I sat down across from Ada. She didn't look anxious, more puzzled.
I studied her features: was it really her? Or just another imitation? For a moment, it seemed as if she had caught my thoughts.
"Bian, I would never allow something like that," she said gently, with that very intonation I knew so well.
And with every fiber of my being, I felt it: it was her. Not a fake. The real one. That same Ada, warm, talkative, obsessed with the kitchen. The one who'd saved me with the knight, who told stories of war, of people, of holidays and castle life.
It was her.
Wasn't it? Really?
"I believe you," I said.
I just needed to believe. I just needed at least she to be real.
Nimor kept sniffing and inspecting the pouches on the table. Adel was rummaging through drawers and pots. And Blake… his hands were glowing. What was he doing?
Barely two minutes passed before he ended the process.
"There's no pathogen here," he said confidently, then immediately turned toward the door.
A soldier entered the kitchen. Blake seemed to know he was coming.
The winds, I reminded myself. He searched through them, felt with them, like an extension of himself.
Just how powerful was he?
How vast were his abilities?
He wasn't the High Mage because of his name, but because of his power. I recalled Lily's words.
It was astounding. And frightening.
The soldier exchanged a few words with Blake. Blake turned to us.
"Ada, go with Adel and Nimor," he said, gesturing for them to follow.
"And me?" I asked, surprised. Was I being left out again?
"You're coming with me," he said, fixing his eyes on me.
Before they left, Nimor stepped up to Blake and whispered something. I didn't catch it, but Blake frowned.
Then Nimor turned to me:
"I left the clothes on your bed," he said, and followed Adel and Ada.
I looked at Blake questioningly. He only shook his head and walked off toward our room.
"What does that mean?" I asked, hurrying to keep up with his brisk steps on the stairs.
"The Priestess arrives tomorrow," he said in his military tone.
And I immediately knew where we were going. I was about to receive instructions: how to behave, what role to assume, what to avoid.
They had long feared the Priestess's arrival. Or rather, my encounter with her. Or someone from her circle.
Hearing his cold, detached voice. The thought of endless rules already weighed on me. I changed the subject, to ease the pressure building in the air.
"Gort is an incredibly strong mage. I never thought it was possible to shift the land itself," I remarked as I climbed behind him.
He opened the door, invited me in, and then, dropping the military coldness, continued the conversation:
"He's one of the strongest.
An earth mage is a rarity. It's one of the most powerful elements. But unfortunately, not even our castle has an earth mage."
We entered. He walked over to the map by the table.
"He came here to purify and recover?" I asked, following him.
"No. I invited him personally. I had a few matters to discuss with him."
He pointed to one of the cities.
"Veltion. The fortress where General Gort commands and defends."
He traced his hand across the map, over the mountains encircling Veltion from the ocean side, and over the rugged terrain between the light and dark sides.
"That's not natural terrain.
All of it, Gort created with his magic.
Over decades."
I stared at the map, unable to believe the scale of his creation. He had altered the land itself.
The terrain marked on the map wasn't just elevation. The entire structure of the land was different.
"How old is he?" I asked in awe, not taking my eyes off the mountains.
"He's twenty years older than us. He must have turned seventy this year. But as you know, time freezes for us after twenty-eight. On the outside, I mean."
He added:
"That's why even the words of boys are allowed to count,"
reminding me of Kay's confession.
"You seriously think that's possible?" I almost laughed.
"Absolutely. I know couples with a fifty-year age gap. You don't see it anymore, outwardly."
He came closer.
"And when do we start aging, externally?" I asked, my heart pounding wildly from his nearness. Especially after last night.
"Around one hundred and fifty. Or more. It all depends on how much magic you've used. And how."
He studied me. His gaze drifted across my face, as if examining it.
And then, that gesture again
he lifted my chin and ran his thumb along my lower lip.
I froze. My heart felt like it would burst from my chest
but a sharp stab of memory brought back a sliver of control.
"And what does it mean, that you have Adel?" I asked.
Something twisted painfully inside.
"That doesn't matter," he said curtly.
Not a single muscle on his face moved.
I pulled back slightly. His hand slipped from my chin.
"Can you explain?" I insisted.
"It doesn't matter," he repeated in a weary tone and sat down at the table. "You should go try on the new clothes. While the Priestess is in Ventarion, you need to look the part for our plan. That's more important right now."
His military tone had returned.
"I'm curious. Tell me," I didn't back down.
He sighed heavily, as if he knew, until he said it, I wouldn't let go.
"She has a magical seal of love toward me," he said, and, as if nothing had happened, began sorting through the papers on the table.
He said it like it meant nothing. But I had read a little about love seals. I still hadn't fully understood what they meant or how they worked.
"She has a seal for you, and you talk about it so calmly?" I asked, puzzled.
"She has it for me. Not I for her. Those are two different things," he finally set the papers aside and looked at me. "Go change."
He looked at me calmly, reserved.
Inside, something shifted.
Doubt. Confusion.
Was I... jealous of him?
No...
I shook my head and walked to my room.
What even was there between us?
I kept asking myself that as I put on the new, simple, classic clothing Nimor had prepared.
He'd said I'd forgotten him.
But according to the laws of magic, you can't erase the memory of someone you love or who is truly dear to you.
If he had been close to me with all my heart, if I had truly loved him, then no spell, not even a curse, could have wiped him from my memory.
Fine. What else do I know? What do I remember?
He said he was the only one who knew me completely.
From what I'd heard, the only ones who knew me were him, the Keepers at the barracks, and maybe Blake's inner circle.
But how well did he really know me?
And what exactly was between us?
Why do I keep avoiding that question?
But around him, I feel calm. Comfortable.
Even when he acts cold, military.
Even just being nearby.
I feel lighter.
Maybe it's the feeling of safety?
I remembered yesterday's fake Blake.
I still hadn't told him about that.
Would he believe me?
And why would someone want to create a copy? And such a clumsy one.
It must have been someone who barely knew him.
But why?
Not understanding made me restless.
I sighed heavily.
If I hadn't been able to recognize the fake Eiron and Sunny,
then Blake—I would know without mistake.
I know him instinctively.
All these thoughts made my head ache.
Maybe this was what Solemir meant when he said that, with time, everything would come.
I kept asking questions I had no answers to.
Answers that needed time.
Lost in thought, I barely noticed how comfortable and elegant the simple blue dress felt fitted with a leather corset.
The long sleeves and hem gave it modesty.
For the first time since awakening, I felt like a woman, not just some object wrapped in mystery.
The corset shaped my waist, gently lifted my chest. Even though the neckline was modest, the fabric highlighted my form.
It all looked fitting and beautiful, not provocative, but confident.
I stepped into the bathroom and glanced at the mirror.
A slender, beautiful girl stood before me.
Only the hair was a little tousled—remnants of the night.
Under all these white and brown robes, I'd completely forgotten that I was a girl.
And, as I now saw, a beautiful one.
A slight tremor passed through the air.
Wind magic.
His presence.
Blake, as if invisibly, reminded me of himself.
I paused for a moment, then quickly stepped into the guest room.
Blake was speaking to Nimor at the work table. But the moment I entered, he immediately glanced at me.
I quietly sank onto the sofa and obediently waited for them to finish.
I didn't try to listen in, and I wouldn't have been able to. They spoke softly.
After a few minutes, Blake stood and headed for the exit.
"Better wear the brown robe," he said, almost like an order.
I looked myself over, a bit unsure.
"This outfit is comfortable," I commented.
"It's not about comfort. You stand out too much. That dress draws attention."
A gust of air brushed along my waist, emphasizing it. His winds always spoke before he did.
"I like it. I'll keep the dress," I said calmly, with confidence.
He just shook his head. As if disappointed.
"Try not to leave the room without good reason."
I looked at him questioningly. He shook his head again.
Something felt strange.
He opposed the dress, but didn't push the issue.
And that reaction… was unsettling.
"If I order you not to go out or to take off the dress," he began, as if reading me, "you'll still do as you please. I won't be able to stop you."
He spoke as though it had happened before.
Could it be... it really had?
"I'll try not to draw attention and stay unnoticed," I answered at once. "I won't cause any trouble."
Blake looked at me with doubt.
Then he left.
I turned my gaze to Nimor. He immediately started speaking:
"He has a lot to take care of before she arrives. And we need to notify the people, organize at least a small festival."
He paused, then added:
"We also need to go over the mage classes again—light and dark. Let's see how much progress you've made."
In the morning, I heard movement in the guest room.
After putting on the dress prepared the night before, I stepped out to see what was going on.
Adel was standing in the sitting room. She wore a formal gown with bare shoulders, and the girls in brown robes were constantly bringing things in and out of Blake's room.
Adel turned at the sound of my steps, and I finally saw her in full. Her shimmering blue dress clung tightly to her figure. In some places, it resembled armor—the fabric seemed to imitate protection.
I was certain: if something happened, she'd be able to fight in that outfit.
On her right collarbone, I noticed a silvery mark in the shape of a moon.
Was that the love seal? Was that it?
She looked at me too. Briefly, with a hint of surprise.
But her gaze slipped away at once.
Blake stepped out of the room. He was dressed in a formal military uniform dark, fitted jacket and trousers. No medals, no emblems, only a single silver star on the left side of his chest.
There was a quiet brilliance about him.
It was hard to look away.
He'd always been handsome, effortlessly so.
But now, in that outfit, he seemed to shine even brighter.
"Everything alright?" he asked, noticing my uncertain expression.
"Yes," I replied, and quickly stepped out of the room.
I understood: they were leaving together. Most likely to welcome the Priestess.
And the thought of it clenched my chest.
Was I truly jealous?
As I descended the stairs, Adel's mark flashed in my memory again.
I was heading to the river, but her symbol was all I could see.
Everyone could see it. She didn't even try to hide it.
That explained a lot. Her tone in conversations with Blake was always softer. Not because of rank. Because of feeling.
Once I accepted that long-obvious truth, everything grew heavy.
As if something inside had sunk and frozen. A stone.
I stood by the river.
But now it no longer brought the freshness it used to.
Everything felt heavier. Even breathing.
The wind.
It brushed my hair and skin like a reminder.
Blake. It was him.
I turned. He was walking toward me.
And a bit behind, keeping her distance, stood Adel.
"Everything alright?" he asked again. This time, with suspicion.
"Yes," I answered curtly.
But the heaviness inside only deepened.
He came closer. Lifted my chin. Ran his thumb along my lip.
He kept doing that, over and over.
Maybe it was that very gesture that made my feelings so tangled.
I pulled back slightly.
But Adel seemed not to notice. Or perhaps truly didn't see.
She loved him.
So why didn't she react at all?
Did she feel no jealousy?
Or did Blake's position mean she had no right to say anything?
To object? To accuse?
I didn't understand.
And that made it even harder.
"Bian, I know you don't like restrictions. But right now, they're necessary. A few days, and it'll be easier again," he said, as if trying to reassure me.
I just nodded in response.
Blake walked away slowly.
He looked back a few times, as if wanting to say something, but said nothing.
He and Adel disappeared into the corridor leading to the main castle.
And I was left alone.
Alone with myself.
But, as usual by the river, the silence didn't last long.
A few minutes later, the familiar trio appeared on the horizon.
All were dressed casually: the boys in simple shirts and trousers, and Lily in a beautiful red dress that perfectly matched her red hair.
"Bian?" Kai asked with disbelief, approaching.
"Yes," I replied, looking at them.
The heaviness from the talk with Blake slowly began to fade.
"You look different today," Lian noted, also eyeing me warily.
"I just wore a different dress, don't worry. I'm still the same Bian," I smiled.
"Strange, though—yesterday you wanted to marry me, and today you don't even recognize me in a new outfit."
"It's not... I just..." Kai began to fumble. "I…"
The usually confident and chatty boy now looked completely lost.
Unusual.
"Oh, just say it," Lily nudged him.
"Alright..." Kai braced himself.
I immediately grew alert.
This didn't sound good.
"We know," he whispered. "Well... we know…"
He was still speaking uncertainly.
Which only made it worse.
"What exactly do you know?" I asked, genuinely confused about where they were going with this.
"We know you don't have magic," Lian said firmly, though his voice dropped almost to a whisper.
I froze.
I'd been found out.
Even the kids knew.
That was truly frightening.
There was no point trying to explain myself anymore.
They weren't stupid.
They'd understand everything.
"But how?" I asked, confused. "Where did I slip up?"
"When we attacked you," Lily cut in, annoyed at the boys' slowness. "And today only confirmed it," she nodded at my outfit. "The Priestess is arriving today, and all Keepers are required to greet her. But you're hiding instead. As if you're not a Keeper, but one of the highborn. And also…"
She didn't stop. Without pause, she spilled out everything she knew.
"Keepers can't be wounded. They're woven from healing itself. You can only kill them physically or with dark magic. Light magic doesn't work on them, unless it's physical."
"Physical?" I repeated.
"Yes," Lily confirmed. And seeing my confusion, she explained, "Fire, water—those aren't physical attacks. But if, say, Mister Grot hits you with a stick, you'll feel it with your body, not inside. That's why Keepers can feel pain, but light magic can't harm them."
And then I understood.
I'd given myself away.
In the chase for answers… I hadn't noticed how I exposed myself to them.
I stood there, not knowing what to say.
Should I ask them to keep it a secret? Or hint at Blake being a danger?
"We're not going to tell anyone," Lian said. "We just wanted to admit that we figured it out. We want you to trust us."
"And besides... Mister Blake is on your side. So you're not a bad person," Kai added.
"Thank you, guys. Please, just pretend you don't know anything. And for the next few days, let's say I'm just an ordinary person," I said, gesturing to my outfit.
"All of this is strange," Lily said with a frown.
I'd completely forgotten how strict army Lily could be.
Would she tell someone?
If so, there'd be trouble.
But a second later she added:
"The boys are right. If Mister Blake fought for you yesterday, then you can't be a bad person. And also…"
She nudged Kai in the ribs with her elbow.
"Oh, right!" Kai perked up, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small velvet pouch. "We made you a little gift."
He held the pouch out to me. It felt surprisingly heavy. Jewelry?
Cautiously but carefully, I took out a glass orb.
Inside, three colors swirled slowly—red, yellow, and blue.
"In our enchantment class, we each put a bit of our magic into it," Lian explained. "It's a small talisman. A symbol of our, well… friendship and loyalty."
"And also, since you don't have magic…" Kai added solemnly, "you can always come to us for help."
They touched me to the core.
I felt like crying.
No one had ever given me a gift before.
No one had ever treated me like this… truly. Like a real person.
"Just don't cry," Lily scolded.
I smiled at once.
They really saw me.
More deeply than anyone ever had.
"We're heading into the city. For the festival," Kai said, trying to cheer me up.
"Will you come with us?" Lian offered.