(Part 3)

In the soft embrace of early dawn, Raven tenderly combed through her beautiful, curly locks. Her reflection stared back at her from the mirror, as her expression suddenly went dismayed, "...Would he truly leave today?" she whispered to herself, with a saddened voice.

She pressed her lips together, inhaling deeply as she tried to steady her emotions, "Would he once more venture so far, leaving me here to wait for years?" Her thoughts swirled, her heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty. Her fingers brushed a delicate, ornate crystal gem, and as she gazed at it, a flood of memories took over her,

{FLASHBACK} Seven years back...

"Raven, dear, look, Brother Draven has arrived," the Empress chimed with a warm smile. Seven-year-old Raven practically bounced out of her bed in a whirlwind of excitement upon hearing that call. "Brother Draven is here?" she whispered to herself in disbelief. "Brother Draven is here!" she repeated with a sudden, uncontainable joy.

"Yes!" With boundless enthusiasm, she dashed around her room, determined to make herself presentable for the long-awaited reunion. Little Raven hurriedly brushed her tousled hair and smoothed her dress, all while her heart danced with the anticipation of seeing him. The maids exchanged adoring glances, captivated by her innocence.

In the grandeur of the Imperial Palace, under the ornate archways and beside glistening marble columns, Raven descended the staircase. Her eyes lit up with a radiant smile at the sight of King Edgar and the assembled guests, including Draven, in the main hall.

Young Abel, twelve years old, greeted the guests and caught Raven's sight. He turned to her with a warm smile and opened his arms, ready to embrace her as Raven raced toward him with joy.

However, to Abel's surprise, Raven dashed past him, exclaiming, "Brother Draven!" Her voice was a symphony of delight, and she wrapped her small arms around Draven tightly instead.

Draven, thirteen years old, met her gaze lovingly. He bent slightly to return her embrace, his eyes twinkling with affection, "Oh, little Raven, I missed you so much," he expressed. 

Abel on the other hand withdrew his outstretched arms, crossing them with a hint of annoyance.

"I missed you too, Brother Draven," Raven replied, her innocent eyes brimming with happiness. "I was counting the days until you came back."

Draven blinked in surprise, touched by her words. "Really? I'm sorry for making you wait so long," he apologized guilty. Raven beamed in response. "No problem at all. You know, you're my favourite person in the whole wide world, with Mom, Dad, and Brother."

Draven's heart melted at her words as he patted her head gently, "I am flattered. You are such a sweet girl."

Draven reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful crystal gem, its facets catching the soft light of the room. With a warm smile, he presented it to Raven, "I remembered how much you adore shiny things, so here's a little gift for you," he said.

Raven's eyes sparkled with delight as she gazed at the gem. "Thank you. It's so lovely," she exclaimed, taking it and hugging it tightly.

Draven's smile widened, reminding, "Just make sure to take good care of it, okay?" 

Raven nodded eagerly, "Pinky promise," she spoke, clasping her tiny finger around Draven's in a vow. Draven chuckled adoring her innocence.

{END OF FLASHBACK} 

Raven smiled wistfully as she tucked her hairs behind her ear. "Being a child was so much fun," she mused softly recalling past memories. "Atleast I didn't have to overthink every little thing I did." She held the crystal gem firmly, closing her eyes.

...

Meanwhile, outside, the moon casted a soft silvery light on the scene of fading night as the sun was beginning its gradual ascent. The courtyard below was a realm of contrasting shadows and subtle glimmers, shrouded in the ethereal half light.

Arawn stood before a crystal clear fountain, with his senses keen and movement still. A subtle twitch coursed through him as spectral dark, purplish smoke enveloped him like a shroud. His fist tightened into a firm grip, and complexion grew notably paler. As the dark energy continued to surge, encasing him in its cold aura, Arawn shut his eyes and tilted his head skyward, his expression unseen.

Momentarily, a carefree figure approached him with a glint in his turquoise eyes. He raised his hand to his chest, seemingly pleased, and said, "Charmed~ What a pleasant suprise."

The dark energy seemingly vanished as Arawn turned to face Draven who responded with a soft chuckle, his eyes reflecting amusement.

Arawn looked below, his voice low, "It appears you would be leaving today." Draven closed his eyes momentarily, his chuckle filled with warmth, "Awww~ you saw right through me. Hey. How about we celebrate my tearful departure with a match, Arawn?"

Arawn regarded him with his usual calm, "Now? Fine, I suppose..." he responded.

Draven jumped in delight, "Yeah! Delights me." he exclaimed.

Arawn's lips curved into a mysterious smile, "Heh...you never change, do you?" 

"Give me your best, Arawn!"

"Very well. It won't hurt to indulge in a laid-back duel every once in a while or so..."

Draven gracefully assumed a combat stance, surrounded by an ethereal silver luminescence. Ciar descended upon his shoulder. In the brink of the moment, the raven trasformed into shimmers of light giving form to a pair of majestic silver wings that unfurled behind Draven. His face lit up with a confident grin,

"Time to go all out. Let the fun begin."

Surrounded by the cascade of sterling silver petals, Arawn turned around, his back facing Draven. His lips curved slightly, as he spoke with a hint of darkness in his voice,

"No compassion spared." 

Amid the early dawn hour, they confronted each other, ensconced in a spellbinding embrace of silvery radiance on one side and a velvety, refined darkness on the other. Draven's eyes shimmered with past sentiments as he reminisced. 

{Flashback} 7 years back

Amidst the midnight's stillness within the Imperial Palace courtyard, the moon had bathed the surroundings in its silvery glow, shrouding the scene in serene stillness.

Yet, a sombre air pervaded the expanse. 

"Be mersmerised!"

An eleven year old, slender boy clad in black, encircled himself with rapidly descending shadows. "Ugh!" Another one uttered in pain, swiftly trapped within.

The shadows, at the moment, vanished as the boy stepped away, turning his back to the young Draven, who had collapsed onto the ground, groaning, "A-hh."

"You need to train more," the boy told, eyeing Draven from the corner of his crimson eye.

"Ow. Ow...Ouchiee, Arawn. You could've gone a little easier on me!" Draven whined, puffing his cheeks and sitting cross-legged like a stubborn child. Touching his arm wounds, he sighed, "You are really good at giving me the heebie-jeebies."

Arawn, remained wordless. Draven continued, "Jeez! I can never win from you. It's so embarassing to lose from a child who is two years younger than me! Sob." he sobbed with teary eyes. 

"Say, that black smoke you create, must be some gas effect right?" he questioned blatant. "..." Arawn preffered not to debate. 

"Lucky~ aren't you?" Draven mused, "You people have abilities and are far better off than us Camellias folks. My father has one, but I take after my mother, so he's never proud of me." 

Arawn faced him, with a fixed gaze. His braided hair dangling down to his feet. "Sometimes, I envy you for that one thing. I wish I could have an ability too." Draven pouted. 

Draven looked below, seemingly disheartened. Suddenly, a silver raven with iridescent wings flew over Arawn's shoulder and reached out to Draven. It carressed his cheek lovingly as Draven embraced the little bird, exclaiming, "Ah, my dear Ciar~ see. Arawn won again. Sob," 

"I want to fly like Ciar too," Draven admitted with admiration. "But..." He was interrupted by Arawn's words, "It's possible."

Draven blinked eyeing Arawn, befuddled, "How can I? I have no ability like that. I can only tame him like a regular bird."

Arawn shook his head, saying, "It is possible if there's a will." 

Draven was dumbfounded. "I have the will, but what does that have to do with abilities?"

"What is it you desire?" Arawn questioned.

Draven looked at Ciar, stroking the ravens wings, "I wish I could fly! I love that ability. It's cool!" he shared with enthusiasm. 

Arawn nodded, closing his eyes as he stepped closer and touched Ciar's forehead with his fingers. A surge of energy enveloped the raven as Draven began to ask, "What are you do—"

In the midst of the moment, Ciar unfurled its wings, which gleamed brighter than ever before and now replesendent. It bowed its head ever so lightly facing Draven. 

"Ci-ar?" Draven blinked in astonishment with his eyes widened. "Command it." Arawn told.

Draven blinked nodding in thrill, "Uh- I want to...fly?" In an instant, Ciar heeded his command, dissolving into shimmering radiance. Draven's back adorned itself with luminous angelic wings, causing him to elevate from the ground. "Ah! What's happening? I'm about to fall!" he exclaimed.

"I am flying? This is unbelievable? Little Arawn!?" Draven continued to exclaim. Arawn affirmed, "It's your call. You may as well wield it for combat and much more."

Draven, touched by his words, gasped, "Arawn...what did you do?" Arawn shook his head, "It is solely your will and Ciar's will. Nothing beyond that. I donot yeild such power." he clarified turning around. Draven, soaring through the air and reveling in the experience, grinned wholeheartedly, extending his hand toward Arawn,

"Haha. You little! You are so sweet! I adore you!" he grinned embracing Arawn tightly, "Yay!"

Arawn blinked clueless as Draven continued to express his joy, "I am so delighted!"

"You— What are you doing out here!?" A lady's voice pierced the air like a blade, her crimson gaze filled with rage as she fixed her glare on Arawn. Arawn, facing her, fell silent, his gaze widening. Draven looked back, bewildered. 

__

{End of Flashback}

Twirling gracefully in the air, Draven parried Arawn's strike, his grin never fading. "Fights with you are always exhilarating. I love it!" he enthused, performing an overhead slash of ethereal multi-coloured light.

Arawn darted forward, disappearing into the shadows and reappearing behind Draven. His gazed fixed on Draven with a contemplative gaze as he silently thought,

"Strange... Is it since you're my opponent that I...seem to enjoy combat, Draven?"

In the bustling town street, wholesale markets bustled with activity as a multitude of people moved about. Wagons hurried past while pedestrians leisurely strolled.

In the small house adjacent to the herbalist shop, a sudden scolding rang out, "Enya. How many times must I remind you?"

"Applying oil to your hair is essential," Ameren declared apparently oiling Enya's hairs. Enya furrowed her brow as she sat on the floor, while Ameren perched on the bed above.

"Look. Your scalp is completely dry," Ameren continued, massaging Enya's hair. "Oh! Ameren! Ouch! Be a bit gentle. Ah... I think my eyes are fixed on my forehead." Enya groaned in discomfort, her head held high and barely moving due to the massage.

Ameren concerned, examined at her face, "Oh, nothing. It's just your imagination. Your eyes are still there." she flashed a reassuring smile. Enya pouted, "Be a bit more gentle. You just plucked my hair out." Ameren furrowed her brows, "Since when did you become so touchy and sensitive?" she asked. 

Noah, seated on the couch, smiled innocently while reading a book, "This book is great, sister. Thank you for getting it." he expressed. Enya smiled back, "You're welcome. I am just glad you are well."

Enya suddenly beamed asking, "Say, do you think my hair has grown longer?" Ameren sighed, "They're already quite long." 

"Oh," Enya mused while rubbing her eyes, "I'm feeling so tired..." 

Ameren rolled her eyes, replying, "Of course you would. You wasted the entire night." Enya shook her head and took a deep breath, "It was duty. I was bound to do so." she muttered.

Ameren tapped her head lightly and said, "Enough about that, talk about today?" 

Enya closed her eyes, and replied, "Today? It will be my usual routine, nothing else. I'll train for my duel." Ameren nodded and proposed, "How about a day off?"

A tear welled up in Enya's eye as she emotionally forced a smile, "Nah, it's not possible. I've got too many responsibilities for that." Ameren chuckled and remarked, "Just how humorous can you be."

And thus, after the early morning bustle, Enya departed to the Knights Training Headquarters in a usual frenzy.

Imperial Palace

As noon arrived, after lunch, King Edgar and Draven decided it was time to take their leave. While their carriage was being prepared, the Emperor and Empress extended their heartfelt gratitude to their departing guests.

  "It was our honour to have you here." The Emperor said warmly.

King Edgar echoed the sentiment, expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality and kindness they had received during their stay. 

Meanwhile, Abel, standing with Draven, wore a mysterious grin, "So, when will you be back?" Abel asked. Draven smiled and replied, "Not sure. Though, I have a feeling it won't be long." 

Abel nodded, his pride evident. "Tell me, Draven, how did you find Almeria? Did you enjoy your visit? Was there someone who stood out to you the most?" he inquired with curiosity.

Draven took a moment to collect his thoughts before answering, "Well. Almeria is undeniably beautiful and I have loved it here. Even though I've only been here for a few days, the scenery and a change in atmosphere truly captivated me." Abel grinned. 

Draven went on, "Meeting everyone was a delight. You remain as refined as ever, Raven has grown alot prettier, and everyone has become lovelier too. As for who I wanted to meet the most... It goes without saying, little Arawn." 

Abel stared at him wordless, soon sighing, "...How can you be so unbelievable, Draven?" 

Shaking his head, Draven sighed, "I am not unbelievable; You just won't understand. Anyway, where is Raven?"

"Raven is upstairs, she might be coming," Abel replied.

Draven turned around ascending the stairs, "Let me meet her myself," he declared. Abel watched him with a raised eyebrow. "What's gotten into you?" he moaned, slightly miffed.

"Haha. A true gentleman would do no less." Draven chuckled with a wink.