14 Chapter 14 - Fireflies (2)

Soren clearly felt the tension inside the room, he never felt this way his entire life as his back slowly drenched by cold sweat, his black pupils darting around between the two creatures that sit opposite of each other.

Onyx orbs staring and gazing into the other soul, trying to figure out a single movement or expression. However, the two were known as experts when it came to concealing their thoughts, as the older one decided to move first after much deliberation.

A piece of chess was moved, but she heard a clear snicker from the other side. Her opponent, the youngest of her sister's children, raises his slender finger above the board, picking a piece and moving it accordingly.

He raised his eyebrow as a single word of victory could be heard inside the room, "checkmate," he said, eyes flickering with silent promise. They had bet upon something at the start of this wicked game and Ezana had to retrieve that thing for him.

A plant called Polyus. A strange plant that could suck any spell or spirit that passed right in front of it. Shaped like a cotton with red stem around the edges that protect the yellow substance in the middle of the flower.

Ezana had been wondering for a while, the reason behind why this little guy wanted to acquire that uncanny flower. Turns out Kyzen had teased him for not being able to swim. So he wants to release that flower near him and suck the spirit around him, that way he would be lonely.

"You do know more spirit would still come, right?"

Alron ignored her words, moving the board to the side and put a book above the table. The thick book emitted dust through the air, causing Ezana to cough lightly, the visible yellow color page and strange scent that linger around the book had caused Ezana to furrow her eyebrows.

What kind of strange thing this monster decides to read this time?

Ezana could only shake her head.

"What is it about, Your Highness?" Soren asked.

It has been a pleasure for him to hear Alron speaking about the book that he read, the prince's eyes would sometimes light up and his lips would move faster, spouting more words than usual.

This time though, he didn't even bother to move his eyes from the page, simply answering with a single word, "Plant." 

It is a cue for Soren not to ask further, as he pour tea into two cups and place them neatly beside Alron and Ezana, as well as some sweets.

Ezana smiles softly at him, but does not maintain eye contact for too long. Soren was not bothered by that. He knows the reason why Ezana would often choose to stare into space when replying to his words, it is because of her ability to see more than others could. The ability to see the future.

"Why didn't you come with Elrin?"

Alron's moving pupils suddenly stop, he sighs, removes his eyes from the page and stares at his aunt who has similar eyes to his mother.

"She wants to stay with Madia."

He simply states and returns his full attention towards the book. Ezana nods her head, her eyes examine the little child that has turned nine years old this year. Eyes the color serene night, black lush hair and skin color that resemble his father, The King of Suttern. Unlike Elrin and Artha that only had little resemblance of physical appearance with their Father, Alron was probably the one that looked identical like the King, though his nose resembles his mother instead.

"Doesn't he look exactly like Rydan?"

The Queen of Suttern had once asked her that time, eyes twinkling with wonders like usual, her trembling fingers carefully tracing the tiny closed eyes within her hold. The Queen held her breath as tears trickled down her left eyes and turned her head to find The King holding a baby girl within his hold.

"This one looks like you instead."

"Aunt."

Ezana wakes up from her trance, her eyes find her little nephew's orbs that slowly turn dark. She sighs and nods this time.

"I'm sorry."

It was wrong of her indeed. She shouldn't be tracing the past inside her mind right in front of him. It was one of his powers. The ability to see other creatures' minds, but usually he would be able to put up some kind of barrier to prevent himself from looking.

Perhaps, her memory just now was too strong for him.

Ezana was about to explain further when Alron's dark eyes turn red for seconds, before it turns back to the original colour. Ezana understood and turned her head to face Soren. 

"Prepare the horse for me and Ron. I think it is time for Ursa and Firen to exercise."

Soren was about to ask why the sudden horse riding, it was almost the middle of the night and forest wasn't a good place for a child under fifteen to wander. But the stern warning from Ezana caused Soren to stumble towards the door.

Not a minute after Soren disappeared, Artha came barging into the room.

His cold mauve eyes searched thoroughly and stopped at the little prince that stared at him with a calm expression. A corner of the little prince's lips raised, as if expecting this scene from the very morning.

Artha walks closer to the pair, his indifferent glance takes in the scene before him then chooses to take a seat beside his Aunt and stare at his little brother.

"Didn't I tell you to stay clear of the lake?"

Alron squinted his eyes, filled with mirth and mischievous ideas, clearly teasing him.

Ezana also stared at Artha the same way, she had at least predicted that Artha would come and find Alron for a piece of information about the girl and had expected the same outcome.

Last week, she had seen it but it was a sketchy image and she couldn't quite catch the appearance of the girl clearly. Seems like Alron had seen it all, judging by the way he behaves and the cocky appearance he dared to display in front of his brother.

Understandable, considering it was one of his powers to be able to see the future.

Just like her.

"State your price. As long as it is within my boundaries, I will make sure to retrieve it," Artha stated coldly.

It was the first time in his nineteen years to actually ask for something from another creature. Especially his little brother Alron, the very prince of Suttern that has opened his business inside the castle since last year. For every single question that he answered, his request will need to be fulfilled.

His clients would have varied from the servants, soldiers, princes or princesses of other countries. Even Father came to ask questions about their Mother.

However, Artha never degraded himself to that point, he doesn't want to ask his brother for anything.

Not a single thing.

So then, why this one?

Alron flashed his brother a rare smile, feeling high above him, as he stated his part of the bargain.

"The blue tears of the Soryen Sea. For a week."

Alron states calmly, black eyes lit up with anticipation.

It was a gift from their mother to Artha when he was five years old. A stone as clear as glass and shining like the blue sky, soothing songs of the sea would play from the stone whenever thunder strikes the night.

Artha used to hate storms and thunder when he was a child, it was their mother that had personally visited Ertellib to retrieve the stone. Giving it to Artha and reminding him to close his eyes whenever lightning strikes and listen to the soothing tune instead.

Since the night his mother turned into a living corpse, Artha hides the stone within his chamber, a spell of chain casted around the stone, preventing it from singing whenever the raging storm appears. Despite Alron's insistent request of holding the stone at least once, Artha would only ignore him. Resulting in Alron despising him as time went on.

Who would have thought the time has finally come?

For Alron to finally receive his desire.

"Three days. No more than that."

Artha stated, before he continues, "Put a spell on it. I will hunt you down."

Alron flinches, though he is aware that Artha wouldn't hurt him. It was clear that he wouldn't back down from his statement, with great difficulty, he could only nod. His once black eyes slowly turn red, this time a red dust swirl around his vision and then dissipate in seconds.

"Tomorrow around-"

Alron white cheeks turned visibly red, his usual stone expression faltered a little, he coughed several times and closed his eyes for a moment. Taking a deep breath and nodding his head. A little smile was seen on his face, a rare sight of the little prince.

"Afternoon. When the red tree blooms."

Artha then stood up abruptly, he nodded towards his Aunt and turned to leave. The words Ezana said caused his eyes to turn dark.

"She seems nice."

Artha grit his teeth and rush to the door, before he disappears from their sight.

Ezana sighs and looks at Alron sceptically, "You little monster."

Alron ignored his aunt's words and planted his now black eyes to the page.

One thing though, his cheek is still red. The scene just now was indeed too much for a little kid.