Year 3988, 5th Day of the 8th Moon
Ember Isle, Fliamma Kingdom, Continent of Humana

IT WAS exactly four days after Elise treated Hadrien. She examined his body and there was nothing amiss except that he had not regained his consciousness yet. It was normal after suffering a lethal poison which was why it became customary for her to check on him every day.

She got up and proceeded to the library to spend her days as usual. She exited the door right in time Dryann was about to enter.

She gave a slight nod to her and planned to pass along but Dryann blocked her way.

"Hadrien's still asleep. I just finished checking on him so if you'll excuse me," she muttered but Dryann remained on her feet.

"Actually, you're the one I came here for," Dryann stated with her arms crossed on her chest and chin tilted upwards.

Elise's brow shot up in a second. A slight twitch was on her lips as she squinted at the woman in front of her suspiciously.

She never met someone so contradicting as Dryann. The two of them never had a decent talk. Dryann would constantly make a snide remark and she would always retort. Both of them would end up being pissed at each other every time.

"I was not able to say it properly but I am very grateful you cured Hadrien," Dryann said without even glancing at her.

But that did not stop Elise from almost crying tears of joy learning Dryann was in the mood to get along with her. Now that she realized it, maybe Dryann was just an awkward person who had a hard time saying what she truly felt?

"It's fine. I'm happy you finally woke up from the right side of the bed," she joked, feeling that the atmosphere between them was turning fine.

But she was wrong as Dryann folded her arms and scanned her from top to bottom before tilting her neck sideways as she pursed her lips with discontent.

"Hmph! But that does not mean I approve you for Eldest Brother," Dryann grunted just when Elise thought her peaceful days would begin.

"Why do you guys even push me to him? There is nothing between us. How do you even come up with that conclusions?" she questioned, expecting no answer but Dryann still replied.

"He acts unusual towards you and he's never been the kind to trust strangers, more so women, and the most cynic among us. That was why we view you differently from all the women who chased him."

"Is that it?"

That was not enough reason. Nothing was going on between them. It was a ridiculous idea.

"But the main factor is when you went to his room. He should've kicked you out from this island a long time ago but he even kept you."

Her forehead crinkled. "Was that a big deal?"

"Of course! No one could enter his room. Even our parents." She was pointing it out like it was a matter of life and death.

Elise contemplated about it. She tried remembering the room, there was nothing remarkable about it aside from the multiple paintings displayed but that was normal since all the rooms were adorned with more than several art pieces.

Another idea popped into her mind why he could be so private and the lack of woman interaction from the gist of Dryann's word. But, she refused to believe it.

'No way! That can't be it. He's too manly to swing the other way.'

Nonetheless, that was not entirely impossible. From her experience, the more masculine a guy appeared, the more he liked someone of the same species as him.

"Of course not!" Dryann's loud voice jolted her from her thoughts.

"What?" she asked, confused, then realized she spoke her mind again.

Elise bit back a sigh. She really could not stop any of her habits, most particularly thinking out loud which earned her a lot of misunderstandings in the past.

"My brother doesn't swing the other way. I can attest that he doesn't like men despite him avoiding women like a plague! It was just that no woman caught his attention!" Dryann exclaimed.

"Then that makes it more debatable. From my perspective, he's the type to get any woman he could yet why wouldn't he show any interest?" she countered.

In fact, Elise knew that may not be the case but she just liked teasing Dryann. It was as if she was seeing herself on her since she was easily angered, too but Dryann was no doubt worse than her.

"That's not true! I once saw him in a compromised position at a brothel! And I tell you that was the most intimate thing I saw in my entire life!"

"Care to explain when did that happen, Dryann?"

Elise's laughter stuck in her throat when a deep voice that always appeared out of nowhere spoke.

Both women went stiff, their eyes widening simultaneously.

"N-nothing, Brother. I'll go ahead." Dryann hurriedly escaped without wasting any moment.

She was entirely alone with Aricson and she had no choice but to face him.

"Well then, see you at lunch," she said, acting as if nothing happened.

She tried to leave too but she was thwarted by his body.

"Why do you, siblings, kept blocking me today?" she questioned exasperatedly.

"Come with me," he ordered.

He was speaking in that commanding tone so without any other choice, she did.

THEY WALKED into a spacious room that resembled a study. It was a simple interior with a large oakwood table facing a grandfather clock and a sofa set on the side.

A maid entered with a teapot and snacks. Her movements were precise as she laid the tray and silently left.

"Sit," Aricson said and gestured at the couch.

He poured some tea and offered one to her. She quietly sipped as he drank too.

"Um, if there is nothing wrong. I think I should leave," she mumbled and stood up as she scolded herself for why she followed him in the first place.

"I've investigated your case these few days," Aricson informed which made her sit down again. "There was no news in Humana about any group searching for someone. I tried to send inquiries on other continents too, but it may take a while. I also asked for my godfathers' help but they have not responded yet."

She was honestly surprised that he was true to his words. She thought he forgot about it already that was why she was trying to do her part by researching about the world however she was heavily distracted by their medical books most of the time. By 'most', she meant 'all the time'.

"Thanks."

"It is a small thing compared to what you did," he noted, pertaining to how she saved Hadrien.

"I'm glad to help. It was pure luck that I can apply what I learned here since I had no chance to do it in my world," she responded.

"Your world is very interesting yet simple. It seemed peaceful, too," he commented.

"Not really. It was just that there were parts in the world where citizens are protected while there are some who suffered yet they were not given any help. How can peace be achieved if in each person's heart always had greed lurking in it?"

"You could actually make sense even if we're not talking about medicine." There was no change in his face but it became softer in her view but his tone rubbed her the wrong way.

"What are you implying by that?" she snapped in an instant.

Elise certainly had a problem having proper conversations with Dryann and Aricson. They never failed to shift her mood. Worse, she was stuck with them since Hadrien was still motionless, Erkhan, Brennan, and Faylinn had left the palace yesterday and the servants were so diligent with their job they didn't even bother striking conversations in front of her, especially the two maids who always shadowed behind her.

"Nothing. Anyway, the reason I let you come here was to talk about you being a Healer."

As fast as her temper rose, it was quick to plummet as well. 'Healer, huh?' From what she had ascertained during her stay here, the Healer was similar to a doctor.

"I still have my job back home," she reminded him.

"We don't have any idea how long you'll stay here. It may take weeks, months, or even years. It—"

"Oh my god! Really? What number of years at most?" She cut him off.

"A decade or so. But if nothing changes, I'm afraid you'll be stuck here."

"Seriously?! I would be reported as a dead person by then!" Her voice rose as she slammed her palms on the coffee table. Her calmness did not even last long.

"I doubt," Aricson refuted and took his cup that almost spilled from her previous action.

"I'm not kidding. After seven years of going missing, a person would be declared dead in my country," she announced with complete seriousness laced in her voice.

"That's one unusual rule you have. Some of us go missing for decades and it is not a big deal here."

"Your world still has the weirdest laws. I still can't believe no one is allowed to have a family name here except for your family," she retorted and slumped down in her seat.

"There are only eight families who have this privilege. I think I mentioned it before. We, the Ancient Clan of Flamion, and the other three Ancient Clans have the same power as the four Royal Families. These families rule all Humana ever since the revival," he explained.

That perked her interest a bit. "You mean you're like aristocrats here?"

She already had a rough guess since she was staying in a palace with helpers who were dressed like traditional maids and butlers but she never had confirmation if they were nobles.

"What are aristocrats?"

"Oh, that's the other term for nobles who has higher upbringing and are privileged since birth and have their titles."

"Is that so? If that's the case, you can say we're aristocrats in this world."

"Then, what are you? I'm guessing you have a title, right?" she probed as she knew there were ranks within nobles.

"The Rei, the head of the Ancient Clan, has the same prestige as the King of the Kingdom," he replied.

"Oh... Shall I address you like that? Do I also need to bow when I see you?" she asked, realizing that she did not think about their culture and had been doing her own things since she came.

"'Aricson' will be fine. You have been calling us without titles since the beginning so you can continue to do so. My siblings don't seem to mind. But in facing others, it is disrespectful not to say their title unless you're given permission not to. Regarding the bow, you only need to do it on a formal occasion except when facing a Rei and King, you're required to do it every time you see them in public."

It was surely like the monarch system back in her world so she was able to grasp the idea and inclined her head.

"Okay, I understand but we've gone out of topic. As much as I want to become a Healer, I don't think I can."

"Why?" He placed his cup down and crossed his arms, his gaze focusing on her.

"As you had said, I don't know how long I'll stay here," she uttered the words he cited earlier.

"It will be a waste of your skills," he debated. "If you're worried about the investigations, you can leave it all to me and pursue medicine while you're here."

"True but..." she mumbled and tugged her ears, thinking thoroughly.

"You said you wanted to be a doctor isn't it the same as a Healer? If something like this can hinder you, I suggest you shall quit than doing things half-heartedly," he provoked.

"Excuse me?"

"A short time cannot stop a person to do what he wanted but in your case, you are giving up the option to save others."

He was baiting her. She was aware of that but that did not stop her to fall for his tricks.

"Fine!" she practically snarled.

He bent down and took a folder below the coffee table. He placed it near her alongside a quill and ink.

"That's a registration letter. Fill it up then I'll get you to take the Healer Qualifications," he said and left her on the couch as he proceeded to his study table.

She ignored him, her whole face red with fumes of annoyance. She struggled a bit from using the quill then wrote her name and all the necessary information but she did not know what to put at the hometown and kingdom.

She picked up the paper and went towards him. He looked up from what he was reading and she pushed the paper, just inches from his face.

"Your handwriting is quite..." he dragged as if searching for the right word. "... riveting."

His opinion made her want to talk but she prevented herself since she decided it was better not to say anything at all. She shook the paper and was still adamant not to speak.

"I encourage you to rewrite it. Your words are like scribbles," he said instead and force her hand aside.

She glared at him and pushed the paper straight at his face once again.

"Did you become mute?"

This time she shunned his stare and furiously waved the paper until a sigh of surrender came from him.

"Just put Ember Isle on hometown and Fliamma on the kingdom."

She retreaded and finished the paper. She placed it on his table in a gruff manner and turned to leave. She slid the knob to open but a male servant rushed in.

"Rei Aricson! Lord Hadrien has woken up!" the servant reported amidst the panting.

Aricson hurriedly dropped what he was doing and stepped out of the room with her behind him.

DRYANN WAS already there when they arrived. Hadrien was sitting upright as he was spoon-fed by his sister.

Elise went to his side. She gently grabbed his hand to check his pulse.

"You're completely fine now."

He instantly pulled away. "T-thank you. I heard from Elder Sister that you were the one who saved me."

"It's payback since you helped me too," she said and offered a small smile.

"What were you doing in Desmidonia?" Aricson interrogated right away with a solemn air.

"I just visited a friend," Hadrien replied weakly.

"You know how dangerous it is outside the Fort!"

Elise jerked when Aricson's voice thundered across the room but his face remained composed, almost frozen despite the rising tone.

"Brother! He just woke up," Dryann intervened and brought Hadrien closer to her.

"S-sorry, Eldest Brother," the poor boy apologized.

"You know that the war is still ongoing. You even went alone," Aricson reprimanded but his tone became quieter and it gave her chills.

"For the consequence, your Medicine Chamber will be eradicated."

Hadrien who was averting his eyes glanced up at his older brother with devastation. Even she and Dryann gawked at him. The Medicine Chamber was the one where the herbs were stocked when she helped him. From what she heard from Faylinn, it was also the most important place for Hadrien since he aspired to be a Healer.

"But... b-but, Eldest Brother. Anything but that. You know how much I love what I'm doing," Hadrien tried to reason.

"I don't care. Who will even use it if you end up dead?" Aricson negated and left the room.

Hadrien's shoulders slouched in defeat while Dryann comforted him.

"He's just angry, Yen. I'm sure he'll forget it by tomorrow," Dryann assured and patted his head.

Elise wanted to keep her opinions to herself but Aricson's punishment was just over the top. That was too cruel for someone who loved medicine.

"Excuse me," she spoke and did not wait for their response to leave.

She saw Aricson not that far from her so she ran and caught up with him.

"That's a bit harsh," she pointed out.

Only steady footfalls were her answer. 

"I think he would be more rebellious if you threaten him," she asserted since she knew the feeling of being blackmailed by her parents.

There was one time she left the house even if she was not allowed to and ended up getting in an accident. They told her that all her precious herbs would be burned if she left without permission again which resulted in her defying them more.

She would always think of ways to get out and would always succeed to make her parents worry but she stopped the moment her father had a stroke from distressing about her.

"Besides, he was simply visiting his friend," she added.

He halted his steps and faced her with hostility. "Desmidonia is a land of the shifters. It is the home of a cruel race who only follows their animal instincts."

She kept on talking, ignoring his mood. "You have magic. I'm sure he can defend himself."

He glowered and she swore it scared the hell out of her. It was far from the emotionless face she familiarized with these past several days.

"You know nothing. You're not one of us," he stated and disappeared from her sight.

She knew she stepped some line but she couldn't stop herself from the rage. She was indeed a stranger in this house but he didn't have to put it that way. She was contemplating her attitude and his but that was truly heartless of him.

"He should've just told me to get the hell out for the final blow," she grumbled under her breath.