Valeria watched as Keira and Klaus slowly dissolved into the twilight, their silhouettes merging with the darkening field.
She then shifted her gaze to Margaret, her arms folded across the protection of her chest, a hint of a smile softening her features.
"You're pleased, aren't you?" she asked, a tender smile playing on her lips.
Margaret responded with a restrained nod, her eyes lowering for a moment before meeting Valeria's gaze. "Yes, I am," she confirmed, but her voice lacked conviction.
Valeria, perceptive as always, noticed the shadow of doubt in Margaret's expression. "There's a 'but' lurking somewhere, isn't there?" She quipped, her eyes glinting with anticipation.
Margaret nodded again, more firmly this time. She inhaled a deep breath, as if mustering the courage to voice her fears.
"His evolution is progressing faster than I anticipated. We need to make our move, or risk losing our window of opportunity," she voiced, her tone grim.
Valeria's brows knitted together in confusion. "By seizing the moment, you mean…" She trailed off, her question hanging heavily in the air. Margaret, however, cut her off.
"Arrange a marriage for him," she stated simply. "He's regaining his abilities, bit by bit. If we procrastinate, he'll recover them all. I shudder at the thought of the potential consequences."
Valeria tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "I must confess, I don't grasp your insistence on marriage," she admitted.
"You could simply put a slave imprint on him. Then he'd belong to you."
Margaret shot Valeria a look so fierce, the words died on Valeria's lips. "You think I haven't pondered that option?" she retorted, a bitter laugh escaping her. The last time I tried that getting into his head, i nearly found myself in the grave."
"I'm not eager for another brush with death," she added, her tone softening slightly.
Valeria nodded, comprehension dawning in her eyes. "But if Keira refuses to marry him, would you truly marry him off to another?" she posed the question, her eyes locked intently on Margaret.
Margaret's response to Valeria's question was not a verbal one, but rather a sly grin that spread across her face. She examined Valeria for a moment, a twinkle in her eye, before she finally broke the silence.
"Valeria, remember the favor you owe me from the day I picked you up?" she asked, her tone light yet filled with implications. "You might have to honor it by becoming Klaus's bride."
Valeria gasped, her eyes wide with shock. "Mas-Master... I thought this was only a ploy to persuade Keira," she stammered, her mind racing to process Margaret's words.
"Indeed, it is. But if Keira holds her ground, you're next in line," Margaret stated, her voice held a tone of finality that allowed no room for argument.
Margaret's resolute tone left no room for negotiation. Valeria gulped, her face a mask of reluctance.
Yet, she knew she would have to acquiesce to her master's demand.
Their intense exchange was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a figure shrouded in a dark cloak.
The figure bowed low as it materialised behind Margaret. "Master, I bring news."
Margaret's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a sharp focus. "Speak," she commanded.
"An E-Rank dungeon is about to surface near the village," the shadowy figure reported. "Adventurers and mages are already converging on it. Moreover, we have spotted some of the king's men heading in the same direction."
"The king's men?" Valeria echoed, surprise evident in her voice. "Why would the king dispatch his forces for a mere E-Rank dungeon? Are you certain of your information?" she questioned.
The figure nodded firmly. "Prince Elyon himself leads them," it added.
Margaret raised an eyebrow in intrigue at this unexpected news. She turned to the figure, her gaze penetrating. "Repeat the rank of the dungeon," she requested.
"E-Rank, Master," the figure reiterated, its voice echoing through the stillness.
Margaret's hand moved instinctively to her chin, her fingers lightly tracing the contour of her jaw as she fell deep into thought. "My brother isn't one to send the second prince on a trifling errand like an E-Rank dungeon. There's more to this than meets the eye," she mused aloud.
Valeria chimed in, her tone echoing her master's certainty. "A dungeon generally takes a day to open after it surfaces. If the prince is venturing there a day in advance, then the dungeon surely harbors something extraordinary. Perhaps I should investigate as well."
Margaret shook her head in response, her gaze resting on the darkly clad figure. "Which area is the dungeon emerging from?" she inquired, her voice steady.
"The cemetery ground," came the immediate response.
"Very well," Margaret acknowledged. "You may depart."
With a respectful bow, the shadowy figure dissolved into thin air, leaving no trace nor scent. As mysteriously as it had appeared, it vanished.
Once the cloaked figure had retreated, Valeria turned her attention back to Margaret. "I assume Klaus' arrangements will have to be postponed," she observed, her voice betraying a hint of relief.
"Our immediate focus should be deciphering why the prince is interested in this dungeon," Valeria suggested.
Margaret snorted at Valeria's words, fully aware that the young woman was merely seeking to buy time regarding the impending marriage. Still, she found herself agreeing. "Indeed, you're right. We'll put the plans on ice, but only for a couple of days, until we've dealt with the dungeon."
"That sounds like the best course of action," Valeria agreed, relief washing over her.
A knowing smirk unfurled on Margaret's lips. "Your intentions are clear to me, Valeria," she said, her voice carrying a playful edge. "But let me tell you this: if Keira remains unconvinced about marrying Klaus after these two days, you'll be the one walking down the aisle with him," she pronounced, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
...
Elsewhere, within the confines of a sparsely lit room, Keira slowly rose from the cool stone floor. Her heart pounded a frenzied rhythm, and sweat coated her forehead like a sheen of dew. She turned to the man sprawled on the ground, his grin wide and satisfied.
"That will be all for today," she announced abruptly, her voice echoing off the bare walls. Without sparing another moment, she hastened out of the room, leaving the man alone in the dimly lit space.
Once Keira had departed, Klaus propped himself into a sitting position, his smile remaining intact. His eyes gleamed with a hunger for power that was impossible to miss. He clenched his fist, feeling the surge of energy coursing through his veins. His smile broadened, the thrill of newfound strength intoxicating him.
"Remarkable," he muttered, his voice echoing in the near-empty room.
Having just completed his body's tempering with the element of lightning, Klaus was brimming with energy. He rose to his feet, stretching his limbs, his face a canvas of pure elation.
"I'll challenge her to another spar in the morning," Klaus declared to the empty room, his resolve solidifying with each passing moment.