I sat on the chair the Regent was in previously. If I had a pipe like he did, I would probably be smoking right now, grasping at any dopamine I could find. For the last thirty minutes, the Regent's offer had been on my mind, repeating in my head.
I leaned my elbow on the table, uncaring of etiquette, and held my face in it. I scruffled my short black hair and rubbed my eyes - habits I had when I was stressed. I had always been a bit of an anxious person, always thinking about every possibility, and now, better than ever, it was exemplified.
I stared down at the city from my window, which seemed to be on the top floor of a three-story mansion. Carriages moved back and forth in orderly fashion. Horses, which only the rich could afford, pulled them forward. But there were no people walking across the footpaths. Instead, the occasional patrol of soldiers with rifles could be seen moving in formation, patrolling the area.
Well, at least that wasn't a dream.
I was curious how the rest of the city looked outside the noble district - or if the news had spread at all beyond the walls. Suppression of information was quite common in the Empire, and now that the Inquisition was involved…
I doubt it's spread yet.
The fear of the Inquisition would be far too great for anyone to leak the information, or even speak about it outside an official setting. It was as if an all-seeing big brother was watching over your back - protecting you, but only if you played by his rules.
Recalling the Regent's serious look before, I had a premonition. I'd already guessed his game plan, and what I was supposed to respond with next.
He's going to put me to the test.
He was testing me, but for what reason, I had no clue. He mentioned he wanted someone in the shadows. Someone loyal to the Empire. Someone not tied to the Church.
And someone to protect Mary.
Maybe if I excel in the test, I can debate that last clause?
My original plan was to use Arthur's name to gain influence - to use that as my ticket to the Academy. But if I could fast-track that somehow, it would allow me to adapt better to the changes I'd already made.
I had changed too many things about the story. And yet, I couldn't help but feel slightly begrudged at the fact. The story fragments I remembered all happened in two years. It was too early, so I never had a clue that Mary would come here. In fact, it was stated she would have her ceremony in the capital.
But then the Regent decided that a political stunt would be his best bet.
So in conclusion - it was all his fault. But I had to accept what had happened, and adapt. If I wanted to control the other named characters, I had to get to the capital before they did. I needed to ensure they weren't influenced, like Mary now was.
One thing's for certain - she's not the same girl she would've been in two years.
I tried to be as cold as possible when it came to making rational decisions, but Mary's plight had struck a chord with me. What I had seen in that mansion was raw emotion — not the embodiment of evil she would eventually become.
Which made me wonder: what exactly happened in those two years to make her like that?
After all, two years was a long time. A lot could happen.
Suddenly, a realization hit me. Smacking my head, I felt annoyed at myself for forgetting such an important detail.
It's her eyes.
She was a Veilwalker - and one with Angel Eyes. Veilwalkers already had problems keeping their sanity. The Church would help her with that, help her deal with the voices, the visions, the beings she'd come into contact with. The more powerful she became, the more unimaginable horrors she'd see.
But the Church never accounted for the literal portals in her eyes.
I also got a headache thinking about it. Not just because I'd probably already experienced something due to my divinity - but because I had just realized how lonely Mary must have been. And to top off all the horrors she'd had to deal with...
She now has... me.
Gripping my head, I winced in mental pain. I felt like cursing fate, but didn't know if that would inadvertently be cursing Charlotte - so I held my tongue.
There was a reason I didn't like nobles. And it wasn't just because they were high and mighty. It was because the Veil had a way of affecting mental stability. There were ways to combat it, yes. But the effects of walking the thin line between reality and the Veil would always show eventually.
I now had a moral dilemma. One I wouldn't be able to solve here.
Should I protect Mary, like the Regent says? But then her route becomes unpredictable, and my plate becomes much fuller than before.
Or should I refuse - sever Mary and I's bond? But that could come back to bite me later, depending on how the Veil warps her mind in the future.
I could also become almost a teacher, help her stay sane. Maybe then, she wouldn't become such a major hassle in later chapters.
The answer was obvious, yet I didn't want to accept it. Not now. Especially since I hated being in the limelight. It was the last thing I wanted. Yet it almost felt like I had to rip the bandage off the metaphorical wound, and fast.
Suddenly, I heard the door open.
The Regent was back. He looked even more tired than before, yet his solemn expression never changed.
He saw me in the chair and slowly closed the door behind him. He stared at me for a couple of seconds before finally opening his mouth.
"Will you accept the responsibility? Just know, if you accept, there will be no turning back. If you refuse, you can leave with your head held high, and no more questioning from anyone. I can guarantee that."
Looking into his eyes, I ran the pros and cons in my head, searching for a way to say no. I tried to convince myself to decline — if not for my sake, then to keep the story in line.
But my need for power, knowledge - and unfortunately, my morals - refused the request.
With a long sigh, I slicked my hair back, leaning back in the chair and relaxing. I looked at the Regent with a more relaxed yet annoyed expression.
"You make it sound like I have a choice."
Without blinking, without a change in expression, the Regent replied in a flat tone.
"You do have a choice. It's a luxury most don't get."
Removing my annoyed expression, I stared at the ceiling, pretending to mull it over again. In reality, I had already made my decision.
"Fine. You've hooked me. I accept. And whatever the test is, give me at least another day of rest."
Sitting up, I looked the Regent in the eyes, taking this moment seriously.
His solemn face was replaced with a small smile. He leaned against the wall, pulled a pipe out of his pocket, and started smoking.
"Well, I'm quite thankful you agreed. Your deduction skills were correct. You didn't have a choice, not really. I would've killed you if you said no."
A twitch hit my brow. My eyebrow raised in both shock and irritation. I forced a smile.
"Well, that's just dirty now, isn't it? And why would you have to kill me?"
In response, the Regent chuckled softly, as if the whole exchange amused him. Keeping the pipe in his mouth, he reached into his pocket. What he said next hit me like a truck.
"Because you're a dark arcane user."
The shock was now visible on my face. I couldn't suppress it anymore. My brain froze as I prepared for the worst.
The Regent pulled a ring from his pocket. It looked painfully average. A pale white pearl adorned it. He slid it over his ring finger - and it started to glow.
The ring, which had been unmarked before, began to shift. The purple pearl slowly formed into an eye - blinking - imprinting itself on the band like a brand.
It felt like it was watching me.
But I didn't notice much. I was too consumed by a mix of horror and... relief.
That I wouldn't die today.
"And because I'm a-"
Because he's a-
My eyes began to throb, the same way they had when danger was close.
The ring's eye stared into me. Unblinking.
Inquisitor.
"Inquisitor."