Chapter 27: Allies
Ethan found her on the highest terrace of the castle, where the cold wind cut through the silence. The princess stood there alone, watching over the city. When he approached, she didn’t even turn.
"You came to ask, didn’t you?" Her voice came out calm, almost amused. "You took longer than I expected."
"I want to know how," Ethan replied directly. His eyes locked on her, studying every move.
She turned her face slowly, meeting his gaze without fear. A small smile appeared. "Ancient magic. Chains of control that bind my mana to their soul. Not all of them, of course... but enough."
"And no one suspects?" Ethan asked, though the answer was already clear in her confident eyes.
"You’re here, aren’t you?" She stepped forward without hesitation, stopping so close he could smell the faint perfume of her hair. "But don’t get me wrong. I don’t hide because I fear being discovered... I simply saw no point in explaining until now."
There was something almost hypnotic in her coldness. An empty beauty, almost cruel. Ethan kept his tone calm. "And why tell me all this?"
"Because, Ethan," she said, rolling his name on her tongue as if savoring it, "I want you on my side. I can feel it, you’re no ordinary fool... it would be a waste to get rid of you."
The wind stirred her hair, revealing cold eyes that now gleamed with a hint of excitement. Like someone who had found a new toy. Ethan noticed.
"You think you can use me," he said, a small smile curving at the corner of his mouth.
"I can," she replied, blunt and without hesitation. "But it’s not just that. You intrigue me, Ethan. The way you walk, how you watch everything around you, even your mana."