A faint smile appeared on Anette's face as she studied Cyneah's determined expression. She felt how much Cyneah wanted to repay Kyran's kindness by healing his core. It might not be enough to repay all the debt, but Anette knew that Cyneah believed it could at least prove that his decision to save her was not without gain. In the future, as long as Cyneah learned the use of her magic and perfected the use of magic sense, she could be of help to Kyran.
All of these, Anette understood. In the past, she also had a similar experience. After being granted a second life, Anette decided to study Alchemy. Because her magic was not powerful enough to help her benefactors, she decided to learn Alchemy to become their support.
"It is not enough," Anette answered Cyneah's question after a short pause.
Anette did not come up with that answer on the spur of the moment. When Kyran told her about Cyneah, he also explained how her magic seemed to heal his core, thus assuming that she might really have soul magic. However, Kyran also confirmed that after Cyneah stopped singing, his damaged core remained damaged and had not been healed. This led Anette to think that Cyneah was not channelling her magic correctly. It was also why she decided to teach the use of magic sense first. Aside from this, magic cores were not visible in the first place, and only by having a better understanding of magic sense usage could Cyneah be able to 'see' the cores and heal them properly.
"Healing magic cores are different from healing physical wounds," Anette added.
"T-then, when will I be able to heal Nar?" Cyneah's expression turned gloomy. She wanted to heal Kyran as soon as possible.
Seeing Cyneah's dismayed look, a faint smile crossed Kyran's face. He walked over to her and affectionately stroked her head, "If you really want to heal me, listen to your master well and learn. I will give you three days."
Kyran did not choose to say words such as 'you don't have to rush' or 'take your time.' Because he knew those words of no help to Cyneah, he knew her stubbornness beneath the gentle demeanour and believed saying words that could fuel her determination would best help her.
As expected, Kyran's words immediately made Cyneah's eyes lit up. She nodded her head and said, "Okay."
Nolan, who saw a rare gentle look on Kyran's face, raised his brows. He could not help but say, "Can the display of affection be done privately? Seriously, we're in broad daylight."
Cyneah's face instantly turned crimson at Nolan's teasing.
Kyran, however, simply looked at Nolan with a scowl. He lowered his hand and was about to say something when Zephyr's voice said, "Master can show his affection to mistress anytime he wants."
"Oi!" Kyran snapped as he looked at Zephyr glaringly.
Anette cleared her throat and took Cyneah's hand. She ushered the embarrassed girl inside while she glared at the three, "You three behave. Stop teasing my disciple."
She turned to Kyran and made a gesture of pointing her middle and pointing fingers on her eyes before pointing it towards him. "I'm watching you, young man."
Then...
[Don't say you're my godson. You haven't explained yourself yet about the 'state' she arrived in yesterday.]
Black lines appeared on Kyran's head as he heard Anette's voice in his head.
Did they not already agree that the reason why Cyneah was in that state was because of Anette's potion? Why was she bringing that up again? Besides, what Zephyr said was a misunderstanding!
Kyran felt wronged.
Nolan whistled as he watched the door closed behind Anette and Cyneah. He looked at Kyran and said, "Well. It seems your godmother has fully accepted being your little girlfriend's guardian. Tough luck."
"She's not my little girlfriend!" Kyran said in exasperation.
Couldn't they see that his actions toward Cyneah were more of a big brother to a little sister? Why did they always misinterpret his actions?
The others had not seen this side of Kyran; thus, they believed he harboured special feelings toward Cyneah. Coupled with how Zephyr addressed Cyneah, others would definitely misunderstand.
"Tsk. Tsk. Poor missy. If she jumped you that time and did not hesitate, she would have the upper hand. Alas, she is beaten by a young lass," Nolan upper hand, ignoring Kyran's rebuttal.
Zephyr's ears perked at this, "What does that mean?"
Nolan walked over to the center of the array and kneeled, "It means your master has two mistresses."
He roused his magic, and soon the array deactivated and hid underneath the ground.
Kyran simply glared at him in response. He gave up explaining himself to these two and went inside the house.
Nolan burst out laughing at Zephyr's question and said, "I like the way you think."
Zephyr looked at him with a slight frown, "What do you mean?"
"Doesn't matter," Nolan replied while he stood up and also made his way back inside the house.
Zephyr, who was left outside, could only shake his head and muttered, "Humans. They're really hard to understand."
=================
The grand hall inside the royal palace had been decorated lavishly for the Crown Princess's birthday. White and gold ornaments hung meticulously along the walls while small golden round lanterns with semi-transparent silks floated in the air.
Round tables were arranged in a u-shape facing the elevated platform at the north end of the hall. The elevated platform had three high chairs where the Emperor, Empress and the Crown Princess would take their seats. At the center of the hall, a dance floor was also prepared.
It was already late in the afternoon when the guests had started to arrive. The head palace guard by the entrance announces the names of the guests as they enter the hall.
At the moment, the Royal Family had yet to arrive, but none felt it was inappropriate. They would even feel intimidated if the Royal Family was there first. Besides, even if they were allowed to be late, none of them would dare do so. Not because they feared the emperor's punishment, but today's celebration was special.
It was true that the Crown Princess's birthday was considered a special event. However, this year was extra special because it would be the first time after the princess was 'attacked' that she would face the public again.
Every guest could not wait to see the Crown Princess again.
By the time it turned six in the evening, the Royal Family finally arrived to start the celebration.
As soon as Princess Haylee entered the grand hall, all eyes were on her and were filled with awe. She was dressed in a champagne pink layered tulle dress that glistened in the lights with her every movement. Her hair was braided carefully to compliment the diamond tiara on top of her head. And her sapphire blue eyes appeared to twinkle especially when she smiled.
The guests had not expected the Crown Princess to have grown beautifully. Almost all eligible bachelors could not wait to have an opportunity to dance the princess. Even those who had no interest in finding a partner could not wait to have a chance to speak with her.
The night soon fell, and the Crown Princess's birthday celebration finally started.
The palace's grand hall was filled with songs and mild laughter for the next few hours. Almost everyone appeared to be enjoying the celebration. The officials who had been holed up with the emperor for the past few days discussing measures and plans in finding Gray also appeared to be in high spirits. There was no telltale that they were all engaged in a very serious discussion just yesterday.
As the celebration went well into the night and everyone had finished paying respects and showing off their gifts to the princess, Haylee finally found a chance to escape the grand ball and take a breather in the garden.
The garden was located next to the grand hall, so the emperor allowed Haylee to venture outside because she never really left the celebration. Some guests were also outside and were enjoying the garden lights while enjoying the company of each other.
Of course, Haylee avoided being seen by these guests. Her face was already aching from all the smiling she had to endure while meeting guests and receiving their gifts.
Haylee found a quiet spot at a small gazebo facing a small pond. She sat by the gazebo's rail as she watched the reflection of the moon on the surface of the pond.
While closing her eyes, Haylee took a deep breath and finally said, "I know you've been following me. Show yourself."
A chuckle was heard behind as a man's silhouette in a black robe slowly appeared from the shadows.
"You have a really high perception, princess."
"No need to flatter. With your undisguised sanguine aura, anyone will have trouble missing it," Haylee replied as she opened her eyes and turned to look at the person behind her.
The silhouette of a man smiled at her and said, "Please, even your guards failed to detect my coming. I believe your highness perception is really superb."
Haylee smiled at him, however, it did not reach her eyes. She actually had a cold look reflected in her usually warm blue eyes.
"Why are you here, Grand Marshal."
The silhouette's smile grew wide.
As Haylee guessed, the silhouette was none other than Gael.
"I am here to talk some business, your highness."
Haylee raised her brows.
"Business?" She repeated and let out a soft laugh. "What kind of business will the Royal Army's Grand Marshal talk with me, the Royal Family's Crown Princess?"
"A business that can benefit both the Royal Family and the Royal Army, of course," Gael replied with a smile.
Haylee took a deep breath and stood up. She approached Gael with her blue eyes growing colder with each step she made.
She smiled at him as she stood a few feet in front of him. She said, "I think you're misunderstanding something here, Grand Marshal. The emperor might tolerate you because you appeared harmless after losing quite a lot of authority within the army. But I am different."
Haylee moved to Gael's side and placed a hand on his shoulder before leaning forward and saying, "I am not like the emperor. I know exactly what you have been doing."
Gael's eyes narrowed. If he were not worried that Gray's matter would be enough to divert the emperor's attention away from the Regis, he would not have approached Haylee. Unfortunately, the emperor had repeatedly expressed his desire to call the Regis Patriarch and seek their help during the meeting.
Gael suddenly had an urge to use his magic and threatened Haylee to cooperate with him. As a magus, he could easily trap her inside his domain and do things to her without rousing her guards' suspicions.
However, just as Gael was thinking about this, Haylee's voice sounded in his head.
[You wouldn't want to mess with me.]
Suddenly, Gael's heart started to beat painfully in his chest as he turned his head to look at Haylee.
Haylee, in turn, simply smiled at him, and her blue eyes glinted wickedly in the dark.
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