Noah frowned at the events that unfold.
He was aware of the trouble that could fall if he was discovered and so he immediately hid upon a tree. But the flow of conversation made him realize that someone was still going to be in trouble.
Noah shrugged to himself.
It was not his problem.
He froze at an itchy sensation that crawled over his bare leg. The pants he wore were short and when he thought about the creature that had sneaked, his blood ran cold.
Was it a snake?!
Noah tried to abruptly move away but his feet slipped and he fell down on his head. It was a miracle his neck didn't break but his shirt slid down to cover his face as he lay in an inverted position.
A squirrel hopped from his leg to his head and scurried away in the shadows.
Noah sheepishly smiled as he uncovered his face and he was greeted with a surprised Ahzure, an amused Aesther, and a girl he didn't know, whose face turned pale after seeing his bare stomach.
Then red surged over her cheeks faster than one could blink.
Noah tried to act as if he hadn't decided to run away and fixed his clothes before rising on his feet.
He addressed Hazel in a sad guilty smile, "Are they in trouble?"
She was silent.
He found that odd since the girl was fuming moments ago but he continued unaffected, "Oh please forgive them. They saved me from some vicious guys!"
Hazel blinked and glanced at Aesther once before she pouted angrily and looked away.
"I am not some child who complains for small reasons."
"Ah, I knew it!" Noah grinned, it was silly but adorable, "A beautiful lady like yourself can never be so cruel."
Hazel kept her emotions in place but couldn't control the redness.
It was then Aesther noticed that despite appearing like a lost puppy, Noah was really pleasing to the eyes. His soft features and confident bright eyes carried a charm.
Hazel continued, "Nigel has sought father for something, and they are the ones asking for you, Rose."
Aesther could only muster an "Oh."
Hazel rolled her eyes, "I won't mention you broke curfew since father already seems furious. Don't delay anymore otherwise, he is sure to know."
Ahzure was reluctant to leave, but they can not let Noah wander in the Alkazar carelessly and Hazel stated that the alpha had only asked for Aesther. Thus, the four of them parted ways.
The grand hall was mostly empty at such a time.
Nigel was in the middle of it. He knelt over the marble, like a remorseful obedient disciple he was. Despite what happened in the evening, he only appeared sad. But when he felt Aesther enter, she noticed his fists clenched in anger.
He truly was a little coward, running back to complain instead of being able to confront.
Aesther didn't spare him any glance and instead offered a small curtsy to the alpha.
"Greetings," she met his cold dark eyes and slightly smiled to conceal her resentment, "My Lord"
The alpha sat over his throne, a seat made from twisted vines and folded branches of the evermore tree. It never lost its life and is said to be humming with magic. Legends said the throne will start withering when an unworthy ruler takes it.
It was made to ensure that peace remains over the heavenly city.
And Aesther had first started to doubt the gods when the throne remained alive even with Kazmir.
His deep rough voice said, "You've finally returned."
"I was in the groves," Aesther lied.
Those sacred areas only restricted to the wolves were abundant in mana and thus used by the wolves to often train spiritually.
Kazmir's eyes narrowed at that.
His deep rough voice echoed through the silent hall, "You are accused of theft."
Aesther innocently blinked her eyes, "And who made such absurd allegations? Uncle has not kept me poor.."
Nigel took in a controlled breath.
"I was in the town to buy some medicines, My Lord. That's where I met Her Grace," he spoke formally as if he wasn't the one getting too close to her in the last few days, "Since it's not safe for a luna to be out there, especially when Her Grace is weak, I requested her to return but she attacked me to keep her secret and as if that was not enough, she also stole my belongings."
The alpha's eyes remained heavily upon Aesther, waiting for her answer before he stated his punishment. But Aesther knew he wouldn't wait for that if the others weren't there.
"Nigel," she asked, "Are you really saying the weak luna stole something from you who is supposedly the strongest disciple of Alkazar?"
The question reminded Nigel of what happened, his gaze hardened as he replied in a seemingly calm voice.
"You attacked me, Your Grace and I am not the kind of man who raises his hand at women."
Aesther smirked, "Of course."
A luna was the only woman who bore restrictions in Nesmeria. Every other person, regardless of their gender, trained and honed themselves into a warrior and it was a demand of the ancient oath.
But still, some people bore narrowed mindset of the mortal world.
Nigel grew impatient, "This pains me to say it but I want to request My Lord to speak some wise words to Her Grace for the place where I saw her was a pleasure house."
Hazel sharply inhaled. It was a place forbidden to every disciple of the castle. Anyone who was found indulging in that kind of activity was subjected to brutal punishment and expulsion from Alkazar.
Aesther's smile faded.
She could have pointed out the flaw in his words. The only pleasure house of the town was at the very end, there was no medicine shop near it and no decent person usually ventured into those areas.
But if she said that, then she would be asked how she knew such a detail?
Aesther's life was earlier limited to the shrine and now to Alkazar. She wasn't supposed to know much about the town.
"Nigel," she glanced at him, feeling the burning gaze of the alpha, "I know my uncle takes you in high regard and you are indeed worth every praise. But how could you spout such nonsense?"
Her calm response made him more and more annoyed. Aesther was naive and easy until some hours ago but how come she became deceptive and cunning so suddenly? But she had robbed his most treasured possessions and he was not going to let off easily.
Aesther continued, "I won't ask why you were near a pleasure house, but in such a place who knows how many strangers you met? Should it be my fault that you lost an item or two?"
Nigel's face was red with anger. Her hidden accusation made his rage boil even further. He might have visited that place to ruin her but Nigel was a pious man.
"That's going too far!"
Kazmir darkly asked, "What's your evidence?"
Nigel's voice "Her Grace took my emerald necklace of white gold, three silver rings, a ruby bracelet. Since I arrived here before her, she might still carry those things. My Lord can find them if Her Grace is searched."
Aesther asked. "You can not be asking that from a maiden in front of two men, right?"
"Why? Are you guilty?" Nigel's lips twitched.
The alpha's patience was running out. He had to come to the grand hall after leaving everything. He had no time for any trivial talks and gestured to his daughter to proceed with the search.
Hazel didn't hesitate, she immediately started after Aesther removed her cloak. After some minutes passed, she found nothing―not even some spare change. Aesther had already emptied her pockets.
She used them to her heart's content and gave the rest to less fortunate ones.
Nigel's face turned ashen while Hazel had a conflicted look over her eyes.
Kazmir rose from his throne, his domineering aura making the air turn into frost as his gaze bored inside Nigel. The accusations made were way too severe and could have tarnished the name of the family as well as Alkazar if they turned out to be true.
Nigel immediately panicked, "W-wait m-my lord! I swear it's the truth! Aesther knocked me out and then stole from me! I swear….it… that…"
His words trailed off as the alpha stood in front of him.
It was then Nigel realized that what he just said made him sound even more of a liar. Aesther had shown no aptitude for spiritual or martial skills. She wasn't supposed to knock someone out so easily.
Kazmir leaned a little and sniffed.
Though Nigel had used some perfume to hide his scent of alcohol, the alpha carried far superior senses.
Kazmir spat, "You are drunk!"
"M-My lord…"
"Remain kneeling here until sunrise."
With those words, the alpha stormed out of the hall. Aesther fought a shudder at the cold aura he left.
She also left the hall, finding some satisfaction to see Nigel's pained expression.
In her previous life, he had made her more of a prisoner in the Alkazar. She was whipped severely for that was the punishment of the crime he framed her for and the alpha commanded her to remain isolated.
Aesther walked over the crisp grass alone when she heard Hazel follow her out. The younger sister shot her a cold glare.
She had her suspicions because she knew Aesther was outside the castle.
Hazel asked in a serious voice, "Did you lose your virginity today?"
"No." Aesther tried not to laugh.
"And you didn't steal either?"
"Certainly not."
Hazel strode in front of Aesther and blocked her way. She leaned in and sniffed her closely before her gaze narrowed.
"I smell chicken. The dinner today was vegetable stew. You ate outside," she deadpanned, "but your allowance box is still in my room."
Aesther lightly pushed her aside and resumed walking, "...oh come on, we're sisters. Don't make things difficult."
"You really did all that? Rose! That's so shameless!"
It's not like Aesther could explain the situation and so she simply laughed. It made Hazel even angrier.
"I will complain to my father!"
"And explain to him why you didn't mention I left Alkazar?" Aesther asked. The whole situation would have turned out different if Hazel spoke about that earlier.
Hazel purred, "I hate you."
"Ah, I knew it!" Aesther laughed even more, "A beautiful lady like you can never be cruel!"
Hazel's expression became gloomy.
"You have sinned, Rose. It is only proper for you to accept your punishment."
Aesther smiled, "And who is going to do that, hm? You can't go back to Alpha, so, will my dear aunt punish me?"
The current luna favored Aesther and always tried to spoil her with gifts since she couldn't meet her often. Aesther wasn't worried after escaping the alpha's wrath.
"No," Hazel replied, "It will be father himself. But I won't be the one to tell him the truth."
Ahzure would never do anything that could put Aesther in any sort of harm. He was a firm believer of justice and fairness, but he had always protected Aesther.
Then―
Ezrahl.
Aesther froze, a dreadful feeling settled in her heart as she suddenly remembered a certain someone.
Her young sister was way too ruthless to even think that!
Aesther couldn't believe it. She almost thought that her previous life was better when she always tried to not annoy Hazel.
"Hazel," she forced a smile, "It's getting late and we have early classes. Please get some rest, and I will do the same."
And then she ran.