Devastated … was the best word to describe all that Clavis felt after learning the truth from the old book he was holding. His hands continued to shake. The most dreadful thing that he and his sister, Illumináire, was hoping not to happen, now confirmed in a prophecy.

To make sure he was conferring to the right thing, he closed the book and checked its title, the year it was written, and other codes that the Sortis family placed on it. To his dismay, it was indeed a book of prophecy … the "Book of Dawn". And it was prophesied by none other than the Great Oracle. There was no mistaking it.

​​

As tears continued to fall from his eyes, he flipped the earlier pages of the book, in order to look for more context, or answers as to what may cause such a thing to occur. When he found nothing, he tried flipping on the last pages instead - but that part was near the end of the book. There was no more information.

"The death of the maiden who will save us all … how unacceptable. After all the things that she would do for us, she would die? Her, being engulfed by the rays of the sun - my Lord, does that mean … she would sacrifice herself for our salvation?" Clavis prayed earnestly in his heart.

But he heard no answer.

His heart began to sting so much. He remembered the first time he encountered Rania - during the Banquet, held to celebrate the victory of the Magi. She was forced to play for the king, to entertain him. But she played for herself and her black Pandora dress turned white! The things she said, those eyes full of conviction, and passion and bravery … indeed, her whole personality reeks of kindness and grace. She even saved a friend from the Forbidden Chamber!

Such an innocent soul … a blameless soul … would be the sacrifice for their salvation?

Salvation of Magi and humans … two races who dug their own grave.

Were they even deserving of such noble sacrifice?

Would the Supreme Being really allow such a thing to happen?

Was this His great plan all along?

"My Lord," Clavis prayed again. "I do not believe that you would let her die just like that. Please, tell us this is merely an omen and not a prophecy. What words do those missing parts hold? Are they words of hope? Or words of affirmation?

I beseech You, please do not let Your Favoured One suffer. Let her reap the rewards of her benevolent sacrifice. Do not let her perish!"

Then, he remembered the passage again … Clavis clenched his fists and furrowed.

"The king will cry … the maiden will be lifeless … and when he sits on his throne, the maiden will be no more. What tragedy is this, my Lord! Is this really Your Will? Please tell us this is not real".

Clavis stayed for a few more hours in the archives and continued his prayer. When he got no more answers from his questions, he stopped and decided to go back home. It had been three days after all, when he last came back.

~ [Music Recommendation: "I Miss You" by Soyou (Instrumental only) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this scene XD ~ 0////0

It was almost night time when Clavis arrived at his bedroom. He looked for Selena but she wasn't there. Since the maids were also missing, he figured that she must have gone to visit his mother or probably roaming around. Sighing deeply, he decided to take a long bath to clear his mind.

He still felt downhearted. It's good that he knew their race would be saved and all, but … at the expense of someone faultless? It left a bad taste in his mouth. It was like winning a battle, but losing the war. For him, it was wrong - very much wrong. But then again, what could they possibly do against fate? Against destiny? Against what had already been ordained?

The answer was … nothing.

They could only wait for time to pass by …

And let history unfold itself.

After taking a bath, Clavis changed into his sleeping robes and laid down in bed. He closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep.

Not long after, Selena arrived. She was happily waltzing again since she spent a really nice afternoon with her mother and sister-in-law. They even took a bath together in the open air hot spring near Mitis' quarters. Afterwards, they got some massage and talked about a lot of things. It was indeed a lovely and fun-filled afternoon - a complete opposite of what Clavis experienced.

Selena jumped at the sight of Clavis, laying down on bed. She quickly ran towards him and hopped on the bed to give him a big hug.

"Clavis! You're back!" Selena beamed at Clavis. Her happiness was too obvious on her face. "Waaaaa, I missed you! I can't believe you left me for three days! Three days!"

Clavis jolted and chuckled at Selena's cuteness. In an instant, he felt all of his piled up stress wash away, and all his worries, gone. He breathed deeply and embraced Selena tightly in return.

"I missed you, too," Clavis whispered to her. He hugged her with no signs of letting go.

"Hmf! It's good if you missed me, or else I'll be really sad," Selena pouted. "Where did you even run off to this past few days? You're not cheating on me, are you?"

"Ha-ha-ha! Why would I bother cheating when I already have the best wife?"

Selena's eyes widened. She quickly let go of Clavis and looked at him directly. "A-are you really Clavis? Why are you saying sweet things?"

Clavis blinked his eyes. "You don't like it? Father said girls like it if we try to be sweet".

"Oh, so it's father who taught you that," Selena nodded, convinced. "Well yes, that's actually right. I do like it if you say things like that to me. I'm just surprised you're actually saying it. But do it sparingly or I'll die".

Clavis burst out laughing. "Ha-ha-ha-ha! You'll die?" Then, brushing her hair, he said, "You're funny. Okay, I'll do it sparingly. I'm not that used to it anyway".

"Aye! Aye!" Selena saluted. She leaned closer to Clavis again and hugged him tight. "Oh wait! Speaking of lessons," she let go of him and looked at him straight in the eyes again, "I learned something new today".

"Oh? What is it?" Clavis tilted his head.

Selena curved her lips into a smirk at his question. Then, she pushed Clavis and pinned him down.

Clavis got surprised. "Is this the lesson you learned? I presume mother is the one who taught you?" he chuckled.

"Yes, she did," Selena smiled mischievously at him. "I want to test it out if it's true".

"Test out what?"

"Fu-fu-fu-fu," she grinned naughtily again. "Consider this your punishment for leaving me alone for three days".

Clavis got up and leaned on the bed's headboard. "I wonder what kind of punishment this is? A truth or dare?"

"No," Selena shook her head and inched closer to Clavis. "Don't move! Your position is perfect!"

Clavis was taken aback but he did as Selena mentioned. He didn't move an inch from his position.

Then, Selena crawled closer to him and slumped herself on top of Clavis. Now, she sat on his thighs. She inched closer again, until their bodies touched and brushed her soft hands from Clavis' arms, to his shoulders, and around his neck, locking him unto her in an embrace. She also caressed his ears and gently pecked on Clavis' ears, cheeks, neck, and his lips.

Clavis gulped and blushed.

"I d-didn't think you'd be so forward," he said as he lowered down his eyes, feeling embarrassed.

"Hmm? Forward? What do you mean?" Selena blinked her eyes. Whatever Mitis told her, there was a high chance that it was incomplete information.

"Tell me, what are the exact words that mother told you?"

Selena thought for a moment. "Ahhmm … she told me you'd like it if I kiss you while sitting on your lap. And to make sure our body is so close that I'm hugging you - like this," she gestured on what she was doing to him. "And she also said I should try kissing your cheeks, ears, and neck … and of course your lips".

Selena looked so proud, learning something that her husband liked.

Little did she know the real effect of what she's doing.

Clavis chuckled at her innocence. "Do you want to know how I really feel about it?"

Selena nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Please tell me! So, is it true? Do you really like it if I kissed you like that?" Her cute face smiled like a little sheep.

Yes, a sheep … because a wolf would be coming at her any moment now.

"The truth is …," Clavis paused and leaned closer to Selena. Softly, he whispered to her ears. "What you're doing … is making me aroused".

Hearing those words, Selena's face immediately flushed red.

================

Hi Beloved Readers!

I'm joining the Mass Release Event and I'm scheduled tomorrow, July 19th!

So tomorrow, I'll mass release 5 chapters!!! YAY!!! I'll put a 5 mins interval so they don't get mixed up.

Kindly note, this will be under privilege. I initially set up 2 tiers as advised by my Editor from Webnovel. Please see tiers below:

+ Tier 1: 1 Chapter, 9 Coins (discounted for those who wants to try it)

+ Tier 2: 5 Chapters, 219 Coins (actual price)

If you don't like this tier set up, I created another option which is the list below. Let me know if you prefer this by commenting here, so I can adjust next month.

+ Tier 1: 1 Chapter, 9 Coins

+ Tier 2: 2 Chapters, 69 Coins

+ Tier 3: 3 Chapters, 129 Coins

+ Tier 4: 4 Chapters, 179 Coins

+ Tier 5: 5 Chapters, 219 Coins

Hope you enjoy it and thank you so much for your support!