Unknown 02

Cailina's eyes burned at the letter, and the three words remained even though she glared a hole through the paper. The tea lost its warmth, and she has yet to break her trance from the words.

It brought out a distant memory, more of a dream that she experienced. The Divine never interests her. They were far from their creations, leaving each one to fight for their own, and now favored one. Cailina believed that it was one of their past times, to invoke jealousy inside hearts that could break at any moment. 

Figuring it alone would get her nowhere.

She stormed out of the room and headed towards her father's study. Her great father might have an answer, as he's a capable man with resources he could gather if he wanted to. Being the Minister of the Crown would give her answers into what His Highness meant.

Fione followed behind her Lady as she strode without wasting any time. She fully adjusted to Cailina's abrupt movements. Being the favored one's handmaid surely was a post one should respect.

She witnessed how the Lady blossomed into a fine flower that could have everything at her call. It was an honor to be by her Lady's side and to serve her with all her being, thinking to what had happened to Ria… She was a pitiful soul.

Cailina arrived in front of her father's study, and took a deep breath as she grabbed the door handle, ignoring the knights' resistance for her to enter. The knights' faces froze as they saw the knob turned.

They were at their Lady's mercy as they hoped in their hearts not to 

The muffled voices sounded on the other side caused Cailina to pause. Seeing that their Lady stepped back, the knights rested their worries. They wouldn't imagine what horrors they would witness if the Lady went inside.

She stood by and let her senses listened. Cailina stared at the carvings of the door, her curiosity aimed at her father's guests. She wasn't informed about this matter, and as she had already become less and less informed pawn about her father's dealings. 

It greatly differed from before she arrived at her first decade and after, as if she was alienated from the family business, it was frustrating. Her father blabbered on about the great change and for the common good, and now that she can understand it, her father grew distant. 

She could never fully comprehend how her father work, but it might be for the best if she could catch up with her own strengths.

Duke Grandis looked at the father and son pair in front of him with a raised brow. He landed his gaze on the young man a few years older than her daughter, maybe the same age as His Highness, who stood upright. His lips slyly curved as he looked at the young man's demeanor even after facing a man feared by the empire.

A being destined for greatness… as his daughter.

"I'm telling you, Your Grace," his father said, "The empire will surely benefit with my son's idea."

Lord Galgon was bursting with pride and eagerness. He was glad to have a brilliant son, it was his wish to make this empire flourish and continue to advance to a greater generation. He placed his hand on his son's shoulder and looked at Duke Grandis with a burning vigor.

"My son, Cassius would never disappoint your wishes, Your Grace."

Duke Grandis nodded as he stood and offered a seat, "You haven't had tea." 

Cassius remained silent beside his father. His fists clenched as he glanced at the Imperial Duke; this man wouldn't believe him. There were many undiscovered talents for such an influential man to make use of. 

After all, he has yet to enter his second decade. He spent most of his days inside a room of his tinkering ideas, but it still felt inadequate. Cassius knew in his heart, he was firm with his work, but he couldn't help but waver as the Duke bore his inquiring gaze onto him. He regretted that he told his father his idea, and asked to seek assistance from the Duke. 

He listened to his father's explanation. He was never the one to say what he thought, the only thing he was best at was working with his mind and silently creating it with his hands. 

Lord Galgon presented the benefits as well as the possible setbacks of his son's idea. It was better to be honest to the Duke now rather than having to receiving his wrath over an unsaid problem that could have been avoided. He was aware of how much the Duke hated the idea of delayed products.

"Are you confident of your work?" the Duke asked, his fingers tapping on the furnished desk.

Cassius thoughts halted as his lashes trembled. Each beat resounded with his pounding heart. He was examined like a product, every expression he made didn't pass by. Cassius reassured himself, no matter what result he would do his best.

He looked the Duke in the eye, "Yes."

Duke Grandis nodded as he flicked his hand for his attendant to come closer, "I will give everything you need..." he paused and tapped his fingers, "This matter will only stay inside this room."

Cailina's lips curved downwards, she has lost her opportunity to hear about his father's work. She glanced at the knights with an inquiring look to which the two nervously looked the other way. How pitiful.

The door opened, and his father's guests came out. A man with a stature of a Naugrimian was followed by a young man. Their eyes met, and Cailina's heart raced as she lost her composure from his ocean eyes. She stared at the young man as they were accompanied by his father's attendant.

His daughter's smitten look made his lips twitch in annoyance. He coughed to catch her attention, but the latter gaped at the direction of Lord Galgon and his son. Duke Grandis' forehead creased as he coughed again. He crossed his arms as his daughter flashed her sweet smile.

"Greetings, father," she said and neared to his side, "May I know who—"

"No," he went inside with his daughter in tow, "What business do you have?"

Cailina pouted and handed the letter, "The Prince gave orders." She bit her lip and added, "It's related to the Divine."

She will surely ask about the young man, but there were more pressing matters to discuss with her father.

Duke Grandis' brows creased as he carefully read the damped paper, only one thing was readable.

"Assist the Temple."

He returned the letter to Cailina and said, "If the Crown said so, then so be it." 

Her father turned her back and looked out the window. She stood dumbstruck with her mouth half-opened. She blinked as if she indeed misheard her father. Did he agree with the Prince immediately?

"Father, but…" she tried to reason out, but was shot down with a glare from Duke Grandis.

She pursed her lips and looked at the floor. She refused to go; it doesn't mean that her father decided to, she would too.

"Did the Prince say any particular day you would offer your help?" he said as his features softened, "If none, then wait until he returns. It's his mistake for being vague with orders."

Cailina's lips curved into a grin as she hugged her father, "The guests a while bac—" 

Her father sat down and buried his gaze under the document, "You will return home in a few days."

"Home?" she asked, looking at her father in disbelief. She has no other home than here; her father must be confused for a moment. 

The capital was a place of horrors. She greatly enjoys the peacefulness of life she has with her puppy. Although they grew apart, he was still the being she could turn to and the presence that could calm her worries.

"It's time for you to associate yourself with peers in your status," Duke Grandis clasped his hand and smiled. He expected his daughter to agree, the tree had borne fruit and it's Cailina's turn to take care of the monarch's land.

"No," her eyes glowed with firmness, she stood at her father's ever-smiling face, "I will not leave, father."

She has yet to reconcile with her puppy, and the reason behind it was her beloved father. For many years, she had obeyed his every word. The capital was a place she has little memory of, and she wanted it to stay that way. She clenched her fists behind her back as she prepared herself for whatever her father would say.

"You will depart in three moons," Duke Grandis stood and whispered in her ear, "My daughter, a great time awaits you in the capital."

He retreated and patted his daughter's head, with a loving smile, he said the words that turned Cailina's blood cold, "He will die or you will return, the choice is yours."