My sweetheart

With a firm resolve and a pounding heart we departed for home.

“So we have to find my aunt Calista, the problem is I don’t remember what she looks like. Also if her ability is actually shape shifting like grandmother told in her letter she could be anyone in the room” I stated.

“She will certainly be present at the masquerade ball to continue her kill count. As it’s also a gathering of the most prominent people this empire has to offer, she wouldn’t ignore this chance.”

“We have to find her partner in crime as well, the one using mind manipulation. He definitely has to be someone from the families I mentioned to you before.”

“You are right, if aunt Carina actually succeeded in the time we were away then it would be easy to detect the villains among them.”

“I remember you told her something, that also seems to be the reason why Rusha stayed back. She told me they could create a potion that could identify the Black Obsidian but I wonder how?” I wondered.

“That’s right I asked aunt Carina if she would be able to create the serum of truth or the serum of divine souls.” He mentioned.

“Divine Souls?” I questioned.

“It’s a serum that can make you feel the energy of evil and good. I mean every human more or less has a natural feeling towards people who have an intent to kill, like we both had back at the flower field remember? But if someone is really overworldly talented in the magic arts then they might be able to block their energy, so others wouldn’t be able to feel them” Teiran explained.

“True, that makes sense. I did feel a murderous gaze back at Chronum, but until now I couldn’t detect anyone with the same feeling that I felt back then. That’s why I am sure that we are either going to deal with two or three talented and dangerous beings. They might have more men that can’t all enter the ball, they might ambush us at a given time so we have to be prepared for that too."

“Don’t worry I told master and Luca to prepare for that possibility before we departed.”

“You are diligent and smart as always” I chuckled.

“Thanks for the compliment I appreciate it” He smirked.

“You must be used to compliments though.”

“Well hearing it from your mouth is another type of blessing”

“So I am your lucky charm?” I responded. This was the first time I tried to make a joke. Is that the right way? Or should I have said something like the blessing is all yours. No way! That would have been unrefined. How do people joke?

“Should I keep on hold of you so no one steals my luck away?” He mentioned.

“I-i don’t think you have to, I was just joking, joking! Of course I wouldn’t be a lucky charm haha!” I stammered.

“That’s sad I was already looking forward to it!”

To what!? Why is he acting so childishly again? It’s making me flustered all over my face. He is always so calm and refined but at times he is a completely different person. Wait, is he making fun of me! In that moment I could see a chuckle escape his lips.

“So you were making fun of me!”

“I’m sorry but your reactions are always so adorable I can’t stop myself from teasing you. Besides, do you feel better now?”

“I do, I am now ready to go in and show the empire what I, the so-called killer, is capable of doing. It’s time to prove my innocence and put an end to the killing and missing cases of Shuen!”

“I like your resolve! Go for it, sweetheart!”

“Teiran!” I shrieked.

“I meant that one though.”

“You!”

“Okay I will refrain from saying it but only for now.”

I mean I don’t mind being called like that by you, but I didn’t even confess my love to you and yet hear you talking about lucky charm and sweetheart! You, you also didn’t confess to me! Are you always playing like this with women when others can’t see you or is this just a special treatment for me? I wish, wait what, no no I am not greedy and I don’t deserve to be jealous. Oh dammit, these thoughts of mine don’t stop, I am getting delusional now! Shush shush go away, you greedy thoughts go away. Just like Rusha said, just go away already!

“Sherya? Sorry I teased you too much. Are you angry now?”

No you idiot I am flustered! Flustered! You keep on forgetting that there was no one who ever talked to me like this, I don’t even know how to respond! What am I supposed to do, this doomed heart of mine keeps on pounding.

“Sherya?” he whispered in my ear.

“When are we back at the duchy?” I mumbled loudly enough for him to hear.

Rather satisfied with me talking again he responded,

“It will take us at least a day, we will be back in the morning of the day of the masquerade ball. Are you ready for it?”

“I am, let’s end this all for once!”