Looking Forward

Aelius made his way back to Ember Castle, with the book that he picked up secured in his bag, and a smile on his face. The girl that he saw and saved, made his heart leap out of his chest and swell with happiness. Maybe it's because of her gray eyes that resemble the wild clouds of the storm – full of freedom and wild abandon, or maybe it's because of her angelic face and the way her smile lights her whole persona to him. Either way, he is looking forward to meeting her again tomorrow.

He decided to visit his sister first at her chambers at the Black Tower, to hand over the book that she has requested. As he approached the Garden of Mourning at the entrance of the Black Tower, he heard talking between two females.

The Garden of Mourning is a vast ground surrounding the Black Tower. Named due to the night roses growing in abundance in the area – roses as black as the dark night, its dew drops in the morning, falling down to the ground, making it seem to be in mourning. The black roses only grew in this garden, any attempt to transfer them resulted in the plant dying. Legend says that this is where the Mad Queen died, with her heart full of pain and guilt, nourishing the red roses with agony so intense they turned black and softly wept during sunrise in solidarity with the queen.

Aelius went to where he heard the voices. As he neared the cleared courtyard, he saw his sister Mira with her mother, Lady Mina, enjoying tea surrounded by roses. Mira saw her brother first.

"Aelius!" she shouted while waving "Come here and enjoy some of mother's black rose tea". Black rose tea was obviously brewed from black roses; but it was poisonous to any being drinking it unless you have built up immunity to the poison or possess the dark attribute of water – Poisoner. Lady Mina, with her face as ethereal and kind as an angel, possesses this trait, which she passed to her daughter.

"I think I'm going to pass" Aelius replied as he sat down with the ladies. "I don't want to get an upset stomach later this evening."

"I thought you're already immune to poison?" Mira asked as she retrieved the tea she made for her brother.

"Not as immune as to be able to stomach that with no issue" Aelius replied "Black rose poison is one of the most potent poisons in the world. As far as I know, only you and Lady Mina can drink it with no side effects."

Lady Mina chuckled at her stepson's reply. "Don't worry, I have already requested green tea for you before you came. They'll serve it shortly" The tea Lady Mina requested for Aelius did come after a few minutes.

The trio sat in silence at first, busy munching on cakes and drinking tea. The peaceful ambiance of the garden helps with the atmosphere. Lady Mina would sometimes gently push plates of cakes and biscuits to her children, urging them to eat more. Soon the silence turned to soft talking between the group, their non-descript chatter breaking the silence and turning the peaceful wind into a lively one.

"How did you know I was coming here?" Aelius inquired, as he drank his tea. "Did you see me walk towards the Black Tower?"

"Sure. Let's go with that" Lady Mina said with a secret smile on her face. She glanced at her daughter and Mira smiled back. It was during those moments that Aelius is questioning whether the rumor about Lady Mina's prophetic visions is true.

"So, what brings you here, dear brother?" Mira asked"

"I'm here to deliver your request, " he answered his sister. Mira suddenly stood up when she saw her brother reaching inside his bag.

"Don't show it here you idiot!" Mira cried. She turned to her mother, and bid her farewell "Mom, I have some things to attend to with Aelius immediately. Don't look for me for a short while okay? Bye, " she kissed her mother's cheek. Mira grabbed Aelius and dragged him towards the exit of the garden, her mother's gentle chuckle softly tickled her ears.

Lady Mira quietly sipped her poisonous tea. She was glad her daughter has a close relationship with her stepson, the only man she can trust to protect her only child. As she watched her daughter drag the Sun Heir, she smiled. "Such a fuss for something I already know, " she whispered to the roses that surrounded her. "But I'll play along, the fates have already woven their threads."

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Mira shoved Aelius to her room and slammed her door. "Are you out of your mind? Why would you take the book out in front of mother?!"

"I'm sorry, okay? I wasn't thinking. Here, take your book" Aelius said as he took the package out of his bag and handed it to Mira.

Mira tore the package and inspected the book, flipping it to see any damage. "Hmm... Aelius?" She called.

"Yep?" her brother answered.

"This is the wrong book," she said. "Look, it's not the one that I ordered. Did you not go to the bookstore I told you about and just bought whatever book is nearer here?"

"No, I specifically follow your instructions. Ask the carriage driver if you want to," he said as he grabbed the book and checked it himself. It was not the one that he bought from the bookshop.

"I think I know where your mother's book is," Aelius said in a serious tone. "I bumped into someone earlier and we both dropped our packages. I assume she bought a book in the same bookshop as the package looked similar to each other. No worries, I'm meeting her tomorrow, we can swap the books then,"

"She? Her? We? What?" Mira asked "I don't follow. Where is my book?"

"Don't worry. Your book is fine. We'll meet the owner of this one tomorrow" Aelius replied. "So, free up your schedule tomorrow, you're coming with me"

"Why would I want to go with you?" Mira asked.

"Because it's your gift to your mother, so you get it," Aelius said. "I'll keep this one in my room," he tucked the book back into his bag and walked out of Mira's room.

Mira stood there staring at Aelius with her eyes so wide it looked like twin suns. She suddenly shook her head. "The fates have been busy, but isn't this too elaborate?' She asked to the air with a smile on her face. "I can't wait to meet her too"