Setting out thing the freshly cooked steak from behind the counter, Robin couldn't help but noticed the small changes in Aria. However, what interested him the most was how she moved her body ever so slightly just to touch the men in the inn. The way her hips moves just to brush the men's back, and the way she would bump her chest to them as she passed out their orders.

"Aria," he called.

"Coming, just let me finish putting this plate down."

While she moved towards him, he confirmed the slight change in her. Her subtle actions were vastly different from her usual self when she avoided even the slightest contact with the men. After all, she's still recovering from back them, but maybe it's a good thing that she's finally able to come in contact. Then again, the change of hers is too sudden, and it could lead to some destructive behaviors.

"What the hell did you do with Alseif?" he jumped to the point. "Rather, what the hell happened between the two of you?"

She sighed, "I-"

"I guess you two did do something," he interrupted. "Has Eliza warned you?"

"Warned me?" She bit her lips, "No, but she did mention that she wanted to talk to me earlier today."

"Did you two sleep with each other?" Robin asked as he recalled the noise from upstairs earlier.

Shame washed over her face as she turned to look away, "No."

"Good. I had hoped that Eliza would warn you instead, but I guess it's too late for that."

"Warn me... about what?"

"Stay away from Alseif," he ordered. "As of now, the two of you are incapable of being together."

Her eyes lowered with a tinged of sadness within them. "You don't have to tell me that. Alseif wouldn't want to see me anyways."

He bit his lips in irritation, "Go back to work, we'll talk later."

She complied and walked off into the crowds of people however, Robin noted how different her body moved this time. She avoided all contacts with the people sitting around the tables, and she avoided even the slightest contact with her body. A sudden change in her behavior irritated Robin. Why did she want to come into contact first, and now she's avoiding all contact?

"Gray, what did you do?" he silently muttered to himself.

Urging everyone out earlier due to Mourinthia because Robin knew how chaotic the festival could be since he himself experienced it firsthand. Last year, he allowed people inside his inn during the festival, and things quickly got out of control. He lost around forty plates and sixty mugs that night, so now he knew better than allowing people in evening.

"I'll be heading out now, Robin," his employee said as he popped open the entrance door.

"See you tomorrow," Robin replied.

Noticing how the girls were swiftly cleaning up, he knew that he girls wanted to head out for Mourinthia. After all, they used to be slaves along with other, and since they were slaves, some passed away. Even if the girls weren't friends with the others, they understood the suffering of slaves, so of course they wanted to pay their respects. On the other hand, Aria wasn't as enthusiastic about the Mourinthia as the others.

"Aria, why don't you take the girls out first," Eliza asked as she wiped a table.

Smiling bitterly, she replied. "Okay."

As if noticing the sudden change in her tone, Eliza immediately faced Robin. One look at his face, and Robin knew that Eliza understood what he wanted to tell her. Something had occurred between Gray and her. His mental message made it to her as her brows furrowed in shame. Not that she was ashamed of herself, Robin knew that much, but rather she wasn't able to help Aria move on.

"Actually, let's all go together? Is that okay, dear?" She requested.

Robin blinked in surprise. This must be her first time ever requesting something from him. Thinking back three years, he realized that she had never asked him for any favor. He smiled, "Sure, just make sure to come back before midnight."

The younger girls cheered as Momo smiled deeply. Apparently, she hasn't regained her voice yet after all these years. Robin often wonders how she would sound like, and sometimes he would hear voices of a child here and there. But to his disappointment, it was just the local children that often plays around the front of his inn. Seeing the girls move out into the night of the festival, he decided to finish drying up all the plates.

The sky had darkened before Robin realized how much time had passed since the girls had gone. After finishing the last pair of plates in his hands, he moved over to the entrance and locked it. Returning to the counter, he took out a sheet of paper from his pocket laying it down. Looking at the piece of paper, he was satisfied at the profit he earned. Shoving back into his pocket, he prepared himself for what's to come.

"Gray!" he called.

Footsteps upstairs echoed throughout the whole inn as if there was no one inside it. Then again, everyone has gone out to celebrate Mourinthia for the entire night, and now the only ones left inside the inn are Gray and himself. Seeing Gray come down from the stairs, he reached over the counter and pulled out a jug with two cups. Tonight is going to be a long night.

"Need something?" Gray asked.

"I'm surprised the two of you haven't done it."

"Apparently, I have a lot of self control," he said as he sat down next to Robin.

Self-control?" Robin chuckled, "Don't lie to me. I know your type of people, and your types don't associate yourself with self-control."

"Meaning?" Gray inquired with a puzzled look.

"Most of your type of people would've jumped at the chance to settle down to ease your suffering."

Gray scowled, "You think that I'm suffering?"

"Do you deny it?"

Gray snapped his tongue as he turned his gaze away, acknowledging the fact that Robin's statement rings true. Of course, it would be easy for someone like him to deny it, but that would just mean that he refuses to accept what he has experienced. The worst offense to Gray himself, is denial however, he seemingly understands that. His actions today reiterate that he knew himself better than most broken people do. He's not going to run away from his problems.

"I want to talk for a moment, is that okay?" Robin said as he filled a cup with the wine and passed it to Gray. However, Gray hesitated for a mere second before accepting the cup.

"I'm not good with alcohol," he mentions as he took a sip. "A year ago, I tried to do what most people do when they try to drink away their problems. It didn't turn out as well as I expected." Robin chuckled knowing that this wasn't what he wanted to talk about, but it's a perfect opportunity to learn more about Gray.

"What happened?" he tried to hold in his laughter.

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"People take advantage of you," Gray scowled. "Almost gave my seed to women at the brothel. Luckily, I somehow subconsciously locked the door before the women could enter."

Robin shook his head in disbelief, "Did you say 'woman' or 'women'?"

"What do you think?" Gray rubbed his head as if he wanted to ease a headache. "The town is mostly made of men in their fifties, and not to mention the boys weren't even old enough to have hair down there. How do you think the whores are going to act when they see a young man marching into their lair?"

Robin burst out laughing, "You'd be drained if you left it open!"

Gray scowled, "That's not the point!"

 Noticing the sudden change in mood, Robin immediately stopped himself from laughing, and something tells him that Gray had other plans. Of course, the exiled prince is not much of a jokester to start with, so he must have a reason to tell such a story.

"You wouldn't understand what it feels like to know that your children are cursed from the moment they are born." Gray clenched his fist. "My descendants would suffer a fate far worse than my own. Even if I did have children, how exactly am supposed to teach them how to live their cursed lives! What am I supposed to say? Deal with the curse that you were born with as I have had to do my whole life?"

Robin couldn't deny it. He couldn't deny the fact that Gray carried an curse that only he has. A curse that he claims will spread to his descendants. No one in this world carried the same burden of being born with a curse. Not to mention that the one who cursed him was his father, the King of Raultivon. Then again, the King's child isn't Gray, but a Zazion soldier who assaulted the Queen during her kidnapping. Perhaps it was the safest route to take for a Kingdom. After all, a bastard child could cause an uprising to the order of the Kingdom. Still, to live with such a curse is too much of a burden to bear.

Robin sighed, "Perhaps you can break the curse? Provide me context to the curse and I may give you information depending on how you ask the questions."

"You think I can break my curse?" Gray hesitated, "Knowing you, you should already be informed of the power of the Harmonic Bloodline."

Robin rubbed his chin, "Yes, I've heard of the bloodline. What about it?"

Only those who have directly descended from the Raultivon line have control over such a power. The descendents of the bloodline have the ability to cover themselves in a white fiery viel that could block any type of projectile. Furthermore, the bloodline also provided the capabilities to strengthen their features beyond humanly measures. Rumor has it that their physical prowess is immense without even the slightest change in their physical form.

However, the deadliest ability of the Raultivon Bloodline is the magical capabilities that it flows in their blood. They are able to cast a devastator tier magic spell without the slightest repercussions besides exhaustion. From the historical records, the strongest Raultivon that ever lived obliterated three enemy forces numbered over thirty thousand in a day.

Gray bit his lips, "I don't have the Harmonic Bloodline flowing within me."

"What do you mean?" Robin raised his brows in confusion, "Aren't you a bastard child? You shouldn't have the bloodline at all."

"What would you say if I told you that I have something similar to it?"

Shocked, Robin stood up knocking his seat over. "Someone from Zazion assaulted your mother and she became pregnant with you. What are you proposing!?"

"I don't know how things were before I was born, so I could care less about who my father is or was. However, the people that raised me told me that I carry the Chaotic Bloodline."

"Elves," Robin confirmed to Gray's surprise. "Are you implying that you are not your mother's bastard child, but your father's?"

"It's a possibility," Gray sighed. "But taking in consideration of the Raultivon Kingdom's massive knowledge about magic proved otherwise. After all, both magic and magical curses are unpredictable."

Robin scowled. This information can change the balance of the whole world if it leaks. If any of the kingdoms learn about this, they will use it as an advantage to weaken the Raultivon Kingdom. Fear crawled up Robin's spine as he imagined another Kingdom having the Harmonic Bloodline within their forces. The Raultivon Kingdom is already a force to reckon with and if another Kingdom were to have this power, the land would suffer the consequences.

Trying to calm himself down, Robin breathed in. "Does anyone else know about this?"

"Just you," Gray sipped his wine.

Furiously grabbing on Gray's collar, Robin pulled him in making him drop the cup in the process. "What the fuck were you thinking? I am the worst person to tell this to!"

"Who else can I tell this to?" Gray roared. "I have no one else!"

Noticing Gray's fingers wrapping itself around his left wrist, Robin immediately understood what Gray tried to do. Robin winced in pain as he felt his bones slowly snapping, but the pain stopped shortly after. Staring deep into Gray's eyes, Robin could see the hopelessness in it. Within the eyes contains fear, sorrow, rage, and despair. The hard shell of the prince seemed fragile now, almost as if the person in front of Robin could break anytime.

"You should know better than to..." Robin felt himself trail off as droplets of water fell to his thumb.

"What the hell am I supposed to do!?" Gray broke down. Tears streamed down his cheeks. "Tell me, Robin! What would you have done if your father wanted you dead? What would you do if people you cherish feared you once they found out about your powers? What would you do when someone precious betrays you! What would you have done to protect everyone...?"

"Gray," Robin muttered as he drew his hands away broken man, watching his lifeless body drop onto the chair.

"What would you have done to help Aria...?" Gray sobbed, "Please... Tell me... Robin..."

Perhaps what Gray went through was worse than what Robin had originally imagined. Realizing the error in his ways, Robin looked away in shame. He never viewed Gray as a boy, but as an adult capable of taking care of himself. Not once did he think to himself that perhaps this person was forcing himself to be an adult. A lost child in the wild is the perfect description for someone like Gray, but for him to break after everything that has happened to him. He is more of a man than anyone Robin knew including himself.

"Tell me what you know about this curse," Robin asked. "I have watched many suffer from burdens, but for someone as young as you who suffer from a something even I don't understand make me feel pathetic. I will make an exception and tell you all I know."

"I don't know much about it myself," Gray hesitated. "My magic is influenced by the curse. Perhaps it's passive? And whenever I activate the curse, I become some kind of dark spirit capable of ripping man apart with my bare hands."

"So you can activate the curse? Doesn't seem like any curse I've heard of before." Robin scratched his head, "Perhaps it's a variation of a curse? Tell me more, like if there are any repercussions from activating the curse?"

"There's extreme exhaustion and probably some internal damage to my body as well." Gray sighed, "Feels like my insides are on fire the moment I stop the curse. Interestingly, I cannot utilize the curse for more than five minutes."

"How severe are the damages?"

"If we're talking about how close I am to dying, I'd say half-dead."

Robin rubbed his head in defeat. The closest form of the curse that he knows of is the Erifae, which damages the body until the moment the host dies. However, Gray shouldn't be living this long if the curse was indeed the Erifae. There are too many anomalies within his curse. Robin cursed himself for having no information on such a curse that was casted on Gray.

"Sorry Gray, I have no information regarding that curse. However, I will continue to dig to find you a cure." Robin promised.

"Don't worry about it. I'm in your hands now."

A curse that powers the physical body seems just like the power of the Harmonic Bloodline. Perhaps the bloodline is just a product of magic that was casted onto the royals of Raultivon from hundreds of years ago, and now it's just being passed down through descendants? If that's the case, then what is the curse that lies inside Gray? It might be a hunch, but maybe Gray's curse is the total opposite of the Harmonic Bloodline. Maybe that's why the elves called it the Chaotic Bloodline.

"Keep in mind, I'm not your friend once you walk out of here!" Robin jokingly chuckled.

"Understood," Gray agreed.

Immediately, the entrance burst open as a person in bloody rags dragged himself in. Recalling that the person who barged inside happens to be one of his cooks, Robin's heart dropped. Screams echoed outside of the inn as people rushed past the door. Noticing of fast Gray had charged outside, Robin followed him into the main street. Fear and anxiety washed over Robin just as he remembered that the girls were still outside.

"No way..." Robin mumbled in despair. "This can't be happening."

"Robin," Gray growled. "Where are the girls?"

"I don't know..." Robin shook his head in despair as he recalled that Gray didn't know where the girls had gone.

Robin cursed himself, I made the wrong decision to let the girls go out for Mourinthia. Damn it! What the hell was I thinking? Eliza, is she okay? No, what about the girls? How did Edgar meet up with the Zazion Kingdom during Mourinthia? No, Edgar clearly wants to avoid an open battle with Zazion, so how did it come to this? His legs felt weak at the knees, his hands shook being unable to control it, and his sight blacked out for a second.

"They're in the main square," Robin heard someone said behind him. Turning around, he noticed that the source was the cook from earlier with a gash in his arm. "The girls are in the main square. They're being held as hostages."

"Eliza-"

"Stay here," Gray ordered, his tone deepened. "Five minutes should be enough."

The candle lanterns hanging from overhead went out as a strong gust of wind blew past. Darkness began to envelope Gray in a spiral motion, covering him up like a shell. In front of Robin's eyes stood a black cocoon, and it seems that the darkness had mind of its own. Occasionally breaking windows and lashing out to the people around the cocoon. Instantly, the cocoon broke open blasting everyone near him away. The figure of a shadow beast almost like a monster stood in front of Robin. There's no way he would've believed the thing is Gray if not for him transforming in front of him, but this Gray felt more menacing than earlier.

"I'll bring them back," Gray said and instantly leaped up onto the roofs, heading towards the main square too fast for Robin to see what happened. Coming to terms that he couldn't do anything, Robin supported his worker and dragged him inside the Inn.

"Please save them all, Gray," Robin mumbled.