Donovan stood frozen as he saw Elizabeth's body shoot toward the ceiling as if she had been thrown away. At that exact moment, Eren fell to the floor with his eyes rolled back and began to tremble unbearably, white foam pouring from the corner of his mouth.

Donovan's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately rushed to Eren, who did not stop shaking.

"Eren!" He grabbed him by the shoulders and tried to immobilize him. He looked like he was having a seizure. Donovan was not a doctor, but he had some superficial training. He could only take a pillow off the bed and slide it under Eren's head.

Then he looked up. His eyes widened as he saw Elizabeth was tossed from side to side while she remained pressed against the ceiling.

"Elizabeth!" He shouted, but he did not know what to do. He did not understand what had happened. He never expected the situation to take such a frightening turn.

His gaze lingered on the suede box that had fallen to the floor. He reached for it and picked it up. The pillow inside was empty. His mind went blank momentarily as he refused to accept the obvious.

His hands began to tremble. "Selene...?" He whispered.

"Fuck! Fuck! Get away, you monster!" He winced as he heard Elizabeth curse. He turned and looked at Eren, who was no longer shaking, but lying there quietly with his eyes closed. Donovan checked his pulse and let out a sigh of relief.

He looked up just in time to see the black tendrils of energy disappear and Elizabeth's body slump. He lunged forward just in time to catch Elizabeth, but he could not hold her, so he tensed his muscles and threw her toward the bed before falling to the floor himself.

He went up immediately off the floor, looked at Elizabeth, and turned pale.

Hesitantly, he stepped toward her, and he reached out his hand. "E-Elizabeth... are you all right?" He asked when he saw how pale Elizabeth was, and the blood was coming from her nose, eyes, and ears.

For a moment, she looked dead, and when she sat up, he withdrew his hand back, startled. She looked like a vampire rising from the grave.

"I think so." She replied as she swayed in her seat. Donovan nervously adjusted his glasses, reached for the handkerchief in his pocket, and leaned down as he offered it to her.

Elizabeth, however, did not look at him. Instead, she opened her clenched fist, and they both saw what she held. It was a crystal on a silver wristband.

The crystal concealed a small golden lock of hair.

Donovan froze, and Elizabeth cursed. "What the hell!"

Donovan did not avert his gaze from the object. His heart was pounding in alarm. "This can not be happening... no... sure for that...." He muttered to himself, and then he heard Elizabeth say something.

He snapped his eyes up to her. "What did you say?"

Elizabeth stared into the air for a moment before turning back to him. "What is dark magic?"

If Donovan had been pale before, now he was white as a wall. He staggered backward until he landed on the ground with a dull thud.

"I- Impossible..."

----------------------------------------

Eliz was looking at the object in her hand when a window appeared. She raised her head.

Hidden Quest Triggered Quest Type: Chain 1/7 Description: You have encountered a Cursed Item with Dark Magic and triggered a Hidden Chain Quest. Find all 7 Cursed Items and destroy them. Reward: Achievement - Dog Nose - Achievement gained. You have destroyed the first Cursed Item.

Dog's Nose - You can sense the presence of Cursed Items in your surroundings within five meters; your nose is more sensitive, and you can follow the scent if it is no more than an hour old, dogs like you. Continued Chain Quest: 2/7 Description: Find the remaining Cursed Objects. Next Reward: Awakening the innate abilities of the body's original owner.

Eliz looked at it and did not know whether to laugh or cry. Another achievement. But its function was weird again! It was not bad to be able to sense these things, but sniffing? Dogs like her?

Eliz reread the description. Dark Magic? What was that supposed to be? It was not like she did not know the different variations. But she had never heard of Dark Magic in this novel. She only knew of black magic. As far as she knew, Necromancers and Blood Priests used Black Magic in this world. Necromancers used corpses, decay, and poisons. They often turned themselves into some undead. On the other hand, Blood Priests needed sacrifices to prolong their lives or summon dark creatures. But they were more fond of corruption than of Black Magic. But Black Magic was not Dark Magic.

"Dark Magic..." she muttered to herself.

"What did you say?" Asked Donovan, whom she had forgotten. She closed the window and looked at him. At last, she was facing one of the most intelligent people.

"What is Dark Magic?" She asked, and Donovan's reaction was surprising to her. He turned so pale he almost turned blue, staggered, and fell on his butt.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

'Damn, what was the Dark Magic that scared him so much?

"I-impossible..." He gasped.

Eliz was about to ask when her eyes fell on Eren, and she forgot about him. She stood up, rushed over to him, and knelt beside him again. She touched his cheek, but to her relief, he was still breathing.

"Eren?" Eren did not answer, but his calm and steady breathing was a good sign. She looked at his hand and picked up the one with the ring. One of the small stones was shattered, and the other was already cracked. Eliz had been glad that she had thought to find protection after Eren's suspicions. She just had not expected it to be helpful to her so soon. What would have happened if they didn't have the ring? She preferred not to even think about it.

When she was sure Eren was all right, she stood up and looked at the bracelet in her hand. She frowned, and now that the fear and adrenaline were gone, anger replaced it.

She stormed furiously toward Donovan, who sat dazed on the floor. When Eliz stopped in front of him, he slowly raised his head, at which point Eliz threw the bracelet in his face.

Surprised, he raised an arm in defense. "What the hell was that? You almost killed us!" Eliz raised her voice at him. Of course, she knew it was not Donovan's fault. But that did not mean she could not take advantage of it and let her anger out a little.

"I did not..." Started Donovan weakly.

"You did not? Then who did? Was not that a gift from you? When Eren suddenly was not on your side, you tried to kill him?" She pointed an accusing finger at him.

"No! It was not me! That was..." Donovan recovered a little, but he did not finish his sentence.

Eliz leaned down and brought her face very close to his. Donovan's eyes widened in shock. Eliz looked frightening with her bloody face and fierce violet eyes.

"Who, Donovan? Who, if not you?" She said in a low voice. "Say it. If you do not, I'll call the guards, and you'll be held accountable for attempted murder." She threatened him.

Donovan trembled under her fierce gaze and appearance but could not take his eyes off her. His lips quivered. "S-Selene... It was a gift from Selene..." He finally admitted aloud.

Eliz stared at him for another moment before straightening up. "Finally."

Eliz had to admit that seeing Donovan so devastated made her feel better. Did it make her evil that she liked to scare people? If it did, it was for a good cause. Hers mostly, of course. Donovan had to admit that Selene was not what he thought she was. But Eliz understood that there was no point in telling him that herself. Like Eren, he had to come to that conclusion himself and, more importantly, admit it.

There was a knock at the door.

"Young lady? Are you all right? I heard you scream." She heard Alobel's voice from behind door. Eliz lifted her gaze to the ceiling.

'Then why do i not hear any concern in your voice? How much do you really care about my well-being?'

She shook her head.

"I am fine. But Eren has been sick. Call the doctor!" She replied, briefly turning to Eren, who remained motionless on the floor.

Then she turned to Donovan, who had a blank look, and she went into Eren's bathroom.

"Gah! Damn, that scared me! I look terrible!" Elis was startled when she saw herself in the mirror. No wonder she had shocked Donovan so much!

Quickly, she began to clean herself up. If anyone saw her like this, she would cause a commotion. She washed her face thoroughly and checked her clothes. Fortunately, the dark blue hid the stains well. But perhaps it would not escape Alobel's sharp eyes. She felt pretty good. Sure, her back hurt, but although she was bleeding from her face, she felt nothing painful.

Donovan was still sitting on the floor when she returned to the bedroom.

"Donovan! Stop being such a wimp! Steel yourself!" She walked over to him and grabbed his arm to lift him. Not that she could do it herself, but she pulled on his arm until he straightened up.

Donovan looked at Elizabeth, who began to adjust his clothes, which were all wrinkled from the whole thing. When he suddenly felt her hands all over his body, he quickly recovered and backed away.

"Th-thank you. I'll do it myself." He declined her help and made his way to the bathroom as well.

Eliz braced her hands on her hips and clicked her tongue in annoyance. "These guys are so shy, really. They will not even let a woman touch them."

After a while, Donovan came back. He looked as dapper as if nothing had happened. The only difference was that he had lost his gloves, which he had either thrown away or pocketed.

Donovan's gaze wandered around the room before settling on Eliz, perhaps looking for an anchor for his thoughts.

"What's going to happen now?" He asked slowly.

"What's going to happen? Well, it's very simple. Like Eren, you must avoid Selene until you get your head straight. So. Do you want to become my prisoner?" She smiled at him.

Donovan blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You will be my prisoner," Eliz repeated patiently.

"... huh?"

Eliz sighed. "Are you not supposed to be the smart one, Donovan? Where else would you want to be? At home? Wherever Selene can come, or Chad and Gray? Do you really think you'll be okay there and be able to resist the urge to see Selene when she suddenly arrives? You'll be safest here on the Roseblood estate. Because Selene will have to get past me to get to you." She looked at Eren and frowned.

"And no concessions this time." She grabbed her chin and thought.

"Actually, you should let everyone know you went to work or something like that. It's best if no one knows you are here." She nodded her head sagely.

"But... I have responsibilities. And military service. It's not that simple." Replied Donovan.

Eliz raised an eyebrow at him. "You have the mindset of a hero, don't you? What are we nobles for? We take advantage of our position. You get a vacation."

Donovan frowned, but before he could say anything, Eliz spoke again. "If you want to say something like 'That's not right' and crap like that, keep it. You are not a hero. You are a victim. And the first thing victims need is rest and recovery."

Donovani's eyes widened in surprise, and he stared at Elizabeth as if seeing her for the first time.

"I am... a victim?" He repeated, looking down at his hands, which were still shaking slightly.

Eliz watched Donovan wrestle with the idea. Eliz believed the male leads in this story were not poorly designed and had potential. But that was the end of it. Just potential. The author didn't develop them further, so they were stuck in the first stage, naive heroes.

Even the angry Chad thought he was pretty righteous. In most stories, they triumphed, except for a few injuries. The bad guys lose—all peachy and sweety. Eliz was convinced they had to grow up. Eren had already started to do that.

Now Donovan must do it.

She desperately needed them to stop being boys and become men. She needed shields. Lots of shields, or she would be in a lot of trouble. Unlike them, the sword of Damocles hung over her head. Eliz wanted to avoid it at all costs, even if she had to involve other people.

If Eliz had just left that scene out, maybe the boys could live a comfortable life with all the successes and only mush on their heads...

No. She will not make it easy for them!

Eliz's musings were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Young lady? The doctor is here." Eliz went to the door and pulled a key from her cleavage.

She was a little startled when she opened the door, behind which stood Alobela. Her green eyes immediately darted around Eliz as if scanning her.

Eliz folded her arms dismissively and made room for the older family doctor.

"Take a look at Mr. Hephisto, as well. I think he's in a little shock from what happened." She announced and looked at Alobel.

"And prepare a room for him. He'll be staying with us for a while."