Moonstone

"What do you want to talk about?" Reynand asked as he stepped down into the castle's main garden.

"Aren't you being too cold? What kind of knight leads a princess outside on such a chilly night?"

Reynand smirked. "You could spend days sleeping in the forest without proper attire and still slay a hundred monsters just fine. This chilly air in Valloria is nothing compared to the sea wind you're used to sailing through."

"Ugh… your words are sharper than your blade," Trisha teased, giving him a playful yet disapproving look.

"Is it about the Red and White Moonstone?" Reynand asked impatiently.

"Relax… Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Don't you know what time it is?"

Stepping closer, Trisha caressed Reynand's shoulder, trailing her fingers up to his collarbone with a seductive look.

"Why? Are we not bound to marry?"

Before her hand could wander any further, Reynand swiftly caught it and brushed it aside, looking completely unbothered.

"Stop playing around. I expect you not to cross the line."

"Fine… fine… you're really no fun," Trisha scoffed as she seated herself on a wooden bench in the garden, crossing her legs.

Unmoved, Reynand pressed on, "So, is it about the stones?"

"Hm. Corsaria's envoys will arrive at the capital in ten days, but they won't bring the stones you desire with them."

Reynand frowned. "What kind of stones did they bring then? Their tombstones? Why come here at all if not to deliver the moonstones?"

"To witness our wedding. They expect us to wed in ten days." Trisha folded her arms over her chest and twirled her fingers, watching Reynand's reaction.

"What are you on about?" Reynand yelped. "That's not how our arrangement was supposed to work. I was to receive the moonstones first, then we'd proceed with the marriage, after the development begin." He clenched his jaw in annoyance.

Trisha smiled knowingly, as if she'd anticipated his reaction. "That's why I'm speaking to you this late at night. My father has deceived you. We no longer have the red and white moonstones for our newly developed weapons."

"Are you kidding me? And you're only telling me now?"

"I didn't even know myself. The pigeon messenger arrived just a while ago." Trisha unrolled a small scroll and handed it to Reynand. "This is from my most trusted spy in the King's quarters."

Reynand read the letter, which said exactly what Trisha had described.

"Fake moonstones?" He let out an irate chuckle after reading the full message. "And why are you telling me this?"

"Because I know how desperate you are to secure all the moonstones for our weapon development. And I share an equally strong desire to fight Gravalon—I won't let this development fail."

"What will your father gain by deceiving me?" Reynand demanded, his tone seething.

The sweet scent of moonflower filled the air, refreshing Trisha's thoughts as she pondered her reply. "Security, perhaps? You wouldn't agree to a marriage alliance if it were solely because we aided you in the last battle."

Reynand furrowed his brow as he returned the paper to Trisha. "So, let's just forget our deal ever happened. I shall send you back early in the morning." 

He clenched his fist and ground his teeth, then turned to leave, stifling the surge of anger that threatened to overwhelm him—his wounded pride burning.

Yet, he did not entirely trust Trisha's words. He would uncover the truth for himself, and he secretly welcomed the thought of not having to marry her.

"Is that your way of saying thank you?" Trisha's words halted Reynand in his tracks. "Are you certain you wish to send me back to Corsaria?"

A gentle, swirling breeze prompted Reynand to turn, revealing a deep blue light emanating as Trisha moved her hand and twirled her fingers, as if summoning something. 

Even though the colour of the glow felt strange, he instantly realised that Trisha was performing Obscura magic—the art of concealing mystical objects within a female Spellbinder's soul-womb.

Before long, two moonstones—one white, one red—materialised, hovering above her dancing palm. 

Reynand's eyes widened in admiration, not for the Obscura magic, but for the exquisite beauty of the moonstones: dazzling, prism-like gems with delicate black veins tracing their sides, signifying their untapped purity.

"Is that—?"

"Yes. These are the rarest moonstones you desire."

Of course, Reynand knew all too well, white and red moonstones were the rarest of all. 

His body trembled and warmed as he approached, drawn by the potent bond a Spellbinder shares with the stones, whose energy is used to recharge their mana.

Their pull was as strong as a magnet, leaving him hypnotised by their allure.

Just as his hand was about to reach out for the moonstones, Trisha swiftly wove her fingers through the air—curling and unfurling—and in the blink of an eye, the stones vanished. Reynand flinched.

"I will bring this back home tomorrow," Trisha teased with a wink, brushing past Reynand with a smirk as she slowly left him behind.

"What do you really want?" Reynand turned his head slightly, his eyes icy. "Surely you must have something more than what your father has asked for, to play this game."

Trisha smiled victoriously. "First, give me the North-West Valloria harbour. You know Corsaria's sea warriors often encounter pirates when we patrol the Black Sea near that harbour. If we can secure it as our anchor, it will keep us safe from those scoundrel pirates."

"Are you mad? Surrendering a harbour is more despicable than losing a war—and that's Crown Prince territory. I can't—"

"Yes, you can. Use your heroic prowess to get what you want, Rey. You have the upper hand now. Don't merely live as the Crown Prince's shadow."

'She knows too much,' Reynand thought fleetingly. He sighed heavily and clenched his fist, silently conceding her point. 

He was out of time to search for the moonstones himself. Trisha was more dangerous and manipulative than he had anticipated, there was no point in making her his enemy now. 

His frown deepened as he swallowed his pride.

"And what's the other?" he asked.

Trisha's smirk deepened. "The other is for another time." She turned and yawned, tapping her mouth before folding her arms over her chest. "I shall return to my chamber," she continued, still striding away.

But just before she turned into the corridor, she glanced back at Reynand—who still stood lost in his thoughts.

"And Rey, I'm sure no one has ever told you this, so allow me the honour—congratulations on becoming a father. I never imagined the cold-hearted Reynand would be warmed by parenthood." She then continued on her way, disappearing down the corridor and leaving Reynand stunned.

Trisha's malicious smile slowly faded into a cold, serious expression. Her confidante stepped closer.

"What are you planning by taking this so far, Your Highness?" the confidante asked.

"Not sure..." she replied with a vicious smile. "This is going to be interesting. It's funny to see them caught up in their little mouse-and-cat game. Keep watching them."

Her confidante nodded slightly as they vanished down the corridor towards the guest quarters.