>>Amber

My days were filled with training. Hael's been busy. he goes to the dungeon to examine the bonewraith. Pulling all sorts of experiments on it. And I've been training for myself. Loid and May are observing and teaching me instead.

The warmth of the bathwater seeped into my muscles, loosening the knots that training had tied into them. The heat was soothing, and I let out a long, slow sigh as I leaned back against the smooth edge of the tub. It was nice to have a place like this, a space so perfect that it almost felt like a dream. The tower master's bathroom was like nothing like a commoner's bath, I'd say Hael has utilities that match with the Royal family's- marble floors, candlelight flickering off the walls, and a bathtub big enough to lose myself in. I could easily imagine spending hours here, letting the stress of the day melt away.

But even as I tried to relax, sinking deeper into the water, I couldn't quite shake the feeling of disappointment. It wasn't the bath's fault; the water was warm, the air smelled of lavender, and the silence was so peaceful it could lull me to sleep. No, the problem wasn't with the bath—it was with who wasn't here.

I couldn't help but think about him,

Hael,

I know I told him to take his time but is he even thinking about it? He's always on my mind.

If he was here, I'd like to pull a naughty prank on him to get his answer faster. Maybe that'll make his decide faster.

The thought sent a little thrill through me, and I couldn't stop myself from imagining what it would be like—

I shook my head as a shudder went through my body

Gosh! Stop! I'm only torturing myself with this!

I stared up at the ceiling, trying to push the disappointment aside, but it clung to me stubbornly. I glanced at the mirror across the room, barely able to see my reflection through the steam that had fogged up the glass. Still, I could make out the shape of my body, the water rippling gently around me. I turned slightly, just enough to catch a clearer glimpse, and that's when I saw it—a mark, dark and unmistakable, just beneath my nape.

!!!??

My breath caught in my throat, a jolt of panic surging through me. What the—? I reached up with trembling fingers, tracing the outline of the mark, my skin tingling where I touched it.

What is this?!

It was a crescent moon, black as night, stark against the pale skin of my neck. How long had that been there? I was sure it hadn't been there before.

I scrambled to get out of the tub, the water sloshing violently around me as I practically jumped to my feet. Wrapping a towel around myself, I rushed to the mirror, wiping away the steam with a shaking hand. There it was, clear as day, the black crescent moon staring back at me from my reflection.

Panic flooded through me. What was this? Since when did I have that? My mind raced, trying to piece together how this could have happened. Had someone done this to me? The idea sent a shiver down my spine.

I turned my back to the mirror, craning my neck to get a better look at the mark, but it was just out of reach,

Wait...

Wait a minute!!!

This!

This is right where I feel it!!

OH!! This is what he meant! This is what teleported me. It's clearly infused with magic

This must be the mark that Hael uses to know where I am and to get me teleported with I'm in trouble

How do I know?

I always feel this hotness right at the spot where this mark is

How do I know it's his?

The mark looks exactly like the earring he's always wearing. That black crescent moon shaped earring.

Oh God!! That jerk! When did he do this!

He put the mark in a place where I can't even reach!!!

I brought my thumb's nail to my mouth and bit it.

This must have happened a while back because the mark deemed Ahin's kiss dangerous.

...

Did he do this when I fainted after eating the brownie he gave me!?!?

The realization hit me like a truck but I knew I was right!

I frowned as I thought about it. Bringing my finger in the form of a question mark under my lips as I thought about it again, I strained my head.

I was shocked.

And my mind went in a spiral,

But to deem a kiss dangerous? I was scared when Ahin tried to kiss me but it wasn't fear, and nothing like where I was having the crisis of my life!

I straightened up and looked at myself in the mirror.

I brought my hand down from my chin as I understood

Oh Lord,

That bastard

He put a spell on me so that no one else could touch me intimately!

I rolled my eyes!

He went that far! Why not just become a thing with me!

Only an idiot wouldn't be able to tell that he's in love with me!

...

And another realization hit me

Right,

This is Hael we're talking about. He is an idiot when it comes to feelings

I let out a sigh, then shook my head.

How much longer do I have to wait?

***

"You've done well," Archmach May complimented me as I finished my training.

"Thank you," We were in the magic room, in the Magic Tower. It's a room specifically designed to experiment with spells. It can withstand all sorts of abuse.

I went and sat down on a chair and let out a sigh.

Loid and May gave each other a glance. I guess anyone could see that I was feeling down.

"What's wrong?" Loid asked

I raised my head to look at him, "Nothing-" I paused. I wonder if they can tell me something, "Do you think Hael gets jealous?" I paused, "Or thinks about me?" I wasn't sure how to phrase my words.

"Jealous?" Loid and May both raised their eyebrows at me. "I don't think you realize this," Loid said, "He was throwing daggers at me throughout the night I had your head in my lap when I was getting you out of your subliminal state." He shook his head softly, "If he wasn't the one who asked me to wake you up, he might have killed me having your head on my thighs." He let out a loud frustrated sigh, "I wasn't tired when I left the room. I just made that excuse to make a run for it."

Oh

"I find it funny." May chuckled softly, "He's been reading books on handling emotions." Her voice was full of amusement.

"What!?" I wasn't expecting that.

"Yes, especially the books on the matters of the heart." May chuckled, "It's so cute,"

AH....

I guess he is trying...

Oh, but Hael

You don't need to say anything complicated. You just need to tell me what your heart feels!

Just tell me that you love me!

It's three words!

That's all!!

Come to think of it, I feel like after the death of Hael's mother, he has become more expressive

"Oftentimes I've seen him," May said, "He sits on a chair in his balcony at night and stares at the starry sky. Lost in thoughts." She smiled, "This happens after you go home."

It's like he's trying to solve riddles but can't find the answer

I felt bad, but so impatient at the same time.

I wanted to tell him to just tell me he loves me.

Should I just ask him the question?

Maybe that's not a bad idea.

***

The café was warm and cozy, filled with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet scent of pastries cooling on the counter. It was a quiet afternoon, the usual hum of chatter reduced to a soft murmur as the few customers in the shop lingered over their drinks, lost in their own worlds. I was busy behind the counter, my hands moving on autopilot as I prepared the next batch of coffee.

The jingle of the doorbell cut through the quiet, and I glanced up out of habit, ready to greet the new customer. But the words caught in my throat when I saw who it was. Enya. She stood in the doorway for a moment, her presence somehow filling the small space, before she made her way to the counter.

"Afternoon," she said with a smile as she slid onto the stool directly across from me.

"Enya," I greeted her, surprised but trying not to show it. There was something about her that always caught me off guard, even though I had seen her many times before. "What can I get you?"

"Nothing," She replied, "Just water."

I gave her a hesitant nod, "Sure," The jug was within my reach, so I grabbed that and poured a glass of water for her.

Enya had left quite an impact on me for some reason. She had this way about her, this presence that was hard to describe. Every time we met, it was only for a short while, yet she always managed to leave an impression on me, like a fingerprint pressed into soft clay. I wasn't sure what it was

Which is odd. Maybe it's because of her look. She has this soft look... Her green eyes are so tender, which at the same time seems like they are so full of sorrow.

"I want to ask you something." I slid the glass towards her

"Yes?" She took it and took a sip from it

"Are you in love with Ahin?" I asked but questions made her pause. I guess she wasn't expecting me to ask something so personal.

She looked down for a moment, then raised her head and smiled at me but I don't know why she looked so utterly sad, "Yes," The look in her eyes was speaking of something else, "I am,"

I nodded, "Since when?"

Her eyes got sadder, more sorrowful, "It's been a long time..." She chose to change the subject, "There's this rumor going around," She said, "I was wondering if you knew anything about it."

"Hmm?" I had no idea what she was referring to, 'What rumor?"

"About Saint Illaris," The name made me freeze, "They're saying that she's going to die."

Oh!Shit!!

Illaris!

And Rosie!!

I have to go and visit her again to meet Rosie!!

I can't believe it slipped my mind! I mean it had crossed my mind a lot! But I kept forgetting about it because of how tired I got at the end of the day.

"Um, Enya," I passed her a nervous smile, "I have to leave," I should make a visit to the temple, "Did you need anything from me?"

"Oh, no," She shook her head, "Go ahead," She passed me a smile back, "I'm going to leave soon anyway."

"Okay," I moved, "Then, see you again," I went out of the counter and began to make my way to the exit, "Aira, Cory, I'm leaving," I shouted at them.

"Kay!" They both had gotten used to me leaving at random times now

Enya turned her body around to wave at me, "Have a safe trip," She whispered but I couldn't hear it properly, neither did I turn around but I did wave back at her as I left the cafe.

***

The temple hallways were quiet, the soft click of my shoes barely echoing in the vast, open space.

I didn't get to tell Hael I was coming here, but I guess it's fine, if something ever happens to me he'll know. And this time he won't force me up, so I'll be able to talk to Rosie for more time.

The air was cool, the scent of incense lingering in the corridors, a reminder of where I was and the sanctity of the place.

As I turned a corner, I stopped dead in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. There, just ahead, stood the last person I expected to see

Prince Nevan.

He was talking to a priest, his back to me, his tall frame wrapped in those deep blue robes that always made him look imposing. Seeing him here, of all places, sent a shock through me.

Why was he here?

I honestly didn't want to talk to him after what Hael told me. I don't even know why I'm stuck on that. I'm in love with a man who killed a shit load of people too.

But the difference is that I knew Hael would do that while I thought Prince Nevan was soft.

But Hael is right. A naive and soft person can't survive in the political world of royals. Moreover, I think I feel a little guilty that I tried to set Serena up with Nevan.

...

But was it really bad?

I should move before he notices me. I began to walk again but it was too late. As if he could sense my presence, Nevan turned, his gaze locking onto mine.

!!!

"Saint Amber!" He passed me a smile, but I couldn't answer immediately

For a moment, neither of us spoke. His expression became unreadable, but I could see the flicker of surprise in his eyes. "What is it?" He asked, his voice calm but with an edge of curiosity. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

I swallowed hard, trying to collect myself. "I... I didn't expect to see you here, Your Highness."

His eyebrow arched slightly as he took a step toward me. "Why not? The temple welcomes everyone and my mother's family has strong ties with the temple." He kept his eyes on me, "Everyone knows that."

"Yes," I nodded.

"Is there something on your mind?" He asked

!!!

What should I say?