Rei walked along the luxurious corridor. The white wolf followed in tow, with five royal guards watched over him. He leisurely looked around the closed chambers.
In the middle of their way, a sobbed could be heard from a nearby room. Rei glanced back towards the wolf curiously.
"Whose room is that?" Rei asked.
"Currently we are passing the concubines chambers." The wolf answered with no care. Rei nodded his head.
Rei predicted where the wailed sound come from, and shrugged his shoulder. After a while, they reached the end of the corridor, with a more simple wall decoration. Rei was escorted into the room, followed by the wolf. While the five guards waited outside.
With a Bam the door shut.
"You will stay in this chamber for the night. Tomorrow morning, you will make a formal appearance in front of the King."
Rei looked around the room. The chamber that he was supposed to stay in has no decoration. A single bed was located on a far end of the room. No windows could be seen. It looked more like a jail, but the more comfortable one.
"Do you hear me?" The wolf growled.
Rei only nodded his head while walking towards the bed. He sat down in careless manners.
"Don't do anything suspicious, or you'll directly send into the underground bars."
With that, the wolf walked out of the room.
"Watch him out." Commanded the wolf. The guards saluted the white fury and proceeded to shut the door.
Rei threw his body on the hard mattress. He stared at the ceiling for awhile.
<System?> He knocked on it again, but he met with futile attempt.
Rei sighed and lifted his hand. A black flame dancing on his palm.
'What if I resorted with violence?' He dug into the memory of the owner to look for useful spells.
All this loose surveillances were suspicious. He was the entitled strong mage in this kingdom. Why would they kept him within a chamber with mere humans guarding him.
'Something smell fishy.'
In the middle of the night, a shush whispered could be heard from outside. In his warlock form, Rei has a more sensitive senses. Cautiously he sat up and waited for something to happen.
His chamber door carefully opened. Beautiful fingers hold the door opened, revealing a familiar face.
"Master"
She was the beautiful apprentice that held him captive before. After closing the door, he bowed towards him. She wore an expensive looked hanfu with gold flowers embroidered along the dress.
"Achlys." Rei addressed her. The apprentice directed her gaze on the floor.
"This one is on the wrong."
Rei stood up and approached her. He patted her hand.
"Come, sit down."
He led her towards two chairs and a table in the middle of the room. They sat facing each other.
"How long has you been in here?"
Achlys lifted her head.
"Not long after Master departed for his war with the wicked gollum troops."
Rei remembered his last battle with the gollums which assailed the citizen resided in the Celestial border. After a month of ferocious battle, he brought victory to the Celestial. However, when arriving at the palace, he was accused of betrayal and schemed to overthrow the King.
That was how he ended up being chased by the guards until reaching the steep cliff.
"So, you are one of His Majesty's concubine?"
Achlys shyly nodded his head.
"But His Majesty hated this lowly person. His Majesty seldom visited this person." Dropped of tears watered her already red eyes.
'The sobbing person that he heard before should be coming from this apprentice of his.'
"Do you need my assistance?"
Achlys lifted her face and stared at Rei with doubt.
"Doesn't Master hate this lowly person? She has deceived Master before."
Rei patted her hand.
"In my heart, I always feel guilty for your father. There's nothing to ease my burden except to help his family." Rei poured warm tea that was provided in a clay teapot. He pushed the cup in front of her.
"Drink this to calm you down."
Gracefully she lifted the cup towards her mouth. She sipped the tea until the cup was empty.
"How do you feel now?"
She stared with unfocussed gaze.
"I feel lightheaded, Master."
Her body fell forward. Swiftly Rei supported her so that she won't hit the table.
"I'm sorry. I put some sleeping concoction into the tea."
He carried her towards his bed and carefully put her onto the mattress.
"Now, sleep my dear child."
After tucking her into the blanket, he stood straight. Rei closed his eyes and hummed a spell.
Rei felt his body getting lighter. His slim fingers touching his head. His usually loose ponytailed hair now tied up onto his head with a hair pin secured it.
He opened his eyes and glance at the mirror on the wall beside the bed. In his reflection, Achlys face stared back at him. The reflection showed a smirk.
"Shape shifting succeed"
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