Year 3988, 3rd Day of the 10th Moon
Ember Isle, Fliamma Kingdom, Continent of Humana

THE FESTIVAL has begun. Elise should be jumping for joy at the mere fact that she had a chance to return in just two more days yet the more she thought about it, the more listless she became.

She took a deep intake and climbed up to the shelf. With her current progress, it was impossible to complete her research. The least she could do was provide some reference and planned to pass it on to Gustavious.

There was always that nagging feeling inside her knowing that she had things to do and the excessive compulsion was making her anxious yet her priorities flew to the back of her mind when she was together with Arcison.

And when she just thought of him, light footsteps sounded behind her. She twisted her neck and her lips quickly tilted but the ladder rattled from her abrupt turn, dissolving the upcoming smile from her mouth as she grabbed onto the shelf.

"Careful!" Aricson already had his arms wide open when she looked down.

"It's okay, I'm fine," she said and steadied herself before going down.

Aricson still had his arms fully stretched out after her feet reached the floor. A grin slowly formed on her lips. She did not waste the opportunity and flung herself into his embrace.

"How's your day?" she asked and squeezed herself into his body. The scent of sandalwood and vanilla was prominent and penetrated her senses. She hugged him tighter. His dark and woody fragrance had become so comforting these days. "Are you done already?"

It was half-past two the last time she checked and Aricson had been out since morning. He had been frequently leaving early in the morning for unknown reasons. She first thought he was working in the library but that didn't seem to be the case.

Aricson nodded and tugged her closer, his warm breath spraying on her ears. "Let's have a date."

She pushed him as an eyebrow arched. "You ask as if we do not go on a date every day."

He only smiled. His fingers traveled to her hair and tucked some behind her ears, making her cheeks warm. They had done everything but these simple acts could still make her blush, especially when he looked at her that way. It was as if she would disappear in a second.

'But then again, it's not too far off.'

Those crimson irises remained on her and she could not help her next words when she was face to face with such an exquisite appearance.

"Why are you so handsome? And your eyes..." She suddenly paused as she remembered something. "I read that you and your family are unique in having such colored irises and they are hereditary but I remembered Hadrien has violet eyes while Dryann, Caian, and Gavin have blue ones."

Before he could even reply, another thought crossed her mind. "By the way, Faylinn said that Caian is cursed so no one can remember him unless they are cursed too. Is it my perk being from another world or am I cursed as well?"

Aricson looked away and breathed in. "Faylinn and Erkhan must be competing who had a looser mouth," he grumbled almost to himself but still clear enough for her due to their proximity.

She could totally relate to his distress for someone who had few siblings. She patted his back before clutching his arm. "So?"

"You're not."

Elise did not know she was holding her breath until she released it. "Thank god. Now back to the topic, is it normal to have colored irises here? We have green like Sapphire and blue is pretty normal while brown is the most common in my world. It is quite fascinating to see such yours in actuality."

"It depends on the races. For humans, it is the same as yours. The brown irises are the most common but those who had colored one are most likely an Enchanter, particularly us from the Ancient Clans. Our eyes contain the abilities gifted by the God of Life."

"Really?" Her eyes sparkled from the information. She had not read anything concerning that.

Aricson nodded and continued, "It was said that the God of Life has irises that resemble a rainbow and blood with the same color. He gave the Royal Family his blood and he gave the Ancient Clan his eyes. Though we may have the same authority, their blood allows them to gain the loyalty of the Ancient Clan and we could not disobey."

"What? Won't it be unfair?"

"Undoubtedly but it was discovered that a royal can only have one wish and an ancient noble can only do one in their lifetimes. Mainly the reason why the Ancient Clans are not keen on breeding else, the Royal Family will have their own knights to exploit."

"Then how about you, did you do it already?"

"Yes."

"For real, to whom? Did they demand something unreasonable?" Her tone rose just imagining it. Doing something out of her own will was one of the worst things she would never want to do.

Aricson unfolded their arms and laced their fingers instead as they stepped downstairs. "There's actually a loophole on that rule. Only those with a sign of lineage can enter the contract and it can range from a small favor or a big task. Our parents took advantage of that and made us do our contracts at an early age so no royals can bind us."

He continued his explanation while Elise became an overly too eager student listening to him when she had more things to learn about the world she would leave soon.

LANTERNS HUNG across the streets. Elise's right hand was holding the candied apple while the other was tightly grasped by Aricson.

The sight of festivities and cheerful atmosphere lifted her mood the further they strolled. People swarmed every corner but one thing that caught her eyes was the paper lanterns sold on almost every stall.

"Let's buy some," she said and pulled Aricson towards the nearest vendor.

A hefty man with a wide smile welcomed them. "How may I help you, Miss?"

"Two of these please," Elise said, pointing at the wrinkled red paper that was shaped like a miniature hot air balloon.

"I'll also take two, Mister!" A bright voice said beside her.

Elise glanced at the woman but she quickly jolted back. Her breath hitched as her fingers clamped on Aricson.

"It's alright," Aricson spoke, soothing her nerves as he petted her hair.

"Um, are you okay? You haven't touched me so you should be okay, right?" the woman questioned while Elise struggled to face her.

In all honesty, the woman was more like a teenager with her height probably not exceeding five feet. Her heart-shaped face was complemented by two intricate buns on her hair decorated with ribbons. It radiated adorableness together with such a small nose and thin pink lips but those eyes incited memories that Elise did not want to invoke.

Those slit pupils had hues resembling those of the verdant leaves of the forest and were framed by round protruding eyelids. It was in no way similar to the woman who disguised as Aya but those eyes were enough to make her tremor.

"Wait a sec. Have we met som—"

"Leilani!" A man marched nearer, squinting at them with such a ferocious gaze, almost like a predator.

"I did not do anything, I promise!" the woman shouted the moment the man joined her side.

With both of them standing together, Elise just noticed how they were way different from the rest.

The woman's skirt was draping to the ground but it did not have the common structure she had seen with a petticoat underneath. It was a simple long skirt paired with a top that was akin to underwear. On her right chest was a cloth wrapped diagonally like a sash and she was adorned with small trinkets from her head down to her ankles.

Even the man had an exposed chest with only a fur coat hanging on his shoulders. There was a wide strap on his waist that was holding the loose pants tightly. Similar to the woman, his body was accessorized all over.

"Get your ass here, Leilani," the man stated. His tone was more chilling than Elise expected. The fieriness disappeared and was replaced by the glacial look as he turned to them. "Did she offend you?"

With the way he talked, even if the woman offended them, it felt like they were at fault instead.

"No." It was Aricson who replied right away.

"Good, let's go." The man grabbed the woman but she struggled.

"Wait! I feel like I know her— Geez! Don't just leave me! Nagan!"

Just as unexpected they came, the two also left without notice and disappeared on the crowded street.

"Are they..."

"Shifters," Aricson filled in. "Snake shifters, to be exact, based on the scale marks on their bodies. The one on the island was a fox shifter."

"Why are they here? Aren't the races at war with each other?" she probed.

"Some races' delegates do come and go to other continents but at their own risk."

"Still, won't it be dangerous, especially for ordinary humans?"

"The Association has the strictest foreign governance and all visitors are cast with restrictions that won't allow them to use their abilities," Aricson explained. 

Both of them resumed their casual stroll, forgetting the small incident because, at the moment, Elise and Aricson had no choice but to enjoy everything before it was all gone.

༻❁༺

U n S c e n e s

Q: Elise, do you think you know that woman named Leilani?

Elise: *ponders very hard* I don't think so.