Bitter taste

Once Toni was out of the room, Thena stared at Thia, her eyes drilling deep into her.

"What?" Thia asked, feeling the intensity of Thena's gaze.

"Is there something going on?" Thena asked, her tone sharp.

Thia blinked in shock. She had known Thena for a while, and Thena was never one to show even the slightest interest in anyone or anything.

"What do you mean?" Thia asked cautiously.

Thena crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "Well, I know I've chosen not to tell you some things about myself, but are you sure you want to pretend it doesn't bother you that I've kept so many secrets?"

Thia frowned. "What are you getting at, Thena?"

"I know you feel like you have to keep me in check—or maybe even look out for me—but, more than the fact that I can obviously take care of myself, you don't have to do anything. Just mind your business and stay out of my way."

"And exactly what will happen if I don't do that?" Thia asked, her voice cold, her posture stiffening.

Thena smirked. "You seem to think if we both fought a serious battle, you would win just because of that curse of yours."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Thia shot back. "You talk as if we're enemies or something. What makes you think I want to get in your way? In fact, if anyone's been in someone's way, it's you! You think I care if you choose to keep your life a secret? You can do whatever you want, Thena. No one is stopping you, least of all me. Just make sure to stay out of my way."

"Good, princess. Good." Thena's smirk grew sharper. "It's best if we stay out of each other's way. Nothing good will come from us interfering with each other. It won't end well for you."

Thia scoffed.

"Go ahead, scoff all you want, princess," Thena continued. "If it's just me and you out there, you won't last more than a few seconds."

Thia clenched her fists, her fury barely contained. She turned her attention to Iku, speaking through gritted teeth.

"Can I just strangle her for five seconds?" she asked.

"Refrain from doing anything rash, my lady," Iku replied calmly.

"Come on, it's just five seconds," Thia pressed.

"Please hold yourself back, my lady," Iku repeated firmly.

Thia exhaled sharply, glaring at Thena before changing the subject.

"Once Toni returns, I want to ask him about Miriam's brother," she said. "She asked us to find out what we can about him for her."

"Oh, really? I guess we can do that," Thena replied nonchalantly.

The tension between them lingered in the air, thick and heavy, as both women remained silent until Toni returned.

When he walked back in, his expression was calm but purposeful. "I've dropped a message at the drop point. We should have a reply by noon tomorrow. We should rest until then."

"Okay," Thia said.

"I'll be next door if you need me," Toni added, turning to leave.

"Wait," Thia called. "I have a question for you, Toni."

"Yes, my lady?"

"Do you know a man named Gopi? He is said to be in Wize. He's a close relative of a friend of mine."

Toni paused, his eyes clouding with a hint of sadness. "Ah, yes. I do. We were on a mission together once in the past. Last I heard, he was in Bintan."

His expression didn't go unnoticed by either woman.

"Is something wrong?" Thena asked.

"Well, last I heard, that city was destroyed just a few days ago," Toni said solemnly. "It's said that there are only a handful of survivors, and even those stationed there have not been heard from, including Lady Meliesse."

"The pillar that was said to be here in Wize?" Thia asked.

"Yes, my lady," Toni replied regretfully.

"That's... unfortunate," Thena said quietly.

"I heard some members of HappyLand, the same set as us, were stationed in Bintan with the pillar too. Have we not heard from them?" Thia asked.

"No. They arrived back in Hadia almost the same time as you. Luckily for them, they were spared from the disaster that befell the city," Toni said.

"We need more information. Not just about the prince, but about the overall state of the war. I don't think it's wise to proceed blind," Thia said firmly.

"I agree," Thena said.

"We'll get more information tomorrow. But tonight, let's rest," Toni said, and both women nodded in agreement.

After he left, the tension between the two lingered briefly before they turned in for the night.

In the mansion housing the Sulten of Jubai and the main household of the Yaya family, a young woman stood on the terrace of her room, looking out at the city. Her wings were shrunk behind her, their glow softly illuminating the dark.

Her sharp gaze scanned the city with a precision far beyond mundane eyes. She took her time, searching for something.

"Is there something you're looking for?" a voice asked from behind her.

She didn't respond, keeping her focus on the city.

The man behind her stepped closer, stopping at the entrance to the terrace. "Aren't you cold?"

Sida Yaya was cold, but she didn't mind.

"I feel something," she murmured, her eyes still on the city. "Something ominous."

"That's… not good," the man said.

"That doesn't mean you should stay out in the cold," he added, walking up behind her. With her wings shrunk, he could stand close without obstruction.

His hand lightly brushed her glowing wings before moving to her arms, then wrapping around her waist. A soothing warmth coursed through her body, chasing the cold away.

"Thank you," she said softly, leaning back against him.

"It was nice of you to come to see me after your deployment ended". Sida said, given our circumstances and what happened the last time you visited.

The man, Jo Kindel, chuckled slightly. "I was sure your father would have killed me if discovered me, but it's worth the risk for me. And besides, I missed you" Jo replied.

"I missed you too. As for my father, he wouldn't have done anything. Not if I could help it" Sida replied.

"Oh… I feel much much protected" Jo said.

Sida turned to Jo. Not separating herself from his embrace.

"What is going to happen now?" Sida asked Jo.

"What do you mean?" Jo replied.

"I know with the War going on here and what just happened in Omi, the world is tilting towards another conflict. It's the wrong time to talk about us…" Sida said.

"Do you want me to take you away right now?" Jo asked. His voice unwavering

"Would you do it if I asked you to?" Sida asked.

Jo held her closer and replied.

"I will. You just have to say the word."

Sida smiled and shook her head. "Not yet… she said. I feel my father has chosen wrongly by allying himself with Jai, and although the odds are stacked in our favor I have a feeling everything is not over yet". Sida said.

How so Jo asked.

Oh, right. You are not aware of what is happening currently. Sida replied.

The prince of Wize is still alive. Sida said.

"Even though he barely has any allies left. His mere living is a threat to Jai, a threat to my father, and a threat to my family". Sida said.

"Do you wish to eliminate this threat?" Jo asked. His voice turned cold.

Sida smiled. "Calm down, Jo. I'm not interested in killing the prince. In fact, if I would intervene I'd be more inclined to help him instead".

"I don't understand," Jo said.