A few more days had passed since Eimira fell sick. Her sickness got worse right when we thought that she was getting better, and she had to take some time off from training both me and Aurivelle.
She spent most of her days recovering in my room. Even after I told her that it'd be better for her to return home. She refused.
After the treatments and medicines she had, she finally recovered.
But—
She still refuses to leave.
I frowned at her still sprawled on my bed.
"Eimira."
She pouted. "Yes."
"You need to return home." I said.
"What? Are you tired of me?" She asked.
"No, I'm not." I answered. "Your mom's just worried. And you also have a lot of responsibilities to take care of."
She covered herself with the blanket.
"I don't wanna." She murmured.
I rolled my eyes, then walked over to the bedside, yanking the blanket off her and lifting her by the arms.
I smiled. "Stop being stubborn."
"Will you follow me?" She asked.
"Of course I will." I answered.
She nodded. "Okay then."
I let go of her, and she crashed on the bed softly.
"I need to take a shower first." She said.
I grabbed a cup of water from the table beside the bed, and took a sip.
"Yeah, yeah. Do what you want. Just get ready." I replied, now chugging the water.
A smirk tugged at her lips.
"Shower with me." She said.
Ptooey!!!
Water shot from my mouth and splattered across the floor.
She laughed. "What?"
I shook my head. "That's not happening."
She laid back on the bed and covered herself with the blanket.
"Then I'm not going again."
"Come on. Don't do that again… please." I groaned.
She poked her head out.
"Then, shower with me." She said, with a grim smile.
I exhaled.
"As you wish."
She giggled. "Yay!"
Eimira finally emerged from the bathroom a few minutes after I had stepped out.
Her hair was still damp, and the faint scent of my bath soap followed her into the room.
"Ready?" I asked, already dressed.
"Yeah. Like I'd just waltz out in towels and damp hair." Eimira responded to me half-lidded.
I laughed.
"Just give me a moment." She said. "I don't really have anything fancy here anyways. So, it shouldn't take too long."
An hour passed…
And we finally left the room together and made our way down to the dormitory lobby.
Yyuita was sitting at his desk, reading a book when he noticed me.
He waved. "Sup Zandren."
He stood and turned to Eimira, then bowed.
"Lady Aevorah."
Eimira smiled. "Hi."
"I heard you're feeling better now. I'm glad." He said.
"Yup, thanks to Zandren for staying with me all the way." She responded, patting my shoulder softly.
Yyuita raised his head.
"Oh yeah, Zandren."
He grabbed something from his desk, and handed it to me.
"A letter from Zahir." He said.
"Zahir… Haven't heard from him since we last spoke using the arcstone." I muttered.
I turned to Eimira.
"Am I a bad friend for not reaching out these past few days?" I asked.
She smiled. "You were busy, so it's not your fault you forgot."
My brows furrowed. "Busy?"
She smirked. "Yes. Taking care of your beloved maiden. In many ways possible of course—"
I covered her mouth.
Yyuita coughed.
"Anyways Yyuita. We'll be on our way now." I said, pulling Eimira along.
She said something, but her words came out muffled.
"Oh uh, ok. Your carriage is out...side.." He said.
"T-thanks."
We exited the dorm and walked over to the carriage. I opened the door and tossed Eimira inside.
"Ow." She yelped.
I frowned, getting into the carriage. "Jeez, Eimira."
She blinked. "What?"
"Did you have to mention that?" I folded my arms. "What if he gets the wrong idea? It's embarrassing."
She leaned on me.
"Good." She whispered, smiling.
"What do you mean good?" I asked.
"I'm just letting everyone know that you're mine. And your reaction solidifies that every time, hehe." She answered.
"We will be making our leave now, Lady Eimira." The coachman spoke.
Eimira gave him a slight nod.
The coachman bowed and returned to the front of the carriage.
"Yah!"
The carriage lurched gently as the horses began to pull.
"It's gonna take a bit before we get to my house." Eimira muttered.
"Yeah..." I replied. "It's not too far from where we had the welcome ceremony right?"
"Yep. Should take about thirty minutes till we get there."
She faced me.
"Let's talk to pass the time. Hmm?"
I chuckled. "Sure. I'm bored anyways."
Eimira gasped.
"What?" I blinked.
"So this whole time you were with me. You found me boring?"
My brows furrowed. "Wha-"
"Zandren. You have hurt me." She said, dramatically placing her hand over her face.
I laughed. "What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"
We both laughed.
"So, uh Eimira."
"Hmm?"
"You'll be graduating soon. What do you plan to do after graduation?" I asked.
She thought for a moment.
"I never really thought about that." She answered. "Actually, the plan changed."
A smile tugged at her lips.
"Before I met you, I planned to dedicate my life to the protection of Terraka, and more Dark Forest expeditions."
She paused.
"But."
She slowly clamped her fingers between mine.
"Being with you makes me want to play it safe enough so we can get married and start a family, hehe."
A bright smile spread across her face.
At that moment, I found myself staring.
Sunlight danced across her eyes, and the sight was strangely serene.
Without realising it, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against hers.
"I love you, Eimira." I whispered.
She chuckled nervously. "Now what's gotten into you all of a sudden?"
I held her tighter.
"I mean it."
She patted me. "Jeez. I know."
"I honestly don't know what's going to happen in the future. But I'll always love you even if something happens between us." I thought.
"Hey." She said.
"Hmm?"
"Staying with you wasn't so bad. Thanks for taking care of me." She whispered.
I nodded.
"Hmm."
The carriage rolled into the Aevorah's mansion. Slowly coming to a halt in front of the massive doorway.
It was night the last time I was here. Seeing her house during the day is just a whole different feeling and experience.
I stepped down, and assisted Eimira since she's still a bit fatigued.
The massive door creaked open.
"Eimira!"
Yor rushed out.
"H-hey mom."
"Eimira, how are you feeling now?" Yor asked, checking Eimira's forehead, then her face.
She nodded. "I'm fine mo…"
"...Awww"
Yor squeezed her cheeks, forcing her to open her mouth.
"Have you been eating well also?" She asked.
"Yes. Yes, I have." She answered, gently lowering Yor's hands.
I laughed.
"I'm sorry. Since you refused to come home, I got worried that you're not eating well." She said.
"Zandren took care of me. So it's fine." Eimira replied.
Yor exhaled deeply. "That's good."
She continued. "Since you barely get sick, we all know that when you finally do, it's basically a life or death situation."
"What, really?" I asked, shocked.
Yor walked up to me. She held my hand.
She smiled. "Thank you for looking after my daughter."
"It's no problem, hehe." I replied.
"Do you have anything else to do today?" She asked.
"No, I don't think so."
"Ok, how about you stay for today. I'm sure you didn't eat well because of this big mouth beside me."
"Mom!" Eimira yelled.
I laughed.
"She does eat a lot." I whispered.
Yor giggled. "I know right."
"Where are the rest?" Eimira asked.
"They are inside, preparing lunch." She answered.
Yor and Eimira turned to leave.
"Come in, Zandren." Yor gestured for me to follow.
"Thanks for having me."
We walked through the mansion's corridor. Our footsteps echoed. I looked around, shocked at how massive the house Eimira lived in was.
Yor giggled. "That's true. It's your first time being here."
I chuckled. "Yeah."
She laughed. "The last time, the girls just wanted to fight you."
"It was an initiation mom." Eimira muttered.
She sniffed the air, and her face instantly brightened.
"Oh, that smells good." She said, leaving both Me and yor.
I laughed. "Big mouth."
Yor tapped me. "Thanks again, Zandren."
I blinked. "What for?"
"I've been Eimira's mother…"
She shook her head.
"...No, her stepmother, for twelve years and I only ever noticed her happy after she met you."
She continued. "Please, I want you to continue being by her side. Even if things go wrong. It's life, things will always go wrong."
I sighed.
"Did she read my mind?" I thought.
I smiled. "I will. For a long time."
She bowed. "Thank you."
"Ah no, no, please don't do that, haha." I said, raising her up.
We walked into the dining hall and everyone was present, already seated.
Feona, Ryona, Chichi, Tabbi and Xilohe.
They all sat at the table, already stuffing their faces. Making jokes… terrible jokes, and laughing at them.
Yor walked over to an empty chair beside Eimira, and pulled it out.
She gestured. "Come. Sit."
"Yooo, Zandren. My man. What's up?" Ryona greeted.
Others did too.
I chuckled nervously. "Hi guys."
"You must be surprised about the feast." Tabbi said.
"Actually." Feona cut in. "We usually celebrate after Eimira gets well."
"Oh, that's cool." I replied.
"Yup." Chichi spoke, chewing her food. "Eimira falls sick once or twice every yea-"
She choked.
"Swallow your food Chichi." Tabbi said, patting her back.
Xilohe laughed. "Eimira falls sick once or twice every year and it's usually critical, and also takes several weeks for her to fully heal."
"That's why we come home from expeditions around this time." Feona added.
I turned to Eimira.
"Oh, is that so?"
She nodded.
Feona continued. "But she recovered really fast. I think like five or six days after she fell sick."
Xilohe smirked. "And I think it's because of you Zandren."
The girls squealed.
I covered my ears.
Yor laughed. "It must suck being the only male here."
I nodded, smiling.
"So when's the marriage gonna be?" Chichi asked, facing me. Her eyes gleamed.
I leaned backwards.
"What? Marriage?"
I turned to Eimira.
"Eimira won't be ready anytime soon."
"What?" She said. "I don't remember saying that. I'd love to get married to you as soon as I can."
The girls squealed again. Louder, this time.
It was loud, and chaotic.
But.
I loved it.
They felt like… family.
Even though I was embarrassed, I couldn't help but join them in laughing.
I loved every moment of it.
----
Night had settled over Tarrion.
The Academy grounds were quiet now. Most students had already retired to their rooms, leaving only the lamp post burning along the stone paths.
A cold breeze slipped through Yunok's open window.
He stood alone, staring into the empty streets.
Morvethis rested against the wall beside him.
Suddenly, the air twisted.
KRRSHHH!!
A portal.
Space folded inward like crumpled cloth before tearing open.
A circle of violet light bloomed from it.
Someone stepped out of the portal.
Seraveth.
Yunok didn't flinch. His gaze remained at the empty streets.
"What happened to knocking?" He muttered.
Seraveth smirked. "How rude."
She took her seat on his bed.
"How's Zyron?" She asked.
"His condition is getting worse with each passing day." He answered.
He exhaled.
"It's getting hard to watch now."
Seraveth chuckled. "Good. Things are going according to plan"
She continued. "Duke is also doing his part well. This is going better than I had expected."
Yunok sighed. "Sure, sure."
"You seem down. Any issue?" She asked.
"Nothing really, just someone I can't bring myself to care about anymore." He replied, head down.
She grinned slightly. "Then remove the distraction."
Yunok remained silent.
"What about Zeth?" She asked. "She left home and I'm sure she's here since she grew fond of you."
Yunok glanced at her.
"Well, if you open your eyes, you can see that she isn't here."
Seraveth's face twitched.
"The nerve."
She exhaled sharply, then stood up.
"The plan starts on the night of the next full moon." She said.
Yunok grabbed a cigar and lit it. Taking a puff and then exhaling.
"In three weeks uhn." He said, coughing slightly.
"Before then, sort out whatever personal issue you have with those feelings of yours."
She walked closer to the portal.
"This is our only chance to take over Terraka. I must not lose it." She threatened.
She walked into the portal.
It warped, and then disappeared. Leaving fragments of glowing violet dust floating around.
"How annoying." Yunok murmured.
Morvethis spoke.
"So, Yunok. When do you plan to take action? You've been delaying."
He floated behind Yunok.
"I heard she recently recovered from her illness." Yunok replied.
He took another puff, and exhaled.
He continued. "It would be a shame to fight her when she's still weak…"
"...I want her to fight to the death."
He turned to Morvethis.
"I won't lose this time."
"I respect that." Morvethis said. "It'd be better to watch her struggle before she dies."
Yunok sighed, turning back to the empty streets.
"Eimira."
"Where did it all go wrong?"
A tear rolled down his cheek.
"I'm sorry…"
"...but you have to go."