Chapter 111: 111 — Your Eyes ...

"What are you doing here?"

The two children stopped in their tracks, eyes wide with surprise at the sudden appearance of the other.

"I? I am Princess Arisia!" The small girl declared, placing her hand over her chest with pride.

"She must be around seven..." Lucian thought, sizing her up.

"You must be the boy they’ve been talking about!" she continued, her voice filled with curiosity.

Lucian was about to say something when she suddenly rushed toward him, her emerald eyes narrowing as they studied him with intensity.

"Your eyes..." she whispered, voice barely audible.

In an instant, Lucian instinctively tugged at a lock of his hair, trying to shield his golden eye.

"T-that..." he stammered, searching for the words.

"So pretty," she continued, her voice still soft but full of wonder.

Lucian froze, looking at her in confusion.

"P-pretty?"

"Yes! Especially the golden one," she said, her smile wide and genuine.

Lucian’s heart skipped a beat. He swallowed hard, trying to make sense of her words.

Pretty?Could she really mean it?

His gaze dropped to the ground, thoughts swirling.

Is she lying? But... she’s just a kid... she wouldn’t lie like that.

Arisia, oblivious to his inner turmoil, continued, "Everyone says you’re my brother. Is that true?"

Lucian clenched his fist, nodding silently. His throat felt tight, his thoughts clouded with uncertainty.

No child would want a brother who just appears out of nowhere...

She will hate me. Just like everyone else.

But then, he felt something warm—small fingers wrapping around his hand. He looked up and found Arisia’s bright smile beaming at him, her emerald eyes filled with pure joy.

"Nice to meet you, brother!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with happiness.

Despite the knot in his stomach, Lucian couldn’t help but smile back. For the first time, in that moment, he didn’t feel quite so alone.

Lucian stomped on a dry branch, the crack echoing through the desolate garden. The vibrant green grass and colorful flowers of his memories were long gone. Now, only withered trees and barren earth surrounded him, the coldness of reality pressing in on his chest. Arisia, like those flowers, was gone forever.

The seasons would change, and the garden might bloom again—but his sister would never return.

Damn it.

He clenched his fists, teeth gritted in anger. He had failed her. Failed to protect her, failed to be there when she needed him the most. And now, nothing could bring her back.

***

"Your Highness, I’ve searched the princess’s room, however, I haven’t found anything suspicious."

Anni whispered against Cynthia’s ear, making sure no one but she could hear her. After all, even the walls had ears in the mansion although they were in the grand duchess’s study hall.

Just as Cynthia turned to face Anni, she felt a cold object against her palm which the young maid handed over.

"I found this..." she hesitantly continued, a frown of worry clouding her face.

Raising an eyebrow, the grand duchess looked at the steel-like object, her eyes widening.

"What in the world..." she let out a soft gasp, unable to believe her eyes.

"I’m unsure what a democore was doing in the princess’s bedchamber, however, we must inform the grand duke—"

Cynthia raised her hand, interrupting the servant.

"Keep this between us. I will inform his highness of this personally."

With a nod, Anni left the hall, the door close shut behind her, leaving the grand duchess seated at her desk alone.

Cynthia stared at the democore for a moment. It was similar to the one found in the forest yet different. She couldn’t wrap her mind around the difference however, she knew certainly it wasn’t the same demon.

But what was a demon even doing in the princess’s room?.. Most importantly, there were no traces nor marks of a demon attack. Her body was intact...

Slamming her hand on the desk, Cynthia rose abruptly from her chair. She rushed into her bedroom, rustling through her wardrobe only to grab Arlot’s pendant. She rubbed against it gently, and soon the young man appeared from the violet light.

"You seem to be worried about something," Arlot spoke, bowing to the young woman. He hadn’t seen her express her worries on her face often.

It must be something really important.

He mused, waiting for Cynthia to speak.

Instead of saying a word, the silver-haired young lady merely grabbed his hand, placing the democore on his palm.

Feeling the unexpected sensation of cold on his hand, Arlot hissed.

He glanced at the object on his palm, a frown forming on his forehead.

"A democore?"

"I need you to meet Yin and investigate its’ origin."

Although perplexed, Arlot nodded, clenching the democore in his palm.

"Is there anything else you need from me?"

Cynthia thought for a moment before shaking her head.

"It’ll be sunset soon. You should head back before Edric begins searching for you."

"He shouldn’t bother with what I do..." Arlot mumbled. Edric didn’t behave this way when he began staying at the temple. Yet, Edric grew overprotective of him over time, most importantly when the masacre of shapeshifters took place a few years ago during the war between Eldoria and Selvarys.

"He means well. He merely worries a lot for you because he treats you no less than his own family" Cynthia said, her gaze firmly locked onto his.

Letting out a soft chuckle, Arlot nodded, bowing his head slightly.

"But that man... Yin... Why will he believe me this time? Last time we met he refused to listen to me unless you personally–"

"I do not have the time for all this, Arlot. Time is pressing and nothing is in place. The princess is already dead when she still had a year to live! How can I be sure everything is the same–" Cynthia gasped, halting herself from speaking further and revealing more than she wanted to. She slowly shifted her gaze on the white-haired man before her, his eyes narrowed in confusion, as if he were trying to analyze her every word.

"What do you mean, Yourr Highness?.."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read