Xavier couldn't help but feel mesmerized by each floor he climbed. Every level of Nocteim was unique.
While the 32nd floor was solely dedicated to the cafeteria, the 44th floor was a breathtaking garden overlooking the sea.
The garden was a magical, colorful paradise. Vibrant flowers with sweet fragrances bloomed beautifully under the warm sunlight.
Despite the countless trees and flowers, not a speck of mud was scattered around to disrupt the garden's pristine appearance.
Xavier saw no one else in the garden—only enchanted brooms sweeping the area on their own.
I've never been outside the castle in 20 years, Xavier thought.
While trapped in the darkness, I always wondered how beautiful—or horrible—the outside world might be. The only glimpse I had of it came from my mother's memories, most of which were set in the land of dragons.
A soft smile touched Xavier's lips as he gently touched a pastel green rose blooming among the others. Morning dew clung to its petals, reflecting the golden sunlight.
"It looks like her eyes…" he murmured, plucking the green rose. Its color reminded him of Selentia's eyes—endless and vibrant, like an infinite field of greenery. His heart fluttered as he imagined her gazing at him with those gentle, deer-like eyes.
He brought the rose to his lips, inhaling its fragrance deeply.
To Xavier, Selentia was nothing less than an angel sent from the heavens. She had freed him from the cage and shackles that bound him to a cold, loveless world. If not for her, he might never have seen the beauty of the world before him.
Clutching the rose, he walked to a maple tree near a large open window that offered a stunning view of the sea.
He sat down, resting his left leg on the grass and bending his right knee. Leaning against the tree, he gazed at the Sian Sea.
The sea was breathtaking—a vast expanse of water stretching endlessly. Sunlight danced on the waves, and ships sailed in the distance, some heading to the Northern Territory, others to the Western Land.
Yet, even in this serene moment, Xavier's thoughts drifted to Selentia.
He remembered how radiant she looked wielding Slayer, golden light scattering around her with every strike. Her movements were fluid and soundless, her eyes lighting up whenever something caught her interest.
Xavier closed his eyes and mumbled, "It's only been two days, and I already miss her so much."
He chuckled and shook his head. "Bear with this longing, Xavier. You can't go near her until you've grown stronger and tamed the power within you."
*Creak… Creak…*
Xavier's smile faded as he heard slow, deliberate footsteps approaching. Who could it be? He wondered, I didn't sense anyone's presence until now.
The footsteps grew closer, crunching on the dry leaves around the maple tree. Xavier's hand slipped behind his doublet, gripping the dagger he always carried.
As the presence drew near and he felt a hand reaching toward him, Xavier reacted instantly. He grabbed the person's wrist, flipped them onto the ground, and pressed his dagger to their throat.
His eyes widened in shock when he saw who it was.
"Your senses have sharpened," a sweet, familiar voice said. "I thought I'd hidden my presence perfectly."
Xavier immediately dropped the dagger, being stunned. "Captain! What are you doing here?"
Selentia chuckled and winked. "I wanted to surprise you."
Xavier's heart raced, and he gulped, gazing at her face. A gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers swept through the garden, causing Selentia's silver hair to cling to her cheeks.
The two remained in the same position, Selentia pinned beneath him. Her eyes met Xavier's, which flickered with unspoken emotions. In a daze, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Selentia's eyes fluttered slightly at his touch, and she pressed her lips together. Their breaths mingled, the distance between them almost nonexistent.
An unfamiliar heat surged through Xavier's body, and a thirst he had never felt before made him swallow hard, his gaze lingering on Selentia's soft pink lips.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind—the same voice he had heard when he accepted the demonic power:
*If you want her, lock her away from the world. Unless you do, she will be taken by that wielder of divine power.
Destroy the Empire and become the Emperor! Wield your power, and everything will be yours. Lock her. Cage her. Own her! Only then will you be able to keep her by your side.
Cage her before she flies away, Xavier Alexux Aelric.*
Sweat beaded on Xavier's forehead as his body trembled, a fiery heat consuming him. His chest heaved, and his heart pounded louder.
Selentia noticed something was wrong; she stretched her hand and placed her palm on his cheek. "Are you okay?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
Her voice snapped Xavier back to reality. He clenched his jaw, growling inwardly at the voice in his head:
I won't do anything to harm her. Shut the fuck up, you pest.
"Your Highness?" Selentia tilted her head, her expression filled with worry.
Xavier exhaled deeply and dropped his head onto her shoulder, catching her off guard.
"Wait, what are you doing?" She asked, flustered by the sudden closeness. Xavier's warm breath brushed against her neck.
"I managed to create a demonic core a few hours ago," he mumbled.
Selentia's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? That's amazing!" She tried to pull him up to look at his face, but he was too heavy.
"Just pat my back, Captain. I've worked too hard," he whined softly.
Selentia gave up and wrapped her arms around him, patting his back. "Congratulations, Your Highness. I knew you could do it."
She smiled, unaware of how happy she felt in that moment. Xavier was careful not to press his body against hers, unsure if he could resist the voice in his head if he let himself go.
He smiled faintly and rested his forehead on her collarbone. Selentia's lower body was trapped between his legs, and her upper body was cradled in his arms.
For the first time, she felt how small she was compared to him.
Each time Xavier's breath touched her neck, a strange warmth fluttered in her stomach. She smiled sweetly and ran her fingers through his soft, curly black hair.
"You cut your hair," she remarked.
"Hmm, it was getting too messy," Xavier replied, his deep, whispery voice sending shivers through her.
"You looked handsome even with messy long hair."
Xavier's heart skipped a beat, and his ears turned red. He stayed silent, afraid of what he might say.
The two stayed like that for a while, the rustling leaves and crashing waves creating a serene atmosphere. Finally, Xavier broke the silence.
"What are you doing in Sian? I thought you were preparing for the academy."
"There's something I needed to tell you," Selentia replied.
"Couldn't it wait? Why did you come all the way here alone?" Xavier scolded gently, making her giggle.
"I'm powerful, but there are still people stronger than you, Captain," he said, pinching her cheek.
Selentia nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."
Xavier stood and helped her up. "You're reckless," he said, dusting off her clothes.
"I'm still alive because of my boldness," she retorted.
Xavier sighed but decided not to argue further. "So, what did you need to tell me?"
He removed his gray robe and laid it on the ground, gesturing for her to sit. Selentia glanced at the robe, then at Xavier, who sat on the grass beside it. She sat on the robe without comment.
Xavier plucked five apples from a nearby tree using his gravitational magic, dusted them off, and handed one to Selentia. "The fruits of Nocteim are special," he said.
Selentia took a bite, surprised by its sweetness. Xavier smiled, pleased by her reaction.
"So, what brought you here?" he asked.
Selentia hesitated, then took a deep breath. "The Imperial Palace has made its move to find you."
Xavier wasn't surprised. Without him, they couldn't unseal Belhier or the underworld.
"Yesterday, Kaelith came to Nyxveil. He summoned Rheon, the successor of Zenvara Duchy, Ezekian, and me."
Xavier's expression hardened at Ezekian's name.
"What did he say?" Xavier asked, his tone sharp.
"The Emperor wants the four great houses to compete to find you. The reward…" Selentia paused, licking her lips.
"There must be something grand," Xavier said.
Selentia nodded. "The Golden Dragon's Heart."
Xavier's hand froze, and the apple he was holding fell to the ground. The world around him seemed to go silent, replaced by a high-pitched ringing in his ears.
Selentia didn't need to explain further. The Golden Dragon's Heart was one of the rarest treasures, and it undoubtedly belonged to his mother. Rage clouded Xavier's mind, and a killing intent radiated from him.
"That damn Emperor," he growled through clenched teeth. "How dare he use my mother's heart as a reward?"
His eyes glowed with fury. Selentia placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice soft but firm. "I'll bring your mother's heart to you."
The killing intent subsided as Xavier looked at her in shock.
Selentia gave him a small, reassuring smile. "Bury her with the respect she deserves. Focus on getting stronger so you can avenge her with your own hands."
Her words soothed the burning wound in his heart. Xavier pressed his lips together, returning her smile with a pained one of his own.
"You're reckless, Captain," was all he could say.
Selentia had no idea how she was slowly, slowly enchanting Xavier.
Selentia simply smiled wider.