Year 3988, 28th Day of the 9th Moon
Ember Isle, Fliamma Kingdom, Continent of Humana

DAYS CALMLY passed by and Aricson had recovered, or so Elise had heard. She had not visited ever since her talk with Dryann. She did not even bother about the Harbinger anymore and immersed herself in her experiments.

Yet that was not enough to ease her nerves. Slowly, fear had spread within her. Fear that she would be discarded once they knew everything. She swallowed the large lump on her throat simply imagining what would happen.

She was completely alone and had no one to tell all her worries. From what she had watched, the character who fell into another world was considered the heroine. She was not expecting to be one and was satisfied as a background character but who would have thought that she turned out to be a villain of this world?

"Elise!" Her attention was quickly caught by Faylinn who was rushing to her.

"Good afternoon," Elise greeted.

"Good afternoon. I heard you haven't been leaving the library. Are you that busy?"

She only nodded. The first step to distancing herself was not engaging in conversations. She gripped the stone pestle and pounded hard. She already found a compatible substitute for the light element and was on the verge of finalizing it but all the fleeting notions always distracted her.

It was weird when nothing could disrupt her when she was doing her past research before.

"You know... Is it just me or did I do something wrong to annoy you? I know my mouth could go on and on sometimes that I speak without thinking so did I offend you?"

"No, of course not," she quickly denied. "I'm just occupied at the moment and focusing on my experiments."

"I'm glad to hear that. It's not every day I meet a person I like for no reason at all." Faylinn's lips curved as she sat down opposite her where Aricson's study table was positioned.

"By the way, do you want to go with me to the salon tomorrow? My hair's pretty long and it's hard to train at this length even if I tie it up. We should go to Tide City in Vesfrost. My favorite salon's there!"

"I don't think I can," Elise said and lifted the mortar to display what she meant.

Faylinn sighed and propped her head on the table. "If I have hair like you, I won't even bother cutting my hair. It's so unfair that I did not inherit Mother's feature. Though, your hair's quite strange, to be honest. Why do your roots have all turned black? For an ombre prismatic hair, it usually alternates like Caian but yours is similar to Dryann and it should be consistent."

Elise had already stopped moving when Faylinn was midway through her speech. Her hair was not something she particularly took care of but recalling that this type of hair was for fairies and with Faylinn's observation, her hair was no way normal in this world. 'Maybe I should develop a natural dye?'

That idea was immediately swept off since she won't be staying anyway. She was sure she could dodge their suspicions in the remaining days.

"Oh, so Caian also has colored hair?" Elise pried, trying to swerve the topic. His hair had always been in a tight bun that she failed to notice that particular detail. It would be interesting to see mixed shades of hair in a man.

"You remember Caian?" A deep frown swiftly replaced her cheerful expression.

"Of course."

Faylinn's spine straightened, giving her a long peruse. "Are you cursed?"

'That question again...'

"Why do you say that?" she asked instead.

"As you can see, my brother, Caian, is cursed. No one can remember him except for us and those who also have a curse or perhaps you have a charm?"

"Faylinn," a voice interrupted.

Elise whirled but gulped her greetings when she met the eyes of the person that should be resting on a bed. 'Surely. If there is one thing the siblings have in common is to appear without any warning.'

"Eldest Brother, are you already allowed to get up?"

"I have already talked to the Grandmaster and you're allowed to resume your service. You are to report at Eternity Hall today," he said briskly.

"Oh my! Thank you, Brother! I know you won't let me suffer injustice from that brute."

"Faylinn, for the last time, if you don't like the third prince, it is better to stay miles away from him," he advised.

"But I do! He's always the one pestering me like a dumb insect," she retorted with specious distaste.

"Your words," Aricson reprimanded.

"Fine. Anyway, I'll go ahead. Let's go shopping once I'm free, Elise. See you, Brother, Elise!" Faylinn almost seemed floating as she sprinted to the exit with all the giddiness.

On the other end, Elise was brainwashing herself she was invisible. How she wanted to sneak out but Aricson's left no space for her to evade.

"Six days," he mumbled.

"Huh?"

"I was waiting for you for six days but you never came. Did I do something wrong?"

Elise's face morphed into uncertainty. First, it was Faylinn, now it was Aricson. She deliberately avoided them but never reckoned they would think it was their fault. Just why were they so nice?

'Only because they don't know you're the Harbinger.'  The spiteful part of her mind spoke out.

"Answer me, Elise."

"No. I was just busy."

Aricson scoffed in disbelief with his brows contorted. That was the most expressive she had seen and reminded her of her little sister. That midget had a similar behavior when things didn't go in her way.

"Are you, by any chance, sulking?" she delved, full of nosiness and amusement.

"If I say yes, I will sound immature and unbecoming of me but if I say no, I will be lying to myself."

For some reason, that roundabout answer mollified the unwarranted emotions in her heart.

"Now tell me why."

"As you can see, I'm in the middle of completing the research. I plan to complete it before I get back and sent it to Lord Gustavious," she explained.

'That's foolproof enough, right?' She doubted herself and she was correct to do so when Aricson showed no ounce of belief.

"I don't think that's just it. Be honest with me, Elise. Please."

She mentally groaned. With that jewel-like eyes paired with a 'please', how could she refuse? Yet she strengthened her resolve.

"That's the truth, Aricson, so if you can, please don't disturb me at the time being while I finish my tasks."

She turned and headed to the drawers to grab more herbs while Aricson remained on his feet.

"What about us?" It was almost a whisper but with the complete silence, it was discernible. "We already wasted the past few days and are you planning to turn a blind eye to us? I know I sound greedy but what can I do? Once you go, even if I beg the gods, you won't return. Can you just give me the rest of your time here?"

His voice raised and dropped several levels as he spoke. The influx of emotion was unbecoming of him but knowing that she was the reason made her heart ache.

She loved him, alright, but Aricson was different. His love was too ardent hidden in such an inscrutable face. And with that, the resolve she gathered disappeared within several minutes. 

Aricson was the only person who knew about her real identity but still accepted she was from another world despite its outrageousness. If he knew she was the Harbinger...

'I just don't want to be abandoned, especially by him.' 

But looking at him now, she had to say the truth or he would suffer another round of self-blame.

Elise leaned on the table, pressed her hand together behind her back, and blurted the truth.

"I am the Harbin—"

Aricson shushed her with his index finger. "No need to speak the word. It is the symbol of misfortune."

Her brow arched. "Isn't that just a type of superstition? Wait, why are you not surprised?"

The flat reaction was nothing she envisioned. She already theorized a foregone conclusion but not this one.

"I know."

"Oh, so you know— You know?!" Her eyeballs almost popped out. "How come?! Just when?!"

"Let me show you."

She let him lead her out while her mind spun. When did he know and why did he not say anything? She was not able to relax even after they reached his bedroom.

He gestured for her to sit on the side of the bed while he rummaged on his bedside table. He handed her pieces of paper in a matter of minutes.

The crumpled paper was filled with scrawls and notes. There was the small stanza from The Return of Destruction inscribed on the corner while in the center was a three-line paragraph. The encircled word of Harbinger at the top was highly evident as if he had looped on it countless times.

"When did you know?" she pressed. How come she was not aware of it?

"When the time you became drunk. I was trying to solve the prophecies then it just happened," he answered and settled beside her.

"How? This is just a small clue. How are you so sure it is me?"

"The biggest clue is the fact that you're not from here. No one knows where the Harbinger came from and they appear when no one anticipated. It must be because you're all from another world."

"Then, does the sun refers to my birthmark?" she asked.

He just nodded.

"How about the rest?"

"From what I understand, the moon is probably your sword. Disdained by spirits signifies you have no magic and being welcomed by everyone must explain why you get along so easily with everyone. The last part was mostly literal. The outcome depends on you," he said as she read the paper again.

'The being has descended, bringing the moon and the sun,
Welcomed by everyone but disdained by spirits,
Its fate lies in you and fate of the world lies on them.'

'...Fate lies in you.'  No wonder they were hostile that the mere mention of the word was prohibited.

Carrying such a burden could only cause tragedy. She was aware that there were others before her and it did not take much to speculate what happened to them.

But then again, she wanted confirmation and her curiosity had always been the bane of her life as if she had a cat's nine lives and so she braced herself before uttering her next words.

"Will you kill me?"

Her eyes riveted on the hems of her dress as her hand was itching to scratch her ears but she could only dig her nails to her palm while she waited for his response.

She tried to weigh up all the cons and why she even spilled everything but Aricson scooped her to his lap and held her face between his fingers, prompting her to look at him.

"That is nonsense. I already know it before so what made you think that I will kill you at this point?"

"But Dryann said all Harbingers are to be killed," she mumbled almost inaudibly when his hands were still squishing her.

"But you are not the previous Harbingers. You're different. You're precious to me," he declared as his gaze softened.

"Then will you hate me if I caused danger to your family?"

"Never. I trust you, Elise, and I hope you trust me too. I won't let anything happen to you or my family. I will never compromise you and their safety, understand?"

Her eyes glistened and dove to his chest. He automatically fiddled her hair with such gentleness. Knowing that she had someone behind her erased all the trepidation she had bottled in.

"Why are you crying?" The unshed tears unknowingly dropped and with their closeness, the soft whimpers could be heard no matter how she muffled her mouth.

She cleared her throat while still remaining hidden in his embrace "No, it's just..."

'It's just I really love you.' She completed it inside her head. She had to stop fostering this feeling but it was hopeless when he treated her like this. How could he trust her so much when they both knew she would only be bringing harm due to her identity?

Elise pulled back and met those crimson irises. The ends of his lips raised. His demeanor had always been aloof yet he would offer such a smile every now and then when they were together.

"I love you, Aricson," she confessed.

If she was waiting for a moment to knock Aricson off his senses, this was the exact moment. He was not surprised when she was the Harbinger yet his reaction to her words was like his soul leaving his body due to shock.

A burst of giggle left her mouth watching his stupefied face. She should have voiced out her feelings much earlier if this was the thing waiting for her.

But she was about to eat her words when all humor faded and Aricson lunged and captured her lips.

M A T U R E C O N T E N T A H E A D

(Some sexual scenes are next. Skip if you are uncomfortable.)

Every fiber of her being spiraled to the sensation of his tongue seeking entrance. His touch traced her nape, bringing her nearer and locking her in his other arm. Her mind went black as she grabbed his shoulders. It almost seemed forever until she had to seem forgotten to breathe and pushed him.

Aricson obliged but he did not stop as his mouth traveled downwards with his fingers becoming bold and roamed around. Her body became feverish with every brush on her skin until it focused on her bosom, fondling her in a mixture of rush and care.

A gasp echoed when goosebumps chilled her skin after he brought down the upper part of her dress. When Aricson looked up, his tapered shape eyes were more intense than the colors of the setting sun's view and its leaking sunrays from the window.

His lips met hers again and heat bloomed as their bodies entangled, craving each other's touch. He gave one last peck before her back was pressed into the velvet sheets. Aricson had his legs on either side of her. His eyes never left hers as he rose to unbutton his shirt.

Inch by inch, the whiteness was exposed. Never in her life, she would find such pale to man to be oozing with sexiness. The carved muscles were now in complete view with a set of well-defined abs and prominent hip bones. She was in an absolute daze when a corner of his lips tilted.

'Oh my god! Stop seducing me!'

"I won't." His grin turned into a full smile as he leaned closer.

"Huh?"

"You're speaking your thoughts again," he said and flicked her forehead.

"Stop doing that!"

"Alright. Whatever you say, I'll follow," he whispered so close to her ears that it felt like burning when paired with such hoarseness.

She did not even have time to refute when her chest had now succumbed to the torment of his lips. A moan broke free as she surrendered from his sensuous suckle. One of her hands clamped on the pillow while the other streaked on his hair.

He continued his teasing and she was left quivering from a simple act that she did not feel that he was going down further. The hotness of breath on her navel jolted her to consciousness.

This was the third base she had never explored and she did not even have a shower yet!

While she ruminated, Aricson was already on his way. Her dress was dragged down to her ankles with only her underwear left.

"Wait. Stop, Aricson."

The man had already drowned in lust, showing no signs of listening to her. He forcefully grabbed his hair, and he stared at her with confusion.

"We have to stop now," she repeated.

"Why? Can't we do it?"

She gaped the moment she heard him. "Oh my god?! Are you telling me you're thinking of going all the way?"

"Can't we?" Those eyes that seemed like a horny wolf had turned to a poor puppy on the street but fortunately enough, her brain was still working.

"Are you sure about this, Aricson? If we cross this, it'll be harder to get back," she stated.

He paused, appearing to ponder before his head crouched down and spoke, "Apologies. I should be the one asking you this. You're the woman and you'll lose more than me. It's my lack of sense that inconvenienced you."

That was the thing. Lack of sense or not, she was willing but she was afraid it may be hard on him in the future. She did not have a long life like him and thinking he would be alone afterward was enough for her heart to squirm. But in retrospect, he may find another one.

The bed sunk on the other side indicating Aricson's movement but she quickly pulled him and his weight crashed on her.

"What—"

She kissed his unfinished sentence and did not think anymore.

He may be the one who initiated it but she would be the one completing it. If he was greedy then they made the perfect pair for she was selfish and desired to leave a mark he would never forget.

༻❁༺

U n S c e n e s

Q: Is it bad if I ask how it fe---

Elise: STOP.

Note: I was at the point to scratch this part to make but it's actually crucial to the story so yeah. I did not put many details because I wanted to make it as pg as I can lol (a sad excuse when im hopeless in bed scenes)