As for Erika, she joined them the moment they arrived at the mansion—her face looking exhausted while rubbing her body covered in bruises from today''s extra practice. However, Katheryn looked just fine, not even a trace of tiredness.


    "They''ve gone?" n asked, hearing the door click shut and turning to his little niece with his eyes narrowed in a stern gaze. "We have to talk, Liana."


    "Uncle? What''s the matter, your face..."


    Liana usually found her uncle would never look at her with such an angry look, his lips pressed together and narrow eyes looking at her sharply.


    Did I do something wrong?


    She couldn''t help but feel vulnerable after discovering Ryuji''s hidden truth and epting his trust. Not only that, but he made her feel it was okay to ept the feelings growing inside her. Liana couldn''t help but show a small grin, her lips and cheeks loose from her happiness, despite n''s angry and conflicted face opposite her.


    "Is there something wrong with my face? I''m just a bit tired—I''ll be better after some rest."


    n sighed deeply before finally smiling sadly. "You can''t act that way. Princess Liana Girgor."


    The moment n spoke, his tone shifted to a more official and stiff tone, like when he spoke in the meetings inside the throne room, which caused Liana''s eyes to widen. Her hands, grasping the chair, tightened, letting her nails dig into the fabric while ck lightning arced from her body withunstable magic.


    "n! What is the meaning of this?" Liana cried out, unable to stop the vtile lightning surging from her body while her eyes darted around. She found Katheryn was no longer sitting beside her. Now, standing by the door with the same stern and cold eyes of judgment.


    "Liana! You know your position. How could you be so stupid!?" Katheryn shouted as she looked at her master with her hand ced over her heart like she was trying to force down the ache rising in her chest.


    "What are you two saying? I don''t understand!" Liana eximed with a shaky voice, her body trembling and her breathing getting faster as the panic settled in.


    "Princess, we''re sorry. But if we don''t report this, then." n began speaking, his expression full of sorrow as he dragged out a logo from his coat and mmed it on the table. The symbol of royalty trembled with a loud echo, the golden material shimmering in Liana''s eyes. "What do you think might happen to Ryuji if you keep those feelings and your rtionship secret?"


    "Ryuji?"


    "Yes, if Lord Ryuji was found out to be involved with you, wouldn''t he be the first target of the royals when they find out? After all, he is an easy target for themand their foul plots...


    Not to mention, his background and lineage are suspicious at best already." Katheryn exined with a sorrowful sigh as she leaned her head against the door and closed her eyes, a powerful sigh blowing from her lips.


    "No! n... Kathethyn, please. If they find out about Ryuji, then who knows what will happen to him? Please, I beg you, keep this a secret." Liana cried out in a shaky voice as she trembled in her seat while begging. Her face was slick with tears, which rolled down her cheeks and dripped onto the floor.


    "I''m sorry, princess, but that isn''t an option anymore..." n apologised, his eyes lowering in shame while his hands grasped into fists. "You''ve fallen in love with him, after all." His chest heaved as he ced both hands on the wooden table with a bang. "So we must speak with the king about this matter; otherwise, Ryuji will be a target as soon as the king finds out about it!"


    "No..." Liana mumbled softly, her lips parting slightly while her trembling hands rose to her chest and grabbed the edges of her dress with a tight grip. Her eyes lowered to the floor while she sniffled. "I will not allow it! Even if I must use this curse against you! If the royal family cannot control him, then his life will be in danger...


    and I will not let them!" Liana shouted while ck lightning rose from her body and surged outwards; the living bolts of lightning shimmered with a distorted sound.


    However, different from her usual outbursts. The power followed her movements, revolving around her arms, something that caused both n and Kathryn''s eyes to shine. It felt like the light of hope shone in this dark moment.


    "Liana, don''t be hasty. That magic isn''tplete or stable yet." n said, his body tensing up and ready to move if need be.


    "I don''t care! I have no other choice," Liana replied with a shaking voice and a trembling smile, her cheeks soaked with tears that dripped from her chin onto the carpet. The ck lightning seemed to form hands, identical to Ryuji. Though this lightning didn''t attack, but mimicked the way Ryuji wiped her tears.


    "He said it wasn''t a curse, that this is my power!" Liana screamed while looking at n and Katheryn with a frantic stare.


    "n!" Katheryn eximed, seeing how the two ck arms growing from Liana''s back were like two dark, wed hands protecting Liana while the flickers of lightning seemed to be her method of attacking others... Kathryn''s eyes transfixed on the scene unfolding in front of her.


    "Princess Liana, even if you defend yourself, I''m sure you have thought about it. What would happen to Ryuji if the Royal family found out about you two... Of course--"


    "I don''t care... I don''t care! If I have to fight against father, plead with mother!" Liana screamed while struggling to catch her breath as the mana surrounding her body became wilder. The ck lightning flickered through the air,shing out at the table and chairs, the dark gleam leaving scorch marks.


    Yet it didn''t resemble her previous magic, the magic that hurt her and the enemy. This strange transformation caused n to have hope, his lips trembling to avoid smiling, his small test to determine her feelings and their depth. He didn''t want to do this, but if it were a small crush, he would cut the thread between them now.


    However, If his beloved niece were serious, then n would support her. He would do all he could to convince his brother of the pair. "Princess Liana, we won''t say anything until you''re ready," n answeredafter a deep sigh.


    "n..." Liana mumbled. The ck lightning didn''t vanish the moment her face lit up with joy and a big grin while tears still ran down her cheeks.


    Instead, it became calm. The arcs of lightning flickered from her arms while the two dark, demonic arms wrapped around her chest as if hugging Liana protectively.


    It was like she manifested the power in this way, copying Ryuji''s aura and presence.


    "Liana is your magic under your control!?" n gasped, noticing that with her breathing, the arcs became more docile, almost like little lights dancing around her body.


    The enormous arms seemed to hover around her now that she stopped crying and upset.


    "Liana! Control it, stay calm..." n ordered the moment he saw the wild streaks of lightning that turned towards him and Kathryn.


    "I... can''t..." Liana struggled to speak, her breathing was heavy, and her eyes unfocused. But she bit her tongue, a look of agony on her face before she moved the arms. They grasped the ck lighting, and a mystical thing happened.


    The ck arms could gather her lightning energy and form a small ball of lightning within their palms.


    "Remember how Ryuji hugged you like an idiot, oblivious to how your dangerous magic flowed into him!"


    "But I... can''t... it''s... different..." Liana grunted.


    She struggled to force down the overwhelming desire to release all the power as the tiny, dark arms brought the orb to her face. The glistening purple orb looked beautiful. They pulsated with the power of lightning inside, making it feel dangerous.


    "Then close your eyes. What did Ryuji do when you were scared or upset?" n questioned quickly as he remained cautious of the lightning arcing around Liana''s body, the arms hovering around her with two balls of lightning in their palms.


    "I..." Liana closed her eyes. She thought of Ryuji''s scent, the feel of his body against hers, the deep tone of his voice when he epted her lightning into his body constantly. The warm hand on her head when he called her name, his gentle fingers wiping away her tears. The way he held her close and epted her despite her curse...


    The feelings she wanted to protect were the ones that caused the lightning to transform.


    A beautiful flicker of light flowed from her body as the mana dispersed,and Liana slumped in her chair exhausted, but this time... when the arms vanished, only a small jolt of lighting that flickered from her body and a strong smell of burnt leather remained.


    n looked at her with a wide smile, a tender gaze in his eyes as he nodded towards the chair she was sitting in.


    "That''s not a curse, but your magic Liana... Your grandmother and my sister were the same, born from a bloodline of witches" He chuckled cheerfully.


    "But to think... that damn boy stole your heart. I guess I will speak to my brother and make sure he doesn''t overreact. Kathryn, you saw he is the key to her awakening fully as a witch, make sure nothing happens to them. Okay?"


    "We have to investigate him..." She added, but n red at her, and before she could react, a heavy magical aura forced Kathryn to her knee, causing her mouth to gasp, unable to speak as if something grasped her throat.


    "You will not do anything of the sort. Ryuji is my friend, and I will not allow any rude actions. If he wishes to tell me, I will listen, but I shall never force or sneak in the shadows to learn his secrets." n''s eyes looked terrifying for the knight as her eyes darted away from his gaze, her body trembling, unaware of n having this much power.


    "Now go!" n waved his hand dismissing Katheryn from his sight and gaze before he turned his attention to his niece.


    "n... you..." Liana whispered weakly.


    "I guess, this time, your magic was not only because you were scared but also the way you felt for Ryuji. Don''t worry, Uncle will shoulder all the burden and let you enjoy yourself until you arepletely sure how you feel."


    He gave a slight smile, his lips barely curling upwards, while closing his eyes, thinking back to his sister''s warning...


    "Ryuji is dangerous; if you approach him without an honest intention, our family will perish."