บท 244: [50.2] An Unwelcome Invitee
I returned home with Zephyr and skipped up the stairs to the Headmaster's office. I plopped down and started to annoy him until he finally put down his documents. He let out a sigh, "Yes, Reika?"
I looked at him pitifully, "Can you bail Cyrus out of jail?"
The Headmaster paused for a moment before smirking, "No. He can stay."
I forced myself to tear up by pinching my thigh, "Pleaaaase? It wasn't his fault…"
"What did he do?"
"The Swordmaster thought it would be a good idea to use the market of the capital as a place to practice sword fighting. They both were taken in and will only be released if someone pays the fine."
He snickered, "Great. He can stay there then. It will be good for his character development."
I pouted more, "Pleaaaaase? Pretty please? Please with a cherry on top?"
He shook his head, "No. He needs to sit and think about his actions."
I let out a dramatic sigh, "Then I have no choice but to join him as I can't bear to be without him~"
The Headmaster let out a sigh and stood up, "Fine. I will go bring him out, but first I need you to do something."
I sat up full of attention, "Yes?"
He went to his desk and pulled out a small box. He placed it in my hands, "This is my family's heirloom. Your mother wants you to be our Honorable Maiden, so you will need to keep the ring safe and hand it over during the ceremony. It's a very important job… Do you think you can handle it?"
I snickered and took it from him, "I'm pretty sure I'm capable of keeping a ring safe. I've done it before."
He let out a sigh, "Reika, I'm serious. This ring is said to hold the power of the heavens."
"I AM being serious." I opened the ring box and let out an inaudible gasp. My throat throbbed as I looked at the dark blue surface of the ring.
The Headmaster wasn't kidding.
This thing isn't just from the heavens.
It feels like it's alive!
But how?
I picked it up and held it close to my eye, "Is there a living person in it?"
He pulled the ring out of my hand and placed it in the box, "My father told me that the first Marlow was given this ring by a great sage. Although it's just rumored, our family believes that this ring granted us the astrology attribute."
My eyes widened in interest, "Rings can do that?"
He clicked his tongue, "Of course not. It's just a family fable."
"..."
He cleared his throat, "Usually we pass it on to the eldest child when they get married, but luckily I won't have to worry about that for you."
My heart dropped, "...Because I'm adopted?"
He snickered, "No. Because you'll never get married."
My mouth fell open, "..."
An icy smile crossed his face and he walked out of the room.
I shouted after him, "Why not!? You think I won't be able to!?!"
He let out a low chuckle, "No. I won't let you."
The corner of my mouth twitched as I watched him leave our house with his proud head held high.
Why does he seem so confident!?
I shrugged and held out the ring, "Eh. It's not like I plan on getting married. I've already been imprisoned once in this world."
I stared at the ring appreciating it.
A memory suddenly overlayed my vision.
I winced as I stared down at a ring with a singular diamond shining back.
-Is it not good enough?-
I shook my head to get rid of the accusatory voice in my head.
I pursed my lips.
It's not even a diamond, yet I keep remembering the ring I was given in a past life.
I let out a sigh, "...I hate weddings."
But I still have a job to do.
I will protect this ring and I won't let it out of my sight!
Every day I would wake up and immediately check my bedside table to ensure the ring was still there. I was so afraid to lose it, I drew magic circles around it to alert me if it was ever moved or ever touched. I etched circles onto the box and kept my eye on it whenever I was home.
Nothing was going to happen to this ring!
I managed to keep it safe until the day the wedding finally arrived and we all poured into the last known Holy Temple next to the Palace.
Cyrus helped me out of the carriage with a soft smile, almost imperceptible to see. "Are you ready?"
I took his hand and patted the ring in my pocket, "I'm ready. I've kept the ring safe."
He chuckled, "I didn't mean that… Although I'm not surprised it's safe. You haven't been doing anything except attending class and checking on that ring. You haven't even been to check up on your art museum."
I let out a sigh, "Felix and I ran that place together… If he isn't around, then I don't feel right being there without him."
His lips pressed together, "So I assume you haven't heard from him either."
I shook my head, "Have you?"
He let out a sigh, "Not yet."
We were both silent as we walked up to the door.
Cyrus glanced at me, "Maybe we should-"
Zephyr pushed us apart and glared at Cyrus, "You're feeling rather bold lately, you blonde-haired brat."
Cyrus's eyebrow twitched, "And you've been more possessive lately. Don't blame me for your love life being-"
Cyrus abruptly stopped, but not before Zephyr caught on to what he was going to say.
Zephyr growled, "What were you going to say?!"
He averted his gaze, "...Nothing."
Zephyr reached up to grab the collar of his shirt to threaten him, "Go on! Say it!"
Cyrus turned his head to the side, "...Nope."
I had to hold down my laughter as Zephyr tried to appear bigger than he was. He had to stand on his tip-toes just to reach Cyrus's collar.
Cyrus immediately stopped walking with a shocked expression, "Uh-oh."
Zephyr and I both looked at him in confusion then turned to follow his look. Hazel stood in the greeting hall where most of the guests were gathering and conversating. My expression fell abruptly.
Uh-oh is an understatement.
I quickly looked at Zephyr in a panic and saw his expression pale before turning red.
Hazel felt us staring and turned to look at us. She walked over with a gentle smile to hide her cold exterior, "Hello Reika… Zephyr…"
Zephyr scowled furiously, "What are you doing here!?"
Hazel flinched in surprise, "I-I was invited… I thought that-"
Zephyr let out a frustrated shout and stomped away before she could explain. She looked at me nervously, "I-I really was invited! I can show you!"
She pulled out her invitation and showed me. Sure enough, it had my mother's handwriting on it.
It was legitimate.
I let out a sigh and waved my hand, "Just keep your distance from Zephyr. There's no telling what he will do."
She looked at me with hope in her eyes, "And you?"
I made a face, "It's best to avoid me too."
Her head lowered somberly and she let out a defeated sigh. She nodded solemnly before making her way to where the guests were starting to gather and take their seats.
I glanced at Cyrus who gave me a nod, "Don't worry. I will watch Zephyr so he doesn't cause any issues."
"Thanks." I gave a stretch, "I guess I should go see my parents to carry out my duties."
Cyrus reached out to grab my hand and plant a kiss on it. He smiled at me charmingly, "I can't wait for you to return."
My cheeks flushed and I pulled my hand out of his grip. I left quickly to find my parents and tried to calm my racing heart.
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Nekoru
Nekoru It wouldn't be a wedding if it didn't have drama.
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