RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
I opened the book and whispered quickly, "Show me the origin of the Juelaetornulus Ruihnas."
On the page appeared a black crystal, a perfect sphere. Inside, it looked like a private universe, filled with countless specks of light that glimmered like stars. It was breathtaking. I had thought it would be pure black—opaque, heavy, ominous. I never imagined that the crystal capable of destroying all of Mnarra would be this beautiful.
This is the same crystal that lived inside me...
A sudden pang throbbed in my head. I shut my eyes briefly, and there it was—this time not on the page, but floating right before me.
The crystal.
Was it a vision, or something else? I couldn't tell. What unsettled me most was how familiar it felt. As if this wasn't the first time I had seen it.
"It is also known as the 'Death Jewel'," Justin's voice broke through my thoughts.
The image on the page remained unchanged. I glanced at him, questioning.
"Hm. Looks like it doesn't know where the crystal came from," he replied.
"Doesn't know?"
He nodded. "Your father once told me there are things the book doesn't answer."
"So it's human after all," I muttered, disappointment creeping in.
"Maybe. Just... more knowledgeable than us."
My thoughts drifted back to my earlier conversation with Sister Rona. I wanted to ask her why she had been so adamant about me not asking Brother Dylan directly about his past.
My gaze shifted to Justin. He is close to Dylan. Perhaps, he knew something.
"Why are you staring at me?" he raised a brow. "Don't tell me, Princess, you're falling for me." His grin was shameless.
I scowled. "What a joke. I was just wondering if you knew about his past."
"Whose?"
"Brother Dylan's."
Silence fell between us. He seemed to weigh his words before finally answering, "Yes, I admit we're close. But he never opened up about that."
"Did you ask him?"
"No. I'm not a gossip. And besides, it's his choice. Maybe, the wounds are still too raw, so he hasn't spoken about it yet."
My eyes dropped to the book. Could it know Dylan's past? And if it did... was it right to seek answers without his permission?
"Wait. You're not thinking of asking the book about Dylan, are you?" Justin's tone sharpened, his expression grim. "Don't. It should come from him—and only him."
"I want to know," I said firmly. "I want to know why he's the last meithimnarillaza. I need to know, Justin."
"But it should come from him."
"You really never asked?"
His gaze locked with mine. His voice was grave. "Do not ever ask him about it. Not ever, Rhein."
"And what if I do? Do you know how he'd react?" I tried to keep my voice calm, though I knew I had overstepped again. "S-sorry," I added quickly.
He let out a heavy sigh. "And what do you think his reaction will be if he finds out you pried into his past without his consent?"
Either way—asking him directly or finding out behind his back—the result would be the same. Pain. Anger. Grief. I wasn't sure which, but I knew for certain the wound would reopen, dragging him back into memories he wanted buried.
How did I know? Because I had felt the same when I thought my parents were dead, only to discover they are alive.
"Don't even think of telling him," Justin finally relented, his protests spent. Relief washed over me.
I opened the book again and whispered, "Show me the past of the last meithi mnarillaza."
The page shimmered, revealing a chaotic crowd. I leaned closer, but before I could understand what was happening, someone snatched the book from my hands.
My eyes widened in horror when I saw who it was. A cold wave of fear and panic crashed into me.
His face betrayed no emotion, but his gaze pinned me in place.
The enchantment of this place really was powerful. Just like with Justin earlier, I hadn't felt his presence at all.
"Brother Dylan." My voice trembled. I glanced at Justin, silently begging for help, but he only avoided my eyes.
'How slow of you, Princess. I was trying to stop you. Don't pretend I didn't warn you. You chose to ignore it. It's on you now.' Justin's voice slid into my mind.
My shame deepened. I couldn't meet Brother Dylan's stare any longer, so I lowered my gaze. Fear, guilt, embarrassment—they all pressed heavily against me.
"What brings you two here? Cool! So this is the mnarill book Rah was talking about last month," Dylan said happily, as if he found a precious treasure... as if nothing was wrong.
I had braced myself for anger, but instead he jumped lightly, tossing the book back to where it belonged. It floated into place above us. Then his eyes slid to Justin.
"You. You ran away from me. You still owe me a dare." His grin turned wicked as he slung an arm around Justin's shoulder. "Tyler's waiting in the kitchen. Everything's ready. You're the only one missing."
Justin glared at him, groaning. "Unbelievable. I always lose, and your punishments are nothing but humiliation. Can't we do this another time? This is bullying."
"That's what you said last time."
"But you didn't let me escape."
"Exactly. So I won't let you escape now either."
"Give me a break, Dylan."
"No. A deal's a deal."
"It's unfair. I always lose!"
"Still, a deal's a deal."
Their bickering might have been funny under different circumstances, but guilt weighed me down. I let them go on, forcing a smile.
Finally, I stepped behind them and nudged them toward the door. "Go. Settle your unfinished business. Have fun."
"Aren't you coming to watch Justin's miracle?" Brother Dylan invited me. "I promise, you'll laugh."
"No, thanks. Forelody and I still have something to do. Sister Rona gave me instructions earlier," I declined.
"Oh, alright. Then I'll just record a video of it for you. Come on, Justin."
When they were far enough, I leapt upward, snatched Forelody, and darted out. The door dissolved, leaving only the smooth wall behind.
"U-uh... Rhein?" Forelody woke up and perched on my shoulder. "Sorry, I dozed off. Did you find what you were looking for?"
"No."
"Then why are we leaving? Let's go back and search again! I promise I won't fall asleep this time!"
"It's not in there." I turned away and began walking toward my room.
"No wonder you look like you've been crushed by a boulder," she muttered.
The moment I entered my chamber, I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted. Forelody settled on the side table.
"Rhein, what's our next move? Will you ask your parents?"
There really isn't any other choice. Secrets of this weight—if not found in books—are known only to those in the highest ranks.
"Maybe," I responded.
"When?"
"I don't know. Just... not now." Only a day had passed here, yet it felt like an entire week because of everything that had happened.
"Alright. In that case, are you hungry? Let's go to the kitchen!"
My gaze lingered on the ceiling, heavy with fatigue. My body ached from the endless hours of reading, and the last encounter had drained me further.
"I'll go then. Rest. I'll bring food here," Forelody offered before flying out the window.
"Thanks," I murmured.
Sleep crept in, pulling me into its dark embrace. But before it claimed me fully, I remembered Brother Dylan's reaction earlier.
Sorrow, anger, denial—those would have been normal. But his reaction... why had it been so different?