"That coward!" Arnin yelled, his voice echoing with fury as he glared at Prince Eyrin, his eyes blazing with anger.
He then strode over to the alchemist with Prince Khane by his side, extending his hand expectantly. The alchemist glanced at Arnin's outstretched hand, then met his gaze with a calm, calculating look.
"Drop it. Eyrin has paid for it, and Khailian has paid with humiliation," Arnin said, his tone sharp and unyielding.
"What do you mean? Eyrin has not paid yet. He said the coins were in the chamber at the inn, and I already know who he truly is. That is why I came out to him," the alchemist replied, his voice steady and unwavering.
Prince Khane and Arnin exchanged bewildered glances, confusion etched on their faces.
"Are you trying to fool us? After going through that humiliation to get this? But it's alright, we also brought the 3000 coins to pay. Arnin, please give him the coins so we can take it and leave," Khane said, his voice tinged with frustration and urgency.
"Old man! That's nonsense!" Arnin shouted, grabbing the alchemist by the collar and glaring fiercely into his eyes, his grip tightening as his knuckles turned white.
The alchemist grinned, his wrinkles deepening into a sinister smile. "Lad, don't start what you can't finish," he said, gripping Arnin's hands with surprising strength and forcing them down.
"I'm not paying a single coin!" he declared, his voice filled with defiance.
"Arnin!" Prince Khane yelled, his voice filled with urgency and desperation.
Arnin grinned at Khane as he walked away, then winked at him. "Let's go," he said, his tone casual but his eyes gleaming with mischief.
Prince Khane followed, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked, his voice low and tense.
Arnin turned his head slightly towards Prince Khane, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. He grabbed Khane's hand and guided it into his own pocket.
Khane felt a pouch and looked at Arnin with wide eyes, his expression one of surprise. "Arnin... did you?" he asked, pulling his hand out.
"Yes, I stole it from the old man's pocket. He thought he was smarter," Arnin said, scoffing.
Khane chuckled slightly, shaking his head in disbelief. "How... I didn't even notice it. You are a master!"
"Of course I am. When he and Prince Eyrin were discussing inside the alchemist's place, he had already paid for the pill. That old man watched what happened between us and Eyrin and knew that if he denied being paid, we couldn't meet Eyrin," Arnin said enthusiastically.
"Let's walk faster before he catches up," Khane suggested, and they quickened their pace.
As they walked, a lady covered in a black hood and wearing a purple dress stood at a corner, staring at them with curious eyes. Arnin's eyes met hers, and she quickly looked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Arnin's gaze followed her as she walked away. He then stopped abruptly and tapped Khane on the shoulder. "I won't follow you to Laon's mansion."
Khane furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Why?"
"I have somewhere I need to go, but it's still in Essed. I want you to use the martial arts books to train. When I come back, you can take the pill," Arnin explained.
"I could have said we should go there together, but it seems like you have your own reason. When are you going to be back, and what if the fake Bain shows up again suddenly?" Khane asked, concern evident in his voice.
"I'll be back before or during the day I hear that the fake Bain has appeared. It won't be long, and if you need help, Lady Meiyer will assist you. Not Lady Pherna. She can get the essence of water just like yours," Arnin said hurriedly, before running off in the direction where the hooded lady had been standing.
Prince Khane watched as Arnin ran off, then suddenly stopped and turned back to him. "Raise my expectations, Khailian! Train hard and don't forget the humiliation. You should remember it well to get back to your old self!" Arnin yelled from afar.
"I will!" Prince Khane shouted back confidently.
"You said I should not call you by the other names and call you Khailian. I will call you whatever I want. You are Nameless, then you are Nameless. You are Khane, then you are Khane!" Arnin yelled, his voice echoing.
Prince Khane didn't say anything. It seemed like he was at a loss for words or perhaps he didn't want to respond.
"Are you not forgetting something? The pill?!" Arnin yelled from a distance.
"You can hold on to it, I trust you!" Prince Khane yelled back.
Arnin shook his head in disbelief. "You fool! Don't trust so easily!" he said, reaching into his pocket and tossing the pouch to Prince Khane.
Khane caught it immediately, his reflexes sharp. He opened his palm and then the pouch, confirming the pill was still inside. When he looked up to speak to Arnin, he realized Arnin had already disappeared.
************************************
Prince Eyrin sat with Lourix and Palov across a table in an inn as they ate. The inn was bustling with activity, with others dining downstairs and chambers upstairs already booked by some of the patrons, including Prince Eyrin.
Prince Eyrin stopped eating, his irritation growing with each clatter of Lourix's plate. He stared at Lourix, waiting for him to notice. Lourix, oblivious at first, eventually felt the weight of Eyrin's gaze and looked up, stopping mid-bite.
"Eat without making a sound, or do you prefer to stand behind me while I eat?" Prince Eyrin asked, his voice cold and commanding.
"Replying to Your Highness, I will eat better," Lourix said in a low voice, starting to eat slowly, carefully avoiding any noise as his utensils touched the plates.
Prince Eyrin sighed, closing his eyes and crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm getting tired of this place already."
Palov, noticing Eyrin's mood, looked at him with concern. "Your Highness, forgive me for the bother, but I want to know why you gave Nameless the pill. If he gets stronger ag—"
Prince Eyrin did not respond, simply relaxing with his eyes still closed, almost as if he were dozing off in his chair.
Just then, a lady entered the inn, flanked by three guards. She wore a white dress, looking almost like a goddess. From her nose to her neck was covered with a silk veil, revealing only her eyes. Her long, black silk hair flowed gracefully as she walked. This lady was Khillian.
She commanded attention the moment she entered, drawing glances and whispers from the patrons as she glided in, her presence like a breath of fresh air in the bustling inn.
"It's like we have a goddess," Lourix said, his voice filled with awe as he gazed at her.
Prince Eyrin, curious about the commotion, opened his eyes. The sight that met him was mesmerizing. The lady in white seemed to move in slow motion, her every step exuding grace and elegance. Her long, black silk hair flowed like a river, and her eyes, the only part of her face visible above the silk veil, sparkled with an ethereal light.
Eyrin felt a strange sense of familiarity wash over him. He couldn't take his eyes off her as she approached. One of her guards pulled out a chair for her, and she sat down with a fluid, almost otherworldly grace.
"Such grace," Prince Eyrin murmured, captivated by her presence. His heart skipped a beat as he suddenly remembered Khillian's portrait. With trembling hands, he pulled it out from inside his upper wear, straightening the folded paper. He glanced from the portrait to the lady, his breath catching in his throat.
The resemblance was uncanny. He used his hand to cover the portrait's nose to neck, mimicking the veil she wore. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized the striking similarity between the lady before him and the portrait.