Fourth Month, the 4th day, 1386. 10:47.
THE two days of staying in this place were magical and relaxing. We're in the middle of a forest, but we don't know what forest specifically. And so far, there's not a single person who lives here. No one has come home yet.
Caius and I decided to stay here for a week, until we've recovered completely, and it's been nothing but peaceful. We bicker at times though, and it's all because of his teasing. He simply doesn't stop. These moments remind me of my days in the Academy, before my Senior years… before I even took an oath.
For all those two days, I've started to think about what I'll do once I recover. It's the freedom I've always wanted after all.
I'm currently inside the house. I finished gathering some fruits and vegetables in the garden for our luncheon later. Caius is still outside, gathering some firewood for the day.
Out of boredom, I'm now in front of the enormous bookshelf near the bed. It was full of books I'm not familiar with. I can say for sure I have a bookworm side, as reading was a pastime for me when I had nothing else to do other than training and going on missions.
I scanned through it and then took out a book that caught my eye.
It has an interesting title, and a familiar one, too.
The Witch and The Dragon.
It's our continent's most famous tale.
The witch is the first ever mage in the continent. She is the proclaimed mother of humanity. She was called Seraphina, and Kovia has the academy named after her as this very empire is her homeland. She discovered and taught humans magic and shared every knowledge she knew. She wrote books as well, and it's being used until this day. In her days, people called her a witch because of her insane knowledge and beauty, not because of her magic.
Why? Because she was never a high-level mage to begin with. The books she wrote were highly theoretical, but were tested and proven as she gained disciples.
The dragon, on the other hand, is depicted as the threat to humanity itself. He was the last of their kind. They were the mighty beings that walked on earth and dominated the high skies. It's not to say they aren't real, but they are deemed as fiction by many because they don't exist in this current generation.
It's been written that they fought each other and Seraphina lost to the Dragon, but the Dragon lost to her disciples and died right after.
I then opened the book and the first line I read confused me.
"I met a dragon today, and we became... friends…?"
What the…?
I blinked my eyes to make sure I was reading it right.
Thirteenth Month, the 3rd day, 497.
I met a dragon today, and we became friends. He said his name was Alvaro. He was wounded and weak, hence I treated him. I plan to visit again soon.
Seraphina.
Is this… a diary? Thee mother's diary? I couldn't describe the emotions I feel at the moment.
Impossible. I couldn't take my eyes off the name. It was not possible that a person, still alive and breathing, would be named Seraphina and find a dragon here.
My mind slowly connected the dots, later turning into a ship that sunk in my system.
This house must be—
"You can read Ancient Text?"
I nearly jumped in surprise as I heard Caius's voice from behind me. I was too relaxed and focused on the book, I couldn't even feel his presence. He must be done gathering firewood, he should've at least greeted me.
"Don't just talk behind me like that," I hissed at him, annoyed. But he ignored my words and focused on taking the book from my hands. When he had it in his hands, he stared at it. As if to read it.
And he's not wrong. This diary is written in Ancient Text, as well as the other books here. I've studied how to read and write in Ancient Text during my free time. It was an interesting hobby I picked up during my Senior years.
"...Seraphina…? What is this? And why is the mother's name here?"
Of course, he'd recognize it. Anyone can recognize the mother's name in Ancient Text. Most of the oldest books in the academy's library are written by her.
And this bookshelf over here, are books she's written and left undiscovered by many.
"She wrote that. And I think it's a diary."
From what I know, the mother never kept a diary. She's only ever written books, but she never kept a journal with her.
Caius looks me in the eyes. "Doesn't that mean this house is…" he trailed off, and I nodded at him, to confirm that we both had the same suspicion in mind.
The reason why no one has been coming home is because the owner had died a long time ago. And that owner is humanity's mother, Seraphina herself.
"Well, I'll be damned," Caius reacted and I couldn't blame him.
We spent the whole afternoon reading the diary. While Caius does his chores, I read the texts out loud for him. And we discovered some real time information about what actually happened in the past. Although every entry was kept short, Caius and I discussed the conclusions we thought of and we would come up with theories ourselves. We do have some theories that we're certain are true hard facts.
First, Seraphina the Witch and Alvaro the Dragon are actually friends, or may even be considered lovers. Seraphina stated her feelings for the mighty being honestly in her diary.
Second, Alvaro has enemies more powerful than him. Seraphina helped to fight them with her own power.
And third, Alvaro died first before Seraphina was killed.
"Alvaro never killed her, they fought side by side," I mumbled to myself.
"It only means one thing. They died to their enemies, and not because they fought against each other," Caius stated.
It was unbelievable. There is an enemy even more powerful than a Mighty Being. If it's not the Pawns, who could they be then? I closed the diary after reading the final entry.
"What a huge event in history. It's been about ten centuries right? And no one has thought of it?" I asked.
"Yes, this confuses me even more. How is there no other source about this happening when her disciples were literally present that same day?" Caius then asked, and I realized something.
On the last few pages of the diary were bloodstains. Seraphina literally wrote it in her final days.
"No… It was never stated in the diary that her disciples were there… Could they not have been there and concluded that the two fought and killed each other in the process?" I asked, but he shook his head.
"No, that wouldn't be possible. According to the diary, the disciples know Alvaro is close to the mother. Why would they think the Dragon killed their Master? When it's literally obvious how much the two cared for each other," he responded well.
And we were both left with nothing more to say.
Our gazes locked for a moment. His deep green eyes are leading me in, like a song... as if it wants to pull me into a river and drown me. I can't understand why someone like Hael would think of it as something full of envy. Is it because it's green?
But green is beautiful—
I nearly had to slap myself back to reality for thinking that way. I just caught myself admiring his eyes openly… or am I just dozing off…?
He raised a brow at me, but I just brushed it off and asked him.
"Shall I read more books?"
His eyes lit up like a puppy.
"Yes, please."
Another two days have gone by and our wounds have been healed, completely. It barely even left marks, and it'll be gone with more time. I wonder what kind of herbs he used. There was no way my wounds would have healed this fast, I was shot with several arrows. I genuinely thought that would be my last night breathing.
They healed immediately, and if I recall, I couldn't even feel my wounds after a day of medical attention from Caius. I thought he had used some sort of pain killing herb.
I stopped being curious about it, because I was more busy with the books.
The week of recovery was simple. It's as if we've gone back to that time we first talked in the library. We mostly spent our free time reading the remaining books, so we decided to finish each and every one of them.
It was enjoyable, but now, we have one problem.
We stared at the vast forest in front of us, with the house behind us.
"Now… How do we get out of here?"
For the past week, we both did separate searches in the forest, but so far, there's no sign of an exit to this damned forest at all. It's all trees, it's too vast and dense for us. We can't be careless with the search since it's only the two of us here. That's why we had maps drawn, but it didn't work. We even tried jumping up high to check from above, but it's still no use.
One more thing we discovered on our latest search is that we could be gone for hours of search and be back by the location of the house in a matter of minutes.
This forest is infinite and a fucking loop.
That's when we gave up.
It's past sunset and we decided to call it a day. I walked towards the only bed in this house. And yes, we share the bed, it was big enough for both of us. Although, I have never caught this man sleeping next to me despite being stuck together for the past two weeks. I wonder if he ever even sleeps, or if there's even a time that he's defenseless.
....Right, he's only defenseless if he's got a death wish. Like that one time on the cliff.
"I bet your subordinates are worried. You've been gone for two weeks already," I started a conversation as I lay down on the bed. He followed after me and sat next to me with a book in his hands. It's one of Mother Seraphina's books, it's written in Ancient Text.
Caius has been learning how to read and write them as well, and with my guidance, of course.
"They know I can't die that easily. Disappearing for a month wouldn't even make them worry," he responded as if he wasn't a person of high position.
I look up to the ceiling of the house. Is this how I'll live now? In this little peaceful house?
I wouldn't mind at all, but…
"I guess we'll be stuck here, huh…" I whispered. I worry not for myself, but for this Grand Duke over here. I could die in a ditch and only four people will mourn for my death, but this man is a literal landlord. He works for his people and the entirety of the empire by being the front lines' commander in the never-ending war with Pawns.
Feeling him turn his gaze to me, I glanced back to him and met his eyes. At that exact moment, the air between us shifted. I knew exactly what he wanted, and I can't say I'm not tempted to give it to him.
Caius then closed the book, putting it aside without taking his eyes off mine. He was looking at me with those eyes. Eyes of a beast who wants to swallow up his prey, and it turned me on, I can't lie.
A desire took over me as I slowly reached out for his cheek and caressed it gently. Caius held my hand that was cupping his cheek, turned his head, and kissed my palm while keeping his eyes on mine.
I couldn't contain my smile.
It's like he's starved for touch. For my touch.
I can't say I'm not delighted to see a man this pretty looking at me with those eyes, but we can't. I can't commit to such an act when the man himself is yet to admit something to me.
"Let's get some rest," I suggest, putting a stop to this temptation.
Caius didn't say anything, but carefully laid down next to me. He didn't hesitate to pull me in for an embrace, and I didn't reject him. I responded well and scooted closer to feel his warmth.
"Sleep well, Rosalie."
"Sweet dreams, Caius."
However, it didn't matter if nothing happened. We knew it ourselves.
Tonight already confirmed something we have within ourselves.