Three hours have officially passed. Alicia got their father to rest while Ophelia reunited with her mother once again in adult form. Needless to say, the mother was baffled by the sudden growth spurt, but also oddly supportive. She loved Ophelia just the way she was, regardless of her mysterious nature.
After taking a slight tour around the Kingdom, Alicia tended to her father while Sophie slept soundly after giving birth. Ophelia was all alone—able to dwell in her thoughts. Eventually, she found herself in a lavishly decorated room that was reserved for her. Initially the guest room, it has been transformed into her own mystical chambers.
The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries and shelves filled with various books about the history of Algunita and magic. A large four-poster bed dominated one side of the room, while a grand fireplace crackled with warmth.
Wrath and Envy stood guard by the door, their imposing presence making the room feel even more spacious. Ophelia sank into a plush armchair, her thoughts still lingering on her father's condition and the kingdom's future.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Master Ophelia?" Asked Ulysses, standing next to the door beside Invidia.
"Of course, I am, why wouldn't I be?" Proclaimed the princess, crossing her leg over the other. "I've already grown fond of this new life, and it's only been a day." She said, grinning at the two sins.
"Allow me to join the maids in the lower section of the castle to make some tea." Stated Invidia, bowing their head before taking their leave.
"Yes, of course, thank you Envy." Ophelia smiled at his kind gesture and faced the bookshelf across the room, lifting her hand. A magical energy enveloped one of the books as she pulled it towards her, catching it in her palm. "I'd like to study more about this world. If I plan to rule it, then I must have prior knowledge." Commented Ophelia, speaking to Wrath in the room.
"There is much to learn, Master Ophelia. Your nature is quite peculiar." She uttered, approaching a nearby chair to sit.
Ophelia lifted her brow in question, facing her Cardinal Sin. "Hoh? Well don't leave me in the dark, Ulysses, would you kindly explain what you mean?" She asked, setting her book on the armrest.
She nodded her head, animated with interest. It was obvious that Wrath was thrilled to discuss their master's origins.
"I'm certain you are aware by now, but you're a Voidbound, Lady Ophelia."
The princess seemed struck by her comment, lifting her brows in question until she remembered her race in the Foundation System.
"Ah, yes, I saw it labeled under my name, but I didn't think much of it." Remarked Ophelia, now curious about her intrinsic nature.
"Mm…" Wrath smiled, nodding their head. "There can only be one Voidbound in the Multiverse, Master, you have no idea how rare and special you really are. By essence, you're a being unbound by the Governing Order, who calls themselves the Sisters of Fate."
Taken aback by this newfound knowledge, Ophelia's expression remained rather neutral, tilting her head to the side in thought.
"So the Sisters of Fate are a Governing Order for the entire Multiverse?" Asked Ophelia, questioning everything.
"Yes, Master, the three sisters are the ones who decide the fate of the world and write the script of the Multiverse. You exist as an anomaly, opposing their script, and outside of their influence. You can change the narrative, and create one of your own! That is the power you wield." Proclaimed the Sin, joyful as ever. She was even more excited than Ophelia herself.
"I see…" She gazed upon the ground, pondering about her existence.
Ophelia couldn't quite put her finger on as to why she became this 'Voidbound' that Wrath mentioned. She was once a human, but now she was something far more… chaotic. There could only be one logical conclusion in her mind, and that was Agnes Gravenworth. She must've tampered with her origins in one way or another.
"Voidbounds are a natural force of the Multiverse that exist to oppose the Governing Order. It is the three Sisters of Fate who decided the Ten Virtue Heroes, alongside Odin, to stop Azathoth from consuming worlds. You weren't part of their script, and they left you out, Master. You were supposed to die back in your other world, and be consumed by the World Eater." Exclaimed Wrath, angry in her eyes.
The Governing Order was a force that exists in Yggdrasil, primarily the Sisters of Fate. They were the core of Yggdrasil, and transcended the Elohim, also known as the Gods. Their authority was absolute above all other laws and order bestowed by the Gods of Yggdrasil, ruling supreme.
Understanding their importance, Ophelia questioned everything with a calculated look. If she opposed creation, and the script of the world, she could inevitably ruin the fate set up by the Governing Order, and alter the script itself.
"Ufufu…" Ophelia's lips curled into a wicked smile, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement. Standing up from the sofa, she walked over to the window, staring out at the kingdom she was about to upend. "The Sisters of Fate were indeed the ones who decided the ten heroes and left me to die. That is most certain. However…" Ophelia turned to face Wrath from behind, her violet eyes swirling with madness. "That is what made me into who I am, Ulysses. I am grateful! If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here right now, enjoying this luxurious room, and having the chance to get revenge on this world!" Excitement coursed through her veins. "Everyone that has betrayed me and left me at my lowest will now understand my pain."
Wrath smiled at her master's sudden exhilaration, their voice taking on an enthusiastic tone.
"The Heroes will resist your control once you decide to conquer this world, Master. They were made to save this Multiverse from Azathoth, and not to serve a princess like you."
Ophelia chuckled softly, her reflection in the window showing a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "Let them resist. It will make matters more fun for me. And besides..." She turned her body to face Ulysses, her expression now filled with cold determination. "I'll enjoy tearing that pig, Tanimoto, into pieces. It won't be with brutal force but by emotional manipulation!" A dark idea echoed in her mind as she bit her fingernail. "He was your stereotypical athlete that got every girl back in school, he's bound to find one here, sooner or later."
Wrath widened her eyes, facing her master with curiosity and conjecture.
"Master… are you saying…-"
Ophelia chuckled, her thoughts now running wild.
"Yes, Ulysses, I'll drive him to the ground. Tanimoto will inevitably find a woman that he loves, but in the end, I'll make her mine. I'll take her hand in marriage, and break his heart. He won't see it coming, he'll be Oh So Devastated!"
Ophelia's eyes narrowed with malicious intent as she considered him her first target. The memory of his cruelty still burned in her mind—he had even driven her past self, Yuto, into committing suicide at one point. He was a horrible person, who never received karma a day in his life.
Walking from the window, Ophelia paced the room slowly, her fingers tracing the spine of one of her many books on the shelf. Her lips curled into a sinister smile as she thought about how to destroy Tanimoto and bestow upon him an even worse pain.
"Master, you're truly wicked and vindictive, it is an honor to be created by you…" Wrath watched her with keen interest, sensing the dark impulse radiating from their mistress.
Ophelia finally stopped pacing and faced her companion, remembering another key factor with her plan. "Once I fulfill my objective, it is only natural to bed with his beloved." Grinning at the thought, Ophelia sat at the edge of her bed. "That way, the Sin of Lust can finally be born. Quite fitting, wouldn't you say?"
Ulysses eagerly nodded their head.
"Everything you do is strategized perfectly, Master Ophelia! I shall help you in any way that I can."
All of a sudden, Invidia gracefully entered the room with a delicate porcelain teapot as steam risen from the spout.
"Ah, Invidia, welcome back my dear. It's safe to assume that you got along with the other maids?" Ophelia smiled warmly at the Sin, showing a rare display of genuine appreciation.
The aroma of jasmine tea filled the air as he poured a cup for Ophelia on the table nearby. Envy nodded as he approached his mistress, handing her the cup of tea.
"We've discussed some things about tea, and your birth, and they called me a liar, but nonetheless, they were friendly people." Ophelia took the cup from him with both hands, savoring the warmth against her palms.
"Hoh? Well, it's not every day you hear of a newborn growing into a fully adult woman in the span of a few hours. With uprise, I've given myself the body of an early 25-year-old woman." Gently blowing on the tea, Ophelia savored its rich smell.
Ulysses watched the interaction with mild curiosity as Envy poured her some tea as well, handing it over with delicate care.
"The tea is perfect, Invidia. Thank you."
Envy slightly bowed and stood beside his mistress, waiting for orders if needed.
"Hm?" Ophelia glanced at the stoic sin, finally taking a sip of her tea before setting it down on her dresser. "Envy, there is no need to stand around all day, my dear, you can do other things that you enjoy instead of serving me."
The Sin of Envy widened their eyes, facing their master with a disoriented look.
"…The only thing I enjoy is serving you, Master, there is no greater thing in life."
Ophelia lifted her brows at his comment and huffed a deep sigh. She knew that the Cardinal Sins were just born today, so they were bound to be clingy. Not to mention, they didn't have any personality but to only serve and obey. She wanted a little change.
"There needs to be a slight altercation with you two, and I think I have the right idea…"
Both Ulysses and Invidia widened their eyes in question, glancing at one another.