AuthorSME
patreon
VoC: B1 — 17. Weaving Lies
🕑 Added 2025-09-05 23:03:17 +0000 UTCAria sat frozen in the private study chamber, minute after minute, Archmagus Aldwin taking the air from her lungs. Around her, silence reigned, oppressive and loud.
In her mind, all she saw was his bowed head.
PoV:
1. Aria (Our Privileged Lich!)
---------------------
Aria sat frozen in the private study chamber, minute after minute, Archmagus Aldwin taking the air from her lungs. Around her, silence reigned, oppressive and loud.
In her mind, all she saw was his bowed head.
His words, a collar closing around her throat.
Princess Aria of the Solaris Throne.
Now, she had to own it—every implication, every rumor that might follow.
She wouldn’t know if speculation came from Aldwin or grew wild on its own.
If she didn’t own it…her entire image would wilt.
Thirty minutes.
The soft, magical light of the orbs illuminated the chamber with the old scent of tombs and incense. Ominous shadows danced across the floor from the open ceiling, cycling books floating high overhead, flowing in patterns.
Finally, she forced her gaze to the materials with mechanical precision.
Then, to the closed door.
Do I tell Damon? Can I? I messed up.
But…what if he doesn’t tell anyone?
Maybe Grandpa knows already?
He may want to see what Grandpa wants to do.
Too high above his pay grade?
Maybe…
Blinking.
Cheeks puffing up.
She let a slow stream pass through her lips and shook her head.
I’m a flipping deer in the headlights!
Just act normal!
Geez. It’s not that big of a deal, right?
I mean, they wouldn’t want to make it a big deal.
Probably…
She wanted to scream and cry and punch someone, all at the same time.
Instead, she hesitantly picked up a book, dropped it in her lap to feel the weight, ran her fingers along the spine, and pried open the pages.
Okay, no, this is stupid! Don’t be a diva, idiot.
Buck up. No, buckle up, stupid!
Get the books. Get out.
Yeah… Get the books, and get out…
Aria barely got through the title page, not even really reading the words, before the book was swinging shut again.
A sigh followed, her leg bumping against her bag of gifted items from throughout the day. A lump dropped down her throat, and her eyes darted to the stack on the table.
The copying materials the librarian had provided sat on the table like an accusation.
Maybe I shouldn’t draw so much attention to myself anymore, but…I still need to get Damon’s stuff. I’ve been so focused on my own crap that I’ve totally skipped out on looking for him… Some little sister I am.
One more sigh, and she was forcing herself up to examine the magic devices. The crystalline surface shimmered with contained enchantments, appearing deceptively simple with its five-gem activation design.
I’m a freaking sun elf. I’ve got crazy Intelligence. This should be easy, right? Right…
She picked the light box up, twisting it around her fingers with a deep frown. Vaguely, she remembered seeing something like this used by their mother. The process totally escaped her, though.
Setting it down with exaggerated care, she placed one of the maps on the crystalline surface and pressed what looked like the most obvious gem—a large amber one in the center.
The device made a grinding wheeze, flickered once with sickly green light, and produced a perfect copy…if perfect meant the coastlines had somehow migrated inland and the mountain ranges had decided to become lakes.
Her eye twitched as she stared at the geographical nightmare she’d created.
This is punishment. Titania is punishing me for lying. Or the Holy Emperor is. Or maybe this is just the wrong button, and…the other button inverts everything. Perfect.
Twenty minutes later, Aria was ready to throw the stupid thing out the window…if there had been a window in the room.
“Why won’t you—just—copy the—stupid—map!”
Third time’s the—
“My Lady?”
“Eep!” Aria practically jumped out of her dress, almost knocking over the entire stack of books as her high ears lowered instinctively. She spun around, eyes wide. “Oh, Julia—ahem. Yes? You scared me!” she choked, forcing a laugh upon spotting the fan-girl librarian in the half-open doorway, looking unsure.
“Umm. Do you…require assistance?”
Heat rushed to Aria’s cheeks as she glanced between Julia and the geographical abomination she’d created.
Don’t panic. We don’t panic.
If he told her, she thinks I’m a flipping princess! Act like one.
“Me? No! Everything’s perfect! Just, um, experimenting with alternative cartographic representations! Yeah, testing the differences in our, eh, cultural copying…techniques.”
Nailed it… If nailing it means F for freaking out!
What’s wrong with me!
She held up the disaster map with what she hoped was scholarly confidence. “You know how we sun elves love to…challenge conventional geography!”
Julia’s lips twitched, and she actually giggled, moving inside as if that had been an invitation!
“You are very humorous and entirely out of character from what I’ve been taught about sun elves, my lady. I feared our methods may be a tad…primitive to your sophisticated lifestyle. My apologies for wasting your time. Shall I show you how to activate the full volume duplication enchantment? The small blue crystal on the side?”
I want to die… Wait.
Safe! Totally safe!
She thinks I’m funny. I can literally get away with murder!
Aria’s ears perked up slightly as she zeroed in on the gem. “Oh, that tiny thing? I thought it was just…decorative. Crystal enchantments are quite…quaint! So, eh, retro!”
She cleared her throat, trying to salvage some dignity as the woman seemed to take that as her breaking the ice and moved closer.
“Please, show me your local methods. I find them…fascinating.”
Fascinating? Retro? Sure. You sound like an idiot! But…she’s eating it up. So, if it works, don’t change it! Let’s go with this, it’s all super caveman to me instead of ‘I’m an idiot who can’t work basic magic tech despite having 32 Intelligence.’
Julia moved closer with practiced efficiency, her fingers dancing over the gems in a specific sequence, and Aria memorized immediately.
“Blue for activation, amber for text, green for images, pearl for magical signatures, and obsidian for bulk copying. Press them in order, then place your material inside before replacing it with a blank manuscript. It will automatically adjust to size format and remove or ask for pages if needed. These colors mean—”
She demonstrated with one of Aria’s books, producing a perfect copy in seconds while explaining what the ‘error colors’ meant. It didn’t take more than three minutes for all ten books to be duplicated—a cool map, dungeon guides, a compilation of reincarnate biographies, and system guides.
The maps transferred beautifully onto the enchanted volume—one that could actually zoom in on different regions when you touched them. It was absolutely incredible and probably worth more than some people’s houses, given how careful Julia was in doing that copy.
“…And there we have it, My Lady. Is there anything else you need?” the woman asked with bright eyes and a desire to be helpful, honeying every syllable. “Anything at all.”
Aria’s fingers slid across the spine, heart getting heavier with every new interaction. Sophia’s advice, a few weeks before their deaths, reasserted itself.
She hadn’t had a lot of people besides Damon to talk to growing up, predominantly a lack of female role models she actually looked up to, but Sophia had told her a few things that resonated. Aria knew she struggled to express herself. Damon was worthless for that kind of advice. He always knew what to say. Sophia’s solution?
“Speak through songs—their poetry. Find your voice in the rhythm, in the imagery. Some people will laugh or won’t understand, but they don’t want to understand anyway, and it still lets you express it. Think about a verse, and use that! I use poetry all the time. Some call it dramatic or like I’m being a diva, but it just feels…liberating.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way.” She cleared her throat. “But I feel thick tar on the inside of my chest, burning…like the walls around me are closing in.”
Julia’s eyes widened with concern. “My Lady? Is there something I did?”
“No. No…” she mumbled, trailing off and stepping back to rub her elbow. The image of that wood elf returned as if a mirage in twilight, two-way vision. “It’s not you. It isn’t… It’s me. It’s just hard to express. All of this is really…new to me.”
She brought the woman’s gaze to the map book. “This looks…expensive,” she mumbled, accepting the final product, her mind an open highway of guilt as her gaze drifted to the ceiling, seeing ghosts of the past. “Are you sure I can’t pay for these materials?”
Julia’s stiff posture laxed as a short silence passed between them, and a small, reflective smile lifted her lips. She pulled a loose strand of hair behind her ear and stepped away, crossing her arms and looking as if she was picking apart her words in a way no one else had in her life—as if they meant something profound and sobering.
All it did was twist Aria’s stomach and make her want to throw up.
But…things took a turn.
The librarian glanced up at the cycling manuscripts running like rivers through the air high into the tower infrastructure.
“…I apologize if you feel as if Bluerise is trying to purchase your favor. These are expensive materials. Yet, you must understand that to you, sun elf culture is normal, growing up in it. To us… Hmm. Maybe I should meet your words in kind.”
Her focus remained on the streams of knowledge. “Eternity belongs to you. To us, we are a ghost in the hallway, smiling flowers in wilt, as the sun shines upon us. We have to dream that you will remember us when the rain falls upon our autumn leaves in these ancient canopies of knowledge… But, I hope to the Holy Emperor you never know this feeling.”
Aria was speechless in the face of the human woman she’d first taken as serious and cold. Behind her glasses, she saw glistening brown eyes, holding emotion Aria didn’t feel like she’d earned. Yet, Julia’s words hit her chest like a wave.
“Just five minutes with you, My Lady, feels like an eternity. We just run forward, a life like wires as you turn divine. And we…we tangle endlessly, like lovers entwined, never to know the depth of those ancient canopies to bask in the blinding sun.
“When I say eternity belongs to you…the twilight and night belong to us, praying our wings will find us heaven, while you remain in autumn’s rain, watching us wash away. So, please, My Lady, think nothing of sacrifices of those who merely wish to feel the sun, even if only in your memory.”
All Aria could feel was ink bleeding into her heart…but she couldn’t tell her the truth, to take away that light in her eyes. Her confession of, ‘I hope to the Holy Emperor you never know this feeling.’ The vision of flashing lights, dying, seeing her brother’s lifeless eyes gripped her [Unchained Heart], and the walls were closing in again.
But…I’m not immortal. Yes, I might as well be to you by living fifteen hundred years, but…then again, no… I am immortal. An immortal lich…which is the exact opposite of that which lives in the sun… I’m a fraud.
This isn’t fun anymore…
“…Thank you, Julia,” she whispered, trying to put on a smile and seeing that wood elf once again in her mind. An elf subspecies that lived for three hundred and fifty to four hundred years. “I won’t forget you.”
The woman’s bottom lip trembled, and she gave her a reverent bow.
“I know the Holy Emperor will bless you.”
[Sun Elf Pride] told her not to feel guilty, but [Unchained Heart] won this exchange.
I am a villain.
As she packed what she could into her rapidly filling bag, she cleared her throat, trying to fight for a new topic to escape the filth rolling through her chest. If anything, there was a 0% chance Julia knew the lie she’d told.
“Julia? Archmagus Aldwin. What can you tell me about him?”
The librarian took a deep, emotional breath before wiping at the corner of her eyes, gathering her voice.
“Oh, the Archmagus is one of the kingdom’s treasures! He’s been protecting us for nearly sixty years. He is the one who mainly interacts with the more ancient figures who visit the kingdom as our representative, including sun elves. He is Level 42. Not that that would be impressive to you.”
Yeah, no, I’m super impressed. I just want to know what he’ll do!
“He used to adventure with reincarnates, back before the Vanishing,” Julia continued, clearly warming to her subject. “They say he even ventured into the Darkvein twice, though…”
She lowered her voice, looking up at the books again with that same hopeful melancholy she had when talking about autumn leaves and rain.
“From what I heard, those expeditions didn’t go well. The reincarnates had to be carried out for resurrection. But he brought them back! That’s what matters… Not even the chosen of the High Deities can bask in the sun.”
“Wow. That’s… I don’t know what to say.”
Julia’s eyes flew open, and she awkwardly drew away with a laugh.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to go so—my apologies, My Lady. I don’t mean to sour your experience or mood! The Archmagus is an incredibly well-known and respected official as a special advisor to the throne. He typically keeps to himself—that mysterious persona, but he’s not one who will spread rumors or betray your trust!”
What are you trying to imply? Aria internally cried. I don’t even know why you’d say that! Okay, time to get straight answers and bounce!
“Right, of course,” Aria nodded, pulling her hair around to fidget with it. “I just wanted to know if he meets with sun elves often? He appears to be quite accustomed to our culture.”
“Oh yes! He’s one of the few humans in the kingdom whom they come to meet. I’ve never seen a sun elf, like you, walking through the streets. Typically, from what I hear, they just teleport into the palace. Word is, he travels to other kingdoms just to meet with your—I mean, with sun elf diplomats.”
Julia leaned closer conspiratorially. “Though between you and me, I heard he’s particularly close with one who visits more often. Not Lord Lumineth, but someone else—a woman. Very mysterious. I thought it was you, to be honest!”
“How mysterious,” Aria managed, feeling sweat gathering under her arms.
Which…how?! This was a magically constructed body, costing 50 Mana! She was a Lich. And undead. Sweating? Disgusting. Princesses probably didn’t sweat. Sun elf royalty probably smelled like sunshine and dreams or something equally ridiculous.
No, that was stupid! Of course, princesses sweat. Her mom would sweat…
Why am I spiraling?! Get a grip! she internally screamed to herself, gathering everything up and edging toward the door as Julia tried to interpret why she’d suddenly gone quiet. I have a super-wizard who thinks I’m sun elf royalty, a rando boy from the isles, tainting my good name, and Damon is flipping off pet shopping! Now…I’m basically a goddess to this lady.
“My Lady? You seem nervous.”
“Me? Nervous?” she laughed, high and slightly manic. “No, no, no, no, no, I’m not nervous! Why would I be nervous? I’m just—I have more shopping to do. I need to leave by tomorrow, after all. My new reincarnate indentured slave and all.”
She backed further toward the door, clutching her stack of ten books like a shield. Julia watched with growing concern.
“Indentured reincarnate servant? Wow, that’s… The former prince?! Should I call for—”
“Nope!” Aria blurted, internally punching herself in the face. “I mean, no, thank you; you’ve been wonderful, absolutely wonderful. I have to go now. Goodbye! Uh. I’m happy I met you, I won’t forget you!”
Aria spun toward the door, tripped over her own feet, sent three books flying, scrambled to collect them while somehow maintaining her dignity—she didn’t—and basically fled the library like it was on fire.
What did I do? What did I just do?! I’m stupid! So stupid!
Here was her first stop out of that mess?
A hat store, where she was gifted a rather lavish summer hat with just the correct downward brim width to allow Aria to hide her face while reading a book; she had to cut holes in it for her ears, which were apparently longer than even her brother’s ears because, of course, sun elves had to have the longest.
The silk ribbon felt smooth between her trembling fingers as she worked, and the faint scent of lavender from the hat shop’s sachets made her think of better times, of safety—making her current situation feel even more surreal.
I just said it! That is not going away… No-ho-ho! Everyone will think my brother is my slave by tonight… He’s going to kill me. No. I can fix this. I can fix this! No, this is perfect!
If Damon is my slave, then…disrespecting him is disrespecting me! Right?
Yeah, that’s how it works, she internally laughed—it wasn’t hysterical; no, it was—her heart thumping as if a rabbit were beating a drum. She clutched the books tighter against her chest, system menu popping up while she hurriedly scribbled down a contract.
The walk back to the Silver Chalice was torture—every uneven cobblestone seemed to catch at her new shoes, the clip-clop of horses and rattle of cart wheels over stone pounding in rhythm with her racing heart.
The scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery turned her stomach instead of enticing her—even if in practice it would taste like ash—and the cheerful calls of merchants felt like accusations. Her mind blazed at lightning speed, trying to come up with any way out of this hole she’d dug.
All I need to do is look at Damon’s divine contract with the Holy Emperor, or whatever, and just…copy that! Just rework a few places, change out some words… [System Trickery] makes a bogus contract look legit, and… Easy! No, this is perfect!
Who is going to question the freaking Holy Emperor on a contract?
Pfft. Easiest save of my life!
Every person who looked at her might be a spy from the Archmagus or nobility. Every smile might be recognition that she’s a princess. Every whisper might be about her somehow binding the infamous dark elf former prince into her service.
Okay, stop. Stop spiraling! We’re good! It’s fixed! We’re safe! Just…think about something else… Shopping for Damon? Yes! Yes, he’s my slave. Naturally, I’d need to shop for him… Yeah, no, this is great! They worship me. I can get him everything we need!
She opened her status menu privately, scrolling through her abilities while sidestepping a creaking cart loaded with cabbages—their earthy smell mixing with horse sweat and leather as the driver called out apologies.
The warm afternoon sun caught the dust motes kicked up by passing feet, and somewhere nearby, a blacksmith’s hammer rang against metal in a steady, grounding rhythm.
Most people on the road immediately stepped to the side and gave her a clear path. She wasn’t doing a good job of hiding her identity. Gold skin, thin, long ears, and the smooth, flawless skin of her race didn’t allow much room in obscurity.
Right, I’m amazing. Look at all these Feats. Instant Cast, Magical Infinity, Mana Growth—Aldwin zeroed in on the flashy ones, but he had no idea about the necromancy.
Or the curse magic. Or the fact that I’m literally a lich. He’s not omniscient. Even if he thinks I’m sun elf royalty, if only three ever exit the isles, then we’ll be long gone before he talks to anyone important.
The thought made her giggle, which drew a curious, reverent look and bow from a passing merchant, prompting her to grin and wave.
See. Everything’s fine. Focus on Damon. What’s he up to?
She scrolled to their shared connection, frowning at his Unity Tamer setup. No bonds other than hers were visible, which meant he hadn’t found a pet.
Should I spy on him?
Keep checking and see what he picks?
No, that’ll ruin the surprise. Plus, he’ll probably pick something boring and practical…like an ox or raven…
She released a long sigh that ended in a huff, resting her chin on the stacked books and readjusting her shoulder sack.
Meanwhile, I’m over here imagining him with like, a celestial wolf or a baby dragon or—ooh, what if it’s something cute? What if it’s so cute I die? A little guy who just adores me, snuggles with me…maybe can turn into a handsome, rugged prince? What’s this…
Her attention shifted to his Dhampir Feats, and her steps slowed as she made it to the street her inn was on.
Wait. Wait, wait, wait… There’s a dropdown menu to some of these?
Sick!
Let’s see…
[Place of Rest], [Heart Life], [Misty Escape]—her brother was basically immortal!
System-chan, you mean to tell me that if someone kills my brother, he’ll just come back—well, float back into his coffin—and just come back. Why didn’t Mom make a big deal about this?! It’s huge! But…only if he had a proper resting place. Which meant…I need to do some more shopping! I’m such a good little sister.
Skipping into the inn, she breathed in the familiar mix of roasted meat, ale, and wood polish that clung to the warm air. The soft murmur of conversations and clink of pewter mugs created a cozy backdrop.
She did a little spin once inside, her dress swishing against her legs. The floorboards creaked pleasantly under her feet as she waved at patrons, employees, and indentured servants, singling out one particular teen near her own age—a bright, bubbly chocolate-haired girl she’d checked in with.
“Tess, I have a surprise!”
The girl paused, face beaming upon seeing her.
“Lady Aria! What can I do for you?”
She immediately set down the mugs she was bringing to a table and bounced up to her, ready to be of service. Several others were scrambling to do the same.
“As you can see,” Aria chimed, puffing up her chest and presenting the contract she’d cooked up, “I have found myself in the possession of a certain former prince!”
Tess’ eyes widened to the size of the plates the man beside her was carrying before Aria swiftly dismissed it, leaving most of the details obscure.
“The former prince—he entered service w-with you, My Lady?! That means…”
She trailed off, glancing back at the counter, where her aunt—a plump, stalky woman—was wearing a frown while wiping her flowery hands on her apron.
Several mutters surrounded the inn’s dining hall—most concerned, some curious, and a few scowling at one another, not speaking but clearly contemplating. The warmth from the stone hearth seemed to press against her back, and she could smell the lingering scent of pipe tobacco from a corner table. Someone’s wooden spoon clinked against their bowl in the sudden quiet, unnaturally loud.
Aria let it sink in for dramatic effect, but the owner’s brow furrowed, clearing her throat from across the room and drawing attention. “Excuse me, My Lady, but…”
“Ahem, Auntie,” Tess interrupted in more of a forceful way that even made Aria give a little start. “The contract bears the mark of the Holy Emperor… Isn’t that great?”
Now, that got a reaction.
“Oh! Wonderful. That’s, umm…amazing!” The woman’s composure immediately fell apart, as did literally every other person’s uncertainty in the room. “I, uh…suppose it would make sense the Holy Emperor would personally seal the contract of a sun elf…”
Agreement cycled in waves, making Aria’s ears wiggle with delight, but inside, she was cackling like a witch.
Mua-hahahaha! Victory! Total victory! See, Damon, I can even overcome racism of the highest order. Safe!
“But, the Holy Emperor…an indentured servitude contract?”
Aria’s world went black and white, fracture lines splitting down the center at the aunt’s words—not doubtful, questioning, and that, that was worse.
She composed herself and showed a sweet smile while everyone else nodded and mumbled with curiosity, conversation filling the awkward space.
“I’ve never heard of the Holy Emperor sealing an indentured servitude contract.”
“It is the former prince, though. A dark elf. His Radiance did seal the royal state military contract with him.”
“True, but that was for the holy crusade—the war against Hell itself…”
“She is a sun elf, though, one of the closest races to the Holy Emperor himself.”
“Right…”
“Yeah, that’s true. And the indentured servitude system has been expanding recently.”
“Maybe it’s His will?”
“Maybe? The palace is pretty restrictive about it, but Marquess Aldric indulges in supporting those who cannot support themselves.”
“Huh…”
Oh, no. No, no, no, no, this was supposed to work!
Aria felt the life leaving her magical body, books pulling tighter against her chest as Tess stepped aside. The peppy girl looked to the authority in the inn, her aunt moving around the counter to join them.
She wore an absolutely accommodating smile, not a shred of doubt in her warm eyes as she gave her a very respectful curtsy.
“May I see the contract, Lady Aria? I know you will log it in the holy registry, as all His contracts are that invoke His name—much less bear His personal mark—but it is just so…relieving that you will be reigning the Nightcrawler in.”
Rude…
“Umm. Yeah. Of course, but I do need to…go shopping again and drop off these books. My arms are getting tired.”
“Of course. Of course. I just wanted to… Oh. It is His holy seal… Mmm.”
Silence filled the establishment, breath held, and Aria revealed the simplified version, heart practically pounding out of her chest.
Tess’ eyes were transfixed on the illuminated moon that represented their patron deity—a sphere, pearl-white with golden veins running along it in holy radiance.
“I see,” the aunt hummed, eyes furrowed, scanning line by line.
Her focus was as if she were a legal scholar—heck, she might be since this was a lawful kingdom! The screen didn’t flicker as the woman’s weathered fingers slid across it, and Aria caught the scent of flour and yeast that clung to her apron. Behind them, the fire popped and hissed, and someone’s chair scraped against the wooden floor.
“A five-year contract, due for crimes against sun elf law…see attached laws in subsection, with payment being charged with enacting whatever the contract owner deems holy and good… That has to be the most vague and all-reaching indentured servitude law I have ever seen. So many references to laws, but so few legal representation statutes applied? Hmm…”
Shoot! Shoot! Did I go overboard? No, pivot. Run away!
“Ahem. I really must be going,” she muttered, closing the window. “My servant will be arriving before me. Please provide him whatever he requests. I needed someone to protect me on my travels, and I thought, who better than a reincarnate! They’re so OP, eh—overpowered.”
“And also has a target on his back,” one of the older gentlemen mumbled into his mug.
The aunt merely smiled, looking a tad curious. Obviously, she was not satisfied, but unwilling to challenge her. “My apologies for holding you, My Lady, we will…do as you request. I look forward to reading the full details when it is uploaded into the legal database. I am sure most of the kingdom will be invested in this contract.”
“Absolutely!” Aria giggled.
Inside, she was screaming.
I’m screwed! I’m so screwed!
I don’t even know what that is? Where do I upload it? Can I? Do they have fraud detection? Is the Holy Emperor going to strike me down?!
“If you’ll excuse me…”
Walking to the stairs to reach her room in the third floor’s VIP section—that she got for free—every step felt like there was lead in her heels. The polished wooden steps groaned under her weight, and suddenly she was self-conscious about each sharp click of her shoes echoing through the utterly silent space. The scent of beeswax from the banister mixed with dust and old leather, and she could feel eyes following her ascent, though she didn’t dare look back.
It’s fine.
I’m totally fine.
Damon will fix it all.
He always does.
I just…need to keep this up.
Damon will know what to do…
I hope.
--------------------
[ Next POV: Damon]
[ Theme: Now that our lich is internally screaming, how is her big brother doing now that he's on his way to the Garden District? ]
--------------------
