Esme's POV
Eidrin. The Sin of Envy—I realize a lot about myself from watching him. He grew up being the closest to his older brother and when old enough to not be dependent, his older brother let him see life for himself.
Except that's not what he wanted. He had then felt cast away. Abandoned.
Sora mentioned that the oldest having a lover was what Eidrin thought and the others just agreed. All I understood was the oldest brother had been distant with the rest, so that Eidrin felt he lost out of his exclusive favour.
I wrapped my hair around the silver pin again, and paused to check if it'd hold. "Finally," an exasperated sigh left me.
I checked my trousers to be sure these ones had proper belting, before sliding into them. They were difficult to get into but I forced my thighs in.
"Goodness, did I gain weight?" I should really avoid those pastries. I tried the belt and somehow, my waist had shrunken and my hips were a little wider than I remembered. My breasts stayed the same. "Really?"
They have been bodily changes happening to me that were a little concerning. "Could it be the result of having a wolf? It truly changes the body." I remembered how Levine changed within months. "Have I grown taller?" I rushed to the door to measure my height. There was only a little difference.
I clicked my tongue and threw my jacket on. I wore the ruby earrings I recently got, to match the red purse strapped on my shoulders. These changes were very pronounced but I could live with it.
"If Uncle knew my first date was with an immortal." I shook my head. "But we're going to hunt so that's ideal, right?" I snapped my head to Denim's bed, fully expecting to see nothing.
I exhaled and checked my face one more time, before leaving the steel mirror. "Let's go, Sora." I picked the pink feather resting on my table and my surroundings changed.
Sora was already all dressed up, in white shirt with short wide sleeves, paired with plain white trousers and black boots that matched his obsidian hair pins. He still had his tiger teddy clutched on his chest.
I bent down to take a handful of hair out of his tight bun, and let the strands fall on his forehead.
"Who dressed you up? You're looking smart."
He smiled and pointed behind me. I looked quickly, expecting to see his father or a knight. Yet I found a small floating opaque figure, with her head bowed and wearing a plain white gown. A ghost? I looked away.
"That's nice. Let's go." I quickly walked away, heading to Eidrin's room. My ears might've tricked me but I definitely heard a horse neighing behind the walls.
The wall granted us entry and Sora stopped after a step, immediately blocking his face with his teddy due to how bright the room was.
"Uncle Eidrin, do you really want me to come along?" he spoke groggily.
The place was brighter than expected, since the wall opened outside the Haven of Sins and not inside Eidrin's room.
"It's not that bad. Haven't you been outside the Haven before?" I pulled him along with me. He shook his head and I smiled. Did he forget how we met the first time?
But then he added. "I never leave unless it's dark outside. I hate the sun. See how pale I am."
And that made sense. Even the first time we met, it was in the evening.
"There's a first time for everything. Even Eidrin who finds comfort in darkness is taking us to hunt today. Let's appreciate his effort."
He groaned then hid under my purse. I stared at him, thinking of how small he had to be to use my purse, hanging on my shoulders, as a shade. "If you get tired of walking, I'll carry you."
His steps had more spring as he happily replied. "Okay!"
We got into the carriage, and before Eidrin showed himself, it began to move. Wasn't he coming with us? Or did he leave first?
Sora rested on me. "Knowing Uncle Eidrin, he probably went all the way to Eindrigin to prepare the perfect spot."
That was so thoughtful… Wait, Eindrigin? "I didn't…" I shot my head out the window but the environment had already changed to a temperate sunny surrounding. I didn't even notice a rider directing the horse.
"We are in the Kingdom of Eindrigin?"
They recently signed a peace treaty with my Kingdom of Dionus after a Disciple of the Goddess made their place his final abode. They were a troublesome bunch, at least, that's what my kingdom rumoured them to be.
Our Kingdom of Dionus was still home to three Disciples out of the five, so we held more influence compared to the other two kingdoms, who had one each. I slowly hid myself, as I saw unfamiliar buildings and people speaking a different dialect.
"Is there a reason we have to hunt here?" I whispered.
"Uncle Eidrin lived here for a while, with our oldest Uncle, so he knows more places compared to Dionus." Sora kept his legs on the empty seat.
He was very relaxed. Well, it's not like the people of Eindrigin would argue about an immortal sneaking in their land. They had no place, yet owned all places below the sun due to their Father. But I was a citizen of Dionus who sneaked in without permission.
"Don't worry, Mistress. I will protect you."
I glanced at Sora and sighed. Did he not understand political affairs? It couldn't be handled with cuteness. The carriage stopped, and I peeked out.
A large inn, having floral designs and flowerbeds, with a fountain of a small boy hunting in the middle. I admired the fountain, having the young boy bring forth water, and the statue looked surprised.
The door of the carriage opened. A hand in black gloves, stretched out to me. It was Eidrin. I tilted my head to the side and locked eyes with him. Regret shot at my heart. I should've worn a dress.
He stood at the side, tall, broad-shouldered, and well-built beneath tailored clothes. His long dark hair was neatly kept behind him, and the lower part was held by a silver ornament.
His dark eyes were glued to the hand he stretched out, but I felt uneasy as if they were on me.
"I should've worn a dress." The words I screamed inwardly came out. "Sorry. I didn't match your effort." If only I knew he'd wear a suit, and rent a motel for a hunting trip. I took his hand and he looked up.
"You look perfectly prepared. I'm glad you're excited to hunt."
Two sentences. He was trying to console me, wasn't he? "Thank you." I followed him towards the motel.
"And, you are remarkably stylish." I noticed his earrings matched the hair ornament. His steps were that of a seasoned butler, and suited his overall appearance. A rare cold beauty. "You really shouldn't hide within the shadows."
His hold on me tightened. "I won't. Thank you."
I smiled, and stretched for my left hand. It was empty. "Sora?" I snapped my head to the carriage. The poor boy sat at the edge of the seat, watching us leave, with pursed lips.
"Ah, wait." I pulled away from Eidrin and rushed to him. "You didn't walk out because of the sun?" Did he so badly want to stay pale?
He opened his arms for me to carry him. He was just feeling lazy, wasn't he? I took him and returned to Eidrin. "We can go no—" I froze.
Had Eidrin's eyes grown darker? He narrowed his eyes at Sora who still frowned, staring at him. What's happening now?
Eidrin spun around, keeping his hands behind him. "I prepared a meal for you, Mistress. Let's hurry before it's cold."
Another two sentences, longer too. Sora huffed and rested his head on my shoulders. I sighed. These two again.