Chương 24: COULD IT BE ME?

{JAY'S POV}

I sat down on my bed, my thoughts still lingering on that random memory from my past life. It was a vivid recollection, but why that specific one, and why now? The night was serene, with a starry sky that stretched endlessly above. The moon hung like a gleaming pearl, casting a gentle, silver glow over the landscape.

I couldn't resist the urge to go outside and immerse myself in the beauty of the night. With a sigh, I got up from my bed, my feet guiding me toward the window. As I peered outside, I was greeted by a breathtaking sight.

The night sky was a canvas of shimmering stars, each one a tiny, distant beacon of light. They formed constellations that told stories of their own, and I found myself lost in their patterns. The moon, in its full glory, bathed the world in a soft, ethereal light. Its silver rays illuminated the surroundings, giving them an otherworldly quality.

Below the celestial display, the landscape of Aldevia unfolded. The town was a tapestry of dimly lit buildings, their windows emitting a warm and inviting glow. The streets were quiet, the only sound being the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl.

I decided to step out and experience this enchanting night firsthand. I slipped out of my room and walked through the corridors of the palace, my footsteps muffled by the plush carpets. As I turned a corner, lost in thought, I collided with something—or rather, someone.

I tumbled forward, landing on top of the unexpected obstacle. For a brief, disoriented moment, I thought I had fallen. Then, reality set in. It was Siena.

We lay there, me sprawled on top of her, and our eyes locked in a moment of silent surprise. Her unique eyes, a mesmerizing red, glimmered in the moonlight that streamed in from a nearby window. I couldn't help but notice the way her cheeks turned a delicate shade of crimson.

Embarrassment flooded over both of us, and we scrambled to our feet, stammering apologies.

"I am so sorry," she said, her voice soft and apologetic.

"No, it was definitely my fault," I replied, still flustered from our unexpected encounter.

I reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, inadvertently allowing our fingers to brush. Her reaction was unmistakable—her blush deepened.

Siena had been with us for a year now, and during that time, she had become an integral part of our lives. Her memories remained elusive, scattered fragments that refused to come together. Despite her amnesia, her magical prowess and knowledge far exceeded her age. She was eight, a year older than me, but that was not the sole reason I had been hitting the books at the Royal Library.

Siena had mentioned that the libraries in Arcanum, her homeland, housed an unparalleled collection of books. I often found myself wondering about the wealth of knowledge that lay within those towering shelves, waiting to be discovered.

We decided to head to our usual spot by the dining area, opening the massive window to invite in the gentle night breeze. As we sat on the window ledge, our hair swayed with the wind, and we gazed out at the illuminated town of Aldevia.

Just as we were lost in the tranquility of the night, a teasing voice interrupted our thoughts.

"Ooooo, Jay and Siena sitting on the window, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," it chimed in, followed by a mischievous giggle. It took me a moment to realize that the voice belonged to Clara, the entity now sharing my consciousness.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes inwardly and sighed, "Could you shut up?" I knew that Clara had the ability to read my thoughts, which was how we communicated.

In response, Clara gasped dramatically and exclaimed, "Such insolence!" Her voice echoed in my mind, and I couldn't help but cringe at the volume.

Siena looked at me curiously, her enchanting eyes filled with concern. "What's up?" she asked, sensing that something was amiss.

I quickly assured her that everything was fine, blaming my sudden headache. Siena, always kind and caring, reached out to pat my head gently and stroke my hair soothingly.

Later, we retreated to our respective rooms, ready to face another day. I lay on my bed, replaying the events of the evening in my mind. Siena's question from earlier lingered in my thoughts. "Why is it that Aria hates me?" she had asked.

I knew that Aria didn't hate Siena. It was just that she was slow to trust and open up to people. Aria had her reasons, her past filled with its own complexities and insecurities.

{SIENA'S POV}

After Jay and I left our usual window spot, I retraced my steps down the dimly lit hallway leading to the room designated for me in the palace. The door creaked softly as I shut it behind me, enveloping me in the serene solitude of my private space.

As I settled in, my thoughts kept drifting back to the moments Jay and I had shared by the window. It was our unofficial tradition to meet there during nights when sleep eluded us. The view of Aldevia under the starry night sky always brought a sense of tranquility.

Then, a memory surfaced—one that had occurred during our time at the window. I remembered sensing a presence nearby, lurking just around the corner. Whoever it was had attempted to conceal their mana, but their efforts had been far from perfect. My eyes, guided by my Ethereal Gaze, had detected thin, strand-like traces of mana originating from that direction.

Curiosity had prompted me to use a specific skill within my Ethereal Gaze repertoire: Thermal Imaging. This technique was based on the principle that objects emitting more heat would also produce increased infrared radiation. It was a handy skill for detecting hidden figures, especially those attempting to hide their mana. As I activated it, my perception shifted.

In the infrared spectrum, the silhouette of a human figure gradually became apparent. The figure's mana core glowed brighter than the rest of their form. It was unmistakable: Aria had been eavesdropping on our conversation from the shadows.

Now, in the privacy of my room, I lay on my bed, lost in thought. Aria's actions weighed on my mind. It was clear she had been listening to our conversation, but why? Did her behavior have anything to do with me or my presence here?

Questions swirled in my mind, and the most prominent among them was whether Aria's apparent resentment was somehow linked to Jay.

/// NEXT CHAPTER: PROGRESSION ///

Edited by: JJ

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