A Background Character’s Path to Power Chapter 453: Caelia’s Curse [2]

With her agreement, I swiftly forged a stable mental connection, linking my consciousness directly to hers. Speaking aloud could disturb the slumbering child nearby, and telepathic communication ensured superior privacy within this unfamiliar castle's confines.

She commenced speaking directly into my mind, unveiling the intricate and perilous history of her world. As our silent discourse unfolded, my countenance continuously transformed from profound astonishment to deep comprehension. Ultimately, after she concluded her outline of the realm's grand design, I paused to gather my racing thoughts.

’I comprehend…’ I conveyed through the mental link, meticulously absorbing the weighty influx of information. ’So, in essence, Nemure's royal family is segmented into two principal factions. One faction ardently advocates for warfare and the subjugation of other worlds. The other faction favors negotiation whenever feasible and acts with strict adherence to the prevailing circumstances.’

I hesitated, allowing the immense scope of this multidimensional political landscape to embed itself within my consciousness.

’Furthermore, the entire hierarchy here is predicated entirely on the purity of one's bloodline,’ I continued, closely observing her reaction. ’And the current sovereign is that young man, Xeron, who has recently reclaimed the throne following years of profound isolation. Is that accurate?’

Caelia offered a slow, deliberate inclination of her head in agreement. The room's soft violet luminescence illuminated the ancient sorrow that pooled within her vibrant crimson eyes.

’And you were aligned with the second faction,’ I transmitted, maintaining an exceptionally gentle mental tone. ’Owing to a particular occurrence you wish to withhold for the present, a colossal schism transpired. That tragic event directly precipitated your forced banishment, Cathiel's disappearance, and your true husband's... demise.’

She lowered her gaze, fixing her sight upon her pale hands resting on her lap. A profound melancholy radiated through our mental connection, permeating my own awareness.

’Yes,’ she transmitted softly. ’Everything you have surmised is unequivocally correct. The memory infringes upon me with immense sorrow, compelling me to keep the specific details concealed for the time being.’

I inclined my head slowly, absorbing her admission. A persistent query finally surfaced in my mind, demanding an immediate resolution.

’Then did you ascertain from the outset that I was someone else entirely? That I was not 'him'?’ I inquired, keeping my mental tone level and direct. ’If so, why did you preserve my life, mask my true identity, and behave as though I were your husband?’

Caelia emitted a soft sigh. The sound bore the immense burden of years endured in absolute solitude.

’I existed in complete seclusion for innumerable years,’ she responded, her crimson eyes mirroring a profound fragility. ’The ceaseless isolation caused my recollections to become indistinct and fractured. When you first materialized, you carried our daughter's essence deeply imprinted within your soul. You also possessed the singular capacity to withstand my... malediction. Your presence simply evoked him so vividly that I convinced myself he had finally returned.’

She directed her gaze toward the sleeping Cathiel, a gentle warmth reappearing on her countenance.

’But… Although my subconscious recognized the truth,’ she confessed quietly, her mental voice faltering slightly. ’I deliberately chose to embrace the delusion instead…’

’Because… I harbored absolute conviction in his eventual return,’ she transmitted, her mental voice resonating with a profound, agonizing weight. ’Because… He vowed to return to me with our daughter. He pledged to… He…’

She lapsed into complete silence. Her vibrant crimson eyes lost their focus, dilating as she became absorbed in those distant, sorrowful recollections.

I observed her, a heavy tide of complex emotions surging within my breast. A palpable sense of tragedy clearly enveloped their shared history. She had desperately clung to a shattered vow, utilizing my unexpected arrival to momentarily piece together her broken reality.

’…Hmm.’

I too found myself perplexed regarding how to process her unvarnished confession. A deep empathy for her immense bereavement filled my heart. I held profound respect for the man who sacrificed his existence to ensure his family's security against such overwhelming adversity. Moreover, a heavy wave of pity washed over me for little Cathiel, fated to experience her life severed from her true father.

Yet, succumbing to these overwhelming sentiments yielded no solutions to our present predicament. Immersing oneself in tragedy offered negligible defense against the hostile factions plotting beyond these ramparts. I gently shook my head, forcefully expelling the sorrow from my mind, and redirected my attention toward a highly pressing enigma.

’How precisely did I manage to endure your affliction throughout this entire period?’ I inquired via our mental link, steering the discourse toward our immediate survival. ’What is the true essence of this dreadful curse, in reality?’

As if anticipating such an inquiry, Caelia blinked and drew her consciousness back to the present moment. She refocused her intense crimson gaze upon me once more.

’My curse targets the soul, directly attacking it,’ she conveyed, her tone softening into a hushed, analytical whisper. ’It entirely bypasses physical forms and actively dismantles the spiritual core of others. The former servants had fragile, artificial constructs, causing their animating Qi to simply combust into dust in my vicinity.’

She deliberately extended her hand, her finger pointing delicately in my direction.

’But you...’ a pause followed, a flicker of genuine astonishment igniting within her crimson eyes. ’Your soul exhibits a fundamentally distinct architecture. Your spiritual core effortlessly absorbs my bestowed energy. It inhales the potent pressure, refining its density and transforming it into a gentle, comforting warmth.’

I absorbed her explanation with great care, a profound sense of understanding washing over me.

’You serve as an immaculate vessel,’ she elaborated, lowering her hand back to her lap. ’Your very presence generates an absolute equilibrium around me. That singular characteristic renders you the only being capable of remaining safely beside me.’

Her explanation finally illuminated the grand enigma. My continued existence depended entirely on this peculiar spiritual compatibility. A deep realization took root within my mind. However...

’Are you certain it’s not because I am bound to Cathiel? And it doesn’t impact her, correct?’

She gave a gentle shake of her head.

’No,’ she transmitted, her mental voice resonating with unshakeable conviction. ’Your connection with my daughter possesses no bearing on your immunity. This extraordinary trait is exclusively your own spiritual core’s doing.’

Her gaze then shifted towards the sleeping child on the bed. A tender, maternal radiance suffused her vibrant eyes.

’Be at ease, Cathiel is also entirely shielded from my aura,’ Caelia stated softly. ’Firstly, she carries my direct bloodline. Secondly, her inherent bloodline surpasses even mine in both purity and ultimate rank.’

’I understand, that is reassuring.’

’Mm.’

’Then… does it affect anyone else? Can you exert control over it?’