“Grandpappy, good morning.” Ashriel greeted as soon as she saw Valor’s back after walking for more than fifteen minutes from the Palace.            “Good morning, dear one. Why are you up so early?” Valor asked and stood up from his seat to greet Ashriel. “Come, have tea with me.” Ashriel kissed his cheeks and sat in the chair opposite to him. A small table with a tea set stands between them. “You’re right on time. I did not yet brew the tea. Can I ask you to brew a delicious one for me? I think I missed it.” Valor asked with a small laugh.           “Of course, Grandpappy. I bet you missed Granny’s tea, not mine.”            “Ha-ha! Meredith was the one who taught you how to brew it, so your tea is the same as hers as well.” Valor rubbed his beard, which made Ashriel mope

Xieaniel leaned back on his chair, gazing into the fire. His laboratory was silent. He strained his ears, trying to hear through the walls, listening for sound from outside. There was nothing save a gentle scraping of the rose tree at the window which faced the forest. Where was Olive? He sighed deeply.           “You’re not even that talkative but it felt so silent now.” He whispered in the air and removed his glasses. He pressed his eyes down, reminiscing his memories with Olive. It’s been almost a month since Olive and Ashriel left. Xieaniel then remembered the first time Olive dashed inside his office eight years ago.           Xieaniel was busy tightening the system of Austere and he flinched when the door burst open, revealing a woman with short brown hair and tired-looking brown eyes. She did not even bat an eye at Xieaniel and quickly slammed herself on the small bed, good

           Kate hugged her pillow tightly but…            “When did my pillow become this hard,” She asked herself and stopped when she felt something moving above her.           “Since when did my pillow stroked my hair?” She asked herself again.           Slowly, she opened her eyes. For a moment her vision was blurry then she saw a foggy familiar face smiling at her.            “Good morning.” His voice was husky.           She blinked a couple of times before realizing the state she was in. Her hands wrapped tightly to Raith’s waist, and she just removed her face from his firm chest. Her head pillowed Raith’s arm, and his free hand gently strokes her hair. Her eyes widene

“Why are you scared of the Ruler?” Ashriel asked her.           “I heard that she is vicious and merciless. And she kills people who are useless.” The woman felt her body slightly shudder. “I never saw her face but I think, I’ll faint in fear if ever I do.” She chuckled and gave Ashriel the paper bag containing the food and drink she bought. Ashriel’s face distorted. “Is that really my image for my people?” She asked herself.           “You said you are a new recruit. Do you have any place to sleep?” The woman asked and Ashriel stopped. It was her mission to enter Seiron but having a place to stay was out of her mind. She held her head.            “For Pete’s sake how can I forget that?” She asked herself angrily. Seeing what she did, the lady l

“Nile? What are you doing there?” Ashriel asked with a stern tone and motioned Siel to put her gun down. Siel did as she was told but did not put her guard down. Her eyes then searched the surroundings.              “What’s wrong?” Ashriel asked with a softer tone, seeing that Nile’s eyes were sharp for a three-year-old boy. Nile looked at the orphanage house before pointing to the flower beds not too far from them. “What’s in there?”             “Bodies.” Nile answered swiftly making Siel stop. Ashriel’s eyes narrowed.