That memory had been permanently ingrained in my mind. I was so grateful Xenon survived and for years we had no one but each other. He was my supporter during my darkest time before Night and Cindra came. The affection that I had for him surged deeper than anyone.

Perhaps once I did like Xenon. Mayhap it was platonic, or it could be romantic. I had no idea. I forgot any semblance of love after Mother died. All I knew was that Xenon was my sole companion in this miserable life.

Nevertheless, we both needed to get out. We could not simply rely on each other and succumb to Father's hands. We needed to be free from the shackles of death but at this point, he was sinking deeper as long as he had no choice but to obey Father.

Or maybe he was a willing servant. There was a time I was confident we knew each other like nobody else but I was not sure now.

Every single night when someone would replace him on my doorstep, he was bound for another errand. It was not hard to guess that he was sent to exterminate upon Father's orders. The scent of death had clung to him and it was not that my sense was overly sensitive but the pungency of blood was so distinguishable.

With his talent in swordplay, he could execute countless people but I could not connect him to the man who showed no compassion. I always admired how he matched his power to the weak and did not overwhelm other knights when they were fighting. He was a strict mentor but the knights venerated him.

If it was proven that Xenon was the Anon who was notorious for his cruelty... It was another betrayal. One that was so hard to accept.

I let go of the deep sigh I was holding on to. I, now, understood Night's reluctance to tell me everything in the beginning since as of the moment, I was regretting knowing all of these. Because when every secret was uncloaked, it was my trust for these people that were constantly impaired.

The door burst open and ended my daydream.

"Hey, I've been calling you in the portier for a while now. I have to show you something."

Reichen was grinning foolishly and excitement exuded in his body as he dragged me outside without further ado.

***

The forest that bordered the cottage had always been shades of green and random colors that popped here and there but when we arrived at my favorite spot where I always loved to read, the grass field had become a garden.

In that instant, all my worries vanished. If Xenon was my reminder, Reichen always made me forget.

"It's so beautiful! How did this happen?"

I hadn't been here the past few days as I had been busy and so was Reichen. I was sure he did not have the time to arrange all of this.

"Sullien helped me," he replied.

"Oh, is he well already?"

"Yes. He'll probably be back by this week to lead the other team again," informed Reichen.

"That's good to hear. I have to treat him next time as thanks for all of this."

"Thanking me is enough. You don't have to bother him."

"Well, thank you, but Sullien had obviously done all the menial tasks of transporting the flowers rather than you."

"But it's my idea!"

I chuckled at his indignant retort. The smile remained on my lips as I gazed at the colorful scene. "Thank you, Reichen. So what do you want in exchange?"

"That's what I'm waiting to hear. How about you finally answer my feelings?" he proposed.

Reichen never hurried me after he confessed. There was not a clear conversation about it as he did not bring it up again until now. In all honesty, I had no idea what to do. I was not even sure if I had the capability to love someone wholeheartedly and give them my full trust.

"Quite an expensive charge, I dare say," I quipped as I headed to the small wooden box on the sides.

It was a small toolbox and I searched for a pruning shear. I wanted to cut some flowers and display them in the cottage.

"So what kept you earlier? You didn't even notice the portal lantern I sent you," probed Reichen behind me.

"Xenon," I blurted out without thinking.

"Oh. Xenon. That knight who was always with you."

It was a dry reply but I paid no heed as I rummaged the box.

"You must be close that he must have seen you frequently in your nightgown," Reichen remarked.

"Yes," I answered distractedly, and took me a full second to comprehend that it could mean differently.

But it was the truth. Xenon had seen me on my worst, all bruises and scars bared on him from my torn gowns. Each time I got back from the oubliette, it was the only moment all propriety disappeared between us as he cleaned my wounds. He didn't seem affected by my lack of clothing, unlike Reichen whose eyes were bulging at the moment.

"You're not even denying it. You're an unmarried woman. I thought it was just a moment of carelessness when I visited you in your chamber but..."

I was taught etiquette by Cindra and she must be disappointed as I already dismissed several of her teachings. This was why I was not suited for palace life. I liked my life to be mundane and peaceful without thinking about what others thought about me and keeping up their expectations or worrying if I had to undergo punishment.

Speaking of Cindra, she hadn't visited after Willow's party.

"... be so negligent of your status. A princess should never abandon their appearance and behavior even in their own palace---"

"Are you done now?" I interrupted as I stopped myself to scratch his face or even throwing a punch at what he was yammering about. 

Every time he did something nice, it always ended up with him infuriating me one way or another.

Seriously. I could not understand how he treated me. Even if he had admitted how he liked me, he was the same, only a little more shameless.

"Don't tell me you like him? What about me?"

My eyes rolled and disregarded his question as I completely overhauled the box but I found nothing. "Where are the pruning scissors?"

"Are you ignoring my question?"

"Are you going to keep talking bullshit?" I snapped back.

"Fine." He raised his hands in surrender. "You really have a short fuse."

"I do not," I rebutted.

"Whatever helps you sleep, Ace." He put his arm on the span of my shoulder with a matching cheeky grin like he was not complaining about me earlier. "Let's go back. The scissors are probably back at the cottage. We have a visitor."

***

There was indeed someone waiting for us when we arrived. Blaze was seating comfortably with his arms crossed and immediately stood up right after we entered.

"Took you long enough. I thought the artifact was not working and you couldn't sense my arrival but it appears you were rather preoccupied. Such a change from a loner like you. Now you're adhering to a woman wherever you go," Blaze nagged as soon as he saw us.

"What brings you here?" asked Reichen forthrightly.

"I need to talk to you in private," said Blaze and gave me an eye which meant my presence was not welcomed at the moment.

"Whatever you want to talk about, you can also tell it to Ace. She is one of us."

Blaze did not blatantly reject the idea but there was a silent conversation going on between them and he was clearly opposing my attendance here.

"I have to excuse myself. I need to get the scissors. Don't worry. You can have your conversation and you can take your time here. I'll be out in the garden so I won't disturb you," I stated and searched for the scissors swiftly before heading out.

***

I checked my pocket watch and almost half an hour passed. I was already done picking the flowers and segregated them to which room I would place it too.

The bouquet of lavenders was going to my room. An assortment of roses, irises, and daisies would be placed in the several corners of the house and the yellow flock of sunflowers, carnations, and jessamines were for Reichen.

I had been fascinated with his honey-irises as King Freed or Reid. It was his original eye color as I remembered the time we were stuck at Tetrae Lands. The memory was hazy as it was the time I lost my magic but I could not forget his eyes that were like bright yellow-orange crystals in the dark.

I waited several more minutes before I retraced my steps going home with a bunch of flowers in hand.

The door creaked open and I could hear their voices. They did not leave the living area and they were talking in earnest which was the opposite of their usual happy-go-lucky mien. They did not even notice my arrival with how intent their conversation was.

"---better after all."

"I agree. It's better to keep everything as it is."

Reichen was about to speak but he stopped and looked in my direction. "You're back."

"Yeah. Did I interrupt you? I'll go back again when you're done," I said and placed the flowers on the dining table.

It was the nearest to the main door while the couch they were seated on was approximately four meters away from it.

"No, it's alright. We're done already."

"What? No. We're---"

Reichen pulled him up and pointed to the door while saying, "You can go now."

"I still have something to say, you know," protested Blaze.

"Make it short. It's already lunchtime."

"That reminds me. I'm famished. What's for lunch?"

"You have a palace to serve you, bastard. Tell your piece and leave," ordered Reichen.

"Why don't I make the food while you two discuss?" I suggested. "Though, I cannot promise I will not eavesdrop as I can't control my senses and this place is too small for privacy."

"You don't have to, Ace. I'll be cooking since I already prepared the ingredients this morning," Reichen responded first.

"I'm not busy like you are. Besides, you already taught me to make dishes without burning the house so be rest assured. I'll cook and you accommodate our guest. Gracious, you didn't even offer him tea all this time!"

"We don't need to be courteous for an uninvited person," he argued.

Blaze snorted and his expression morphed into mirth. "Night will positively go bonkers if he sees you acting like a married couple if he didn't get ca---Ow!"

Reichen kicked him right on his knee. "Speak now."

I decided to leave them but Blaze stopped me.

"I need your help for this matter too, Ace. Since you have the jewel from Sario Tower. I'll ask you two to confirm it to yourself and go to Mireal Sea."

The memory of Reichen glowing flashed into my mind as it was the same sea we went to. The Mireal Sea bordered the south of the Solaris Kingdom.

"I can go but Reichen can stay."

"Huh? Why? It is better if you have a company to go and confirm. The Reapers tend to watch that place from time to time and might be dangerous," Blaze surmised.

It seemed like Blaze had no idea about the seriousness of Reichen's fear of water, unlike Sullien who had warned me about it.

"He's right. We need to go together," Reichen agreed.

"Are you sure about that? In your situation, you will only be a burden," I said frankly.

Seriously. That was the worst situation I had encountered as I had to manage not only myself but also another person. Thank goodness lady luck was with us and those Reapers stopped chasing.

"I won't be. I had been planning to go to Mireal Sea for some time now and this was a good opportunity."

My eyes filled with doubt but did not say any more while Reichen walked into the kitchen counter as I followed behind to help him prepare.

***

After luncheon ended, we left the headquarters together and separated ways when we exited Mt. Ymore. Blaze returned to Carrion while we proceeded to Solaris.

We toured one of the cities as we waited for the sun to set and went to Mireal Sea. The sun slowly disappeared on the horizon when we reached the sea.

I took the pouch from him. "How should I do this?"

"You just need to dip the gem into the water," he instructed.

I removed my shoes and folded my pants as the waves crashed on my legs. Seconds later, there was a splash behind me. I pivoted and saw Reichen stepping into the water, looking normal and far from what I witnessed last time.

"You said you have a fear of water," I mumbled in confusion.

The last time could not be an act and that weird happening must be related to his fear but nothing of that sort happened. Was I hallucinating that whole time?

"I know but I realized it completely disappeared. When we went to Sario Tower, I was prepared as even going near bodies of water gave me a sense of apprehension but I felt nothing. To add, it could not compare to the surreal panic I have every time I go to Mireal Sea but I feel normal today," he expressed and grabbed the pouch from me.

The pebble-sized gem reminded me of a midday sky but once it touched the water, it shone a bright light.

"It's glowing," I gawked in awe.

"This is the sign of the Lost Treasure. 'The first miracle will take its impurities and the treasures will be your beacon of light'. This pertains to the only sea in the whole world. When the Lost Treasure is bathed in the Mireal Sea it gives off a glimmer to purify it," he described as I simply stared at the jewel that was completely submerged in the water.

The white soft shimmer was familiar. The last time I saw something like this was when Reichen emanated the same luster but it was much larger scale as it covered his whole body.

"The Lost Treasures, which had a part of the True God's essence, emits a certain brilliance since only the gods had the ability to use light and the Mireal Sea had the purest concentration as the first creation of the True God. These two had a deep connection as it amplifies the light magic within the Lost Treasures making them unique to this world as they are the only jewels that glow..."

His voice faded as if he realized something I realized too. It was a nonsensical idea but that was the only conclusion I could come up with what happened to him and I recalled how his snowflake birthmark resembled a jewel the last time I saw it.

"So that's why no one ever found the Lost Treasure of Deliora," he murmured almost to himself then glanced up to me. "No one would have guessed as we have a complete aversion near the sea. We dreaded any bodies of water but not as much as the sea as we stayed away from it as much as possible."

I nodded. "That's what I'm thinking, too. Still, this is quite absurd."

"Absurdity comes along with our magic. Logic doesn't apply to our abilities and anything was possible if the gods were involved. In this case, this is the best explanation of what happened that night and how my birthmark turned into a gemstone. The Lost Treasure did not pertain to the Silverious stone that was known as the gift of the True God but it was the descendants of our ancestor who was always acknowledged as the favorite of the True God."

"But it is strange that no one knew of it until now," I countered.

"I doubt that. Perchance some knew but never divulged it seeing that it will danger the whole lineage of Deliora. No one truly noticed our fear of water and if they did, it was simply a show of cowardice."

"I see. Pray tell us what shall will we do now? Almost all the Lost Treasures had been gathered. There was only one left to find."

A minute of silence passed amidst us as he picked up the gem. "Truthfully, I don't know but one thing was for certain. This search for the Lost Treasures will need more than one sacrifice."

His words held the impending doom I had in my mind because once the remaining treasure was found, the war would not end unless one race had completely fallen.

***