I slept later that night and overslept. My peaceful sleep was disturbed by Yustaf. He barged into the room as if no one resided there. Somehow it reminded me of my cousin when he wanted something from me.
"Hey, wake up," Yustaf called, but I didn't hear anything. In fact, I didn't want to wake up because my body felt heavy. "If not, I'm going to do something you wouldn't want me to do."
My eyes opened instantly, feeling the threat from his words. "I'm awake," I said enthusiastically, but my voice didn't sound like it.
"Didn't you want to visit the city?" Asked Yustaf with his hands crossed.
"I do…where did you hear that from?" I asked him, recalling who I told asides from Bianca and Gin.
"I have ears all over the place. I'll get out of the room and give you time to refreshen yourself," Yustaf walked out of the room while I got off the bed and went to change.
Within fifteen minutes, I was ready to go. I couldn't let Yustaf wait for me, and I was excited to see a new environment. As we walked the long hallway to the main door, we were greeted by Gin. Who rushed towards me and attempted to give me a hug.
However, Yustaf was there to push him away. Gin shoots a glare at Yustaf, who totally ignores him like an invisible mad man.
"Look at this boy. So ignorant after how many years we've spent together. He's still this ignorant towards me," muttered Gin. "Anyway, Good morning. I hope you had a wonderful rest."
"Good morning to you too. Are we all set to go?" I asked, and both men nodded their heads.
The coachman opened the carriage door and offered his hand to me. I walked into the carriage, thanking him, and followed Yustaf and Gin. As the coachman was about to shut the door, he was stopped by Kaeden.
"Hold on."
"Master?" Yustaf called, confused.
"Oh, Kaeden, you're coming with us?" asked Gin, who moved to sit beside me.
"There is someone I want Flora to meet," said Kaeden, looking at me.
"Who is it? Your aunt? Your mom? Your dad? Or your lover?" Smirked Gin.
Yustaf stomped on Gin's foot, who yelped out loud and looked ready to take his revenge. "Stop saying nonsense, Sir Gin," mocked Yustaf.
"You didn't have to go far to stomp on my foot. You could at least say it in a kind manner or a better way without hurting anyone," argued Gin.
"Well, to my luck, no one was hurt," shrugged Yustaf, who leaned his head on the glass of the door.
"What do you mean no one was hurt?" Gin asked Yustaf, then pointed at his foot that was stepped on earlier. "My foot is injured, and I won't be able to walk."
"You're not a baby. You have been alive for a hundred and what years?" asked back Yustaf.
Seeing these two people argue, I can tell that they're very close. I took a short glance at Kaeden, who was busy looking out of the window and didn't care what the two were talking about anymore. I laughed softly, watching the two argue and wondering how these two even meet.
"Are you calling me old?" Gin asked and angrily pointed his finger at Yustaf, who stuck his tongue out like a kid.
"And what if I am?" Yustaf taunted Gin all the more. Gin stood up and went to attack him, but Kaeden stopped them before the fight would get worse.
"The both of you sit down. How can you act like this in front of a lady?" Scolded Kaeden as Gin quietly sat back into his seat while Yustaf crossed his arms and gave Gin a smirk.
"You're not any young," mutters Gin as he crosses his arms like a small angry child.
"Before anything else. I want to ask Miss Flora if it's alright to have your soul read?" Said Kaeden.
"Soul reading?"
"I'm sure you've heard it somewhere. It's just we wanted to confirm some things," joined Gin.
"To confirm if I'm hostile to you demons or not?"
"It's not that we don't trust you or what. It's just something we have been bothered about," Yustaf confronted. I watched him as he rested his hand on his face.
"We're not doubting you," added Kaeden. "There's something you don't know that we want to know."
Something I don't know, and they don't? I sat quietly, looking out of the window. Well, it's to be expected. Soul readers, I've heard of them. There is a myth most demons and angels believe. A promise of a hundred years. And because of that myth, there are those we call soul readers.
I'm excited but scared at the same time. If I'm not the one they're looking for. Will they kick me out of the palace? I rubbed my hands together and sighed. If that's the case, I'll go back to the village where I belong.
Once, we arrived in front of a small shabby looking mansion. At first, Gin looked like he wanted to ask something dumb but didn't once he saw the person Kaeden wanted to introduce me. Gin took a step back and didn't want to enter the mansion.
The girl made her way to greet us, and I stared at her, which I'm not supposed to since it's rude. But I was curious what she looked like. Her face was covered with a thin white linen, and she stood out a bit because of the white dress she wore.
"Welcome back, Master Kaeden. What brings you here and Sir Yustaf?" She asked, lowering her head.
"There is someone I want you to read," said Kaeden, who offered his hand to me. I held his head and walked towards the girl who stood silent. "This is Floriana Conley. She oddly looks familiar, am I right?"
"Indeed, she looks the same," the girl was too stunned to speak that she asked for time to recover herself. "I apologize for my own words. My name is Katrina. It's nice to meet you, Miss Floriana."
"Please, I prefer others calling me Flora," I insisted since it's true. I didn't want to be compared to the daughter of the Angel Lord. I want people to know me for who I am. A human girl called Flora grew up in a small village.
"Please excuse my rudeness," She apologizes to me then looks back at Kaeden. "Shall we head in?"
"Yes, please. I wouldn't want to invade your time, and Flora wants to explore the city," gently answered Kaeden as he stepped into the mansion.
We were all escorted into a room that had circle drawings on the floor. I assume it's a magic circle, but I didn't expect to see one this early in my life. From what I know, rarely does anyone use a magic circle. They usually use chants or, if they're like Gin, magic does the job with a sway of a hand.
"Miss Flora, please step in the middle of the circle," said Katrina, which I followed. "I apologize in advance as you will feel a bit uncomfortable."
"It's alright. From what I've read from books, some magic is really like that," I assured Katrina, who gave me a smile.
"Here are a few things to remember, Miss Flora, and they are important," The voice of Katrina turned stern, which took me in. I nodded my head and mentally prepared myself for the worse. "First, if something unexpected happens, do not panic. Second, you're not going to get hurt; however, you may feel pain. Third, do not panic. You're safe in that zone."
I gulped after hearing the pain. I don't really like getting hurt. I mean, no human likes the feeling of pain. I honestly don't know why I agreed to this, but you could say I was a bit curious when I heard Kaeden mentioning soul reader.
"Let us begin."