Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 311. Faint II
* Knock* * Knock **Knock*
A soft knock echoed through the study, followed by the creak of the door opening. Angel turned toward the sound, momentarily pulled from his thoughts. Rose stepped into the room, her face etched with worry. "Angel, is your work finished yet?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice.
Her eyes quickly scanned the room, taking in the sight of Angel sitting behind his desk. There were no documents or scrolls in front of him, nothing to suggest that he had been engrossed in his usual royal duties. The absence of work materials only heightened her worry. She approached him, her steps soft but purposeful.
"Angel," she repeated more softly as she drew closer, her gaze fixed on him. "What's wrong?"
Angel had an instinctive urge to grab the bracelet in front of him and hide it. It was a reflex, a protective instinct he had developed over years of bearing the weight of the crown and its secrets. He didn't like showing vulnerability or letting anyone see him struggle. But then he remembered his promise to himself, to be more honest and open with Rose. He couldn't hide forever.
"My work is done for today," Angel said, his voice steady but tinged with the weariness. "It's just that something is still bothering me." His gaze shifted back to the bracelet on his desk, its colorful gems catching the dim candlelight.
Rose followed his gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the sight of the bracelet. She had seen Angel focused and troubled before, but this was different. There was a depth to his concern that she hadn't seen in a while. "What is it?" she asked gently, her voice coaxing him to open up.
Angel sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It's this bracelet," he began, his fingers lightly tracing its edges. "It belonged to Lady Belle, but there's something strange about it. I sensed a faint magic flow within it, something almost imperceptible."
Rose studied Angel's expression, noticing the subtle shifts in his demeanor. It was a strange mixture, one she couldn't easily categorize as either sadness or worry. He seemed irritated, as if he was dissatisfied and holding back a deeper annoyance. She stepped closer to him, her concern deepening, and then sat down in the chair opposite his desk.
Her eyes fell on the bracelet lying on the table. Its unique and unusual shape immediately caught her attention. The intricate design and the colorful, irregularly shaped gems were not something commonly seen in Euphorion. It took her a moment, but she finally recognized the style.
"Is this from Pontus?" she guessed, her voice curious. Rose's mind flashed back to her travels in the neighboring kingdom. Zephyrus and Pontus were close neighbors, and she had visited there several times. Like many girls, she had been fascinated by the jewelry and accessories sold in the bustling markets. She had to admit, while this particular form was rare, she had seen similar pieces for sale in the city.
Angel nodded, appreciating her perceptiveness. "Yes, it is. It was given to Lady Belle by a wealthy merchant from Pontus," he stated. He flicked his gaze at Rose, his curiosity piqued. "Do you know anything about this kind of bracelet?" he asked, a spark of hope lighting up his eyes. Any new clue could potentially unlock the mystery that had been eluding him.
"Yes," Rose replied, taking the bracelet from the desk. She examined it closely, turning it over in her hand. "This kind of bracelet is rare, but I've seen it once or twice. If I remember correctly, some say they are usually the remains of craftsmen from the past."
Angel's interest intensified. "Craftsmen from the past? What do you mean?"
Rose nodded, her eyes still fixed on the bracelet. "There were artisans in Pontus known for creating intricate and unique jewelry pieces. They used techniques and designs that have since fallen out of fashion. This particular style, with its irregular gems and hand-crafted look, is a hallmark of their work. But these kinds of ornaments are no longer very popular and are considered old-fashioned, so most of them don't craft them anymore."
Note: In case you want to give me gift or anything, please send to this story https://m.webnovel.com/book/villain-mmorpg-almighty-devil-emperor-and-his-seven-demonic-wives_25760862505799905
>Read the original on https://m.webnovel.com/book/dark-moon-rise-of-the-dark-king_20098538705442905
>Read 10 chapter ahead of DM + 2 weekly update
My Pat*reo*n-page: pat*reon.*com/nanakawaichan
(erase the *)
My ko-fi page: ko-fi.*com/nanakawaichan
My Discord: discord.gg/mSRHyMVhnG