"Where's my mother?" Engrid asked the lady standing beside the throne chair.

We had returned, and upon our arrival, their immediate concern was Engrid's mother, who is the queen of this kingdom.

They were all busy questioning the lady, or the queen's servant, while I stood there, holding the map, lost in thought, trying to absorb the events of this day.

First, I was taken to a place I couldn't comprehend, trapped in the midst of their quarrel. Second, I was imprisoned in an illusion where my dream life unfolded. Third, the mysterious drawing of the map, revealing an undiscovered place here. And lastly, the unexpected kiss from Caspian.

I heaved a sigh, recalling that illusion.

My heart's still all messed up, tricked by the feelings cooked up by the lady who trapped me in the black dimension. Yet, it crumbles beneath the weight of the truth—a mere fabrication, a dream she breathed into existence. How bitterly it stings. The yearning for the tender embrace of a parent pierces through. It feels so nice even though it's all just an illusion. I wish I could live there, honestly, but it doesn't seem like it's gonna happen.

I woke up to reality as Aideniel tapped my arm, and I quickly looked at him.

Not a single expression appeared on his face as he stood beside me. His hands were placed behind his back, and he stared at his friends who were in a heated discussion.

"Are you still shocked about the kiss?" he suddenly asked without looking at me.

"No," I answered. He looked at me meaningfully, leaving me somewhat frozen in place.

"Why?" he said in a restrained tone. I could clearly see his eyes, resembling the color of blood—a mesmerizing yet chilling sight.

I shook my head and diverted my gaze away from him. "I have other things to worry about. Besides, it is just a kiss. We will gain but nothing from it."

He let out a soft laughter, prompting me to furrow my brows as I turned my gaze back to him.

"You'll never know," he muttered, a sly smirk on his face. He started walking away from me, and I followed his every step.

What did I just freakin' see?! Did I really see him smirk, or am I just hallucinating? For the first time, I saw a different version of his face, not just the cold and stern expression!

"Where's the queen?" I heard Aideniel ask his companions. I continued to stare at him, trying to convince myself if what I saw earlier was real.

"She went to Eupharsa; she noticed that a part of the city there is slowly dying," Rhenouis replied to him, his tone filled with sadness and apprehension evident.

"We need to hurry," Caspian added, "because if not, everyone residing here will surely perish," he continued. He clenched his fists, his eyebrows furrowed, and his gaze intense. It seemed like he was furious about what was happening.

They all fell silent after Caspian spoke. They were just staring into nothingness, while I observed every move they made.

I'm left speechless, for this is not my home. I carry no stories or reasons to hold affection for this world; in truth, it's become a source of disdain. The ache to return home intensifies, though I'm aware of my insignificance there. Yet, here in their world, my purposelessness is magnified. I am devoid of power, reduced to a mere object in their eyes. Back in my world, I find solace in my sister—the one who provides comfort and love, a poignant reminder of what I've left behind.

I miss that annoying sister of mine.

"Let's go," Caspian commanded, and his three friends nodded in response. They started walking towards the door, which they would all pass by.

They ignored me, treating me like I'm invisible. I just sighed as they all passed by me.

I guess I'll stay here and wait for them.

I was about to sit on the floor when someone suddenly grabbed my hand. I flinched and glared at the person who did that.

"Are you mad?" Caspian asked me, helping me stand. I immediately shook off his hand, raising an eyebrow in response. What the heck is he saying?

"I'm sorry, I almost forgot about you. I'm just caught up in everything that's going on," he explained himself to me. I continued to give him a skeptical look.

"Then?"

"Let's go!" And there he was, pulling me along against my will. What else could I do? They're the ones in charge, and he might even feed me to his pet sea creatures. Tsk.

We’ve arrived at the City of Eupharsa, and in the western part of the city, a multitude of immortals gathered. I don’t know why, but this event seemed entirely new to them.

The five of us approached the gathering of immortals. As we got closer, I immediately spotted the standing queen in the mournful land.

The distress etched on the queen’s face was painfully evident as she absorbed the condolences of her subjects. A profound sorrow clouded her eyes, witnessing the place around her crumble.

"Mother!" Engrid exclaimed as we reached their whereabouts. The queen’s eyes immediately brightened upon spotting us—or, let’s put it this way, upon seeing her child with her friends. We’ll exclude myself, as the five of us aren’t really friends. I’m just their mere tool.

"You found anything?" she asked us after kissing her child's cheek.

"About that," Caspian said while scratching his nape. "I killed the foreteller of death before we interrogate her," he added, making the queen look at him in dismay.

"You do that every time!" the queen scolded, and Caspian just bowed his head in response.

"But we’ve found something more interesting than questioning the ugly lady, and I think this might help in finding the cursed immortal," Aideniel declared.

"What did you find?" the queen asked.

"Fiamiolle, show the queen what you’re capable of," Rhenouis called me. I swallowed my saliva nervously as the queen looked at me.

"O-okay," I answered, suppressing the trembling in my body. I can’t figure out why fear grips me now, but my heart thuds heavily with anxiety. Every muscle quivers, and I break into an unexplained sweat, the source of which eludes me.

I took out the map I concealed in my pocket just a while ago. I opened it immediately and presented its contents to all of them.

"Unanimous Realm," I blurted out as the map emitted an unusual golden light again.

I saw the queen's eyes widen as she observed the map. "This is our kingdom's ancient map, how did you possess such treasure?" she gasped, touching the map. She took it from me, causing me to step back slightly.

"My curiosity hasn't even fully awakened, and this map already exists!" The queen exclaimed in awe, a foolish grin lighting up her face as she gazed at the map in her hands.

"After defeating the foreteller of death, a new location appeared on the map when Fiamiolle touched it," Rhenouis narrated, describing what happened to the map when I held it.

The queen nodded approvingly, still grinning at the map. "Your instincts never cease to amaze me, Caspi!" she cheered, pinching Caspian's cheeks. Caspian, looking like a fool, laughed while scratching the back of his head.

"You're making me shy, our queen!" Caspian bragged. I rolled my eyes at that. No wonder he has such a big head; the queen is clearly inflating it. Tsk.

"Also, your favorite student made a tiny mistake," Engrid stated, smirking as she looked at Caspian.

I observed their reactions. Why? Did Caspian make another mistake, aside from killing that woman? As far as I know, he didn't.

"What mistake?" the queen curiously asked.

"He chained himself to Fiamiolle," Engrid answered.

I recoiled in shock as the queen let go of the map, unleashing a vivid crimson arcane circle at her feet. Startled, I instinctively took a step back, my heart racing at the sight of her furious expression. Her eyebrows knit together in intense anger, her face contorted with wrath, sending shivers down my spine.

I didn't know what Caspian had done or why my name got involved in his wrongdoing. All I knew was that my life here was in danger because of the current situation.

"Why did you do that?" the queen roared, her power emerging everywhere. Some immortals who had been eavesdropping on our conversation erupted in terrified shouts, while the five of us near her bowed our heads, overwhelmed by the palpable fear in the air.

The force was overwhelming. My hands struggled to hold onto the small piece of stone. I was losing strength. Like hello, I don't have any powers, so my position now is pretty difficult.

I clamped my eyes shut as the stone in my grip approached its release point. An electrifying tension hung in the air. My senses braced for the expected impact, yet a sudden twist disrupted the anticipated outcome. A vice-like grip cinched my waist, holding me tightly. Slowly, I cautiously peeled my eyes open and just discovered who was behind it.

"Hold on tight, we need to endure it until she's done throwing tantrums." Tantrums? Really? Are you freaking kidding me? She's an adult, or perhaps older than the other adults here, so why is she acting like a ten-year-old kid?!

"I just did it because I don't want to lose her!" Caspian shouted, making the queen even madder.

Can't he just shut his freaking mouth?! He's making things worse!

I was surprised when the wind suddenly intensified, causing me to grip tightly onto the guy holding my waist.

"I'm sorry for doing this to you," he said, leaving me puzzled.

Out of the blue, he wrapped his arms around me, widening my eyes. The pounding in my chest intensified as the solid contours of his body pressed against mine.

"W-What are you doing, Aideniel?" I stumbled over my words, but he appeared unfazed by the unfolding situation, his face expressionless within my peripheral vision.

"Just stay still," he muttered, and in an instant, a sharp pull on my wrist sent a jolt of pain through me, making me blurt out a surprised sound unintentionally.

"What the f*ck are you doing, Aiden?"