Chapter XVI

Flooding coolness washed over her sweltering body, her once dissonant breathing now coming to a steady in comfort. It was pleasantly satisfying, having her previous agony be replaced with relief.

Her eyes then fluttered open, revealing her diluted optics— the blinding brightness greeted her in an instance, prompting to shut her optics again. A grunt escaped her pressed lips, annoyed at the sudden intrusion of light from the opened curtains.

Although, it wasn’t long enough until her vision have finally adjusted themselves, a surge of surprise and confusion crawling its way on her visage. She moved a hand, feeling the soft-cotton sheets, while her gaze travelled throughout the vicinity in hopes of recognizing the room that she was placed in.

Upon landing her eyes on a familiar silhouette seated on an exquisite chair facing her direction, however the person was yet too busy reading a book to eventually notice her wake.

“A-Aethan. . .”, she called, her voice raspy from the dryness of her throat. Clementine coughed, shoving away the fluffy comforters that hid away half of her body.

Her bones screeched for her to stop and to remain still, whilst her muscles were tearing themselves apart, making her gasp at the pain, yet she fought and continued. The bed creaked at the notion of her leaving figure, bare feet almost touching the ground, had it not been for a hand on her shoulder that kept her in place.

“Rest. You’ve yet healed”, he quietly stated, pushing her shoulders back on the mattress with firm yet delicate hands.

The crowned prince didn’t want to add any unnecessary pain and stress that would cause the lass discomfort, knowing that her wounds are still in the verge of recovery. Aethan pursed his lips, a glare landing on her bandaged hand— the healer recently alerted him that it would take a while for a wound infused with magic to mend.

Due to the unfortunate occurrence, the banquet was cancelled by his orders. Guests were escorted back to their own lands by various magicians whom Delphinium summoned, while some chose to ride carriages back home.

The royals who attended the supposed celebration were taken care of by Alejandro, finishing his assigned task in a beat to see his childhood friend— blaming himself for enjoying his time with Alice Hallen and Timothy Rolfin when Clementine was nearly knocking on Death’s door.

It was lucky enough that the matcha haired prince was able to find her in time— no. He wouldn’t call that ‘in time’, he was seriously minutes late. Time is gold and ticking continuously, he couldn’t stop it from moving, had he taken longer then she’d likely. . .

“I-Itwas. . .It was—!”,

“Florencius, I know”, he breathed out, ruffling his hair messy. Frustration clearly visible on his visage, a loud sigh made it pass his lips— head now angled away from the panicking snow-white haired lass.

His obsidian jewels glimmered in neutrality underneath the radiant sun, an aspect of him whenever he’s drowning in hurricanes of thinking. The known prince of Celeste then unconsciously grabbed a clean glass filled with cold water, slowly offering it to Clementine who eagerly accepted, and gulped down the chilling content.

Shivering, it was as if her strength was replenished— a new sense of adrenaline coursed within her, flowing through her veins. Clementine reached out to place a hand on one of of Aethan’s that rested on her shoulder, she rubbed tiny circling motions, a silent indication that she could already handle herself. It caught the attention of the prince, turning his neck to face her, meeting a comfortably smiling magician.

“I’m alright. Thank you for coming to my aid”, she then disregarded him, pushing the prince slightly, making room for her to be able to stand. Although, she wobbled quite a bit when she stood on both her foot, prompting the lad to hold her hand, whilst his arm circled around her wait for stabilization.

Though, she was too busy minding her own business to even realize their current situation. “I need to converse with Dominique, and hopefully either Alejandro or Delphinium. We have a lot to discuss, seeing as we have a devotee of Dark Sorcery on the loose. . . “,

“Its been what. . .how many days since I passed out?”, Clementine inquired, whispering the very last part— she was quite embarrassed recent events. Getting herself murdered closely, which led the celebration to a complete halt.

It was ‘supposed’ to be a happy day for the emperor and his eldest son, but she had apparently just ruined it by challenging that scum of a magician. Though, she must admit that she is also foolish to face him when she knew nothing of his prowess.

“Two days”,

‘That’s too long!’ her left brow twitched, a scowl appearing on her face. A long whine of agitation, and then silence. She then scoffed, grumbling incoherent nothings underneath her breath for five-minutes straight before ceasing herself at the sudden thought that recently occurred in her head.

“Ah, anyway. Ellysia needs to be under surveillance, and I will visit it on my own. It is likely that I will have one or two of my apprentices to guard the nation. ‘Nasty-leech’ could be lingering in his own hometown after all”, the magician announced, voice nonchalant yet laced with venom— snapping her fingers to change her clothes into something more presentable. She’ll have to face the royals of either Sappherine or Xereisee if she wanted an audience with their respective imperial magicians.

“I’ll be gone for days too. . .”, Clementine added with a frown, eventually not used to leaving Celeste unguarded and away from her supervision.

Albeit there’s Dominique whose saint is twins with her own, as well as King Lawrence and his mighty prowess, combined by Aethan— it is likely that the kingdom would be well-protected. However, there also things worth considering when leaving the palace while it’s exposed in dark magic.

“Which means that I’ll have someone aid you and His Majesty, alongside Dominique and Brix—”, she paused, sheepishly scratching her nape in uneasiness. Clementine chuckled nervously, avoiding Aethan’s unbothered yet calculative stare.

Her obsidian-eyed prince would certainly hate her decisions, seeing as the person whom she wanted to send was someone who the prince has a bad blood for.

“Spit it out”, He threatened, an irk mark appearing near his temple. The wind blew pass them, dancing the curtains in tune of the silent melody. It seems like he knew the person all along. If this magician acts suddenly anxious and sheepish, then he’d be damned for whatever she had in store.

Clementine has a knack in drama, after all.

She then sighed in defeat, not having any other choice but to tell him of the truth. Aethan is an impatient person. He wants things finished immediately in haste— he is too much hot-tempered, that servants alike cower within his presence whether they be new or old in the castle.

Though, she found it hilarious, their faces when he walked passed them. It was as if they’ve been terrorized by good ol’ Sire Paul of Halseu, the poltergeist.

“Timothy Antonio Rolfin”, Clementine sang, and as if on cue— she vanished in thin air, near the closed doors with a teasing grin. She would definitely not regret ever assigning Timothy in the palace, besides his amazing pranks could splash some colors within the tensed palace.

Add the fact that he’s an exorcist, someone capable of eradicating items or locations possessed with evil. Even if he isn’t as strong as her, she is rest assured that with the help of Dominique they’ll be quite an exceptional team.

“Oh don’t you even dare. . .”, Aethan groaned, letting gravity take over his body as he let it fall on the carpeted floor, landing in a painful thud that made him grunt.

He sent her sharp-daggers that could’ve make her drop lifeless kissing the ground, that is if looks could kill but no— it’s highly impossible. Well, not if he’s gifted with those abilities, however years of annoying him to the brim, with the same glare gifted to her each second proved that he didn’t possess that skill. Fortunate for her.

She snapped her fingers, sending sparks of gold along the way, indicating her successful message to the aforementioned Rolfin— followed by a faint ‘oops’ from the lass who grinned widely at the prince, “My hands slipped”.

And with that she sprinted down the hall, giggling while glancing behind every now and then. Sure does it, the familiar patch of matcha came running after her, a scowling prince wanting to catch her.

Clementine sent him a wink, sticking her tongue afterwards. Servants hastily halted their ministrations upon seeing the two teenagers, horrified at the sight of a fuming prince who is oh-so-ready to commit an unforgivable crime.

Turning in a corner, Clementine led them straight into a dead-end intentionally. There her running came into a walk, until she reached the enormous window pane. Her hand touched the glass, silvered-optics admiring the vast fields of Celeste, the land whom she sworn to protect. The sun has yet settled on its bed, although the skies were already battling with oranges, corals, and blues.

From the back, Aethan followed suit, walking up to her when she stopped, however— the sight from his location made it hard for him to approach her. His optics widened, air getting knocked out of his lungs, his lips were parted, whilst his heart palpitated in speed.

The setting sun glowed in its glory, basking the lass in its light. Her back was turned to him, making it look like she is off to chase the light.

Long white locks radiantly sparkled, and to add on the effects, unknown wind from an open window once again did its own magic. Sensing his presence, Clementine turned sideways, hands clasped on her back, gaze trained on the floor, whilst her soft-pinks were curved in a small smile.

And only one word could describe her at this moment.

‘Ethereal’

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