The life of the town, once again stirred by a fierce fire that destroyed the church and claimed the life of the old priest, returned to its familiar rhythm. All the children returned to their families, remembering nothing of what had happened to them in captivity. According to the official version of the inquisition, the curse that took away the children and caused numerous deaths fifteen years ago was lifted after the complete destruction of the crypt beneath the church. The priest was recognized as a victim of the curse, along with other townspeople. The guilt of the merchants who had concealed Albert's experiments was not proven, and Serenia's father remained free, although he had irreparably damaged his relationship with the mayor.
Many guild members wanted to speak out against this lie, and Ragni even threatened to throw those damned red mages off the roof of the tallest tower, but Seleria and I managed to persuade everyone not to argue with the church at this moment.
"I never thought I'd be defending the inquisition," the red-haired princess said, settling in a quiet corner after the debates.
"Sighing sadly isn't good for your beauty," I whispered quietly to Seleria as she mourned in the corner.
"God, Krito, don't scare me like that. Aren't you disgusted too?"
"Because we're defending these executioners?"
"Yes, you can't say it better."
"But then they would surely start pursuing us," I sat down next to the girl and leaned back in the chair. "They would have tried to expel us from the Academy first, then pursued us at the slightest pretext."
"Yeah, in your country, the church is too formidable a force. But I'm glad to welcome everyone in Leran!"
"And are you sure everyone will agree? Ragni could return to her mother, Vina, Aileen, and I would come to you. Rumy would also return to Leran, but I think that's it. Kurone and Grain wouldn't move to Leran without their parents, and I don't know if they could persuade them. Algo and Leira would never move, and then their families would have ended up very sadly. And you already know about Katrina."
Seleria cast her eyes down sadly.
"If they expel Kat from the Academy, she'll have to..." the princess stopped in time.
"What will she have to do?"
"Nothing, forget it. Our guild is what she's always dreamed of, and we can't destroy it because of a dispute with a bunch of scoundrels."
"So, we'll have to keep silent about everything," I gave the princess an inquisitive look.
"Yes, damn it!" Seleria angrily tapped her heel on the floor, and sparks scattered across the floor. "But it's still frustrating."
"And it's right to feel that way, don't forget those feelings. Someday, you and Katrina will become queens, and I'm sure the church will have to make room for its laws."
"Krito," Seleria jumped up from the chair and hugged me, tugging at my hair with one hand, "sometimes excellent ideas do come into this lazy head of yours. Do you want to be my advisor when I become queen? Or maybe the chief minister?"
"No, that's not for me. I'd rather become a ruler myself than serve someone else, even such a beautiful queen."
Seleria blushed slightly and hugged me tightly, pressing against my back.
"And if... you became the king?" Seleria enticingly whispered into my ear.
"Is that to be taken as a proposal?"
"Perhaps."
"And your father wouldn't object?"
"Well, when he married my mom, he broke many laws too. And the requirements for lineage in our country aren't that strict."
"Still, I won't agree," I closed my eyes and leaned back on the girl's shoulder.
"Why? You're letting such a chance slip away?" Seleria was offended by my refusal to such an offer.
"I don't think you have such strong feelings for me."
"Well, feelings can be developed. I respect you and appreciate your abilities."
"No, it won't work like that. And I don't think I would suit such a self-absorbed, spoiled noblewoman like you."
"Hmph," my words didn't seem to upset the princess much. "You simply don't know me well. I'm not as dull and wealthy as you might think."
Seleria kissed me on the forehead and playfully skipped away. Heading towards the exit, she turned around, smiled, and said as a parting remark:
"Thank you for supporting me, but my offer still stands, at least until I finish the Academy."
Oh, these princesses.
The time for the festival approached, and it was time to give Serena her gift. Aileen gave me the necessary measurements, and I made a suitable frame. Since I had a good idea, I decided to use it to make the clock a bit unusual.
I convinced the blacksmith to deliver the gift on the last day before the holiday, during the night of the new moon. At the appointed time, we arrived at the client's estate. As soon as the sun disappeared behind the horizon, I knocked on the mansion's door.
"We've brought a gift for Lady Serena," I announced, and with Aileen, we slipped past the butler and headed to the girl's room, while the blacksmith stayed behind to talk to the estate's owner.
We knocked on the door and entered Serena's room. The girl with snowy-white hair was asleep in her bed.
"Serena, wake up, we brought you something," Aileen approached the bed and gently caressed the girl's head. But Serena showed no signs of awakening. "Serena?"
For some time, Aileen tried to wake Serena until she finally opened her eyes and sat up in bed.
"Aileen, sorry, I've been sleeping too heavily lately. Did you come to visit me?"
At that moment, the blacksmith Brim, the butler, and the estate's owner entered the room.
"I've already settled the bill with your master, you may give it now," the father kindly smiled at the girl.
Aileen skillfully took out a small velvet box and retrieved from it a round amulet on a chain, no larger than a miniature palm. The casing was made of delicate reddish metal, with a dark sapphire inserted in the center, its edge adorned with intricate ornamentation.
"Here are the first pocket watches in your country. Of course, the appearance was taken care of by that tastefully-challenged lad," the engineer nodded disapprovingly in my direction, "but at least he made it as I needed."
"Thank you," the girl took the watch and, turning it in her hands, pressed a small lever on top. With a soft click, the watch opened, and inside, the girl saw a white dial with delicately blue hands that pointed to the exact time. "I've been interested in your technology for a long time, but I've never seen such delicate workmanship."
"Heh, I've outdone myself this time. Thanks to our resident earth mage, without her, it wouldn't have turned out so precise. These are actually the smallest mechanical watches in the world. Even Trin hasn't managed to create anything similar. I made them specifically so you could wear them as an amulet around your neck. May I?" Aileen asked for permission and hung the watch on the girl's neck with a delicate golden chain. Although the amulet looked more like a simple piece of jewelry, mithril was light enough to be worn around the neck. "The main thing is to wind them up every day, and they'll always show the exact time."
"Alright, let me say a few words too," I pushed Aileen aside slightly and sat on the bed. "This is no ordinary frame; I made it from delicate adamant and the sapphire your father provided me."
"Hey, Krito, won't it generate static electricity? I've heard that mithril has this property," Aileen nervously moved her hand away from the watch.
"Don't worry, they serve a different purpose, and any discharges will be used for a good cause."
"Hmm, "Serena turned the watch in her hands and scrutinized the stone. "You used a strange sapphire here; I thought they were of a brighter color."
"In fact, these watches have a little secret; if you manage to figure it out, well done."
"How interesting! There's something written here too," the girl opened the lid. On the inner side, there were words written in a language unfamiliar to most present. "Oh, I really can't read this. What language is this?"
"I won't tell you; otherwise, it won't be interesting. Try to find out for yourself."
"Alright," the girl yawned and leaned back on the pillow. "Forgive me, I'm so tired today, but thank you for the gift."
"Of course, rest up; you'll be celebrating with us tomorrow at the festival," Aileen caressed the girl and tucked her in to sleep.
Together, we proceeded out of the room, and the girl, with tears in her eyes, turned to the homeowner.
"Serena, it was difficult for me to wake her up just now. Does this happen to her often?"
"Well," the girl's father lowered his head and spoke in a hushed voice, "lately, it's been happening more and more frequently. I think it's because she's exhausted from preparing for the festival."
"You are mistaken. I've encountered this many times before, and each day she will weaken until one day she simply won't wake up. I fear her curse is slowly coming to its end."
The merchant slowly sank to the floor.
"I was afraid this would happen someday. But I hoped to postpone her death with all my might."
"Tomorrow might be the last day Serena can go outside; we must make the most of it," wiping her tears, Aileen turned to me, "Krito, what did you write on the inside? I feel like I've seen these symbols before, but I don't know what they mean."
When the celestial body endures its one day, the moonlight and the power of the gods will summon the birth of a soul.
I recited the short incantation in my mind, which could be the dying girl's last hope.
"It doesn't matter, but I would ask you not to take these watches away from Serena. And if she's going to die soon, don't bury her until at least a month from today."
"What are you talking about?!"
"Just do as I say. Maybe a little miracle will happen."
I waved goodbye and headed towards the exit.
"Krito! What have you done?" Aileen caught up with me and tried to pry the truth from me.
"For now, nothing, but I hope everything will work out. We have a lot to do tomorrow, so let's go quickly."