Frenetically, I tie my hair correctly, finger-wipe the oil on my face, and scrape my feet until my toes are fixed on the corner of my slippers.
I'm almost on my way down the stairs when I hear voices of men in the living room, one of those is Hessuel's. "She's still sleeping. You shouldn't barge into someone's room, especially a woman’s."
"It isn't part of our objective. But we need her today and right now. She oughta nary waste our time. And it's midday."
"If you have the consent to enter her room, then please wake her up."
"No. I already gave you permission to set foot inside because of that warrant."
"And? your stand is?"
"Don't order me around. It's your fault you came here at the wrong time. It happened to me, as well as to you. The rule of the house is the same—"
"Okay. Fine. Stop barking like a human."
"I am human."
"We understand you're protective of her rest time. But we've made an agreement."
I made my way to the scene. Eleus is here with his younger priest companion. Meanwhile, Hessuel has been tempting their patience. I can't identify the reason why he has to do that unless he wants to keep their noses out of my house. "What are you doing here?" I asked nonchalantly.
"About the interrogation..." Eleus informed me.
"Yes. I didn't forget about that, but I can't remember we agreed to undertake it in my house."
"As part of the pupil's finest honesty, we are tasked to hear your confession in your dominion to determine any possible lies hiding in your personal properties. We have the warrant from the court to check your privacy, rest assured that no third party can assault the information."
"How scrupulous... I'm not guilty, so go ahead and investigate my house."
"Nothing is suspicious, madam," the younger priest reported. "Except for the divided bodies of your silver wolf." He glances suspiciously at Hessuel.
"I will confess everything, but first, let me have some breakfast."
Eleus snaps with an enchast, then breakfast is served on the mini table. "We don't mind if you eat while discussing things," he said.
Afterward, we sit face to face on the couches. Hessuel was about to leave yet I called him, "If you still feel sick, then you may nap in my room. But I'd rather you hear everything I will testify here." A short undecisive silence occupied him and he eventually took the seat beside me. His wolf inside the cage is politely sitting and watching too. I pick a piece of sugared bread, cross my legs, and ask, "So? Where do you want me to start?"
"From the beginning of everything," Eleus stated. Following the younger priest,
"We will record everything you'll say in this book and include it with the litigation." He pulled off that blank book from his brown coat and used an enchanted quill to jot down my words.
I lifted a finger while drinking, then laid it to start refreshed. The very beginning is when I beseech the moon to help me overcome my broken heart on top of a hill; that concludes with Lanasia, finding my young mate, and "I kissed him."
The young priest mumbles to his companion, "Do we need to record that?"
"Everything... even awkward things." Eleus rolled his eyes.
And I'm just chewing another prick of bread, effectively utilizing uncensored tongue to make them uncomfortable!
"It was you?" Hessuel asked.
"You knew!?" I'm startled that he can remember my scandal with a boy!
"You don't know it was her?" the young priest intervened.
Hessuel answers, "Not until now."
"Yes, it was me," I confessed. "I know the silver wolf is my mate from that very moment." And then I continue my story; down to my rescue plan for Linly, meeting Hessuel again in their small village, and the manifestation of the Moon Goddess without revealing her identity.
"You're saying," Eleus calculates, "you completed an unfinished spell to give the moon's vessel!? And who is this person?"
"I invoke my right to keep it confidential."
"We will allow it depending on the validity of your reasoning," said the old priest.
"I'm a concerned auntie! My niece is an extremely sensitive feminist and I never want her to be implicated with any of the werewolf issues! Or should I say 'never again!' Biaco had made her a victim of cruel dark slavery. She's so innocent for that! Besides, she doesn't want to reveal herself, nor mention it yet," I rant. And then I fold my arms.
"... So the vessel of the Moon Goddess is your niece, Linly?" the young priest inquired for confirmation.
"How did you know?"
"You just mentioned it. You're a concerned auntie... your niece..."
"Did I!?" I asked Hessuel yet I just found him scratching his forehead. I sit properly. "I didn't drop a name."
"We will secure every issue to keep Linly away from those and herewith prove your confession. It will be needful for her cooperation."
"She's not—" I skip a word to calm down instead. There's no fooling around anymore. "Alright, but keep this in mind, she's not in full control of the Moon Goddess. The goddess possesses only her vessel whenever she wants. My estimation is every full moon."
"Therefore," the young priests ratiocinated again, "it's not 'whenever she wants,' it's scheduled every full moon?"
"Whatever, child."
"Please continue," Eleus demanded.
I next told them about the journey to Asfara, my deal with the moon, the preservation of the two Alphas, and freely confessed the deepest reason for my betrayal. I drink the warmer water to refresh my throat again. In the end, the young priest asks,
"This feels like listening to your love story. How about you, silver wolf, are you aware of everything she confessed?"
"No," he answered.
"Oh, then it's a one-sided love story?"
"Excuse me?" I reacted.
"Thank you very much for your fidelity," Eleus said. "We will use this information to justify your previous actions."
"No. Not that one-sided information—!"
The young dude is snickering at me.
"Regarding Biaco," the old man made his serious intervention once more, "since you brought his Intelligence back, we cannot allow his crime against the people of Small Vil. to be condoned lest there will be war between humans and werewolves. The government in Lanbarc didn't close the case of the rabid incident. Victims are still seeking justice. Werewolves are their greatest speculation for the suspect. As far as we can, we will maintain Biaco's freedom but once the situation gets dire than our depth, we'll have no option but to surrender him."
The news dragged my face down. My lips went silent. It was all my fault.
"One more thing before we leave." He lays a book lock on the mini table. "We will have to confiscate your spellbook until the final result of litigation has been satisfied and if you are innocent or reasonable. You are not allowed to use any magic within the period. Whether or not the investigation will end, I know not."
"Wait, that isn't part of the agreement!"
"You were too occupied to discuss the details with me back in the dungeon. If you resist, you shall be deemed guilty of fraud against the moon... and penalized."
I utter my dialect of disapproval, "What manner of menace was that!?" I want to complain about it all out but pressure might kill a tiny life within me! The priests entreat to calm down. Hence, I got an idea! "... As you wish. I'm still doing my best to cooperate. L-Let me take this slowly." I remove the enchanted belt and my womb shapes in a second. I manifest my spellbook, catch it physically from floating, and lay it on top of the book lock.
It binds my spellbook instantly and as a result, all my spells have been canceled including my age. I touch my forehead and breathe deeply while cupping my womb. "... I-It's not easy to be pregnant at this age!" I complain. When I lose my balance, Hessuel's arms embrace me right away.
"I'm surprised you're more dependent on your spellbook than I thought."
"... It's my life."
"Just take it back," Hessuel demanded of the priests.
"You see—"
"Take it back!! There's life in her womb!!" His fangs and sharp crystalline eyes are appearing. To tame the situation, I propose,
"O-Okay, h-how about you bind me with a limited curse instead of confiscating my power?"
"..." He unlocked the book and all of my powers came back. "Since the order isn't capable of your situation, I agree with that option." He manifests his big spellbook and recites the spell, "You cannot perform any other spell than those which are already released lest the lock will automatically bind your spellbook, and this same accident may happen again. This is to avoid your further thoughtless actions."
"Yes... that would suffice. Thank you," I moaned. Then I snatch my spellbook, locking it in my arms. Once again, the Moon Priests bid their gratitude and farewell. My magic is safe. The plan worked well! I grinned behind my spellbook when Hessuel caught me!
"... You're not feeling bad, are you?" His worry flatters my heart!
"No. It's just a play."
"... You're killing me with your lies."
"You can hate me for that."
"But I can't hate you."
"..." I retrieve my spellbook and face him. He's currently folding his arms and staring at his wolf who's chasing his own tail. "Hessuel, let's... talk."