"So now, how about I get an explanation?" Lylia said quietly, folded her arms as her gaze settled on Kristen.
Rayne and Zei had already been sent to their room to rest, leaving the three adults in a tension filled room.
"I admit, what I did was very reckless." He said, his voice low, "However, I had a very good reason for it."
"And what might that be? What made you decide to place the lives of these kids at stake?"Lylia asked.
Kristen hesitated, "Because that's what Voice of wrath told me."
The room grew silent.
"Their path is paved with danger." He continued, "I saw what they went through back in Verulia. I can't bear to see them go through something like that again. Not when I am responsible for them."
"I know that I can't keep them caged just to keep them safe." He said, "The world will only grow harsher. They need strength to be able to overcome the imminent threats they will come across in their paths."
"That still doesn't justify you giving them the liquified Ember," Lylia muttered, her voice etched with disappointment. "It was a prototype kirtsen, barely past its initial stages. If something were to happen to them, what would you have done?"
Kristen had no answer. Lylia sighed, turning her gaze towards Asher.
"Tell me everything. What happened after they consumed the Ember?"
Asher recounted everything in detail. When he finished, Lylia closed her eyes for a second, gathering himself
"For now, reduce the amount of ember you are giving them, dilute it with Yggdrasil's spring water. Their bodies have already been pushed to their limit, one wrong imbalance could cripple them permanently."
Asher nodded, "I understand."
"The kids will be staying here," she added, "until I am content with their condition."
"That's fine by me," Asher replied.
Kristen managed a small laugh. "Looks like our house will be a little lively for the next few days."
"I am not done with you," Lylia muttered without looking at him.
"W-what do you mean?" he blinked.
"The liquified Ember was supposed to be classified. A project that would require a lot of work before it would be revealed to the public, I locked it in the cryo vault, which can only be opened by me, yet it reached Asher's hand." Her voice dropped into a cold whisper, "Care to explain how dear?"
"A-about that, there is a good explanation for that as well," Kristen stammered.
"I will leave you both to it," Asher murmured as he hurriedly retreated to his room, "I need to prepare for the ball anyway."
There was a very high chance that something was amiss, especially with all three generals present, so he had to be prepared for it.
It was evening by now, the time they were going to head out for the ball.
"This is just too extravagant…" I muttered, looking at the suit Elias had tailored for me. The black blazer was threaded with fine golden patterns along its edges, along with a vest etched with white gemstones, almost like starlight trapped in fabric. A gold chain brooch rested on the lapel. Elegant and sharp.
"Isn't this a bit too much?" I whispered to myself.
Just then, the door opened, and Zei came out, wearing her crimson dress. Under the gentle glow, the jewels shimmered, scattering molten gold reflections along the walls. The golden lining along the edges looked pristine, beautifully complementing the crimson shade of the dress.
My heart skipped a beat. Seeing her in that dress made something inside me stir as the words left my mouth: "Beautiful."
"My, my…. are you complimenting me?" she teased, a light chuckle escaped her mouth.
"...You truly look beautiful," I said, mesmerized by her appearance. Elias truly made a dress worthy of capturing everyone's attention.
"Well, you don't look too bad either, I guess," she replied, a faint blush visible on her face.
My eyes drifted towards the necklace she was wearing, the same one I had gifted her at the festival.
"Are you really going to wear it?" I asked, looking at Zei.
"Of course," She said, fiddling with the necklace I gave her at the festival."It's important to me after all."
"I see." Hearing those words made me happy. My eyes turned towards the small box in the corner.
"And the rings?" I asked."I still don't know whether we should trust him or not."
"We don't know," she admitted, "But if what he said is true, then shouldn't we be cautious? We have no other choice after all."
"You're right," I sighed, opening the small box. Two identical rings revealed themselves, the black jewels glimmering faintly. I took out the ring to hand it over to her. But instead, she extended her hand forward.
"...what?"
"Put it on for me," she said quietly.
Lately, her actions had started to be very bold, little gestures, lingering glances. She was displaying her emotions without any hesitation. Something strange stirred within me whenever she glanced at me like that, as a spark had ignited within me. I tried to bury such feelings deep within my heart, to convince myself that it meant nothing, but she kept stirring my emotions again and again, as if wanting me to respond.
"Hurry up," She whispered, "we're going to be late." I snapped out of my thoughts and slid the ring onto her right index finger. A satisfied smile crept up on her face.
"What?" I looked at her, "not going to do the same for me? Oh my, I am hurt," I teased.
She rolled her eyes, a small chuckle escaping her mouth as she took the ring from my hand, slipping it onto the ring finger of my right hand.
"Let's go," She said, her hand intertwined with mine, no words were spoken, yet it conveyed much more than words could.
We met Asher in the hallway. He was dressed in a brilliant white tuxedo, which suited him greatly. I noticed his sword strapped around his waist.
"Are you carrying your sword to the ball?" Zei asked curiously.
"It's a custom for all military personnel to carry their weapon to every event. It acts as a symbol of strength and elegance," he explained.
Moments later, Kristen and Lylia came out wearing an ethereal, deep blue gown, almost like moonlight woven into fabric. Kristen's coat matched her perfectly. Lylia truly looked like a fairy, Kristen on the other hand, looked no less appealing. Both of them looked to be in perfect harmony.
"Oh my!! You both look adorable," Lylia exclaimed.
"T-thank you," zei stammered.
"You were already pretty, but seeing you like this truly makes my heart flutter," she showered us with compliments.
"Dear, " Kristen murmured, "Shall we go, or else we'll be late? I don't want Gerald or others giving me an earful."
"You are always so impatient," She sighed, but her eyes softened as her arm looped around his.
We all headed downstairs, where a sleek black car with the insignia of Eleithiya's Military was standing in front of the gate.
"Well…" Kristen murmured under his breath, "They sure are going overboard this time."
We got inside the car, along with Lylia and Kristen, and Asher sat in the front. And soon we left the building, heading towards the place where the ball was going to be held.
"What kind of place is it/ you know where the ball is being held?"
"Oh, you will see," Kristen said. Soon, the divine tree Yggdrasil came into our view, its branches reaching the horizon. Beneath the tree was an enormous mansion illuminated in soft radiance.
"Welcome to the Moonveil Estate," Kristen gestured at it with a smile.