ELISE WAS having another shock of a lifetime. They were delving deeper into the forest yet she could see the castle no matter how many times she looked back.

"How did it happen? I couldn't even see a shadow yesterday!"

"You're naively adorable, Elise, I might snatch you from Brother." 

A teasing smile crept on his cheeks and she grimaced.

"Urgh! Stop your nonsense."

"Alright, I'll stop," he said as if restraining a chuckle making way on its lips. "The island has two barriers, that's why you are not able to see it. The outer kept intruders walking in circles while the inner barrier kept everything hidden from any person's view. Only those with the blood of Flamion and those who performed a contract can see it from the outside and freely enter."

Squawk!

When she glanced up, scarlet-dyed birds were hovering in the bright cloudless sky. If stars existed in the daytime, this would be the perfect representation. Those creatures accompanied the noon sun like how the night stars complimented the beauty of the moon.

They were definitely those humongous animals she had seen many times already. It only dawned on her that she didn't even know what kind of creatures they were.

"What are they?"

"They're Vermilions. They are the treasure of our families. The feather in your necklace belongs to them. With a drop of their blood and a Flamion's blood, it can work as a protective charm and can unseal the barriers on the island. But, yours is a bit special," he paused as if laughing at his own joke. "Also, most of the servants here are Mundrans, and only Gerald as the house steward has the same feather to access the island."

"Mundran... They are the regular humans right?"

"Yes."

"Then why do you hire them?" Her forehead formed lines as she asked.

"Only a small percentage of the population comprises Enchanters and the rest are Mundrans. It's not surprising that we can only hire Mundran for this kind of work. Not many Enchanters will sacrifice their youth and potential to become a servant, right?"

"A good point."

She proceeded to question trivial matters and Erkhan answered eloquently to her amazement. Despite his frivolous personality, he could actually reply with so much sense if he wanted to.

They were heading further until they arrived at a huge clearing with a log cabin on the left. Her jaw almost dropped on the floor with how many Vermilions were gathering not too far away from their position. It made her think of a childhood nightmare of being surrounded by a flock of gigantic birds that could peck you to death at any moment.

"Aside from the Flamion and the servants at the main residence, the majority of people who stay here are the Guardian knights. They are duty-bound to protect Ember Isle," Erkhan continued explaining.

As they were nearing a cabin, a tall blonde-haired man approached them with an easy-going smile. His fist tapped his left chest twice and bowed.

"My lord, what brought you here?

"Daniel, how is Shay?"

"He's now in good shape, my lord. Please wait while I'll ask them to have the last check-up," the man, who was referred to by Erkhan as Daniel, stated.

He stepped away from them and a glowing red sphere appeared after he muttered that strange language she had been hearing a lot.

"If Shay is ready to go, send it here in the Almandine Forest." The orb, then, disappeared after he spoke.

After seeing it used many times, Elise concluded that it indeed had similar usage to a phone. They could talk to anyone they want to with it. The only disadvantage was privacy. It would do its orders when the recipient was there no matter how many people were present.

Modern phones were not like that except for hers when her brothers configured her phone. She had to endure a day of talking on loudspeakers and she could not even change her phone right away since emergencies always happened in the hospital. It was a terrible experience especially when you talked to people with no filter like her brothers.

A soft sigh left her lips, her eyes downcast recalling that time. Aside from her brothers, she even missed her phone. She had several movies downloaded that she hadn't watched yet. It was pure bad luck that she was not able to bring it and was directly dragged away without anything.

"Do you want to stay inside while we wait?" Daniel inquired.

"Sure," Erkhan bobbed his head in approval and Daniel led the way.

The door creaked open and she was greeted by the expansive space filled with sets of wooden tables and chairs. It had the ambiance of a restaurant rather than a house that she had expected. There was a small stove at the center of each table with a kettle and jars of tea leaves.

They stopped at the nearest table and she took a seat. She was alone on her side while the two men sat together. Daniel offered to make tea but the two of them refused.

"Anyway, let me introduce you two. This is Daniel. He's the caretaker of the Vermilions and also a Guardian knight. Daniel, this is Elise. She's currently our house guest," Erkhan presented with friendly enthusiasm.

"Pardon, Miss, but are you perhaps the one attacked last night?" Daniel inquired, peering at her with gentle brown eyes.

He was donning a black tunic with red trimmings on the sleeves and an insignia that was akin to the Vermilions. It reminded her of the outfit that Erkhan was wearing when they first met, minus the armor. 

"You were attacked?!" Erkhan exclaimed in astonishment.

He grabbed her shoulders right where the wound was. Elise yelped in pain and he quickly apologized.

"I thought you knew about it." He did mention earlier that he heard about the attack.

"I assumed it was just an intruder. I didn't know you were involved," Erkhan indicated.

"Your brother saved me so it was all fine," she replied.

Erkhan's eyes landed on Daniel after. "Did Brother give you a hard time?"

"Of course not, my lord. He was angry but Vice-captain Sapphire was there for us," Daniel responded.

Erkhan dramatically groaned. "Please don't mention her. I'm having a headache just hearing her name."

"Excuse my boldness, my lord. However, our Vice-captain is not a bad catch," Daniel retorted.

"Then why don't you date her?" Erkhan flung back.

"It is impossible, my lord, since first of all, she is quite dedicated to you," he parried.

"You're just having fun making me suffer," Erkhan claimed and jabbed him on his shoulders.

Watching their exchange must mean they were friends. This was different from the master and servant relationships she had thought of. The Flamions were certainly a carefree bunch. But, in an instant, the lax atmosphere was interrupted by a loud bang.

"My lord!"

It happened too fast. One second, Erkhan was sitting in front of her, and the next, a woman was on top of him. She ran like a flashing wind that drove Erkhan to the floor.

Elise's lips twitched at the sight after perceiving Erkhan's panicked face while lying on his back as the woman clutched his chest.

"Let go of me, Sapphire," he ordered, full of distaste.

'So she is Sapphire.' She thought as she watched Erkhan wriggling his way out. The woman had beautiful lilac locks reaching down to her waist, one that would be considered a certified hair goal. She was wearing similar clothes as Daniel but more fitted for a woman.

"But it's been a long time since you came here," the woman said in response with her head still buried on Erkhan's neck.

"Didn't it come up to you that I seldom come here because I don't want to see you?"

The woman immediately sat up. Elise could not believe that after all those flowery words that Erkhan uttered ever since they met, he could actually say some hurtful things. Not to mention it was to a girl.

"Eh? Is that because I accidentally pushed you at the pond last week? I already said sorry!"

"Sapphire. I have warned you numerous times to stop following me." His voice became stern, almost mimicking Aricson's.

"But I did not follow you today. I'm seeing Ruby and I heard your voice."

The woman suddenly turned to her and she was stunned by another beauty. She had beautiful hooded eyes with irises that reminded her of lush forests and evergreen lands. Her lips were a perfect shade of red and paired with a thin nose.

In terms of attractiveness, she was almost on par with Isabella but hers was more the approachable type. This world really did have so many people who were unbelievably beautiful.

"Who is this woman, my lord? Did you pick up some girl again? If you can choose someone like her, why not choose me?" Sapphire glowered at her from the beginning to the end of her speech.

Erkhan took the chance and moved away. He went beside Elise and draped his arms on her shoulders.

"She is not some random woman. This is my lover, Elise," he declared.

The woman stiffened and so did Elise. 'What on earth is he talking about?' She glared at Erkhan but his eyes were almost pleading.

She returned her gaze to the other woman who had her mouth gaping wide as her eyes misted in a fraction of a second before she steeled herself like it was just a mirage.

"Another one? I don't care! You'll break up soon enough!" Sapphire shouted before walking out indignantly.

Erkhan let out a deep sigh after they were alone. He sank to a chair without any care for his appearance.

"I thought you're a player then why don't you have a go on her?" Elise prompted.

She was quite curious about the sudden contrast in his attitude. Faylinn did tell her a lot of things in just a few days they met and it was mostly Erkhan's conquest of women.

"He was the worst player we had witnessed, Miss," Daniel revealed after being silent the whole ruse.

"Now, that is insolence, Daniel," Erkhan refuted.

"Well, it is true. You're much notorius than Lord Brennan in the past. At the very least, the Lord Second has a certain type but you, on the other hand, accept anyone as long as it is wears a skirt," he pointed out with complete disregard for formality.

The door swung open again and Erkhan flinched in his seat. That unnerved face visibly relaxed when another man appeared. The new guy gave a bow with a tap on his chest. 

"Shay is already outside, my lord," he informed.

They stepped out and there was no way she could tell the birds apart but Erkhan went forward to the one at the center. He patted its feathers and the bird seemed to like it as it nuzzled on his hand.

"How could you recognize him?" Her inquisitiveness was piqued once more.

"We had a blood exchange so I could pinpoint where Shay is in a flock of Vermilions just like how your sword could be used by you since it had your blood."

"What? You mean that pretty sword?"

"Pretty? Hm, indeed. It's beautiful for a sword. I wonder what power it held. Speaking of that, what time should we start tomorrow? I prefer to practice in the morning."

"I told you, I don't need you to teach me," she declined.

"No can do. Brother's scary when his orders are not followed. Just get along with it for the time being."

Elise mused for a while. She did not like learning things that she already mastered. That was why medicine was her passion because there were endless possibilities in this field. She still had a lot of herbs and books waiting for her.

However, she had no idea when she would return and although she felt safe on the island, there was a possibility another incident like that could happen again. Nonetheless, they had magic and if she relied on her physical skills alone, she had a low rate of survival. But then again, there was nothing to lose and she might know some tricks on how to deal with that kind of madman again.

She deliberated a few more minutes before eventually mumbling her agreement.