The Source of All Evil

Chapter Twenty-Five

Michaela Walker.

“When Cynthia told me about your promiscuous and barbarous behavior, I had to come here to see for myself. Not only you're dressed provocatively, but you also dare to sleep outside in such a daring posture! Such insolence must be rectified!”

Michaela, who was resting under a willow tree, trying to clear her mind to think, squinted one eye open, staring at the person who dared to disturb her peace. A woman about her age or older stood with her head held high, towering over her, dressed like royalty, wearing a tiara to impose her status.

Instead of getting angry, Michaela sighed, sitting up. “And who are you? Cynthia’s mother?”

The woman’s glare got fiercer as if she was skinning her alive with her eyes. Her tone of voice bore a sneer, bringing a golden fan closer to her face, hiding her mouth as she said. “I’m the lady of this castle. His Excellency bestowed me with the right to manage this castle as I see fit. When I see insolence and rebellious attitude, I correct it. My word is the law around here. . .”

“Sorry, I wasn’t listening. I got distracted by your pretentious act to fit in this place.”

“You. . .!”

Michaela chuckled, standing up, facing the mob that gathered to burn the witch. “I am what? Silly, I won’t understand what you’re saying if you mumble under your breath.”

The woman removed the fan which covered her mouth, a frown tugged on her lips, sizing her up. “Cynthia was right. How can someone who was born and raised in the Crystfire Kingdom showcase a good upbringing.”

“Dear, who said I’m from Crystfire? Huh? I’m from a place where if you get talked down by someone, you beat the s**t out of them.”

“You dare. . .!”

The woman didn’t get to finish what she was about to say, shrieking when Michaela swiftly punched her in the face. The sound of her fist colliding with the woman’s soft cheek was loud, shocking the group of maids that were following their lady and the guards, too, who were watching from afar.

“My lady!” One maid bellowed, grabbing the woman’s trembling hand while she rubbed her cheek with the other. “How dare you hit the head lady of the castle?!”

Though the idea sounded silly in her head, Michaela shrugged, punching the maid square in her jaw, trying so hard not to let out a groan from how tough that maid’s jaw felt.

“Who’s next?” She said with a smirk, glaring at the rest of the maids who looked taken back by her cruelty. “Let it be known that I don’t take s**t from anyone! Not you, nor your asshole of a master!”

“This is an offense against the dignity of a reigning sovereign! Guards, detain her!”

The woman gave her order after coming around from her initial shock, pointing her fan at her, trembling visibly from anger. Two of the guards who were around stepped forward, their hands on the hilt of their swords, looking hesitant to approach her.

Michaela’s expression turned serious, as this was no joking matter. If this woman was bearing a grudge against her for the Evil Master’s choice to crown her as the Empress, she wouldn’t be surprised if she'd use her carefree attitude and reckless behavior against her and get her killed.

Though she hated it here, stuck in this world, Michaela wasn’t keen to meet her end so soon.

“What?! Are you going to lay your hands on me?!”

The guards looked perplexed, as they all knew who she was to their master, not knowing how to act. The woman noticed their hesitation, sneering under her breath as she glanced back at her. “Those who disobey me will be seen as traitors to the sovereign and will be beheaded!”

Her threat seemed to be effective as the guards strode towards Michaela, aiming to follow her order. But these men didn’t know what Michaela was capable of doing. They must’ve thought of her as just another weak woman, regardless of her rebellious attitude. The moment one of them stood closer to her, Michaela grabbed the hilt of his sword, stepping away as she pulled it out.

The guards stood there dumbfounded while Michaela tried to will a frown for how heavy the sword was, aiming it at them.

“I survived fricking Cursedwings and Divine beasts attacks, not to get bullied by asswipes like you!”

“I said, detain her!” The woman had an evil smirk tugging on her lips, taking a stand to show her dominance.

Seeing that she got cornered as more guards joined in, surrounding her, Michaela felt a sense of crisis, and some strange energy started raging inside her, coming to the surface. The weird black smoke flowed around her, and instead of scaring her like the last time she saw it, it weirdly calmed her.

All the people around her took several steps back. The guards had drawn their swords, aiming them shakily towards her. The woman took shelter behind her maids, stammering orders at the guards to kill her.

The dark energy within Michaela seemed to control her body, clouding her mind, as she unconsciously raised the sword upward, bringing it down, as a force swished forward, digging an opening in the ground. A sound of a mixture of screams and yelps resonated in her ears, and with the aftermath mist cleared, Michaela’s eyes widened to see all of them groaning on the ground.

She was certain that her attack didn’t straightly hit them, and most definitely, the force of the energy affected them.

Michaela felt terrified yet slightly amazed. Her hands trembled, frowning when she found it hard to control her body as if the energy within her wanted to take over.

“What’s going on here?!”

The Evil Master’s feet gracefully touched the ground, looking her way with a scowl. The woman groaned, lending support from her maids as she stood up, wobbling as she leaned into the arms of the Evil Master.

Her disheveled and battered look brought a smile to Michaela’s face, feeling happy that she put her back in her place, to dare not to bully her again. But the Evil Master didn’t look as happy, glowering her way with ill intent.

The woman sobbed in his arms, crying in his ears, saying. “I came here to greet her and teach her the manners and rules of this castle. She disrespected me, publicly insulted you. And when I tried to reason with her, she punched me, then used her powers, aiming to kill us. Your Excellency, she ruined my face. She ruined the beautiful face you adore.”

She cried harder, slyly mentioning things Michaela didn’t do to fuel his anger. She loudly claimed that Michaela was blatantly seducing the guards. "She is inappropriately showing her legs in public. . . She brought shame on your status, disgracing your harem. Others will start gossiping about how untamed the Demon Emperor’s Empress all across the lands.”

The Evil Master’s eyes that were on Michaela hardened, showing a dark expression, saying. “Hand it over!”

Michaela cast a glare at the sword that seemed glued to her hands, gulping as she shook her head. The Evil Master pushed the woman gently off him, stretching his hand in the air, saying through gritted teeth. “I said, hand it over!”

“No! I won’t hand it over! I won’t listen to you anymore! They came here looking for trouble, but when things got hairy for them, they went to cry to you! You listened to what she had to say. Do you even care to hear my account about what happened?! No, of course, you don’t! So I’m not handing this over!”

“My poor face,” the woman bellowed when the Evil Master showed a bit of hesitation. Michaela shot the sly woman a glare, wishing she hit her harder than she did.

“How can I listen to you when you don’t even look battered, claiming that they bullied you?! You’re dressed like some hired escort, holding a sword while facing me! You even ruined Sylvia’s beautiful face!”

“A hired escort?!” Michaela let out a giggle, seething as she said. “Last time I checked, honorable man, you were groping this body in pleasure, grunting shamelessly, kissing these lips, hungrily fondling every part of my body.”

She smiled when the others gasped, believing what she implied, as the Empress was always viewed as a virtuous, sheltered woman, untouched by men.

“Just because this hired escort is now carrying your baby, you disregarded protocol, aiming to make me your Empress?”

Sylvia, the conspiring lady, let out a faint gasp, sizing her body once more. She seemed to believe her lie, and Michaela was looking forward to rumors about this spreading within the castle. She knew this woman would use this opportunity to pressure the Evil Master to not marry Michaela, which was the end result she hoped for.

The Evil Master’s eyes narrowed in disdain, a red beam shot from his hand towards her, encircling the sword she held. He pulled his hand upward, and as if the beam served as a whip, it forced her straight into his arms. Michaela recovered from shock quickly, letting go of the sword, trying to shove him away.

She let out a yelp when he used his powers to fly away, taking her to a remote building, miles away from the castle. It looked like a palace, surveilled by hundreds of guards or more. The Evil Master flew straight towards a balcony, and its doors opened magically, as they landed inside a room.

Michaela finally pulled away from his grasp, glaring at the large royal bedroom she was inside.