Key to Tamar

A humble mansion on the side of the lake, where the only way is through a thick forest. It is impossible to find without help from the mansion's people. 

This is God's Palm. 

It is on the far west of the map, but in the underground network, it could be everywhere. Naraina's largest and most influential information agency. In this dirty world, knowledge is power. And Killian Fox is infamous for being the man who can get any information they want, for a price.

"Your Highness, Jaewyn Si is here." 

Sirius sat at his small table in the hall, a place specifically for receiving guests. Guests with demands. Sometimes desperate, sometimes evil. 

Jaewyn comes in after a few minutes. The leader of the mercenaries of Oskandor. 

As soon as Jaewyn nears his table, the man falls to his knees. 

"Please, save Loren… Save my son…" 

They also provide services like this sometimes. Because they know where the suspects' hideout is, they can retrieve this rich man's son. Of course, for an additional fee. 

"Mr. Si, calm down. My men are already on it." Sirius taps lightly on his table, and his servants receive the signal for tea. 

"Sit down comfortably and let's wait for the news together." 

The distressed Jaewyn Si accepts his offer and moves to sit. The oolong tea arrived and was served to them. After a few minutes of just quietly drinking tea, Jaewyn was significantly calmer. 

"My son, Loren, got himself into this trouble." 

That catches Sirius's attention. 

"How so?" 

Jaewyn sighed. "He found the Key to Tamar." 

"Which is?" 

"Rumors say there's a haunted palace in the Tamar ruins. And it's the key to that palace's treasure room. A room full of gold, of generations worth of wealth." 

Sirius merely raised a brow. These rumors aren't new. But the Tamar ruins are a new place to make rumors about. 

The Tamar ruins are part of an old neighboring kingdom. It's in a desert east of Naraina. Most of the treasure hoarders' income comes from these ruins, so it's no surprise they kidnapped Loren Si, holder of a key to a supposed treasure. 

News arrived just a few moments later.

Vito came in first. 

He bows. "Loren Si has been retrieved, master." 

Jaewyn Si exhales in relief. "Thank the Gods! Can I see him? Where is he—?"

"He's being treated in the other room."

Jaewyn smiled thankfully at Dante and turned to Sirius. He pulled out a large pouch and placed it on his desk. 

"As promised. Thank you, Killian." 

Sirius only glanced at the heavy pouch of gold before staring at Jaewyn.

"And the key?" Sirius asks Dante, his eyes still on Jaewyn. 

"We retrieved it too." 

Sirius smirked. He took the pouch of 3,000 gold coins and placed it back into Jaewyn's hands. Jaewyn stared at the pouch and slowly realized what he wanted. 

"This should be enough payment for the key," he said. 

"I—Of course…" 

Dante watched this exchange. "Should I get the key from Loren, master?" 

"No. I will meet him myself." He stood up from his seat and went into the other room with the two. 

They found Loren Si lying on a bed, covered in bandages. Tanaka, the only female among them, was bandaging him. Loren quietly whined at his wounds.

She stepped aside when they entered and bowed at Sirius. "No major wounds, just a few sword cuts and bruises, master." 

"I see." 

Sirius looked down at Loren while Jaewyn rushed to his son's side, checking his wounds.

"My son… I'm so glad you're safe. My foolish son." He kept scolding his son, but Loren only stared warily at Sirius. Jaewyn noticed it and cleared his throat. 

"Son, give your key to him—" 

"Are you Killian Fox?" 

Sirius's eyes narrowed. 

"Why do you want the key?" 

"…" 

At that moment, the door opened.

Dante appeared with a frown on his face. He walked quickly to Sirius's side and whispered to his ear. 

"The King sent out a decree. Whoever offers the best treasure to him can challenge him to be the heir."

—

After lunch, Alice volunteered to wash the dishes. 

Florence refused as expected. But Alice was allowed to help clean the table. When she finished, she went outside and found a wooden bench in the garden. She absorbed the surroundings. A quiet afternoon, a gentle breeze, and a thriving forest.

She could feel the presence of all the forest animals all around her.

It was comforting. She felt safe. It didn't feel like her stepfamily would suddenly come out of the house and reprimand her like always.

Her life has changed.

She leaned on the bench and closed her eyes.

Slowly, her consciousness slipped.

When she next opened her eyes, the sun was already down and the sky had darkened. No. It was just a big figure blocking her from the moonlight. She watched the figure jump over the wall and into the ground right in front of her. The wind carrying his scent roughly came to her and she inhaled it. 

Surprised, Alice suddenly stood. She felt a strange sensation surge through her entire body at the whiff of his scent. She suddenly got lightheaded.

Two more jumped over the wall. The huge brown wolf shifted in front of her and her vision was turning as he covered himself. 

Losing her balance, Alice fell back to the chair. 

 Sirius seriously watched her. 

"What is wrong with her?" He asks the twins.

Florence rushed to her side and held her shoulders. 

"Are you alright, Lady Alice?" 

Alice was holding her head that suddenly throbbed. "…Dizzy… Pain…" She mumbled weakly.

But she had to greet the Prince. She had to curtsy. So she tries to stand up to curtsy, but loses strength and almost falls. Sirius singlehandedly held her arm. 

His cold gaze went to his hand on her arm that suddenly felt warm… too warm. As if it's burning!

When he released her, the warmth had already spread to his entire body. He was burning up from inside and from the looks of it, it seemed she was too. 

He watched her as he endured the pain. 

She was scratching her chest and frowning deeply. She looked to be in more pain.

He felt like exploding… how worse might she feel?

Florence watched the two. When she recognized the symptoms, her eyes widened. She slowly stepped away from the two.

"Step back, twins. Step back from them," she warned. They could all see Alice and Sirius's veins becoming visible and their eyes glowing. Looking up, it was a full moon tonight. 

"Step back! It's a mate bond awakening!"