Visibly shaken but relieved, Zaria and Lily made their way out of the great hall. Outside, in the distance, a solitary figure sat on a bench in the courtyard, his form still and waiting.
Zaria's eyes were still adjusting to the bright light after the shadowy hall, and as they cleared, she saw the man stand and slowly walk toward them.
"Zaria, thank the gods. I was so worried about you. What happened? Are you okay?" His voice, strained with concern, echoed through the quiet courtyard.
As her vision sharpened, she recognized him. Athenis. The relief in his face was unmistakable as a smile spread across his lips. He had been waiting for her the entire time they were inside, having missed them before their debrief.
Zaria didn't waste a moment. She sprinted forward and leapt into his arms. Athenis, taken aback, instinctively wrapped her in a tight embrace, his expression softening into one of warmth.
Lily stood by, a gentle smile tugging at her lips, watching this tender reunion.
When Zaria finally pulled away, she turned and reached for Lily, pulling her into their little circle. "Athenis, I want you to meet Lily. She's a homunculus and part of the Black Rose Knights. Due to certain... conditions, she's going to be like my companion. So, basically, think of her as your new little sister," she said, grinning wide, a playful wink shot in Lily's direction.
Athenis chuckled. "Well then, it's a pleasure to meet you, Lily. I'm Athenis, Zaria's older brother. Welcome to the family."
Lily blushed deeply, her face flushing with warmth. She nodded, unsure of what to say. It was the first time she had ever witnessed sibling love. Her own family was a distant memory, a source of pain, not comfort. The feeling of acceptance washed over her in a way that left her nearly breathless. Family? she thought. What is this warmth?
"So, what happened?" Athenis asked, concern still evident in his voice. "I heard you were in a death challenge. I thought I'd lost you. Seeing you standing here, it's like a dream. I'm just so glad you're okay."
Zaria smirked, poking him in the chest playfully. "I always knew you were soft, but I didn't expect you to wait half a day for me. You must have really missed me."
Athenis let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "You haven't changed a bit. But hey, I'm your older brother. I'll always have a soft spot for you..." He trailed off, suddenly remembering something. "Oh, Sir Felix and the rest of your group got tired of waiting and headed back to the barracks I think. How about we go into the city and grab something to eat? The day's nearly over."
Zaria nodded, and the two began to walk. Lily, standing still with a sad smile on her face, stared down at the ground.
"Aren't you coming, Lily?" Zaria called out, extending her hand toward her.
Zaria's smile, framed by the glistening of her black armor in the fading sunlight, was like a beacon to Lily. Her short, messy hair caught in the gentle breeze. In that moment, Zaria was all Lily could see. Her heart pounded as memories of past traumas surfaced. Is this what I've longed for all my life? she wondered.
Lily's smile widened, her eyes filling with warmth. "Yes, master! I'd love to come!" She stepped forward quickly, taking Zaria's hand.
The warmth in Zaria's touch sent a shiver of joy through her, and she couldn't help but let out a pure, contented smile, looking up at Zaria, who smiled back just as naturally.
As they began to walk, Athenis glanced at Lily, confusion creasing his brow. "Master?" he questioned.
Zaria quickly laughed it off. "Oh, that? It's just a nickname she gave me. It's nothing like that, really."
But Athenis noticed the faint mark on Lily's neck, the slave pact. His face shifted to realization, but he didn't pry. He understood that Zaria wasn't fond of the system and was protecting Lily's dignity. Smiling softly, he kept walking, saying nothing more.
Lily, though, felt the weight of it. Even though she was bound by a slave pact, Zaria treated her as an equal, as a sister. It was something she had never thought she'd experience.
The trio continued their journey, reaching the main gate of the barracks. The sun had begun its descent, casting a golden hue over the city, which had come alive with the sounds of the evening market. Merchants packed their wares while the night vendors set up shop, eager to make the most of the bustling evening.
Zaria led the way, weaving through the crowd, her steps confident. The lanterns bathed the streets in warm light, and the air was thick with the hum of negotiations and laughter—a lively scene that Lily had never known.
Walking beside her, Athenis nudged Lily gently. In a low tone, he asked, "Hey, is everything okay? I can tell you're happy, but there's something in your eyes... something sad."
Lily smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Everything's fine. You don't need to worry about me."
"Is it the slave pact on your neck that's bothering you?" Athenis asked, his voice soft but direct.
Lily's hand shot up to cover the mark in embarrassment, her heart sinking. She knew the stigma that came with being a slave in this kingdom, and now, that mark was hers to bear. Her voice trembled as she spoke, her head hanging low. "I... I don't know. I've never been on this side before. I've treated slaves cruelly myself. Now, the tables have turned, and I'm... I'm scared."
Before Athenis could respond, Zaria turned around with a playful grin. "We're here! And we made it just in time."
Athenis and Lily were so absorbed in their conversation they hadn't realized they'd already walked deep into the market. Zaria approached an old man who was packing up his wares. With a mischievous gleam in her eyes, she greeted him like an old friend, though the man waved her off, clearly trying to finish up for the day. Undeterred, Zaria grabbed his hand and dragged him toward Athenis and Lily.
"Guys, meet my good friend—'The Old Man.' And old man, meet my brother and sister."
Athenis chuckled, shaking his head. "So, you don't actually know his name?"
Zaria blushed slightly. "Of course I do. He's the old man," she said, laughing awkwardly.
The old man merely sighed but smiled knowingly. Athenis approached, shaking his hand with respect.
Lily, still anxious, let go of her neck and leaned forward to shake the old man's hand as well. He raised an eyebrow, noticing the faint mark on her neck, but said nothing.
Zaria turned to him. "Old man, my sister here isn't much of a fighter. Do you have any daggers for her?"
The old man rummaged through his belongings, pulling out a delicate necklace and a pair of earrings shaped like blossoming roses.
The old man stepped forward, holding out the necklace and earrings for them to see. The necklace, though simple at first glance, glimmered faintly in the dim light, and the earrings, golden with intricately carved petals, caught the soft glow of the market lanterns.
"I'm afraid I don't have any weapons left, but I can offer you these," the old man said, his voice gravelly yet kind. "The earrings were meant as a congratulatory gift, Zaria, for becoming a knight. And the necklace," he paused, looking directly at Lily, "this is for your... 'skin condition.' It should help."
Lily's eyes widened, a trace of fear in them as she instinctively reached for her neck, fingers brushing over the slave mark. She hesitated, unsure of what to say, but the old man's reassuring smile softened her fear.
Zaria reached out and took the necklace, then gently handed it to Lily. "Go ahead, try it on," she encouraged softly.
Lily, her hands trembling, accepted it. Athenis, noticing her hesitation, offered, "Would you like me to help you with it?"
Lily nodded, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. As Athenis began to fasten the necklace around her neck, there was a sudden, sharp click—the necklace snapped shut, its ends binding together seamlessly as though alive.
Immediately, the slave mark on Lily's neck began to fade. It didn't disappear completely but became almost invisible, leaving no trace of its previous presence.
"No way..." Athenis whispered, stepping back in shock.
The old man smirked. "It's a rare thing, but not impossible. The mark hasn't been removed, just concealed. As long as she wears the necklace, no one will be able to see the slave mark. A little magic trick, if you will."
Lily's breath hitched as her hand flew to her neck, feeling for the mark that had haunted her. "Is it really... gone?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but the joy that trembled in it was undeniable.
With a chuckle, the old man pulled out a small mirror from his coat and handed it to her. "See for yourself."
Lily, her heart pounding, hesitated before taking the mirror. She tilted it toward her neck, eyes wide with disbelief. Her reflection showed nothing. No mark. The weight of it lifted off her like a long-held burden finally gone. "I can't believe this..." she gasped, the mirror slipping from her fingers in her excitement.
"Whoa, don't go breaking it!" Zaria exclaimed, laughing as she caught the mirror just in time. She handed it back to the old man with an apologetic grin. "Thanks. It looks expensive."
The old man waved it off, still smiling. He then held out the earrings to Zaria. "Here, these are for you. They'll suit you well."
Zaria took them, admiring the craftsmanship. She then turned to Lily, gently brushing a strand of hair behind Lily's ear. "Here, let me put these on you. We'll match." She carefully fastened one of the golden rose earrings onto Lily's ear and then put the other on herself, stepping back to admire their mirrored image. "See? We're sisters now, and we look the part." Her smile was crooked, shy even, as she scratched the back of her head.
Lily stood frozen, overwhelmed. A single tear slipped down her cheek, sparkling in the evening light. "Thank you, Zaria. This... this is the first time anyone's shown me kindness like this. All I've known is death and servitude. I never thought I deserved anything more. But you... you risked everything for me. Why? Why would you go so far for someone like me?"
Zaria looked deep into Lily's eyes, her expression softening into one of genuine warmth. "Because we're sisters now, that's why. And that's what sisters do." She tapped Lily's shoulder, her touch both light and reassuring.
The old man, having witnessed the emotional exchange, smiled to himself and began to gather his belongings. Athenis noticed and gestured for the women to turn around. As they did, Zaria waved enthusiastically, while Lily bowed her head in respect.
"Hey, old man! What's your name?" Zaria shouted as he began to disappear into the crowd.
In a playful, booming voice, he called back, "My name is Tōkēn! You better remember that next time!"
As Tōkēn vanished into the bustling night, the trio stood there, a lightness in the air surrounding them.
"Time to eat!" Zaria declared with a broad grin, patting her belly as if to signal her growing hunger. She took off at a brisk pace, heading for the tavern, with Lily and Athenis trailing behind, both of them lost in thought.
Lily, walking beside Athenis, absentmindedly played with her new necklace, a content smile on her face. But Athenis couldn't shake the feeling gnawing at him.
The magic in that necklace—was it really as simple as Tōkēn made it seem? Slave marks weren't just some simple engraving; they were enchanted with the highest tier of magic. And this old man, with a single necklace, had concealed it like it was nothing.
His mind raced with questions. Who is this merchant? Could that necklace be a legendary item? Such magic was rare, practically unheard of. The royal treasury itself would covet something like that. He needed to learn more.
As his thoughts spiraled deeper, Zaria's voice broke through. "We're finally here, guys! Welcome to the Black Rose Tavern!" she announced, standing proudly in front of a cozy-looking building. "It's not the official name, but think of it as our home away from home."
Zaria led the way inside, holding Lily's hand while explaining the menu to her. Athenis followed closely behind, watching them with a faint smile.
Suddenly, Lily froze, her grip tightening around Zaria's hand.
Zaria stopped, turning to her with concern. "What's wrong?" she asked, her tone shifting to something more serious.
Athenis, almost bumping into them, stepped aside, his eyes scanning the room. "Why did you stop?" he asked, glancing from Zaria to Lily.
Zaria's expression darkened, her face now a mask of cold fury. She gritted her teeth, her jaw clenched. "That's what's wrong..." she muttered, pointing toward a table in the back of the tavern.
There, sitting casually, were Keldorna, Max, Valor, and Anna, all of them focused on their drinks. Standing behind them, holding a cup of mead, was Sir Felix. He noticed the trio and raised his voice, his tone indifferent.
"Glad you could join us, Zaria. Since you managed to survive, there's something we need to discuss."
All eyes in the tavern shifted toward Zaria, and it was clear to everyone that her rage was boiling beneath the surface. Keldorna sat unmoved, her eyes locked onto Zaria's with a lazy, arrogant air.
Athenis stood beside his sister, utterly confused. What the hell is going on?