Babies just grow sparse amounts of hair, however this baby's hair looked as though it was infected at birth with a blood-like red. She opened her eyes, looking at life first followed by the rays of light, then looking towards here.
A man surrounded the baby in front of his chest, bloodstained right hand holding a dagger, reflecting the candlelight. Blood was flowing through the handle ornate with wings, constantly dripping. Minerva lay down on the floor, looking at this image - in this moment, she became aware that...
(That is my blood ...)
Instantly, the chest pain made her aware of the icy stone tiles, and the blood's flowing heat.
Minerva clenched her teeth, trying to break away from the sense of pain.
(This death is not reality!)
Oracle - This was the bloodline power of the Queen, allowing Minerva to see into the future. Foresight was just one manifestation of this power.
Minerva wanted to cry out, but in the silent darkness only her slight shaking could be heard. She swallowed the blood gushing from her throat, feeling the pain in her entire body.
With her remaining strength she supported herself on the floor, barely looking up, seeing the man holding the baby.
(That hair ...)
(Is that my baby? I do not think so ... )
(Well, then ... this Oracle is ......)
The Man slowly walked to Minerva, stepping on the pool of blood, sending a sticky and dirty sound all around. He bent down, extending his hand near the bright candlelight.
(Who is it!)
(Who is to become my husband, and also kill me -)
The flames illuminated his face, making Minerva's body freeze.
That face, whether in a dream or reality, Minerva was familiar with it - he had black hair deeper than dark and snow-like skin. His childish face held remnants of tears, very phantom-like.
(- Chris ...)
(Oh no, Why would Chris ...)
(A lie! This is not true!)
Minerva silently screamed, the pool of blood tremoring slightly in the dark.
Chris was holding the baby, his face close to Minerva, the dagger from his hands, fell into the pool of blood. Minerva was now holding his hand in hers.
(This is not true - this future...)
(Chris is my husband?)
(Enough, do not look at me with such eyes. Do not cry for me -.)
◊ ◊ ◊
"-That's enough!"
Minerva screamed, breaking through the atmosphere filled with the smell of blood, abruptly rising. The bedding slipped from her shoulders, the reality filled with the cold and dry air came into contact with her skin, she could not help but shiver.
"... Minerva, are you all right?"
A voice reached her ears, making Minerva tremble slightly. She turned around, seeing the teenager from the dream in front of her.
The sight of the boy made Minerva inadvertently drift to her chest, her cheeks going red in an instant, her sight moving away from him. Minerva quickly looked down, exposing the rosy skin near the collar of her pajamas. She hastily pulled the blankets to cover herself.
"You... you..." Minerva with a tone full of reproach then said: "Why are you here!"
"Why what? Because you were talking in your sleep and seemed to be having a nightmare..."
"This is my room okay, why are you --"
Minerva stopped her trembling voice. She finally became conscious, and remembered where she was.
Two weeks ago, the Order of the Silver Egg saved the Queens that were held hostage, also managing to escape from a siege. The Holy Kingdom[2-1 1] sent thousands of soldiers to pursue them, however they managed to flee. But Francesca ordered the troops to stay vigilant and on standby in the barracks.
This was because the Holy Kingdom had stationed check-posts, so the Order of the Silver Egg had to remain alert. It was the first day they had returned, but they could not afford to slack off.
In normal times, Minerva would have slept in her bedroom inside the castle. But this time she had slept like the rest of the troops in the barracks - Chris and Gilbert's room was next to hers.
"I went to find him, but I'm sorry..."
Another voice came from the other side of the bed, Minerva turned around and saw a big-eyed brunette girl inspecting the room.
"Paola, you are also here!"
"But didn't you say that, if you were ever in pain, I should come over as soon as possible?" said Chris.
"Ah..."
Minerva felt her cheeks heating up all of a sudden.
"... You... Did you dream about anything?"
Chris asked. Minerva lowered her eyes.
She remembered the dream, with Chris killing her, with Chris holding the baby. The baby girl with blood-like red hair, it was the characteristic of her family bloodline.
"Minerva, did you have another dream in which you were killed?" said Chris.
"You shut up!" Minerva couldn't help but push Chris away. "You, you get out now!"
Chris looked perplexed.
"Does that mean... it was me again?"
"There's no need for you to say anything else, just get out, this is a woman's bedroom!"
"You are saying that, but you're still holding my hands so tightly..."
Chris stopped talking, Minerva suddenly realized that she was holding his hands. She flushed with anger and rudely let go of his hand, "You... You don't get me wrong, I, I just... All right! You get out! "
"Meena, you do this to Chris..."
"Paola you also get out!"
Minerva shouted, while pulling the blankets over her head. Even after hearing the pair of footsteps outside her door, she was still unable to think calmly.
(Why was Chris holding my child...)
Although Minerva fled the Kingdom from an early age, and did not receive a Queen's education, she still knew that dreaming was the way Queens received Oracle Visions.
(That dagger... just like the dagger that killed mother...)
Why is Chris - the vision should show the queen's husband from certain family lines, picked only from the three main houses... no, not just this problem. Minerva started paying attention to more important things, the heat from her cheeks spread all over her head.
(This, this is to make a baby... with Chris...)
She kicked the blanket, desperately trying to get rid of the "couple's night life" image from her head, in total disregard of her aching wounds.
"...Yes, Meena looks a bit strange... I think she's probably dreaming about..."
Through the blankets, Minerva heard Paola's voice. Then another voice said:
"Hey, Meena, you are not a clam - what's wrong?"
Minerva rubbed her red cheeks, then removed the blankets. She saw the honey-colored hair, eyes the color of the sea before dawn, and quickly turned away from her, showing her back.
"... Nothing is wrong" said Minerva.
She knew Francesca was aware of the problem, so she first turned her back to her. After hearing Francesca sigh, Minerva knew she was going to get to the heart of the matter, full of enthusiasm.
"Paola, you should leave, and no eavesdropping outside the door!"
"I, I would never!"
The sound of footsteps leaving the room could be heard, followed by the sound of the wooden door closing, and then only silence remained in the room.
Francesca abruptly pulled back the blankets, Minerva turned around to confront her, but Francesca was the first to step closer and kneel down near the bed, her golden hair hitting the floor.
"Your majesty, your servant is at your disposal."
"... I told you were not allowed to do this again."
"Her Majesty had little chance to this in solitude, occasionally you should enjoy the vassal etiquette, please. "
Francesca raised her head, exposing her devilish smile.
Minerva fled the throne, but she was still the Queen. The Dukes' family was her vassal, so Francesca was only obeying the proper customs. Although Minerva knew that herself she was still angry.
"Your majesty, how are you feeling? If you are not willing to talk with my humble self, you can treat me as a piece of furniture. After all, as your vassal, I only exist to serve you."
"... What furniture, I never considered you like this."
Minerva looked away, her arms crossed.
"Besides, I'm always troubling you... Although my attitude doesn't show it, I'm very grateful to you."
"Really? I am so happy!" Francesca took hold of both her hands, showing a cute smile. "My Queen told me what was in her heart?"
"Uhh, uhh..."
Minerva sat on the bed wiggling her feet, not knowing what to do.
In fact she had to apologize to Francesca because she had a lot of things that she didn't tell her. Things about Chris and the stigma[2-1 2] of the beast. Even though she thought Francesca ought to know without beating around the bush, but she never made things clear, and was in no hurry to do so. Therefore, Minerva hesitated. She did not know if she should tell Francesca - for mutual trust...
"Then I'm going to go about this another way, Meena." Francesca quickly changed her tone. "You are a troubled person. I can't force you to say something you want to keep a secret. How about, if I let you sleep in the same room as Chris."
"What are you - I, I have to say, but this is punishment!"
"The reason you don't want to talk, I'll tell you: you don't say it because I wanted to sleep with Chris."
"Fran-!"
Minerva's flaming red hair stood up. She quickly jumped out of the bed, rushing in front of Francesca.
"You really know how to provoke me - well, let's get to the point."
Minerva sat back on the bed, bringing her blankets closer, facing Francesca like a wolf stalking his prey. Francesca clearly played her, even for Minerva's outburst, it's probably just a waste of time.
Even so, Minerva is still trying to fight back, she turned her back to Francesca, and tucked her hands behind her.
After avoiding seeing her face to face, with that raptor-like gaze, Minerva found it easy to say the words from her heart.
"... I dreamed an Oracle prophecy."
She heard the surprise in Francesca, although behind her.
Before, Minerva never said the word "Oracle"; she did not want to think of herself as Queen, not wanting the pain and humiliation the Dukes treated as a gift from God.
But this dream, apart from "Oracle", there was no other word to call it.
Surprisingly, Francesca had been aware of this.
"Did you dream of the father?"
Minerva sighed. Standing behind her, was such a powerful woman. Fortunately, Francesca is not an enemy, she thought. Hesitating for some time, Minerva answered:
"... Yes, but... well..." stopping halfway, she once again went silent.
"Is it Chris?"
Minerva with a tornado-like momentum suddenly turned around and started throwing parts of the bedding.
"You, why are you -" she pounced on Francesca, grabbed her arms and shook violently: "Why did you even know this!"
"Your first reaction was very obvious; if it was anyone else, you might say the person's name, or don't know who the man is, right? Your grip can really strangle a cow, do not pinch so tight, okay?"
"Ah, ah..."
Minerva started heating up, a loose hand gave Francesca the opportunity to break free.
She feebly sat back on the bed, Francesca followed suit and sat beside her. Wearing sleeveless pajamas, the two side by side, slightly touching the skin.
"I have heard many people say that on the Grand Duke[2-1 3] Cornelius forehead and back of the hand, there were some patterns." Francesca said.
Minerva clenched her fists.
In the siege of Santcarillon, Minerva and Chris took a battering ram with other commandos, where everyone witnessed Grand Duke Cornelius power. When Cornelius used the demon sword the back of his hand was engraved in light.
"It's hard to believe, Chris being associated with King candidates." said Francesca.
"Listening to Cornelius talking, it seems that Chris knew something." said Minerva.
"Yes, what the two men have in common ... First it's the stigma. "
The cursed stigma; the good fortune stigma ... Cornelius knew the origin of these two stigma. If a queen's husband must have this engraved, then Chris ...
"Where did Chris come from in the end... Meena, do you know?"
Minerva lowered her eyes, and shook her head ambiguously - or nod, even she did not know how to respond - however, Minerva thought she can no longer keep silent, she told Francesca everything she knows ...
Devouring the stigma of Fortune; What Chris experienced in the past ... Cursed fate thing...
After listening, Francesca's tone remained unchanged, "So this is what you have been keeping from me." She looked up to the ceiling taking a light breath, "I did not think I actually kept a Beast that devoured fortune. "
"You're not going... to drive out Chris..." Minerva looked over her shoulders to Francesca and asked in a whisper.
"I will not. I managed to find such a cute guardian. You and Chris are too reserved, not talking to me about such trivial matters."
"This is not trivial! The curse may put everyone in danger..."
"Are you sure?"
Minerva opened her mouth, staring into Francesca's beautiful eyes.
"Chris will devour everyone's fate? Have you confirmed this? Did you?"
"- But before he......"
"He was by my side for an entire month, did anything bad happen?"
"That's because I stopped him!"
"Really? Is that really the case?" Francesca smiled meaningfully.
"Regarding Chris, you don't know much do you? You don't know why he has a stigma, right?"
Minerva nodded. She thought that Chris himself might not know about it. But if Chris did know and didn't tell her... Minerva felt this thought eating away at her.
Francesca deliberately sighed.
"Truly sad, if every vision causes you pain."
"...You!" Minerva can't help but grab Francesca on the shoulder, "What are you thinking!"
"The Holy Kingdom wants the Queen to give birth to a child with Oracle powers, for this the current Queen has to be killed right?"
Minerva held a blank expression - Francesca was right. Minerva never thought anyone would guess this.
It's not easy to conceive an Oracle Queen from one generation to the next, because you can only give birth to one daughter, the family cannot grow big. Therefore, the Holy Kingdom must do everything to maintain the bloodline, the husband of the Queen must make the way for future generations of Oracles, by personally killing his wife.
The Oracle Queens can only predict their own painful experiences, so they can see the future where they are killed, and the person who kills her becomes the husband.
"Giving birth is also a painful experience, you can't predict this kind of pain right? And if you can, wedding Chris will make you happy right?" said Francesca.
"Y-Y-You -- what are you saying! What happiness!"
"If two people lived together raising children, the woman would be happy right?"
"You didn't even listen to me!" Minerva could not help but shout: "Chris is - because he can devour the future where I die, I stay close to him! Not because I wanted to be with him! "
"Really?" Francesca turned around and looked at her.
"Of course I'm not lying!" Minerva begins.
"In that case..." Francesca closed to Minerva's ear, and quietly asked: "If he was not marked, no Oracle -- Chris not staying by your side would not matter, then? "
Minerva stared at Francesca, words echoing in her mind -- if one day, she and Chris could break the shackles of their fate, what would happen then?
"This... This assumption..." Minerva's voice stopped in the throat, barely managing to spit it out. "I do not know... I never thought I -- no, I should say I could never have imagined it."
Since Minerva was born, she had this power. She can't imagine. What the idea that "if it weren't for this power" could mean. But after listening Francesca laughed:
"I don't know either... However, I think this is the answer you need to find."
"What are you saying?"
"No, ah. " Francesca laughed, put her hands on the shoulders of Minerva, and stood up.
"If Chris can devour the future where you die, then he can also find a way to distort the Oracle, isn't that right?"
"Ah... ah..."
"Then you have to tell him why."
Francesca said all this with a clear voice, Minerva looked up to see her sincere smile, the devilish smile all gone now.
(I know... I know I'm supposed to tell Chris about it, but... ）
(But for this to happen, I have to... Chris has to become my husband... making kids... together... tell him...)
How should she approach him to say this? Minerva did not know, it was hard to figure it out.
After bowing to Minerva, Francesca left the room. But she suddenly stopped in front of the door, and murmured: "... Your highness I don't not know if Silvia, might have also had a similar vision from the Oracle. "
Minerva was shocked.
(Yes! I never thought about it -- but it is possible!)
Before, Minerva had another vision where Chris killed her. And later, it even replaced her on the throne with her sister - Silvia also had the same Oracle. So now...
(For Christopher[2-1 4] to become her husband, Cornelius had to die, that's why now she could see the new Oracle, such speculation was reasonable.)
This means that, Chris will replace Cornelius, to become the person the new queen has to marry. But why is it Chris...
Francesca had walked out of the room. From the corridor came a man's voice, which turned out to be Chris asking about Minerva. Minerva hastily closed the door, then went back to bed hugging her knees.
(Why... Why is Chris...）
(If Silvia also had the same Oracle vision...)
(What am I supposed to do...）
She closed her eyes, a touch of red floating in the dark.
That baby's eyes, and the tears on Chris' face...
(Why did I meet with Chris in such a cruel way - if we had met in different circumstances, or if one day we escape this fate...)
If so, what will happen...... Minerva did not know, but her chest was throbbing.
(...He - Chris with me, in the end that's what people do...)
A vivid memory came into her chaotic thoughts.
She remembered that moment, when Chris grasped her hand.
Babies just grow sparse amounts of hair, however this baby's hair looked as though it was infected at birth with a blood-like red. She opened her eyes, looking at life first followed by the rays of light, then looking towards here.
A man surrounded the baby in front of his chest, bloodstained right hand holding a dagger, reflecting the candlelight. Blood was flowing through the handle ornate with wings, constantly dripping. Minerva lay down on the floor, looking at this image - in this moment, she became aware that...
(That is my blood ...)
Instantly, the chest pain made her aware of the icy stone tiles, and the blood's flowing heat.
Minerva clenched her teeth, trying to break away from the sense of pain.
(This death is not reality!)
Oracle - This was the bloodline power of the Queen, allowing Minerva to see into the future. Foresight was just one manifestation of this power.
Minerva wanted to cry out, but in the silent darkness only her slight shaking could be heard. She swallowed the blood gushing from her throat, feeling the pain in her entire body.
With her remaining strength she supported herself on the floor, barely looking up, seeing the man holding the baby.
(That hair ...)
(Is that my baby? I do not think so ... )
(Well, then ... this Oracle is ......)
The Man slowly walked to Minerva, stepping on the pool of blood, sending a sticky and dirty sound all around. He bent down, extending his hand near the bright candlelight.
(Who is it!)
(Who is to become my husband, and also kill me -)
The flames illuminated his face, making Minerva's body freeze.
That face, whether in a dream or reality, Minerva was familiar with it - he had black hair deeper than dark and snow-like skin. His childish face held remnants of tears, very phantom-like.
(- Chris ...)
(Oh no, Why would Chris ...)
(A lie! This is not true!)
Minerva silently screamed, the pool of blood tremoring slightly in the dark.
Chris was holding the baby, his face close to Minerva, the dagger from his hands, fell into the pool of blood. Minerva was now holding his hand in hers.
(This is not true - this future...)
(Chris is my husband?)
(Enough, do not look at me with such eyes. Do not cry for me -.)
◊ ◊ ◊
"-That's enough!"
Minerva screamed, breaking through the atmosphere filled with the smell of blood, abruptly rising. The bedding slipped from her shoulders, the reality filled with the cold and dry air came into contact with her skin, she could not help but shiver.
"... Minerva, are you all right?"
A voice reached her ears, making Minerva tremble slightly. She turned around, seeing the teenager from the dream in front of her.
The sight of the boy made Minerva inadvertently drift to her chest, her cheeks going red in an instant, her sight moving away from him. Minerva quickly looked down, exposing the rosy skin near the collar of her pajamas. She hastily pulled the blankets to cover herself.
"You... you..." Minerva with a tone full of reproach then said: "Why are you here!"
"Why what? Because you were talking in your sleep and seemed to be having a nightmare..."
"This is my room okay, why are you --"
Minerva stopped her trembling voice. She finally became conscious, and remembered where she was.
Two weeks ago, the Order of the Silver Egg saved the Queens that were held hostage, also managing to escape from a siege. The Holy Kingdom[2-1 1] sent thousands of soldiers to pursue them, however they managed to flee. But Francesca ordered the troops to stay vigilant and on standby in the barracks.
This was because the Holy Kingdom had stationed check-posts, so the Order of the Silver Egg had to remain alert. It was the first day they had returned, but they could not afford to slack off.
In normal times, Minerva would have slept in her bedroom inside the castle. But this time she had slept like the rest of the troops in the barracks - Chris and Gilbert's room was next to hers.
"I went to find him, but I'm sorry..."
Another voice came from the other side of the bed, Minerva turned around and saw a big-eyed brunette girl inspecting the room.
"Paola, you are also here!"
"But didn't you say that, if you were ever in pain, I should come over as soon as possible?" said Chris.
"Ah..."
Minerva felt her cheeks heating up all of a sudden.
"... You... Did you dream about anything?"
Chris asked. Minerva lowered her eyes.
She remembered the dream, with Chris killing her, with Chris holding the baby. The baby girl with blood-like red hair, it was the characteristic of her family bloodline.
"Minerva, did you have another dream in which you were killed?" said Chris.
"You shut up!" Minerva couldn't help but push Chris away. "You, you get out now!"
Chris looked perplexed.
"Does that mean... it was me again?"
"There's no need for you to say anything else, just get out, this is a woman's bedroom!"
"You are saying that, but you're still holding my hands so tightly..."
Chris stopped talking, Minerva suddenly realized that she was holding his hands. She flushed with anger and rudely let go of his hand, "You... You don't get me wrong, I, I just... All right! You get out! "
"Meena, you do this to Chris..."
"Paola you also get out!"
Minerva shouted, while pulling the blankets over her head. Even after hearing the pair of footsteps outside her door, she was still unable to think calmly.
(Why was Chris holding my child...)
Although Minerva fled the Kingdom from an early age, and did not receive a Queen's education, she still knew that dreaming was the way Queens received Oracle Visions.
(That dagger... just like the dagger that killed mother...)
Why is Chris - the vision should show the queen's husband from certain family lines, picked only from the three main houses... no, not just this problem. Minerva started paying attention to more important things, the heat from her cheeks spread all over her head.
(This, this is to make a baby... with Chris...)
She kicked the blanket, desperately trying to get rid of the "couple's night life" image from her head, in total disregard of her aching wounds.
"...Yes, Meena looks a bit strange... I think she's probably dreaming about..."
Through the blankets, Minerva heard Paola's voice. Then another voice said:
"Hey, Meena, you are not a clam - what's wrong?"
Minerva rubbed her red cheeks, then removed the blankets. She saw the honey-colored hair, eyes the color of the sea before dawn, and quickly turned away from her, showing her back.
"... Nothing is wrong" said Minerva.
She knew Francesca was aware of the problem, so she first turned her back to her. After hearing Francesca sigh, Minerva knew she was going to get to the heart of the matter, full of enthusiasm.
"Paola, you should leave, and no eavesdropping outside the door!"
"I, I would never!"
The sound of footsteps leaving the room could be heard, followed by the sound of the wooden door closing, and then only silence remained in the room.
Francesca abruptly pulled back the blankets, Minerva turned around to confront her, but Francesca was the first to step closer and kneel down near the bed, her golden hair hitting the floor.
"Your majesty, your servant is at your disposal."
"... I told you were not allowed to do this again."
"Her Majesty had little chance to this in solitude, occasionally you should enjoy the vassal etiquette, please. "
Francesca raised her head, exposing her devilish smile.
Minerva fled the throne, but she was still the Queen. The Dukes' family was her vassal, so Francesca was only obeying the proper customs. Although Minerva knew that herself she was still angry.
"Your majesty, how are you feeling? If you are not willing to talk with my humble self, you can treat me as a piece of furniture. After all, as your vassal, I only exist to serve you."
"... What furniture, I never considered you like this."
Minerva looked away, her arms crossed.
"Besides, I'm always troubling you... Although my attitude doesn't show it, I'm very grateful to you."
"Really? I am so happy!" Francesca took hold of both her hands, showing a cute smile. "My Queen told me what was in her heart?"
"Uhh, uhh..."
Minerva sat on the bed wiggling her feet, not knowing what to do.
In fact she had to apologize to Francesca because she had a lot of things that she didn't tell her. Things about Chris and the stigma[2-1 2] of the beast. Even though she thought Francesca ought to know without beating around the bush, but she never made things clear, and was in no hurry to do so. Therefore, Minerva hesitated. She did not know if she should tell Francesca - for mutual trust...
"Then I'm going to go about this another way, Meena." Francesca quickly changed her tone. "You are a troubled person. I can't force you to say something you want to keep a secret. How about, if I let you sleep in the same room as Chris."
"What are you - I, I have to say, but this is punishment!"
"The reason you don't want to talk, I'll tell you: you don't say it because I wanted to sleep with Chris."
"Fran-!"
Minerva's flaming red hair stood up. She quickly jumped out of the bed, rushing in front of Francesca.
"You really know how to provoke me - well, let's get to the point."
Minerva sat back on the bed, bringing her blankets closer, facing Francesca like a wolf stalking his prey. Francesca clearly played her, even for Minerva's outburst, it's probably just a waste of time.
Even so, Minerva is still trying to fight back, she turned her back to Francesca, and tucked her hands behind her.
After avoiding seeing her face to face, with that raptor-like gaze, Minerva found it easy to say the words from her heart.
"... I dreamed an Oracle prophecy."
She heard the surprise in Francesca, although behind her.
Before, Minerva never said the word "Oracle"; she did not want to think of herself as Queen, not wanting the pain and humiliation the Dukes treated as a gift from God.
But this dream, apart from "Oracle", there was no other word to call it.
Surprisingly, Francesca had been aware of this.
"Did you dream of the father?"
Minerva sighed. Standing behind her, was such a powerful woman. Fortunately, Francesca is not an enemy, she thought. Hesitating for some time, Minerva answered:
"... Yes, but... well..." stopping halfway, she once again went silent.
"Is it Chris?"
Minerva with a tornado-like momentum suddenly turned around and started throwing parts of the bedding.
"You, why are you -" she pounced on Francesca, grabbed her arms and shook violently: "Why did you even know this!"
"Your first reaction was very obvious; if it was anyone else, you might say the person's name, or don't know who the man is, right? Your grip can really strangle a cow, do not pinch so tight, okay?"
"Ah, ah..."
Minerva started heating up, a loose hand gave Francesca the opportunity to break free.
She feebly sat back on the bed, Francesca followed suit and sat beside her. Wearing sleeveless pajamas, the two side by side, slightly touching the skin.
"I have heard many people say that on the Grand Duke[2-1 3] Cornelius forehead and back of the hand, there were some patterns." Francesca said.
Minerva clenched her fists.
In the siege of Santcarillon, Minerva and Chris took a battering ram with other commandos, where everyone witnessed Grand Duke Cornelius power. When Cornelius used the demon sword the back of his hand was engraved in light.
"It's hard to believe, Chris being associated with King candidates." said Francesca.
"Listening to Cornelius talking, it seems that Chris knew something." said Minerva.
"Yes, what the two men have in common ... First it's the stigma. "
The cursed stigma; the good fortune stigma ... Cornelius knew the origin of these two stigma. If a queen's husband must have this engraved, then Chris ...
"Where did Chris come from in the end... Meena, do you know?"
Minerva lowered her eyes, and shook her head ambiguously - or nod, even she did not know how to respond - however, Minerva thought she can no longer keep silent, she told Francesca everything she knows ...
Devouring the stigma of Fortune; What Chris experienced in the past ... Cursed fate thing...
After listening, Francesca's tone remained unchanged, "So this is what you have been keeping from me." She looked up to the ceiling taking a light breath, "I did not think I actually kept a Beast that devoured fortune. "
"You're not going... to drive out Chris..." Minerva looked over her shoulders to Francesca and asked in a whisper.
"I will not. I managed to find such a cute guardian. You and Chris are too reserved, not talking to me about such trivial matters."
"This is not trivial! The curse may put everyone in danger..."
"Are you sure?"
Minerva opened her mouth, staring into Francesca's beautiful eyes.
"Chris will devour everyone's fate? Have you confirmed this? Did you?"
"- But before he......"
"He was by my side for an entire month, did anything bad happen?"
"That's because I stopped him!"
"Really? Is that really the case?" Francesca smiled meaningfully.
"Regarding Chris, you don't know much do you? You don't know why he has a stigma, right?"
Minerva nodded. She thought that Chris himself might not know about it. But if Chris did know and didn't tell her... Minerva felt this thought eating away at her.
Francesca deliberately sighed.
"Truly sad, if every vision causes you pain."
"...You!" Minerva can't help but grab Francesca on the shoulder, "What are you thinking!"
"The Holy Kingdom wants the Queen to give birth to a child with Oracle powers, for this the current Queen has to be killed right?"
Minerva held a blank expression - Francesca was right. Minerva never thought anyone would guess this.
It's not easy to conceive an Oracle Queen from one generation to the next, because you can only give birth to one daughter, the family cannot grow big. Therefore, the Holy Kingdom must do everything to maintain the bloodline, the husband of the Queen must make the way for future generations of Oracles, by personally killing his wife.
The Oracle Queens can only predict their own painful experiences, so they can see the future where they are killed, and the person who kills her becomes the husband.
"Giving birth is also a painful experience, you can't predict this kind of pain right? And if you can, wedding Chris will make you happy right?" said Francesca.
"Y-Y-You -- what are you saying! What happiness!"
"If two people lived together raising children, the woman would be happy right?"
"You didn't even listen to me!" Minerva could not help but shout: "Chris is - because he can devour the future where I die, I stay close to him! Not because I wanted to be with him! "
"Really?" Francesca turned around and looked at her.
"Of course I'm not lying!" Minerva begins.
"In that case..." Francesca closed to Minerva's ear, and quietly asked: "If he was not marked, no Oracle -- Chris not staying by your side would not matter, then? "
Minerva stared at Francesca, words echoing in her mind -- if one day, she and Chris could break the shackles of their fate, what would happen then?
"This... This assumption..." Minerva's voice stopped in the throat, barely managing to spit it out. "I do not know... I never thought I -- no, I should say I could never have imagined it."
Since Minerva was born, she had this power. She can't imagine. What the idea that "if it weren't for this power" could mean. But after listening Francesca laughed:
"I don't know either... However, I think this is the answer you need to find."
"What are you saying?"
"No, ah. " Francesca laughed, put her hands on the shoulders of Minerva, and stood up.
"If Chris can devour the future where you die, then he can also find a way to distort the Oracle, isn't that right?"
"Ah... ah..."
"Then you have to tell him why."
Francesca said all this with a clear voice, Minerva looked up to see her sincere smile, the devilish smile all gone now.
(I know... I know I'm supposed to tell Chris about it, but... ）
(But for this to happen, I have to... Chris has to become my husband... making kids... together... tell him...)
How should she approach him to say this? Minerva did not know, it was hard to figure it out.
After bowing to Minerva, Francesca left the room. But she suddenly stopped in front of the door, and murmured: "... Your highness I don't not know if Silvia, might have also had a similar vision from the Oracle. "
Minerva was shocked.
(Yes! I never thought about it -- but it is possible!)
Before, Minerva had another vision where Chris killed her. And later, it even replaced her on the throne with her sister - Silvia also had the same Oracle. So now...
(For Christopher[2-1 4] to become her husband, Cornelius had to die, that's why now she could see the new Oracle, such speculation was reasonable.)
This means that, Chris will replace Cornelius, to become the person the new queen has to marry. But why is it Chris...
Francesca had walked out of the room. From the corridor came a man's voice, which turned out to be Chris asking about Minerva. Minerva hastily closed the door, then went back to bed hugging her knees.
(Why... Why is Chris...）
(If Silvia also had the same Oracle vision...)
(What am I supposed to do...）
She closed her eyes, a touch of red floating in the dark.
That baby's eyes, and the tears on Chris' face...
(Why did I meet with Chris in such a cruel way - if we had met in different circumstances, or if one day we escape this fate...)
If so, what will happen...... Minerva did not know, but her chest was throbbing.
(...He - Chris with me, in the end that's what people do...)
A vivid memory came into her chaotic thoughts.
She remembered that moment, when Chris grasped her hand.
