~Aurora~

　　It was bothersome. The expressions on their faces…it was bothersome.

　　Their eyebrows were crushed into each other. They were looking at themselves, but not one gaze was thrown towards me. The prophetic words were that, and just that. I couldn't hear anything else, because in that short span of time, we all were knocked out of our senses.

　　"There is a King above All…"

　　What did it mean?

　　As the seconds ticked by, there was this unexplained, unsettling feeling growing inside the pits of my stomach. I was gravely dreading the look that they were giving me…

　　"I don't think I will like anything that you want me to hear at this moment forth…" My words were as clear as day. But it turns out…that they Indeed did not care about how I would feel. They wouldn't have an idea themselves, over how badly I'd be affected by their verdict.

　　"The King above All…must have been the person who was involved in your life as well. Isnt it?" I nodded my head at them. I think I know where this is going…

　　"The only King above All that you have interacted with, have had a colloquial relationship with…is Prince Emeric."

　　I shut my eyes tightly at their words. There is no way that Emeric would be the one behind my parents' murder. Now, it is certain and predictable that it was nothing but a murder. A person who is King above All is involved!

　　"Emeric…I mean Prince Emeric cannot be involved in this. I know he isn't the one behind it—"

　　Why was I denying the accusation? Why was I trying to defend Emeric?

　　"Aurora, don't you realize he had a reason for his sudden appearance at their funeral? Without missing a heartbeat, he had made a decision to involve you in the trials. He was trying to distract you from being involved in the case! Don't you see how treacherous he's always been!?" As the first Elder spoke…my shoulders slumped against my body. I looked…defeated.

　　I even felt defeated.

　　Everything was unfolding around me at an unimaginable pace, I don't think I can take it anymore!

　　"I know you are trying to deny it, Aurora. But it is what it is. There is no King above All that was directly involved in your life. He who is a ruler of a kingdom and the Supreme leader of the werewolf-lycan alliance.

　　Prince Emeric…"

　　I bit down on my lip. I was trying to process everything that was happening to me. Once again, the world has been nothing but cruel to me. Once again, this rotten world filled with greed and power was trying to press me down and humble me. It was reminding me…that I was powerless.

　　"Aurora…" I didn't notice the low growls that I was letting spill out of my chest, until I was called out for my behavior by the elders. I was scaring them, because I was snarling my teeth and fangs were growing out of me. I couldn't hear Maia, who was inside my host body either!

　　I just couldn't face the betrayal which came from all directions possible!

　　At this very moment, I would not even feel a shred of surprise if I got to know that Odin was trying to betray me as well! He is the only person - close enough to gain my complete trust - who hasn't shown any signs of treachery.

　　"Aurora…you need to go back to your room. Calm yourself down. We have a lot to talk about and things to handle. The situation is out of our hands.

　　Huffing and puffing, I held my hands into tight fists and stormed out of the room. I was glad that no one had dared to cross paths with me as I walked to my room. I was filled with nothing but rage and anger!

　　If Emeric was truly the one who was the mastermind behind my parents' death, he must also be the one who initiated the betrayal in Torin's mind!

　　Oh no…where am I even doing with my head? I was trying to get myself more angry at him.

　　However…As I thought about it all…the events were falling right into place. Like puzzle pieces.

　　He was not even interested in me in the beginning of the Trials. But soon, his feelings started to develop drastically and frantically. It was all about him trying to care for me…in other words, gain my trust. His intention must have been to blind me with his love, as I'd never even guessed in my life that he was the villain in my story.

　　I had my own doubts against him. Again. I felt embarrassed because I genuinely, truly loved him!

　　What did he do to me in the end anyway…?

　　Blind me…betray me…

　　This was getting too overwhelming for me. I needed to sleep this away. Or I'd never see the light of the next day. All I'd see is darkness in my life.

　　Haven't I endured enough!? Have I not suffered enough just to prove to the world that I am what I am!? Their acceptance was all that I needed. But still…they had the heart to go over me and run all over me. Like I was dirt under their shoes.

　　Blaming myself with derogatory words, I sunk into the pillow and cried. After all, I am a person with feelings. Even if I am a leader, I still have feelings. Which have been hurt terribly at the moment.