Charmed [✔]

19.2 ▌A Charm or A Curse

Year 3988, 20th Day of the 9th Moon
Continent of Humana

THE BREATHTAKING view of the Mirror Manor in Lagoon City was another wonder Elise discovered. From the beginning of their trip till now, she was filled with all kinds of newfound curiosity while they traveled the lands of Humana.

The gate eventually slid open and a doll-like figure appeared.

"Welcome," Isabella greeted. She was dressed in a blue gown as pale as her eyes. Her hair was set free but not a single strand went astray.

"It's been a while, Isabella. Is Lord Ivannov around?" Aricson asked.

Isabella nodded and led them inside. The glass walls had a reflective surface that emulated the landscape. The paved footpath was customized in such beautifully arranged stones, complementing the colorful flowers around them.

A uniformed servant swung the door open. The whole place was the most modern building she had seen so far. Down from the minimalist paintings to the monochromatic scheme.

They went straight to the corridor and there was a huge painting occupying the whole wall at the end. It was a portrait of five people who were blessed with astounding visuals and there was one she could recognize.

She poked Aricson and whispered, "Is this Isabella's home?"

Aricson gave a short bob.

Her eyes immediately went to the small back in front of them. Faylinn had said Isabella's family was rich but Elise did not know they were this rich.

'She's truly perfect...'

They turned and Isabella twisted the knob. A middle-aged man who had striking blonde hair, more saturated than she had ever seen than it was almost a pure shade of yellow.

The man looked up with his azure eyes. It was the same man on the portrait outside. Isabella was still a child in the painting but this man's appearance had not changed.

"Have a seat," he said but those silver eyes were focused on her.

She and Aricson sat together on the couch while Isabella took the other armchair facing them.

"Is this her?"

"Yes. Elise, this is Lord Ivannov Glacier Aertian. Godfather, this is Elise."

"Nice to meet you, my lord," she said.

"Likewise," he returned before his lips straightened. "Seeing that you brought her here, you must trust her to listen to our conversation?"

Aricson only nodded.

"Ah, everyone becomes fools when they're in love and you're the prime example, boy. Nevertheless, impolite or not, we cannot let anyone outside the Association discuss the whereabouts of the Harbinger."

Elise visibly flinched in her seat but no one seemed to notice with the strange air looming over them.

'How can I forget?' She should be aware of her priorities but just a simple invitation for a date made her distracted from everything.

Maybe it was their limited time together that made her act this way. Or maybe she had been affected by this superfluous leisure world she had encountered these days when in fact, this whole place was holding red flags.

It followed the rule of the jungle where only the strongest could survive. She had remained in the safe haven of the isle but she was not too stupid to know that she was part of the weakest race.