Betrothed

Cedar blinked a few times as he was still in a daze after waking up a few minutes ago.

He was on a soft, large bed inside a spacious room. It wasn't decorated with extravagant things but its white silk sheets and curtains still exude luxury.

As he yawned, Cedar raised his right hand to rub his eyes. Then a soft chime of bell rang out from his wrist.

He paused for a moment and glanced at the red bracelet-- the same thing that he received in his past life.

"Hm? How did it get here?" He wondered because he couldn't remember wearing such a thing.

However, he recalled that it was probably Caerus' doing.

----

"Asclepius can revive your original body but you must make sure not to die before that happens. The only suitable vessel for your soul was this body because as you are thinking, this is actually yourself in a different universe. That's why if this body got destroyed or killed, your soul would also perish and you will not be able to return. Fortunately, I was able to make arrangements for you to be saved when this body started to disintegrate due to poison. However, please understand that we were only able to save your vessel this one time due to Thanatos' mistake. We cannot save you a second time for us gods shouldn't interfere with the natural laws too much." Caerus explained.

"So reviving me is too much but killing me wasn't too much?" Gale pouted.

Caerus scratched his head and grinned. "Well, your death at that time was against the natural flow of things as well, that's why we will surely revive you in that world again. Just think of this as a vacation."

"Haaa~ I really don't have a choice but to live with that male body, do I?"

"It will be quite inconvenient but please bear with it." he smiled apologetically. "Oh, right. I'll give you this."

A fist-sized golden ball of light appeared on his hand. It floated towards her chest and was absorbed quickly, sending a warm sensation before vanishing.

"What is this?"

"It's a gift from Hecate. Consider it as a timer. When your body is finally restored and suitable for living, your soul will automatically leave this world and return to your original body."

"Oh... That's good." Gale nodded her head. "Ah! Can I ask you something?"

Tilting his head, Caerus looked at her with a curious expression.

"What happened to Cedar? Why did my vessel got poisoned? Who did it?"

"Err..." Caerus felt a bit complicated and then shook his head. "As for the events about his death, I'm sorry but I can't answer your question since that wasn't under my discretion and would mean that I am meddling."

"What a cheap god you are." she complained but didn't bother to ask anymore.

"Hahaha! Hmmm... let's see, since I am a god of opportunity, Instead of telling you directly, I can lay out some openings to help you out in anything while you're in your vessel. You just have to notice it and grab the chance while it's there."

"Fine. That will do." Gale sighed before smiling and offered her hand. "Deal."

----

"Haaa~ so I still need to work my ass off as Cedar, huh?" He mumbled as he rubbed his palms on his face. He patted his cheeks like he used to do whenever he felt sleepy in the morning. "I'm alive, after all."

"Click!" the sound of the closing door caught his attention.

Cedar looked at the direction and saw a familiar figure frozen in place as he looked at him with his aquamarine eyes that seem to be able to see through him.

He felt weird being stared at that he unconsciously averted his gaze and felt his ears turning hot.

"Your Highness..." moving his legs, Cedar tried to stand to give his respects.

However, what happened next startled him.

The Crown Prince stepped forward and without a word, wrapped his arms around his knight, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you... For coming back to me." Alexander's body trembled as he hugged him. Noticing this, Cedar smiled and raised his hand, before gently patting the Prince's back.

"Oath." The knight recited. "My life belongs only to His Highness, Alexander Yv. My life and death are solely in thy hands."

"Well then..." Holding both of Cedar's shoulders, the Prince pushed him out from the hug and smiled brightly like he used to. "since your life is in my hands, how dare you get poisoned without my permission?"

'Shit.' Cedar gulped. 'He's angry!'

"I... I didn't..."

"Hmmm?~" beyond Alexander's playful smile looms a dark aura which scared him a bit.

"I'm sorry!" It was the only thing he could say at this point. Cedar lowered his head and bowed. "I wasn't aware of it either. I got careless. Please--"

"It was Isabella, isn't it?"

Alexander's tone was severe and there wasn't any trace of jest in it.

Cedar looked up and saw the Prince's icy expression.

He nodded slowly, confirming it. "Yes. However, using Armagunda, I believe that there's someone else behind her actions."

"That's a given." Alexander stated matter-of-factly. "It's also highly probable that it was done by Ignis."

Hearing that name again, Cedar felt the anger welling up inside of him. He made a fist, clutching the blanket on his lap. "Yes. He's probably trying to stop me from acquiring that thing."

"Oh..." Alexander raised his eyebrow and asked, "When is it due?"

"About three months from now."

"I see..." contemplating, the Prince paused for a moment.

Before long, he glanced at Cedar with a gentle smile on his face. "Well, don't worry about it and just rest."

"I-I feel better now, my Lord. I can resume my--"

"Just. Rest." Interrupting him, the prince forcefully pushed Cedar down in bed. "Right. Like this."

"Your Highness, I am... a patient." he reminded the Prince.

"But you said you feel better now?" Alexander 'innocently' asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm not." he could only tell the truth.

"Yep. Good boy. Although your wounds are already healed, you're still weak and your mana isn't stable yet." Alexander explained as he covered him with a blanket.

Cedar blushed and mumbled. "Don't treat me like a kid."

Instead of replying, Alexander gave a light chuckle. "I am pampering you, you know?"

"Huh?"

"Since you are my betrothed?"

"Ah... so, that's what it is..." He sighed and then, after a few moments, Alexander's words registered into his head.

Cedar abruptly turned her head with her mouth agape.

"Eh?"

"EEEHHHH???"

---

Meanwhile, somewhere on the eastern border...

A woman with mauve wavy hair was running through the thick forest.

Her clothes are messy and she's missing one of her shoes. However, she doesn't seem to mind it as she ran frantically in spite of her wounded toes. Her expression was that of extreme fear as if she's being chased by a wild beast.

"Kyah!" she shrieked when her foot got caught with a tree root.

Her body shook in agitation as she pulled her leg in a panic. The rough part of the root scraped her skin, giving her immense pain.

Still, even when she couldn't stand, she dug her claws on the ground and crawled as tears started to well up in her eyes.

Not too far away from her was a shadow of a cloaked man who was grinning from ear to ear as if he's enjoying watching the girl struggle for dear life.

As his steps went closer, the woman pleaded with her cracked voice, "Stop! Pl-Please... my Lord... spare me!!! Please!"

She sobbed and screamed, hoping that it'll reach the ears if the said man.

He stared at her for a moment and then he crouched behind her, beside her wounded feet.

"Isabella..." the man softly called upon her name.

"My Lord... please spare me... I... I won't tell anyone... please..."

"Run." the man told her with a gentle smile.

Before Isabella could process his words, she felt a sharp pain coming from her toes... no, it was from where her finger was attached a while ago. Aside from her shoe, she's now missing her left big toe.

"Kyaaaaaaah!!!"

A loud screeching echoed through the once peaceful and quiet forest...