The Weight of a Secret

Thump!

Stella tucked the photo frame into the drawer with lightning speed, her fluid movements leaving a mere afterimage.

“Stella, what you just put away seemed to be…”

“It wasn’t.”

Stella denied it, her face grim. She stood up and turned, her icy-blue pupils seeming to pierce one’s very soul, as if to erase what Eveming had witnessed.

“Your sister’s photo frame?”

“I said it wasn’t!”

“But I saw it during the day. Della was supposed to take it for repairs, and he even borrowed tools from you. Could Della and you be…”

“Ah… Eveming, you know too much.”

Stella no longer bothered to hide her threat. Her aura shifted abruptly, startling Eveming, who immediately glanced toward the door.

Run! Move, you useless legs!

However, before Eveming could even command her body to move, Stella pounced, pinning Eveming’s hands behind her back and pressing her down onto the bed.

“Ugh! Help me!”

Eveming screamed, hoping to attract attention. Yet, a faint curve appeared on Stella’s lips; she was in no hurry to silence the Saintess.

Several desperate calls brought no aid, and Eveming’s heart pounded faster. She felt Stella’s gaze upon her, a predatory stare like a lion surveying its territory, spotting weak prey in the dead of night.

“Done shouting? Go on, keep shouting. I was just wondering how well my soundproofing barrier works.”

“Stella, what are you trying to do? I am the Saintess of the Sochi Holy Kingdom. You cannot treat me like this.”

“True, this isn’t enough. I should secure you firmly in my grasp.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

A terrible premonition seized Eveming. Knowing the dangers of mind-control magic, she couldn’t help but suspect Stella might be planning to brand her with a mental imprint, or even a slavery contract.

“Eveming, you wouldn’t want the Pope to discover you sneaking out at night to play, using the excuse of an inspection to stay out, all while secretly badmouthing the Holy Teachings, would you? If the Pope knew, I imagine your education would become far more severe.”

“How do you know all of that?!”

Eveming’s pupils trembled. How could Stella know so much about her? Even if she was working with Della, the amount of private information they knew felt like an invasion.

“Don’t guess. If you don’t mention this to anyone, I will keep your secrets buried deep within my heart.”

Stella whispered into Eveming’s ear, a mix of warning and threat. Pinned down, Eveming pursed her lips.

“I won’t say anything… I’ll forget everything I saw! Just let me go.”

“How can you forget what you’ve seen? I need you to bury this deep in your heart, and never speak of it to anyone else.”

Stella pressed a finger against Eveming’s lips. Tears welled in Eveming’s eyes from fear. The closer she gazed into Stella’s eyes, the more she felt the illusion of being swallowed by an unfathomable, icy-blue abyss.

This was no mere mind-control magic; Stella was far more terrifying than that.

By day, she was a soft, doting younger sister, showering her elder sister with affection. By night, she was a secretive, assertive young lady. Did Stella have a dual personality?

Eveming’s mind was a tangled mess. Stella saw that her threat had worked but felt it wasn’t enough. She needed the Saintess to maintain absolute secrecy, regardless of whether she suspected Della’s connection to her.

“Don’t you have many questions? I’ll tell you.”

“No, I don’t want to know anymore.”

Eveming shook her head like a rattle, but Stella wouldn’t tolerate her resistance.

“Shut up. It’s too late now. Listen to me,” Stella commanded, pinching Eveming’s chin. Her eyes were captivating, leaving the vulnerable Eveming no choice but to passively accept.

“Remember this: I only act for my sister, whether it’s a good deed or an evil one. You are not to reveal a single word of mine to her!”

“Why? Shouldn’t good deeds be…”

“You don’t need to know. If one day I am willing to tell you, then perhaps I will have been saved.”

Stella’s tone conveyed a longing for a distant future. Eveming, for once, sensed an emotion beyond mere threat. She tried to reassure herself.

Perhaps Stella has a secret burden. As long as I keep quiet, I’ll be fine. As long as I protect this secret, I’ll be safe.

“I understand. I swear to the Goddess, I will keep this secret.”

“Swear to me, not to that ephemeral goddess.”

“Uh, yes! I swear to you, Stella.”

“Excellent. From now on, Eveming, we are two grasshoppers tied to the same rope.”

Stella finally released Eveming. Eveming tugged at her loosening nightgown strap, her heart still pounding as she struggled back to a sitting position.

“Eveming, do you have anything else you want to say or ask?”

“No…”

“Then you may go. Good night. I hope this won’t give you nightmares.”

“I… I suppose not.”

Eveming turned, offering a forced smile. She stood up, her steps a little unsteady, clearly still shaken.

To just let the Saintess go like this… No, since I’ve already threatened her, I should offer some benefits.

Stella considered it carefully, then decided to call out to Eveming.

“Wait.”

“Uh, is there something else, Stella?”

Eveming turned back weakly, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape route.

“I promised to lend the Sochi Holy Kingdom barrier magic artifacts. On top of that, I personally want to give you a few more high-power offensive magic artifacts. A once-in-a-century monster invasion cannot be repelled by defense alone.”

“Offensive magic artifacts? Are you serious? You’re really going to lend us more?”

A flicker of light appeared in Eveming’s eyes; she seemed to have heard something incredible.

Offensive magic artifacts were exceptionally difficult to refine. Moreover, the Candace family’s collection predominantly featured items from Grand Archmages, whose inherited magic artifacts possessed unimaginable power.

“I mean what I say. Since we’ve decided to keep this secret together, I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Stella looked directly into Eveming’s eyes, indicating there was no need for deception.

“You’re worried about me.” Eveming covered her mouth, feeling her heart beat even faster, clearly stirred by Stella’s unexpected concern.

“It’s not just worry. Though it might be sacrilegious to the Sochi Holy Kingdom’s prophecy, the scale of the monster invasion will be far greater than you imagine. As the Saintess, you have the right to make your seers re-examine their prophecies. Don’t assume that successfully withstanding a few early signs of invasion means you’ve mastered it.”

Stella simply spoke her piece. Eveming suddenly felt a mysterious veil drape over Stella; she seemed to be privy to internal matters of the Sochi Holy Kingdom as well.

“Thank you. I will definitely speak with the Pope when I return.”

“Thank me? Heh, don’t forget what I just did to you either. And don’t tell anyone else.”

Stella gave a warning glance. Eveming quickly left the room, not daring to look back.

Once certain Eveming had departed, Stella deactivated the soundproofing barrier. She called out.

“Cynthia, come in.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Why the long face? I have something to tell you.”

“Ah? Please command, Miss!”

Cynthia straightened her back, looking reinvigorated.

“Tomorrow, hang the banner I customized at the manor entrance. And prepare all the necessary ingredients for the banquet.”

“Eh? Miss, your father and mother haven’t returned yet.”

“No, they’re arriving soon.”