{Chapter 3}

He blinked twice and thought of many things to say. What had he meant? A bent? As in he bent his bone? "Pierre," Orion said, voice unshaken and firm, so much so that the squires around him glued themselves to the walls. "How can you not be interested in men? I too am interested in men. Men are interested in men, which is a natural part of human lives. It was normal for people to be interested in each other, as people are social creatures

Nothing was said. Orion blinked his eyes, befuddled by the repulsed yet empty gazes of the young boys somehow filled with passion.

Pierre stared with his jaw hanging, all the while his face turning as red as a girl on a sunny day. He turned around and pointed his finger. "Sir-sir Orion! How could you say such words?! Th-there is, no doubt-excuse me!" He ran and slammed the bathroom door shut.

Orion stood at the center of the squire quarters with wet hair. He nibbled his lips, brows furrowed, and left the other squires who barely moved from their spots; their eyes followed him until the moment he left the building.

"Are we not interested in each other?” Orion’s face was composed, but his mind lingered at the occurrences. “Humans naturally communicate with each other.”

The train of thought made the trek back to the palace seem like an inch away. When he reached the palace doors, he walked back to his room inside the palace, but then stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. He walked down the hallway which felt longer than usual for Orion.

Maids scurried down the path. Windows mirrored the retreating sunrays to the red carpets, much like mirrors of the heart of Soliere, but the carmine blood on rags that palace ladies carried stirred Orion’s heart. The remains of those men who went under trial were nothing but bloody cloths now. The maids carried it with an unbothered expression; perhaps they were long accustomed to this.

Orion felt a chill down his body and quickly looked away.

Servants lit the chandeliers and closed the curtains to allow night to come and take its place. Some bowed as Orion walked through the palace; some took a glance but did not look twice as did Orion.

A pair of golden twin doors emerged further down the hallway. Engravings of the sun and chain-like images were masterfully crafted onto the white handles. Isolated from other rooms, spare a few others, simple elegance and beauty shone. Despite its color, it was far less grand compared to other rooms in the palace, like a misplaced pear in a batch of apples; it could be said that it showed the humble heart of the person who resided behind these doors.

Behind them, he in a white shirt and cravat with a brown vest ringed his gloved finger around a fork, slicing into the cake on a flower-patterned plate. He silently sighed, rubbing his cheek with his other hand.

Orion slammed the doors open. "Luminur!"

“Cough!” Luminur exclaimed, "Have you lost your mind?!"

The fork and cake dropped to the floor. Luminur stared at the fallen dessert, before sighing through his nose, face with plastered nonchalance, defied by his strict gaze.

Orion tensed and looked away. Despite the plain expression of his, Luminur was always bathed in light even when the clouds occluded—and one was his countenance like a sun. His sandalwood eyes were gentle yet upturned with dark brown locks hanging around his face. A small mole marked the bottom corner of his mouth, adding a mature charm to the beautiful crown prince.

People dream of being someone who can command with a flick of the wrist. The presence he exuded as Tri-Seal bearer would sink humans into infatuation; fortunately, the remaining native races of Incardia were nearly immune to the golden Soul Energy. When he looked at Orion, the pressure of the golden Soul Energy nearly made Orion flinch; if he were not half-druid, he may have already succumbed to the powers of the Tri-Seal.

Luminur sighed again. “Orion, why—”

Orion shook his head and strutted towards Luminur and grabbed his shoulders. He couldn’t lose focus now of all times! he was going to get tied up and made to clean the mucks if he didn’t distract Luminur!. Luminur winced and glowered at him.

It was suicidal to allow it, so with a quick thought, Orion interrupted, "Luminur, tell me—what is, uhm, wrong in being interested in men?"

"What?" Luminur, whose mouth opened to speak, choked back on the air that was drawn. Staring at the silver eyes, so blatantly pressed in nervousness, he didn’t bother with that anymore; that question had slapped him across his so hard so much so that he asked in a low voice, "Orion, are you inclined towards men? I believed you were not."

“Uhm.” .

Luminur saw it and added, "Wait, do not speak." He pushed Orion’s hands off and stood up, his taller stature over the younger knight. "Orion, the words that you had spoken—what had you meant?"

Orion turned his nose in ridicule which made Luminur purse his lips. "It is clear that I meant the interest people hold for others."

"Such as?"

"I meant as fellow people."

Luminur stared, blinking at least three times. "I see. Let me be blunt with you. Are you aware of the second meaning behind your words?"

Orion’s eyebrow arched. "Is there a second meaning?"

Luminur’s lips curled strangely, and he almost let out a sound of choking on his spit. "Of course, why would there not be? What are you? Ten years of age?"

When the mention of age came about, Orion scowled like a grumpy cat. Luminur saw his expression and laughed like a window cleaner. Orion was so baffled that he almost laughed too; he wondered if Luminur was truly near the age of twenty, given his childish sense of humor but dared not to speak up his thoughts.

Luminur looked at Orion with twitching eyebrows for a second, before snickers began to run out of his mouth. “What a cute child!”

Orion clenched his fist, a cloud darkening over him. Luminur looked at the other, face red, the corner of his eyes tinted with tears from the fit of laughter. Luminur smiled and squeezed Orion’s cheeks with his fingers, and the latter threw a hefty glare at him. He smiled with a tinge of mischief, something far more different behind it, like a scheme being woven. The mood of the whole room was like a circus, and Luminur was swept by it. Like every moment from the toiling of trials and burdens of being Tri-Seal bearer were a fleeting nightmare, Luminur was excitable and took not a second longer to express it.

“Orion,” spoke Luminur like a coy cat.

A dumbfounded expression found its way onto Orion who shuddered at the sound of the voice; he swore that the prince sounded deranged. He held his word back, but a muddled mind made it difficult for him to react at all.

Luminur took this chance and closed the gap between them, faces only one hand apart, which made Orion jerk back in confusion. They were too close for comfort. Orion blinked once and tried to step away, to escape from the perplexing behavior of the prince, but Luminur grabbed his arm, leaving Orion stuck at his spot; his right arm snaked to the back of Orion who turned paler than snow.

He averted his eyes from the prince, whose face was full of amusement; he pushed against him and fumbled around as he tried to find a way out of Luminur’s grasp.

Luminur let go of Orion. "Hmm, I cannot woo you.” He wiped his hand on his clothes, a guilty smile over his lips. "I am not interested in men, just as I thought. That too, someone four years younger…is too much for this poor prince.

From a blush, a green and pale face, Orion held his head in utter embarrassment and wondered how he never caught something with such an obvious double meaning. Itches invaded his entire body; he rubbed his arms, consoling himself as Luminur laughed in the background. Orion glared and waited for Luminur to finish.

He saw how Orion’s began to turn a rosy-red —not quite like a young girl, but a miffed younger brother. He was like a sunflower, two points on his cheek with a bright turn of his eyes.

Orion furrowed his eyebrows in embarrassment. Luminur was indeed charming, but it was not his charm but rather his admiration for the prince from a young age that could make him feel inclined to forgive him for any offense. He harrumphed.

“Do not be an icy stone. Did I not always tell you that since you were young?” Luminur beamed as he pointed to the plentiful round table at the center-right of the room. “Have a seat. The room felt empty without company.

A white table filled with confectionaries, pastries, and simple biscuits neatly met Luminur’s delight. Imagination was the blessing of all people, far more a curse when it was as vivid as his; he could feel the sticky taffy, sweet caramel filled with so much sugar that his teeth ached, and the heavy taste of whipped against the back of his throat. He turned a bright green and looked away without a second to spare.

Luminur noticed his green expression and teased, "You're no longer a small boy like me, it seems. What a big man! Perhaps you are actually in your twenties, rather than I!"

"Please don't joke about that." Orion shot a glare. "You know how much I hate sweet food."

There was a mischievous glint in Luminur’s eyes, much like every other time when the two met, but it was different —a passing of nonchalance struck the eyes of Orion who looked the second time only to see nothing. He shook it off and sipped the tea.

Luminur nodded his head and said, "As much as you hate visitors?"

"What do you think?"

"I think not." Luminur picked up the teacup.

"Yes, Your Royal Highness. I suggest you be careful with your sugar addiction; it does not seem to have good things in store for your mind," Orion joked as he brought his cup closer.

But Luminur rapid fired, "Not as severe as my killing addiction." Orion almost spat out the tea, and Luminur huffed. "Apparently, I am a 'deranged harbinger of omens.' Quite the boorish comment, if I had to speak."

Orion coughed to the side and pulled back his hand, tea spilling onto clothes, eyes glued to the unbothered face of Luminur. Just the mere lack of concern to gobble up a cake like a gremlin, the so obvious indifference, made Orion place all his doubts on the Prince’s state of mind. As much as he hated those comments, he truly felt that his concern was a blight more than anything else.

He believed with his arm at stake that Luminur had done good, avenging Count Boulier’s daughter. "Tell me, who said that to you? You aren't a murdering beast!"

Luminur gave no response as he munched on a cookie, which made Orion grit his teeth at the deafening silence. "Why are you allowing them to say those things about you! You are the prince; how could you allow others to talk like that?"

Gaze turned cold. Luminur put down his fork. Orion flinched. A cold and strict regard pinned Orion to return to his seat. Luminur needed to hear nothing more.

Luminur nonchalantly said, "Then why do you allow others to do the same to you? It is not simple. Worry not. Few speak harsh words about me, such as Duke Eleanor. Such comments were inevitable; it is they who string along in folly to believe that something like the Trial is made for lavish dresses and social standing. What did such fools expect to see during a Trial of Bane Aredese?”

Orion bit down on his words, swallowing dry sand.

Luminur took note of his downcast eyes and sighed in his heart. You care too much about my reputation. Luminur knew that it was not him who Orion should be concerned over.

After a short pause, Luminur said, "Duke Elias had informed me about Choosing of the Five Heroes that will start the next gël (before noon). Could you have imagined something such as the Rite of the Seer?"

Rite of the Seer, a time when the Five Heroes who were chosen by Aredese, was about to begin. It was said that they were chosen to bring union to the Inaugural Nations of Incardia. Most times, one of each Hero would be found in four of the Inaugural Nations.

As simple as it was to say, it was just as hard. The previous Choosing was three millennia ago during the Great Incardian War, a harrowing period when all the native races were slaughtered, save for the Druids and Evaltok. Orion found it hard to believe and scoffed. "Are you jesting? I thought that the prophecy was not till a later date."

"Jesting, you say?” Luminur flinched slightly at Orion’s words. “You cannot be in the right state of mind to be associating me with the makings of jokes and jest."

He scoffed loudly at his words, his disregarding gaze enough for Luminur to realize the absurdity of his own words.

He looked away with an awkward smile. "Forget that. But just know that I was not making jest."

"As you wish, but tell me; why were Heroes suddenly chosen? It can’t be a coincidence."

Luminur kept quiet for a minute, twirling the liquid in his cup with his fingers. He finally sighed through his nose and said, "I do not know. I am not on close terms with the Bane to know her reason."

Orion flinched back in shock. "Aren't you the Tri-Seal bearer? You're supposed to have direct words with Bane Aredese."

Luminur gave a helpless smile. "It is not as simple as it seems, Orion."

Orion nodded his head, but thoughts were running amok: the 'what's and 'if's and 'why's nipped from every side and corner. Orion was neither Crown Prince of Soliere nor a high-ranking official with the king, so he had no right to that information; yet he still took a glance and wondered if he could receive a crumb of it. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss, but Orion was unable to understand that. Maybe he was too young, too inexperienced, too naïve, too hopeful —he simply may have been like an undying light who kept his faith strong. But he was no fool—he had always wondered, why was it called the Rite of the Seer, as if it pertains to the Bane of Magic and Night? And this prophecy—he slightly tensed his fingers. There were too many holes; what is a prophecy? A predestined fate? But it would not make sense, given that he was very much aware that the Banes were not spinners of time nor fate. There was no such things in religious texts that he had to read.

He glanced at Luminur who had gazed out the window, and sighed.

He trusted that there are reasons that he may be in truth being kept in the dark.

“Orion.”

He looked forward and Luminur with hands placed together. "You have not forgotten our promise, I presume.”

"Of course,” Orion clenched his hands and muttered. “But why are you telling me now? The Rite of the Seer has nothing to do with this."

It was as if both had gone to a point where mere words could not explain the look in Luminur’s eyes: unwavering yet fractured by uncertainty with each blink, but at the same, Orion could only speculate, unable to understand a single thing that the prince thought about this promise of theirs.

Their promise. Orion pierced his eyes into Luminur’s.

Luminur remained stoic and a bright smile emerged. “Disperse your worries, Orion. I merely remembered the promise and who and where our enemies are.”

It was a lie. Orion knew it, but shrugged it off. "If that is the case, that is fine. Somehow, in the future, I suppose we will find revenge."

He said those words with such stedfast spirit, but when he tried to remember who it was, he couldn’t. Who was this enemy of theirs. He gazed at Luminur to whom he gave a rueful smile.

“Luminur, who are our enemies?”

What sort of question was that? Luminur fell silent at those words. There was no doubt who the enemy was: those who killed his mother and Orion’s sister, those who caused his suffering, and those who condemned them to death. He knew who it was too well, as a scar to his very soul and mind, wretched existence.

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“Magie Societate.”

Orion nodded his head. “Mm, I see. You are correct. I apologize for my foolish question.”

Luminur caught the change of emotion on Orion’s face from the flinch of the corner of his lips; he smiled and leaned into the table, stretching his hand and patting his fluffy white hair. Orion grimaced and swat his hand away, much to Luminur’s laughter.

“I apologize. I realized that you may have forgotten to visit me when I had asked; hence your late arrival.”

Orion froze for a second and shook his head. “No, it was nothing important. I just…”

“You just?”

Orion swallowed and looked away. “Nothing.”

Luminur pushed his elbows against the table, resting his chin on his folded hands. “Why do you lie to me, Orion? If there are any grievances, you may speak. You are my friend.”

“It’s nothing. I just did not want to see any bloodshed from the trial.” Luminur stared with an indifferent expression. Orion eyed him and grunted. “I know you are not uncaring, but your face does not make anything seem better.”

Luminur laughed and raised his hand. “I apologize again; I was thinking.” He went silent for a second. “What would you like me to do?”

“Can you be less brutal?” Orion looked into his eyes in earnest thought.

Luminur picked up a teacup, swirling it anticlockwise. “Do you speak of the beheadings?”

“What else?”

“Well…” he creased his eyebrows. “The act of beheading is the will of Bane Aredese. Those who commit heinous crimes who are brought to her eyes must face the consequences. As the Judge of Aredese, bearer of the Tri-Seal, and the Crown Prince of Soliere, it is my duty.”

Orion scoffed. “To have a person’s head wrung off? I am not asking about the Bane; I am asking, do you want to condone this? This…savagery?”

“I do not see the need for this question. I am simply following the orders of the Bane. My wish and feelings do not account for this. However, hmm” —a reassuring smile lifted his lips—”I do not prefer the amount of blood or the mess from the Trials.”

Orion sighed. .

“Are you relieved by my answer?” A cheeky smile grew on his face. “I feel so hurt. Have you assumed otherwise?”

Orion grimaced, “No. You’re such a fool. I was just curious because I hate the sight of blood, and you seem so…so nonchalant. You don’t do the Trial often, but you manage to execute it without gagging in the slightest.”

“I have simply grown accustomed to it. You should know best, or—" Luminur faked shock “—are you an imposter?”

Orion reached over and swatted Luminur. It was too stupid even for him, who most times lacked social intellect. Suddenly, he frowned.

“Luminur, I don’t quite remember the Magic Laws and theories. I remembered about Golden Soul Energy after, well, I saw you again, but—how does the ranking work again? And what is Soul Energy exactly?”

Luminur almost spat his tea. “I will take what you said as a joke—”

“Do I look like I’m joking?” Orion spat with a glare.

To that, he gave a wry smile. “What…do you find difficult to understand? The Emperor of Tianchao would have scolded you for forgetting such basic things, and perhaps find fault in me.”

Orion turned into a ripe tomato much to Luminur’s laughter. “I apologize, Orion. There is not much to forget. Then let’s start from the beginning, shall we? Soul Energy is the inherent component within all things in the world of Ridonia, the entire universe. When the universe began, apparently, there was a high concentration which birthed different levels of Soul Energy that were present in creatures that are long extinct, or the mountains or lands; hence, why Incardia, one continent in the world, has more concentration compared to some other continents. And as for the different concentrations, we are only aware of the following as of now: golden, blue, green, white, orange, red, brown, black, and finally, gray. Those are respectively from highest concentration to lowest.”

Orion stared and nodded. “I…see. You don’t have to be so thorough, you know…”

“And the manipulation of Soul Energy is what common people love to call ‘magic,’ although there is nothing quite magical about it.” Luminur laughed when he saw the dazed expression and continued, “Furthermore, the most ‘magicians’ can do is create a concentration of Soul Energy by interacting theirs with the inherent energy, the neutral energy, in the world—gray Soul Energy. Although people love to create stories of moving mountains and breaking stones and outlandish claims, it is not possible.”

Orion stayed silent for a second and asked, “But why not?”

“I wonder, too, Orion. Why not ask yourself how it is possible to manipulate Soul Energy?” He smiled and pointed the fork at the other.

Orion creased his brows and hummed. “Hmm…I would assume it is through concentrating Soul Energy within the magician’s own body–AH!”

Luminur nodded. “Yes, silly goose. So to move an entire mountain is impossible. How can a mere human hope to move an entire mountain by manipulating Soul Energy from their meager body? That is akin to using a burning stick to roast an entire cow. Even I cannot do it with Golden Soul Energy.”

“That makes sense, but then how are magicians able to create wind, change water, and even dare say—form excess energy in something called Electro?”

Luminur bobbed his head to the side. “That is very different from destroying a mountain and rocks, Orion. What magicians are doing is not ‘redesigning the world’ but rather, ‘manipulating,’ We can interact with the energy in the waters, which is arguably difficult for beginners anyhow, and move it. But that does not mean we change the components or structure of water. The same for wind. We simply interact with the energy to make wind, but we are not changing the components of air. As for Electro” —Luminur grinned— “that is a high level skill that not a lot of magicians can perform, anyway. It requires a magician to create a specific concentration of Soul Energy in a concentrated area around their body, whether it be hands, feet, or wherever, and if too much energy is present, it can cause a serious backlash that can forcibly reverse the magician’s energy flow.”

“Why…would there be a backlash?” Orion grimaced at the word.

“Because Soul Energy flows through our blood. Where is a circuit in our body but our blood vessels? The backlash would cause a forced backflow of Soul Energy and cause a heart attack.”

Orion averted his eyes. “In…teresting? So why not use the neutral Soul Energy instead of their own? Why go through the effort of manipulating your own and risk killing yourselves?”

Luminur sighed. “Are you stupid? Of course they do, but that does not change the fact that the person themselves require a specific concentration and area, which means they are still interacting with it. Additionally, ‘magic’ is not ‘magic.’ It is just a prideful way of announcing that you were somehow blessed to be born with a higher concentration of Soul Energy compared to others. And, Orion, different concentration of Soul Energy means that some magicians do not have to go through so much effort such as increasing their heart rate to pump more blood to gather Soul Energy in a concentrated area because their Soul Energy is so concentrated, but does not mean there is no consequence. There is a reason why frequent consumption of blood is illegal, and the burning of bodies is required in Incardia.”

Orion rolled his eyes. “I am aware of that; there is no reason to tell me. People would harvest the blood of dead animals, people, and so on. The declining Soul Energy of dead bodies will cause a disruption in the neutral Soul Energy which can cause ghouls to be born and kill creatures. Yes, ye—OW!”

Luminur flicked his forehead and pouted. “You know morbid things like that but find it difficult to remember basic things. Goodness, Orion. You never changed.”

“You brute of a prince,” Orion spat with reddened cheeks.

Luminur took a deep breath and said with a high-pitched voice, “‘Life is fickle, but—”

“Stop, stop!” Orion blabbered and covered his face. “What in Ridonia is wrong with you? I was a kid when I said that—ahhh, shut up!”

Luminur burst into a fit of laughter and nearly fell off his chair.

As the sun sank behind the city walls, Orion spoke about the training he had, the difficulties protecting the walls, and everything that he could imagine sharing with him; Luminur listened with an eager ear. It was a warm bundle that they were in, but somehow—Orion felt cold.

Two knocks echoed from the door. Luminur smiled at Orion before he spoke to the person, “You may enter.”

A click rippled through the room, and Duke Elias stood at the front in all the prestige he carried as Minister of Magic, but the pressed lips and folded hands spoke made tensed the air.

Luminur thinned his lips and stood up. “What is it, Duke Elias?”

“Luminur, there is—Orion?” Elias looked to Orion, and Luminur also took a glance.

“Your Royal Highness, what is the matter? Is there something wrong?” Orion questioned.

Luminur walked to him., “Orion, it is best if you rest for the remaining evening.”

He stood as still as a pole but didn’t question Luminur; he believed he had no interest in the dealings Luminur had outside of the things they discussed, so he bowed his head. “Of course. May you rest well, Your Royal Highness.”

Luminur smiled at me one last time before Orion closed the doors to the bedroom. A small word from Duke Elias tingled Orion’s senses, right before the handle clicked: “Your Royal Highness, the Seer’s Library is not…”

He almost stopped to hear what, but froze before turning away, back to his room down the hallway. Even then, it was etched to his mind.

As Orion walked away, Luminur became solemn, far too much to be called collected: eyes had become cold and aura as heavy as a boulder. Elias clamped down on his fear that grew the more he looked at the darkening expression on the other’s face. Not the fear that he would be the one to suffer, but fear of the prince doing something.

“Are you telling me that the Seer’s Library is not in Incardia? That is preposterous. Bane of Night belongs in the world of Ridonia, even if she is not in Incardia. Are you sure that you searched properly?”

“Yes,” said Elias with a strong voice. “I tried to interact with the Seer’s Scroll which would contract the Keeper of Time, but it was futile. Not a single thing was found, truly!”

“That took a year to be found!” Luminur clicked his tongue before sighing harshly. “Then tell me, what did Emperor Ji Yang-Guang say?”

“No. Nothing like that came. Emperor Ji Yang-Guang said that we must wait.” He quickly added, “It is reasonable, because any contact with the continent nation of Zhongguog is banned in Soliere. None of the nations in Incardia, nor Ridonia, have soft feelings towards Emperor Ji Yang-Guang.”

“It’s grating to think that Tianchao’s emperor does not like the Emperor of Zhongguog either. If only Zhongguog was not as tyrannical or powerful as they are, then initiating relations with them would not be such a hassle.” Luminur flicked his fingernails against each other and sighed loudly. “Is it really that difficult to find anything regarding something like this? Zhongguog is simple. Hah, perhaps it is hard. However, even after a year…”

He grimaced, thinking about a certain field of an ocean of flowers, and the crimson red marred against the petals, then the intangible darkness and cold, where no sounds traveled. He had to stop it: the ringing in his ears, the distorting reality. Elias saw the empty face of Luminur, listless and stupefied, and looked away with a frown.

Luminur snapped his head to the side and grunted. He had to grab something in his hand; he had to hold something, and so he strutted to the study desk and yanked open a drawer. A splendid sapphire gemstone glittered under the last flash of sunlight before being pulled out by its silver chain. A rush of solace pulled into his chest, his thumb against the blue jewel. He frowned before he placed it back on top of the cushion in the drawer.

“Do find out from Emperor Ji Yang-Guang. If he has any clues to the Seer’s Library or Bane of Night, he must report to me, no matter what. Without Bane of Night, we cannot reach the Seer’s Library, and without it —what way is there to quench vengeance? Aside from vengeance, you are aware that it is vital to find the Seer’s Library. It is not debatable. My father is foolish to think that we can withstand the blow entirely. If there is a Choosing, then there is no reason to counteract it as much as possible.”

Elias felt his heart sink at the mention of it, the vengeance. Just as he tried to speak, he stopped.

Luminur continued, “Tell that my deal with him will be nothing but words. If he wants only what I possess, then he must give me everything that he possibly can and will.”

With a slight shift of his feet, Elias nodded and replied, “Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

A slight frown reached his lips, one that Luminur saw with his quick gaze. “Are you worried for me, Duke Elia—uncle?”

Unbothered by Luminur’s intuitions, he nodded. “Luminur,” he called with tenderness. “Can you trust Ji Yang-Guang?”

He looked down to the oak table, saying, “Not at all. I am considering cutting ties with him…but if I do so suddenly, I fear that it would anger Ji Yang-Guang and cause him to take unnecessary action, such as war and bloodshed. He has nothing to lose, aside from assured conflict between Tianchao and Warboar, which he already has. For now, I am reaping everything that I can, and in due time, my interactions with him can aid in important matters.”

Elias approached the round table nearby and picked up a biscuit. “I know that I hold my opinions and thoughts to myself, but sometimes, you can trust me a little more.” He pinned a gaze on Luminur. “I have spoken to your father. You know that the Choosing is close…and I suspect that it has everything to do with Zhongguog, perhaps Timuru as well. Ji Yang-Guang has been quiet for too long. All of Ridonia are suspicious, more so Rege Alrich.”

“I am aware.” His hand tightened into itself. “Aredese has spoken to me, but she said none of where the threat lies. I suspect that it is Zhongguog and the more I spoke with Ji Yang-Guang, the clearer it became. It is evident that Ji Yang-Guang is simply creating a diversion by using this ‘contract’ that we made. But…” He walked out from behind the desk. “What would the emperor gain from creating animosity between the entirety of Incardia, a threat so horrible that Bane Aredese decided that a Choosing was necessary for the survival of the continent? Is he after the Tri-Seal? Perhaps the Mark of Heibao? That would simply be an assumption; then again, considering that the last pure-blood Merata and the Heibao emperor reside here, Zhongguog would be foolish to start a war. They would have lost their mind to cause war, but then again, that is only an assumption. I am unsure of the true power of Zhongguog, though their influence is great.”

Elias scratched his nape, tapping his finger on the round table. “I know that I am making conjectures, but you also know that I would never say anything that I was doubtful of. Whenever Ji Yang-Guang and you spoke, I was not allowed to be present."

Luminur saw the worry sown on Elias’s face that grew paler and solemn. “For now, we will observe what will occur. As you have said, currently, the Choosing is predicted to be during the New Harvest Festival…my birthday. I have already arranged that the walls of Avignon are reinforced and the other fiefs and settlements of Soliere to keep civilians and foreigners within the territory. Olivia responded swiftly, so there will be few drawbacks when the Choosing occurs. As long as the Five—no, Four Heroes are gathered, holding back any of the threat in Incardia will not be an insurmountable hurdle.”

“And Hero of Magic, Your Royal Highness?”

He paused; traces of doubt etched across his face. “Why else would I search for the Seer’ Library? The only being who can be the Hero of Magic is on earth, and in most cases, they would’ve been in Incardia. But after…what happened, you know that father would never allow the Seer’s Orb to contact Magie Societate East to bring forth the Hero of Magic. I was against contacting Magie Societate East, but with the way things are going, I may have no choice.”

“You believe things are going so horribly wrong that…” Elias’s eyes widened. “I thought you wanted to enact revenge upon them.”

“After I was made aware of the Choosing, my nation would naturally come first. The Seer’s Library is useful to return to the past if things go awry, and at the same time, I can undo the past. That does not mean I would reconcile with Magie Societate East.”

“Are you fine with it?”

Luminur was taken aback for a second, eyebrows furrowed. “With?”

Elias looked away for a second. “To make contact with Magie Societate East. Isn’t the reason that you took such a tedious decision of talking to Ji Yang-Guang to avoid contact with them?”

He blinked twice, letting out a huff of laughter. “You are correct. But I do not have much of a choice now. Still, I shall try to contact Ji Yang-Guang and see what I can do. Cutting ties suddenly is suspicious, but I shall refrain from making close relations with him. After dealing with Ji Yang-Guang, there will be no delay to use the Seer’s Orb.”

He was curious about something, wondering if he thought wrong of Luminur. Still, he didn’t speak of it and said, “At the end of this…you must tell Orion. That the prophecy of the Choosing and that using the Seer’s Orb are both lies. The Choosing is obviously not to celebrate the relations of the Foxfire Alliance between the Inaugural Nations, nor is…the Seer’s Orb anything dangerous.”

“I do not know. If he finds out that the Seer’s Orb will contact Magie Societate East, not destroy the principal law of magic, then he surely will not remain still. Knowing him, he will act recklessly and may destroy the Seer’s Orb out of anger because of the previous Head Leader Eito Minato. And if he knows that the prophecy was simply a lie to hide the truth of a mass threat to Incardia to avoid unrest among civilians, then he will know the truth of why I was betrothed to his sister.”

“He will know the truth eventually, Luminur. It is akin to betrayal if you do not tell him and he were to learn it from elsewhere.”

“I am aware. Still…for a little longer, I wish to share memories with him in ignorance. After he learns the truth of the betrothal and the fabricated prophecy, then everything between us will be gone. I shall lose my only friend. Once New Harvest Day comes to pass, I shall consider telling him. No matter my own lack of information of the death of Aestas and its relation to Magie Societate East, he will blame me—without doubt.”

Are you sure? Elias wanted to say. He wanted to entertain the possibility that Orion was understanding and would overlook Luminur’s deception, and accept that Luminur simply did it for the sake of order. Even then, he knew that it was a meager wish. Luminur knew Orion better.

They both stared out to the last rays of sunlight, and Elias took in a deep breath, closing the distance between him and Luminur. He stood beside him. “No matter what happens —please do not blame yourself. If the Choosing brings a worse future, know that I shall always know that you did nothing wrong. The Choosing and its effects are inevitable when they come to pass…and even the severance with the Minato clan was inevitable. None of it was your fault.”

A breath caught in his chest, a turn of his head to Elias. He smiled, as softly as a butterfly’s flutter, his eyes slightly pinched. “If that was only the case..”

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Chills traced his skin under the thin shirt. Orion stood on the balcony behind the white-sheeted bed in his room, arms leaning against the balustrade. Curtains were as still as a mantis by closed windows. The night air pushed away from him the doleful memories. His silver eyes gazed at the glowing city, filled with the hopes of tomorrow, a tomorrow that he and the other Magic Knights would bring to safety.

From the day he left Tianchao and the arms of guidance of his master, Orion felt bitter, yet he was not. He felt a swell of warmth when looking to the white walls of Avignon and to the Great Hall of Crystal Palace. For him, Tianchao was filled with too many emotions, but he sometimes wondered if his whole childhood life there was taken for granted; he would wonder if abandoning everything in his life for Soliere was worth its weight. After all, his eyes were brighter in Tianchao, and he felt like he could race the wind.

Dark skies and distant cosmic fireflies that flicker like a candle-fire, stretched through the heavens over the golden city of Soliere. When he looked upon the three moons overhead, Orion remembered the warmth of his own family. How they sat on palace terraces and stared at the heavens at the snowy kingdom of Lumiere. He bit his lip and cast away the thought, and hoped that he never remembered them again, no matter what had happened.

He shook his head and swiveled back to his room, closing the doors to the balcony in a quiet click. "Achoo!" Chills tingled across his skin.

The small sapphire necklace on his end table glimmered under the candlelight. A tremor pulsed from his eyes when he saw, and he took the necklace into his hands.

It all came back to him, the golden locks and a radiant smile. The summer dress and gleaming skin under the sun’s rays—heart so pure and strong. He was sure he heard it again, the voice that called him her brother, and his younger self latching to her hand as he cooed for his sister. Suddenly he felt the name echo again. When she died, Orion turned against every person: his mother, father, and even the person who raised and taught him like his own. He turned his back to them and blamed them all. Even in the tranquility of the study room, the memories stung him, because whenever he saw Luminur, he was stuck within the ordeals of grief, yet this seething emotion never scalded him.

He cursed himself tenfold. Was he angry? Was he blaming Luminur? Even Orion didn’t know the answer to that, and he never could possibly find it. "This is so foolish," he muttered. "Why is everything this way?" He grated his head for answers that were null.

Nothing made sense, clouded by the clutches of time and buried truths: why Head Leader of Magie Societate killed Aestas and the Queen of Soliere. He wondered why Eito Minato looked so at peace when he was executed for treason. If Orion had not seen those calm eyes before Head Leader died, he would not be as he was now.

He threw himself onto the bed, rubbing his thumb along with the outlines of the sapphire pendant. Vengeance and answers, he only sought those for the past two years since the light of his childhood disappeared. He sought that, but there was only one thing he wanted - the answer to her death. He believed that this was the same thing that Luminur wanted, so he took his outstretched hand and joined to find the truth of it all. But even after all those years, he learnt nothing, and he couldn’t help but wonder—did Luminur find anything? It was trivial, but a thought, nonetheless.

Orion remembered the words of Duke Elias, and without thought, he whispered, “The Seer’s Library.”