We soon arrived at my bedroom.
I watch her from the corner of my eyes as I opened the door of my wardrobe. "Go ahead, choose whatever you want."
She just quirks her lips in a corner momentarily and then steps inside.
I closed the door behind her and waited.
After few minutes, the door opens.
I glances at it and she steps out anxiously wearing a fashion that suits him well. "I'm relieved to see it fits." I told her as she just sighed.
"Let's go see Miss Cidd," I walked towards the main door and opened it for her.
"What if someone sees me like this?" She asks, shuffling her collar and sleeves.
"We'll just say we're playing around."
"I really do hope we can find a way to revert this. We have a banquet tonight after all. Plus I don't think Mama will be pleased if she finds out she now have two sons. She might even cry! I don't want to bring them headache today."
On the other hand, I think Papa and even uncle will be ecstatic, I thought to myself.
I just nodded at her. "Don't worry, if Miss Cidd can't do anything about it I'm sure Levi will gladly help. Otherwise it's his loss..."
—their engagement will surely be cancelled if Aerra will be stuck like that forever.
Then again, that sounds like a great idea.
Having a male twin is better perhaps.
At least there aren't any fools that keeps appearing to ask for her hand in marriage.
••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••
We first headed to the Research Center inside the castle, a little to the southernmost wing from the upper bailey.
To our dismay, Miss Cidd is no where in sight.
So we tried asking the scholars present in the area but no one was capable of providing information we needed regarding the new research materials.
"Let's just go to Levi" I concluded as Aerra just frowned. "What is it?" I asked.
She just looked at the ground for a brief moment, I can see her fist clenching on her sides, and then finally she looked at me. "It's nothing. It can't be helped after all. Let's go see him. "
Hmm.
Is she actually anxious about being seen by Levi in this form?
We head back to the main halls and towards the antechamber where me and the other guys agreed to meet.
I glance at Aerra as she just eyed me tentatively, as if asking me why I'm looking, her brows arched up, waiting for me to talk.
"We are actually planning to go to the city, tour around and perhaps visit the towns at the outskirts. Would you want to join us?"
She seemed delighted at the idea, "Of course! But my form—!"
I shook my head, "Don't worry, I have a feeling that won't be permanent."
And if it is, I will gladly accept that I now have a male twin.
'Celebrate' is more like it.
And then Aerra can simply live in Greenrun with me. We'll rule over the Dukedom together.
In a distance, I can hear Eriol hollering as we finally reach the anteroom.
"Good morning, Aerr— woah. What's with the sudden get up?"
We stepped closer until they both stood just few feet away from us.
Both of them studied her from head to toe.
Aerra bowed her head down as she sighed.
She seems troubled enough, so I decided to explain what happened.
Levi immediately responded,
"The effect usually wears off by sun down. A similar incident had happened back in Osteell that's why we're trying to study those orbs and hopefully produce a more prolonged effect. And it's not really candy but they do resemble one and edible so it's easier to market around if ever the project is successful." Levi explains. "So don't worry, Aerra. It will be fine." He concluded, patting her gently by the head, regarding her with such warm gaze that I never see in Levi when he's with us. He doesn't seem to be bothered the slightest so I guess it's safe.
"No other side effects?" I asked
Levi nods. "Not that we know of yet. But I will bear the responsibility if anything is to happen. That I assure you." He was directing that to Aerra than me.
"That's a relief!" Aerra sighs, beaming.
"So how did you find out you're a man?" Eriol intrudes in with a mischievous sneer. "How much have you affirmed the success of transformation?" He then looked at me.
My face instantly flushed. "I... well she... I mean he—!"
I can't tell him that she— just stripped in front of me.
"You're all man head to toe?" Eriol went on, eyeing Aerra.
Aerra nodded, "Sadly, yes."
"Well you do look just a little different. But more dashing as a man than your real male counterpart-twin here!" Eriol chuckled, pointing a thumb at me.
"Hey—?!"
"I'm quite curious how the holistic change goes though! May I check?" Eriol sneered, reaching a hand towards Aerra. I instinctively grabbed his wrist to stop him. Levi on the other hand abruptly wrapped an arm around Aerra and mildly pulling him closer.
Almost at the same time Levi and I spoke up:
"Don't even think of groping, you bastard!" I muttered.
"Don't touch my property." Levi groans.
Eriol bursted out laughing. "The knight and the prince steps up to protect the damsel! Relax guys, I was only kidding."
I released his hand.
"This is perfect actually, it's better to travel around with her in that form. It will avoid unnecessary attention from perverted shitheads. Also less the trouble for the Prince and the Knight if ever some guy in the streets took interest." Eriol stated in a smug. "Then again that scene would have been more interesting to watch."
"So are we going or will we just spend the day listening to your yapping and reveries?" Levi murmurs, while he comfortably wraps both his arms around Aerra from behind, laying his chin gently over the top of her head.
"And when are you planning to releaser her?" I clenched my teeth in annoyance, addressing the unsightly gesture.
Levi stuck his tongue out at me while wearing his usual blank facial reaction. But slowly unwinds himself away afterwards.
"....!" 💢 tch. This irksome bastard.
"Let's go while it's still early!" Eriol says, as he went ahead and led the way. I checked my pocketwatch: it's only 7 am. I closed it, put it back to my pocket and then followed him.
I paused midway and turned to wait for Aerra but saw Levi ushering her and began exchanging small talks with her as they began to walk forward with matching pace.
I can see Aerra smiling so serenely as she watches Levi with her big blue eyes.
I felt a kick in my gut somehow.
It was an unpleasant feeling.
But she looks genuinely happy, maybe because Levi never reacted negatively at the sight of her transforming as a man. He seems to accepts her regardless and acknowledge what she might feel if he did react.
For that I thank him
but still—
So I decided to just turned about and strode to Eriol's side. "Where do we go first?" I asked him. Eriol just grins. "Just follow me! Today will surely be fun!"
"Why do I feel like you're up to something?" I frowned as he just ruffles my hair.
"I won't get you into trouble!"
"You didn't even answer my question..." I sighed.
"You had a question?"
"Never mind." I scowled at him and just focused my eyes ahead as we walk across the lower bailey towards a carriage, near the main portcullis, where we can ride to exit and head to the city below.
As soon as we reach the city, We all stepped down from the carriage as Eriol and I preceded the walk, while Aerra and Levi followed us from behind
As soon as we reach the city,
We all stepped down from the carriage as Eriol and I preceded the walk, while Aerra and Levi followed us from behind.
I notice people began to look at us. I just waved at them as they greeted us with enthusiasm. Eriol did the same.
Greenrun has very nice citizens, I thought to myself. And I will rule over them and keep peace and prosperity someday.
"Have you told her yet?" Eriol asks, I looked up at him and remembered about the Meistership.
"Not yet. I will later." I replied, glancing at Aerra over my shoulder as she walked beside Levi a little behind us.
Our eyes met all of a sudden. Aerra just cocked her head to the side, eyeing me back.
"Eriol, do you think Aerra is changing?" I murmured.
Eriol followed my line of sight and looked at Aerra.
I can see Aerra furrowing her brows now. "What?" she murmurs.
We both turned our heads back to look ahead.
"Both of you changed in my opinion." Eriol answered, returning his focus to the streets as we went on walking. "Not just the appearance and height. I mean as individuals. Why ask?"
At least he didn't joke about my question. "You think I changed?"
He nods. "Before, your main vocabulary revolves around Aerra. Especially when we first met at the deserts. Aerra this, Aerra that; she likes this, she hates that. It's like you're going to ran out of air if you didn't talk about her."
I felt my face hot all of a sudden.
I had to look away and steady my gaze at the path we are currently walking on instead.
"Don't be ridiculous. I was only sharing stories to you." I retorted. "You already know that we never meet other people so of course I had nothing to talk about but her!"
"Relax. I'm not saying it's weird. I understand. Aerra is interesting after all."
I shot Eriol a glance. "What do you mean by that?"
"I don't know. But nothing malicious if that's what you're asking."
"...then tell me, what changes did you notice in her?" I watched Eriol intently this time.
He glances at me at the corner of his eyes. "Maybe the same things you also noticed, her demeanor; her cold gaze. She's not even spending time with us as much as we used to. It's like something is eating her."
So Eriol noticed it too.
"I think..." I carefully considered my next words, "—it has something to do about Faram."
"I don't think so." Eriol immediately dismisses my notion without a hint of doubt.
"Then what do you think is wrong with her?"
"There's nothing wrong with her, kiddo. But she's hiding something. The secret in her eyes is growing." He replied, I barely heard his last statement, almost as if he was talking to himself.
"Do you know something?" I asked, trying to catch Eriol's eyes as he kept a steady yet sightless gaze ahead. I trotted a bit to walk faster to meet his line of sight but...
Suddenly there was a shriek.
I focused my attention where it came from, finally realizing the growing crowd of women on the sides of streets.
They are swooning and squirming, some even shrieked as Aerra waved a hand at them.
I looked around us.
We were surrounded.
But they keep a safe distance just enough to let us pass... at least for now.
"G-good morning, your grace!" One young lady stepped out from the crowd and handed a flower at me.
I stopped at my tracks.
I looked at the flower.
What would I do with it though?
"Good morning. T-thanks, I guess." I replied reluctantly, rubbing at my nape bashfully as I received the red flower she presented. I can see her face flushing beet red as she ran back to join the crowd.
I looked at Eriol as he just sneered and shrugged briefly at me.
I turned to Aerra and some other ladies were handing her flowers as well, same with Levi.
Another went up to me and presented a basket of bread, almost shoving it to me. Two ran up to Eriol and presented him with— I have no idea anymore the crowd is getting wild. More and more women uncontrollably assembled around us.
"Eriol! Let's get out of here!" I hollered at him as a wave of women came closing in on us, separately.
There was so much noise, shrieking and some even pushed and pulled.
"Eriol?!" I called out but he was bombarded with so many women around him that he didn't even heard me. He wasn't accepting any of their presents though, he just stood there scratching a ghost itch behind his head; looking so perplexed at what to do.
I turned to Levi as he just stood there calmly with subtly crunched brows, eyes closed and arms crossed together tightly . He doesn't seem pleased with the loving crowd gathered around him nor was he receiving any of the their presents.
Aerra on the other hand kept on receiving the items. But she seems genuinely confused and quite troubled with all the squirming and chaos going.
I looked around me and all I see were smiles and delighted gazes of the women. This is starting to annoy me.
When will this end?!
One of them is even trying to shove a biscuit in my mouth while another is pinching my cheek.
I can also feel fingers touching the ends my hair.
I closed my eyes shut.
I grit my teeth tightly, trying to contain myself. Clenching my fists both to my side.
They are the nice citizens of Greenrun, I chanted inside my head repeatedly like a Mantra but I feel the heat of energy beginning to course through my body.
My lighting is beginning to manifest on its own as if to respond to how irritated I feel.
Would have been better if they don't touch me and poke me— or try to feed me
and mess my hair...
Also... there are now ladies latched onto both of my arms.
I think someone is also hugging me from behind.
Some hands are even running across my chest.
What the heck—?!
This is too much!
That's it!
Enough is enough!
I—
"STOOOOOOOP!" Aerra's voice suddenly reverberated in the air.
The crowd and noises suddenly halted.
I opened my eyes and looked at her.
"MAKE WAY! ITS URGENT!!!"
I wonder what she's up to?
"YOU NEED TO LET US PASS!!! It's a matter of life and death!!!"
The crowd whispered amongst themselves and slowly complied to retreat back to the corners of the street, leaving us an ample amount of space.
I sighed a relief.
Perfect timing too!
Suddenly Aerra dashes off pass me, leaving all their gifts behind. She pauses, turned to look at us, "You guys! Come on! Hurry!!!" she shouted and with that she sprinted away.
I exchanged glances with Eriol and Levi for a moment. Slowly we all curved a smile in each of our lips, nodding, we began to move our feet forward, slowly gathering our speed until our legs races off freely to the electrifying rush of energy and excitement.
Eriol bursted out laughing.
Levi and I exchanged glances then went on laughing as well, I don't even know why we are laughing but it honestly felt good.
Running incessantly to the main streets of the city, from one corner into another, Aerra led the way and we followed her.
"You're all so slow!" Aerra chuckled as if mocking us for a challenge.
"Oh is this a race? Why didn't you say so!" Eriol smirked as he made a mad dash ahead, wind bursting all of a sudden, boosting him in a flash and leaving us all behind. He covered about a hundred meter away in just a second.
Aerra cursed under her breath and charged along to keep up.
I glanced at Levi as he just matched my pace,
"Can you keep up?" I grinned at him.
"Don't patronize me. I can match you!" He replied,
"Eh?— but I can outrun you!" I told him as I leaned forward and charged forth. Leaping and skipping spaces until I reach Eriol.
"Oh! Hey you're fast!" he gasps, looking at me in genuine surprise.
I grinned at him. "Wind is not the only element that can boost speed!"
I focused the energy surging through my vein and directed it towards my legs and a bolt of electricity began to emit around my body.
I have the element of lightning on my side after all, and I can be as fast as the wind... maybe even more.
"See you at the central square of Rimal District!" I gave a single salute and released all the bolt of lightning on my feet. My body flashes and my sight narrowed. Everything around me was but a horizontal line of varying colors.
In my focus, I saw the fountain ahead and so I stomp my feet down just at the exact same time I reached it, even before I could even stumble towards its waters.
I took a deep breath and looked behind me.
I can see them still racing from a distance but only as tiny as ants from my perception.
Still a long way to go, I thought to myself as I sat down at the corners of the fountain, watching them as I wait.
I kept on greeting few people that passed by who recognized me.
I wonder how much longer until they get here.
I'm starting to regret getting ahead.
I scouted my eyes around and realized how few people there are in this area.
I'm currently in the Rimal District.
Greenrun has only one small city that is located shortly below the motte where our castle stood. It's surrounded by walls to keep intruders and fiends out. We have few districts of which corresponds to whatever central trade they focus at. But Rimal District is more of the neighbourhood kind rather than a business district. Most houses are located here so many people are usually concentrated by these hours at the busier districts where commerce are alive.
We have six districts in total. Eriol's orchard and farm is at Nois District where the valleys stretches with tilled and plowed fields, brimming with fertile soil and fresh produce.
We can take this road to where his orchard is. I wonder if we have to drop by first.
A light suddenly emitted on my side, runic symbols appeared for about a split second and then vanishes, revealing Levi who just stood there. I sprung off to my feet in surprise.
"How—? H-how did you did that?!" I gasped, turning to see where they should be and only saw Aerra and Eriol racing alone now.
Levi just walked towards the fountain and sat there. Some of his hair looked disheveled and he noticed it too so he gently combs them in place with his fingers. "Like I said, commoner blood has their own way to cope up with the bluebloods."
"I never knew that" I murmured, just sitting a little beside him.
"Of course you wouldn't. You've been living a sheltered life. I'm sure you're not even aware about the civil war going on about at the northwest kingdom. It's the commoners against nobles. But don't misunderstand, my abilities are far better than the boring ones. It's actually one of our latest innovation yet in Osteell. A one of a kind." He pauses, "I trust you will keep this as a secret for now."
Using Alchemy? I thought. But would that be enough to go against our own?
I never even gave too much thought about it but has the common folks found a way to gain power as well?
Obviously, they have. Otherwise Levi wouldn't be able to teleport from one place to another. But the runic symbols reminds me of the portal found at Ouboros whenever we head to the ruins below the base.
Well ruins of the ancients are scattered all over the world. There might be some in Osteell for sure.
That means they must have found a way to use ancient enchantments for themselves.
The ancient technology
that was forgotten by time...
Maybe they even found a way to combine it with alchemy. And knowing Osteell, they might have progressed even further.
But how was Levi able to control ancient inscriptions? He doesn't seem to have any tattoos on him. Or at least not that I see...
Wouldn't that be dangerous though? —manipulating a celestial kind of technology from the ancient era...
Osteell empire is really growing stronger every year.
"There are a lot of chaos outside, Aeron. It's never as easy and simple like how you and your sister live here. For a House like mine with no innate magic running in our veins, we need to be in a level where our claims as wardens balances with the other wardens in the seven kingdom" Levi explains as if he hears my thoughts, "But I'm somehow relieved that both of you are naive on the matter. She doesn't need to see and experience such ugly things. I'll shield her from all the corrupt malice. You have my word on that."
I pursed my lips tight.
I glanced to follow his line of sight and saw my sister who was still running in a distance towards us.
I don't even want to give her up to you Levi, is what I thought.
Although Levi is my friend, I can sometimes sense the twisted dark thoughts he has. For all I know, he might even incite a revolution against the High throne someday and begin a war.
He's like a wolf in a sheep's clothing. He may seem all calm and reserve all the time but the careful gaze he holds are as sharp as a double sided dagger, as if he's just waiting, watching, and calculating the perfect time to strike.
As long as he has interest in my sister, I'm sure he's on our side.
And I know his intentions for her are clear and genuine. Plus he does treat her kindly and with respect but given a chance, I know, as a man, the prurient wolf inside him is yet to be awakened.
And it irks me to think of such.
I stood up and pace around.
"They're almost here" says Levi, his sharp amber eyes focused to where they are.
"About time." I murmured. I just eyed him in the corner of my eyes as he stayed focus looking at them. Still, it's eating me...I wonder how he did it— embed the ancient ruin enchantments somewhere on his body and control it.
"Relax, Aeron. I'm on your side." He suddenly uttered, closing his eyes and crossing his arms together.
I flinched at his sudden statement.
I didn't replied. I just sighed.
He must've noticed me staring.
"You're on my side too, right?" he asks. His tone makes it sound like it was a statement rather than a question.
"As long as you keep your hands off my sister." I replied, looking away.
He chuckled. "That goes without saying it. I won't do anything to her that she won't permit me to. Unless of course, I can make her change her mind."
A double meaning...
This guy is seriously irritating me. 💢
I watch as Eriol and Aerra finally reached us. Eriol seem fine but Aerra was breathless. I know Eriol could've reached us sooner but he must've took his time just so that Aerra won't get left behind.
Very attentive as usual and considerate.
"So where are we heading next from here?" I asked. As Eriol just walked towards to the fountain and dipped his hands to the waters.
"Well, the main activities are over the Central District so might as well go there." He replied, racking his hair aback with his soaked fingers.
"W-wait!" Aerra hemmed and hawed, panting heavily. "J-just a mi... just a minute!!!" She slips down her feet and sat there while catching her breath.
"That's what you get for not attending our daily trainings with Eriol! You lack exercise." I chuckled, placing both my hands to each side of my waist, "Suits you right!"
She just scowled at me briefly before rolling her eyes away, pouting.
I watch Levi get down to his one knee to offer her his handkerchief.
Aerra just thanked him, mildly blushing.
Aerra seems to be acting normal again. The coldness expressed in her eyes are nothing but exhaustion and frustrations now.
I prefer that goofy look in her face better.
I found myself smiling at the sight of her.
But I just closed my eyes and looked away.
Seems like this will certainly become a long day.
——————