Capítulo 13: Smoldered Flames
All of the attendants in Sorin's manor were not humans.
The Saint had provided them all with a safe haven to live, without having to worry about the prejudice and harm from humans.
All of them were saved one way or another by Sorin, giving them a chance to live their life. That was the main reason why Lili was always grateful to Sorin, if it wasn't for him, she would have already died long ago.
Still, Lili couldn't help but think that Sorin's protectiveness over everyone in the manor had caused a lot of people to doubt the Saint. He had always put everyone's safety first.
Sorin had never had that many guests invited and if he did everyone had to be using their disguise at all times. For some, it would be difficult due to their lack of mana. Sorin would be the one to cast the magic for them.
Lili was shocked when she received a letter directed to 'Sorin' not the 'Holy Saint of the Eden Empire.'
The seal was made of light-blue wax with an unfamiliar symbol. It was a pleasant surprise to find that Sorin was exchanging letters under his personal name, not his title.
"Did he make some friends?" Lili hummed happily as she delivered the letter to Sorin's office.
She smoothed out her brown skirt before knocking on the door of Sorin's office "Your Holiness."
"Come in, Lili." A gentle voice called out from inside.
The scent of Sorin's room has always been comforting to Lili, the soft smell of the light floral incense he always uses lingered in the room.
"Your Holiness, you received a letter." She said politely.
"Oh, just put them in the pile, Lili." Sorin said indifferently as he continue to write on his desk. She moved her gaze to the untidy pile of letters on the floor, he didn't even bother to check them.
Lili tilted her head in confusion, this was unlike Sorin. But she was not the one to run her mouth, she couldn't understand what Sorin's intentions were but she knew if it was Sorin... then it must be right.
"Um, there's an unknown seal on it."
She showed him the seal of the letter, watching as Sorin's expression turned to that of full interest before he nodded his head with a satisfied smile.
"Oh, my bad." he gently took the letter from Lili's hands before placing it on his desk "Thank you."
He noticed Lili's observant gaze on him "It's from the archmage." he stated.
Lili gasped at his words, the archmage was also a very influential figure in the empire. She was someone who has powers beyond human capabilities. Lili had always admired the news about her.
With a hum, Sorin opened the letter. A smile danced on his lips as he read the contents "She's an interesting woman."
Lili's eyes sparkled "Of course! She's not just interesting, she was already at the top of the magician's tower before she turned 18, and it was rumored that the Goddess of Ice had blessed the archmage herself-and, and-"
She babbled on about the archmage, Sorin chuckling along with her words.
"If I didn't know better, it seemed like you like her more than me," he said with a playful drawl.
Lili pouted at Sorin "Your Holiness, she's a different level from you."
Sorin blinked before sputtering out a laugh "Of course she is." he gestured his hand "She's the archmage, after all." his eyes twinkled with something LiLi couldn't understand.
***
'THEORIM: THE HOLY VILLAGE REPORTS SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCES
The wealthy village of Theorim is plagued by sudden disappearances of children, locals are now in a state of panic and fear. The locals are now asking for the help of the hunters to investigate the disappearances of their loved ones.
However, there was still no response from the hunters' association. Is this really a demonic attack or something else?
What is this trail of unanswered questions?'
Emma, the young florist, listened attentively to the man reading the tabloid. She was not inept at reading, so it was only natural for her to find someone to read her interesting news.
"Seriously, Emma? You really believe in this?" the man, Andrei, sighed as he handed her back the tabloid.
"Well, there's not much else to do. It's interesting." she asserted, folding the paper neatly on the register. It was only right to treat the paper like this, buying tabloids like these is quite pricey for her.
She still couldn't stop herself from buying more whenever new things happen around them.
Andrei rolled his eyes "Whatever, you called me for something like this. I'll be leavin' I have work." he turned to the door–
At the exact moment, a customer opened the door "I'm sorry, sir." the customer said, taking a step back to let Andrei step out first.
A young man entered the store, a cheeky grin playing on his lips. His red hair was tousled by the wind, still, he was dressed in fine clothes.
"Good morning!" Emma greeted the customer with a welcoming smile.
"Hello, miss." the man returned as he eyed the store curiously "My master asked me to buy some flowers." he pulled out a piece of paper from his vest pocket.
Flowers connotate meanings, despite Emma not having proper education she prides herself when it comes to anything related to plants and flowers.
The request was quite strange, she furrowed her brows at the specific choices of the customer. Emma maintained her professional smile but a sense of unease washed over her.
'Maybe his master has peculiar tastes.' Emma thought to herself, as she gingerly took the orange lilies from a vase. It was common for nobility to be eccentric.
The customer's eyes were focused on the tabloid that Emma had left on the register. She couldn't help but feel embarrassed, the tabloid was infamous for its exaggerated stories and gossip.
She ignored the heat rising up to her cheeks, what would the customer think if he found that she was interested in such things?
Unfortunately, the red-haired man pointed at it "You read the tabloid today, miss?" he asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Emma meekly nodded her head "Um, yes..."
"It's quite interesting, isn't it?" the customer leaned in closer to the register.
"Well, It's just something to pass my boredom." She responded, downplaying her interest.
"Really? I just think that Theorim has always been a quiet town. It's strange that it's suddenly involved in some scandal." The customer said.
Emma couldn't help but feel intrigued "...You think so, too?" she asked, finally striking up a conversation with the strange man.
The red-haired man shrugged with a wide smile "My master rubbed his interest on me, so I couldn't help it. Besides, some people have been speculating that there are demons in Theorim."
Emma almost stopped her work as she gasped "Huh? But Theorim is just located by the Capital, wouldn't that be dangerous for us as well?"
Theorim was a very quiet town, the idea of demons in the place sent a shiver of fear down her spine. The stories she heard about demons were filled with destruction and death.
"I don't think it's the demons." the man commented.
"Then, who could have done something like that to the children?"
The man clicked his tongue "Demons are evil creatures, miss. They don't choose between their victims." he said, "I think... it could be the people who hold power." he whispered to her
Emma couldn't hide the surprise on her face "The nobles!" she exclaimed, her mind raced with unease "But... they were innocent children."
"Those who are in positions of power and influence would stop at nothing to protect their secrets." the man said with a serious expression.
"The lives of children simply meant nothing to them."
Emma couldn't think of the children being harmed for the sake of power "That's..." she muttered. She admired nobles for their appearance and their grace but there was not much she knew about them.
Emma finished the man's bouquet and handed it to him with a puzzled expression "Is your master a noble as well?" she asked.
The man shook his head "Of course not! I wouldn't talk about something like this if he was." he then smiled at Emma "Thank you for the flowers!"
"Ah, it's no problem."
She still wanted to know more about what was happening to the village of Theorim. Waiting for the news in the upcoming weeks would be too much for her to bear.
"Seriously, some of them are not what we think, miss." the man said to her "Humans can also be as worse as demons."
With that, he bid her a quick farewell before leaving the store.
Emma was a woman who wanted more than just her plain life here, with the information she got from the man, she was able to talk to most of the people she knew.
Rumors spread easily, it started with small whispers from her. Just a small buzz in the streets, people discussing their own suspicions and worries.
Before long, everyone in the Capital seemed to be caught up in the waves of rumors and speculations.
Felix thought of it as an easy task.
***
Sorin trailed his fingers on the flowers that were neatly arranged in the vase. The orange lilies and chrysanthemums from that flower shop were really grown well.
A warm smile formed across his lips as he patiently sat across the dimly lit cell.
An unconscious prisoner was lying across from him, his breath was slow and relaxed. The air around them was heavy with anticipation.
This man was the baron's most trusted attendant, a man who played a big hand in the crimes the baron committed.
A soft groan came from the man's lips, as he stirred on the ground. Sorin watched as the prisoner's eyes fluttered open, confusion was evident on his face.
"Good morning~" Sorin greeted with a sickly sweet smile, his voice calm and gentle.
A flicker of recognition crossed the man's face before his eyes widened "Where am I?" he stammered out, voice tinged with panic.
CRUNCH
The man let out a pained scream as he shakily looked down to find one of his hands was crushed entirely. Felix slammed his fist in anger "You dare not address the Saint?" he snarled.
Sorin sighed "Felix."
Then the man's wound was healed by the Saint's divine magic, the bones, and flesh rearranging themselves as if the injury didn't happen.
The man's face paled "Y-Your Holiness, what is the meaning of this?" he asked trying to sound as polite as possible.
Sorin rose from his seat as he stepped closer to the man before leaning it "You'll find out soon, after all, we have all the time in the world."
"W-what?"
Sorin ignored the man "I don't want to dirty my hand on this pest." he turned to Felix who nodded his head in response "Felix, is it alright with you?"
A sense of ominous doom buzzed in the air as the man trembled inside the cell.
A grin spread across Felix's blank face, with a swift motion he grabbed the man harshly by his hair, forcing him to face Sorin's gaze–
"Consider it done, Your Holiness."
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
summer_cicada
summer_cicada A bit of a late update, I'm sorry ;-;
I would greatly appreciate comments, suggestions, and reviews about my story.
Thank you!
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