"Heir Himl may marry the First Princess of the Solace Kingdom instead."
"Wait, what?"
I frowned, trying to process Hayes' words, my mind struggling to catch up.
"You heard correctly, Heir Himl," Hayes replied with a small, calculated smile. "You should consider yourself lucky—"
"I refuse." I cut him off mid-sentence, and his smug expression faltered for the first ti. "I have no intention of marrying—"
"Are you even hearing yourself?" One of the elders chid in, looking at . "You are rejecting a princess of the Zior race."
"So what?" I scoffed, turning a glare toward her. "I couldn't care less about so random princess I've never even t—"
"You can't insult our princess in front of ," Hayes snapped, his tone venomous as his composure cracked.
"You think I care—"
"Is this the heir you have chosen, Lady Mariam?" one of the elders scoffed, looking at her.
"Does he not understand how much the Solace Kingdom can help in restoring the Segyal Highbloods—"
"How exactly?" I asked with a cold smile, cutting through his words.
"Segyal doesn't need political power, and I'm an outsider. Even if I had a dozen children, they wouldn't inherit the Segyal bloodline."
Fucking stupid old shit.
The room froze, and everyone looked at weirdly.
"What?" I frowned, genuinely confused by their reaction.
"I don't understand," Mariam said softly, her gaze shifting to Hayes. "What benefit does the Solace Kingdom gain by marrying their First Princess to Himl?"
Hayes just smiled, refusing to answer her query.
"It doesn't make sense," Nerissa chid in, her sharp gaze fixed on him. "Unless, of course, you have ulterior motives for getting closer to the Segyal Highbloods."
Hayes stood silent, neither confirming nor denying her accusation.
'This isn't good.'
I groaned internally, rubbing my temples in frustration.
If this keeps up, I'll be forced to marry that insane woman.
[]
Inna asked, curiously.
'....Regretfully, yes I do.'
Vanya Juno Solace.
A [Main Heroine] of the Third Ga.
Soone who is known to resemble her father—the Mad King.
'I don't want to get entangled with them.'
Every last one of them was batshit crazy, not a shred of sanity in sight.
[]
'Oh, shut up.'
"Are you accepting the offer or not?" Hayes finally asked, his tone pressing as he scanned the room.
"I might, if you answer my question first," I replied evenly, eting his gaze.
"Go ahead," Hayes gestured with the sa smile.
"How exactly do you plan to help the World Tree?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
His smile faltered ever so slightly before he replied, "That's a trade secret—"
"Reveal it then." Nerissa chid in, looking at him. "I also want to know how you would help Yggdrasil."
"You're asking for too much," Hayes said, shaking his head. "I can't disclose—"
"And yet you expect us to trust you blindly?" I leaned forward, resting my chin on my hand. "That takes so serious nerve."
"The Solace Kingdom assures you that we will aid the World Tree—"
"Are we supposed to believe you just because you hail from the Solace Kingdom?" Nerissa interrupted, her voice icy.
"Isn't that enough?" Hayes asked, his smile finally fading.
"Let make this clear," Mariam said, her voice commanding the room's attention. "Unless you explain how you plan to cure Yggdrasil, this eting is over."
Hayes took a deep breath, his composure slipping for a brief mont before he nodded.
"Very well," he said, his gaze sweeping over the room. "I will reveal everything tomorrow."
"Why not today?" I asked.
"This information is delicate," Hayes replied, his tone asured. "It concerns the Solace Kingdom as a whole. I must consult with my king before revealing it."
Mariam nodded. "Then we will continue this eting tomorrow."
"Thank you," Hayes said with a slight bow. "It would be appreciated if accommodations could be arranged for us in the anti."
Mariam's gaze shifted to Narcos, who was deep in thought.
"We'll arrange it," Narcos said with a gentle nod.
Hayes turned on his heel, his footsteps echoing through the hall as he left.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Reis said mockingly as he followed after Hayes.
"That was exhausting." I mumbled to myself, sinking in my seat.
"Are we going to wait for another day?"
My gaze shifted towards Lorvil, who stood beside Nerissa.
"Do we have a choice?" Nerissa scoffed, looking back at him. "We are the ones in need here."
"Do you think they're telling the truth?" an elder asked softly.
"We don't know," Narcos replied. "All we can do is wait."
They nodded while my gaze shifted to Nerissa, who was calmly looking at .
"What?" I asked, resisting the urge to look away.
"Has he lost himself?" she asked, shifting her gaze towards Mariam.
Mariam quietly nodded, standing up from her seat. "I believe the sa."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, frowning at their cryptic words.
Nyria, who had been silent until now, rose to her feet.
"Lady Elife contacted ," she announced. "She wishes to et everyone tonight."
"Why?" Nerissa asked, her brow furrowed.
"I don't know." Nyria shook her head. "She didn't reveal the reason."
"Who is Lady Elife?" I asked, looking at Mariam.
"And she doesn't wish to et the outsider," Nyria added, glancing at .
The fuck?
"Lady Elife is the guardian spirit of Yggdrasil," Mariam explained, looking at .
"....."
There wasn't anything like that in the ga.
Where did she co from?
'Wait, the elves weren't supposed to be in this dire a situation either.'
"Narcos." Nerissa called, looking at him. "Increase the security around Reis."
"What? Why?" Narcos frowned.
"Just do it," she said firmly, standing from her seat.
*******
"....."
"....."
Aimar and Elijah stood beside each other, their gaze around the garden.
Their awkward expression combined with the romantic atmosphere gave them a weird feeling.
"Say…" Elijah began, hesitating as he glanced at Aimar. "You're not, uh, you know… gay, right?"
"I am not!" Aimar rebuked, glaring at him furiously. "Don't lump with Himl."
"Then why were you hugging —?"
"You were hugging , idiot!" Aimar shot back, his expression disgusted. "And you were smiling like a creep while you were at it—"
"I was having a good dream, okay?!" Elijah grumbled, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "But... how did our clothes end up as ashes?"
"That…" Aimar sighed, looking away. "Might've been my fault. I still don't have full control over my powers."
"I see." Elijah nodded gently. "Though it's good nobody saw us like that, especially Himl."
"Yeah, thank God for that," Aimar muttered, his voice laced with relief. "If he ever found out, I'd kill myself on the spot."
"Haha, sa," Elijah chuckled, though the laugh sounded a bit too nervous.
"....."
"....."
"I feel kind of gay—"
"Shut up." Aimar cut in Elijah's words as he looked around.
He frowned as his gaze landed on Zenith walking toward him with Siersha and Pasithea.
"What happened?" Elijah asked, as he noticed the tense look on their faces.
Zenith walked closer as she whispered. "Soone is keeping an eye on us."
Aimar frowned. "What?"
"Did you tell Wilhelm?" Elijah asked, his voice serious.
"He's not here," Zenith replied, shaking her head. "And whoever it is, their presence vanishes the mont we try to alert any of the teachers."
"Wait, you can sense them, and the teachers can't?" Aimar asked, looking at them.
"I think so." Zenith nodded.
Elijah frowned. "How?"
"They are baiting us." Siersha replied, looking at them.
"So there are more than one?" Aimar asked, looking at her.
Siersha nodded. "Look after Pasithea. She's likely their target."
"What about you?" Elijah asked, looking at her.
" and Zenith will try to catch him." She said, looking at them.
"No, you guys take care of Pasithea, and and Aimar—."
"She will be safer with you guys." Siersha cut in his words.
"No." Elijah shook his head. "Himl will kill —."
"Elijah!" Siersha snapped.
"Why would Himl kill you?" Zenith asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
"Uh, why wouldn't he?" Elijah stamred. "If sothing happens to his future daughter—"
"Never speak to again," Zenith said, turning sharply on her heel and walking off.
"I'll go with her," Aimar said quickly, already following. "You two stay with Pasithea."
"I can take care of myself," Pasithea grumbled, but no one paid her any attention.
Aimar caught up to Zenith, falling into step beside her. "Be careful. We don't know how many of them there are."
"Don't worry." She said as they walked out of the garden. "I can take care of them."
He chuckled softly as he readied himself to save her if necessary.
They continued to walk for almost ten minutes, but there was no sign of anyone.
Aimar looked around as they found themselves in empty streets with small houses.
"Are you sure you saw—."
"Sheesh." Zenith whispered softly as she stopped in her tracks. "They are here."
"Only two?" A voice echoed around the place. "Aren't these brats arrogant?"
They turned to see two tall n blocking the path they had just co from.
One had tanned skin and a sardonic grin, while the other, with long hair, looked more cautious.
"Isn't she the princess' friend?" the tanned man asked his companion, tilting his head toward Zenith.
"Yeah," the other man replied. "Awan ntioned her."
"Spare both of our tis and tell what's going on?" Aimar asked, looking at them.
"We will if you quietly co with us." The tanned man said, smirking.
"You see, we are in need of so insider's help." His partner said, looking at them. "You two no-nas will be fine for such work."
"Mother was right." Zenith mumbled as she touched her bracelet. "Talking is always useless."
A long staff materialized in her hand with a gem-like stone etched at the center of it.
Zenith's entire deanor changed as she assessed the situation.
The two n drew their weapons: a short sword and a dagger.
"She's not a threat," the tanned man sneered. "Her mana's restricted because of those handcuffs."
"Then the boy's the problem," his partner replied, eyeing Aimar warily.
Zenith raised her hand as she flicked the switch off her handcuff.
Aimar took a step back as a gust of wind rushed around her.
Zenith raised her staff as she made a Runic symbol of 'air' with her staff.
"Subdue her!"
The tanned man rushed toward her, raising his short sword.
Zenith took a step back as she made a Runic symbol of 'force.'
Both symbols rged seamlessly as the tanned man was right in front of her.
Without any delay, Zenith pointed her staff at his leg.
"Scatter."
BOOM!!!
A shockwave of compressed air erupted.
Thud.
The tanned man fell down.
His foggy eyes looked down at his legs.
"Ahhhhh!"
He let out a scream as both his legs were shattered into pieces.
A dagger rushed at Zenith's throat.
Without flinching, she canceled her previous runes and etched a new one—'Barrier'
A hexagonal shield ford just in ti, deflecting the dagger harmlessly to the ground.
Zenith looked at the other man, trembling in fear.
The man turned around as he tried to run away.
But before he could, a purple portal erged in his path.
Aimar stepped through, blocking his path with a cold smile.
The man tried to turn around, but before he could, sothing hard was stuffed in his mouth.
Zenith leveled her staff at him, the gem glowing ominously.
"You have one chance. Tell us what's going on."
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