Willow and Lian hadn't let go as they cried while others kept on asking about my health and singing me praises for my abilities.

Yves and Night stayed on the side trying to comfort the two women as I did. I scanned around the room but Reichen was not there. I assumed he was one of the people crowding me earlier but he was out of sight.

"It's my fault... I'm so sorry," Willow mumbled in in the middle of sobs. "I should not have left Cindra there. I and Yves were the ones who found the whereabouts of King Enmir. We had suspected he was hiding something and we learned it was Queen Janessa. I had not heard from him for days before my party and I asked Cindra for help since she knew the palace. We were ambushed and she let me escape by myself."

She explained the whole story. The regret was embedded in her eyes. It was evident how distraught she was.

However, she shouldn't be apologizing to me since I was to be blamed, too. None of this would happen if they did not get involved with me. I should be the one begging for forgiveness, especially towards Cindra's family. Her husband, Duke Pheles, had been good to me whenever I came to visit. Sullien continuously came to my aid but all I did to recompense them was Cindra's death.

"It's time," one of the ladies announced, her eyes were rimmed with red and her bags were puffy. An obvious result of all night crying.

That was just when it dawned on me how the people here did not even have a mask. I roamed my eyes and they fixed on the huge silver basin that replaced the center table in the living area.

I glanced at Night. "Is it fine not to wear masks?" I asked since even he was not wearing one.

"They are Amicas who are born in the streets and picked up by Cindra during her time as the leader. They are the most loyal and the top members of the organization," he explained immediately.

The lady with short brown hair awakened and the people gathered around her.

The clear water had rippled as she dipped her hand. Her fingers brushed the water, stroking it like an experienced painter. The water was tinted with hues and gradually formed an image. A moving image, to be exact.

It revealed men and women who were all wearing black. The color of mourning.

People lined up as they offered their flowers as Duke Pheles and Sullien stood grimly beside the coffin. We were simply watching but I could sense the heavy air since it was completely the same solemn atmosphere in this room as well.

I turned to Night. "How long was I asleep?"

"Three days."

It had been a custom for most of the nobles of the Great West kingdoms, including Helia, to mourn the dead in three days after death. A noble's death had always been a large-scale event as seen from the people gathering on the scene, however, it was an event of prejudice that commoners were prevented not to attend as it was an insult to a noble.

Now, I apprehended why many of them were assembling here and watching the burial ceremony since Night did mention they were commoners.

My eyes never drifted away from the basin as I watched every single thing until Cindra's casket was completely buried underground.

Memories rapidly flashed in my mind. The first time I saw her and when she welcomed me. How she made me at ease and taught me whatever I need to know. She was my mentor and had become a mother figure for someone like me who had become broken.

Tears flowed relentlessly in my eyes as I felt the air clogging my throat, leaving me to face the harsh reality that I would never see her again.

I would never have Cindra waiting in the garden for me anymore. I would never have someone chastise me for how unladylike I was. I would never have someone teaching me tricks. I would never have someone tell me fascinating stories. I would never...

My lips quivered as I glanced at the scene again where her tomb quietly lie.

I would never find someone like Cindra again.

***

The visitors had slowly dispersed as I excused myself. I had to calm down and I walked aimlessly in the forest.

I thought about everything that happened. Mother was alive and Father was keeping her but to take her back, I had to betray the people who I was with.

I had to come up with a solution without involving any more victims but it was a naïve thought. Out of everyone, it was I that knew nothing cost freely in this world.

My head hung low while I was deeply deliberating as I strolled. Minutes later, I promptly stopped after sensing a presence. When I looked up, Reichen was walking in my direction.

It did not escape my eyes how he flinched on his feet. He did not even bother masking his aghast expression like he'd seen a ghost. Not a single word left his mouth as he simply ran away.

I frowned but that did not stop me from chasing him. Why was he acting funny now?

"Stop chasing me!" he shouted when he turned and saw me following him.

I seriously did not comprehend people saying that when it simply made the chaser catch up more. Nevertheless, I didn't understand why I was running after him after he fled at the sight of me either.

Seeing that our distance had grown far apart, I tripped myself and stumbled on the pebbled grassland. It didn't take a minute before he was already there on my side.

I clung to his sleeve and grinned. "Got you."

I jolted after I heard the chuckle that escaped from my lips. As I was chasing him, I momentarily forgot the melancholy I was feeling the whole time.

It was always unconscious on his part but I noticed that when he was there, I seemed to forget all my worries. Even the fact that he had lied to me once again and kept what was happening away from me.

"Let go, Ace," he grumbled without looking straight but stayed beside me.

My brow scrunched as I squinted my eyes on him from the hasty change. One thing I learned about Reichen was how shameless he was in clinging to me that I was honestly surprised when he avoided me.

I did not heed his words. Instead, I held to his clothes even more tightly. A small part of me expected him to comfort me as he constantly did that ever since we got to know each other. But not only was he not present earlier, but he also wouldn't even look at me in the eyes now.

"Why did you even run away like I had an infectious disease or something?" I probed.

Seconds of silence passed. He stared at the vast forest ahead of us adorning a melancholy look I had not seen before. He took in a deep breath before he spoke.

"I'm sorry... If I hadn't erased Night's memory, he would have helped you sooner."

So he heard. I thought as his face was washed with remorse. It was my turn to sigh as I perceived that almost everyone I saw today had a clear expression of guilt which was also the same in my case.

"At that time, it was purely my selfishness because I did not want anyone to know I became an Amica. To think that it had become an implication to you later on... I want to repay you but in the end, all I did is bring harm to you."

I initially wanted to be angry at him but if I was in his position I would do the same. As they had stated, our magic was our trump card. The fewer people to know, the better so I acknowledged his decision.

Nonetheless, there was no doubt I would have hated him if I learned about this if we were just mere strangers to each other. But that was the thing. We were not mere strangers anymore. He had become a friend and if I was to be truthful, maybe even more.

He became someone significant and I tended to be lenient to the people I safeguard in my heart no matter what they do, which, in the end, had become my greatest flaw.

I could not hate Reichen even if I wanted to. It was the same as Xenon, I feel hurt when he continued doing Father's orders but I could not fully hate him just like with my siblings.

"I sincerely apologize, Ace. After this is all over, I promise to leave you alone. I don't deserve to be on your side for all the thoughtless decisions I made that unknowingly caused you to suffer."

What the heck is he on about? I bit back the complaint seeing his aggrieve face when I should be the one in that situation with how he was discarding me.

"All that talk that you'll be with me and you leave the moment it inconvenienced you?"

That statement actually made him look at me properly and he shook his head in negation. He tried to reach out to my cheek but I stood up and walked out. However, he grabbed my hand and we were facing each other again.

"You are not an inconvenience, Ace. You will forever be the most important person in my life but the only thing I could do in the future is guard you in the shadows," he declared.

His violet irises were filled with earnestness but I wanted to smack his head upside down. I was scrupulously angry this time with his words. After he made his way and made a spot for himself, he selfishly wanted to leave me?

"You're frowning again," he commented out of the blue and smoothened the wrinkles on my brows.

It was a gesture he often did that had become his habit. It would have eased me in the past but it now made my blood boil.

"Ah. You're truly a coward. Just simple culpability and you're already backing down," I said as my voice chilled.

He was clearly abandoning me. Cindra just left, Xenon had strayed and now Reichen was planning to leave me in addition to that. But then again, I discovered Mother was alive and found my missing brother. I had reconciled with my siblings too.

Seriously. This cruel world always wanted an exchange. You could not gain unless you lose something as well.

Reichen was about to say something but I was stunned by Sullien's appearance. His visage was so similar to Cindra that my heart ached as soon as I saw him.

"The assembly will start now. Let's go," said Sullien as soon as he came.

He offered his hand to me but I did not have the courage to hold on to it. I was the reason why his mother died. If it were me, I would not even be able to stomach touching them without being furious and disgusted.

Sullien had surely sensed my inhibitions and inhaled a deep breath before letting it go.

"You know, I hated you---"

"Sullien!"

That made me focus my gaze on him.

"Let him say it, Reichen."

Besides, being hated was nothing new to me and this time I plainly grasped why.

"First, it was Night. He was just a random person that Mother raised. It was years later that I realized he was the son of the sister she treasured the most. I was always jealous of how she cared about him. Just when I thought I finally have Mother's affection, you came along and for that, I hated you also. I am her only son but she cared for other children more."

"No!" I refuted and tried telling him my side. "Cindra did care for you! I had never seen you aside from when we were young, but Cindra loved to talk about you. She always took her time in giving you presents and often worried about you. She really loved you!"

Sullien listened to me but his stare became blank.

"Yes, she loves me but not enough that she was willing to sacrifice herself for others without considering us, her own family." His voice was full of condemnation and cracked in the end.

"I... I'm sorry." It was the only thing I could say as his eyes glistened but no tears fell.

Reichen pat his back and cleared his throat trying to awkwardly placate the tension.

"The others must be waiting and we have stalled enough time. We'll just walk and you can go back yourself," he suggested.

"No, I'll bring you back," Sullien refused as his eyes still remained on me. "I did hate you but after I met you two, I fathomed why Mother was willing to do this for you and Night. This is the reason why I am helping you still. I just want all of this to end sooner."

His gaze fell on the luscious forest ahead as he let go of a deep sigh at almost the same time as me.

How I wanted the same, too.

***

The members had donned their cloaks and masks inside the hall. There was a new addition in the crowd as Night sat on the first row with Blaze and his grandfather, Elkan.

Reichen and Sullien had their seats beside each other and Willow was at the back. I took the place beside her as the assembly commenced.

The first thing they showed was a bunch of keys.

"We found this with my mother after her body was retrieved," said Sullien.

Looking at the keys, they were definitely portal keys. That certainly explained why Father was able to overpower her and could not escape. Her magic was depleted from all the keys she made.

"However, her keys were greatly tied to her magic and once she was gone, all traces of her magic disappeared too as it is common for the restricted type. We asked for Elkan's help and we could only retrieve a few portals."

It was followed by several questions and clarifications until Night stood up and explained what happened while he stayed in the Reaper's hideout.

"There are several doors in the lowest part of their hideout. Each has a set of enchantments. The lowest floor had been unguarded but is it difficult to pass through and exit the area. But one thing was for sure, every evening, that bastard visits the room where Queen Janessa was."

Murmurs precipitously filled the room but it all had the same topic of questioning how Queen Janessa was alive.

Night moved on, relaying more information. "As most of you had infiltrated, you know that there are parts where you can't use magic but there are also places you can. The denser it is, the nearer you are to Lady Mhilrim. But as the denseness increases, the more she weakens."

While they discussed, I became lost in thought because no one talked about Mother anymore. She was trapped in that palace and Night brought it up but no one seemed to care afterward.

Lady Mhilrim was indeed a priestess and of greatest prominence as the Goddess but somebody had to save Mother. I tried to focus on their talk and minutes passed but no one voiced their opinions regarding my mother.

"What about Queen Janessa? Who will save her?" I interrupted and all eyes were on me.

"You look quite young miss. You must have not heard how that king adored his queen. Many had seen the queen's corpse and that body must be an empty shell made from his obsession," one of the women explained.

There was no way it was true. I felt warmth and a pulse when I touched her.

"I agree. No one can bring back the dead unless they're gods," another one added.

"But we are dealing with gods now. The Fallen God has reincarnated---"

"What blasphemy. The gods had long been gone. It must be Enmir's hoax to incite fear in us. The Fallen God's soul had been trapped by the Lost Treasures and only the Lost Treasures can unseal it," the annoying voice who loved to cause dissonance interfered.

I held back a scoff. This geezer still did not believe Reichen's words even before when he had even explained his suspicions of the Fallen God's involvement in this.

"What a joke! Lady Mhilrim is the go---"

"Ace." Night's voice stopped me further and pulled my hand outside without delaying any second.

"Why are you dragging me away, Night?" I asked but he ignored me as we went upstairs.

"What the hell are you thinking about revealing Lady Mhilrim's identity?"

No wonder he led me upstairs with how loud his voice was.

"I know Lady Mhilirm is important but Mother is important too. She is also in danger as long as she is in Father's hands."

"That old man's words are right, Ace. That bastard will never harm Mother."

"How sure are you? I once thought he wouldn't harm our siblings too but I was wrong."

"Mother is different. She is the only person in his life that he treasures. We have to precede Lady Mhilirm. If she is gone now that Cannaria's in action, everything will be in vain. She is our mother but this is for the sake of everyone," he tried to convince me but I refuse to hear him out.

How cold. I never knew Night could be this cold.

If there was one person I was willing to sacrifice for everyone, that would be my Mother. For her, I was willing to forsake myself to repay everything she did.

Who cares about the world? I had been selfless my whole life and what do I get? A life of misery.

Our eyes locked, defiance reflecting on both our violet irises. No one was willing to look away. Seconds passed and a thought ran into my mind that was always on the back of my head that I could never voice out.

Can't I be selfish this time?

***