“Ancient artifacts and buildings always pose a challenge, even to the best of us,” Constantine said from the comcry as Montan carried a bucket and three water canisters towards the spring. There were two springs that provided water for site one, and both were across the site from the temple.

Professor Hailan was depressed after using up all the attempts to activate the crystals that afternoon. He had fallen asleep on his bedroll, exhausted. Genet was reviewing the translated text on the tiles for some clue that her master might’ve missed. Montan volunteered to get water for them now that it was dark and cooler.

He had a light crystal strapped to his hat to light the way while his comcry hung on a cord around his neck.

“It’s just that I’m sure this is killing Professor Hailan....He’s obsessed with figuring out the pattern,” Montan said with a heavy sigh. “If it were a charm, maybe I could help, but this isn’t something I’m used to.”

“Tori said that charms came from grids, which came from natural formations in the earth. Maybe that has something to do with it?” Constantine suggested.

“Perhaps Professor Hailan is right in that we’re missing something. Lastra was the goddess of marriage?”

“Yes. It was popular with complicated pairings. Often couples would go to pray for unwilling families approve of their marriage. There was one story of how Lastra was in love with the moon god, but she was bound to the earth, so she could not reach him. The moon god could not come to earth, so to marry her, he made it rain. It is said that she danced in the rain as if she were dancing with the moon god.”

Montan cracked a small smile. That was a nice story. “The ancients loved their stories.”

“Everyone loves stories. Even the vases I’ve been examining have them,” Constantine said. “By the way, are you still returning to campus tomorrow?”

“Yes, I’ll spend the morning here and then return tomorrow afternoon. If you don’t see me, go back without me.”

“All right. Don’t worry so much about this. I’m sure your brother will be fine regardless of whether you can figure out the pattern and make a wish.”

Montan smiled a bit more once more and ended the call. He dutifully filled the bucket and the water canisters before returning to his campsite.

“The translations are the story of how Lastra married the moon god and danced in the rain, and they’re in succession going from east to west from the entrance,” Genet said as he arrived and put the bucket down. “But that isn’t really a pattern? That’s just activating each crystal in succession. Anyone can do that.”

“Did the professor already try?”

“Twice, from east to west and west to east,” Genet replied, scratching the top of her head as she made a face at the translations. “It’s a nice story and it’s fitting for a temple dedicated to a marriage goddess, but it doesn’t tell us the pattern we need.”

“The story has to do with rain....” Montan trailed off as he took a seat and handed her one of the water canisters. “Perhaps we have to wait until it rains?”

The two of them looked up at the dark sky. It was clear with a blanket of twinkling and faint stars, but not a single cloud. It was another blow to their hopes.

“It doesn’t rain often here....” Genet trailed off. She sighed and leaned back against a rock. “And what would the rain do? Will it activate the crystals?”

Montan unscrewed his water canister and was about to shrug when he paused. His eyes slowly narrowed as he looked at the water canister and his hand holding it. There was a thin ring with a small black stone used to detect contaminated food and water that Tori gave him and Constantine. Tori had one on her bracelet...along with other crystals she used.

“Crystals can be used to manipulate water.” Tori did it all the time using aquamarine. His eyes widened. “Do you know what crystals are on the tiles?”

Genet wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brows in thought. “I don’t....”

“They’re blue-green...aquamarine is blue-green.” Montan shot up and capped his water canister. Without a word, he turned around and headed towards the entrance of the cave.

“Montan, where are you going?”

“I want to try something!”

Genet dropped whatever she was holding and ran after him. They reached the mouth of the cave and he reached up to activate the light crystals strung along the narrow hall to illuminate it. At once, the hall flooded with a soft white light and up ahead, the main chamber glowed.

“What are you going to do?” Genet asked as she followed behind him.

“Crystals can be used to control water. In Viclya, aquamarine is used for plumbing, fountains, and irrigation. In some cases, they are programmed to do a particular function. Programming is like applying a charm to a crystal to make it do something more controlled,” Montan said.

“More controlled?”

“Terracrystal is a good example. If it is being used by a crystal user, then the crystal user funnels their energy through it to control dirt and rock, yes? But it can’t control anything by itself. My godsister and her crystal masters carved crystals or charged them in a particular way that makes the crystal do something without a user controlling it. Terracrystal is used in agriculture to till the land and it does so by meeting a certain requirement.

“When it senses a sister crystal it will pulse energy through the soil, overturning the earth in a line directly between the two. Earlier, I sensed that there was energy on the floor. The floor is a different material than the wall and I suspect that it may have crystals inside.” They stumbled into the main chamber and Montan turned to look at her with a flushed, excited face. “What if the crystals need to be triggered by meeting a certain requirement rather than a person?”

He was almost out of breath rushing his explanation and looked at Genet. Her eyes were wide and she opened her mouth. “Then...” She furrowed her brows and looked down, as if wracking her mind. “What...what can we use to trigger it?”

Montan lifted the canister he gripped in his hand. “Water.”

Excited, he grabbed her hand and pulled her forward, towards the center of the room. He pointed up and Genet followed his hand. “But, there isn’t any rain.”

“So, we pretend to make it rain,” Montan said. He drew her attention to the floor. “This circle is worn by rainwater that came from the light shaft, but the edge is carved as a perfect circle. It was likely manmade. I thought it was a symbol, but the center is now a worn bowl in the ground...but, site one uses vulgar Promelian, right?”

Genet nodded. “Right.”

“Then, they were still transitioning from pictograms. The sun is a ring with a dot in the center, but the moon is a completely filled circle,” Montan told her, his voice growing more excited. “And who married the moon god?”

“Lastra!” Genet’s brows shot up. Montan unscrewed the canister in his hand. He looked at her and she grasped his free hand and nodded to show her support.

“The moon god used rain to marry her, so....” He stepped back and lifted the canister as high as he could and then tilted it. Water came down, hitting the area around the center groove before he adjusted and managed to drizzle some water on to it.

He held his breath. Genet watched with awe. “Now what?”

“Ground....” he said, his gray eyes fixed on the floor where the water was hitting. “Can you feel anything?”

His eyes flickered up to Genet and saw her eyes closed and her brows knit as she concentrated. He opened his mouth to speak again when he felt a gentle pulse of energy from the ground beneath him. Her small hand squeezed his as he heard her gasp.

“Montan!”

“I know....” The energy began to draw him away from the center and he turned towards where it was pulling him. His eyes widened. “The crystal on one of the tiles is glowing!”

“I see it!” Genet gasped. “Do we touch it?”

“Yes!” Without thinking, they pulled away from each other and rushed to opposite sides of the room, placing their hands on the opaque crystal on the wall. The surge of energy went through him and Montan almost laughed with giddiness. He turned around, expecting to see Genet next to him.

She was across the room, her palm on the crystal across from him. She cocked her head to the side. “Why are you over there?”

“Why are you over there?” Montan mirrored her look of confusion.

Genet looked at the tile and back to him. “This is the glowing crystal.”

Montan narrowed his eyes. “No....it was this one.” He was sure of it. Of all ten tiles, the one that he saw glowing was the one he was touching.

“Wait...did you see a different crystal from me?” Genet asked. It was a possibility.

Montan opened his mouth once more, but felt the energy from the crystal he was holding fade. Genet snapped her head back to the crystal, meaning that she must’ve felt the same waning energy, as well. He looked back at her and caught another crystal glowing.

“Another crystal!”

“I see it, too!” The two crossed the room, stepping aside each other to get to the next crystal. They slammed their hands against it and looked back at each other.

“I think we are seeing different crystals glow.”

“Do you think that the pattern was meant for two people?” Genet asked.

Montan looked around the room. Professor Hailan had been running around for days without making any headway, but he’d been at it alone. “Maybe....”

“Another crystal!”

Montan looked around and found another crystal across from him glowing. Genet was already heading towards one on his side. They passed each other near the center once more and Genet laughed.

“What is it?” Montan asked as he reached his side of the chamber. Genet was smiling wide.

“We’re dancing!”

“What?”

“There is an old dance in Nazaria where people are in a circle and when it is their turn, they cross to the other side, circling the person they pass each time,” Genet said with a grin. “Guess where it’s danced?”

“Moon festivals?”

“Weddings!” He almost wanted to laugh with giddiness along with her. Many parts of a society were absorbed through the ages; he wasn’t surprised. Genet continued to laugh before she gasped again. “Ah, new crystal! Come here, it’s like this!”

She slowed when she got to the center and Montan awkwardly followed. The crystal was just behind her, but he slowed in front of her. She put her hands on his shoulders and helped him step to the side, so they switched places, then she released him and rushed off to her crystal.

Montan was a bit stunned, but shook himself out of his stupor and went to his crystal. When the energy faded and a new crystal called to him, he walked back to the center. Genet was waiting with her arms up, likely to maneuver him again. Instead, he went with what he’d been taught in dance lessons and grasped one hand, then put his other hand on her waist.

Genet’s face flushed, causing him to turn red as well. His eyes darted down. “Sorry!” He swung her around and then released her once they traded spaces. “In Soleil-”

“No, no, I’ve seen it! I know!” Genet kept her burning face down as she slammed her palm on the next crystal.

Montan told himself to focus and not offend her the next time they crossed the room. However, when they did, she grabbed his hands, holding one up and putting one on her waist before turning and releasing him. He drew his head back surprised as he stood in place.

Was she all right with this? He wasn’t sure of the dancing customs in Nazaria. Do they dance like this here, too?

“What are you doing standing there?” Genet called out to him. “Touch the crystal!”

“Right!” Montan pulled himself out of his thoughts and rushed to the next crystal. As soon as the energy faded, he pulled away and walked back to the center. He met Genet face to face. His hands were raised and she seemed to wait for him to take hers. Montan swallowed hard and he measured his words. “May I have this dance?”

She drew in her lips and bit them before nodding. “Okay!”

The corners of his lips pulled up and he lowered his eyes shyly. Instead of grabbing her hand and swinging her around, his hand cradled hers and gently led her around in a half circle before releasing her to get to the next tile.

Each time they met in the center, their hands touched. Montan felt his face heat up every time. And every time, their time in the center grew slower.

“The...the temple is...uh....” Montan wasn’t sure what to say.

“Interesting,” Genet offered. He nodded his head dumbly.

“Yes....”

Genet looked up at the light shaft. “I wonder when we can make our wish.”

“We’ve touched all the crystals already, right?” he asked.

“A few times, I think. They stopped glowing...is it over?” she asked. It was over, but they were still standing in the center, swaying in a circle.

Montan furrowed his brows. “I-” His mouth snapped shut as he saw the opaque crystal behind her begin to glow. It wasn’t the only one.

“They’re glowing again! All of them!” Genet said. Their little dance came to a stop and they turned around. “We can’t touch all of them at once.”

“They’re brighter than before....” Montan narrowed his eyes. “I think we make our wish now.”

“Oh!” Excitement and hope filled Genet’s face as she closed her eyes, her hands tightening into little fists at her side as she seemed to focus.

Montan closed his own eyes.

I wish for my brother to meet and marry someone who is kind, intelligent, loyal, beautiful, and will love and respect my brother for being himself, not because he is a duke. Please let my sister-in-law like me and want me as family so we can all be happy together.

Perhaps it was a childish wish, but Montan put all his hopes into it. He wanted his brother to find someone to marry who loved him, but also someone who would accept Montan as family, as well. That was selfish on his part, but Axton was very important to him.

“Montan....” Genet’s voice was heavy and he opened his eyes. The room began to sway and he reached out. He saw Genet also reaching out for him, as if to steady each other.

“Are you dizzy?” he asked.

Genet opened her mouth, but she suddenly leaned forward, as if all the energy had been taken from her. Montan reached out to grab her and cushion her fall, but his own legs grew weak. His head spun and he felt himself falling.

He pulled Genet against him and closed his eyes. He heard a deep rumble and wasn’t sure if the movement he felt was caused by him or if the ground was moving. Briefly, he wondered if it was an earthquake.

He felt his shoulder hit the ground, but the pain was short lived and after letting out a grunt, he lost consciousness.

♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡

Montan expected to feel groggy when he woke up, but he found that waking was refreshing. Though he felt a bit heavy at first, his mind wasn’t muddled and his eyes weren’t blurred. He was laying on a bed, as his body was nestled on a mattress and there was a thin blanket on him.

Above him were the bare wooden beams and floorboards of one of the buildings on site. His eyes narrowed. Which site was he at?

He swallowed and winced. His throat hurt. He tried to move his body and a familiar voice spoke up from beside him. He didn’t even notice someone was seated on a chair on his right.

“Montan, don’t panic. You’re in the clinic at site two.”

Montan turned his head and saw dark hair and blue eyes. “Master?”

Master Kasen gave him a small nod. “You and Genet are safe. She’s also still sleeping in the next room.”

That was going to be his next question. Relief swept through him and he nodded. “Thank you, Master....”

“Lay down. I’ll get your brother and the doctor.” His voice gave Montan no room to protest. Not that he would. He closed his eyes and allowed his head to sink back into the pillow.

He took a deep breath. The last thing he recalled was that he hit the ground and there was a rumbling. He hoped he had been able to shield Genet so that she didn’t land painfully. But what was that rumbling? He thought the world was spinning, but he assumed it was because they suddenly felt dizzy.

The door to the room was suddenly thrown open and a frantic voice filled the small space.

“Montan? Montan, do you remember me?” That was his brother’s voice. Montan opened his eyes and saw Axton rushing in with a terrified expression. His face was paler than normal and there were shadows under his eyes.

“Brother....” His voice was dry and hoarse, causing him to wince.

“Help him sit up and drink this,” a woman’s voice in Nazar said. Montan felt a strong arm prop him up as his master returned, and then something cool against his lips. “Montan, drink the water. You’ve been asleep for two days.”

Montan almost choked it out. Two days? Didn’t he and Genet just fall asleep in the cave because it was late and they used up so much energy and were tired?

“Axton, calm down. He’s awake. Don’t suffocate him,” Master said as he helped Montan rest against some pillows.

“Montan, how do you feel? Does anything hurt?” Axton hovered over him and Montan almost wanted to laugh. He just fell asleep; nothing terrible happened.

“Brother, I’m fine,” he replied with crinkled eyes. He turned his head and noticed Dr. Anbessa standing to the side, appearing to wanting to check on him, but being blocked by his worried brother. “Axton, the doctor...”

“Huh?” Axton perked up and realized that Dr. Anbessa was waiting beside him. He almost jumped to the side. “My apologies, Your Highness. Please check my brother. Let me know if anything is wrong. Money is no expense!”

Montan caught Master Kasen shaking his head a bit.

“There were no injuries when he was found in the cave, my lord. He had very low energy, but sleep should’ve helped him regain it,” Dr. Anbessa replied in Soleilan. She stood beside Montan’s bed and checked his eyes and mouth. “Do you have any dull or sharp pains, Montan?”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“No, doctor.”

“Your breathing is clear and your heartbeat is steady. Still, you have been asleep for two days. I will have the canteen prepare some light porridge for you,” Dr. Anbessa told him. Montan nodded and opened his mouth.

“How is Genet?”

Dr. Anbessa’s eyes lit up, as if pleased that he’d asked. “Genet is well. She woke up a little earlier, but fell back asleep. I expect that you will also fall asleep soon. Don’t force yourself to stay away. Your bodies are both exhausted...as if you’d walked through the desert for a few days. We were lucky to find you so quickly.”

Montan’s brows furrowed. “Find us?” Weren’t they in the temple’s chamber?

“The Lastra temple’s floor is a composite of granite, quartz, and aquamarine,” Master Kasen told him. “There were a lot of energy fluctuations when we found it and it was likely that those energy fluctuations caused the cave walls to shift.”

This only made him even more confused. “What do you mean shift? Before I passed out, I heard rumbling....”

“And felt shaking?” Master asked.

“How did you know?”

“Adan woke up when he felt shaking, but didn’t know what was going on. He fell back asleep and when he woke up at dawn, you two were missing,” Master Kasen said with his lips in a tight line. “He thought you’d gone to the cave, so he went there and found that the entrance to the cave was blocked.”

Montan’s heart leapt to his throat. “Was there a cave in?” They were lucky not to be crushed if that was the case.

Master Kasen shook his head. “Not quite. The crystals trigger movement. Whatever you did triggered the room to turn a complete forty-five degrees, sealing the chamber from the entrance.”

“Senior also works with crystals and was able to use terracrystal to crack a wall open without caving the place in,” Axton said. He looked at Kasen with gratitude and then curiosity. “How did you know that Montan was inside?”

Montan’s hand automatically went to his shirt pocket over his left chest. He reached inside and took out the neatly folded, but now a bit dusty, piece of paper. He unfolded it and showed it to his brother.

“Master gave me a protection and tracking charm before I left,” Montan replied.

Kasen nodded. “In case something happened to him, as long as he has a charm of his on him, I can find him.” It was a safety precaution. Both his children carried his charms and so did Tori.

“Senior....” Axton’s eyes reddened. He swallowed hard and bowed his head. “Thank you.”

“I did it for my pupil,” Master told him in a cold voice. Master then looked back at Dr. Anbessa. “Your Highness, since Montan doesn’t have any physical injuries, when can he leave get up and move around?”

“I suggest another day of recovery before he can walk around freely,” Dr. Anbessa replied. “No strenuous activity for another week, as well. His diet should also be monitored for another week.”

“Understood-”

The door opened once more and Robert stuck his head in. “Dr. Anbessa, Genet is awake again. Master Hailan requests your attention.”

Dr. Anbessa rushed out at once. Robert looked towards Montan on the bed. “How are you feeling?”

Montan smiled a bit. “Not as bad as I thought. Did you come to translate?”

Robert gave him a small nod. “You rest. I will take over for now.” He sounded like a little adult and Montan wanted to chuckle.

“Robi, if you can take over Montan’s work while he’s recovering, I will pay you,” Axton told him. Master rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

Robert narrowed his eyes and looked at Axton. “How much?”

Axton appeared a bit flustered. “How much do you want?”

Robert didn’t hesitate. “The apartment at the Lunar Pavilion.”

For a moment, the duke and the boy looked at each other in silence. “I live there,” Axton said, as if unable to find other words to say.

“You must return to the duchy sometime.” Robert didn’t shrink back.

Axton turned to look at Master Kasen for help. Master Kasen shrugged and looked away in a silent action telling Axton to deal with it himself.

“Robi, I was thinking more...monetary.”

Robert kept his gaze. “I do not think you can afford my hourly rate.” He turned to Montan. “For the sake of being my father’s pupil, I will oversee the translations. You focus on recovery. I will bill your brother later.”

He turned around and slipped out, leaving Axton gawking. Axton turned towards Master Kasen. “Senior, your son....”

“Don’t try to buy him when you can’t afford him,” Master Kasen said with a sneer.

“Why does he want my apartment?”

“It is near the Conservatoire.” That was the premier school for theater, music, and dancing. Master Kasen leaned back against his chair. “You are not the only one who wants to take care of their younger sibling.”

Axton choked. “Why can’t he ask Tori for hers?”

“He would never dare to brazenly ask his aunt for such a thing.”

Axton groaned, but turned his attention back to his brother. “Montan, are you sure you’re all right? Nothing hurts? No headaches?”

“I’m fine, Brother,” Montan replied.

“What were you doing in the chamber, anyway?” Axton asked. “I thought you only came here to do translations.”

Montan’s lips pressed together and he tried to avoid looking away. How could he possibly tell his brother that he had been at the temple, unknowingly getting into danger, so he could make a wish for Axton to marry.

“I got caught up in the pattern and wanted to test something.” That was mostly true. He tried to steer the conversation elsewhere. “But, Brother, why are you here? I know that Master was planning to come with Robert.”

“I heard they were coming, so I thought I’d join them and visit you,” Axton said with a warm smile.

Montan was touched, but a bit concerned. “Did Prince Piers approve of your time off?” Albert was still a student, so he hadn’t taken over the role of personal aide yet. Technically, Axton was still the Crown Prince’s personal aide.

Axton was quiet for a moment. His eyes shifted. “I wouldn’t say he approved....”

Montan’s face fell. The last thing he wanted was for Axton to get in trouble because of him. “Brother....”

“I told him!” Axton assured him quickly. “It was just that he didn’t seem happy about it. He just kept his eyes on a document and said ‘I see’.”

Master raised a brow. “And you took that as agreeing to you leaving the country?”

“I called Piers when we found out Montan was missing. He understands,” Axton said.

“About the temple chamber,” Montan asked, looking towards his master. “When you broke through, did anything happen?”

“No. I only focused on the wall. The energy flow elsewhere should remain the same. It seems you triggered it with water?” Montan nodded and Master’s lips curled up in a smile, with a glint of pride in his blue eyes. “I thought you’d be able to figure it out.”

Montan tilted his head to the side. “Master, you knew about the temple?”

“No, I and Robi looked it over when we were trying to find a way inside. I’m familiar with the story of Lastra and assumed whatever changed the layout of the chamber and blocked the entrance must’ve had something to do with rain, or water.”

As expected of his master. Montan nodded. “The pattern Professor Hailan was trying to figure out required two people.”

“You and Genet.”

“Yes.”

“Speaking of Genet....” Axton appeared beside his brother with a knowing grin. “I heard her ask about you when she first woke.”

“Yes, I was right beside her when we passed out.”

“She was in your arms when we found you.” Master’s words made his face heat up. He lowered his eyes and scrambled for an explanation.

“She also got dizzy and fell first. I tried to catch her-”

“Calm down,” Axton said with a grin “You haven’t done anything wrong. On the contrary, you wanted to catch her or, failing that, cushion her fall. There is nothing shameful about that.”

Master nodded in agreement. “It seems that after you triggered it, it drew energy from you two, which is why you passed out. You were quite cold when we found you. The room had stopped taking your energy, but nothing was feeding you energy either.”

“We brought you two back here. Luckily, Robi had some crystals on him from Tori, so he stuffed one in each of your hands to try to feed your energy,” Axton said. “If you can’t stomach too much food, don’t force yourself.”

Montan nodded once.

A knock came from the door and Dr. Anbessa returned. She had a warm smile on her face. “Montan, when you’re better, Gen-Gen will visit you. She’s not used to the energy drain from crystals, so she’s still sleepy.”

Montan wanted to stand up. “I should apologize to her. If I didn’t bring her with me-”

“Montan.” Dr. Anbessa’s voice was gentle and reassuring. “Don’t apologize. Gen-gen asked me to convey that she had fun and can’t remember when she’d had such an exciting time at the ruins.”

“Fun?” Axton raised a brow and looked at his brother. “What were you doing in there?”

Montan’s face heated up once more as his eyes darted to the side. Dr. Anbessa chuckled. “There is no need to apologize, Montan. On the contrary, it seems she knew you caught her before she fell, so she expresses her gratitude.”

Montan shook his head once. “No gratitude is necessary. If I’m there when she falls, I will of course catch her.”

The smile on Dr. Anbessa’s face widened. “Good boy.”

“Your Highness,” Axton approached her with a serious expression. “I know my brother will not want to stop his studies here at the ruins, but is it recommended that he postpone his efforts here for a few weeks...?”

Montan tried to sit up again to protest, but felt a gentle hand holding him down. He looked towards his master, who gave him a small shake of his head, then threw a knowing look towards Axton and Dr. Anbessa. While Axton was chattering away, looking relieved and thankful, Dr. Anbessa was looking at him with glistening eyes and a faint blush across her face as she assured him that Montan could return to translation work, but inside in an office, within two or three days.

Montan squinted. Dr. Anbessa was always smiling and happy from what he saw of her, but she seemed to lean in closer to his brother whenever she spoke. Axton grasped her hand and shook it.

“If there is anything I can do to thank you, say the words, Your Highness.” Axton’s own face was filled with warmth and gratitude. He didn’t seem to notice Dr. Anbessa’s widening eyes.

“How about dinner?” Dr. Anbessa asked. She seemed to have said it without thinking and her face immediately flushed into a rust shade. Axton drew his head back, appearing a bit surprised at first, before the corners of his lips curled up.

“Your Highness, how forward of you.”

“I meant with your brother and Gen-Gen! They’ve just woken up!” She stammered and looked away and pulled her hand from his. “A good meal would help them greatly!” What happened to monitoring their diet?

He heard Axton’s laughter. “Is that your professional opinion?”

Montan’s jaw nearly dropped as his brow’s shot up. “Master...is my brother flirting?”

“Surprisingly well, isn’t he?” Master Kasen said as he leaned back against his chair with a smirk. “Her Highness seemed interested in him the moment he arrived.” He glanced at Montan. “She took extra special care of you.”

Montan flushed. He looked back at his brother who, now that he knew Montan was fine, could relax. “Why do you call Dr. Anbessa her highness? Is she a member of the royal family?”

“She is Princess Semira Sarah Anbessa, the fifth princess and youngest child of the Nazarian royal family.”

Montan’s eyes went wide. That’s where he’d heard the surname Anbessa. It was the royal family’s name. “She’s....what is she doing here?” Why was a princess out in the desert?

“Her father is the current King of Nazaria and her mother’s brother is Adan. They are from a scholarly Nazarian family, similar to the Sophos side of mine,” Kasen told him. “Since she’s the youngest, her older brothers and sisters have pushed her out. Adan brought her here so she could work without having to deal with the pressure of being the fifth princess.”

Montan nodded and lowered his voice. “I see....Master...does my brother like doctor, no Princess Semira?”

“All right...I agree.” Dr. Anbessa’s face was heated up and she couldn’t seem to keep her eyes on Axton’s despite her efforts. Every glance seemed stolen while Axton just kept grinning at her. “I will have dinner with you, my lord.”

Kasen snorted. “What do you observe from the situation, pupil?”

Montan felt his heart swell as he smiled. “Master, I think that my wish came true.”

♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡

Five Years Later

Montan was sure that if his brother kept annoying His Imperial Highness about marriage, then Prince Piers would make his sister-in-law a widow just three years into her marriage. Perhaps it was because they were nearing thirty years old or perhaps it was because Axton was about to become a father for the second time, but Axton was constantly telling Piers to get married and the joys of fatherhood.

In the beginning, several years earlier, everyone had been excited for Axton after he began to officially court the fifth princess of Nazaria. Marriage with foreign nobles and royalty wasn’t unheard of in Soleil and Nazaria was a close ally, so strangers didn’t have much to say. Amongst Axton’s friends and noble peers, everyone had been encouraging. What was important was that Axton was getting married.

Of course, with the fifth princess being royalty, there were certain processes that had to be followed. Luckily, his brother’s godmother was the Empress and she helped facilitate it by acting as a sort of matchmaker and she was able to navigate the complexities of arranging an international engagement well.

The courtship was approved by the Nazarian royal family after a few months of Axton and the fifth princess talking. In fact, Axton extended his trip in Nazaria ‘for Montan’s recovery’. Montan happily let him use him as an excuse to stay, as it seemed his brother was very interested in the doctor.

When his brother told him that he wanted to marry the fifth princess, Montan agreed.

He liked Dr. Anbessa. She was very friendly and intelligent. A bit more grounded than her brother, so though Axton was easily excited, she was calm. However, Montan could still see the excitement in her eyes as she looked at Axton.

They were a good match; Montan could feel it in his gut. Dr. Anbessa was also very kind to him, and seemed to really treat him as a younger brother, similar to how she treated Genet as a younger sister, as she’d been helping watch over Genet since Genet became Professor Hailan’s pupil.

Perhaps it was because Dr. Anbessa and her own siblings had some tension that she was happy to treat others the way she wished to be treated. She seemed to like that Axton was close to Montan; a close family.

Genet said that she heard that the proposal for courtship to marriage from Duke Alvere had stunned Dr. Anbessa’s siblings. Since she spent most of the year in the desert, they thought the chances of her finding someone on her own to marry were slim.

In addition, it turned out that she’d rejected marriage proposals family members had brought to her in the past. That was another reason her siblings were irritated with her. She made it difficult to be used as a political pawn by her siblings. Her parents were more sensible and after meeting Axton, agreed to the marriage.

They were engaged less than a year after they met. The formalities were completed quickly.

Still, the fifth princess insisted on working at the site until Montan finished his last year of research with the college before returning with him to Soleil for the wedding. The wedding did not happen until the fall after Montan graduated Université and part of the reason was to wait for Tori, who was abroad.

It had been a large, nearly week-long affair held at Nassaun House with activities, events, and catering from Lions Gate Event Planning. The Empress and Marquess Guevera had both attended. The old Marquis and Marchioness von Schwert attended with Giselle, who had a part in the wedding.

Since Tori had been in the Tona Empire, Ilyana and Henrik assisted with the planning. From lights, to food, to fireworks, everyone had an amazing time. It was Genet’s first trip to Soleil and if she wasn’t looking forward to going to Viclya for a few days, she would’ve wanted to stay longer.

Duchess Mira’s family attended, with the exception of her father, who could not leave the kingdom as its ruler.

Montan didn’t know how a royal Nazarian wedding looked, but he was fairly certain that the Nazarian Crown Prince, his sister-in-law’s eldest brother, and the rest of their family were impressed. In his heart, he didn’t want his in-law’s family to look down on his brother.

Everyone assured him that after the wedding, Duchess Mira’s siblings would be envious. They arrived in Viclya, then went to Horizon, then to Nassaun House. Everywhere they went and stayed was luxurious and with the latest of CrysTech technology. Axton spared no expense to show that his wife would live very comfortably.

Less than a year later, just as Montan was about to return to Nazaria to continue working at the ruins, his brother told them that his sister-in-law was pregnant and he’d be an uncle. Montan welcomed his first nephew, Oliver Emil de Alvere the next fall.

Then over a year later, Axton was going to have another baby.

Once more, everyone was excited, and then his brother’s arrogance got the better of him.

Axton began to tell Prince Piers to marry soon. After all, his best friend was about to have his second child, and Soleil’s heir was growing older and needed an heir of his own.

However, Tori was currently in the Pacha Empire. She spent several months of the year abroad, even after she graduated, to do diplomatic and trade work, and didn’t seem to have any plans to stop. Prince Piers never stopped her or showed any signs of doing so.

But now that Axton kept harping on him to get married, Montan wasn’t sure Prince Piers would stay unaffected.

“Godsister, I don’t know how to stop my brother,” Montan said as he paced in his tent at site three. He’d managed to get a hold of Tori for the first time in a few weeks. She was his best chance at collateral damage control when it came to his brother and Prince Piers.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to him,” Tori’s exasperated voice said.

“When are you coming back? In four months? Six? I’ll be in Nazaria, so I will be unable to greet you.”

“Just continue to do your research without worry, I’m fine,” Tori replied. “Besides, I’m on my way back. We’re on one of the territory islands.”

Montan frowned. “What’s wrong? Is the ship all right?”

“The ship’s fine. I’m just not feeling well at the moment and dry land is better for me right now,” she said. “Anyway, don’t worry about your brother and Piers. Piers won’t kill him.” There was a pause at the end of that and Montan found that he wasn’t completely convinced.

“I just want my brother to live.”

“Don’t worry, Oliver will still have a father...for now.” The call ended and Montan fell back on his bed. His tent was similar to the encampment tents at Viclya, so it was well furnished.

“The Countess seems to know what she’s doing. I’m sure she and the Crown Prince will marry soon,” Genet said as she rolled over and put her arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder. Montan sighed and raised his arm so he could play with the curls over hair distractedly.

“Axton is going to have a second child soon...should I go back?” Montan wasn’t sure if he was asking her or himself.

“Do you want to go back?” Genet asked, drawing her head back again and looking up at him.

Montan stared up at the top of the tent. “It’s something I’ve been considering...I love working here...but I want to be with my family, too. I don’t want to be an uncle that Oliver never sees....” He furrowed his brows. His family was very important to him. “Axton keeps asking when I’ll come home. And Tori said I could come back and work in Viclya at any time-”

“At the Crystal Palace?” Genet’s eyes lit up and looked at him with excitement. Five years, and she still called it that despite seeing it in person.

Montan gave her a look. “It’s not a palace.”

“Yes, but if you look at the island from afar with all its buildings and protruding crystals, it looks like a crystal palace,” Genet insisted.

“Charms work is integrated heavily with the research done on Anahata Island and for the research and development division of CrysTech,” Montan said. “I’d get paid well and my family has a house there....” He looked at Genet. “What do you think?”

Genet lowered her eyes. She rested her head on his shoulder and her embrace tightened. “You should do what you want to do. What makes you happy.”

“Yes, but aren’t you going with me?” Their tent was quiet. Genet lifted her head and looked at him, her eyes growing wet.

“What?”

“Aren’t you going with me?” Montan asked, his face heating up despite how many times he’d practiced segueing into this.

Genet’s mouth opened and she seemed to have trouble finding the words. “Why...why do you want me to come with you?” she asked in a tight voice.

Montan met her eyes and held them, gathering as much confidence as he could by pretending to channel his brother’s strength when Axton was recklessly flirting with the then fifth princess. “Because you also make me happy. Genet, I want to marry you-”

Genet screamed and threw her arms around him. Even her legs wrapped around him as she squeezed and almost rolled them off the bed. “It came true! It came true!”

Montan could barely breathe. His eyes were wide as he wheezed. “What...what came true?”

“My wish at the temple!” Genet yelled. She buried her face on his chest and let out another excited shriek. Her small fist pounded at his chest.

“Your wish at temp....” Montan gasped and grasped her fist to keep from hitting him. “We’d only known each other for less than two months then!”

“Yes, but I knew I liked you!” Genet flushed. “You liked what I liked. You studied what I studied. You’re enthusiastic about your interests. Not to mention that you’re very nice and you're good-looking!” Each word she said made Montan blush even harder.

“You’re...you’re very pretty, too!” That sounded terrible. How did his brother win a princess so easily? Did he not inherit that? Was it from Mama?

Genet giggled and beamed. “Do you really want to marry me?” He drew out of his embarrassment for a moment and met her eyes with seriousness.

“Yes,” he said. “I came back to do research, but also to see you. You’re why I haven’t left yet.” His heart slammed against his chest. “Will you marry me?”

Genet buried her face in his chest once more and screamed. “Yes!”

A wave of relief filled him and he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tight. “Good...good....” He shut his eyes tight and smiled.

“Your family is getting bigger and bigger,” Genet grinned. “First you have a second nephew or niece coming and now you’re marrying me. Aren’t you lucky? Your family is growing!”

Montan’s body relaxed and he nodded. “Yes...very lucky,” he said as he rubbed his face against the top of her head. He couldn’t stop himself from smiling. “My family is growing.”

♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡・・・・・・♡

Bonus:

Another glass of wine slid over to him and he looked up, his head already muddled. A tall man with black hair took a seat across from him.

“You look like you can use another.”

“I hate you.” Adan shot him a glare. Kasen smirked.

“I didn’t force it.”

“But if your pupil didn’t seduce my pupil, then I wouldn’t have lost a pupil.” Adan sniffled and buried his face in his arms. “I had so much more to teach!”

“You had plenty of time to teach, but you were so focused on your work, that you forgot the mentor,” Kasen replied as he took a sip of wine and leaned back. The festivities were happening across the island for the marriage of his pupil to his bitter rival's pupil. “And Montan didn’t seduce anyone.”

“Why is your pupil so handsome?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“This is your fault.”

Kasen chuckled. “You can still take on another pupil to teach. And it isn’t as if Genet has broken the student-master ties with you. She still calls you master.”

“But now she’ll live here....” Adan lifted his arms and awkwardly waved them around him. Viclya, the county seat of the Cosora Delta and a bustling commercial and travel center. The resort island of Reina, which could rival a royal palace in its opulence, had been booked by the Duke of Alvere for his little brother’s wedding. It was luxurious and Adan was convinced there was no way Genet would leave.

If he were being honest with himself, he wouldn’t either. His rival’s little sister’s county was very nice. He wondered if she was still looking for employees for CrysTech.

“Don’t worry. I also live here, so if Genet has any charms questions, she can come to me.”

Adan’s glare at Kasen hardened. “You...you....”

“Daddy, can I go with my cousins to go cliff diving tomorrow? I don’t think we have anything else scheduled.” Adan turned his attention to a young man. Tall and slender, with a good-looking face and a serious expression. Adan almost sneered. Even Kasen’s adopted son was good-looking. As if taking his pupil wasn’t enough, Kasen also had a handsome and gifted son.

How much did the gods love Kasen de Guevera?

“Yes, that’s fine. Are you bringing your sister?”

“No.” Before Kasen could argue, Robert de Guevera dashed off.

“Hey,” Adan continued to glare at Kasen. “Give him to me.”

Kasen raised a brow and looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “What are you talking about?”

“Your son. Give him to me. He can be my pupil.”

Kasen rolled his eyes. “He’s not going to be your pupil.”

“Why not? He’s brilliant! At twelve, he translated three buildings at the ruins and a two-month backlog of items! At thirteen, he was accepted early into Lycée and now, he’s accepted early into Université!”

“Precisely, why would he need you?” The blow was too much for Adan and he snatched the wine and chugged it down.

“Kasen. Good evening, Master Hailan.” A woman appeared behind Kasen and a slender, pale arm went across Kasen’s chest. Long, thick wavy hair fell over his shoulder as one of the most beautiful women Adan had ever seen rested her head against Kasen’s. Her watery brown eyes looked at Kasen with affection, and it was difficult for Adan not to be filled with envy.

Adan swallowed his frustration and gave her a polite nod. “Lady Guevera.”

“Kasen, it’s getting late,” the woman said. “I’m going to head back to the room. Robi and Fifi are with their cousins.”

Kasen let out a small hum, grasped her fingers and brought them to his lips. “All right, I’ll follow soon. You were up early to help with the wedding. Get some rest.”

When she left, Adan groaned and called for another wine glass. “That’s it...when I get back, I’m going to accept whatever engagement my family gives me. I don’t care anymore.”

Kasen chuckled. “You know I didn’t plan to get married.”

“Then what is she?” Adan pointed accusingly at Kasen’s fleeting wife who was years younger than him, the same age as his sister, apparently. Shameless!

Kasen shrugged and took another sip of his wine. “Fifi really wanted a mommy and Robi was worried I’d be alone after he and Fifi left, so they found me a wife. They worked very hard to convince me, you know.”

Adan snorted. “So, your children are abandoning you?” Serves you right.

“I encourage my son to do whatever he wants and Fifi....” Kasen paused and crinkled his eyes. There was a glint of helplessness in there. “Fifi does whatever she wants.”

Adan narrowed his eyes. “Then, is she interested in coming to Nazaria?”

“What’s in Nazaria?” A high voice asked behind him and he suddenly screamed. He clutched his hand to his chest and turned around. A teenage girl’s big brown eyes were looking at him in question.

“Fifi, I thought you were with your cousins,” Kasen said, raising a brow.

“Yes, but Mommy said if I’m leaving the island, I have to come say goodnight to Daddy,” she said with a cheeky smile as she rounded the table to get to him and hug him. “Cousin Ava wants to show me her ship before she leaves tomorrow, so I’m going to go there.”

“All right. Don’t sail away with her,” Kasen said, sounding completely serious.

Fiona giggled. “Don’t worry, Daddy. I won’t.” Kasen got up to retire for the evening and Fiona took two steps after him. She paused and seemed to wait for her father to get out of hearing range.

She then turned around and looked at Adan. “Professor, tell me about Nazaria,” she said with a glint in her eye. “Is it exciting?”

Adan was taken aback and didn’t seem to know how to answer at first. “I...yes, I suppose so.” He found ruins exciting.

Fiona ‘I do what I want’ de Guevera narrowed her eyes and nodded with approval. “All right, Professor. You have my attention.”