Chapter 6. Master

The only sound in the dining room was the occasional movement of the cutlery, and the servants didn’t even dare to breathe in such a cold atmosphere.

When the lady finally broke the silence, it was still with a very weak voice.

“Today… have you heard about my sister?”

It was the same question she would ask almost everyday. Nox lost all his appetite.

With the passing of every single day, the less he understood Lyra’s heart. He already promised her to take care of Ayla. Burdened by guilt, he would have done it without her asking him to. But why was her reason to keep asking the same question, as if to torture him?

Ayla was his soulmate, and he’d mistaken her for Lyra because the two sisters looked exactly like each other. It was enough to live knowing this, but she kept reminding him about it constantly. It was unbearable.

After apologizing to him for lying in the past, what was her purpose for this?

Was she really so worried about his sister, when she didn’t mention her existence for so many years?

If it had been before, Nox wouldn’t doubt Lyra’s good intentions. However, he couldn’t help but wonder about her real feelings. He felt he didn’t know his wife at all.

For years he was afraid she didn’t love him enough (for her attitude was always distant, and the mark was still on his chest) but perhaps his own heart had been misguided. He didn’t know her, and his love had all along been just an illusion created by his belief that was the way it was supposed to be.

“She’s safe. Don’t worry too much.”

Setting aside his tasteless meal, he stood up.

“I’ll go for a walk.”

“My Lord…” He pretended not to hear her low voice calling for him.

It couldn’t make him more despicable than he already was.

Outside the gates of the manor, Nox found the tiny person dressed in black, sitting against the wall.

She stood up as soon as she saw him, as if hit by lightning.

“I’ve come to ask you… if you have any conscience at all, please stop ruining my life.”

Her words were as loud as they were hurtful.

He was… ruining her life?

It was true he blamed himself for the very same reason, but what had he truly done? He equivocally chose his wife according to the soulmark he’d been always told would point him to the right person, and he’d bear with the consequences of that his entire life.

But how was he ruining his life?

In any case, it worked both sides and his life could be counted as ruined as well.

“How did you come to the conclusion I’m doing that?”

“You told Master Rabi.”

Oh.

It was because of that.

Nox frowned. Wasn’t she overreacting? He was clearly thinking about what was best for her. Training for a longer period of time before being sent to the realm of the living, she’d be more prepared to face dangers. Although it was true that, for this exception to be made, he had to disclose the truth to Master Rabi.

“I had to.”

She frowned and her purple eyes became moist. At this sight, Nox’s heart suddenly ached.

“No, you didn’t. We’re not related to each other in any way, you have no right to interfere in my life this way.”

If he couldn’t help her even in this way, what else could he do?

“So don’t meddle anymore.”

“I can’t promise that.”

It’d be a lie.

Ayla sighed.

“Of course… you’ll do as you please, Lord Chevalier.”

She turned her back on him and ran away.

***

The feeling of not being in the right place for her haunted her all the time. There should be mutual trust between disciple and master, but how could she trust Master Rabi? He obviously would always place Nox Chevalier’s word above her.

It had only been two weeks, and she’d started training with Senior Milo in the crafting of her sacred weapon. However, Ayla already had this knot in her heart stopping her from doing her work right.

How could this be solved?

“It’s three copper coins.”

“Uh?”

Anika, Pinky Cloud’s attendant, was waiting for her to pay.

“Here. You can have the change.”

It was Master Aldrich again. Ayla felt a bit embarrassed.

“Thank you, Master Aldrich. It was not necessary, really.”

“Guardian Ayla, right? Sit down. Let’s talk.”

He furrowed his brows and that small change in his expression scared Ayla.

‘I’m getting scolded.’

She already knew it before he spoke, but she didn’t understand.

Was it because of the last time when she’d gotten drunk? Estée came the day after to tell her everything that happened. Just thinking about it was mortifying. For weeks she avoided coming to Pinky Cloud for the same reason, but the moment she couldn’t endure without her hot chocolate and came back, he was here.

Anika handed two muds of chocolate and they sat in next to a window.

Ayla kept her eyes on her hands and didn’t dare to open her mouth.

“Girl, you-”

Until she heard his voice.

“I’m sorry, Master! I’m so sorry, I’m such a shameful Guardian! I promise that embarrassing thing won’t happen ever again!”

Ler sighed. So she was worried about that?

“Is something making you unhappy?”

“Uh?”

Now that question startled her.

“What do you mean, Master?”

Ler looked outside the window. It was snowing.

The weather the past days had been changing in drastic ways that could only be attributed to the lack of control of some Guardian with high spiritual power. But it had only happened at night, perhaps others did not notice and even the owner of that power would not realize it. He’d been looking into it without success, but as soon as he saw the girl in Pinky Cloud, Ler recognized it was her.

No wonder people in Blue Castle talked about her as a prodigy. She lacked control, but just a change in her feelings could provoke such results.

He pointed at the window for her to see it.

“It’s snowing!” She exclaimed.

This would never happen in the Cloud City.

“And two days ago, it was so cold at night that even the flowers in the Night-Blooming Garden were close to freezing. Now, do you know why this is happening?”

Ayla looked at him confused.

“You are not training properly. You lack control. Your soul holds an incredible power, yet your emotions are a mess and it affects everything around you.”

What was he saying? The snow… was it happening because of her?

Forcing herself to keep calm, she closed her eyes to meditate. It was true, indeed. When she opened her eyes, it was as sunny as ever outside.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Isn’t your Master aware?”

Master Rabi should have realized during training.

“Master Rabi isn’t going to train me until I complete a year’s training with my seniors first.”

“What?”

“It’s because my training should last longer than any other, and I have to train for two years before participating in any mission.”

Now that was ridiculous.

She’d already completed her education in Blue Castle, what else would she be in a Master’s Manor if it wasn’t to learn also from real life experience?

“That’s impossible. What is Master Rabi planning to do with this?”

“About that…” Ayla stopped herself from speaking, by drinking her chocolate. It was still so hot that it burnt her tongue.

“Master Rabi also apologized, but this is what Lord Chevalier requested.”

“What does Lord Chevalier have to do with this?”

Ayla bit her lips. She didn’t want to tell anyone else. But did it matter, since others already knew thanks to that damned man? Now she could only do what was best for her and if needed, ask for help.

In front of her she had the outstanding Master Aldrich, she would have never imagined he would show concern about her situation, yet they were sitting together in the coffee shop.

She stood up and moved to one side to kneel on the floor.

“Master Aldrich, please accept me as a disciple.”

“You cannot change masters as you change clothes.” “I know!” She looked at him with pleading eyes. “ Master Aldrich, if another Master came to ask you to delay a disciple’s training for personal reasons, I believe you wouldn’t agree.”

Originally he didn’t think she was worthy enough to follow him, Ayla was well aware of this. After all, he’d seen her in the examination and didn’t choose her for a reason. But she didn’t think she could continue learning with people who, in her heart, had betrayed her.

“I don’t know what else to do, so I can only ask for this. I know, no matter who I follow, Lord Chevalier will intervene in the matter. I’ve trained so hard these years, my only goal is to become a worthy Celestial Guardian, but then… do I have to give up everything and go back to live as an ordinary human?”

“Stand up, Ayla. is not the first time you mention Master Chevalier. How is he related to this?”

“He is…” Ayla swallowed. How many times did she have to admit it to others? When could it all fade away? “ He’s my soulmate. According to his request, I must not encounter danger in missions, because… we’re in a situation where we can never bond together, it’s impossible to know what might happen.”

She sat back in her place, and waited for him to answer, but Master Aldrich remained quiet, more interested in drinking his chocolate.

When he suddenly stood up to leave, Ayla lost all hope.

“The residents of my manor can’t laze around. If I find you even once getting drunk like last time, you’ll get expelled. Also, since your situation is quite unique, in order to go on missions I’ll make sure you craft your sacred weapon first.”

She blinked, listening to his every word.

Was he… accepting her as a student?

“I’ll expect you to move tomorrow morning, so deal with everything as soon as possible.”

A smile appeared on her face.

“Yes, Master!”