175: Do Not Use Your Magic

Do Not Use Your Magic

"Yes," Yorian replied. "The magic power of witches has only two attributes: light and darkness. Along with their alignment, two factions are formed within your race: the White Witches and the Black Witches. Martha is a White Witch, while you are a Black Witch who holds the power of darkness attribute."1

"Black Witch…black magic…" she mumbled in disbelief. "But black magic…it's bad…"

"Again, a misconception. Is daylight bad? Is nighttime bad? Magic is the same. How can anyone generalize a gift born of nature? It all depends on a person how they use their powers," Yorian said. "To me, you look like a good person."

"But…" Oriana was stumped in shock and confusion. Her mind was swimming with countless questions, but one question mattered more than anything else. "Does that mean… I can never prepare medicine for Grandpa?" 

Yorian remembered the talk between Oriana and Martha. "You can. You just need to learn to control the power of darkness inside you. You need someone to teach you."

"Who can teach me?" She looked hopefully at Martha. 

"I can guide you, but I am a low-ranked witch, not to mention our attributes are different. You need a powerful Black Witch to guide you."

Oriana looked at the witch and the elf in front of her like a lost child, to which Yorian answered, "Do not worry. We will find a way."

She nodded and said, "Umm, about this talk…"

"Rest assured. No one will know."

Oriana awkwardly cleared her throat. "If I am a witch then you two must know my gender."

This caused Yorian to chuckle. Martha hurriedly explained, "There are male witches as well, though there are very few of them. They are called 'warlocks'."

"But don't worry. Your secret will be safe with us," Yorian remarked, confirming that they had discovered her real gender. "You can continue with your work as is."

"Thank you."

"I also want you to make a promise."

"What?"

"Do not try to use your magic on your own. Unless there is really a need, do not use it."

"I will keep that in mind."

"Good. You can leave now." Yorian said. Oriana did not forget to thank the elf and the witch again and again, and only after she left did Martha face Yorian.

"Is that child our new Queen, my Lord?"

"It is indeed her. However, it is best we not tell her yet. She is not even aware of what she was an hour ago. Imagine her shock when we tell her she has the ability to command an entire race."

"I understand."

"But we have to keep watch on her. She is being hidden from her own kind. I smell a scheme. I stopped her from using her powers because it can give away her whereabouts to the rest of your kind. I am not sure what exactly is going on for such an important person like the Queen of Witches herself to be wandering in the human kingdom like a nobody. Every young witch should at least belong to a coven to be educated by a senior witch, am I right?"

"If only Her Eminence was here…"

Yorian nodded. "As the last generation's Queen, Evanthe must be related to the scheme surrounding your new Queen's birth. I could feel Evanthe's essence on the seal mark on that child's neck."

"Shall I send a message to Agartha? We are not sure when Her Eminence will return."

"Do so. Till then, we will keep an eye on this child."

An absent-minded Oriana left the mansion housing the delegation of Megaris. Her hazel eyes flickered with thoughts, not paying attention to her surroundings. Fortunately, the patrolling guards and passing servants recognized her uniform and did not stop to interrogate her. 

Countless questions flooded her mind— about herself, her true identity, and the secret of her parents.

A witch.

She was a witch.

She wasn't human to begin with, and as she combed her memories of her childhood, she suspected that being a witch was the main reason why her grandfather made her hide her real gender and why they had been always on the run. 

'When I return, I should ask Grandpa the truth…I can't remain ignorant forever, can I?'

By the time Oriana returned to the guest mansion for the delegates of Griven, she learned that her master was in the study with the King of Megaris. 

"Orian, good timing. Bring this to the study," Neil said as he handed over the tray of freshly brewed tea. Oriana accepted the tray, forced to set aside her distracted thoughts. 

The study was on the first floor of that mansion so she carried it upstairs.

Arlan and Drayce were standing by the window, from where they could see the newly arrived delegation from another kingdom moving towards one of the guest mansions in that vast palace complex. The grand royal carriages, the knights in white-maroon uniforms, and their flags with a giant crest of a white tiger indicated which kingdom they belonged to. 

The Kingdom of Thevailes.

"Finally, your dearest friend is here, Dray," Arlan said, laughing in sarcasm.

Drayce's eyes narrowed at a particular carriage.

Arlan continued, "You have to be careful in case he brought that witch with him. You have to look after your wife."

"I can't sense the presence of any other Black Witch here," Drayce spoke as his eyes continued to follow that carriage leaving their sights. 

Arlan caught something strange in his friend's sentence. "Any other Black Witch? Is there anyone already here?" 

Drayce realized what he had said but kept his calm. "I misspoke. I meant, witches in general. You must have already sensed Seren's nanny, Martha, as well as her personal servant, Marie."

"Oh. I thought there was already a Black Witch in this palace. If there is, we should go capture her and deal with her right away. Even if it's not Zaria herself, we can ask her what their side is scheming. After all, I don't believe they don't have a purpose for moving the summit to Othinia."

Drayce simply nodded and watched his friend turning to look at the door of the study. Arlan did not realize it, but his gaze was eager to see the person approaching them, as if he had not seen her for a long time. 

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