Iron.
It described the bitter taste in my mouth.
As I stared at the red-haired lord, I felt an immediate regret from his thoughts.
Maybe it was the word he used.
Bastard.
A word I didn't yet understand at that time.
Or maybe the tone of his inner voice.
It was emotionless and unenthusiastic.
Whatever it may be, I tasted bitterness looking at that man.
'I wish you good luck, youngest. May the odds be in your favor.'
Voiceless words.
As if to hide his intentions, King Casimir turned away.
But what was this feeling?
This bitter taste.
Was I expecting better?
There was no emotion, no energy, there were only thoughts.
My heart sank at that moment, but there was nothing more to say.
His thoughts confused me.
Did he know of my blessing?
It was a secret I'd kept hidden until that point.
I was nervous.
However, my sibling appeared before me at that time.
His sudden arrival brought my nervous thoughts to a close.
"It's nice to meet you Mackenzie, I'm Deor."
As if responding to my unanswered introduction, my oldest brother appeared.
Deor's silver hair and eyes looked warm.
Unlike King Casimir, Deor's eyes reflected more than just me.
There was kindness.
He placed his worn and tired hand against my shoulder.
'Please... keep your head down...'
I knew for sure back then.
King Casimir and Deor.
Both of them were unaware of telepathy.
Their thoughts were nothing more than unspoken wishes.
Praying for the survival of a seed that had yet to bloom.
My suspicions were fully confirmed when I came face to face with Thalia Everblade.
Her long black hair was strung above her shoulders.
Her envious yellow eyes looked upon me from above.
Staring not upon my eyes, but rather glaring at my hair.
Thalia said no words to me that day.
'Not again! Not again! Not again!'
However, an instinctual anger came out in the form of her thoughts.
It sent an uncontrollable shiver down my spine.
'Not that color again!'
As I looked up at Thalia's eyes, her black pupils condemned me.
'Don't get out of line, youngest... otherwise, I'll have to end another sibling's life.'
I quickly looked away.
Finally, realizing what King Casimir and Deor intended by their words.
I slowly backed away.
"...Mackenzie..."
A distant voice called out to me.
"...Mackenzie..."
It took my attention away from my sister, as I turned to find it.
But the moment I turned back, everything was gone.
All that was left was an empty black abyss.
"Stop sleeping and get up."
This time, the voice was loud.
As if it were right next to me, calling out to me.
I recognized the voice.
"...August?"
When I awoke, I noticed August standing beside me.
"Yes, it's me."
His words brought me quickly back to reality.
A nervous feeling of failure welled from within me.
Unintentionally, I yelled out.
"Ah! The day! What day is it?!"
August calmed me down.
"It's still the 18th. The fifth day of our loop. Only now, it's the late afternoon."
"Dammit... I missed my match with Professor Boyden."
"That's what you're worried about...? You do know you almost died today, right?"
I was so distracted by the dream that I had completely forgotten about Mistral.
As I looked around, I noticed the white curtains and care beds.
It was the medical clinic.
I didn't feel any lingering pain in my abdomen, so they must've healed me.
Although there was no pain, I felt a faint nausea from the lingering taste in my mouth.
With my mind starting to settle down, I answered August.
"You're right..."
Remembering the scene, I felt my hand shake, as if trying to escape something.
"...How did you find me?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure. I just had this feeling about where you were y'know?"
"A feeling..."
It could have been a coincidence.
However, that possibility doesn't exist for what August just said.
Was it the oath?
I looked at the sigil on my right hand.
It is the most likely culprit.
After all:
'Whenever I require your help, you will show.'
That was my half of the bargain.
And although he wasn't verbalizing it, August knew this as well.
'The oath is already affecting my will. I need to break this as soon as possible. If I'm not careful, I might unintentionally change the story.'
An agreement formally pronounced by the gods.
This was what an oath does to people.
I had no idea, it was so potent for manipulating the mind.
This was my first time seeing it take effect.
Was it my intention to take away part of August's free will?
Yes.
But not in this way.
I made a mistake.
I intended to obtain a wealthy shield of information.
A man with knowledge outside the realm of my understanding.
Contracted to protect me against my older siblings and the struggles of life.
I only required his help and support.
Just like Kayden, I intend to use him.
But this felt uncomfortable, unnatural even.
Wasn't this... what I wanted?
Ugh.
After that dream, I don't feel in my right mind.
I can't concern myself with the consequences of this choice.
Not right now.
Mistral's furious eyes were still engrained in my mind.
Just the same as my oldest sister, his gaze terrified me.
I looked back at August.
"W-what happened to... him?"
"You mean Mistral Everblade? He left shortly after Aurelia and I appeared."
"Ah... so you were the one who came to help me- wait did you say Princess Aurelia?!"
"Yes."
I couldn't believe my ears.
Princess Aurelia... saving me?
It didn't make any sense.
August's thoughts didn't describe any lies.
And come to think of it.
The voice I heard before passing out sounded eerily like hers.
But why?
August noticed my confused expression.
"I requested her help. That's why she was there."
"And she believed you? What did you say to her?"
"All I told her was that your life was in danger. She came willingly."
I read his thoughts again.
But his mind and mouth were one in the same.
He... wasn't lying.
I was stunned.
Princess Aurelia saved me.
Willingly at that.
The very same Princess that called me worthless trash right to my face.
'Why...?'
I couldn't stop myself from questioning the situation.
My emotions were left knotted in an uncomfortable mess.
That feeling only further amplified the nausea in my stomach.
I felt like puking.
August saw the expression on my face.
His thoughts deemed it a situation he couldn't intervene in.
"*Ahem* Speaking of Aurelia, I need to leave. She's probably already reading her book by now, so I'll check in with you again tomorrow."
As he spoke, August turned to leave.
"Ah, right."
I called out to him.
"Hey, August."
"Hm?"
Turning his head to me, he stopped.
"Thank you. Really, I mean it."
He quickly turned away, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
"You... You don't have to sound so serious about it. It was nothing."
"Ha, sorry about that."
Realizing I had created an even more awkward atmosphere than before, I apologized.
"Aurelia was the one who confronted Mistral anyway. All I did was get her help. Don't forget to thank her too."
August brushed it off.
But his words left a small impact.
Loosening the knot on my emotions, ever so slightly.
"Actually August, can you do me one more favor before you go?"
"What is it?"
I'm not sure if this is the right choice.
And I always have the option of starting over again if it isn't.
However, I wanted to give this feeling inside me a moment of relief.
To untangle the knot, even if it's only by a single loop.
It might be selfish of me, but it's worth a shot.
"Just this once, can I try speaking to Princess Aurelia?"