They continue their journey and Silva was riding beside Vrag. The two of them are so immersed in the conversation. Edmund is observing Silva's features. She is not a Slothian. Her skin is of sun kissed colour and she has a beautiful silver hair that give a stunning contrast on her. She have a beautiful pair of silvery grey eyes too.
Edmund had to distract himself so he is not staring at Silva so much, he is afraid she might find him rude. He is observing the vast greens that Arethea can't have.
"Do you like what you see?"
Edmund was startled with the question, Silva is riding besides him now.
"Em...Ya..S-Slothia is beautiful." he stammered.
It earned a chuckle from Silva "The old man is right. You are a funny Prince."
"Silva, don't be rude. Don't spouting the names too please." Vrag seems disturbed.
"It's not everyday I can see an awkward Prince."
"Silva." Vrag give her the last warning.
Silva give Vrag a "boring" gesture with her hand. She didn't leave Edmund alone though.
"I'm staying with your old man for the past half a year. He told me many things about you, smart boy."
"You can call me Ed." Edmund is not comfortable with all the nicknames he get.
"Ooh...I can call you by name?"
"Please."
"You can call me Silva too." Edmund can see that she is quite young for a Prince's aide. As he observe her more his eyes fall on to a uniquely shaped daggers on both of her sides.
"That is a rare design..." Edmund blurted out and Silva seems amused.
"Where do you think these come from?"
"I have seen a similar pattern on one of the books about an old small tribe near Aram. But it is said that they has extinct."
"You are very knowledgeable." Silva is impressed. Marley didn't just boast about his favourite student. Marley's stories has made her interested about this one Prince that like culture and history more than his place on the throne. She hated royalties but Vrag is different that is why she become one of his most loyal aides.
Edmund suddenly light up. "Those daggers are originally yours!? Are you one of the tribe survivors? How many left of you..." he stopped himself. "I'm sorry. It's insensitive of me to ask all these questions..." Edmund covered his mouth to stop himself from talking further.
"I have never seen you so excited about new person, Silva." Vrag made a comment on what he has observed so far. It's rare for him to see Silva show interest in a guy she doesn't know.
"You have to blame it on the old man for telling me all about him." Silva answered and Vrag chuckled.
"Anyway. Yes, my tribe has extinct because of those nobles. I don't even know how many of us left. I was sold to Vrag when I was thirteen and I have never met anyone from my tribe after that." Silva seems didn't mind to tell Edmund about her past.
"Wha....Vrag? She is in your harem since she was thirteen?" Edmund gave him a disapproving look.
"Hey...the story is not like that..." Vrag defend himself.
Silva laughed. "I made it sound bad."
Edmund is confused.
"He trained me as his aide when he took me in. Well... he thinks it's wrong for such a young girl to be sold for pleasure. He took me away from those perverted nobles and Princes."
"You cost me quite some gold."
"I'm a rare goods."
"A lot of nobles still wanted her. I made her my aide and send her to do jobs for me outside the castle."
"At least I don't need to meet that pervert."
"Ah...yeah...Thyr is kinda obsessed with you that time. He only take noble daughters for his harem but you..."
"Thyr?"
"The Second Prince."
"Oh." Edmund can guess that he is one of the candidate that Vrag have to dispose to secure his place on the throne.
"But I'm surprised that you dismissed your harem, Vrag."
"What did you say?" Edmund stunned. He never heard of this.
"You didn't know? This is quite a gossip in the Palace. It seems your sister is very pretty." Silva comment innocently.
Edmund look at Vrag, he seems displeased that Silva spilled about his harem dismissal.
"This is the reason I keep her outside the castle." Vrag sighed. He know Edmund is waiting for his explanation.
"Arethea has monogamy system and if your sister is going to be the Queen I will have to honor her the same way."
Edmund lost of words now. They ride in silence for a moment.
"Thank you, Vrag." Edmund looks like in the verge of tears.
"Oh My God. Are you crying?"
"Silva..." Vrag sighed. "I really think I wasted all the time we giving you education."
"Vrag, I'm seventeen so don't talk to me like I'm immature." Silva pouted.
"You are immature." Vrag replied.
The two of them started to bicker for a while and the two soldiers started laughing at their antics.
Edmund can't help to join them. He is grateful of what he heard, almost so relieved after those months of confinement. He didn't know what fate Zils have in the hands of Vrag but a tiny light of hope started to grow that Zils will be all right.