Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son Chapter 4: Scaring The Idiots

Though all eyes bored into me, I felt no fear and calmly endured their condemning stares.

Martha rushed to stand by my side at once. She irritated me much of the time, yet she alone stepped forward to shield me.

"Why did you do it?" a middle-aged woman questioned me. If my memory was right, she served as one of the King's concubines and acted as the Queen's marionette.

"She didn't do it," Martha answered for me.

I disliked Martha speaking in my place since I yearned to defend myself, but it warmed me to have at least one ally nearby.

My gaze shifted to Father, King Armen, who stayed mute as though he anticipated Martha's support. The lady beside him wore a distressed face, but I saw through its falsity. Queen Niobe secretly delighted in the chaos, yet as the Kingdom's Mother, she needed to feign dismay.

"You are just a servant, so stay out of it," another woman—one of the Queen's kin—scolded harshly.

Martha nearly retorted, but I gently gripped her arm to halt her. She looked my way, and I replied with a confident nod.

At last, the King spoke up, ignoring the fire and my accusation completely. He merely instructed Martha, "Take the Third Princess back to her place."

Abruptly, an elderly man advanced and bowed before the King. "Your Majesty, this is not the right way to deal with this. No crime should go unpunished."

Another man strode forward too, bowing deeply. "If we let this pass, what would our guests, especially the groom's family, think?"

This spurred the remaining royal court officials to voice their accord. They bowed to the King, chanting, "We seek justice, Your Majesty."

The women from the groom's family felt compelled to air their views openly as well. One proclaimed, "Your Majesty, the Second Princess is to be joined to the Griven's royal family, and as part of our family now, we will not allow anyone to bring harm to her."

More voices echoed in support, compelling the King to pay heed. These were all prominent court figures, present with their households.

First Princess Giselle and Second Princess Meira seemed thrilled by the unfolding drama. Silent though they were, they huddled together, faces glowing with excitement like viewers at a captivating spectacle.

The King regarded me. "Do you have anything to say?"

For once, I sensed a true chance to safeguard myself, with his faith that I'd wield it properly.

Composed as ever, I faced the accusers. "Why do you all think I did it?" I questioned.

"Only witches can do it," a noblewoman declared.

"That I know, but why would I do it?"

"Why else? Because you are jealous of Second Princess Meira and want to spoil her happiness!" "How can you be so sure?" I fired back.

"Isn't it obvious?" the woman sneered. "Witches are always crafty and hurt others."

Even if I'd yelled my innocence at the top of my lungs, they'd refuse to accept it. They only perceived what they desired and heeded what pleased them. Playing into their terrors seemed the best route to make them comprehend a witch's real essence.

I could have simply walked away with none daring to block me, but why forgo the thrill of frightening them and beholding those hilarious panicked visages?

'Idiots asked for it.'

I shifted my right hand, causing the two women ahead to retreat in panic, convinced I'd unleashed an assault. Terror gripped them as they gawked at the blue scales covering the back of my palm.

Inspecting my palm, I flexed my fingers to examine it from all angles. "I wonder if my powers are becoming stronger now that I have the capacity to burn that huge curtain in just a minute." I glanced at Martha. "If we burn that huge curtain normally, it will at least take twenty minutes, right?"

Martha nodded, while the onlookers hung on my next words—dying to hear my admission.

Clang! Thud!

A metal vase tumbled off its pedestal. The First Princess had recoiled instinctively, heedless of the clamor she created. Her look was beyond value—she likely relived a harrowing memory.

I smirked. "I mean, last time when I supposedly burned the First Princess's clothes, I remember there was only the smell of burning, but no pungent smell of oil. My, but today, is it just my nose, or is it as if someone had coated that curtain in the flammable oil? Since when did my powers allow me to produce flammable oil? At this rate, I can certainly burn this entire palace in a moment."

These words left everyone breathless, braced for me to ignite everything. I eyed the women. "Isn't it fascinating?"

"Are you scaring us?" A man pressed forward—yet another of Queen Niobe's relatives, husband to one of the women.

Of course it terrified them. I had them quaking.

Had they glimpsed the smirk curling my lips, the impact would have intensified. 'This damn veil.'

"I just had an urge to try it," I stated, rendering the others speechless.

As my intimidation neared success, a forlorn voice pierced the air.

"What did I do to you to harm me? Why do you have to spoil my day?" Second Princess Meira uttered, embracing the victim's mantle. "You are a witch, but it's not my fault."

I locked eyes with her. "Trust me; I'm happier being a witch than a fake person."