Ou returned to his chamber with Ningyou trailing behind him. The girl was still wrapped in his white cloak. Danna was furious because Ou had executed citizens of Knightalia without informing him. Such an act would undoubtedly affect the friendship between the two nations.
After opening the door, Ou lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling as Ningyou stood next to the bed, her lovely eyes silently observed him.
"Tch. What friendship? They clearly took part in forbidden magic practices in Urca," Ou scoffed irritably.
"Master, it is not certain that Her Majesty Queen Rhy Annia knows about all of this, is it?" Ningyou voiced her thoughts softly.
"So you are saying that the ill-tempered old woman doesn't know her people were involved in forbidden magic?" Ou got up from the bed and scoffed. "Impossible. I admit that she is intelligent and meticulous. There is no way she would overlook something like this."
Ningyou frowned. But all of this could have been orchestrated by outsiders, Master. I mean—"
"Ningyou," Ou cut in, fixing her with a serious gaze.
Suddenly, he pulled her toward him until she fell onto his lap, then wrapped his arms around her from behind. His hand toyed with her silver hair, making Ningyou stiffen in embarrassment.
"Tell me. What do you know?"
"I mean, perhaps they were not from Knightalia… nor Urca," Ningyou whispered.
He remained in the same position, but his thoughts shifted to her words.
"And what makes you think that, Ningyou?" he asked sharply.
"Because… They understood Ancient Urca's language. The incantations they used were in Ancient Urca."
"What?" Ou sensed something amiss.
Indeed, people of Knightalia would never learn the ancient Urca language. Even most citizens of Urca couldn't use that language. Only the royal family and Urcan nobility were permitted to study it. Yet the evidence pointed to Knightalia. Ou furrowed his brows, forming a conclusion in his mind.
Ningyou stayed silent, realizing her master was deep in thought. She did not know much about forbidden magic, but since she herself was a product of it, she had learned its basics.
When Ou released his hold, Ningyou stood and met his ruby eyes. For some reason, when her silver gaze met his crimson one, she felt something strange. There was something buried deep within him, something he did not want to speak of. Ningyou smiled and knelt before him, gently holding his strong fingers. Lost in thought, Ou flinched when he felt the warmth of her small hands.
"Master, you should rest. We can look into all of this tomorrow," Ningyou said softly.
Ou often punished and tortured Ningyou when his mood was at its worst. Even so, Ningyou never hated him. To her, Ou was her savior. She did not want to see him sad. Deep in her heart, she cherished him more than anything. Because of him, Ningyou found her purpose in life, to change him into a better person. Until that wish came true, she would remain faithfully by his side.
***
The atmosphere of Zigg Castle remained the same as ever. The magnificent eight-story castle stood tall against the sky, surrounded by vast gardens in front and back, as well as walls that separated it from the noble district.
Urca still maintained a strict caste system, as it consisted of two different races. Urca was ruled by the Ansinn, a divine-descended race with much longer lifespans than humans. Their faces did not age. The Ansinn held high status. The royal family, nobles, and knights were mostly Ansinn, while ordinary humans made up the general population and rarely held important positions.
The Ansinn were also divided into several clans. Certain clans were bound by ancestral customs to occupy inherited positions within Urca. Only three Ansinn clans were permitted to rule and sit upon the throne: Orninn, Yulias, and Yuusha. These were the highest Ansinn clans.
Ningyou gazed at the sky and closed the thick book she had been reading. Since Danna learned of her existence, Ou had allowed her to leave the room. Even so, when Danna suggested she stay in another chamber, Ou insisted that Ningyou continue sharing his room.
She sat on the soft green grass, lost in thought, unwilling to stand. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed the breeze brushing through her hair. Somehow, at moments like this, Ou's face always surfaced in her mind.
Suddenly, Ningyou was startled by a sword that flew past her and struck the ground beside her. Her eyes widened at the sight before her. A snake lay dead, its head pinned by the blade.
"Are you all right, Miss?"
Hearing an unfamiliar voice, Ningyou turned and saw a man with cold emerald eyes. His hair was as dark as the night sky. He wore black military attire and a blue cloak. He neither smiled nor laughed, only stared at her expressionlessly.
"You should not linger in the garden next time, Miss. It may be beautiful, but there are many unwanted nuisances," he said, extending a hand to help her up. Ningyou hesitated briefly before accepting it.
"Thank you, Sir," Ningyou said softly.
"Eral Rerier."
Ningyou blinked several times before smiling. "Ishara Ningyou."
Eral showed no reaction. He pulled his sword from the snake's body and cut it into several pieces, then returned to his original stance, observing Ningyou.
"You look unfamiliar. A newcomer?"
"I… um…" Ningyou hesitated, unsure how to respond.
"Are you lost?"
She startled and nodded. In truth, she could not find her way back to Ou's chamber. Zigg Castle was simply too vast.
"I wish to meet His Highness Prince Ou Yuusha, but I became lost and exhausted, so I decided to rest in the garden and read," Ningyou explained.
Eral nodded in understanding. "Then we share the same destination. If you wish, we can go together."
Ningyou smiled and nodded. As they walked, she remained silent, occasionally glancing at Eral, whose expression never changed. Was that truly his natural face, or had something shaped him this way? For some reason, she sensed a similarity between Eral's gaze and Ou's. Deep sadness, pain, and grief.
"Sir Rerier, have you known Master Ou for a long time?" Ningyou asked, breaking the silence.
They walked side by side through a corridor adorned in red and gold, with a crimson carpet beneath their feet.
"About two hundred timea," Eral replied briefly, without looking at her.
"Two hundred timea?" Ningyou's eyes widened in shock.
"We are Ansinn." Two hundred timea is equivalent to twenty timea in human years."
She had not expected the Ansinn to live such long lives. Before they realized it, they arrived before a wooden door carved with lions, guarded on both sides by knight statues enchanted with protective spells. The statues crossed their spears before the entrance.
Eral stood before them and whispered something. The statues withdrew their spears, and the doors opened.
"Please, Miss. After you."
He gestured with his right hand. Ningyou nodded and stepped inside.
"Oh, Miss Ningyou!"
A familiar voice echoed through the room. Ningyou turned to see His Majesty Orninn Danna smiling at her. Beside him sat Ou and another young man with brown hair and glasses perched on his sharp nose. They were seated around an oval table used for special meetings.
"Your Majesty," Ningyou bowed respectfully.
Danna returned her greeting with a nod and a gentle smile.
Ou, however, looked shocked to see her, especially when Eral followed behind her. Ou frowned in irritation.
"Why are you with him? "Weren't you supposed to stay in your room?"
For a brief moment, silence filled the room. No, they were aware that the disaster would begin.
***