Bab 34: Star-Crossed Couples
The night was calm. A full moon reflected on the river that flowed under his feet. Once in a while water splash could be heard creating harmonious melody along with the resounded plucked of strings.
"I found you, Alden."
The plucked notes stopped.
Rei came out of the bushes. A smile blossomed on his face.
"You could even played Guqin now?" Rei glanced at the traditional strings on the young man's lap.
"When you got all the time in the world, learning some new instruments could ward off your boredom."
Rei walked towards Alden and sat beside him. Alden wore a long white robe. His shouldered length hair was let loose.
"You played that tune that you composed for me, many times before. That I knew I am not alone in this System."
The man in white turned his head. Along with the smile his eyes turned into crescent. A mole could be seen under his right eyes.
"You knew all along."
"You always help me." Rei stared at the moon with dejected face.
"Will you leave me again this time?"
Alden kept his mouth shut. The splashed of waters could be heard once in a while.
"Why you returned into the System?" Alden asked with solemn expression.
"Sacrificing myself only to meet you again in here is really not something that I want"
"Because I miss you!" Rei felt frustrated.
He was angry. He was sad. He even felt despair. All those months passed by without Alden felt like hell for him.
"This time, I will surely take you back to our world." Rei promised.
"No, you cannot." Alden stared deep into Rei's eyes.
"I can't." Alden showed his sad smile.
"We are fated to be separated. We can't live together within the same time flow."
"Or else.."
"Or else, one of us should die?" Rei continued.
"You already knew."
"Then, I should mind my own business and have my merry go round life. While you were trapped in this loop of time?"
"That would be better. I am fine with that ending."
"But I am not! I refused to get back to that kind of reality. There should be something to do!"
Rei ruffled his hair in frustration.
"The System should know something!"
Between his frantic acts, hands were approaching. Rei was taken by surprised. He was held in Alden's embracement.
"Hmm.. everything would be fine. Please have faith in me."
++++
The morning assembly was halted due to His Majesty was not feeling well. That was what have been told to Rei early in the dawn. Yawning, Rei materialized a tube of warm water. Then, when the tube was transformed within the thin air, Rei laughed in satisfaction.
He pushed the tables and chairs onto the door, then started his bath in middle of the room. One of the backlash of transmigrating into the ancient era was, there's no designated bathroom in each chamber. Rei felt refreshed soaking in the warm water.
While he enjoying his bath, a knock could be heard from outside. Rei lazily glanced towards the door.
"What? Can't you let this warlock has his alone bath time?" Rei shouted.
A pause.
"I'll give you some minutes to finish your business."
Rei laughed in disbelief.
Finishing the bath, Rei focused his mind to change his robe into the more colorful ones. However, his mind defaulted onto the black robes. Rei exasperated.
"What a dull man this warlock is."
With refreshed looks, Rei knocked on the door. A guard opened it.
"His Majesty summoned this warlock to meet in His chamber." The guards politely bowed their heads.
"What with the sudden changed of attitudes?" Rei sneered.
He walked along the corridor guarded by the five guards. Passing his apprentice chamber, Rei glanced and grinned.
Arriving in front of His Majesty luxury chamber, they waited outside, while the eunuch came inside to report about their arrival.
Rei was then permitted to enter the chamber. Stepping his foot, Rei was amazed. The room was vast with large bed on the opposite far end of the door.
"Does Your Majesty call for this warlock?"
The Queen sat beside the sick looking King. Her red-rimmed eyes gazed at Rei that stood in front of the door.
"Please, come in. His Majesty has been unconscious since this night. We have called every royal healers, but His Majesty has not regained his consciousness since."
Rei nodded his head. Solemnly he walked towards the large bedroom. The white wolf was seen standing near the foot of the bed. Rei acknowledged the white fury.
Arriving on the steps near the bed, Rei bowed on his waist.
"Please let this one examine His Majesty."
After gained approval, Rei carefully took the King's hand and checked his pulse.
Rei sighed.
"His Majesty's heart beats are really weak. We should do something about it." Rei glanced towards the wolf.
"There was this herbs that could only grow in the depth of forbidden forest. The one where you found me. This plant could help His Majesty to heal and get better."
The queen was relieved.
"Then, waste no time. Please prepared to depart and search for the plant."
"Yes, My Queen." Rei bowed his body again.
"However, I'd like to be accompanied by the wolf himself."
The queen looked doubtful. The wolf was one of the loyal guard of the King. And the strongest one to add. If the wolf left the King side, when some revolt happened, what should they do?
"Can't you use other guards? If both of our strong mages go, what would happened with this Celestial Kingdom?" The Queen tried to persuade the warlock.
Rei hummed in agreement.
"Then, this one will go with his apprentice, one of the concubine, named Achlys."
The Queen looked troubled.
"How could a mere concubine help this warlock?"
"She has been my apprentice since her young age, and I was more like a father figure for her. My Queen does not need to worry about her betrayed the King. To make sure our innocence, My Queen could also send her most loyal guards to come along."
The Queen felt ashamed since her distrusting the warlock was seen. She covered her embarrassment by allowing the warlock to travel with the concubine. Hearing the permission, Rei bowed his body and ask permission to set off into the forbidden forest as soon as possible.
++++
Meanwhile, Last Night
.
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Rei rummaging through Achlys chamber. He opened the chest and drawers. After 15 minutes searching attempt, finally Rei found what he looking for. He lifted the root plants in his hand.
"This much valerian root would be enough to knock out bull unconscious for three days." Rei smirked.
"As expected from the daughter of a prominent herbalist."
****
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone