"With that said, it's up to you to decide what we should do for now," Dhein stated, crossing his arms.
Fiorelle looked down, cupping her chin with her fingers. She looked like she was in deep thought. Whatever she was thinking, Dhein only cared about straying her further from the accurate truth. In times like these, his fake reputation really did come in handy.
And then she spoke.
"I don't know where you're getting these information from, but you seem to be in no hurry to save Princess Shina at all."
Dhein had almost choked on his own saliva twice already today.
She continued.
"Is she in no danger? Could we really afford to take our time and search for this mysterious purpose that you're saying in this situation?"
That was a good question, to which Dhein didn't have a definite answer.
After all, what kind of an abducted princess would be safe? From the other's perspective, especially the Emperor himself, Shina was in anything but safe hands. She was young, beautiful and had a high status in the empire. There was a number of different ways that the assumed culprits could ruin her.
It would only be logical to think that if Dhein knew where to find her or who the culprits were, then he should be relaying that information to the authorities as soon as possible.
Yet, he blabbered about this 'purpose' nonsense. Naturally, Fiorelle would be confused.
But come to think of it, Dhein was pretty convinced that Shina was in no danger indeed.
Considering the amount of time that had elapsed since her escape, Dhein could surmise that the princess was still in one of the nations of Olcour. And since she hadn't been found yet, she should be safe.
Besides, Dhein wanted to believe that she could handle herself just fine. He didn't want to be one of the people that looked down on her abilities.
Surely, she was somewhere, blending with the common folk, learning and thriving in her new life.
So, he answered honestly.
"I don't think she is in any danger right now."
Though a bit perplexed, Fiorelle sighed in relief.
"That's reassuring."
She paused for a moment and then added:
"Still, it's pretty hard to believe that all of this is somehow connected to me. Why me? Whatever the purpose of all this is, I can't see how I have to be the one to uncover it."
A drop of cold sweat rolled down on Dhein's forehead. Fortunately for him, this sign of disturbance was covered by his awesome bangs.
'Stop asking all these difficult questions, will you?!' he cried internally.
Now that directly lying was not an option, the situation only became more difficult.
Dhein might have been silent for a little too long so Zarria answered for him.
"I understand your lack of understanding, Miss Wixorn. Dhein's wisdom is, oftentimes, confusing. But trust me."
She put a hand on her chest, her face was full of admiration.
"It will all soon unfold before you, and you will be glad you've listened."
Thankfully, Fiorelle stopped asking questions after that. Dhein could still feel that she had a lot more to ask, but in the end, she chose to trust the Theocheirós siblings.
Fiorelle Wixorn decided to investigate around the outskirts. Even though he made it clear that he wouldn't give Fiorelle the full answers, Dhein approved this idea.
Hours flew by, they'd asked pretty much everyone in the area, but didn't get a single useful information. But at least, with Fiorelle's abilities, they were sure that none of those people were lying.
"This is going nowhere..." Fiorelle muttered, visibly disheartened.
Dhein couldn't help but feel bad for the girl. She was searching for something non-existent. But alas, if he wanted to buy time for Shina to find a place where no one could find her, he had to do this for as long as he could.
"You said the culprit's intentions are beyond my own understanding," she said, looking up at him with tired eyes.
"Is that also why they won't cause the princess any harm?"
Dhein shrugged.
"I think so."
Right after he said that, Fiorelle fell silent, her eyes widening. It was as if she'd just seen a ghost.
"Lord Dheinyrus... right now you just..."
Dhein looked at her, confused.
"What is it?" he asked.
"You just li-"
As Fiorelle was about to speak, she suddenly fell on her knees and clutched her head. She started screaming in pain.
Startled, Dhein wanted to follow her to the ground but he must remain composed.
'What the hell is going on?!' he screamed in his mind.
Zarria crouched down, worry was etched into her face.
"Hey, what's wrong? Pull yourself together!" the dark-haired girl yelled, putting a hand on Fiorelle's shoulder.
The passersby didn't know what was going on either, but given the situation the empire was under, anything suspiciously distressing was enough to make them scram in fear.
Fiorelle couldn't stop her voice. Her screams turned into cries, she even began biting her lower lip in pain.
'Shit, shit, shit, what do I do?' Dhein thought, even he was starting to panic. Not because of the possible aftermath of this conundrum but because he was actually worried about Fiorelle's well-being.
After a few seconds, he couldn't take it anymore. He abandoned feigning composure and crouched down as well. There wasn't anything he could do, but he absentmindedly held Fiorelle's cold hand in an attempt to ease up her pain even just a little.
In that exact second, Fiorelle's cries stopped.
Zarria whipped her head towards Dhein, a mix of shock and relief on her face.
Panting heavily, Fiorelle wiped the saliva around her mouth first. Her face was still covered in sweat and tears. It took a few seconds to catch her breath.
"Miss Wixorn, are you alright?" Zarria asked worriedly.
In between short breaths, Fiorelle tried to speak.
"I received... a vision..."
Dhein squinted, his heart began to race.
'So that's how Wixorns receive visions,' he thought.
Swallowing the lump in his throat, Dhein pushed himself off the ground and helped Fiorelle stand as well. When everything seemed to calm down, he asked:
"What did it show you?"
Fiorelle was about to answer when they heard footsteps coming their way. Dhein turned his head to see who it was.
A tall, young man with snow-white hair, gray eyes and pale skin was approaching. He was draped in a pure white cloak over an expensive suit, with intricate silver patterns around the hems and all over the fabric. The accessories he wore on his ears and neck weren't just for show. Dhein had seen and read about them from books and he knew exactly what they were for.
They suppressed the user's raw mana from unleashing itself into the world, preventing world-ending catastrophes. And the only one in history who ever had to wear them was the four hundredth successor to the Light Clan, Thevon Luxier.