The night air was cool and crisp, the crescent moon casting a soft glow over the landscape. After hours of climbing and trudging through the dense forest, Daita finally jumped down from the rock ledge, landing lightly on the ground. He frowned as he took in the sight before him. There was no sign of animals at the peak, only the vast stretch of dense forest ahead. Two distinct paths split in front of him, and the air was thick with the scent of various flowers, none of which stood out as particularly unique.
Astra followed closely behind, jumping down gracefully and brushing off the dust that clung to her clothes. As she did, the sweet scent wafted up to meet her nose, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Daita, can you smell it?" she asked, her voice soft with nostalgia. "It's the same scent."
Daita nodded, though his eyes remained focused on the paths ahead. "I can smell it, but… there are so many different scents filling the air. I can't really tell which one is the right one."
Astra tilted her head, closing her eyes for a moment as she tried to concentrate. She pointed to the left, then shook her head, quickly shifting her finger to the right. Daita couldn't help but chuckle, the gesture reminding him of Zuzu.
I wonder what that mule-bag is up to now…
Meanwhile,
Zuzu, the now Lady Suzuran sat on the large, ornate bed, surrounded by an array of extravagant items. A delicate fan in her hand waved slowly, adding a sense of tranquility to the room, though her expression was anything but calm. She seemed lost in thought, her eyes scanning the treasures around her as Maihima stood by the bedside, grinning widely with excitement.
"Lady Suzuran, here! Try this hairpin," Maihima said, holding up an elegant piece of jewelry. "It's the most expensive one. It's said to be the hairpin of the past master of the Lost Clan, and its value is one Azrith!"
Suzuran blinked, examining the hairpin with an appreciative yet distant gaze. "It's beautiful, but…" She paused as Maihima continued with another piece, this time a bracelet.
"And this bracelet," Maihima continued eagerly, "I think it will suit you perfectly. It has the most rare gems, and it might cost five Luna."
Suzuran glanced at the bracelet, her mind wandering.
Although I've seen more extravagant things in the palace, I'm still stunned by the fact that Minister Muzui's daughter owns such a rare collection. One piece costs a blue diamond, another costs five white diamonds. these are items that belong in a royal vault, not in the hands of a single person. And she's handing them to me as if it's nothing, just to know about some nonexistent wall and its builder? Minister Muzui sure has crazy wealth—and an even crazier daughter too.
Maihima continued to display one dazzling treasure after another, laying them out like a merchant showing off their most prized wares. "Go on, Lady Suzuran," she said sweetly, "pick anything you like. Whatever catches your eye is yours."
Suzuran gently waved her fan, her expression calm. "Lady Kogane, I must say—I'm already quite impressed by how generously you've treated your guest. But now, offering me a gift from these? I truly don't think it's proper. Everything here looks far too valuable… and likely very dear to you. It wouldn't sit right with me to take anything."
Maihima let out a soft chuckle. "No, no, don't assume that. These may look expensive, but they're not that precious to me. Besides… as you said yourself, there's more waiting for me in the future." Her voice lowered slightly as her gaze turned more determined. "And to reach it, I need that man beside me."
She slowly moved to sit on the bed beside Suzuran. Though Suzuran currently wore her female form, she subtly shifted, leaving a little space between them. Still, she listened as Maihima continued.
"But for that future to be mine, I need to know the obstacles in my path. It's been two days now. You've stayed close… seen me up close. Could you try again? See what lies ahead?"
With a quiet sigh of reluctant acceptance, Suzuran gave a small nod. She closed her eyes and placed a fingertip to her own forehead, the fan resting silently in her lap. Maihima held her breath, watching her intently.
"The man… the wall… the wall…" Suzuran murmured. "Yes… I can see a glimpse. A man."
"A man?" Maihima blinked in confusion.
"No—wait…" Suzuran's brows furrowed. "It's not a man. It's… a woman."
"A woman?!" Maihima leaned forward, eyes wide.
"Yes, it's a woman," Suzuran confirmed, voice distant and focused. "She was very close to you. And the wall builder she is close to her."
Maihima exhaled sharply, frustration tugging at the edges of her voice. Her fingers clenched into the soft silk of her robes as she tried to keep calm. "Lady Suzuran… can you tell me who that woman is?"
"I'm sorry," Suzuran said softly, lowering her hand. "I only caught a glimpse. It wasn't clear. Perhaps… I still haven't been close enough to you."
Maihima frowned. "But I've stayed by your side. I haven't left your presence all day. I've treated you like an honored guest."
"Yes," Suzuran said, meeting her gaze. "But closeness in distance doesn't mean closeness in heart. We are still strangers. And to see more clearly… I need to know you better."
Maihima's lips parted slightly. "So you're suggesting…"
"To become friends," Suzuran finished with a faint smile.
Maihima paused for a moment, considering Suzuran's words, then gave a graceful nod. "Yes, you're right… and I suppose I can't refuse either. After all, I've been given the chance to be friends with someone as rare as you, Lady Suzuran."
Suzuran's face lit up instantly at her words. Though she had expected resistance, it had gone far smoother than imagined. Internally, he couldn't help but think,
Perfect. That went smoothly. Though… it still feels strange to suddenly be friends with a woman.
Ahh, Seventh Prince… just why did you make me do this? I wonder where you are now…
"ASTRA JUST DONT FLY AWAY!!"
The night had deepened and the crescent moon was now hidden behind thick, whirling clouds. Astra and Daita trudged forward, their feet sinking into the thick snow. At first, the path had been clear, the air cold but manageable—but as they got closer to the source of the sweet scent they were following, everything changed.
The winds picked up sharply. Snow began to whip around them in relentless swirls, turning the path ahead into a blur of white chaos. The scent they'd been following vanished into the storm.
Astra lifted her arm to shield her face, struggling to keep her footing. "These snowstorms… they're getting worse and worse!" she yelled, her voice nearly drowned in the wind. " I CANT SEE A THING!!"
Daita shouted back, squinting through the flurry. "Just keep your moving! We're not too far now!"
"I… I don't know!" Astra yelled back, brushing the snow from her eyelashes. "I forgot!"
"What?!" Daita spun to glare at her, only to nearly slip on a patch of ice. "You forgot?! Even that?! Ugh—forget it! It won't do any good anymore. Let me try something!"
He planted his feet firmly in the snow, grounding his stance against the howling wind. Astra stepped back, shielding her eyes as Daita slowly raised his hands his fingers shifting deliberately through the air, eyes narrowing, breath growing steady as if he was trying to feel the very rhythm of the blizzard.
Then, with precision, he pressed his hands together into a circular formation, and a vivid blue aura surged to life between his palms, pulsing with heat and energy. The swirling wind caught in the glow, bending around it as if drawn in.
With a grunt, Daita stepped forward and thrust the circle outward. The blue aura burst from his hands and flew into the oncoming storm, expanding rapidly. The moment it collided with the chaotic winds, the aura began to absorb them pulling the snow inward in spiraling streaks until the storm's intensity weakened before their eyes.
The air grew calmer in a wide arc ahead of them, just enough for visibility and movement.
Astra blinked, stunned. "You… did that?"
Daita exhaled, a bit breathless. "Yeah… well, that took more than I wanted to give."
Astra stepped into the cleared path, her gaze fixed on him with narrowed eyes. "You can't be just a palace guard."
Daita turned back slightly, snow still swirling faintly around him. "Then what do you think I am?"
She took a few steps closer, studying him carefully. "You look like you have noble blood in you."
Daita tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Do I now?"
"You look like a prince to me," Astra said, voice steady but curious.
"Do I?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, just look like one," she said, crossing her arms. "But I know you're not really a prince. Still… I think you're from one of those noble clans—some place important."
"Really? What makes you think I'm from a noble clan but not a prince?" Daita asked, falling into step beside her.
Astra swung her sleeves and started walking ahead, her boots crunching through the thin layer of snow. "It's obvious. I saw how you wiped out that storm like it was nothing. No ordinary guard could've done that."
Daita shrugged. "But I am a palace guard."
"No, you're not," she said without even looking back. "And even if you were a prince, why would the Crown Prince send another prince to bring Grandpa Renshou back? That'd make no sense. He could've just sent a team of guards or a high-ranking official, not someone like you."
Daita smirked, a little impressed. "You've got a sharp tongue for someone who gets lost in her own footsteps."
She ignored the jab and added with a grin, "Anyways, even if you're of noble blood, I still found it funny that you thought giving a wild flower would impress Grandpa. Of all things, a flower?"