Chapter V

‘He’s weird. . .really. . .really weird. There’s something I couldn’t point about him’,

Clementine kept her pace, mind still contemplating and alerted in case that bastard fish does something. Her cheeks were flushed red due to agitation, hands still balled into fists until their knuckles turned white. The magician had just enough of meeting weird people, mainly Dominique Ridéux and Florencius of Ellysia. As stated before, she deemed that their presence brings off an unsettling vibe, something that she claims unknown. And the most upsetting part of that, is her affiliation as the second ranked magician— someone powerful and skilled— that it stained her ego for not knowing what’s needed to be known.

Grayish clouds were obviously looming and spoiling her mood a lot more than before, face now contorting into a scowl with each echoing step that she made, whilst she treaded each twists and turns heading towards the library whom she have full access on. Reading something would probably help her frantic nerves to calm down even for a bit before going to Ellysia, and she might as well stumble onto an answer to her provided questions. And if lady luck is in her side— she would probably interrogate the ghost that lurks there (‘Sire Paul of Halseu’), if he’s in a good mood, concerning that she and the prince may have committed a sin to the elder apparition. Well, it was just Aethan mostly.

“Too see a very upset Clementine is rather very entertaining”, then came a voice, cocky as it may— but she knew well enough than to lash on her newly arrived companion.

It made her veins pop, lips forming into a very tight forced smile, as her optics literally glared daggers towards the matcha haired lad, who stood a few feet up front. This made her snarl, scrunching her small nose in annoyance, before averting her gaze elsewhere, avoiding eye contact with the prince, to which made the latter scoff.

“I guessed that Dominique’s presence had you on edge”, Aethan added, crossing both his arms as he gauged the expression of the white-haired lass. He quirked a brow at this, a frown marvelling his visage.

“Who is he. . . Dominique Ridéux?”, she asked pointedly, sparing no second wasted upon seeing the first-crowned prince of Celeste. She basically finds it convenient to question her companion as of the moment, expecting even the tiniest bit of details regarding the person whom she had recently encountered. Aethan was fit for this, and she felt really dumb for the prince was a good option that the ghost, she then felt really dumb for not thinking of it sooner— “I haven’t seen him before, nor have I heard of his house. If I’m not mistaken, Celeste only had four houses— Aradelle, Halseu, Peonicurt, and Klasteirel”,

“He’s a relative from my mother’s side. Mother came from Xereisee, and so does he. He’s under House Ridéux, obviously. He came here as per my father’s request. . .”, He then sighed, shaking his head whilst pinching the bridge of his nose— as if the thought that came to plague his mind was against his will, and is disappointing him to the brim. This had her quirking a brow at him, urging him further throughout his statement. “Father wants him as the new imperial guard”, he added, quoting over the position that was to be handed to the fishy boy.

Clementine rewarded with him an increadously look, certainly not believing his statement. It is true that the position for the imperial guard had been vacant for quite long now, however— she couldn’t exactly accept the fact that someone like Dominique would fill the cup. He is obviously not fitting for such place— in her own opinion that is, concerning that she’s been wary of him and his physical stature. . . isn’t really that worth to be mentioned. Yet she mentally thought of it, anyway.

‘He’s so thin and sickly pale. Could he even handle a rapier?! Not just that— but His Majesty obviously couldn’t feel the threat steaming off upon his presence!’,

“I know what you’re thinking. Well, a partial piece, probably”, Aethan mumbled, scoffing at the fact that she may have also thought the same as him. Leaning on the wall, he watched over the clouds that danced in the sky, painting the blue canvass with feathery and cottony visions of white, to which he finds really beautiful and soothing. “House Ridéux is known for their amazing skills in swordsmanship. Given his physical stature, many would’ve thought otherwise. His physical appearance might make him seem weak, but I assure you— he owns a hiding beast from within”,

“He’s the current pride of House Ridéux in this era”, the prince added, before pushing off from his position, patting over the non-existent dust from his attire, sauntering away afterwards— leaving the magician alone with her contaminated mind filled with endless questions after question. This made her infuriated, yet she urged herself to remain calm— clicking her tongue for she was displeased. Gravely displeased.

Normally, she wouldn’t mind those who gain some positions in the castle, whether they'd be knights, maids, or any in particular. Unlike the rest, she could instantly sort those with ill to those with good intentions, more likely due to the reason that most of them weren’t overflowing with magic, and are clueless of it. Nothing have blocked her mental analysis before, not until a certain Dominique Ridéux came in the picture. Based on Aethan’s explanation, it may seem that Dominique have finally acquired his Sacred Guardian.

Sacred Guardians are pesky yet helpful creatures. They are souls from various ancestral lineages who chose and prefered to reside in the world of the living than to cross the Bridge of Light. The heavens made them into animal guardians in return of fulfilling their request— they are beings that are tasked to protect the land by any means of their capability. As such, they choose people whose desire calls unto them, and they appear in one’s dream to state their business and file a pact of agreement that’ll last for a lifetime.

Normally, one would acquire a beast during their adolescence, and since Dominique may have been over with it. . . A guardian must’ve came and formed a contract with him, and whatever their agreement is might be a key to her questions and bewilderment. However, there are also certain times where children get to meet their sacred guardians— alike that of Florencius who met his guardian at the age of six. His desire must been really strong and pleading, in that case.

Clementine was obviously working herself over such matter, and she couldn’t help but to physically pinch herself for walking on the edge. Plus, she hasn’t yet exactly sent the letter to Florencius as tasked by the highest monarch in all of Celeste, prompting her to lick her dried lips with distaste. She’d have to personally go to Ellysia for the time being, yet she couldn’t leave the palace without her supervision— to which made her frown. She had eventually no choice but to use the other method, which is quite draining, but she figured that it’d be best for her to do so.

Shoving her hand inside her pocket to take a small booklet, tearing a blank page gently before working her hands into forming it into that of a paper butterfly, smiling victoriously in satisfaction and pride upon seeing the result. She had wasted years into perfecting the origami, and it somehow made her smile for the fact that her practice had eventually worked.

Although the fun doesn’t end there. Now with her brows creased and attention fully directed on the floating origami, she mentally murmured some enchantments. At some point during the time, the butterfly successfully fluttered its nonliving wings, circling her silhouette in what seems to be a questioning manner.

“This is more of a demand than a request, my dear friend”, she stated, continuing her previous ministrations by means of traversing once again, wanting to have the mission get over with. Clicking sounds came and engulfed the silent hall— accompanied by the silent harmony of zephyr as it passed by. Clementine made a short glance towards her fluttering companion, before pursing her lips at the sudden thought that crossed her mind. “I want you to keep a close eye to that Ridéux prodigy while I’m gone. I can’t have the palace turning into shambles”, her tone was flat, serious and cold as it may be. In the mean time, she had lost all sense of playfulness, which is understandable concerning the given situation.

“As you pleased, my mistress”,

With that it fluttered away, leaving her alone. The only difference from before is that— she is quite relieved at some point. She can finally leave the palace doors without having her thoughts in various places possible. As she nodded her head, sparkles of bright yellow came to devour her whole until she was no longer in the place. Albeit, as she teleported herself to Ellysia’s castle gates, she couldn’t help but keep a lingering theory about Dominique in the process.

She hypothetically imagined that whatever animal that he made contract with was the one whose preventing her from delving deep into his background. There’s that. Or. . .

He may be a part of those annoying practitioners. . .