Chương 11: ESOTERIC
Ryun is quietly walking down the trail towards the Crescent Lake north of the school building. He needs to clear his head from something.
"Aki Frost," Ryun recalled it in his memory. "That name sounds familiar. Very familiar."
He halted halfway of the trail. He sees Antoine on a cliff sitting under the shade of a white sakura tree.
"Antoine," Ryun called out.
"Oh hi!" Antoine smiled putting down his book.
"Why are you all alone?" Ryun looked around seeing only him.
"I like a little peace and quiet," Antoine smiled. "It helps me clear my thoughts."
"Why?" Ryun frowned. "Is something the matter?"
"Nah," Antoine shook his head. But knowing Ryun he said. "It is just that Seri's birthday is on Saturday. Her brother Aki will be coming over to pay her a visit. Yet this little sister of his has not returned home."
"So you're worried," Ryun guessed. "By the way, was her brother Aki surnamed Frost?"
Ryun had remembered the name of the person who sent Rose an advance present. His suspicion triggered again.
"Not sure though," Antoine smiled coyly. "Her brother is quite mysterious. No one knows what exactly his real name. He maintains animosity."
"Oh?" Ryun is surprised.
"Aki works in the Alliance," Antoine explained. "The lad go by different names. Only the Alliance knows his true identity while the public knows him as Aki."
"I see," Ryun nodded. "So Seri must also know him as Aki."
"Yes," Antoine replied. "Probably."
"Probably?" Ryun is suspicious.
"Seri used to talk about Aki all the time," Antoine recalled. "The man is very famous in the Alliance. A just man who takes no sides but she had never mentioned his real name. She really is good keeping secrets even I cannot make her spill it out."
"If she is to give away his identity," Ryun thought. "Then it would be very troublesome on his part and yours."
"Ah yes," Antoine understood. "That is why I gave up. Those siblings are really good at keeping things."
"Anyways," Ryun changed the subject. "Do you mind if I ask something?"
"No not at all," Antoine replied. "What is it?"
"About Seri," Ryun coyly asked. "Why did she left home? I heard that you and she are very close. So I am just wondering..."
"Because we had a fight over Mia," Antoine is honest. "I said something really bad to her and the next thing happened, she disappeared. I was really guilty I said that which is why I keep on searching for her."
"I see," Ryun sees Antoine's honesty through those brown eyes.
"It has been five years," Antoine forced smile. "At first she said she'll visit Aki in the Alliance. That was during the first year and I thought there was nothing wrong. Then the years go by quickly putting me in a daze as I counted the years. She cut communications with me and my dad two years ago until now we never heard a word from her. Uncle Van is ill and is blaming me for her disappearance."
Ryun heard Antoine sighed.
"Sorry about asking," Ryun felt guilty. "But you know if you need help I can lend you a hand."
Antoine looked at him for a moment. His eyes moving up and down then he smiled.
"I don't want to bother his highness for this small matter of mine," Antoine replied.
"Hey," Ryun is surprised but maintained composure. "Don't be like that. I'm trying to be a good friend here."
"No offense but," Antoine shook his head. "If I get you involved I feared your name will catch a stain."
"No one else aside from you knows who I really am," Ryun reminded him. "Unless you reveal me to them."
"That is why I am avoiding," Antoine replied. "That I might reveal you in the process. You have eyes everywhere watching and is very troublesome in my part too."
"Did the marquis threatened you?" Ryun is suspicious of Antoine's words.
"No," Antoine shook his head. "But a friend of mine said something to me about involving royalty on simple things. They should not be bothered of those little things for the continent's issues holds much weight."
"Ah," Ryun sighed. "I really can't understand why you always put that as a wall between us when we can become good friends?"
"I can't be too familiar with you," Antoine said honestly. He pointed at the skies and then on the ground as he explained. "I have to remind myself you are up there while I am down here."
"You know," Ryun becomes serious. "I really envy you."
"Huh?" Antoine is confused.
"You can mingle without restrictions," Ryun explained. "I was really happy to have met you thinking you could be that friend who won't put a borderline just because of the difference of status. But thank you for your honesty. I understand why you're like this."
Antoine sees a gloom in Ryun's eyes.
"Anyways," Ryun managed to put on a smile. "Thank you for chatting with me and sorry for asking about personal stuff."
He quietly turn around to leave when he remembered he has something to tell Antoine.
"By the way," Ryun halted. "Maybe the reason why you cannot find Seri is because she is hiding in another person? You mentioned she's good in keeping secrets."
Antoine is left in a daze. Thinking.
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