Second Life's Revenge

He held her wrist tight as he walked into the break room, then closed the door after Laura entered as he sighed out loud. Sometimes he wonders why she does the most reckless things. If she were someone who had no title and went against those nobles, her head might be cut off by now. Sometimes he wished he had the magic to see what's she's doing all the time.

"What do you think are you doing?" Erwin asked as he released her wrist. As he brushed his hair backward, he continued, "If that servant had not bumped into me, I wouldn't have known what was happening here."

Laura slightly lowered her head and avoided meeting his eyes. But it's her fault for not reading the rules. She simply wanted to teach that noble lady that not everything will go as she pleases. At least the people who were in the store were kind enough not to fight back even if some of them were nobles.

"Erwin, it's her fault. I'm just teaching her a lesson. You do know the goal of this shop, right?" Laura asked as she finally looked up, meeting his light blue eyes. He bit the bottom of his lip since there was nothing he could do.

"I understand. But you didn't have anyone to protect you. Just be careful next time. I get worried about you," Erwin said as he looked away, feeling flustered. At the same time, Laura laughed at him for being flustered at his own words.

"Anyway. I'll be assigning someone as your personal guard. You have no right to decline as this is an order."

"Okay, if His Grace says so," Laura played along. She touched the tip of his silver hair. She noticed that his hair grew longer, but it fits him even more than his short hair did.

"What is it?"Erwin asked as he held the retreating hand of Laura. Who slightly blushed from his sudden touch. Laura muttered, "Nothing. I better get back to work if you do not have any more to say to me." Erwin released her hands once more then opens the door for her.

"Wait after you close your shop. We need to discuss some important matters," Erwin said as he blocked Laura from getting out of the room. Laura tilted her head but not questioning anything as she nodded her head and forced her way out.

Time passes by quickly, and without realizing the sky was turning dark. Laura looked at the empty shop and couldn't be any happier with the progress. All that's left is advertising. If other nobles ladies start coming here, it would be great news. But the only problem would be if another self-entitled customer would appear.

Laura was about to grab the broom that was placed inside the break room however was stopped by Serena, who suddenly pushed her out of the store. In confusion, Laura turned her back to look at the store and by the glass door. There stood Serena and the other employees waving their hands and signaling her to turn around.

She followed what they said, and when she turned around, she saw Erwin, leaning onto a post lamp while smirking. She looked at him, shaking her head with her friend's nonsense thinking, 'how did they even know about this?' It's not like they planned this, did they?

Walking towards the silver-haired man, Laura asked, "Was this planned?" She laughed softly as the silver-haired man answered, "Perhaps, since you probably would've ended up forgetting about this sudden plan."

Agreeing with what Erwin said, Laura nodded her head in a questioned expression and couldn't deny it. It was true she forgot about their meeting tonight. To think that the important matter slipped out of her head, she felt kind of bad.

"You are a workaholic after all," Erwin laughed and placed his hand on her head. While smiling, he said, "Good job for today. Now to regain your strength. Let's go eat some chocolate mousse." In an instant, Laura turned to look at Erwin with a questioned expression once more. Since when did this guy know about that?

"I know everything about you," He gave a wink at her, earning a slap on the shoulder. While walking away from him, Laura spoke, "Aren't we going? Isn't there a more important matter for you to tend to?"

"Yes, yes. Don't be so excited. It's like your much more excited to eat than see me." Erwin said playfully.

"Well you are not wrong," Laura agreed. 

"Plus, I will always have time for you. You're my important matter," Erwin added nonchalantly, making Laura choke in laughter, and Erwin laughed out loud as they made their way to the shop.

The door to the shop opened, and Erwin signaled the store manager something Laura didn't understand and was escorted to a private room. So this important matter was that important. Not only that, but Laura had a hunch it was related to Tine and about the test.

The store manager opened the door, and there another man was sitting on the chair in a daze. He didn't notice the door opening as for both they sat on the chair. Erwin cleared his throat, grabbing the man's attention, who apologized for dazing.

For His Highness, Prince Winston to daydream was very unusual. It looks like this is really an important matter. Maybe something to do with Tine. Who Laura has been keeping an eye on. 

"I'm sorry to call when you are in such a busy time," Prince Winston apologizes then continued on with a serious tone, "Tine has been bothering me with her funds, and I do not wish to help her any further. I think it's about time I tell you, Laura."

Prince Winston looked at Erwin asking for permission, and he nodded his head. Then they looked back at Laura. But before he could speak, he took deep breaths then said, "It's about why I decided to agree to be engaged with Tine. I do not know how she obtained this secret. But it is something only the royal family should know."

"But why tell me?" Laura asked with a confused face. She looked at Erwin, who already know from the beginning that this was going to happen.

"That's because you are the only one who can stop her. I do not wish to become her husband," Prince Winston clenched his fist. Laura nodded her head, "Alright, if it's His Highness wish. I will try my best to help you. That's if it's within my capability."

"Let's begin."

It started when the Crowned Princ, Prince Elijah, was young. He was born with mana from the beginning. However, something happened within the palace. Prince Elijah was born with a weak body as he was the Crowned Prince at such a young age, many tried poisoning him.

All attempt in poisoning him was a fail; however, there was one person who was able to succeed. That was the maid who took care of him. It was a shocking experience for him. Eventually, the maid was caught and beheaded but then when they all thought the problem was solved another once occurred.

Prince Elijah fainted then, once he woke up he couldn't feel his mana flowing in him. It is very unfortunate as, before that, he had a very powerful mana. That's when they deiced to keep it a secret from the empire, how their Crowned Prince doesn't have mana. If the people were to find out about this, a riot would happen. Not only that, but Prince Elijah would be forced to give up that position.

"I do not have any intentions of becoming the Crowned Prince. My brother has been working hard to have the people around him acknowledge his title. I simply want to support him by the sidelines. Since he is the older brother who cared for me a lot. Never once had he looked at me as his opponent but his younger brother."

Laura didn't know what to say. The bond between the Quinn brothers was strong and if that bond to break she felt that their hearts will shatter. How nice it is to have someone look after you. If only her relationship with Tine was like that, then nothing like this competing between them would be happening.

"But first, how did Tine find out about the secret when it's very disclosed?" Laura asked as she pondered about it. Erwin who sat in his chair finally spoke a word, "That's what we do not know. Not only that but she posses black magic. Which I assume she got it from Marquess Rogen."

"I don't think so," Prince Winston disagreed then continued by asking, "Do you know how black magic can be possessed by a person?"

"It's only from a person. Black magic existed because of hatred, anger, frustration, and greed. This is what I found out after the capture of Marquess Rogen," Erwin answered, leaving Laura in deep thought. She thought that black magic could be obtained. But when she entered the estate Tine was already mean as she is. Maybe she had black magic ever since.

"But there are some circumstances where they are born with it. Which is rare."

"Born with it? That's possible?" Laura asked as her brows furrowed.

"Not only that but people born with black magic are usually wicked. Basically, they are two face people," Prince Winston said.