Spell 6: Destination

Sigh.

Emerson had said his piece of encouragement with the mission announced. He had asked the group to get along, it made sense considering the peace of the world dependent on them. Regardless, Astrea had entered the palace with pure selfish intentions in her mind. She did not know how to help the world, she simply wanted to quench her thirst for curiosity.

After the emperor was done, he left Raynold to brush over the minor details of the missions. He had also opened the window to put in the request for any required items that Lain and Astrea might need. As such, she had put in a three page long list that she might be needing.

Might as well milk them dry, right? Hehe.

A witch rarely gets the chance to do shopping for her expensive witchcraft for free. Hence, that is how her day had passed. Everyone was assigned their own rooms, the four of them shared a floor to be precise. Earlier on her way to her own room, Astrea had seen Lain making small talk with the devi- Levi. Lain was moving forward, he knew what was required of him. He always does. He was not like Astrea, a train wreck who had no idea where her actions were leading her in her life.

I do not regret it but…

“I don't know what I am doing. I don't know what I am supposed to do. And I know, I can't ask anyone for help, I have to figure this out on my own..” Astrea mumbled to herself, disheartened. She kicked the small pebble in her way as she walked deeper into the path ahead. The moon had always soothed her, that is why she had decided to come and take a walk in the palace garden. Just as her luck would have it, it was a moonless sky. Out of the seven moons in the sky, none had shined down upon her tonight. The garden was beautiful as one would expect of the palace’s garden. Different breeds of flowers were blooming, sweet scent was in the sky and the singing of the night insects ringed in harmony. Astrea could see small pixies playing together in the middle of the flower field and disappearing into the bushes upon noticing her. Their small bodies glowed in the dark as they left a trail of sparkles on their way. They seemed to be friends.

Not even Lain could help me in getting out of this mess..

Astrea kicked another pebble. Her chest swelled up with a familiar burn when the pebble stopped in front of the feet blocking it's way. Dark cloth shoes, a golden anklet shining on the ankle. The bell attached to it chimed when the man stepped forward. The same dark hanfu pants, white sleeveless changshan with a golden tiger embroidered on his back. His pale skin looked almost grey under the white light of esther crystals.

“Noah?” Astrea said out loud. Surprised by herself, she corrected herself. “Ah, ah- I mean, Lord Noah! What brings you out here? haha..” After fumbling through her words, she inquired.

Noah smiled cheekily but didn't close the distance.

“Tigers don't fancy being cooped up in a room.”

“I see.” Astrea nodded, noting the information in her head like a nerd.

Wait. A tiger?

By any chance, does he know of my fam-

No Astrea, we talked about this. We will no longer think about it!

Noah took another step forward. His golden eyes shimmered with mischief. Astrea did not like the look in his eyes, with every word that comes out of this mystic's mouth, her throat dries up. The way his eyes gleamed with subtle mischief and how his voice sounds like a tease. It all made Astrea nervous. She did not like feeling nervous

“Maybe it was the moon goddess who guided me out today. Maybe our paths were meant to cross tonight, my lady.”

My lady?

Now he had Astrea's attention. Noah's lips smiled but his eyes glared down at her as though she was a meal. Astrea had almost believed in the sincerity of his words until she remembered the crucial law of interacting with the mystics.

“You jest quite well, lord Noah. You don't have to address me with such courtesy, though I am a witch, I am still a commoner.” Astrea corrected him. She had tried to be as formal as she could be at the moment. In the end of the day, devils were deceptive and mystics were pranksters. They were not the kind that could be trusted nor were they someone that could ever understand human emotions. Noah's ears perked up and his furry tail fell to the ground, no longer excited. His smile dropped when Astrea formed a boundary.

“You are still a lady, witch or not, commoner or noble. It doesn't matter, my lady. If a man treats you in any lesser manner than most courteous, then he is not a man. You're a lady and you deserve to be treated as such.” Noah stated without hesitation. Leaving no room for argument.

The air thickened and Astrea felt breathless. Her throat tightened up, she did not know what to say anymore. Her eyes averted, awkward.

“What troubles you, my lady?” Noah asked and Astrea felt a vein pop on her forehead.

Is he serious? You! You troubled me!

Astrea tried to maintain a composed smile. “Nothing-”

“I heard you talk to yourself earlier.”

Her smile dropped. No longer feeling the requirement to keep up a polite smile.

“It is impolite to eavesdrop, my lord.”

“It was not intentional. I mean it.” Noah insisted. Even if this was an exaggerated prank, Astrea did not have the heart to be hostile towards someone who resembled a feline.

“Alright.” Astrea sighed. “It is my business, do not worry about it.”

The walk to the garden had lost it's purpose. She felt exhausted from all the thinking and interaction that Noah had brought to her. Astrea was about to turn around and leave back to her but-

“Would you have answered if Lain Valentino had asked you?” Noah paused, his eyes seemed to be pleading. “Shouldn't we try to get along since we are going to be working together? Is having a heart to heart not a good way to get along, hm? My lady?” Noah urged.

If Astrea had to name the way his eyes pleaded and he urged her- it was pathetic. Perhaps it was because he is a feline mystic, Astrea found it endearing. She did not want to say anything that might hurt him. Sigh.

“Oh for the love of moons… Fine.” She shook her head and admitted her defeat. Noah's face light up. Beaming with joy, his ears perked up once again. “Let me ask you a question.”

Noah nodded.

“What are you supposed to do when you don't know where your destiny is but you keep taking paths that lead to unknown destinations. How are you supposed to know that it's the right path? That it's your destination.” Astrea's emerald eyes dulled with hopelessness.

She watched something stirred in the white tiger’s eyes but he masked it with a cheeky smile before Astrea could understand what it was. His canine peeked from the corner of his lips as if eager to be out.

“That's a silly question. If you don't know your destiny- I mean, if you don't know what your destination is, doesn't that just mean that it is whatever you want it to be? And if you don't like whatever destination you have reached then it is not your destination. You know, the ‘Your fate doesn't make you, you make your fate.’ kind of thing.”

Noah had replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. However, to Astrea, it was like finding the perfect formula to the potion she was trying to make for months. She couldn't help but find herself cracking a laugh.

“Oh dear moons, it's really as simple as that huh? Woah, you're right. Thank you, Noah.”

Noah blinked, confused as to why the witch was laughing at first. But he figured it didn't matter anymore. The spark in her eyes was back, her laugh had illuminated the moonless sky for him and that is all that mattered to him. What could matter more than the fact that she was slowly erasing the line she had drawn?

“You're welcome, my lady.”