Chapter 8 : Artifact

Priscilla remained silent, the faint aftertaste of semen still lingering in her mouth.

" …the artifact ? What artifact ? "

The term referred to ancient, powerful tools with devastating effects. Elbra possessed such an artifact ? How could she not know ? Léo wasn’t surprised by the princess’s reaction.

" I’d be surprised if you did know. It’s a secret even you wouldn’t be privy to. When Elbra was at the height of its power, back when it was even greater than my Empire, it possessed a magical artifact capable of controlling the weather ! "

No wonder she didn’t know. It dated back centuries. Even now, there was precious little information left from that era, just vague passages in old books.

Priscilla had never taken an interest in it because there was nothing to gain... at least, not until now.

" But one day, the artifact was shattered, or so it is believed, Prince Léo continued. It is currently split into three fragments. And we want the one held by Elbra. "

She understood. It all made sense. Yet, without confirmation, she couldn't be certain if it was true. If she had done all this for nothing... she would have every right to be furious.

Léo noticed her skeptical expression.

" You can simply go and verify it. I’m sure there are mentions of it in the King’s private library... . You’d best give me an answer soon, though. If you hurry, you can ask me more questions once you’re up to speed, tomorrow morning, before the negotiations. "

He was laying his cards on the table.

" After all... if you tell me where the fragment in Elbra is and hand it over, it’ll mean victory for Elbra. We’d have no further business with you, and I could easily ensure our Empire remains on good terms with yours. "

This was the way out, the real one ! Even without knowing for sure, she felt it was the truth, his true thoughts !

" Right... I'll check tonight... . "

It was already night ! She didn't have many hours left.

" That's a good choice. "

The prince left first. He was heading to his room. She couldn't just slip away immediately, once he was gone, she had to wait a few minutes. Her maid returned and began redoing her hair. Fortunately, she didn't look too disheveled.

She did her best to... .

" Just give me a long black cloak. I need to go out tonight. If anyone asks, say I'm here. "

" But, Princess... . "

She reassured her.

" Don't worry... nothing happened, and I'm not going to do anything reckless. I just need to go somewhere, that's all. "

" ...very well, Princess. "

It was all she could do or say. For the moment, Priscilla had more pressing matters. She knew the castle like the back of her hand, even in the dead of night, navigating the corridors was easy for her.

The rarest books are in the secret room at the end of the restricted wing. I can get past the first and second checkpoints, but I need the key, or the King's authorization. Luckily, I have this... .

She took the necklace from around her neck. It was a symbolic piece, but inside lay a key, a rather special one. A magical master key. It could open any door, and lock them, too. It was also a keepsake from her late mother.

Even her father didn't know what it could do... . Everyone needs their secrets, after all, and she had never used it for anything malicious. But when the time comes... it comes ! She moved lightly to the library, where the guards greeted her. It was unusual to see her there at such an hour, but they knew their princess to be a serious woman; she surely had a plan to help the Nation.

Inside, the library was quiet. No one was guarding the secret passageway, let alone the second door within, since no one else held the keys. Priscilla used her first key to open the initial door.

She double-checked that she was truly alone, watching out for a night-owl scholar or simply someone who enjoyed visiting at night.

" No one... . "

She walked to the far end and, this time, used her special key to open the second door. She closed it behind her. The secret room was tiny, no bigger than a small study, containing only a single shelf of books in wretched condition.

" The only ones I haven't really read... . "

She quickly began searching. Time was running out. But the fatigue was intense, too, her eyes kept trying to close. The exhaustion had set in right after her first time performing oral sex.

She ought to sleep and try to rest instead of staying up any longer. Even without saying it aloud, she wasn't in the best state of mind after that experience, which had been new, humiliating, and a bit bizarre all at once.

She ran her hand over her mouth, as if she could still taste the semen.

" Not here... not here... . "

Priscilla looked up.

" Maybe in the myths section. The artifact could be viewed as the stuff of legend and linked to supernatural phenomena, especially if it was an artifact that controlled the weather. "

So she grabbed the books, and sure enough, the accounts suddenly became more interesting. Even though the word " artifact " wasn't used, these stories about myths or phenomena were even more evocative.

" There ! The rumor of the ' Divine Word '. Legend had it that whenever the queen prayed for fair weather, the skies would clear, conversely, when rain was needed for the crops, it would fall. That has to be the artifact. They passed it off as some kind of divine oracle. "

Her eyes quickly scanned down to the bottom of the page.

" It doesn't say anything about how the artifact ended up in three pieces. Something must have happened. The only clue is... ' the Divine Word lies at the heart of the nation '. In short, the artifact is at the heart of the nation. What does that mean ? "

She couldn't confirm exactly what had happened, but something clearly had occurred, something that likely shaped Elbra into what it was today. She had had many enemies back then.

" Without that miraculous artifact... Elbra's strength was clearly diminished. "

Anyway... now she knew it was all true enough. She thought back to Prince Leo's words.

" He said there was a fragment in Elbra. How does he know that ? Right, the Empire must have obtained a fragment somehow. So... it’s possible that having one fragment allows them to pinpoint the approximate locations of the others. "

But not exactly, or else they wouldn't be here negotiating, they would have handled things more discreetly.

" The third fragment, too... . They can probably locate it. Now that I’ve confirmed all this, I do have questions. If I can hand over the fragment... I really do think I can get Elbra out of this mess. "

She wasn't close-minded, she hadn't just foolishly allied herself with Dila. She was considering other options to pull her country out of this god-awful situation.

" Right... let's get back to the prince quickly. I've spent too much time here. "

Outside, the sun was already rising !