Chapter 252
Translator: yun
“I’m not cold.”
The air felt cool. He nodded his head before lifting his hand to brush it against my cheek. With a gust of wind, my hair fluttered towards him and brushed against his cheeks. On the terrace where all the both of us could hear was the whistles of the wind, we faced each other in silence.
“Templars of Plants need to know the plants they’re controlling well to summon them.”
Amor hesitated to speak.
“The first person who taught me about plants was my mother. After my mother passed, I continued studying them with a book brother had brought me.”
“Brother… Do you mean Castor?”
Amor nodded slowly. He stared off into the distance past my shoulders before continuing.
“The Templar of Plants is someone who can control all the plants in existence with one hand. Sometimes… they can also control things that don’t exist.”
As soon as he finished his words, plants began sprouting on the terrace as well. In the place filled with green and even more green, the refreshing scent of fresh grass wafted into my nose. Barefeet, he walked about the terrace before examining the plants that had just sprouted on the terrace like they were humans all while he looked ethereal.
“Ashley.”
He curled his eyes slightly. I wondered if this was what a god looked like though he did look too pale. Under the pale moonlight, he looked like he had been made out of white porcelain.
“Ashley, have you ever heard of a flower that doesn’t exist in this world?”
Touching the stalk, I widened my eyes.
“… A flower that doesn’t exist? You mean, something that’s gone extinct?”
“Yes. Something that had disappeared a long time ago.”
Just then. With a gust of wind that blew past us like a flash of lightning, flowers started blooming from all the plants that were in the terrace with the exception of one. The flowers bloomed in a ripple with a crackle much like the bursting of a balsam fruit. In a world filled with only green, purple flowers now covered the field. Against the backdrop of all those bright and colourful flowers. Amor slowly raised his head.
“This flower no longer exists in this world.”
Soon, another breeze blew causing the petals from the flowers to flutter down on us like a shower.
“That’s why it also means miracles.” (1)
Flutter.
Amidst the flying petals, Amor smiled.
“Just like how you appeared in my life.”
Rather than a terrace, this felt more like a cosy forest. In a moment like this , one that was as sweet as sugar, it felt like only the two of us existed, like we were isolated from the rest of the world. As I stared blankly at the petals that were fluttering down like snow, Amor reached out and touched my cheek.
“Every moment I spend with you was like a miracle so, to me, your existence is nothing short of one.”
The hand that touched my cheek travelled to my ear before sweeping down to my neck. He gently grabbed me by my neck. His face then gradually got closer.
“Live together with me forever.”
HIs gentle whisper drifted into my ears.
“When I see you, I feel like living a long life myself.”
He curled his eyes gently.
“I want to walk down the street you mentioned just now. Together with you.”
His words sounded like an extension to the proposal he had given earlier. I faced him without saying another word which prompted him to smile slowly and press his lips together.
“I’ll expect your answer when you return.”
As I watched his back against the picturesque scene of petals flying all about, I eventually closed my eyes.
***
The next day, the Terena palace was bustling with activity early in the morning. This was probably because the palace’s mistress was about to depart on a long journey for the first time in her life. However, the person behind this commotion remained idle. I had left all the preparations to my maids and Rebecca organised everything for me so all I had to do was leave.
“Oh dear.”
Fleon grimaced at the sight of me staring off into space with my chin perched on my hand. Frowning deeply, he approached me before ruffling my hair roughly.
“Someone’s too relaxed.”
How had he not gotten rid of this habit when he was already this old? Now I understood what people meant when they say that a habit picked up at three could last till one was 80 years old. From the corner of my eyes, I spotted Lena who was carefully combing my hair while weeping. I flicked my messy hair back.
“I can’t help it.”
No matter what I tried to do, they forced me back to my seat no matter how startled I got. And ever since Soricks became my aide, which was a recent development, there was less work for me to do. I guessed this was what it felt like to have competent subordinates so I was just enjoying my free time. Both Soricks and Rebecca. What good fortune had I been blessed with? How could I possibly compensate for their hard work with the way I was?
“What brings you here so early in the morning, brother?”
“What’s with this long journey I hear that you’re going on?”
Fleon kept quiet for a moment as if lost in thought before glancing at me.
“Did you hear? That guy, Dane, is joining you too.”
“Ah, yeah.”
Since I had yet to hold my Coming-of-Age Ceremony, I was considered a minor according to the Kingdom of Ripe. Even though I was already technically an adult, I couldn’t enter their country without a guardian. As a result, Dane was assigned to accompany me as my guardian.
“Their laws are a little weird. Well, it did turn out for the better.”
There was nothing inherently bad about this arrangement. It had already been a while since I had come of age. It was because of the emperor’s stubbornness that I couldn’t hold my Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
“Dane is really clever. Thanks to him, you might complete your assignment faster than you expected.”
“… Right.”
Despite the fact that he had been the one to bring this up, he looked away for some reason. It seemed like there was something that was making him crabby that he couldn’t manage to shake off. It didn’t seem to be the fact that I would be going with Dane. He seemed to be worried about something else. I looked at him for a moment before asking.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.”
Like he couldn’t bring himself to talk about it, he tapped on the back of his hand.
“What. Fleon, are you still going to keep tight-lipped when you’re the one who would make it so difficult to keep secrets from you everyday? For your information, did you hear that if you continue holding in all your secrets, you will lose all your hair.”
“What?”
As if he found what I just said to be ridiculous, Fleon soon smiled helplessly. What was he brooding over so much for him to grumble so much? He would only get more wrinkles if he continued to frown like that. Of course, since he was handsome, even if he were to look at me like that, his looks weren’t going anywhere… He glanced at my staff who were moving my things for a moment before lowering my head.
“The Head Templar of Vulcanus came to visit.”
His jawline was as elegant as ever. Tilting my head, I asked him.
“Vulcanus? Isn’t that your grandfather?”
He could have also been referring to his mother. Unlike other temples, in the Temple of Vulcanus, women could also become templars. I once heard that his mother was a templar who was one of the candidates for Head Templar. But currently, the Head Templar of Vulcanus was the 6th Queen’s father, Fleon’s grandfather.
“The direction my mother is planning on heading towards is strange.”
“Strange?”
“The Temple of Vulcanus was originally prohibited from involving themselves with Imperial matters. That was the reason there was some resistance to the decision to send my mother to the emperor… Anyway, it’s strange to hear that the Head Templar, or my grandfather, is in the palace now. Furthermore, I heard that my mother has been frequently meeting the 2nd Prince recently.”
His words gave me a rough explanation of what was going on. In the <Light of Rusbella>, Castor had been a sub-male lead, a tyrant often associated with madness. Just before Castor ascended the throne, the 2nd Prince had organised a coup. It was probably his first and last attempt to stop Castor from taking the throne. So, Julian should already be preparing for his coup right about now.
Did this mean that the Temple of Vulcanus would be participating in this rebellion as well? I had no idea who and what temples would be involved in the rebellion. But only after Fleon continued his explanation did I stare at him in astonishment.
“On top of that, I heard that the 6th and 8th Queens have been getting closer. Ha… I don’t know much about it either.”
I could only blink at the words I had not expected Fleon to utter. The 6th Queen and Auresia were close?
“Did you know the 6th Queen had been close to my mother?”
“I didn’t. But what I am sure of is that my mother has no reason to meet the 2nd Prince.”
“Why?”
“The 5th Prince. Because of my brother.”
Fleon smiled bitterly. Composing himself, he relaxed his raised eyebrows before pressing against the corner of his eyes.
“My mother hates my brother. It’s not his fault he looked exactly like the emperor. Anyway, she doesn’t even want to look his way. So, there’s no way my mother would want to have anything to do with the 2nd Prince. Since the 2nd Prince had announced himself to be the 5th prince’s guardian.”
Fleon pressed his lips together before soon sighing deeply. In the meantime, I spotted Rebecca approaching us from the door. Fleon seemed to have noticed her too.
“What’s the big deal?”
He patted my head once more. This time, unlike how roughly he treated me before, his pats felt more gentle. For whatever reason, when I looked up at Fleon this time, he had a mature expression on his face.
“Don’t get into a fight with that guy, Dane I mean.”
I wondered why. It felt like he was holding himself back from spouting some nonsense.
“Have I ever fought with him? What.”
“That guy, take care of him. Because his cousin is aiming for his neck.”
“What?”
I choked on my words. At the same time, the face of the man I came across during the Founding Festival passed my mind. Dane’s cousin was Deros. The one who blocked my way before killing a head templar right in front of me. While I stared at Fleon in bewilderment, he stared back at me with his characteristically cool yet permanently irritated expression.
“It’d be best you know.”
“Why?”
“You should know what that guy had given up for you. The man who had abandoned his family, his people and even himself.”
Fleon pressed my head down, forcing me to lower my head. He looked like he was both smiling and weeping.
“What do you know, brother?”
“Well. I just know that he cares so much about you that he considered his own life secondary?”
Did Fleon know? What Dane felt about me? What his feelings for me were? Instead of answering my questions, however, Fleon spat out almost elegantly.
“I don’t know much about him either. But I do know, because I’ve seen it for myself, that his love is stronger and has lasted longer than you think. He’s also very persistent.”
“…..”
“Of course, I don’t care what you ultimately decide. But you should know. That he loves you dearly.”
“Fleon.”
With his pouty lips, he grinned.
“No matter what happens between you two, you’ll still be my damn siblings. I just came to let you know that.”
His deep blue eyes turned to face me.
“Just like you said, we’re no longer children.”
***
Rebecca informed me that she had already loaded all my luggage into the carriage. I got up from the couch and headed for the carriage. On the outside, I might have looked like I was gracefully walking with Rebecca and my maids, but, still reeling from what Fleon just said, I was lost in thought and could only stare at the ground as I walked. Walking along the long hallway, I heard someone exclaim.
“Hannah?”
When I turned my head around, I realised it was Hannah. Hannah looked pale and completely terrified. She was shivering as if she had met her end. What’s wrong? Slowly following the direction of her gaze, I spotted someone walking towards us from the other end of the hallway.
“… Castor.”
His fluttering black hair and his captivating smile. He was once again clad in black today. Perhaps, it was because of his attire, he looked more like an approaching shadow.
“Ah.”
Everyone other than me lowered their heads before he finally stopped in front of me.
“Hello, Ashley.”
He greeted me like I was nothing to him. His voice was as stimulating as ever as it drifted into my ears. I averted my gaze from him before lowering my head slightly.
“Hello, brother.”
Folding his eyes as beautifully as ever and smiling, he immediately questioned me.
“What’s going on here?”
T/N:
(1): I guess he’s talking about the language of flowers here
Chapter 252
Translator: yun
“I’m not cold.”
The air felt cool. He nodded his head before lifting his hand to brush it against my cheek. With a gust of wind, my hair fluttered towards him and brushed against his cheeks. On the terrace where all the both of us could hear was the whistles of the wind, we faced each other in silence.
“Templars of Plants need to know the plants they’re controlling well to summon them.”
Amor hesitated to speak.
“The first person who taught me about plants was my mother. After my mother passed, I continued studying them with a book brother had brought me.”
“Brother… Do you mean Castor?”
Amor nodded slowly. He stared off into the distance past my shoulders before continuing.
“The Templar of Plants is someone who can control all the plants in existence with one hand. Sometimes… they can also control things that don’t exist.”
As soon as he finished his words, plants began sprouting on the terrace as well. In the place filled with green and even more green, the refreshing scent of fresh grass wafted into my nose. Barefeet, he walked about the terrace before examining the plants that had just sprouted on the terrace like they were humans all while he looked ethereal.
“Ashley.”
He curled his eyes slightly. I wondered if this was what a god looked like though he did look too pale. Under the pale moonlight, he looked like he had been made out of white porcelain.
“Ashley, have you ever heard of a flower that doesn’t exist in this world?”
Touching the stalk, I widened my eyes.
“… A flower that doesn’t exist? You mean, something that’s gone extinct?”
“Yes. Something that had disappeared a long time ago.”
Just then. With a gust of wind that blew past us like a flash of lightning, flowers started blooming from all the plants that were in the terrace with the exception of one. The flowers bloomed in a ripple with a crackle much like the bursting of a balsam fruit. In a world filled with only green, purple flowers now covered the field. Against the backdrop of all those bright and colourful flowers. Amor slowly raised his head.
“This flower no longer exists in this world.”
Soon, another breeze blew causing the petals from the flowers to flutter down on us like a shower.
“That’s why it also means miracles.” (1)
Flutter.
Amidst the flying petals, Amor smiled.
“Just like how you appeared in my life.”
Rather than a terrace, this felt more like a cosy forest. In a moment like this , one that was as sweet as sugar, it felt like only the two of us existed, like we were isolated from the rest of the world. As I stared blankly at the petals that were fluttering down like snow, Amor reached out and touched my cheek.
“Every moment I spend with you was like a miracle so, to me, your existence is nothing short of one.”
The hand that touched my cheek travelled to my ear before sweeping down to my neck. He gently grabbed me by my neck. His face then gradually got closer.
“Live together with me forever.”
HIs gentle whisper drifted into my ears.
“When I see you, I feel like living a long life myself.”
He curled his eyes gently.
“I want to walk down the street you mentioned just now. Together with you.”
His words sounded like an extension to the proposal he had given earlier. I faced him without saying another word which prompted him to smile slowly and press his lips together.
“I’ll expect your answer when you return.”
As I watched his back against the picturesque scene of petals flying all about, I eventually closed my eyes.
***
The next day, the Terena palace was bustling with activity early in the morning. This was probably because the palace’s mistress was about to depart on a long journey for the first time in her life. However, the person behind this commotion remained idle. I had left all the preparations to my maids and Rebecca organised everything for me so all I had to do was leave.
“Oh dear.”
Fleon grimaced at the sight of me staring off into space with my chin perched on my hand. Frowning deeply, he approached me before ruffling my hair roughly.
“Someone’s too relaxed.”
How had he not gotten rid of this habit when he was already this old? Now I understood what people meant when they say that a habit picked up at three could last till one was 80 years old. From the corner of my eyes, I spotted Lena who was carefully combing my hair while weeping. I flicked my messy hair back.
“I can’t help it.”
No matter what I tried to do, they forced me back to my seat no matter how startled I got. And ever since Soricks became my aide, which was a recent development, there was less work for me to do. I guessed this was what it felt like to have competent subordinates so I was just enjoying my free time. Both Soricks and Rebecca. What good fortune had I been blessed with? How could I possibly compensate for their hard work with the way I was?
“What brings you here so early in the morning, brother?”
“What’s with this long journey I hear that you’re going on?”
Fleon kept quiet for a moment as if lost in thought before glancing at me.
“Did you hear? That guy, Dane, is joining you too.”
“Ah, yeah.”
Since I had yet to hold my Coming-of-Age Ceremony, I was considered a minor according to the Kingdom of Ripe. Even though I was already technically an adult, I couldn’t enter their country without a guardian. As a result, Dane was assigned to accompany me as my guardian.
“Their laws are a little weird. Well, it did turn out for the better.”
There was nothing inherently bad about this arrangement. It had already been a while since I had come of age. It was because of the emperor’s stubbornness that I couldn’t hold my Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
“Dane is really clever. Thanks to him, you might complete your assignment faster than you expected.”
“… Right.”
Despite the fact that he had been the one to bring this up, he looked away for some reason. It seemed like there was something that was making him crabby that he couldn’t manage to shake off. It didn’t seem to be the fact that I would be going with Dane. He seemed to be worried about something else. I looked at him for a moment before asking.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.”
Like he couldn’t bring himself to talk about it, he tapped on the back of his hand.
“What. Fleon, are you still going to keep tight-lipped when you’re the one who would make it so difficult to keep secrets from you everyday? For your information, did you hear that if you continue holding in all your secrets, you will lose all your hair.”
“What?”
As if he found what I just said to be ridiculous, Fleon soon smiled helplessly. What was he brooding over so much for him to grumble so much? He would only get more wrinkles if he continued to frown like that. Of course, since he was handsome, even if he were to look at me like that, his looks weren’t going anywhere… He glanced at my staff who were moving my things for a moment before lowering my head.
“The Head Templar of Vulcanus came to visit.”
His jawline was as elegant as ever. Tilting my head, I asked him.
“Vulcanus? Isn’t that your grandfather?”
He could have also been referring to his mother. Unlike other temples, in the Temple of Vulcanus, women could also become templars. I once heard that his mother was a templar who was one of the candidates for Head Templar. But currently, the Head Templar of Vulcanus was the 6th Queen’s father, Fleon’s grandfather.
“The direction my mother is planning on heading towards is strange.”
“Strange?”
“The Temple of Vulcanus was originally prohibited from involving themselves with Imperial matters. That was the reason there was some resistance to the decision to send my mother to the emperor… Anyway, it’s strange to hear that the Head Templar, or my grandfather, is in the palace now. Furthermore, I heard that my mother has been frequently meeting the 2nd Prince recently.”
His words gave me a rough explanation of what was going on. In the <Light of Rusbella>, Castor had been a sub-male lead, a tyrant often associated with madness. Just before Castor ascended the throne, the 2nd Prince had organised a coup. It was probably his first and last attempt to stop Castor from taking the throne. So, Julian should already be preparing for his coup right about now.
Did this mean that the Temple of Vulcanus would be participating in this rebellion as well? I had no idea who and what temples would be involved in the rebellion. But only after Fleon continued his explanation did I stare at him in astonishment.
“On top of that, I heard that the 6th and 8th Queens have been getting closer. Ha… I don’t know much about it either.”
I could only blink at the words I had not expected Fleon to utter. The 6th Queen and Auresia were close?
“Did you know the 6th Queen had been close to my mother?”
“I didn’t. But what I am sure of is that my mother has no reason to meet the 2nd Prince.”
“Why?”
“The 5th Prince. Because of my brother.”
Fleon smiled bitterly. Composing himself, he relaxed his raised eyebrows before pressing against the corner of his eyes.
“My mother hates my brother. It’s not his fault he looked exactly like the emperor. Anyway, she doesn’t even want to look his way. So, there’s no way my mother would want to have anything to do with the 2nd Prince. Since the 2nd Prince had announced himself to be the 5th prince’s guardian.”
Fleon pressed his lips together before soon sighing deeply. In the meantime, I spotted Rebecca approaching us from the door. Fleon seemed to have noticed her too.
“What’s the big deal?”
He patted my head once more. This time, unlike how roughly he treated me before, his pats felt more gentle. For whatever reason, when I looked up at Fleon this time, he had a mature expression on his face.
“Don’t get into a fight with that guy, Dane I mean.”
I wondered why. It felt like he was holding himself back from spouting some nonsense.
“Have I ever fought with him? What.”
“That guy, take care of him. Because his cousin is aiming for his neck.”
“What?”
I choked on my words. At the same time, the face of the man I came across during the Founding Festival passed my mind. Dane’s cousin was Deros. The one who blocked my way before killing a head templar right in front of me. While I stared at Fleon in bewilderment, he stared back at me with his characteristically cool yet permanently irritated expression.
“It’d be best you know.”
“Why?”
“You should know what that guy had given up for you. The man who had abandoned his family, his people and even himself.”
Fleon pressed my head down, forcing me to lower my head. He looked like he was both smiling and weeping.
“What do you know, brother?”
“Well. I just know that he cares so much about you that he considered his own life secondary?”
Did Fleon know? What Dane felt about me? What his feelings for me were? Instead of answering my questions, however, Fleon spat out almost elegantly.
“I don’t know much about him either. But I do know, because I’ve seen it for myself, that his love is stronger and has lasted longer than you think. He’s also very persistent.”
“…..”
“Of course, I don’t care what you ultimately decide. But you should know. That he loves you dearly.”
“Fleon.”
With his pouty lips, he grinned.
“No matter what happens between you two, you’ll still be my damn siblings. I just came to let you know that.”
His deep blue eyes turned to face me.
“Just like you said, we’re no longer children.”
***
Rebecca informed me that she had already loaded all my luggage into the carriage. I got up from the couch and headed for the carriage. On the outside, I might have looked like I was gracefully walking with Rebecca and my maids, but, still reeling from what Fleon just said, I was lost in thought and could only stare at the ground as I walked. Walking along the long hallway, I heard someone exclaim.
“Hannah?”
When I turned my head around, I realised it was Hannah. Hannah looked pale and completely terrified. She was shivering as if she had met her end. What’s wrong? Slowly following the direction of her gaze, I spotted someone walking towards us from the other end of the hallway.
“… Castor.”
His fluttering black hair and his captivating smile. He was once again clad in black today. Perhaps, it was because of his attire, he looked more like an approaching shadow.
“Ah.”
Everyone other than me lowered their heads before he finally stopped in front of me.
“Hello, Ashley.”
He greeted me like I was nothing to him. His voice was as stimulating as ever as it drifted into my ears. I averted my gaze from him before lowering my head slightly.
“Hello, brother.”
Folding his eyes as beautifully as ever and smiling, he immediately questioned me.
“What’s going on here?”
T/N:
(1): I guess he’s talking about the language of flowers here
