Translator: yun

Auresia held out her dagger. She looked so calm that I almost believed that what she held in her hand was not a dagger but a flower.

Youre insane.

Clatter. A vine that had appeared out of nowhere slapped the dagger out of Auresias hand.

Im merely using unorthodox methods to teach you.

Amor glared at Auresia. Before I realised it, the vines wrapped around my wrist causing my vision to flip as I fell back into his arms.

This involves only those belonging to the Temple of Death. The 4th Prince shouldnt be involving himself.

Auresia narrowed her eyes before slightly raising her voice. I never remembered her speaking to me in that tone.

She wouldnt be able to feel any pain anyway.

What?

Amor glanced at me as if asking if that was true. I grinned before tapping on his hand.

Its alright, Amor.

Had I not mentioned this to him before? I must have missed the timing to do so.

Why wouldnt she mention how the Power of Death allows me to see the future too?

But the class came first.

So what? Even I know I dont feel any pain. Are you saying I would be able to heal faster now too?

Correct.

No wonder the bruise I got from Deros grip on my neck had disappeared so quickly.

I thought it had been because of Amors medicine but there seemed to be a reason behind it.

I jumped out of Amors arms. I observed Auresia carefully before taking off my bracelet. A flash of light surrounded me before I grew into my awakened appearance. I stared back at her.

Alright. What else can I do?

Auresia did not reply. She just looked back at me in momentary surprise.

You look alike.

Huh?

She quickly shook her head.

Nothing. You seem to have enough divinity.

But I cant use it.

Your awakening was different from the average templars. So, wouldnt the way you use your divinity be different as well?

Auresias eyes, that were staring back at mine, were swirling with a glittering deep purple mist. She originally already had purple eyes but now they looked even deeper and more still than before.

What can I do with my divinity? What should I do so that I can use it?

Divinity is energy. You can use it mentally or physically. What were you thinking of when you first awakened?

I had been hoping for it desperately.

The misfortune I received from the conflict between those who doused me into despairdeeper than I could ever fathomand the happiness I wished for myself and my loved ones.

I see. Then you must be eager to use your divinity.

Back when Soricks was teaching me, I hadnt understand half of what he was saying. Naturally, I wasnt able to do anything he taught me to.

Could you try grabbing that notebook?

But I had been successful only once. Back when I had desperately grabbed onto the diary and hoped.

You mean the diary?

Yes. It might be easier for you to grasp while holding it. Right now, I mean.

Even back then, the diary had always answered my most earnest wishes. It would glow when I desired for it most.

When I opened my eyes again, a faint purple energy circled around me. The energy had gathered into the shape of a butterfly. Before I knew it, dozens of purple butterflies were fluttering about me.

Butterflies are creatures with the ability to travel between this world and the other one. They act as the messengers of the God of Earth but thats not all.

Just like Auresia said, small orbs of lights could be seen floating between the purple butterflies. They reminded me of the vivid gold light Castor used.

Because you have two powers, your powers manifest in two forms.

She made me repeat simple movements including shaping and moving the butterflies.

Moving the butterflies and those golden orbs at the same time is hard.

After doing it for so long, I got dizzy.

Stop.

Auresias eyes darkened. Suddenly, I wondered if her eyes truly remained the same colour as before.

Now you can practise this power freely. Youll get used to it soon.

Alright.

Auresia took one step closer. She raised her hand before clasping my cheek.

I have left the Power of Death within you.

Her hand caressed my scar.

Do you regret it?

Well, if I knew you would awaken as the Heir of Death, I wouldnt have handed you a portion of my powers.

The woman who had left me a scar to save me, smiled bitterly. She had only been showing me the same smile since I first met her.

Its all useless now.

People cannot return to the past.

As ironic as that sounded. The Power of the Lord allowed me to read the future, be aware of the future but I could not return to the past. Same went for the Power of Death. It had prevented me from going insane but it had not prevented me from receiving misfortune.

If I had been aware of the Power of Death from the beginning, would I have swallowed my screams as I knelt in front of Castors sword? But it was useless to think of it now.

After the end of this class, the moment I leave, I will become your enemy.

Her voice remained still. I raised my head.

Why?

I will be helping the emperor with whatever he wishes.

An eerie smile could be seen drawn on Auresias pale face. I could clearly see hatred welling in her eyes.

If I ask you why youre doing this, will you answer me?

She never answered. She merely revealed her abhorrence in her tired, dry smile.

Her fingers brushed against my scar gently.

It was at that moment.

Whats this?

I could feel something hot fill my body. The feeling that was swellingto the point where it felt like it would burstran and coursed through my body irregardless of my will. Whether or not I was the only one who could feel this, both our hair fluttered in the wind. I could see her eyes through my wavy hair.

Amor got up with a start. But he did not dare to approach and merely bit his lips.

It doesnt feel dangerous.

At some point, that energy that filled me up had disappeared. Auresia stepped back.

I think I have transferred most of it.

What do you mean by transferred?

Auresia smiled solemnly. Her smile looked forced as if she was covering her true emotions.

Ill get going now.

After she returned, only Amor and I were left in the room. Amor caught me before I returned to my palace.

Where are you going?

I could only stand there and blink.

Arent you tired?

What did I do to feel that? Shouldnt you be feeling tired? After using your divinity for a long time, youd lose stamina.

He raised his eyebrows. After pondering about something, he smirked.

Go to sleep.

Youve gotten good at telling jokes.

I wasnt joking.

He gently tugged at my wrist. Without laying a hand on his chest, I looked up.

Then, he looked back down at me. With his eyes were right in front of mine.

I didnt know there were things you havent told me yet.

I didnt mean to hide anything. Really. I just never found the time to tell you.

Amor twisted the corner of his lips before leaving a peck on the tip of my nose.

No wonder you never hesitated to put yourself in harms way and never took care of yourself. So, there was a reason behind it. Well, it doesnt matter now.

Amor?

Dont get hurt. Ill be protecting you.

He left a long kiss on my lips. When I opened my eyes, his eyes looked into mine for a long time.

Are there any wounds on your body or scars that remain?

I pondered for a moment.

The scars made by blades have disappeared as time passed.

Small wounds still remained faintly on my skin. I thought Amor would want to give me medicine if I told him about them.

I had gotten bitten a long time ago by the watchdogs in the forbidden forest. But I had been treated by the clerics so there would only be small remnants of the wounds left.

Is that so?

Amor replied with a grim look as if he remembered the day it happened.

And you had come to treat me too, brother.

That day, he had used one of the only two opportunities he had been granted in his life. I lovingly caressed his cheek.

And?

Is there anything else to say? Uhm I had been buried in the rubble of a collapsed building a while back and had received a wound on my back. But that had also been treated by clerics so I think there are some scars left.

Is that so?

His fingers hovered above the back of the hand that was caressing his cheek.

Let me take a look.

What?

I was joking.

When I replied in surprise, he looked down at me grumpily.

You have gotten hurt so often when I hadnt been looking. And the fact that you had gotten hurt when you were with another man.

HIs eyes were directed towards me.

Are you getting jealous?

Im cursing those who were so incompetent they couldnt manage to protect you.

He said, as he turned his face away slightly.

And I resent myself for being unable to do anything.

His gaze lowered. I pushed his cheek to force him to look at me. He looked bewildered.

Were together now.

The 8th Queen thought youd be together with Dane Lowell.

Yes. She did.

But Im the one standing next to you. Ros.

I smiled.

Thats right.

As if relieved, he then glanced at me meekly. He then rubbed his head into my shoulders. Like a cat that was trying to leave its scent on me.

Come to think of it, Amors animal was a white fox

It looked as fluffy as an arctic fox.

But I dont think you seem to like Auresia, brother.

I could tell immediately.

Why?

He showed harsh sensitivity and was temperamental to anyone but me. He had treated her the way he did to me when we first met. However, he seemed to think of Auresia differently.

I wonder why?

Come to think of it, he was acquainted with both the Duchess of Aventa, who was a close friend of Auresias, and the Duchess of Soletdion, who had been the 2nd Princess. Of course, I wasnt certain if they really were on friendly terms.

She had been indifferent to you. It doesnt make sense that shes nice to you now.

Amor spat out as he avoided my gaze.

She had abandoned you.

As I sat there blaining, he continued.

But I need to look good in front of my mother-in-law.