Key To A Goblin's Heart

Magnus' POV

I must admit, despite everything I had said before, that the headache Victoria gave me is terrible. I only said that I didn't care, because I didn't want her to know how much it hurt. Of course, I can't afford to look weak, especially in a situation such as this, where I am finally playing a upper hand. Maybe, maybe if I played my cards right, I can have her. 

I know what they say about not using people's vulnerability, but I have only ever known how to manipulate them. Being an orphan doesn't really teach you great solidarity, especially under the conditions that I had been brought up on. I don't deny feeling a little pity for Victoria though, it must be hard to know such a big truth of your life in so casual a way. She obviously deserves better than this, but in life one seldom gets what they deserve. 

I clinched my temples, trying to make the headache go away. But my efforts were fruitless, it's a magically induced one and try as I might, I can't make it simply disappear! I still tried to hold my facade of great composure before Victoria, willing her to withdraw her magic and maybe talk it out. 

But, she was adamant on torturing me to get to the truth. By now, she should have realized how little that would affect me, and that torture won't make me give my only secret away. Afterall, it's the only leverage I have against her, and I am not simply going to give it away like that. I need to negotiate a way out of all these. 

Victoria was saying something, but I chose to conveniently ignore her. My mind hatched a plan, a rather outrageous one and I somehow felt a little guilty carrying it out. Afterall, desperate times do require desperate measures. And, she was so close to me now, I could smell her lavender perfume and her breath rippled across mine. Was it right? I didn't have any chance to give into moral implications of my actions just yet, and without thinking further, I kissed her. 

I really didn't know what I was thinking, but her mouth was so close to mine and I just wanted her to stop speaking. Maybe that's the reason I did this, but something inside me nudged, indicating a deeper hidden motive. I pushed it away, and kissed her harder. Her mouth felt soft, despite all her outward toughness and she smelled strongly of lavender and chocolates. 

Something melted inside me, an unknown sensation of warmth rose ahead and miraculously my headache disappeared. I felt as light as a bubble, as energetic as a summer's day and a overwhelming giddiness took over my senses. The time itself had frozen in place, I was unable to recall how long it was past when I finally broke free. 

I expected outrage, prepared myself even for a smack in the face, but instead I was greeted by a cold silence. Victoria looked at me fiercely, her eyes betraying no emotion even as her face tinged a slight pink. Or, was it just that my eyes were playing some sort of trick on me? I tried to smile, but my face was frozen as I recalled only moments before I had kissed her. 

Victoria's gaze didn't shift from mine. She looked as cold as ever, and maybe a bit frustrated. But not at all shocked, in fact she wasn't in the least outraged. I was expecting a more dramatic response from her, maybe shouting or knocking me off would have worked too. But this cold silence really started to bother me. I had seen Cassie swoon, after I had first kissed her, she almost fainted on spot!

In fact, as far as I can recall, every time I had kissed any girl in the past, she had been way too overwhelmed with it. As if a kiss sealed the fate of a relationship, giving meaning to things that were only being implied before. I had always wondered why people took a kiss so seriously, why does a single act say more about a relationship than any other thing? I often got bored with such girls, as they started behaving even more submissive to me after I had kissed them. 

Since puberty hit me, everyone used to remark how handsome I am. Everywhere I went, I was only greeted with praise for my looks, and ladievs would swoon over me for my charm, which they said was always directly proportional to a man's beauty. While all I had ever wanted was a recognition for my talents, my skills which I had always valued way ahead of my stupid face. But no one saw past this face, and maybe that's when I started manipulating it. It was so much easier to give in, when that's what they had ever wanted. 

I had always been aware of my effect on women in particular. And not once, did I manipulate it. But, never have I received such a response before. Victoria's coldness was such a stark contrast to the softness that I saw in all the ladies I had kissed before. Also, why did it matter so much about how she felt? Wasn't the entire point of the kiss to distract her and make the headache go away?

But, still it continued to trouble me. It seemed as if she were expecting it, knowing my moves fully before I had executed them. Or, was she used to being kissed by random strangers all the time? That thought really bothered me now, and I looked at her with new found suspicions. 

"Wasn't that good enough?" I said trying to sound a bit casual, but my voice came out strained. 

Victoria simply continued to stare at me, in fact she was rooted to her spot. 

But, before I could say something else, she suddenly put all her force on mine, and kissed me even harder. 

Both of us fell on the floor as I lost balance, her lips still pressed against mine but for some reason I didn't do anything to break myself free of her. And, I realised with a shock, it felt really good! I had never been kissed like this before, so aggressively and with so much passion, and I returned it with an equal force. 

None of us seemed to want to break it, and for a long while we lay on the floor, kissing each other, as if trying exert our own might and prove something!

Then, suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my bottom lip and I realised that Victoria had bit me. I broke free with an yelp, and as I touched my bottom lips, I saw blood. My tongues could metallic taste of blood, and I wiped it off with my thumb. 

Victoria looked at me amused. 

"You really thought I would fall for your petty tricks?" She said, "I know you are used to being adored by ladies, and so you simply assumed that everyone would give you the same importance! Well, bad for you, I am not like everyone else. A kiss won't change anything in me, nor would it make me fall in love with you. I know what you did to Cassie, and it would be really stupid to assume that I would fall in the same trap."

I stared at her in amazement, but quickly recovered my stance. It was a mistake on my part to take Victoria so lightly, I should have been more careful indeed. 

"The clever sister, indeed!" I muttered. 

"Yes" Victoria said sternly, "And now you will tell me what you know."

She flicked her wrists, and the agonising headache was back again. 

I groaned in pain and Victoria shot me a triumphant look.

"Before you try some other tricks, I must warn you that I am going to punish you even harder. Just say the truth, and it would cost you nothing." She said gravely. 

I frowned, trying to think of a way out of her clutches, but sometimes it's prudent to just accept your defeat and give in. So, I did just that. 

"Okay okay!" I said, "I'll tell you everything I know. Just stop this headache."

She smirked and flicked her wrist in the reverse direction, and my head felt normal again. I sighed, and sat down on the bed to catch my breath. 

I told her everything I knew. From my days dabbling in Dark Arts, to my encounter with Donald, I told her everything that I could so far remember. 

I stopped a bit, and allowed her to digest the truth. It must be difficult to know that your mother would be so ready to sacrifice your life to save her own. The concept of selfless maternal love is something that's considered the norm, and The Queen was clearly deviant from it, whatever be her reasons. 

Victoria listened to everything quietly, her expression as unreadable as ever. And despite everything, I still pitied her.