As soon as the Supremo and Commander Remus returned to the Manse, the latter immediately went to find Senior Historian Gracias. He saw her at the library.
"Commander, you are here," Senior Historian Gracias said as soon as she saw him.
"Here," he said and gave her a bag of apples.
"Thank you," she said as she reached for it but the Commander held onto it. She stared at him.
"Also, be careful or do not do it again. Treason will seize your breath. I don't want that to happen," he solemnly said and let go of the bag of apples. He then walked away.
Senior Historian Gracias gazed at the Commander.
Does he know anything?
She just found out recently that the Commander discovered Probitas following them.
Does he know my connection with Probitas?
XXX
Meanwhile, that afternoon, Ka-el is on his way to the Bloody Cloaks Training Camp. He just came from the Fort Amethyst Training Camp to visit Haelas. Tobias secretly instructed him to tail Haelas and even their friend Dorn. He was shocked when he ordered that. He was hesitant to tail Dorn as he is their friend and Tobias won't say the reason. Thus, he went to visit first Haelas; however, the Training Camp Head told him that Haelas will no longer continue his training as he will focus on his training on healing.
Ka-el was quite shocked when he heard that. However, he couldn't do anything if that's what Haelas wanted to do.
After arriving at the Bloody Cloaks Training Camp, Tobias was obviously concerned when he heard about it.
"What? What is it?" Ka-el asked, "Is something wrong with the information I gave you?"
"Uh, nothing. I'm just shocked that he will stop training to be a defender."
"I know. I still couldn't believe it as well. But no worries, he can still continue training after he finishes his training as a healer."
"Right."
Aside from them, Karisha was immensely shocked when she also heard that. It's been three days since Haelas hadn't showed up at the camp; thus, Karisha decided to ask the Training Camp about it. She was kinda frustrated as Haelas didn't even give her a heads up about his plans.
"That guy, I couldn't believe that he is this bad!!!!!! I'm gonna kill him!!!!!" she yelled as she continued punching the punching bag they are training with.
XXX
One Saturday morning, Tobias went to see Sol at her quarters but her quartermates told him that she went to the nearby mountain to train. Tobias then followed her and finally found her on top of the rocks at the base of the waterfalls. She is trying to improve her balance by performing the sword techniques on top of those rugged and slippery rocks.
Tobias decided to watch her for a while.
I really hope that your hard work will pay off.
When he saw Sol finally resting on top of those rocks, he started to walk towards her.
"Captain? Are you here for your answer?"
"Well, I still don't know and I'm confused about the conflicting emotions that have surged in me since the day that you confessed."
"Then Captain, were you uncomfortable when I confessed to you?"
"Yes, but not in a bad way."
"Then, why don't we put an end to that turmoil inside you and let fate answer for you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know the wooden top, Captain?"
A wooden top is a toy with an egg-like shape with a nail driven to its pointy end. It is manipulated to spin on an axis through a string twirled around it.
"Yes, but I haven't played it."
"I haven't played it. How about playing with it and we will base your answer on it? If you win, I will carry on this one-sided love but if I win, you'll have to let me pursue you."
"Are you sure?"
"Are you worried about me Captain?"
"Should I be?"
"No. Whatever the results will be, I will respect it."
In the middle of the training field, Sol and Tobias came face to face, with Serga and Reicha beside them as well as a few aspirants intrigued with their bet. After showing them how to play the wooden top, Serga then gave the wooden top to Sol as Reicha gave one to Tobias.
"Hey, seriously, what are you betting on? You really looked invested," Serga said to Sol.
"This is a life and death situation so I'm really invested."
Tobias glanced at Sol with the edge of his lips curling up.
"Captain, I am on your side! Get it!" Reicha said, cheering up the Captain who nodded at him.
"So, are you both ready?" Serga asked them. They both nodded.
"Okay then, On the count of 3, you have to release those wooden tops. The wooden top that will spin longer will be the winner."
At the count of three, they both released the wooden top and waited in anticipation. Both of their hearts are racing, their eyes wouldn't even dare to blink and their fists went white with the stretching of the rope used to wield the wooden top.
TUGG!
The wooden tops stopped---at the same time.
They were able to breathe out.
"Would you want it to take it to another level?" Serga asked.
"What do you mean?" Sol asked.
"Try to scoop the spinning top from the ground towards your palm."
Sol looked at Tobias, who nodded right back at her.
"Then, show us how to do it," Sol said.
Serga and Reicha then showed them how to play it.
"Just whirl it like this and then find the right timing to scoop it," Reicha said, demonstrating the game.
"Are you ready, Sol? Captain?" Serga finally asked them.
They both just nodded, as they became speechless because of the tension and nervousness. Sol tightly gripped her wooden top, lowered her head and prayed to the heavens. Tobias started wrapping the top on his hand as he glanced at Sol praying.
As soon as Serga finished counting, they whirled the wooden top on the grounds. It has been magnificently spinning. After seeing the chance, Sol laid her arms on the ground and scooped the wooden top. Fortunately, it continued spinning on her palm.
Tobias also saw his chance and scooped the wooden top and it successfully glided into his palm.
"Now that both of you are doing fine. How about you throw those tops on the ground and let us see whose top keeps spinning," Serga said and both of them agreed, "1, 2, 3!"
They both whirled the wooden top on the ground.
TUG! One wooden top hit the ground so harshly that it just stopped spinning.
"Oooh! You won brother!!!" Serga exclaimed, tapping Sol's back with joy.
Sol nearly fainted because of the extreme emotions she has been feeling since the game started. She has been having cold sweat , a racing heart and she has barely managed to hide her trembling arms. She slowly glanced at Tobias.
"Captain, you better be prepared," she said and let out a gentle smile.
"Let's see," Tobias said indifferently, and started walking away.
As soon as he turned his back on her, he let out a shy smile.
Why did I purposely throw that top so hard? Why did I let her win? And, how dare she threaten me to be prepared. Unbelievable!
After Reicha picked up the wooden tops, she approached Sol and Serga who were celebrating.
"By the way, what will you get from winning this bet? Is he going to give you money or free passes?"
"Mm. A free pass to his heart."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I mean, he needs to be kinder to me now."
"Huh? That doesn't make any sense. He's been kind to you after your punishment."
"Hmm. More. Kinder."
XXX
"By the way, how do you romantically like someone?" Tobias asked while he's having lunch with his friends.
Ka-el choked on his food while Dorn looked at him in shock.
"Why are you asking that? Do you have someone you like? Are you going to confess?" Ka-el asked in a speed that you almost won't understand what he said.
Tobias' ears went red.
"No. I just picked up on some conversations I had. I was just curious."
"Oh. For that matter Captain, I think I need to go to the library to research," Dorn said.
"Leave it to me," Ka-el said, "That's a matter where I am knowledgeable. So you see, when you have someone that you like, just thinking of her makes you smile. You notice the little things that she does and you treasure everything that she does or she gives to you. Every day is a clear blue sky even though it's pouring hard. Even if you have problems, the world still looks bright."
"I think that's just being crazy," Dorn said.
"Mm," Tobias said, agreeing.
"Well, that's true. Liking someone makes you crazy. "
"So, how do you know if you like someone?"
"Well, your heart beats faster when you are around them. When you touch them, there's a pleasant shock that enters your nerves. When you look into their eyes, you just know that…Ah. I want to be always beside this person. And you feel jealous when that person bonds with other people even if they are her friends. Speaking of that, do you have someone that makes your heart beat faster?"
"None," Tobias flatly said.
"Would she be someone we know?"
"Captain Himenes?" Dorn chimed in, saying the wrong name even though he had an idea on who that lady might be.
She's the second strongest aspirant in their batch.
"I don't feel that way with her. She's just a friend."
"Oh. How sad. You would make a strong couple as you two were the strongest in our batch."
"I said no."
There's someone else.
XXX
As soon as Dorn got back to the Capital, he went to the Ministry of Registry to find any information about his father. And when he returned after a week, they were able to retrieve an old document.
The document says that a certain Dong Axukixi is a Hanatudian who was trapped and orphaned during the war. The previous Supremo had mercy on him and he let him live. Seeing his talent in painting, the previous Supremo delegated him as one of the Manse's official painters.
After the previous Supremo was slain, his Chef friend who also works at the Manse died of a heart attack caused by an intake of a dangerous amount of shrimps- which he was allergic to. Mr. Axukixi doesn't believe that his friend would deliberately eat something that he's allergic to.
Someone might have set it up for him. However, the case was dropped and that was the last information they have on him.
Dorn froze at the sudden realization. He now remembers the three cases that he re-investigated with Tobias and Ka-el. He remembers the name and he also remembered that he was the one who interviewed the chef's family. However, the chef's family doesn't want to talk about it anymore and they just wanted to let the chef continue resting peacefully. Thus, he barely got nothing from them.
Dorn went to get his investigation notebook and flipped towards the conversations he had with the chef's family. Then he saw the name 'Grasi' on it. The family name of the Chef's younger sister is Grasi.
Then he continued remembering the time he visited their house where he saw their family painting.
Aspirant Karisha Grasi?
So, you are the chef's niece? The chef who is best friends with my supposed father?
Is it possible that she knew something about my supposed father?
Dorn harshly sighed.
Her family doesn't even know my supposed father's whereabouts, so how can she know anything about him?
XXX
Early in the morning, Sol went to Tobias' quarters with a bouquet of daffodils. Unfortunately, the door was locked. She wondered where the Captain went when it's so early. As she turned her back from the door thinking of leaving, she was met by the glamorous figure of the Captain, fresh from the bathroom.
"Good morning, Captain," Sol greeted the Captain as soon as he arrived.
Tobias looked at Sol who is dressed in bright mustard colored-robes, looking rather confused at her presence. He also noticed the bouquet of daffodils hidden behind her back.
"Good morning, what brought you here so early in the morning?"
Instead of answering right away, Sol's gaze traveled from his dripping dark tresses, which were tied into a bun, directly towards his glistening chest which was barely covered.
Tobias noticed her gaze. The edge of his lips curled up.
"How long will you stare at my chest, Aspirant Moraii?"
"For as long as I can, Captain."
Tobias, with bright red ears, chose to ignore it and went to open his quarters. Sol giddily followed. Tobias directly went towards his dressing room, leaving Sol who is busily arranging the daffodils in the vase.
In a while, Tobias came out wearing his signature midnight blue robes. He saw Sol applying some finishing touches on the daffodils.
"So, you came here so early just to bring me those daffodils?" Tobias asked her as he took a seat and started drying his tresses with a cloth.
"Not really, Captain. Actually, I'm here to ask you on a date."
"A date?"
"Mm. A romantic quality time between two individuals. Of course, if you're not busy, Captain."
"I'm not busy today. But, do we really need to go on a date?"
Sol walked towards the Captain, she bended a little as she reached the Captain's hand drying his tresses, without breaking eye contact.
"Let me…" Sol said.
Tobias immediately looked away as he easily let Sol's hand take the cloth from his. Sol then went behind the Captain and continued drying his tresses.
"Well…I really want to try new things with you, Captain, so I hope you won't turn me down."
Tobias let out a smile.
"I won't."
"Thank you, Captain," Sol said, grinning ear to ear.
XXX
At the Capital, Sol and Tobias are on their way to a famous restaurant and they will have to pass by the marketplace. The crowd started to gather. Tobias reached out to Sol's hand and grasped it tightly. Sol immediately looked at Tobias when she felt the warm grasp.
"You might get lost," Tobias said as he quickly looked ahead and started walking. Though it came as a shock to Sol, she just pretended not to give attention to it as her heart started beating very fast.
As they were walking around, Tobias saw a jewelry shop. He pulled Sol towards it.
"As this necklace was given to you by someone. It wouldn't be good if I was the one who's wearing it. Why don't you get me something else?" Tobias said as he pulled out the sun necklace hanging around his neck.
"Mmm. That makes sense, Captain. Then, what do you like?"
"Why not get me a necklace with stars?"
"Stars?"
As soon as she heard that word, Sol saw brief images of two kids flashed before her eyes. They were talking. They were blurry.
'And third, when you grow up, you should also give me a star so that wherever I will go, you will always be with me.
'Mmm. I will give my older brother a star.
"Sol, are you alright?" Tobias asked as he noticed that she suddenly froze in her place.
"Ah, yes, Captain. Did you find any design that you like?"
"Why don't you pick it for me?"
Sol let out a smile as she seriously looked at the displayed necklaces. She then picked a necklace and showed it to the shop owner.
"Sir, would it be okay if you add tiny stars around this big star?" Sol asked him.
"Yes, of course."
"Then, when can it be done sir?"
"You can get it after a week."
"Okay sir."
XXX
Afterwhich, they continued walking until they arrived at the restaurant. Sol went solely to the restaurant manager, leaving Tobias at the entrance of the restaurant. After briefly talking with him, Sol came to get Tobias who silently followed her back into the restaurant.
The restaurant manager then led them to the second floor of the establishment.
Tobias then mentally calculated the money in his pocket. He knew that they entered a very expensive restaurant and entering the second floor would add to the bill as the second floor consists of private rooms for very important guests.
I think I have enough money, if not, I can just send for Dorn.
The restaurant manager then opened the door of the room prepared for them. It is a spacious room with musicians playing the harp and flute behind the curtain. The windows are also wide enough to let the breeze in and to gaze at the view of the marketplace and the mountains on the other window.
Refreshments and appetizers were already served. The restaurant manager left after seating Sol and Tobias.
"Do you like it here, Captain?" Sol asked Tobias.
"How about you?"
"Mm. The breeze is so sweet and the view is so breathtaking. Plus, we can listen to heart-tugging melodies."
"Then, I like it too."
"That's a relief, Captain."
"By the way, are those the reasons you chose to dine here?"
"Few of the reasons. I noticed that you fancy the Chicken in Fermented Soybean and Pork and Liver Stew, that's why I picked this restaurant. Also, they have other great dishes and desserts. Don't worry, Captain, I ordered a portion of all their dishes so you can have a taste of them."
"What?" he asked, confirming what he had just heard. Sweat began to break out around his forehead.
I guess I really have to send for Dorn.
"Mm. You're surprised right. You should get used to it, Captain, because I have a lot of surprises for you."
Tobias tried to smile while hoping not to be surprised too much.
After a while, the restaurant manager along with his servants arrived with trays of various dishes strategically and beautifully arranged.
"I wonder if we can finish this all," Tobias commented while staring at the various dishes in front of him.
"Then, we should get started Captain," she said as she placed a scoop of the chicken dish on his plate.
"How did you know that I like these dishes?"
"Well, we ate the chicken in fermented soybean heartily at the house of Haelas and you also devoured the pork and liver stew at Sir Braegen's house. Thus, I inferred that you must have really liked them."
"Mm. How about you? Do you like them as well?"
"I have really liked chicken in fermented soybeans since I'm a child. As for the pork and liver stew, I think I started liking them because of you," Sol said while staring directly at Tobias.
Tobias avoided the gaze shyly.
"Then, what other dishes do you like aside from them?"
"Grilled dishes, Captain. Like these," she said and pointed at the skewered chunks of meat with bell pepper and eggplant in between them.
Tobias didn't answer and proceeded to pick one of them and tasted it.
"How is it?"
"I think I'm going to like them."
Sol let out a grin as she hid her racing heart.
In a while, they were able to finish all the dishes laid on the table.
"We must be really hungry, Captain," Sol commented while looking at the emptied plates and bowls.
"Right."
"Can you already stand up, Captain? We need to get moving in order to digest the food we ate."
"Yes, let's go."
Tobias and Sol left the room as the two staff politely thanked them for their visit. As soon as Tobias saw the manager, he asked about their bill. He looked rather confused as his gaze moved from Tobias towards Sol.
"It's already been settled, Captain," Sol said grinning.
"What? When?" he asked, more confused than the manager.
"I already settled it a while ago when I briefly left the room."
"You should have told me. Then, how much do I owe you?"
"Captain, it's alright. I am the one who invited you out. I should be the one paying."
"But I am the man and I am your Captain."
"Captain, from now on, don't pay attention to those norms because I will be breaking a lot of them. Let's go now, Captain," she said, urging him to just drop the topic and keep moving.
"Are you showing off that you have a lot more money than me?" Tobias asked, kiddingly.
"Partly, Captain," she said, grinning as she led the way out of the restaurant.
XXX