Ivanovich-Strandethorn-4 days after leaving Icycilis-Night Time
"She who Illuminates the dark shall claim her long sought prize. By the end of the month, an envoy shall march towards Jadetown and claim the reward for Her Ladyship's generosity. You, Tsarina Miroslava Veronika Antoinette Ivanov shall care for this gift and take the responsibility of honing them fit as the Goddess' arbiter. Receive this order not as Goddess Rosalind's follower but as her children and blood."
"I, Miroslava Veronika Antoinette Ivanov, receive and carry out the will of my Mother."
There is a room in the palace known to few where they would whisper under hushed tones the idea that Queen Miroslava communes with the Goddess' will and receive her order through the Illuminated One's hierophant. One that prefers to work under the shadows and seen by few unlike the Goddess of Beauty and the God of Music and Art's retainers where they are commonly seen and interacts with the mundane. No one has really caught a glimpse of the Goddess of Tide's servant nor the Goddess herself which is why the people placed doubtful trusts on their ruler and gave her the Mad Queen title.
The Queen's handmaiden quickly gave their master a fluffy coat and took her ice cold hands under gloves. Miroslava shook them away from her and walked off with them following close behind. Traces of frostbite are still within her nerves rendering her unable to feel anything for a while, she mentally shook her weak thinking away and forced on a cold facade.
"Call on Princess Izavaellia" She spoke to any of her attendants.
'Just what is Goddess Rosalind planning this time'
"Majesty!" Another servant came running from the opposite direction.
Queen Miroslava prayed it to be a court conundrum but it was an attendant of her son: Prince Jadiel. The girl stopped in front of her and heaved deep laboured breaths, trying to utter a word but her body kept trembling.
"Speak child or I will behead you this instance" Miroslava coldly ordered without reservation to the others around them.
"Prince Jadiel fell down unconscious while taking his lunch..and—and his skin went very pale your Majesty!" The girl kept rambling about the familiar symptoms the Tzarina was waiting for like a desperate woman trying to ask for help.
Her eyes widened.
"Guards! Retreat!" She yelled the code only her elite members of security knew of and in an instant, everyone was escorted outside including the young maid who was taken by both hands and dragged towards the cell room.
"Majesty! Your Grace! Please! I haven't done anything!" Her wails flew deaf in her ears as the Queen took off running to the direction of her son's room with her pair of heels deserted on the floor.
—--
"A wonderful performance Miss Woon! You are truly the most talented vagrant I encountered" The manager walked towards her while clapping his hands. Hae Woon hugged her zither close with shy smile on her face, "I'm sure there are plenty more singers tomorrow that will outshine my performance"
"Nonsense my dear, music isn't all about the successful interplay of instruments and voice but how it will encapsulate the hearts of your audience. I don't know if it's enough for you…" He handed the woman a thick wad of cash that she received with surprise.
"But…-"
"You think I haven't noticed the baby you've been hiding? Miss Hae Woon, wouldn't it be wise to accept such a large amount of money to support you and your child? I wonder where the father is, I hope he's doing the hard work for you" The man stated with a haughty tone, he gave Hae Woon a pat on her shoulder before he slid out of the curtains to entertain incoming guests.
Hae Woon ran a hand through her lush pink hair and eyed the cash in her hand before she strode to her room. Dropping her bag and everything in it, she slumped on the chair, facing her son's well walled bed and stoked a strand of his hair.
She just can't believe her rotten luck.
—--
"Thank you everyone for your support! I will end my performance with this last piece I made along the way" The woman smiled as she gracefully thread her fingers along the strings like a fliting birds over sea.
The melody she spun rocked the audience into saccharine bliss which left them melting in their seats while some fell asleep with a smile on their faces. Accompanied with her lilting voice capable of ensnaring a crowd's attention to her, more people followed inside the establishment.
As the crowd cheered her name, Hae Woon noticed a familiar face coming her way. She could never miss those ocean blue eyes and hair so black it mimicked the depth of the sea. His gaze so enticing that it soon landed on her.
Hae Woo's heart picked up pace as she spun to hide into the curtains of the stage.
"Haye!" He called her by the nickname he gave. She stood unmoving, her back facing him. The woman heaved a long breath and clutched her instrument close hoping it would somehow transport her away from this situation.
But it hasn't. All this was unpremeditated so she'll plan as she goes on.
"Soren? …What a surprise!" She didn't fake the exhilarating joy of meeting him again. Beside him stood another man who gave her a smirk, her narrowed eyes laid on him for a while.
"So this is the esteemed Lady Woon…pleased to meet you, I'm Kale, Soren's company" his hand extended for her to shake.
"How..Nice to meet you Mr. Kale" She shook his hand warily.
"I've heard stories about you…but that can wait until I ordered myself some drinks" Hae Woon thought him weird but he was …another case when he slipped away from their sight with a carefree wave.
"Haye, where have you been all this time?" Soren pulled her out of her reverie when she thought she was safe from interrogations.
'My heart aches every day for you. I wanted to be with you in your journey'
"....I- So many things have happened after Coronas" She explained. It was the truth, well…half of it.
"Seeing you right now…is more than enough to know you are fine" Soren said almost sheepishly, his hand reaching for hers but he withdrew. The woman's eyes widened at his statement—he's still looking out for her! Then that's enough reason why she can't take advantage of that.
His eyes lacked other emotions than sadness but his face covered it all. Those ocean blue orbs would always seduce her to tell the truth and Hae Woon would gladly fall back into the deeps if it meant to have those eyes gaze unto her the same as before.
But the time isn't ripe.
'Soren…until the oceans dry out and the rain stops pouring I will never stop playing a melody for you'
"….Thank you. What about you? Why are you here in Strandethorn? " She forcibly changed the subject.
"Something was needed to be done"
"I see, does that include the abyssal fiends?"
"That's right..so please be careful on your way" She gave him a smile that somewhat provided him relief.
"Soren…" Silence was evident between the two who stood unwavering in their place. Both exude words they ought to tell the other but were not spoken.
"You should take caution…. Strandethorn is not what it seems" Hae Woon looked at him one last time before she turned to leave.
"Haye…"He stopped her with a gentle hold around her arm. She forced her eyes shut as her heart ached at how his words carry the essence of forlorn.
'That nickname again'
"Be well" Was all Soren said before he let go of the hand he was waiting to hold after a few years.
And with that Hae Woon slipped away from him the second time around.
—-
Ren Yun Seo.
Her son. The proof of the love that existed between them. The small bundle who'd soon be a mirror image of his father as dark tufts of soft hair grew on his head and the only gene he inherited from her are the heterochromatic eyes she has. Hae Woon stroked her son's chubby hands and smiled when he let out a small coo, in mere months, the secret she so heavily guarded would inevitably be open for the crowd to know.
Soren is in Strandethorn which means danger is looming close. It's time for them to depart again. Her captors who were led astray might be back in their trail once more and with the Abyss' labyrinthian plan, chaos would soon ensue, however, with the zither as her only weapon, how can she defend the two of them from their attackers?
'Go back to Soren, he can keep you both safe'
She pushed back the mental message. Soren doesn't need them, they'll only slow him down. Once the world knows who they are, the flawless Ocean-borne Swordsman will have a weakness.
Hae Woon slowly lifted her baby and cradled him in her arms, feeling the warmth and trust her son gives her. He would've loved to meet his father in the future.
As if sensing his mother's conflicting emotions, Ren opened his eyes and cried with her heart. She hushed him so sweetly and sang a little melody she took from her dreams.
"Don't worry Ren, eomeoni is here"
—--
Cordaelia -Coronas- 2 days prior to leaving Icycilis-Near sundown
"Tonight, my father will-" Prince Alejandro paused drawing an outline on the map he held down on the table and looked at Ibarra with a furrowed brow.
"You made sure you weren't followed, right?" Ibarra nodded silently, his hands crossed over his chest, "I had to lose her a couple of time before I can properly leave…she's very persistent—they are very persistent"
"Did you really think you could lose me after a day and a half of goosechase?" Heels clinked on each stepping stair as Linthea emerged from the dark towards the small illumination of the room, "I see you are paired with a higher cohort?" She smiled upon seeing the golden-eyed prince who his white haired guard defensively blocked.
"Relax.." Linthea giggled, "I'm not gonna harm Leo—what childhood friend am I if I do?" Her pleasant smile made it difficult for him to distinguish her inner thoughts. Linthea flopped to an empty seat and took out her fan, tracing its sharp metal ribs while Ibarra took out his revolver in defense.
"Please don't make this difficult Leo. We desire only to help solve this case" Prince Alejandro placed a hand over his retainer's weapon, lowering it. He knew full well who Princess Guiying is and what she is capable of after the destruction of their kingdom and he wouldn't dare risk the safety of the vicinity around this very place if Escobar and she would fight.
"How did you.." Ibarra finally said with a puzzled look evident on his handsome face.
"It was easy, after splitting into different clones…the original would always rotate his clock twice before leaving the scene" Linthea gave him a smile.
"Now, please be so kind and explain what is going on?"
Prince Alejandro sighed. So much for not attracting a large crowd.
"Before I tell you the whole story….there is the past you need to concern yourself" The Prince unfolded the map of Castillo de Oro, "My father once fell in love with a woman of no nobility and that woman reciprocated him back. She loved children so much that she told my father they'll build an orphanage for all the young and the lost" He smiled sadly as if he vividly witnessed the story per se, "But as a royal with golden blood coursing through his veins, you can't always get what you want. He was given a betrothed: My mother who was from a duchy of Cadaena. Of course, he did not take it well and bravely fought for his true love until one day, they hatched a plan to elope with the pill given to him by his attendant that would make the individual who'd drink it withstand the effects of the Golden Threads"
"And then what happened?" Linthea asked with genuine curiosity while Ibarra shushed her.
"It didn't work and that woman died the night of their tryst..from then on, my father resented the royal family and dedicated the time after managing the kingdom towards the protection of the orphanage they built together"
"Then..why would the pill fail?"
"I don't know yet…but it's not an important matter, Ibarra believed the Dark Arc has been using the Cauldron to procure more of their lackeys"
"Isn't it more than just speculations?" Linthea countered, her smile faded as she approached the topic with scrutiny.
"I've also thought about that Princess Guiying but there are many loopholes in this case starting off with the unknown reports directly presented to the Guardia Real and it was also forwarded to the Aureole without undergoing our process."
"So that's why you are skeptical of us!" Linthea points at him accusingly and gasped when Alejandro nods at her.
"You-! You think we came here under direct orders from your father? So that's why Ibarra was avoiding us and hid all the gathered information because you thought we're infiltrating your case!" The dark haired woman soon points her accusing finger towards the man with blood red eyes who turned his head away, signifying the truth of her deduction.
"Your deductions are always on point Princess Guiying, I feel embarrassed of our little farce" Alejandro chuckled and slung an arm around Ibarra, urging him forward, "You owe her an apology too amigo"
..
..
….
"My sincerest apologies Miss Seiju, I am only doing what is best for my master" He gave her a slight bow of his head. Even with a mask around his mouth and a face of strict countenance, she could attest that his apology was sincere.
"Please refrain from doing that. I'm not comfortable with the docile Ibarra" The woman made disgusted sounds and moved away from him.
"Finally, this is concluded…"The woman strode towards the door.
"Von Vyrien and Miss Nobutaka found another batch of documents…I suggest we should all go and verify it" Linthea turned her head sideways to address the matter before continuing her way out, her heels clacking on every step before it gradually faded.
Prince Alejandro flicked his hand permitting Ibarra to open a hatch underneath the carpet and dig out all necessary files to their use.
"When this is over….I propose we find somewhere to drink" The prince uttered in between the silence and waited for his retainer to safeguard the documents around his hands before they both left the room locked.
"Whatever you say, my Prince"
—--
"So…the Cauldron is under the protection of your father, that said, he refused to provide for any investigation which is why you'd risk your crown for this?" Calyx surmised. The five of them sat on the available seats of the room as they discussed the next move.
"Be that as it may, the lives of my people are no laughing matter" Prince Alejandro replied and bowed his head in front of the three, "I extend my deepest apologies of misunderstanding your cause….my father and I have a long history of disagreements thus I grew to become more cautious of the people around me"
Calyx moved his lips towards one side with a slightly amused gaze, "Touché your Highness but please raise your head, your presence is already an apology itself" His teammates next to him nodded their heads in unison, "Now what is your next move?"
"There's a room in Castillo de Oro where my father kept that woman's things…if I were to need evidence of officially investigating the orphanage, I'd need her things examined first"
"Then what about The Caretaker…we have read that some of the children there belonged to a family of hunters…. surely she's not yet out of the equation" The ranger reasoned as the prince ran a hand through his hair.
"Her involvement would just make the situation worst"
"Wait." Hisako stood from her seat and asked for the papers her senior was holding, "I just remembered. There is a stone in Gralrock that can disguise a written document and combined with a special plant from Kayunta they can achieve such wondrous deception…. Your Majesty, do you know if some in your court came in contact with Kayuntanians?" Hisako looked at him dead in the eyes to which Alejandro and Ibarra both denied.
"No, there wasn't any connections made by the Board of Trade and Alchemy permitting Kayuntan importation"
"Then.. someone was helping outside the game" The enigmatic girl took out a knife and lacerated her wrist, letting her blood drip into an empty cup.
"Hisako!?" Linthea was immediately by her side with a confounded look all over her face.
"I'm fine senior, can you find me a brush of any kind?" The young girl requests meekly and Linthea left her side, the three men however, have mixed expressions after what they saw and observed what she is going to do next.
"This kind of ink…can only be dispelled by a type of venom, specifically from Tiolas" Linthea handed her trembling hands a brush from the make-up set she always brings.
Hisako quickly dipped the bristles in her blood and smeared it over the papers in three strokes, revealing the real contents within. As blood seeped into the material, the birth dates previously written changed together with the place of origin and many more qualifiers in the children's individual certificates.
"The Caretaker was just a red herring….Hmm, there seems to be some kind of pattern from each victim's data" Hisako confidently stated her analysis while Linthea bandaged her wounded hand, "We need to go to the castle as soon as possible. That way, we'll find out who's the next target, show up before the assailant, and most possibly get into another chase" The older woman agreed with a chuckle.
"Very well" Ibarra laid out the castle's map as Prince Alejandro walked towards it with a pointer stick, "My father is with the delegation from Derfes tonight thus he can't do anything rashly…if all proceeds smoothly, you'll get in the secret room here" he points the location of the space behind the walls of the inner castle, "Find out everything you need to know about this past lover and her trace to the orphanage before the next child gets taken away" He carefully instructed.
"Ibarra will be on the lookout if something unlikely is happening within the Cauldron" Alejandro added, combing back his long blonde hair after tiny beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
"I place the safety of my citizens to you delegates from the Aureole. Goodluck"
—--
Trivia: Golden Threads
As the children of the God of Pathways: Zyair, possessing the Golden Threads is a usual trait. The Golden Threads directly refers to any part of the individual carrying the God of Pathways' blood which can either pose as a poison or a cure depending on its belief. The Golden Thread can either be blood, skin, organs, bodily fluids, and the likes that cannot be digested by normal humans in medium to large amounts.