Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess-Chapter 89: The Beast Inside (10)

The air was warm when Ahcehera entered her residence, which was a far cry from the chilling emotions that were consuming her thoughts. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the walls, and the faint scent of tea lingered in the air.

He came back earlier than I thought. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Rohzivaan sat on the couch, his posture relaxed, but his eyes were sharp as he watched her enter. He had been waiting. She removed her gloves and draped them over the armrest of a chair before looking at him.

"How was the meeting?" she asked, cutting straight to the point.

Rohzivaan sighed, rubbing his temples as if trying to push away a headache. "Not good. Several portals have become active again, but that’s not the worst part."

Ahcehera crossed her arms, her gaze steady. "What happened?"

"Some of these portals aren’t just opening randomly. They’ve been deliberately tampered with," Rohzivaan explained. "And some are transporting dark energy cores to unknown locations. The corruption is spreading, and animals, plants, and even the land itself are being affected. Beasts have turned rabid, and entire patches of forests have started rotting unnaturally."

A sharp glint flashed in Ahcehera’s eyes. "Demonic corruption?"

Rohzivaan nodded. "Yes. The military and the research division are trying to locate the origin, but the traces of the energy keep shifting. It’s as if someone, or something, is guiding it."

Ahcehera walked over to the small cabinet near the fireplace and poured herself a glass of water, taking a moment to process the information.

"This isn’t random," she murmured, swirling the water in her glass. "Portals, demonic energy, corrupting life forms... This sounds more like a calculated invasion than an accident."

Rohzivaan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "That’s what I think, too. But we need proof. Right now, all we have are scattered anomalies, and unless we find the link between them, the council won’t act decisively."

Ahcehera’s grip on her glass tightened. "Then we’ll find the link ourselves."

Rohzivaan gave a half-smile, his eyes darkening slightly. "I figured you’d say that."

She set the glass down with a soft clink. "I have a lead, but I need time to work through it. In the meantime, you should focus on the military’s movements. If another portal opens near any of the affected areas, I want to be the first to know."

Rohzivaan stood, his tall frame towering over her as he stepped closer. "And what exactly are you planning?"

Ahcehera met his gaze with unwavering confidence. "To get answers."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence was heavy, charged with an unspoken understanding between them. Finally, Rohzivaan sighed and reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Just don’t go disappearing on me again."

Ahcehera smirked. "No promises."

Rohzivaan let out a small chuckle, but the concern in his eyes remained. "Then I guess I’ll just have to keep a closer eye on you."

She arched an eyebrow. "You can try."

With that, she turned toward her study, already forming a plan in her mind. There was much to do, and time was running out.

Khaterine must have answers...

Ahcehera stepped into her office, the soft click of the door shutting behind her echoing in the quiet space. Her fingers lingered over the smooth surface of her desk, but her mind was elsewhere. She exhaled slowly.

The moment had come, she needed to check on Khaterine. Without wasting time, she closed her eyes, summoning the connection to her pocket dimension. A faint pulse of energy surrounded her, and in an instant, she disappeared from her office, reappearing within Cresencia. The air here was different, heavier, quieter.

The usual vibrancy of the endless lands and the mystical lake felt distant as she made her way toward a secluded structure near the mountain’s base. A small, sterile white room stood before her. No windows, no decorations, only a single white bed in the center.

Khaterine lay there, motionless, her chest rising and falling in slow, even breaths. Ahcehera watched her for a long moment. The woman’s face, though at peace in slumber, carried the remnants of distress, furrowed brows, and tense fingers gripping the sheets.

Ahcehera crossed her arms.

"Still asleep, huh?" she murmured, tilting her head.

She had forcibly knocked Khaterine unconscious before sending her here. It was a precaution, a necessary one. Who knew what kind of schemes she’d try the moment she woke?

But now, it was time to extract the truth. Ahcehera raised a hand, her fingers glowing with a faint golden hue. With a flick of her wrist, a thin thread of energy weaved toward Khaterine, seeping into her mind like a gentle probe.

A mental link, one that could awaken her instantly if Ahcehera so desired. A moment passed, then another. Khaterine’s fingers twitched. Then, her eyes snapped open. At first, confusion swirled in those hazel depths. She blinked rapidly, her breathing hitching as she took in the blank walls, the stark emptiness of the room. Then, her gaze landed on Ahcehera.

Silence.

Khaterine’s lips parted, but no words came out. Fear flickered across her face before she forced herself to sit up, gripping the bed’s edges.

"Where..." Her voice cracked. "Where am I?"

Ahcehera smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it.

"Somewhere safe," she said smoothly, stepping closer. "For now."

Khaterine’s breath quickened. She glanced around again, her hands pressing against the sheets as if searching for an exit.

"This... this isn’t Agartha or Sirius." Her voice trembled. "What did you do?"

Ahcehera remained composed, watching every flicker of emotion on Khaterine’s face. "I placed you somewhere no one can reach you. No one knows where you are, not even my family."

Khaterine swallowed hard, her body tensing. "You... you can’t do this."

Ahcehera’s golden eyes gleamed. "I already have."

Khaterine’s breathing turned erratic. "You... Do you think you can just trap me here? You think Richmond won’t look for me?"

Ahcehera’s smirk deepened.

"Oh, Richmond?" She let the name roll off her tongue, slow and deliberate. "The same man who rejected you? The same man who didn’t care when you disappeared?"

Khaterine flinched. Her hands clenched into fists.

Ahcehera leaned down, her gaze piercing. "Now, let’s talk about what I really brought you here for."

Khaterine remained silent, but Ahcehera could see it, the flicker of resistance in her eyes, the stubborn tilt of her chin.

Ahcehera chuckled. "Don’t worry, Khaterine. You’ll tell me everything soon enough."

Khaterine shivered.