Year 3988, 25th Day of the 8th Moon
Ember Isle, Fliamma Kingdom, Continent of Humana

THE FOLLOWING days were as peaceful as they could get. Erkhan had left today and Orin insisted on her rest. Nonetheless, Elise never liked doing nothing so she visited the library instead. At long last, she finally went towards the history section.

She browsed the shelf and found a very thick one amongst the rows of stained book spines. The pages were already turning into a pale yellow hue and reeked from the musky scent of old wrinkled papers and long dried ink.

Her fingers brushed the embossed name 'Tales of Elith' written in fancy lettering. She flipped the pages as delicately as she could because of how thin it was. The evidence of its age was apparent unlike the other books she and different from what she had seen before. Only the front pages had contents in them while the backside was completely empty with a parchment that was almost see-through.

Once she started perusing, her focus was gripped and she simply stood there without leaving her spot. She was never fond of fantasy books but she quickly reeled in on how they fascinatedly defined the world and the beings of this place.

From the gist of it, the Emperor's lineage were the members of the Ancient Clans and Royal Families. They were considered the most powerful humans since they could use two or more elements, unlike the ordinary Enchanters who only have one, and Mundrans with none at all.

As she delved deeper, other races were also described. If the humans were divided into three, the fairies had eight kinds which represented the eight elemental spirits of Elith which are dark, light, fire, water, plants, ground, wind, and ice.

Her index flicked through the next part which was the shifters. It was much more complex as the different types were enumerated but her eyes stuck on a single line.

Elise had to reread that part, thinking her eyes must be playing on her. But it was really stated there that the Celestial Dragon was part of the four Divine Beasts. As she skimmed more, her lips formed a perfect 'o'.

'Oh my god! There is even a unicorn and a pegasus!'

The shifters were followed by the demons. They were strictly divided based on their appearance. Those who have a mortal form and those who have grotesque features that were drawn in such a creepy manner. She could withstand horror movies but the figures shown sent goosebumps to her neck. She swiftly flipped the pages and read more.

In just a few hours, she had finished a whole row of ten books. She decided to scan for more and maybe find some clue along the way but so far there was none. The soreness from her soles was already signaling her brain to rest and she eventually went back to her seating place.

There were piles of books on the coffee table with notes sprawled around it. She grabbed one and her lips curled. 'Indeed, medicine books are still the best.'

ELISE WAS still lazing at the library when she heard the footsteps coming at her. It was already nighttime so she was sure it was him.

"Aricson, can you get me some snacks? I'm hungry," she mumbled without looking up.

After what happened in the graveyard, they usually met up in the library during the evenings. So far, she realized that they could actually see eye to eye.

And for some reason, he was extra nice to her. Way nicer to make her mistake it as something above friendly terms. Worse, she didn't mind it and was getting habituated to how he was treating her.

"Sorry to disappoint, Elise, but I'm not Eldest Brother."

She swiftly sat up and saw Erkhan sitting in front of her with an amiable smile but there was a hint of teasing on it.

"You told me, you had an errand today," she stated, putting down the book as if nothing happened.

"Well, yeah."

"So what are you doing here?"

"Why? Am I not allowed here? I may be more of brawn than brains but I can read," Erkhan commented while looking aghast like she had offended him.

She ignored his words since he was obviously jesting. She saw how Erkhan surveyed their surroundings, his eyes flashing with a gibe and his lips lifting on both ends.

"You just need a bed and you're going to convert this as your bed chamber already," he observed, his grin turning like a cheshire's.

She glanced at the pillows and blankets on the couch. She had been busy with sword practice and medicine making these days. There was no ample time for reading so she decided to spend her evenings at the library.

Aricson knew about this and started accompanying her. He always had stacks of paper with him. He did his work while she did her own business.

She actually enjoyed her time with him. It was a comfortable silence between them but they also struck up conversations from time to time. She was able to learn more about him and discovered how they were complete opposites.

She didn't like winter since she easily got cold and he admitted it was his favorite season. He appreciated artwork while she was bored the hell from it. He was always calm while she acted on her emotions.

"So, how are you and my brother?" Erkhan's voice brought her back from her daydreaming.

"Why are you acting like an idle housewife who loves gossip?" she retorted and paid no attention to him.

Erkhan just grinned and continued to pester her. "How did you even manage to order my brother around? He is used to commanding everyone, not the other way around."

"It was not an order. I was asking for a favor."

"But you sounded like a spoiled lover. Don't tell me he was the one who also got those blankets and pillows for you?"

She looked away. "If you're here to disturb me. Just leave."

"What?! It was really him?! So, I'm right? Damn! I can't wait to tell the others," Erkhan blurted with disbelief. His face morphed in a comical way with an exaggerated expression.

"Don't you dare!" she protested and stood up in indignation.

"Aw. There's no need to be shy, Elise. Or should I start calling you sister?" His brows playfully wiggled as he asked.

"Oh my god! Stop this!"

Without warning, she threw a book at him but his reflexes were good and he was able to catch it.

"What's the noise all about?" A familiar baritone voice resounded.

"Brother! I'm suddenly hungry. Get me some snacks please?"

She peered at Erkhan, wide-eyed, as he repeated her words. He passed a playful wink at her but she returned it with a glare before sitting down.

"You go get it yourself," Aricson stated without even looking at his brother, the pair of beautiful red irises were solely on her.

"But Elise is hungry too. She said she could almost die from starvation," Erkhan said and she badly wanted to smack his head from his continuous jibing.

"Is that true?" Aricson inquired as he sat near her.

"I'm hungry but not as famished as he is telling you."

Aricson muttered some words. An orb appeared and he gave some commands. Only his voice was the sound in the room. She glanced at him, sitting at the far end of the same couch as her. They had an appropriate distance with how long it was but with Erkan leering at them, the sofa seemed smaller than usual.

"Why are you here, Erkhan?" Aricson questioned after the orb flew away.

"I just had the sudden impulse to read, Brother," he answered with that plastered grin on his face.

"Then, grab some books. Unless you want to spend your time pointlessly staring at us."

"Alright. I'll leave you two alone," the younger brother mumbled and left. His mouth pouted like a petulant child.

"See you, sister-in-law!" Erkhan shouted when he was downstairs and rushed out the door.

Elise could not argue and could only sigh as she faced Aricson. He was leaning on the table and writing something.

"I swear they all think we have something going on between us. You better clear things up," she said, her face shifting to a frown at his nonchalance.

'Not just to them but for me, too.' Her thought silently added.

His actions made her want to expect something that she should not be even thinking about. The main problem was, that he was cold at first but he was really gentle. It was quite evident these days and she liked that side of him. It was the first time she felt that someone was treating her for simply who she was.

Not the Elise from the famous family, not the Elise who was the model student, or even the Elise who had a pretty face. In this world, she had nothing but herself and she was far beneath him and it made her feel more special than ever.

"There's no need," Aricson said and put down the quill.

"What do you mean?"

One side of his lips raised and that was all. This was certainly perplexing her. 'Does he mean no need because there is nothing to say or no need because it is all true?'

In the end, she let the topic go because there was no hope of having more of what they had right now given their situation as two people from different worlds. It was better to feign ignorance in this situation and no expectations would be raised.

She let out a breath. "Just make sure to clarify things to your siblings."

༻❁༺

U n S c e n e s

Q: What's more important than studying medicine?

Elise: I don't think something is more important than that.

Aricson: What about me?

Elise: Err...

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