The sky was dark and everyone in the quarters were all sleeping soundly, all tired from the chaotic but fun party orchestrated by Thenea. But even though the adventurers went to sleep with a happy heart, one member stayed up and waited for them to fall asleep. And when two in the morning came, he locked his room and heaved the bag full of the things he brought along with him from the manor.
Viv took a glance at Thenea's room and contemplated whether to slip a piece of paper through the gaps of her door, or just leave without a word. He doesn't know the best thing to do at times like this.
He was in deep thought for a moment and turned to his door before taking out one of his knives. Viv slowly carved out something on it. A message for everyone in the rank.
"Viv will be back."
Seeing his work, he was satisfied and left without looking back. When he got out of the quarters, a man in a black jacket and purple buckaroo knot tie was waiting for him, the butler.
"Sir Viv," he greeted him.
Viv only blinked as a response.
"We're ready when you are, sir."
Viv nodded and was ushered inside the carriage, "we will now take off, sir."
Before the butler "you will be travelling for approximately two week including stops for rest, sir Viv."
Viv did not respond and continued to listen, luckily, the butler was already accustomed to Viv's personality.
"You will arrive at huge metal gates with yellow and blue uniformed soldiers guarding at the gates, from there, you will be taken inside the property alone. None of our servants can accompany you inside, sir."
The purple head nodded.
"I bid you farewell and a peaceful trip, sir Viv."
"Thank you, Edwin."
The butler was surprised but he immediately straightened himself and smiled at the child before him, "we will all wait for your return, and by that time, we will prepare ourselves to call you Master Viv."
…
"NOOOO!"
A loud piercing scream had woken up the sleeping rubies and Lars who was at the other side of the quarters. Even Lithea who was in the middle of the meditation, or Verin who was doing his daily routine, joined in and all rushed outside their rooms to find out what happened and if there was any danger in one of them. But they only found Thenea squatting in front of Viv's room, her eyes fixed on the door.
"Thenea, what is wrong with you? Can't you give some of us a good sleep for once?" Serene whined when she saw Thenea spacing out. She was about to grab her arm to help her get up when her eyes caught something on Viv's door: scribbles.
She paused and took a look at it, it was messy but she can still make it out, "Viv will be back."
The others gathered around and took a peek at the writing as well, they were filled with confusion.
"Why, did he have any mission we don't know today?" Serene asked Lance but her attention was at Thenea who was sulking.
"All of us are supposed to be free until tomorrow," he answered, "do you know what's going on, Thenea?"
All eyes were on her, awaiting for her words.
"He's gone. He went away, I have no idea why and why he didn't tell me but I think my grandfather has something to do with this."
"What do you think he did?" Lance asked.
Thenea heaved a sigh and got up, "I'll have to figure it out."
Lars, who just got to the ruby's side of the quarter, pointed at the door, "um, I think someone's here for the princess?"
Everyone looked down and tried to see who it was.
"Can you ask who they're here for?" Lance asked Lars. When he did, Edwin made himself known.
"They are here to pick up Thenea, he said his name's Edwin."
Thenea bit her lower lip, anxiousness arose in her.
'I knew it.'
Verin groaned mentally and uttered, "fucking nobles."
He hated how his morning routine got ruined for others family affair.
Thenea immediately took off after she dressed up decently and had brushed her hair, there's no time to waste, especially with her grandfather. She may be his treasured grandchild but when it comes to their duties and responsibilities, there are no exemptions. Especially her. And with Viv gone, there's only one thing on her mind, inheritance.
She will have to take over the house.
Once Thenea arrived at one of their houses, she went straight to the dining area where both of her grandparents were having breakfast.
"Papa!"
Lord Ember had a series of recollections with his granddaughter's habit of barging in when she wants something that requires immediate attention, and when he admits of being scared when she does this, it isn't the normal thing grandfathers do when pretending to be weak for their little ones. To him, it is real. He really is scared when Thenea starts barging in and at the very moment, he's too scared he is having indigestions.
Had he known this is how she'll react, he would've thought of something else. At least to lessen Thenea's aggression. Although this kind of attitude is needed once she takes over, Lord Ember thought it still lacked control.
"My goodness, child!" Lady Ember exclaimed.
"My apologies, nana." Thenea's words were plain and insincere but she did not reprimand the child for that. She knew too well how respectful and kind Thenea is, this hinted to her that the child in front of her already knew her husband's plan.
"Dear, come join us for breakfast."
Thenea did not bother looking at Lady Ember, her eyes pierced through her grandfather.
"Thank you, Nana. But I believe I must have a word with Papa. I think this has been put on hold for too long."
Lady Ember did not retaliate, instead, she raised her brow and grinned at Lord Ember to tease him about what was about to come.
It is as if he could hear his wife saying, 'you are doomed at the hands of our precious granddaughter.'
"It would be best if we talk at my study, darling."
Lord Ember eyed his wife, she only gave him a simple smile before going back to her meal.
Inside the study of the head of the house, the two sat across each other. AS Lord Ember poured tea for them, Thenea was tapping her fingers on the armchair, impatient.
"Papa, there's no need for tea."
"But won't we be discussing something?" he doesn't want to admit it but Thenea exudes a different energy this time, "it's best to have a talk over tea."
"May I speak first?"
Lord Ember halted and looked into Thenea's eyes, "sure."
He then proceeded to pour tea.
"Was it you, Papa, who sent Viv away?"
Lord Ember had finished pouring tea and gently placed the cup for Thenea in front of her, after he set aside the tea pot, he took his teacup and leaned on his chair.
"Yes, it is I."
Thenea's shoulders dropped, there's a sense of relief hearing it was his doing why he was sent. What scares her was if Viv would have been given something for a faraway mission, he might lose it. It took them a lot of time to make him listen to them and trust them. If it would just get rusted by a mission, she wouldn't know how to go back to the time where they were struggling with him.
"You looked relieved," Lord Ember commented before sipping on his tea, "was I wrong to think that you came here to get Viv back?"
Thenea tilted her head.
"Was it not the reason why you're here, to argue with your old grandfather?"
Her brow raised, "you just called yourself old, don't you hate it when people point it out?"
"Well, it's time for me to start calling myself that, your eldest brother had already given me a great grandchild and soon the others will follow, and you will take over the title as the head of the family soon," he chuckled, "it is best to not dwell too much in the past. I must embrace what is presented to me."
Thenea squinted her eyes, "you just can't wait to retire and do nothing but piss off Nana."
Lord Ember chuckled again, this time, raspier and louder, then he stopped.
"Can you wait for Viv?"
"Are you going to tell me why and where you sent him?"
"The location must be kept a secret, I wouldn't want you visiting him unannounced, it will only disrupt his–well–improvements."
"Improvements?"
"It's for the best, and when he's back, I hope he's ready and is right for the job I have set aside for him."
"Papa?"
Thenea had suspicions but with Lord Ember's playful words, she had no idea what he did to Viv. But if it's for his own good, she will not press on the matter.
"Say, Thenea," him calling her by her name means business, "what say you about this girl?"
Thenea took the picture from him, "she's pretty, Papa. But why are you asking me this?"
"We have to send Tenzin away."
Thenea was sipping on her tea when he uttered those words and she choked.
"PAPA!"
"What? It is about time for that rascal to settle, don't you think?"
"Brother Tenzin is still young, he's only a little older than me."
"If ten is little, then I guess. Soon Taega will gift this family with babies and he's still fooling around."
Thenea cleaned herself, "I know you have your ground Papa but we cannot force them to do what you want, it is their life."
"I knew you were born into this family for a reason," Lady Ember, who just arrived, happened to overhear what they were talking, " had you not become an Ember, your grandfather would still be the same person who puts the image of the family first. Now, you're the one who reminds him that his kin aren't his slaves."
"Dear," Lord Ember is in a dilemma, he can't be in one room with the two of them, "aren't you supposed to prepare for the party later with your friends."
"Oh you know I don't have friends, dear, it is my job to keep an ear with whatever gossip the social circle is spreading to protect us."
"But aren't you going to prepare?" he repeated.
"I will take my leave after I remind you of something."
Lord Ember puts down his teacup, "what is it?"
"Isn't there something you must tell Thenea? Not just about Viv."
"Oh," he cleared his throat, "it slipped my mind."
"What is it, Nana?"
"As Viv is preparing for the job our family will secure for him, you too will be training as the heir of the House of Ember."
Thenea blinked, everything seemed to move fast. She's getting dizzy.
"I will what?"
"You will start your enclosed training tomorrow, dear."
"But–"
Thenea didn't know what to do, but she couldn't refuse. They have been lenient on her by letting her join the guild, and she knew this time would come.
Was Viv's situation connected to her heir training?
That afternoon, Lance was busy preparing for a requested mission. His crow came by when he was resting, an escort mission for some noble to the west. He thought they'll be visiting a noble's event but the person they're going to escort lives after the western region, they live in the northwestern region. He would've declined the request but he's gotten bored by doing nothing all day and accepted.
It was only an escort mission and he hadn't done any since the northern region. The tip the nobles would give also weighed more to him. Apart from the usual rate, they give more if they're satisfied with them.
Lance was in the kitchen, checking his arrows once more when Serene walked in.
"Hey," she halted when she saw the arrows and studied his outfit, "you're going out?"
"Ah," he kept everything back before responding, "yes, just a simple escort mission."
"You know," her voice had a hint of excitement and Lance did not like it, "I haven't been given an escort mission."
He could only inhale deeply and release it in one go.
"And?"
"You won't mind if I tag along, right?"
"Keep dreaming."
Serene clapped and turned around, running towards the stairs, "I didn't hear you minding it, I will be right back!"
Lance bumped his head on the wall and groaned, "uggghhh!"
He was contemplating whether to leave her and just take off while she's in her room, but there's something inside him telling him to let her go with him. That he'll regret it if he won't allow her to tag along, on top of that, she might brighten things up with the very boring job.
"Okay, we can go now!"
Lance shut his eyes tight before sighing, "fine, just for today."
"It's so boring in here, I can't go visit the pub as well, they're doing some maintenance or cleaning. I don't wanna join in on that one. I mean, have you seen me clean? Pops was begging me to help but I lied and told them I have a mission. Is it bad? Should I come clean later? What do you think?"
Lance's ears started ringing, they had just left and Serene has spat out 60 or so words!
"What I think is you talk too much!"
"Oh please," she waved her hand at him, "its not like you'll die from me talking."
"My ears will bleed and I would die from blood loss."
Serene laughed, a mocking one, "you're so dramatic for a commander."
"My being a commander has nothing, in whatsoever, to do with me listening to your mouth."
"Isn't my talking the reason you let me tag along?"
He blinked.
"I didn't let you tag along!"
"But you waited for me."
He blinked again. Somehow, the talkative redhead got the final word.
"Okay, so where are we going?"
"Northwest."
"Will the guild provide a horse?"
"Yes, let's go."
The two were indeed provided with two horses, a black one for Serene, and a almost golden one for Lance. He liked how his horse looked, it also seemed pretty fast. It has always been a hobby of him to ride good horses back at the Vancouv residence. But when Lyssa was born, he barely went on a horse ride.
Serene threw at him a traveling coat to protect them from the sun and to avoid blinding their eyes when they speed up.
"Where did you get this?"
He checked the quality and it seemed expensive, it's thick but comfortable and doesn't feel stuffy.
"I just had it at the bottom of my box," she shrugged.
His brow raised but decided to shake his head and let her be, she must not want to tell where she had gotten it.
'Was this meant for her family? Anyhow, I'll be borrowing this.'
"I'll take the lead, you follow."
"The mission starts once we arrive there?"
Lance turned to her and grinned, "it already started."
He then flicked his wrist and the reins moved, letting the horse know it's time to move, "hya!"
Serene was surprised he didn't give her signal, "hya!" she mimicked him, "wait up you jerk!"
"You gotta do better to keep up with me!"
The redhead pouted before mentally cursing Lance, she then moved her reins again and this time, her horse went faster than before.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Suck on this!"
The two arrived a day earlier than the date they were expected. Since the two used the travel to have a race, they were much faster. This was also a strategy made up by Lance to one, keep Serene from talking, and two, to avoid delays and keep her from whining. But mostly from her talking. The two ended up having to check in an inn and let the night pass there before they head up to the house address of the requester.
They did not do much when they checked in and was instantly buried within their beds and snored. The two rooms from the two rubies were filled with snores and saliva, they had the best sleep they haven't gotten for months due to the assistance missions.
Lance was grateful he took the request, and Serene was also grateful she tagged along.
The next morning, Lance's green crow came knocking on his window, a small folded letter wrapped around it's leg. He was still deep in his sleep when he was awoken by his loud knocking and caws.
"Okay, okay, I'm already awake!"
He opened the window and let the bird settle on his finger. When he opened the letter, he felt dizzy as he read each words written on it. He felt his heart beating faster and faster, his surroundings were muffled. He couldn't think straight.
Caw!
Lance shook his head but everything seemed fuzzy, his head started ringing and he lost his footing, causing him to fell at the edge of his bed. Unfortunately, his butt did not meet the soft bed, instead it was grazed on the wodden bed frame.
"Ah, fuck!"
He felt his back burn, but he couldn't reach it, and his mind was still troubled by what was written on the paper.
Meanwhile, Serene was on her way to Lance's room and have him join her breakfast when she heard his cries from the inside.
"LANCE?!"
She turned the doorknob but it was locked, "oi, Lance!"
Lance was brought back to reality by Serene's loud voice and annoying knock.
"What?!" he struggled to respond and made his way towards the door.
"Open it, are you alright?"
He shook his head one last time, as though trying to shake off what just a happened a second ago.
"Lance!"
Serene's knocks were gradually getting louder and louder, back then, he was quick to open the door and his voice isn't ragged and raspy even after waking up.
"HEY!"
She was about to slam her palm on the door when it opened and instead of wood, it was met with a flesh. She accidentally slapped Lance's forehead.
"Ah--"
Lance's temple twitched as be gritted his teeth, "what?"
"Um, breakfast?" she said cheekily.
Lance sighed, "wait up for me, I'll go freshen up first."
Serene only nodded and he found it weird but he just let it be and left the door wide open with Serene outside as he went to the bathroom to wash his face.
'What the heck was that?' they both thought.
After their awkward breakfast together, Lance suggested they should walk and slow down to their destination. First, they left their luggage at the inn to avoid hassle during mission. Not soon after, they headed towards the house of the requester.
Lance was silent and is in deep thought, no matter how noisy or whiny Serene gets, he would let it slide and respond to her without much thought.
Throughout their breakfast, Serene was already suspiscious, especially the noise coming from his room. She was sure something is shaking Lance up, but she did not know what to consider. They never really talked outside work
Serene settled in observing him but all she got was his forehead creasing deeper and deeper.
'Nope, I won't let this slide!'
She hopped on her horse and have Lance eat dust as they ran past him. He coughed and was surprised to see it was Serene who just passed by, he immediately hopped on his horse and ran to her.
His worries faded for a moment, "stop! We have mission to fulfill!"
Serene stopped in front of a huge pearl colored gates, she turned to him with a grin. But to her surprise, instead of a pissed off Lance, her eyes saw a pale person, all colors drained from his body.
Lance was finally in front of the very place he never wanted to be at, the Vancouv Manor.
"Lance..."
"Who's there?!" shouted by one of the guards.
Serene flinched and climbed down the horse, "its the ruby adventurers, we are here for the escort request?"
"Name?"
"Oh," she peeked at Lance, "Serene and Lance."
She heard one of the guard hummed and peeked behind her, after that, she saw him place a sly grin on his face.
'What's going on?'
The gates opened to let them in, but the atmosphere and how the guards looked at them seems like they weren't welcome.
Serene had her horse's reins and grabbed Lance's as well. Although she did not know what is the story behind, she had a feeling Lance was summoned here for a reason. At this moment, she was even more glad she tagged along. She couldn't imagine what could happen if she hadn't.
As they were going further and further into the property, she can sense Lance is becoming like a statue; not moving, not feeling anything, all froze up. It is like he was becoming a stone.
When she saw the mansion becoming bigger, so did Lance's brows drawing closer together.
"Um, Lance, we're here." She said quietly but enough for him to hear.
He did not respond.
A butler with a clean black suit greeted them, his hands were placed behind his back and he wore a stoic yet welcoming expression.
"Welcome to the Vancouv Manor," he said and eyed Lance with a confusing look. She raised her brow before greeting back.
"Good morning, we are here for the escort request."
The butler would have said anything about them requesting only one for the mission but he chose not to, he thought perhaps it was Lance's idea to have someone along.
"You may enter and wait inside, the young miss is almost ready to come down."
Serene glanced up at Lance before speaking, he's still on his horse, glaring at the mansion's door.
"Um," she hesitated, "we'll wait outside. Thank you."
"Very well," the butler looked at Lance once more before going back inside the manor.
Serene guided Lance's horse to the garden entrance and there she spoke to him, "are you okay with this?"
She doesn't know the story, but knowing how Dash is a Vancouv and how bad their relationship is, it must have took him a lot of courage to step inside that annoying person's home.
'But isn't Lance a noble? Are their houses enemies?'
Lance looked at Serene before jumping off the horse, he tied both of the horse's reins near them and he stared at her.
"Lance?"
He sighed, "I'm fine. We'll get this over with and go back home."
She nodded even though she doesn't want to, she's afraid if she annoys him with her questions and concerns he might give her more missions or worse, no mission at all!
"Um, esteemed rubies?" a boy who is around the same age as Lithea came up to them, he looked kind of timid, "the young miss is ready."
"Of course," Serene was about to untie the reins but Lance beat her to it.
"Let's go," he said but he did not move a muscle. He waited for Serene to walk ahead of him. She want to get mad at him but she controlled herself for her sake and the mission.
The two was lead by the boy and he tried so hard to peek at the person behind Serene, he thought he looked familiar.
"Is there something wrong?" Serene asked the boy when he didn't stop peeking behind him.
"Oh, no. I'm sorry," he quickened his pace until they arrive in front of the mansion's entrance with an elegant carriage awaiting them.
"Here they are, butler." He hated calling him butler in front of guests and their masters but he had to, at least to not stain the house with embarrassment of how their servants were disrespectful. After all, the man he's calling butler is his uncle.
Lance did not bother looking at the boy and the butler, but he knew who they are. He grew up with that boy, and the butler was with him more than his own parents.
"Miss Lyssa, these are your escorts on your journey," the butler tried giving her hints on not to scare her brother and get familiar with him, "they will ride their own horses and will be posted at the either side of the carriage."
Lyssa eyed the butler, wanting him to give permission to at least talk to him.
"Good day, miss. My name is Serene, over here is my commander Lance. I apologize for introducing ourselves in his stead, he has not been feeling well. But I assure you this will not hinder his performance."
With Serene doing Lance's job, Lyssa was disappointed. It seems like his brother wouldn't have taken the request had the address of his client was revealed the first time. It was her who requested for Lance, with Cathan's absence, he can't escort her to the palace like usual.
"It's an honored to be escorted by the esteemed rubies, I am not at all worried with Sir Lance being unwell, he looked reliable enough."
The butler opened the carriage door, "young miss, its time."
Lyssa smiled at Serene and when her eyes landed on Lance's, he too, was looking at her. His eyes widen in surprise, he didn't expect her to look at a bastard like him.
He clenched his jaw and whipped his head, his eyes was telling her he's unworthy of even the slightest acknowledgement from her. He thought it'll be fine to meet his sister, but now that it's done, he just wanted to run away.
Lyssa looked down and frowned before stepping inside the carriage.
The two immediately went to their position when Lyssa was settled in, and when Lance climbed up on his horse, his coat became undone and revealed the silver shoulder armour he always wear.
"My," the butler picked it up and handed it to him, "that's a beautiful armour, sir."
Lance tensed as he took the coat from him and immediately put it on, covering his clothing.
Lyssa who was watching them shed a tear. She laughed, "he's wearing it. He still wears it."
When the group started moving, the butler uttered the words he's been wanting to say from the start.
"Its nice seeing you again, young master."
He bowed his head and placed his right palm on his heart, a sign he still respects Lance.
The journey lasted until late at night, the movement was slow and careful. Lyssa always have motion sickness when riding a horse or being in a carriage, so to avoid it, they always go on a slow pace. So for the usual half-day journey, it usually takes them one full day to arrive.
They also stopped in the middle of the night and rested; they went again as soon as the sun showed up.
Lyssa wanted to at least speak with Lance but he acted like he doesn't know her. Every time she goes up to him, he would act like he did not see her and only come up to her if it's a part of his job.
Cathan was actually not busy and could escort Lyssa, but since he also wishes for Lance to know about Lyssa engagement with the prince, he agreed with Lyssa plan and kept himself busy at the palace.
The group finally arrived at the palace and this would end their mission, Lyssa did not want it to end. If it only is up to her, if she did not have to attend a meeting for her wedding, she would have let them go in circles to be with him more.
'Brother won't be here with me at the palace.'
Lyssa watched both of them climbing up their horses again, ready to head back to the capital.
Her heart started hurting and beating fast. When will she see him again? Is it possible for her to invite him at her wedding?
Cathan arrived and saw that the rubies are ready to leave, they're only waiting for the completion report to be signed to deliver to the guild.
He tapped Lyssa's shoulder, "aren't you hesitating too much?"
She looked up to him and then nodded, "thank you, Cathan!"
Lyssa started running outside as fast as she can. No matter how it broke her image of being the perfect daughter everyone adores, she has to.
The governess handed them to scroll of accomplishment and Lance immediately pocketed it.
They both moved their reins and the horses moved slowly.
"Wait, brother!"
'Don't go.'
Lance brought pressure on his right feet and his horse stopped. Serene also had her horse halted.
'Brother?' Serene thought and glared at Lance.
"Brother, please!"
'If you leave now, you might not come and escort me again.'
Lyssa was never accustomed to running, all her life, she only ran wjen playing with Lance when they were little. And as she grew up, trained to be a noble lady as the Vancouv's young lady, she would always move like a swan floating on the waters.
For the for the first time in years, she's running again because of one person, for Lance.
Lyssa finally caught up to him and grabbed his coat, "brother."
'You were supposed to be my escort for everything.'
Lance did not know what to do.
"Please look at me."
Serene closed her eyes for a bit and sighed. She then took something for her pocket and a gold coin at him.
He glared at her but then she smiled, "are you seriously going to let this pretty lady beg? Isn't she important to you?"
Lance looked down and gripped tighter on the reins.
"Man up you asshole!"
Both Lance and Cathan was surprised to hear the words come out from Serene's mouth. Cathan who was following closely covered Lyssa's ears and yelled, "oi!"
Lance also jumped down to protect her ears but when he saw Cathan already did it, he realized what he's doing.
"Uh—I."
Cathan took his hands and took a few steps back.
"You finally looked at me."
Lance saw his sister cry, in front of him, and because of him.
Sniff.
"You—"
Lance wanted to hug her but he only watched her.
"How many more personal request should I make to be with you?"
He found it hard for him to speak.
"How long will it take to make you talk to me?"
He still did nothing.
"You asshole!"
"…"
Everyone was taken aback with the word that came out of her mouth, she copied Serene. And all of them had gone pale.
"OI!" Lance covered Lyssa's mouth.
Lyssa blinked.
And blinked again.
She slowly took off Lance's hand and laughed.
"Yep, this is the brother I remembered."
Lance felt a sense of relief enveloping his body, not soon later he dropped his head and cried.
"I'm sorry."
Lyssa took a stepped and hugged him.
"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you. I couldn't protect you. I'm such a failure for a brother."
She giggled, it's the first time seeing him cry. No, it's the first time he's cried like this.
"Brother, you'll be here for my wedding, right?"
Lance broke the hug and raised an eyebrow. It's the first time he's seen her and have a conversation with her. And the first thing she tells him is about her marriage.
"What?"
"I will be wedded to a person I like, brother. It may take a while but we are in the middle of planning. Well, mostly coming up with the list of invitees."
Lance looked at Cathan, "who's the guy?"
Cathan did not answer and it pissed Lance off.
"Brother, you will like him."
"Why?"
"Its the prince I'm going to marry."
Lance was disappointed, he did not know him personally but for his sister to enter the royal family, he thought its one of their grandfather's schemes.
"Don't worry, grandfather has nothing to do with this."
"Really, the old power leeching dude?"
Lyssa slapped Lance's arm, "grandfather's changed! Cathan became the commander of the royal knights without grandfather's words. It was all his talent and skills."
Lance smiled and looked at his cousin, "yeah, he did well."
Lyssa looked at Serene and then back to her Lance, "will you write me letters now?"
"I will, I feel like we have a lot of things to talk to. Especially about the guy you're going to marry."
Lyssa laughed, "you'll learn to like him like everyone else."
"That's true. As his teacher, he's a promising young man." Cathan seconded.
Back at the capital, Master Chi arrived with Mia. They both decided to visit Lithea after receiving the letter from the moonlight temple and had accidentally revealed to Lithea about her origins.
They state their the details of their conversation.
Chi had to explain everything to the two, and although Mia had no idea what's happening, she immediately agreed on coming to the capital just to see her sister. She was oblivious to everything.
They all went to the pub restaurant Lithea went to when she first arrived at the capital. She usually visits the restaurant when she did everything that needs to be done and she's on a day off. She helps around the business as she's not comfortable having nothing to do back at the quarters.
Now that the three of them are all seated, Master Chi swallowed the lump in his throat.
"I came to see you, both of you, because there's something I must tell you."
"Tell us?" Mia asked as she watched their orders being placed on the table.
"Is this about the Moonlight Temple?" Lithea asked.
"What about them? Are they not our ally?" Mia blinked.
"They weren't at first, but now, they have become one of us." Master Chi revealed, "but before that, you must know about the Sol family."
"I think I know about mother's family background," Mia started eating, "she's the previous master's sister and the previous one's niece."
"There's more to that, Mia."
Mia squinted her eyes at what Lithea said, "more?"
She then looked at Master Chi for answers.
"Your sister is right, dear. The founder of the Sol Temple isn't just someone, he's one of the first ruby adventurers."
"That I know too, but why does it feel like you had us meet Lithea for something urgent?"
"It is something that's important, Mia."
Lithea drank the cup of juice that was served.
"It is about the rightful heir of the Sol Temple," Master Chi began, "to become the master of the temple, one must complete the decades of training under the very same method the founder had trained to achieve such power. After that, one must accomplish all level of tests everyone takes to rank up, but they must complete it flawlessly."
Mia had become intrigued, "and?"
"Other than those things, one must be of a descendant of Sol Rohit, the swordsman who pierced the heart of the demon Azazel."
Mia's eyes widen and then looked at her sister, but seeing how she's not as surprised as she is, she already knew.
"You guys knew and did not tell me?"
"It was not myself who told Lithea, I suspect your mother might have told her stories as a preparation for the truth."
"And the ones who must inherit the temple are male born." Lithea inserted while Master Chi was talking.
"That was before your uncle changed the rules."
"Rules are rules. The ones made by Sol himself are absolute!" Lithea argued.
"But we don't have males," Mia pointed out.
Master Chi nodded, "and that is why the rule was amended by Tohan."
"So now," Mia was in deep thought, "Lithea must be the one to take over and push you out Master Chi?"
He smiled, "that is right."
"There is no rule the first born daughter must take over." Lithea pointed out.
"But—"
Mia wanted to push Lithea for the responsibility of their clan and would offer her help when the words of Lithea spun in her head and had deduced something from it.
"You want me to take over?"
Lithea sat up straight and looked Mia right in the eye, "yes."
"I—" she looked at Master Chi but he did not say anything. "How are you okay with this?"
Master Chi smiled, "I have been watching you two grow up."
"So?"
"Whoever will replace me will become a great master of the Sol Temple."
"But I want to become a capital nursing priestess!"
Lithea stared her down, "did you not choose that because of me?"
Mia was surprised she's seen it through, "still, I made up my mind!"
Master Chi sighed, "I knew this would happen."
The two looked at him, "what do you mean?"
"I would want the two of you to come up with me at the Sol Temple and study the ways of the Sol."
"I have rubies," Lithea reminded him.
"Calla wouldn't mind, if you are needed, I won't forbid you from doing it. But you two must learn the ways of the Sol."
"How long must we do it?" Mia asked.
"Five years."