Re: The Villainess Does It With Class

The atmosphere inside the hall shifted again as silence pervaded the room. I was like a criminal awaiting judgment and this was the day of my trial. In a way, it is. But instead of being an indiscriminate felon, I was being judged whether I'm a saint or not.

Surely, displaying my anima is not enough reason to call me a saint, right? There are other ways to attest to that. Anyway, what are the characteristics of a saint? How would you know someone is a saint?

I was proven correct because the emperor started evaluating me again.

"To be able to conjure an anima, your potential to be strong is apparent." 

The emperor has a positive expression at the moment, the same with Ezekiel and the empress who looked excited.

For the second time, a blush crept to my face. I'm used to being praised but coming from the mouth of the emperor and in front of fairly powerful people, it's kind of embarrassing. 

The emperor raised his hand which was a signal for Ezekiel to come forward. In his hands was a brocade box with intricate patterns inlaid on its body. Just the appearance of the box alone was enough for me to know that whatever was inside it, must be very precious.

Ezekiel stopped in front of me, though not blocking the sights of the people behind him. He smiled as he held the box steadily while I peered at him with nervous eyes.

Are they giving it to me? 

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Ezekiel then opened the lid and so I saw what was the content of the brocade box. It was a jagged crystal, as big as my palm, or even more. The color was blue-violet and something was glowing inside, albeit faintly. Up close, the energy it was emitting could be felt that my anima would even stir in response to it. But it's more out of curiosity than anything else.

I looked at my cousin and then to the emperor in inquiry, wondering what this crystal is for. 

"This is called 'The Heart of Luminus', a magic artifact. It is believed that using this, the saint could talk to the God Luminus and hear his voice," his bright eyes were unwavering as it bored on me, growing more and more serious as he went on.

The heart of Luminus?

I looked at the crystal again and gulped. I knew it was something precious but this is heavier! 

"I want you to touch it and tell us what you feel." 

The pressure before was even more pressing now. It doesn't take a genius to easily understand what they want me to do or expect to happen. They want to test whether I truly am the saint in the texts with this artifact.

My eyes zeroed on the crystal, seemingly fascinated. With a glance, I got the emperor's permission and stretched my hand. At first, I was thinking of taking it out of the box but I don't trust my clumsiness so I digressed.

Touch it, that's enough. 

I could hear them holding their breaths which make this process even more nerve-wracking than it already is. The pressure is high in this room!

As soon as I touched it, the crystal glowed more brightly but not to the point that it would blind anyone. The light inside just got more intense than usual but it already made everyone anticipate with unabated breath, focusing on me unblinkingly. Even the indifferent Lukas was curious.

After a short while, I finally withdrew my hand. 

"I'm sorry," I sighed.

The emperor's brows furrowed.

"Sorry?"

"I didn't feel anything," I honestly divulged.

I waited longer to see if something would happen but there was nothing. I was even waiting if I would hear a worldly voice echoing in my head but nope. 

Hearing my testimony, the faces of both the emperor and empress fell. Ezekiel looked disheartened seeing that his expectation was crushed. Looking at them like this, also affected me in a way.

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, guys. 

This means I'm not the saint, right?

I don't know but having the possibility that I won't be, makes me happy. The title of a saint is just a big of a burden, honestly. And I do think I'm not suited to the task. I'm not holy at all!

"You don't have to apologize. It seems that we were too hasty in our judgments." 

The emperor offered a sincere smile. He was disappointed but he really can't do anything about it anyway. In any case, he is still amiable and excited.

"But having a new magician is already a great honor to the empire." The empress added to appease me, probably.

"I heard you are still not attuned, do you want to know your magic type?"

My eyes went bright after hearing what the emperor said. I could do that?

Seeing my enthusiasm, the emperor curled his lips and beckoned me.

"Come closer."

I didn't even have to think twice and eagerly went to him. Heck, if he could make me understand my magic then I would gladly take this opportunity, thank you very much!

The emperor raised his right palm and I looked at it inquisitively. 

This… Is he telling me to take his hand? Am I allowed to touch the emperor?!

I know it is an invitation but I can't help but be scared silly and I'm sure it showed on my face because I heard Ezekiel laugh at the side.

"You don't have to be afraid, Nadia. Emperor father can measure one's affinity with his appraisal skill." 

Even with his explanation, I was still a little awkward. 

Just for everyone's information, I haven't held anyone's hand except for one unscrupulous bastard who likes taking advantage of people.

Plus this is the emperor.

The empress smiled at me warmly, motioning at me to be at ease and go for it. 

Well, whatever. Let's just get this over with. Not to mention, who could say that they have held the emperor's hand without offending the law? Not me.

With a bland expression, I slowly put my own hand atop the emperor's, oh so carefully. I wasn't sure where to look either so I just stared at my foot and occasionally peeks at the emperor to see his reaction.

I felt him freeze but I didn't dare to look. But it sure upped my anxiety.

"What's wrong?" I heard the empress ask.

Uh-huh? What's wrong?

"Your majesty?" Even my father had to probe him as well.

I chose this moment to look at him, withdrawing my hand as well.. I saw his confused expression, with thick brows almost joining together on one line. He then stared at me in a mixture of doubt and… astonishment?