Despite the lack of effort to maintain the conversation with his uncle ,and the heavy emotional tone it set, his uncle had left with a visible small smile.
Most likely with the conviction that he ,as Acacius, wasn't all bad and things weren't like they seemed.
It's just that he was untrustworthy and eyes and ears had the habit to deceive themselves.
You start to see things that aren't there and want to believe in the possibility, so deeply in fact that it would twist the very fabric of space and time.
It's intriguing, the way your mind can change the way you recieve things. Even things that had already happened, things that only live in your head as memories.
He was not much different, flaws present if one only knew where to look.
Good thing they didn't, not when it mattered anyways.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Acacius carefully placed his dagger back into the folds in his clothes.
---
There was little time to rest as his eyes fell upon the two kids.
Just as glamorous as before, truly living up to the status as children of nobles.
He had hurried over, taking the risk of leaving the castle without a word and without a trustful quard by his door. Well, a sort of trustfull one that is.
It was time for him to find out some clues about the artifacts and where the two brats found them or get them.
If that includes taking some risks, so be it!
The couple, for that fact where they even one or just a fling, couldn't be bothered much.
The world was in their hands and they sure acted like it.
He didn't forget the words Nigel wisphered upon his skin that time.
Soon everything is going to be mine and Rana's.
The question here is why, how and more importantly how does he stop it.
For now, he just needed to get the game started for real, he needed information and afterwards he could start pushing his sister in law to the darkest part of the mind.
But for now he was just a terrified person, waiting with desperation for the two to pass, he was so vulnerable and weak. Easy for the taking, just like he wanted.
And he won't stop, he can't falter now, not when he has gotten this far.
It wasn't even his world, those people weren't real for him and all he did was just play pretend.
And it will never be anything else, hiding deeper into the dark abandoned street he waited.
He was going to be discovered, it was just a matter of time, the person protecting them would be sure to notice him.
Especially with his silver hair glinting in the darkness, stumbling in the slow movement of a fool and accidently knocking over a small metal can.
Cursing ,also not so silently, he buried his body deeper into the darkness, desperately trying to calm his erratic heart.
Still he was having way too much, acting with such passion as his hand clutched his loose shirt tight.
Relaxing ever so slightly, he waited with closed eyes as nothing happened before sighing out in relief. Body slumping against the wall, his eyes opened to only open wider in surprise as a vast hand settled upon his shoulder,expression turning into shock and surprise.
"Told you we would see you again, kitten.''
"I..I...I.''
''Cat got your tongue?"
Gulping loudly, he flicked away Nigel's hand, moving swiftly by him and away from the two.
"So what now, what will you do, hide again?''
''He wouldn't be so foolish right?
Then again he thought he could hide here, his innocence is admirable I guess.''
"Don't bring him down like that, it's cute."
"You're in luck, that my Rana likes you."
"I don't want her to and neither do I want you too.
So just...let me go.''
The last part was weak, voice shaky with fear gripping at its edge.
Nigel gleamed as he spoke. ''What Rana wants she gets and that just so happens to be your love.
You don't have a choice now and you won't have one in the future."
"What do you mean by that?" The questioning has started.
"Right now we are limited but once our fathers build power, this whole empire will be ours.
And everything with it, that includes you.'' Nigel sure wasn't careful with spreading unnecessary information, as expected.
''How? That's impossible. The emperor--''
"Will be dead.'' Eelerana's voice cut through the air, no remorse in her voice whatsoever as she declared he as the emperor would die in the foreseeable future.
"Those are things you do not need to worry your pretty little head about, now that we found you we should continue what we did last time."
And also destroyed his chance at more information, glaring fiercely in her direction he quickly was distracted by dodging a hand grabbing for him.
Glancing he frowned at the smirk etched into Nigel's face as he gripped silver strands, bringing it closer to his nose and sniffing it in a way that made him snarl in disgust.
Shortly followed with a groan of pain as he was tugged forward by them, Eelerana merely watched, clearly enjoying just watching with folded arms.
''You smell like flowers, rumours say the same of the emperor.
But unlike you he wouldn't be so easy to grab and touch as we like.''
It seemed Eelerana was done with waiting as she briskly walked forward, Nigel backed away with raised hands. Taking on her earlier position, he watched a yelp get torn out of the silver haired beauty as he got pushed against the wall.
# Unearthing the mysteries of the artifacts
Wincing he raised his hand, only for it to fall right back just as fast.
Once up close he could see her eyes sparkling as fingers slowly trailed the collar of his shirt.
''It is unlike you to ask questions, so tell me why?''
''I deserve answers-''hesitantly he added ''on why you're doing this to me."
''Do I need one?''
"You don't just do this for no reason.''
''I guess-'' Eelerana pondered as she made slow work of a few buttons, fingers pushing away the fine and expensive fabric. Slowly but surely revealing the smooth skin underneath, free of any bite marks that they had placed before.''it's fun, the way a heart could beat so erratically because of another one's action. The succumbing feels quite a lot like power and what use a body like this if you don't make use of it?''
Hissing and weakly gasping nails digged into sensitive skin, engulfinghsi role completely as he stared half lidded down on her, licking his lips as Nigel chuckled.
"Someone is enjoying it." No sooner did the words leave the youngster's mouth, did his hand intertwine with his, a rose coloured blush covering his own cheeks at the action as Nigel's free hand started turning his head left and right.
"Are you done?"
"Come on Rana, that face...it's quite unbelievable he's just a small noble from who knows where.''
''Diamonds among dirt, don't think, it doesn't suit you.''
''Ouch but true. No matter how refined he is and always will be dirt.''
Offended, Acacius clenched his jaw, huffing ridiculously as he once more grabbed his knife.
''Tttt, no you don't.'' Before he had even fully grabbed his eyes, it vanished and reappeared in Eelarana's hand as she forced his head up.
With his own knife no less.
Releasing a breath, the knife cut deeper.
''Our little kitten has to learn some new tricks.''
"How? How did you do that?"
"I can answer that."
Surprised, really surprised at the sudden interference he turned only the hiss as the knife cut his skin, having forgotten it momentarily.
Nigel had let go but Eelerana never strayed away, not even with her eyes.
"Cyra.'' Flickering slightly in surprise at the fact that the two clearly know each other, he kept himself still.
''If I had known you would use it on Adrian, I wouldn't have given it."
''It seems you know him, have you had him yet?"Wet lips trailed up and down his neck, making him groan at the sudden action, a ghost of her smile upon him.
Throwing back his head at the cutting silver, he drew out a breath, briefly gazing sideways and watching emerald eyes turn from confusion to frustration. Anger sparking heavily within as she was joined with two rather flamboyant dressed companions.
''That's quite enough.'' Jolting in surprise he felt a power creep over him and suddenly he felt his knees buckling straight into Cyra's arms.
"If you wanted him so badly you could have just as asked.''
Well this is all turning into a giant mess, how are these two connected and what was with all the magic?
Only the royal family of the magic kingdom was capable of that and such advanced artifacts didn't exist in this world.
Pulling away he swayed by the sudden movement, familiar hand closing around him as he was whisked away from the scene.
Besides the ringing in his ear he still heard Cyra saying something, it was just what that bothered him.
Her companions had rushed forwards just seconds afterwards, echoing thuds the last thing he heard before all vanished from his perception.
From a dark street to the once more open clearing, from hard stones to wet grass beneath his feet.
Droplets of rain still glistened on bushes and leaves alike, now they were only surrounded with greens.
''You know her?'' It seems his interrogation hasn't ended yet.
''This isn't the place, Adrian.''
Raising her hand, blue wisps surrounded the tree she was standing before, slowly but surely it turned into a full fledged portal.
One he did not know of.
''How?''
A question he seemed to ask way too many times and one that never received an answer.
And before he knew it he felt himself walking through it, without a recollection of even reaching it, the sensation of water crawling up and down his skin before gasping into normal air once more.
Coughing twice he straightened, the obvious lack of another gasping made it clear she was used to it.
Embarrassed he watched the other with a serious gaze. "Where are we?''
"An island in the middle of nowhere.''
"Alright....how useful.'' Her voice was rough.
''Are you alright?
Cyra."
"I'm thinking."
"Clearly."
A tree splintered in seconds beside him and the reason was obvious.
"Are you from the magic kingdom?'' Quarded he waited for an explanation, a reason. The tension made neither of them in the mood to enjoy the warm weather of the island.
''Does it matter?" His expression answered that question on it's own. ''No but I cater to whoever needs it.''
''How?"
''I make artifacts and they are useful everywhere."
''To those against me?!''
''How was I supposed to know? Besides it didn't look like you minded.''
''It wasn't exactly easy since they made great use of your artifacts!
And if you didn't notice they held a knife to my throat.''
''Fighting won't get us anywhere.''
''Then tell me how you make artifacts. It's supposed to be impossible.''
"Why should I? It's not like you are telling me your secrets.''
''Why do you think I have them?"
"Don't be daft.''
''Fine, then I guess we are at a stalemate."
"No, we aren't.''
The switch in attitude was obvious as she came closer in an obvious challenging way.
Quite rapidly invading his private space and voicing her thoughts.
''You are stuck with me and the only way you'll get out of this island is when I let you.
So either you tell me what I want to know or you will rot here till the end of your days!''