Analogies and Whatnot

'Him? Who's Him?'

Bewildering indeed. Bright silver-jeweled pools blinked owlishly in inquiring bafflement. A hurricane of thoughts blowing harshly within her mind— the statement itself roused the kitty residing in her.

She wanted to ask. Ask the king regarding this person he oh-so adoringly thought of. Based on the way his expressions contorted into that of tranquil reminiscing. Clementine concluded that this person—

The man. . .the king was in recollection of.

Must be so special.

Absolutely special that she was able to witness those obsidian-jeweled optics glitter alike twinkling stars in twilight. A glitter so hard to see beforehand but was magically revived at the indirect mention of someone.

His optics were once dull. They shone and glimmer like jeweles as they should, however, there was this certain gloss that made it duller than that of Aethan's and Brixton's.

Could it be due to Her Highness, The Queen's absence? She thought first, way back— and was convinced so without evidences and clarity. Yet now. . .

Now she thought otherwise.

The magician gasped! Could it be that King Lawrence Dei Celeste had a secret tryst with a man he loved before?!

That. . . Is one weird and highly unlikely thought. She mentally shook her head to rid of such ridiculous things entering her dome of thinking.

'Maybe this person he's thinking of was once a close friend, someone dear that uncharacteristically died in an unexpected time and place.' Acceptable. She nod in conclusion, relieved that her thoughts vanished as she laxed her tensed shoulders.

Yet curiosity never goes back to sleep when poked awake.

Straying from the subject and apparent wasting golden time. Both king and magician were aware of the miles they've gone far from their supposed discussion.

But they happened to be so indulged in their recent conversation and even if a lot of newly acquired knowledge that only did sprouted questions after question. . . Clementine knew that it was time to end.

Those questions of hers would be answered in the right time and place. Until then, she'd have to wait for that to come.

Besides, the king became somewhat uncomfortable after the mention of 'him'. Must be a real touchy subject for the latter.

It'd be rather more appreciated if she left it hanging, lest she wanted her severed head served on a silver platter for breeching further into the king's personal bubble.

Long have they succumbed to silence yet the whitette knew she had to interfere. With parted lips, she uttered—

"Isn't it quite bothering how Ellysia suddenly asked for assistance?" Clementine wondered out-loud.

The king perked at her sudden query.

"I mean," the magician drummed her fingers on top of the desk. "It's just peculiar. . . How the letter was addressed to me than you. Aren't you supposed to be the one she'd majorly prioritize to receive the message?"

"Quite confusing, ain't it?" Silver-jeweled pools stared, glaring on her forefinger's chipped nail (she tend to bite on it as a sort of stress reliever). "Unless. . . There's a play in action. A play much more fouler than to that of dead birds in a flock?"

"Perhaps, she felt more comfortably open to you than His Highness, that Princess Isabelle's first thought in panic was to address the message in your name." Quipped Shaun, who magically entered the office without causing a noise or two.

"How'd you even get in here?" Clementine frowned, grim.

"Through the doors." Shaun shrugged, as if the answer was painfully obvious enough.

"Ah, Shaun! You came right when needed," King Lawrence nodded, grateful at the periwinkle-head's presence. "I was about to summon you."

"If that's the case," the lad stood straighter than to that of a plank. "What can I be of assistance with?"

Clementine was visibly irked. Though her silver optics were closed— one of her brows were twitching, her lips burning red as she nibbled it in frustration, her fingers curled tight on her skirt that had gotten wrinkled.

Truth be told, Shaun hadn't done a single deed that she'd considered madly aggravating. However, she couldn't stop herself from having this strong dislike towards the man.

It's like. . . There's something that he did, that she had no idea or recollection of, which made her act and feel such negativity towards him. Whatever that was.

A clap brought the magician's attention towards the royal's direction. In doing so, she revealed the brightest shimmering pools of hers to show her apparent attentiveness. It'd be disrespectful not to meet the gaze of the speaker, especially to the king himself.

"Both of your assumptions could be right," The king stated, gesturing towards both the teens' opinions. "As much as I'd like to think not, Ellysia was and still is affiliated with Dark Magic— therefore, Clementine has a point."

"At the same time, Shaun's response also bear weight,"

Clementine shifted on her seat, her lips pursed.

"Aren't you friends with Isabelle, Clementine?" Asked King Lawrence.

In response, Clementine shook her head. "We're more of acquaintances."

'And I rather it stay that way.' She thought.

"I recall Aethan stating that Isabelle adores you a lot," Shaun intervened, glancing towards the lass— a small smile marveling his visage. A smile so tiny, soft, and caring, that she failed to notice such. "Maybe that urged her to address you than His Highness."

"It could be." Replied the magician.

"They could be tricky individuals when wanted, manipulative in a way," King Lawrence muttered out-loud, eyeing the two— specifically Clementine with concern. "This could be one of their tricks. And I dare not commit the same mistake as history."

Clementine furrowed her brows, yet remained in silence. On the other hand, Shaun averted his attention towards the window, still listening but hiding his expression from the two. The magician glanced at him midway before turning back.

'He knows something. . .' she concluded.

"It'd be best I send you both," The King finalized. "And if Celwin Venatici is still available, then I suggest you bring him with you. Oceanux and Erithesia's prowess could be of aid when needed."

"P-pardon me, but both?" Silver eyes blown wide, she sputtered on her words— pointing at her and Shaun. "Ain't he here for a mere visit? Shaun's affiliated with Xereisee. As I recall, he's only here for a book that is forbidden to the reach of many!"

"Celwin is a denizen of Sappherine, is he not? Yet he's here serving the Celestian name." Shaun frowned at her, sighing as he crossed both his arms. "Won't that be the same?"

"I asked him myself. And he abided" Clementine pressed, viciously snarling in anger. "You. Just. Came. Here. For. A. Book."

"I came here not for a book but to also serve the Celestes." Insisted Shaun, raising a brow at her poor behavior. He eyed her like a parent to their naughty child— and as if a gear was turned, Clementine felt the urge to stay put and press her lips in a thin line.

She resembled that of a sulking kicked puppy, and due to her outburst, she remained quiet avoiding those judging pools of yellowish-gray that Shaun was born with.

Though not long after a few minutes, she stood on her feet, standing tall and mighty like how a true ruler should. She smirked confidently as she eyed the lad who froze at the change.

"Orders are a must. However, must you die or get injured then I bear no responsibility over the matter. You've no idea what you're traversing on, Shaun." Clementine curtsied, leaving a ripped parchment on top the king's desk. Something that she had recently found.

She went out of the office, breathing loudly as she walked halls away from the doors which hid the king and that pesty boy.

A few minutes after, Clementine halted, finding herself in front of the doors were it started, and to that she bent down to examine the floor— only to glare at her back.

"Quite bold of you to come here unannounced, Alejandro."