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The return journey met far less resistance, but that didn't mean it was a walk in the park. The only silver lining was that no one had been seriously injured.“Let’s not head straight back.” Elias cautioned. He looked around, “Ideally we could circle around, but I am also curious to hear the street chatter about the events at the border.”He paused, his lips curling slyly as his gaze turned to his youngest brother, “considering we have someone who can handle the language easily, this shouldn’t be hard right?”“Piece of cake.” Jerome winked, he too was curious, but he turned to Gustav and Zelda, “Would this cause any problems with the stash we collected? And will the delay affect Mira's healing?” He fired questions one after the other.“The stash… they are good for another 100 years if they are left as is.” Zelda’s lips lifted proudly.“Mira’s healing, however, can’t afford to wait that long.” Gustav added with a playful smirk; He paused, before continuing, “however another one or two
Taro and Lael slowly walked out of the cave; however, they were no longer dressed as they usually did. Instead, they wore long robes very similar to the attire of the Eastern Kingdom, with hoods covering their faces and leaving only narrow slits for their eyes.They surveyed the area before nodding towards the rest who were hiding in the cave. They too walked out, their attire similar to that of Taro and Lael. While Taro had been fiddling with the door, Lael quietly fetched robes from the hidden compartment, distributed them according to size, and returned the spare ones to their original place.Similar to their side of the cave, this end was also on the edge of the forest. They quietly followed Seb who had a map drawn out on sheepskin. They moved swiftly and cautiously for more than an hour before reaching the estate, which was not only heavily guarded but also had high walls like a fortress.Normally, they would have surveyed the estate and formulated a plan first. Today, however, t
Lady Luck didn't seem to favour anyone in particular. Even though they diligently went from one apothecary to the next, no one managed to find even a single stalk. Still, they continued onward, each hoping the others had better luck.Matthew and John had just come out of the fifteenth shop when they saw a red and green flare light the skies above in the far east direction.“I need to head back.” Matthew spoke with urgency. “Come, I will drop you back at Southamberston and head there…”“Southamberston is on the way,” he added, seeing John about to protest.“No… I meant I am coming.” John pursed his lips into a stubborn line.“Not on my life…” Matthew shook his head, “I have no idea what’s up ahead.”“Alright… Get your brother-in-law’s permission and come.” Seeing John refusing to budge, Matthew could only bring out Alex.John followed grudgingly. He knew there was no point arguing. Perhaps he could trick Alex into agreeing, just like he had in their younger days…Matthew didn’t wait fo
Zelda’s steps paused, but only momentarily before ignoring everyone and walking past them as though she couldn’t see them.No one thought much of it, most of them were used to her temperament, for the rest, it really didn’t matter.Only Gustav shouted and ran after her, “Stop right there… you snatched and didn’t even pay… how can you be so shameless?”Alex pulled his back once they entered the lounge, or perhaps thought he had enough fun at their expense, “Stop shouting… when have you ever won against her? Aren’t you just asking for a beating?”“Unfair…” Gustav muttered feigning a displeased expression as he sat down. He looked around and asked with a sly smile, “Where is the cub and his lioness?”“You do not want to go anywhere near him.” Cornelius chuckled feigning an expression of fear and failing miserably at that. He added pointing at Alex, “even the lion doesn’t dare…”Gustav raised his eyebrows inquisitively as his gazes flitted among the trio.“After Alex’s treatment, Mira fel
Alex wasn’t aware of the Siphons being brought back. He raised an eyebrow as he stared at the other two. However, before they could speak, the old man spoke up.“The strange thing is, I cannot sense their presence or even the scent of them ever existing past the front entrance.”Jerome, Matthew and Harry’s eyes widened in enlightenment, and they quickly exchanged glances to confirm each other’s theory. At the front entrance was where all the Siphons were handed over to Eldora.“What do you mean?” Cornelius asked with a puzzled expression.“It's as though they never existed... no, that's not right. It's as though they never entered this house at all.” The old man shrugged as he sat back. His eyes moving over to Alex with curiosity, “What’s going on?”Alex gave him a quick explanation… at least what he knew.“Impossible…” The man shook his head in disbelief. “There is no cure for Deora Dé…death is inevitable.”“Then congratulations… you have obtained enlightenment and can now communicate
The next day, everyone still gathered around Mira first before breakfast. Although there was no change, it did little to dampen their hope. With the little butterfly, Annemarie, leading the way, the youngsters planned on what surprise they should arrange for her when she woke up.Cornelius, Alex and Baldwin sat in the lounge. Their attitude and mannerisms were anything but relaxed.Elias and Humphrey walked in, with Humphrey bickering but both stopped as they saw the sight in front of them. This was not an unusual sight but one that they had not seen for a very long time even if it was not relaxed, the warmth was not a mirage. While the two brothers were debating whether they should interrupt or leave, Aglaya, Elizabeth and Beautrice walked over from the other side and nestled in their husband’s embrace.“How long has it been since we…” Elizabeth sighed, the words choked in her throat. However, the heaviness didn’t linger as Cornelius laughed as he remembered their last reunion decades
“We were happy to see that your bond only grew stronger with time and have always been proud that it didn’t get tainted with the murk of the world around you.” Edith sighed “This is also why we never questioned his decision when he decided not to retaliate and hold the fort together till you got bac
Inside the Bellevue palace, Cornelius’s eyes misted as he saw that the arrangement mirrored that of the main house of the Zumerong. Overwhelmed by the emotions brought about by the weight of his sins, he lowered his head guiltily, his lips quivered, however no words escaped his mouth. However, no on
Jack and Mira rode over to meeting point that they had discussed with Baldwin at the break of dawn hoping to sneak away without attracting any attention, however the presence of Cornelius and Aglaya in the carriage along with his elite soldiers, took away all their thoughts of sneaking away.Corneli
Matthew was right, one sleep was all it took for Jerome to fall back into his usual miserable self. In the morning, while Matthew and Harry were flexing their muscles, rehashing on their shooting skills and swinging their swords, Jerome sat back on the grass, chewing a blade of grass and asked with







