As the night grew later in Remirer, the "reunion party" between Elios and Sera became livelier. With refreshing beverages and, of course, secretive information.As the sole princess of Varidianth, Sera was far from graceful. Her demeanor was friendly, yet still dangerous. But it was precisely these traits that Elios appreciated in inter-kingdom dealings."You know, I admire the beautiful bags they sell in Zyronox," murmured Sera as she sipped her drink, her glass lost count. "Please add that to the list of herbal remedies Valorthorn will send, and I agree to dispatch medicines from our laboratory.""Of course. I'll get some for you," Elios flipped through the pages of the confidential document in his lap. He read it for a moment then looked startled. "So, you initiated this investigation based on a report from Earl Swiftwind?""Of course!" Sera sighed disappointedly, then glanced down at William Zephyr, who was asleep on her lap. "He said he met Kieran Nyxshade. And I couldn't help bu
"I've explained everything that needs to be done," Dravon said as he rose from his small throne and straightened his somewhat wrinkled royal robe. He observed all the knights sitting to listen and watch him in the hall. "Do you have any questions?"The knights remained silent, perhaps already tired from being asked to do so many things at once. Like searching for Kieran Nyxshade in the vast kingdom of Varidianth without any clues, finding Lunabelle Nightcrown-Silverlake who was likely still with Kieran, preparing for a magical attack in the city of Rainvale, and at the same time, returning to the Valorthorn palace to ensure the country's security did not weaken. But Dravon still held firm to his principle that humans could surpass their own limits when forced.Dravon cleared his throat. "If there are no—"Suddenly, the hall door swung open wide. A moment later, the Crown Prince, Prince Vikrant, entered the hall with a servant and two of his knights. He glanced at the knights, then snor
Dravon always thought that no school building in the entire kingdom of Varidianth could surpass the nobility school in the city of Umbravale. Its large and tall structure was made of stones so strong that they became sturdier with each rain. Various colored trees were planted close together, so the falling leaves would blend harmoniously across the schoolyard, creating its own ever-changing painting every day.If only Dravon had the money, he would surely paint all of it on a canvas. But he wasn't sure if his father's salary as a gardener at the palace could afford to send Dravon's painting equipment to Umbravale. Dravon should have been able to pick it up, but since the beginning, he only had a small room in a special building for servant living quarters, and the Queen despised him. So, the only place Dravon could consider home now was his room at the Umbravale orphanage, where he shared it with nine other children.That morning, the sky was so overcast, the leaves had fallen, and th
The morning sunlight gently penetrated through the curtains. The breeze danced beneath the heavy lace. But Elios Silverlake, who was looking down at a text message on his mobile phone, did not feel that way. General Griffin had informed him last night that he had failed his mission, and was probably languishing in the dungeon until the next trial when Elios read his message.A faint smile crossed Elios' face. Only one person could thwart his plans and bring General Griffin to justice. Only one person Elios knew was best at turning black into white and white into black. Someone who enjoyed the game as long as he got the role of God."What's wrong?" Seraphina's hoarse voice made Elios hurriedly put his mobile phone in his pocket and return to reading the document on his lap."Nothing," Elios muttered. "I just found out that my men failed to get Dravon. But, it's all my fault for only sending one person."He turned to see Seraphina stretching her shoulders on his bed. The woman's skin lo
Half a year ago."So I think, with the method in this book, we can create a smaller magic pattern with a much bigger effect," Will finished. He put the book he was reading on the coffee table and looked at Dravon who was sitting on the sofa scribbling something in his sketchbook. There was only the sound of pencil tips scratching the paper, and wood burning in the fireplace. "Dravon, you heard my explanation, didn't you?""I did," Dravon replied, without stopping scribbling. "You were explaining how to minimise the magic pattern by turning the circular lines into pointed ones, and the pointed lines into circular ones. Then adding magic patterns to stretch the magic. Easy enough. But I'm not sure it's suitable for Rainvale city's hilly terrain."Will smiled and cursed inwardly. "I must admit your intelligence and nonchalance are an irritating mix," he said calmly. He reached for the coffee cup on the table and took a sip. The bitter taste with a hint of sweetness was a fl
Dravon stepped carefully down the stairs from his brother's jet. Lightning thundered violently in the afternoon sky. A slow drizzle fell from the grey clouds. Hastily, a servant caught up with him and shielded him with an umbrella. But Dravon dismissed the umbrella and pulled his palace robes around his shoulders. He quickened his pace, and looked up. Letting the rain and wind hit his face. Inhaling deeply the scent of the surrounding plantations."We will split up, Your Highness," one of the knights whispered in his ear. Dravon nodded faintly. He stopped at an empty patch of ground. He kicked the ground lightly with his boot, letting the mud soil it. But the drizzle quickly faded the marks of his steps.Dravon hid his disappointment. "Let's wait until the rain stops," he said loud enough for all his subordinates to hear. "You guys keep watch here so no civilians come to mess this place up. I want to visit someone."A car he had hired was waiting by the side of the road. A much more l
Julian was pushing his lawnmower when he felt the first drops of rain on his forehead. He blinked, his hand moving to wipe his forehead."Rain?" Julian murmured in surprise, rubbing his slightly wet fingers."Jules." Lunabelle called him from the terrace. The little girl was sitting on a wooden chair, combing the Barbie hair that Julian's mother bought yesterday. "I think you should come in soon.""Yes, Lunabelle," Julian sighed and pushed his lawnmower towards the garage. "I also know it's going to rain soon.""It's not about the rain," Lunabelle objected. "I smell ham sandwich from inside. I think Josie wants us to come in and have lunch together."Sure enough, Julian's mother suddenly shouted from inside the house. "Jules! Luna! Come in and have lunch together! I made you ham sandwiches!""Yes, Mom!" Julian shouted back so his mother could hear. He noticed Lunabelle had already gotten off the wooden chair and was carefully walking into the house. Julian's cat, Cassie, had eagerly f
A year and a half ago."Dravon?"Before Dravon could turn away from the book he was studying to respond to the call, the book was already snatched from under his arms. "Hey!" Dravon protested.He looked surprised at the five kids surrounding him. Five kids whose faces he remembered well because they always seemed to be with Kieran Nyxshade.There was something in their expressions that made Dravon feel threatened. It made him unsure that they were looking for him in the library with good intentions. "What do you want from me?" Dravon asked."We heard you were invited to Kieran's house yesterday," Emma said, crossing her arms. "We want to know what you were doing there.""You don't need to know," Dravon replied. He adjusted his glasses, which had slipped down his nose. His mind replayed yesterday's events when Kieran invited Dravon to his family's manor. They were just studying together while drinking tea in Kieran's family library. But he was not willing to share that pleasant moment