides. The Ice Snake touched the pact and began to cast a spell. The runes of the pact flared with a garnet light between me, Evelina, Catherine, and the text of the pact. A cold chill ran through my body, and for a second, the blood in my veins froze. Then, invisible red energy threads formed between us, marking the beginning of this bloody act.
"Congratulations, Artalis! This is the best investment in your future," Evelina smiled.
"Perhaps, but it's difficult for me to assess that yet," I lied, so as not to break character.
"Be assured, I take good care of those who are loyal to me," she said, looking at me with a possessive gaze, knowing that I was now bound to her by a mortal threat.
Evelina handed the blood pact to the woman in the hood, and she, silently taking it, quietly went with it into Evelina's study.