"Calm down, Princess. Eurus will be fine," Zerath tried to reason.
"Are we looking at two different Eurus'?" She gasped in disbelief.
He smiled. "I see his wounds just like you, but trust me. He'll be fine. It was a good learning experience for him."
"That trinkets shop owner-"
"Silas."
"I don't care what his name is! That trinkets shop owner kicked him and it was a good learning experience?"
"Fights make us understand our strengths and weaknesses, Princess. He's hurt, but he's also happy, and he's happy because he won - on his own. Look at him yourself."
Vivia glanced down and found Eurus staring at the two coins in his hand with a sparkling delight in his eyes. It was as if the little coins were all the treasure he ever wanted and nothing else. She parted and closed her lips, her storming rage eventually toning down just a little.
"I still don't like this…" she threw a displeased glare at Zerath.
"Don't worry. Eurus is a strong demon, and he proved that today. It also doesn't mean that I accept violence, so yes, I'll see to it that the kids are held responsible. As far as Silas is concerned, he wasn't acting out of malice. He simply believes that tough battles sharpen one's strength and instinct. Brutal but effective."
Vivia murmured inaudibly.
"I remember someone telling me that they, too, have trained under a Master with a practical philosophy."
She averted his probing gaze. She did have her own fair share of beatings and defeat from a master who considered weakness and excuses as a crime, so she understood where Zerath's iron-clad discipline came from. On top of that, demons' philosophy of nurturing and raising children was very different from humans'.
She released a sigh.
"No matter the harsh training I went through, I cannot see children going through the same. Also, this wasn't training but plain harassment."
She felt his odd stare and asked, "W-what?"
"Lady Vivia is kind," he held her gaze for a long moment.
"Not…really. I just cannot be hard on children."
The distant memories of her own troubled childhood resurfaced in her mind as she exhaled a quiet breath.
Feeling a tug at her leg, she looked down. Eurus had his arms wrapped around her leg as he showed her the two coins in his hand. She bent and hugged him.
"Hoho, you did great, Eurus. You did the right thing by showing that trinkets shop owner his place haha!"
A blush of joy and pride appeared on his cheeks, melting her heart. She then noticed his questioning gaze as he looked back and forth between Zerath and her. Before she could ask, Valtor entered the tent.
"Rise for the Crown Prince Zerath," he bowed.
Eurus immediately hid behind Vivia. His reaction didn't go unnoticed.
"Is something the matter?" Valtor asked, puzzled.
Eurus lowered his head. He couldn't meet his eyes, ashamed of losing the pouch he was responsible for.
"I think he feels hesitant to face you," Vivia scratched her chin. "He must feel he disappointed you."
"Indeed. Very clearly, Sir Eurus was stronger than the kids, yet he let them overwhelm him. His hesitation and indecisiveness to use his magic was his mistake."
Eurus's shoulders dropped.
"Though I don't care about the money as long as Sir Eurus doesn't repeat the mistake. To lose twice because of the same error is extremely shameful."
Vivia slightly coughed. Humans tended to be more positive and encouraging.
"But you didn't lose the second time and exhibited your strength and presence of mind to win against Sir Silas. That's what is expected from a demon," he said sternly.
Eurus's expression blossomed.
Sir…Silas? Vivia wondered.
Her daze fell apart as Zerath approached closer to her. "Would you like to tour the festival with me, Princess?"
Startled, she looked back. "Huh?"
"Festival," he smiled pleasantly. "I'm free from my duties now."
The proximity between them occurred to her, which made Drisennia's words echo in her ears.
"Eu…Eurus. He's weak to walk around in this state," her heart took a sudden leap.
"Oh, Valtor will accompany him. He needs to rest anyway."
"I…"
"Hm?" He tilted his head, his gaze slightly probing.
Vivia couldn't think of another excuse. It seemed to put a strange pressure on her, making her heartbeats grow jumpy and erratic.
Zerath smiled. "Shall we?"
—
The Twilight Sanctum rose like a massive monument that seemed to envelop the celestial duality of the world. To the east, a blazing sun's effigy hung low, its golden rays slicing through the glass windows. To the west, a pale crescent moon stood powerful, its silver light spilling over the cathedral's darker edges. The Sanctum basked in their energies from the two astral emblems. The majestic orbs left her jaw-dropped in awe and admiration.
They reminded her of the fire dance and procession with similar effigies of the sun and moon being paraded through the streets.
"Welcome to the Twilight Sanctum," Zerath said. "It's similar to the Fourfold Covenant in your realm."
"Can I really be here?" Her throat felt dry. "I understand that the Sanctum is very important to demons. You worship the Sun and Moon, so as a human I…"
"Yes, it's an important place for demons. It's our sanctuary during trying times and a symbol of hope."
His gaze slowly travelled to her side, watching her lost in the marvel of the monument.
"That's why I want you to be here."
Tearing her gaze away from the grandiose sanctum, her eyes locked with his. Her heart shook with the glint of resilience glistening in his eyes. It made butterflies of joy tickle in her stomach, but a nagging pit of doom also sucked that happiness into an abyss. She wished to bask in that moment of bliss that came from his undivided attention towards her.
Yet an apprehension gripped her. Would his attention culminate into something...unnecessary? More than that, would it culminate into something for her too?
Vivia shivered at that thought, which would only serve to unlock a series of complicated doors for her. Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard Lucian greeting them.
"My lord."
Lucian cast a stare at her that looked complicated. She guessed his thoughts raced towards the fact that a human was in the perimeter of a demon's religious worship place. Her heart felt restless at that, and an uncomfortable chill rushed through her as she met his gaze.
She politely smiled. "Sir Lucian. It's nice to meet you again."
He stared. "Indeed, Princess."
He replied without much of an expression and turned his attention back to Zerath.
"Sire is waiting for you."
"I'll meet him. I'll introduce Princess Clairette to him as well."
"I'd kindly refrain you from doing that, my lord. Sire is very particular. There'll be unnecessary friction because of the Princess's presence. She could wait outside while you meet him."
Vivia's brows creased with further tension, and her heart thumped faster.
Why does this feel so stressful…?
"I value flexibility, Lucian. Sire should look towards gaining more fruitful experience."
"Demons don't want any kind of experience with humans, my lord."
Vivia choked at his bluntness. She tapped her slightly moist forehead and fanned her face. As she shifted her weight, her foot tripped over the other and she fell forward. Feeling a tug at her arm, she was quickly pulled back.
"Princess..!"
Vivia looked up in a daze. Her breaths came in short, uneven gasps, as if she couldn't quite catch enough air.
"I'm fine," she said, reading the panic in Zerath's eyes.
"You don't look well," Zerath pulled her closer, supporting her to stand steady on her feet.
"Lucian, call the doctor-"
"No, no. That's not necessary. I just felt a little feverish, that's all."
Zerath's knitted brows made her smile.
"I'm really okay."
He looked at Lucian and said, "Postpone the meeting with Sire and inform him."
Astonished, she said, "Crown Prince, I humbly implore not to postpone your duties. I simply tripped."
He shook his head.
"It wasn't a crucial meeting anyway, Princess. Just some pleasantaries. I agree with Lucian too. I don't want any friction and ugliness today."
A soft smile lingered on his lips, his voice tapering off. "It's your last day here. I want it to be memorable for you."
She lowered her gaze, a storm of complicated emotions barraging her heart. Her lips parted in an attempt to say something, but she could only clasp the little velvet box with the golden brooch tightly in her hand.