Life After Reborn as Twisted Heroine

I looked around and found myself surrounded by pit-black darkness.

Why is it dark…? Where am I? Didn't I faint after arguing with Shilien and being escorted back to my room? Then what about my—?

"Yes, indeed. Your second EMBLEM has awakened."

A soft yet resonant voice echoed, as though it came from every direction and nowhere at once. It finished my sentences in my mind.

"Who's there?" I asked, my voice sharp and demanding.

No answer came, only the sound of something like the faint clinking of chains in the void.

"With this… It is only a matter of time before the second chain of shackles is broken…" said the mysterious voice again.

I couldn't recognize if it was the tone or the words that were foreign, yet somehow eerily familiar to me.

"The second chain of shackles? What do you mean?"

Then the darkness began to dissolve slowly, like shadows retreating from dawn's first light.

"Wait, answer me!" I pressed, but there was still no response. Frustration simmered within me as I opened my eyes abruptly and found myself returning to my room.

I turned toward the ornate clock on the wall; it was nearly three in the morning. My heartbeat thundered as I sank back into the bed. The cold stone walls starkly contrasted with the oppressive void I had just experienced.

"It was just… a dream?"

I looked at the ceiling. The sensation of the dream… The mysterious voice still oddly lingered as if it had imprinted itself on my very soul.

***

The next morning, the entire palace was abuzz with rumors about my altercation with Shilien. Fueled by the servants who had heard our dispute, words spread like wildfire. Even breakfast in the dining room was a tense event with everyone staring at me.

Usually, I didn't care about it. But if my reputation became tarnished because of something I didn't do. I couldn't just sit and do nothing when people kept talking behind my back!

"Princess, His Majesty is waiting for you after your meal."

I glanced at Owen who came and informed me.

"Alright, Owen."

Shortly after the meal, Anna escorted me to the King's chamber. Owen followed closely, his steady presence both reassuring and suffocating. My pulse quickened with each step, though I forced my face to remain impassive.

When the chamber doors opened, I froze. The King sat regally on his chair, his sapphire eyes fixed on me. Beside him stood figures I recognized all too well: Duke Argenti, Marquess Lazarro, and Ixius Falgria. But my gaze caught on the last person present.

Ren? What's he doing here?

"Greetings, Your Majesty, Duke Argenti, Marquess Lazarro, Master Ixius…" I greeted, my voice softer than intended.

"Sit," the King commanded, gesturing to the empty seat beside Ren.

Reluctantly, I obeyed, the tension in the room thick enough to choke on.

"Now," the King began, his tone unreadable, "can you explain what happened yesterday, Luna?"

My hands clenched in my lap as I recounted the events leading to my second EMBLEM's awakening. Of course, I carefully omitted certain details… There's no need to divulge how bitterly I had lashed out at Shilien, right? Even so, Duke Argenti's sharp gaze suggested he had guessed the full story.

"So," the King summarized, "your second EMBLEM awakened during your altercation with Shilien?"

"That could be possible, Your Majesty," Owen interjected. "The Princess's HEAT EMBLEM also emerged during a moment of heightened emotion during her training with me."

The room fell silent for a moment as the weight of Owen's words settled.

"And what do you think, Master Falgria?" the King asked, his gaze shifting to the royal wizard.

"This development is… highly unusual, Your Majesty," Ixius admitted, stroking his beard. "To awaken a second EMBLEM so soon after the first… It exceeds the limits of ordinary magical talent."

"I suppose it's not so surprising," Duke Argenti interjected, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "DARK is the ancestral element of the Argenti bloodline. Clearly, the Princess carries it strongly within her veins."

"Then why am I here, Your Majesty?" Marquess Lazarro's voice broke through the discussion, his expression tight. "What does this have to do with my son?"

Ixius turned to Ren, his tone measured. "Because your son has experienced something similar, Marquess. Isn't that right, William?"

Ren flinched, his pale skin betraying a faint blush. "I… have," he admitted softly.

My breath caught as I stared at Ren in disbelief.

Ren… Don't tell me you told Master Ix and the King about your LIGHT EMBLEM!?

"Is it true, Young Master Lazarro?" Ixius pressed. "You've awakened your second EMBLEM?"

"Yes," Ren said, avoiding my gaze.

A rush of emotions surged through me: shock, confusion, and… a twinge of betrayal.

He promised to keep it a secret! What if these people know about his ability to cast a translucent spell? Our situation is going to get worse!

Ixius shook his head, a rare flicker of unease crossing his face. "These two… Their abilities are beyond reason, even for someone of my expertise. Your Majesty, I fear I am unqualified to train them further."

"What!?" Ren and I exclaimed simultaneously.

Ixius's words hung heavy in the air. How could the grand sorcerer of the kingdom claim such a thing?

The King raised his hand, silencing us. "Then what do you suggest, Master Falgria?"

"I propose sending both of them to a magic academy, Your Majesty," Ixius said. "There, they can study under a variety of specialized instructors and develop their talents fully. Such prodigious abilities require more than one teacher can provide."

A magic academy? Does such a place truly exist in this kingdom?

The King frowned. "Master Falgria… Are you certain there's no other way? The palace has many capable sorcerers—"

"Your Majesty," Ixius interrupted, his voice grave, "with the Magnotech envoy in the capital, we cannot risk their presence being discovered. Sending them away is the safest course of action, for them and the kingdom."

Magnotech. Again, that name. Why does it always loom over us like a storm cloud?

The King exchanged a long glance with Duke Argenti and Marquess Lazarro. Unspoken thoughts passed between them before the King finally turned to me.

"Y-Your Majesty… Father…" I called out to the King.

"Yes, Luna?"

"What about… Mother's condition?" I asked, curious.

"Shilien… She has not regained consciousness," the King sighed before answering abruptly, his voice heavy.

"What?" My heart clenched. "Why?"

"It seems that when your EMBLEM awakened, you drained all her mana. And now, she's experiencing severe exhaustion," Ixius explained.

I froze, the weight of Ixius's words crashing down on me. I had drained Shilien's mana…? But… she was the one who had attacked me first.

"You needn't concern yourself with her, Luna," the King said, his tone dismissive.

"Indeed," Duke Argenti added with a faint chuckle. "If she lost her power to you, it only proves her inadequacy as an Argenti."

My hands trembled with rage. "Grandfather," I said, my voice low. "How can you speak of her that way? She's your daughter!"

"Oh? What's this?" The Duke smirked. "Now you're concerned about her? I thought you hated her."

"I do," I snapped. "But I never wished for her death!" My voice cracked, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "No matter how cruel she's been to me… if her condition worsens because of what I've done, I could never forgive myself!"

The room fell silent. For a moment, even Duke Argenti's smirk faded.

Shilien… Despite everything, I didn't want to become the kind of person who would take her life. I refused to let the Luna D'Emeralia of Twilight's Chronicle define who I was in this life!