Chapter 3

It has been a few days since I became normal, and well, measures were up to keep me under watch no matter where I go. Things were tense around the palace, guards and several agents were scattered across the bailey, but it didn't seem so bad when my father advised Caden and Clarion to keep me company twenty four seven.

Caden toured me around the palace—reminding me about our territory. Our castle, Emilia Castle, overlooking the grandiose Wistal Lake, sits at the heart of an inner Bailey. It is the traditional home of the Nightingale family, and a hallmark of the country's astonishing military vigor.

The Nightingale family, as Caden explained, pioneered the kingdom's armed forces since its establishment, making it one of the most influential houses in high society. However, unlike the Swan, and the Harper family, both of which are very active in society's display of luxury, the Nightingales—as the people say—were enigmatic, and dubious.

Additionally, the Nightingales, with great luck and pride, have been known to bear musical prodigies, and have housed nearly half of Cantus's miracles, all of which successfully subduing the plagues.

Soldiers, billeted in the outer bailey of this...concentric castle? Aspires to be named the next miracle and the duke, meticulous and ruminative that he is, exudes his best as a mililary leader, while Caden, it seems, believed greatly that he would be the church's next champion.

Speaking of miracles...I need to know how to see Nocturne again. Since that very moment two days ago, he refused to show up even when I tried to call for him (in the non-magical sorts).

My greatest hurdle is this body. Clarion mentioned about my body not surviving a spell—a cure of sorts for my curse. I trust that he also reviewed my medical records (as any ethical nurse would) and he should be able to tell me more about my body's condition. Now all I need to do is to find out where he is...in this... expansive home.

"You can always find me in the greenhouse, brother."

Right! The green house! I'll be there right away!

•••

"Clarion?" I called, slightly opening the imposing glass door. As I entered, jingles, and tunes softly played in the background. It must the plants. I should have expected thag even the plants follow the trend of being musically built.

Clarion said that the greenhouse accomodated the usual roses and flowers, but predominantly, plants which I don't recgonize were also cultuvated here. Some were shaped like musical instruments, and others even played music. It was whimsical, like a musicale per say. Flower ensembles, dancing vines, and literal bell flowers? God...it almost makes me feel like I'm walking a fairytale scene.

"Clarioooonnn~!" I called, this time louder. "Over here!" Eh? Where did that—oh geez!

"Mind helping me a bir, brother?" Above me, on the ceiling, Clarion was trapped in a plethora of snakelike vines which sang him a frightening tune—similar to a cultist chant.

"Clarion?! H-Hold on! I'll get you down!" I replied, not really knowing how to.

"Uhmm...Can you tell me what to do?" I asked smiling awkwardly at him. For someone's who's coiled by a vine, he seemed perfectly calm—smiling even!

"There's no need to worry, brother. These ladies just had a bad morning. Just sing them a charming song and they'll eventually calm down," Clarion replied. "Goddamn it..." groaning, he tried a squirm, but the plants just squeezed him harder.

"...Try singing them a tune or two!" He shouted.

"Uhh...sure!" I answered nervously.

I'm not really sure if I could sing properly. This body, in a coma for five years, may have weak vocal chords. I don't know what Orpheus's vocal range is nor how flexible his voice is, but just keeping the pretext of indolence is enough for me to assume the worst. Still, I have to get Clarion down.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes, then I held my chest, ready to sing. Alright it's showtime!

"Did you even think of me?~♪ I've fallen too deep can't you see~♪ sweetheart we're just young but bold and free~♪"

"Wha—!"

As I've expected. Even with my years of strenuous practice as a popstar, it can't make up for this body's lack of vocal activity. Notes that were once easy, now felt like a challenge, even simple runs are much to difficult to control. Luckily, this song was the easiest to perform from my catalogues of compositions.

As I continued, I sang blandly from the diaphragm. With as little texture and stylization as I could. This feels so humiliating, in fact, I feel utterly defeated. I didn't imagine I'd go back to the days where I sang like a kid in a nursery singing contest.

"You didn't think of me~♪ You wouldn't have set me free~♪" I opened my eyes. Pleasantly surprised that the vines were, at a slow pace, releasing my brother, carrying him down from the ceiling.

"Tell me how could I've been fool~♪ Tell me you love me if it isn't true~♪" I could see the shock etched on Clarion's eyes as he found footing on the platform. Not the kind where he's horrified—I know from experience what that looks like—but in an astonished, almost proud way.

"Is there anything left I could...do~♪" What a mess. I barely sung some of the notes right, and my voice nearly cracked a few times...God does this mean I'd have to start everything from sratch?...well, it's not like it's going to be hard, but judging from the standard of this world's song and magic, I need to follow completely different sets of conventions if I were to use ariaflux.

"Stay where you are I'm coming down!" Clarion yelled, jolting me back to reality. With a smile, he dropped everything, rushing to my direction.

He looks absolutely turned, he looked...elated? Was he surprised that I was able to sing? Or was it something else?

"Let's talk some place else. I know a spot not far from here, follow me."

•••

I followed him to the west-side of the gardens. Before that though, Clarion had to change to his casual attire. Nurses in this world have such ostentatious uniforms, must be so heavy carrying those golden chains around. I bet Clarion's used to the weight of it, seeing as how he's framed. He looked like some sort of model from a fashion house.

The west-side was more of an open field where the knights could practice their equestrian arts. Additionally, it's also where ariaflux trainings are held. Though it seems music here is magic, people still use normal weaponry like swords and polearms for warfare. I'm guessing the ariaflux here also enhances normal weapons.

Clarion led me to an old oak tree right besides the open field. He sat there, and gestured me to join him.

"I can't believe chasper vines would attack me for picking up one of their younglings. They're usually very friendly," Clarion groaned.

"Chasper vines?" I asked.

"They're herbs used as a medicinal agent. They help with exhaustion and body aches, but the immature ones have the greatest potency," he answered. "Caden asked me to make a few elixirs for the knights, and I managed to make a few, but it won't be enough to go around," Clarion let out a deep sigh before shifting his eyes locking on mine.

"It's been a while since we've been like this," he said, beaming ear to ear.

"Back then, we used to roam around these parts, getting in all sorts of trouble with Caden, remember?" He wanted me to say yes. By the tinge of his eyes, with anticipation, gazing on mine, and the solemn sound of his voice, I could tell how much he cared for my answer.

"No, I couldn't," but that was the only answer I felt I could give. It would be cruel of me to lie. Even if I did, I doubt he'd believe me. I am sure Orpheus was a good brother, but I am not him, and I know my place as a stranger. After all, I'm just someone who took over his body, and it feels nice to enjoy its merits, but moments like this, I couldn't help but feel guilty.

"Well that's alright," the disappointment in his eyes were obvious. That wasn't the answer he wanted to hear,and he probably knew what qould I answer...maybe he just had a small blinding hope in his heart that thought otherwise.

He leaned against the trunk, letting out a deep sigh followed by silence—the kind which one felt compelled to break. I pursed my lips, thinking what to say.

"I could imagine it though," Like a child's, Clarion green eyes lit up and sparkled. "I am sure we had a splendid time, did we ever get caught? I'd like to think Caden got most of the blame," I chuckled.

"We did! Father scolded Caden so hard locked himself in his room for a whole week!" Clarion said avidly.

"Oh poor Caden..." I frowned.

"Mother had a hard time convincing him to get out, until you cried in front of the door shoutings things like I miss you, and I'm sorry," Oh yeah...what did exactly happen to our mother.

"I don't...uhm...our mother?" I asked. "Haa...you forgot her too huh?" He retorted.

"Irdila Stuart from the Swan Family was our mother. She died after our castle was swallowed by the plague," He explained. With a small frown, closed his eyes as if imagining the past.

"You were there, and with Father's help, you barely made out the plague safely, but afterwards, you fell into a deep sleep," Clarion opened his eyes, shooting me a warm smile before taking my hand. "We wanted you back, we wanted

to see you smile, we love you much more than you know...that is why day by day, we pray that we'd be able to talk again...to see you well and able ," he added.

Clarion's face were etched with absolute love. The emotion was contagious. His glossy green eyes, which twinkled from sunlight, looked like it held back a pool of tears, remembering the sweetness of the past. He missed me, They all...just how did...why...do I feel like...oh god why...does it hurt so much? Ah...Is this Orpheus's? This pain in my heart, it didn't come from me. Orpheus...are you still here?

"Orpheus? Is something wrong?" Even with a weird right feeling jn my heart, I casted him a pleasantly warm smile.

"I could only imagine the kind of love, and laughter we used to share, but even with my bygone memories, I still find traces of our family's intimacy, I know that the du—father, you and Caden harbors great love for me..."

Those kind words I never would've imagined I'd let out someday, and really, emotional sentences I do not hear enough from my own flock.

"...I am sure that in time, with love, all of it will come back to me, but if it won't, then I can say, with great confidence, that a greater joy awaits me in the future," smiling, Clarion gently caressed my head, flashing me an earnest smile.

"I hope to be a part of it at least, in your future," Clarion intoned, gently stroking my head. "Everyone will be," I answered, brushing my chest where my heart lied.

Haa...I wish I had moments like these in the real word. I have one brother and he always stayed abroad, a mother, on the other hand, loves her beauty brand more than anything else, while father...well, let's just say he's out of the picture.

Haa...I wonder if I could drag Clarion to the other side, maybe then I wouldn't be as lonely.

"Ahem! A-anyway, about the Aria—"

"No," Clarion interrupted firmly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he crossed her arms.

"I didn't even finish!"

"I know what you were going to ask, and I say no." He intoned, with a frown, shooting me a concerned gaze.

"I'm sorry, Orpheus, but I told father we cannot trust you to try Ariaflux since you're still recovering," Clarion stood up, brishing himself himself with his hands, swiping away blades of grass from his trews.

"The moment you sang, I was overjoyed. In fact, between us brothers, you always had the most beautiful voice," He noted. "But I don't know what will happen the moment you'd cast an ariaflux spell," he added.

"Haaa...What do you suggest I'd do then?" I asked sulking.

"For now? Aruaflux is off limits. Just continue your sessions with Lord Jack. Until I find out how healthy are you, that's just about the best as it could get, I hope you understand, Orpheus."

"I should take you back. I wouldn't hear the end of it from our father, if he doesn't see you near the castle." With a smile, he offered me his hand.

"I would like to stay here a bit longer," I said. "I promise to return later, the castle...feels a bit suffocating for a day as beautiful as this," I added.

"Alright, just get inside before the sun sets." It was already afternoon. I can spend a few more moments to myself in this place. If I go back to the castle, I'm sure servants will come running after me, and I won't have any privacy to plan my next move.

•••

Clarion is right. Even if I did know how to summon Nocturne, my body could possibly get hurt, and Nocturne mentioned that calling on miracles were not an easy task. So until my body gets a tad bit stronger, I should read the basics about ariaflux jn advance. Tomorrow would be a good time since Jack and I would be together all afternoon, learning the rest about the kingdom.

"You seem to be lost in thought," that voice!

I looked above where the sound came from, and saw the miracle, dozing off on a branch casting me a bored indifferent expression.

"H-How?!"