"I am a saint, specifically the Lord of Shadows," Sunny told them with a smile.
Kai stumbled in place, his look of shock replaced by horror. He pointed a trembling finger at him and opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Eventually, he found his voice shaky.
"That….That is impossible, I don't understand. W-why is my flaw not working? Can flaws break?" Kai stared into the sea, speaking to himself aloud.
"What?! So that means Mordret was right!" Howl shot up with a shout, nearly knocking down her glass of wine into the fire they had made while Kai and Sunny were in the sea, and making the chair she was sitting in break into pieces due to her throwing it across the beach, along with the other chair, caused by the small shockwave she made.
"Yes, Mordret was right," Sunny nodded.
Eunbin looked confused, which slowly turned into shock and, if Sunny wasn't mistaken, a little embarrassment; her cheeks were lightly dusted with pink, too. Eunbin walked closer to him with a critical gaze, giving him a look up and down, and poked his cheek a few times as if checking that he was real. Sunny tried not to react to her actions and instead focused on the other sisters.
"What are you doing?" Sunny tried to hold a straight face.
Eunbin opened her mouth to respond to the questio but closed closed it, then opened it again.
"Just checking something." She told him absentmindedly with a raspy voice.
Death Singer's eyes went so wide that Sunny thought they would pop out of her head, Moonveil shattered the glass of wine she held in her hand due to the force of her grip, and Seishan raised an eyebrow so high that Sunny thought it would fly off her face.
Revel extended her hand, ready to summon a memory, and Silent Stalker merely scoffed. The seven strangers Sunny now guessed were Mordret had walked up to them with pleasant smiles.
"So, you lied to us? To me? Are we not friends, Sunless?" Eunbin's face was still a little aloof, but Sunny could hear her voice full of confusion and a hint of hurt in her tone.
"No, Eunbin, I did not lie to anybody or you; I never lie. I am the most honest person in the world, two worlds even. Yes, we are friends." Sunny turned to her, his smile faded.
"But you did deceive us," Revel frowned closing her hand, and put it to her side again.
"I would have never needed to if it weren't for Mordret. I would have told you all eventually." Sunny threw a dark look at one of Mordret's vessels.
"What? What are you doing here?" Eunbin found her voice again, directing her attention to the prince of nothing with a frown.
"I suppose the secret is out for me as well, but as for what I am doing here since you did not invite me to this gathering, I felt a little left out that you offered an invitation to Sunless and not me, who has been your guest for four years, so I figured I would invite myself." Mordret smiled.
"Do you really think I would do such a thing after what your little stunt almost cost us in Antarctica?" Eunbin frowned.
"Please accept my sincerest apologies for the intrusion on your gathering, Song Eunbin." Mordret bowed politely.
"Thanks," She rolled her eyes.
Mordret turned to Sunny. "Ah, is it my fault for your lack of trust in these ladies? In Song Eunbin? You want to blame me for your actions? No, I don't think so, Sunless. I only brought the truth to light sooner than you wanted. If anything, you should be thanking me. Look how this turned out, but it does make someone wonder what other secrets you are keeping." The seven vessels smiled at Sunny in unison, causing the sisters to look over with frowns.
"Sunless, why did you not say that you were Lord Shadow when you were tossing yourself around like a rag doll in the training room?" Eunbin stepped forward with a raised eyebrow.
"Because I was having too much fun," Sunny smiled, but immediately sensed something was wrong with his words when a smile graced her face.
"You were having too much fun with what exactly?" She smiled wider.
"Being Master Sunless," Sunny smiled back he figured thy he said the right thing, but her smile only tightened.
"So you had fun playing pretend?" Eunbin's tone was dangerously friendly.
"Well, yes, I did have fun playing pretend." Sunny carefully told her, but her smile had tightened.
"Saint Sunless, it would be helpful to everyone if you were to elaborate quickly," Seishan told him calmly. But for some reason, she had moved back a few meters; all the sisters did. Mordret, the only one who didn't move, stood there with an amused expression.
"Yes, Sunless, please elaborate for both of our sakes." Eunbin could barely contain her tight smile.
"I meant it when I said that I was having fun." Sunny assured her.
Meanwhile, Mordret had moved his vessels away to the palm trees and appeared in his original body, observing the conversation with a pleasant smile.
"So I'm hearing that this was all just a game?" Eunbin asked with a smile that twitched.
'Ah, no goddamnit!'
Just what was he doing wrong?!
[Sunny! Stop talking!] Cassie shouted.
Yeah, that was probably for the best. Sunny didn't gloat much, but he could confidently say he was one of the most intelligent people alongside Mordret and Cassie. Still, he was nowhere near the most emotionally intelligent person. Even he could tell when he was digging himself into a hole.
[Say you were having fun playing as the terrifying Lord of Shadows and that you enjoy tending to the customers at the Brilliant Emporium.] Cassie calmly resonated in his head.
"No, it was not a game. What I mean is that I specifically had fun playing as the terrifying Lord of Shadows and tending to the Brilliant Emporium customers; I really enjoyed that. As well as the friendship I have built with you, Eunbin." He was relieved when her smile became more relaxed.
[Gods bless you, Cassie,]
[You're far from being out of the woods yet, Sunny.]
"I want to see your transformation." Eunbij eyed him.
Sunny nodded, and immediately, an identical twin with a sullen expression was next to him. Gloomy controlled his own movements, so whatever he did was not Sunny.
Gloomy looked around with a frown and aimed his gaze at Silent Stalker, who stared back with a frown of her own. He wordlessly looked her up and down, then silently scoffed while rolling his eyes.
Eunbin's eyes darted between Sunny and Gloomy with a surprised expression.
"So if this is your transformation, what was that strange nightmare creature you turned into while in the training area? She questioned getting nods from the others as well.
"An ability of mine, I call it Shadow shell, that was only one of the many shells I have."
Eunbin walked up to his avatar with a curious expression and went to poke his cheek, but her hand was caught by Gloomy, who gave her a chilling glare. As if saying
'Don't. Touch. Me. Wench.'
Eunbin retraced her hand, giving Sunny a look and causing him to hold his hands up in defense. "His actions, not mine."
"You're the same person." She raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, but I'm not in control right now." Sunny smiled.
Eunbin looked at Kai, who gave her a shaky nod. He was still reeling from the truth bomb that Sunny had dropped.
"It would be appreciated if you explained this to me later today, Sunless. I am not mad. You said that you had many secrets, and this happened to be one of them, so I can't be angry, but I want to make it openly clear that I do not like how you deceived me. Sunless, we will discuss that later, too, in private." Eunbin gave him a serious look.
"Of course, Lady Eunbin."
"You were doing so well; there is no need for such formalities anymore; we are no longer strangers to each other, but never mind that we should clean up," she sighed, looking at the broken glass in the sand and picking it up.
They silently cleaned up the havoc they caused from their reactions. The only things filling the silence in the air were the quiet crackling of the fire and the waves calmly crashing ashore. It would have been almost peaceful if it hadn't been for the lingering tension between Sunny and Silent Stalker. Speaking of the unassuming saint, there was a conversation between her and Eunbin far across the beach.
Sunny quietly eavesdropped.
"-Moving on from that, Silence, you didn't seem too surprised at the truth, how come?" Eunbin bent down, picking up pieces of the chairs and placing them into a gathering pile.
"That's because I already figured it out, Bin." Silent Stalker grunted out.
"What?" Eunbin stopped in place.
"Yeah, weeks ago. I suspected Sunless from the moment he arrived, but my suspicions were confirmed when Mordret told us. The pieces started to connect when Saint Sunless was in the training area, conversing with himself as Lord Shadow and Master Sunless." Silent Stalker told her with a hint of annoyance in her tone
"Why didn't you tell me?" Eunbin frowned.
Suddenly, Silent Stalker had gone silent.
"Well, Silence? Have you finally fulfilled your true name and become a mute? Why aren't you answering the question ? Why are you backing away, sister?" Eunbin began walking after her.
Shaking his head, Sunny suppressed a laugh. After an hour, everyone had left, leaving Sunny and Eunbin alone. She summoned her memory, leaving Sunny to stare at her clothes again. Looking over Sunny, she saw her walking towards him with an unreadable expression. Then, out of nowhere, she grabbed his shoulder, and suddenly, they were back in the halls of the palace of Raven Heart.
"Come," Eunbin began walking down the hall.
"Where are we going?" Sunny followed.
"Somewhere private," She glanced behind her shoulder.
'Again with the vagueness,'
Soon, they reached an intricate door, which was red wine in color with golden patterns woven into the walnut wood and a smooth ebony door handle. She opened it and walked inside, closing it behind her.
"What are you waiting for?" Sitting on her bed, she patted the spot beside her.
"Nothing, it's just that why didn't you tell me we were going to your chambers?"
"I didn't want you to be nervous," She shrugged.
"This isn't the first time I've been to a princess's room, you know?" He smiled mischievously.
"Hold that thought, Sunless. I am going to change, but in the meantime, feel free to look around, and I definitely want to hear about this," She began, undoing her hair while walking to her dresser and grabbing a set of clothes.
Sunny did look around but stopped when Eunbin dismissed her memory, leaving her in the swimsuit again. Then, she walked to the bathroom, stopped, and smiled at him.
"What? Did you want me to change in front of you? We are both adults, and it wouldn't be anything you haven't already seen." She had a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"N-no, I didn't! Besides, a princess like you should have the right to privacy, right?" He kept his gaze focused on her eyes.
"Right, I figured you would say something like that, and that is why we are friends and why you are my only friend. You are not someone who is only looking to get this." She gestured to her body and continued.
"You want to get to know me for me truly, and things like that do not go unnoticed or unappreciated," She smiled and walked into the bathroom.
After a few minutes, Eunbin sat back down on the bed.
"Now continuing our previous conversation, what were the other times?" She was wearing more comfortable clothing and crossed her legs with a smile.
"Yes, really, the first was when I was a sleeper, and the second was when I was a master. I had gone into the chambers of a transcended woman for who knows how long, but I do know that I came out a new man." He inwardly laughed at her progressively wavering smile.
Of course, Sunny was talking about the room he slept in while roommates with the True Darkness Knight and becoming a terror after killing Windflower, but Eunbin didn't need to know that.
"I see, so you are an experienced man? I think you should wait a lot longer before telling me such information that may or may not be useful later down the line, Sunless. We are just friends right now. Let us get to know each other on a deeper level, and take me out to dinner a few times. Perhaps if all goes well, we can discuss these things more openly. Now, please come here and sit." She smiled softly, patting the spot beside her again.
Huh?
What was she going on about now?!
"Yes, I am an experienced man, I'm a saint after all!"
"Never mind, I see that I will have to be more direct in the future. Now, let's go to why we are here in the first place." She shook her head in disappointment.
"Yes, go ahead," Sunny nodded, sitting beside her on the bed.
"I know that I said I didn't like how you deceived me, and I still don't, but I can now understand that it is because you are a guarded person, which is why you didn't tell anyone you are Lord Shadow and that you have a sister. Yes, I know, Rain is your sister; she seems like a nice girl." She turned to him with a gentle smile.
"How did you find out?" He met her gaze.
"My mother, but I only want to know two things about your deceiving." Her expression became serious.
"And what's that, Eunbin?"
"Which one is your real personality? The cold, arrogant, remorseless Lord of Shadows or the kind, humorous, friendly Master Sunless?"
"Both of them are my personalities, war is cold and uncaring, so Lord Shadow has to be as well. Meanwhile, Master Sunless is for the people of Raven Heart. Does that answer the first question?" Sunny tilted his head.
She nodded. "Yes, it does. The second question is do you truly see me as a friend?"
"I do" Sunny firmly nodded.
"Then I am satisfied." She pivoted her body to lay on her bed, resting her legs on Sunny's lap.
"You're getting really comfortable huh?" Sunny looked down at her legs.
"Yes, why wouldn't I? It's my room even if you're in here, you can lay down as well, there is plenty of room." She patted the space beside her with a lazy smile.
"Alright, but no funny business." He laid down.
"None at all," She smiled then started laughing.
"What?" Sunny raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you laying so far away? Are you scared of me?" She laughed harder.
"Because I want to, and no I'm not scared of you!" Sunny shrugged.
"Then prove it and move closer, I won't bite unless you ask me to." Eunbin grinned.
"No, I don't trust you, that smile is filled with nothing but ill intentions!" Sunny pointed at her.
They continued speaking for hours until he had to leave. After Sunless left, Eunbin sighed, tiredly looking at her door. "You all can come in now." The door opened, revealing all of her sisters.
Symphony was the first to speak. "Oh my, oh me! Sister, sister, just what were you trying to do with that, mister? I hope it was nothing indecent that would be unbearable, and just the thought of that is absolutely terrible!" She frowned, giving Eunbin a look.
"Sisters, I don't appreciate your listening in on my conversations with my friend. But never mind, why do you all come to my chambers when we're all together?" She rolled her eyes and closed the door behind them as they walked in.
"Answer the question, Bin.
"Nothing, I wasn't trying to do anything except have a conversation with him, but you all would already know that since you listened to the whole thing, right?" She glared at them.
"No, we didn't listen in because we couldn't hear what you were saying or doing, not with the soundproof memories you summoned. Now, we want to know why exactly you would do that if it were just a simple conversation?" Veil smiled at her.
'Not this again,'
***
Gazing at the gloomy evening sky, Sunny was taking a peaceful walk back to the Brilliant Emporium, or at least he was trying to. Still, a particular person was spoiling the mood.
"Why are you still following me?" Sunny glared at Mordret.
"I'm famished, I know you would not deny a customer who is hungry for food." Mordret gazed at the sky with a smile as well.
"I can make an exception." He frowned.
"Now, Sunless, you know that your assistant Aiko would not be thrilled to miss out on money."
"The Brilliant Emporium wasn't open; we closed early." Sunny considered stepping away, but the weirdo would follow him through the mirror Sunny kept in his pocket.
"Ah, but your other body opened it again once you left for the beach, did you not? I was there as well as on the beach with you all." The former Prince pointed out.
"I did," Sunny nodded through gritted teeth.
"Then it's settled, my friend."
Reaching the Emporium, they walked inside, and Mordret took a seat and told him his order, but before Sunny could go to the kitchen, the prince stopped him.
"Sunless, when were you going to tell me?" Mordret tilted his head.
"Tell you what?" Turning around, Sunny glared at him.
But he couldn't shake this terrible feeling he had.
"That you were planning to betray Ki Song and kill her alongside my father, of course!" He smiled pleasantly.
"What are you talking about?" Sunny raised an eyebrow pretending to be ignorant.
"My, my, there is no need to lie to me, dear friend. Ah, I forgot that you can't lie, can you? How rude of me, please accept my sincerest apologies." Mordret's smile widened.
'What? H-how does he know that?!'