Chapter XVII: Unfamiliarity

In the grand halls of the Genovian palace, Crown Prince Friedrick stood before the imposing doorway of the Chamber of Secrecy. With a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, he hesitantly pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into the dimly lit chamber beyond.Inside, the air was heavy with ancient magic, the only illumination emanating from a faint glow that surrounded a singular object - a book encased within a shimmering barrier of protective enchantments. Friedrich approached it cautiously, his gaze lingering on the mystical barrier that seemed to pulse with otherworldly energy.As he stood before the book, Friedrick couldn't help but ponder its significance. "I wonder what kind of secret this book holds that even Medea coveted it," he mused aloud, his voice barely above a whisper.He was well aware of the book's history, passed down through generations of the imperial family. It was said that his ancestor had acquired it from the magicians of the Black Tower with the assistance of the Falaguerra, although the details surrounding its acquisition remained shrouded in mystery. The reasons behind its importance had never been fully explained to him, but Friedrich understood one thing - it was the most precious possession of the imperial family, a treasure to be guarded at all costs.***Caelus's brows knitted together in a slight frown as he posed his question, irritation simmering beneath the surface. "Was the petty prince bothering you?" His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken tension, as he awaited her response.Medea opened her mouth to reply, but before she could utter a single word, he abruptly turned away, as if dismissing her words before they could even leave her lips. Startled, she reached out and caught hold of his arm, her grip firm yet gentle.Turning his head to meet her gaze, Caelus paused, his expression unreadable as Medea spoke once more. "I understand what you're thinking, but you need to stop and listen. It's not what you think, okay?" Her words were firm, tinged with a hint of urgency as she sought to quell his sudden agitation.A heavy silence settled over them, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric in the stillness of the room. Medea couldn't fathom the reason behind Caelus's sudden shift in demeanor. Why was he acting so strangely all of a sudden? She hadn't even mentioned the Crown Prince yet.Medea let out a tired sigh, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion as she trailed behind Caelus, gently urging him toward the sofa. "Come on, why don't you have a seat and relax? It'll do you good," she suggested, her voice soft but firm as she guided him forward.Caelus simply raised an eyebrow in response, offering no resistance as she pushed him down onto the plush cushions. With a gentle yet insistent touch, Medea settled him into a comfortable position before taking a seat beside him, her gaze meeting his in silent understanding."Let's talk about something else," she suggested, adjusting her position to face him directly. "I recall you mentioning something about sleeping for five hundred years. Does that mean you've lived even longer than that?"Caelus nodded, his gaze drifting towards the moon that cast its soft glow through the window. "You could say that," he replied cryptically.Observing his uncertain demeanor, Medea couldn't help but press further. "Why do you sound so unsure?" she questioned, her arms crossing over her chest in a gesture of curiosity.Caelus met her gaze once more, his expression inscrutable as he shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm not unsure. It's just that... there are gaps in my memory. Things I've forgotten since awakening from my long slumber," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.Taking a deep breath, Medea settled back into the sofa, allowing herself to relax into its comforting embrace. "That's a shame. I had hoped to pick your brain and test your knowledge of this world," she remarked, a note of disappointment coloring her words.Caelus's lips curved into a slight smirk, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. "And here I thought you'd be more interested in delving into my past," he teased, his tone laced with amusement.His declaration was met with a scoff and a grimace. "I have no interest in delving into your past," she asserted firmly, only to be interrupted by the sudden flicker of her forehead by Caelus. With a yelp of surprise, she instinctively brought her hand to her throbbing skin, shooting him a sidelong glare that he found amusing.Despite the tension that had lingered between them moments before, their playful banter somehow managed to dissolve Caelus's stress and worries, if only for a fleeting moment. It was a disconcerting sensation, one he feared becoming accustomed to.Before he could dismiss the feeling entirely, however, Caelus found himself abruptly pushed down onto the sofa, his back sinking into the plush cushions as Medea straddled him, her expression one of frustration and determination. He remained silent, his hand hovering awkwardly in the air beside her hips as he made a conscious effort to avoid making contact with her.This scenario felt eerily familiar - Medea's impulsive actions, her frustrations manifesting in physical gestures. It echoed a similar encounter they'd had after the solar eclipse incident when her irritation had led to a similarly unexpected turn of events.At that moment, a dawning realization washed over him. Medea was undeniably an enigma, a puzzle he struggled to piece together. She was unlike anyone he'd ever encountered before, a curious blend of mischief and mystery.It was strange, he mused, to find himself entangled with this little devil from another world.After a moment of tense silence, Caelus decided to break the ice. "Do you often act impulsively when you're annoyed?" he inquired, his tone laced with curiosity as he sought to understand her behavior.Medea arched an eyebrow as she carefully disentangled herself from their brief entanglement, her bare feet meeting the cool embrace of the floor as she stood upright. With a clearing of her throat, she composed herself, silently urging the tension between them to dissipate.Meanwhile, Caelus slowly rose from his reclined position, settling himself back onto the sofa with a heavy sigh. "The devil certainly knows how to keep things interesting," he remarked under his breath, only to be met with a sharp click of Medea's tongue and a demand for silence.Pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration, Caelus made a mental note to steer the conversation in a different direction. "You know," he began, his tone measured as he met Medea's gaze, "despite my limited recollection of the past, I'm confident in my ability to answer any questions you may have."Intrigued by the offer, Medea's gaze softened slightly as she considered his proposition. "Very well, then," she replied, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Let's start with something simple. What lies within the 'Book of Revelation,' beyond its secrets, of course?"The question seemed to catch Caelus off guard, his demeanor tensing imperceptibly as he struggled to compose himself. Sensing his unease, Medea narrowed her eyes, her gaze probing as she awaited his response."The Book of Revelation," Caelus began slowly, choosing his words with care, "contains the sum of all knowledge about this world - the genesis of the Genovian Empire, its purpose, and the threads of fate that weave through its history and into the future. Everything that has been, is, and will be, resides within its pages."As the weight of the Book of Revelation's significance settled upon them, Medea couldn't help but marvel at the allure it held, coveted by even the esteemed members of the Imperial Family. It was a repository of untold secrets, a treasure trove of knowledge that must remain hidden until the time called for its revelation."The lengths to which humans will go for power never cease to amuse me," she remarked to herself with a smirk, her gaze drifting towards Caelus.Turning to face him once more, she posed a question that lingered on her mind. "What do you suppose would happen if a devil like myself were to obtain the Book?" Her tone was laced with mischief, a playful glint dancing in her eyes as she awaited his response.Caelus met her gaze with a steady look, his expression grave as he contemplated her question. "Chaos would undoubtedly ensue," he replied solemnly. "As the devil, you possess a penchant for manipulation and self-interest. With such a powerful artifact at your disposal, there's no telling what havoc you could wreak upon this world."Medea couldn't help but chuckle at his assessment, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "You underestimate my taste in chaos, Cael," she retorted, her voice tinged with amusement."While others may seek power for their gain, my motives are far simpler. I seek only to understand this world so that I may find a way back to my own. I have no desire to sow despair where it is not warranted."Her words hung in the air, a declaration of her intentions and a challenge to his assumptions. As they locked gazes, Medea couldn't help but wonder if Caelus truly understood the depths of her motives, or if he was projecting his own fears onto her.Caelus regarded Medea with a thoughtful expression as he rose to his feet, the weight of his curiosity evident in his gaze. "You seem rather fixated on obtaining that book," he observed, his tone laced with intrigue.Medea's arms crossed defiantly over her chest as she met his gaze head-on, a determined spark igniting in her eyes. "Indeed, Cael. Haven't I made it clear that I'm willing to go to any lengths to retrieve it and return to my world?" she affirmed, her voice unwavering in its conviction.However, before she could elaborate further, Caelus interjected with a note of caution, his words laden with concern. "Even if it means entangling yourself further with the crown prince?" he queried, his brows furrowing with apprehension.Medea's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the crown prince, a flicker of disdain crossing her features. "Certainly not," she replied firmly, shaking her head in vehement denial. "I have no desire to become further embroiled in his affairs. But striking a deal is now a different matter entirely. I propose a mutually beneficial arrangement: I assist him in ascending to the throne, and in return, he provides me with the coveted book."Medea's voice had a steely determination as she outlined her plan, a calculated strategy born of necessity. She had no intention of allowing herself to be drawn into the crown prince's web of intrigue any more than she already was. But if she could leverage her skills to achieve her goals while maintaining her autonomy, then she would do so without hesitation.Before she could dwell further on the matter, her attention was drawn back to Caelus as he reached out and took her other hand in his own. Without a word, he summoned his magic, enveloping them both in its ethereal embrace.Medea blinked in astonishment, her mind racing to catch up with the sudden turn of events. What had just happened? And more importantly, why had Caelus whisked them away to the palace without so much as a word of explanation?After Caelus had whisked them away to the palace of Genovia, they found themselves standing atop its highest rooftop, the wind whipping around them in a frenzied dance. As the chilling gusts swept through, Medea, still acclimating to her newfound human form, felt a shiver run down her spine. It was then that the realization struck her like a bolt of lightning – she was clad only in a delicate, white silk nightgown, ill-equipped to ward off the biting cold. Even the soft silk robe she wore offered little protection against the elements.Turning to face Caelus, her brows furrowed in confusion and irritation. "What on earth, Cael? Why have you brought us here so suddenly?" she demanded, her voice tinged with exasperation.Caelus met her gaze with a calm yet determined expression, his arms crossing over his chest as he spoke. "To fulfill the deal you spoke of," he replied simply, his tone betraying no hint of hesitation. "We will make it happen tonight—"Before he could finish his sentence, Medea's frustration boiled over, and she seized his collar in a tight grip, her words laced with irritation. "You fool, let's return at once," she snapped, her breath visible in the frigid air. Her lips quivered with cold, and Caelus couldn't help but notice the inadequacy of her attire.Before he could respond, Medea unleashed her powers, teleporting them back to her room. However, to their surprise, they found themselves in an unfamiliar chamber, far removed from the familiarity of Medea's quarters. Bewilderment flickered across Medea's features as she released her hold on Caelus, scanning their surroundings in confusion."What? Have my powers failed me once again?" she muttered, her frustration evident in her tone.Caelus's senses pricked up at the sudden soft shuffle of footsteps drawing closer. Instinctively, he reached out to grasp Medea's hand, urgency flickering in his eyes. Without a word, he tugged her towards the nearest sanctuary, a secluded alcove veiled by swathes of rich, heavy curtains."Who's there?"As they slipped behind the drapery, Caelus pressed Medea gently against the wall, shielding her with his own body. Their eyes tentatively sought each other out, hesitant yet curious, like two wary travelers meeting at a crossroads.It was as if time itself held its breath, allowing them a moment to linger in the quiet intimacy of their shared glance, each heartbeat echoing in the space between them, revealing more than words ever could.