Grayson always spent his days in the training grounds. Regardless of rain or shine, he never failed to show up. Alongside Ezekiel, he participated in training the children to ensure they had the skills to defend themselves. War was never a topic here in Deatrius, and Grayson was grateful for it. Outside, Deatrius was well known for their war tactics and formations. That alone made Deatrius a fearful kingdom for anyone to wage war. Aside from that, their ruler had a distinct reputation, just like Zhea's. He had an earful from Ezekiel when he rejected the latest schedule given to him, but Grayson, for once, couldn't care less. He needed several hours away from his kingdom's matters.

As he propped himself on the soft bed in his cabin, Grayson smiled at the sight of Jiayue reading the books he had arranged just a few weeks earlier. He scooted nearer to her, gently wrapping his arms around her waist and kissed her shoulders lightly. Her presence made the surroundings more delicate, as if the angels had graced him with their presence. Every entity has its own guardian angel, yet Grayson had never seen his. Grayson never believed in them, but when he first set eyes on Jiayue at the Red Rose Clan, it made him wonder if this was the angel's plan of a grand entrance.

"Jiayue..." Grayson called out softly, earning her full attention as she shut the book and turned to look at him with a sweet smile. "Was life hard for you before you came to me? I... I couldn't help but wonder how things were for you. Each time I looked into your eyes, it was as if you had untangled threads woven into your skin. I..."

He was at a loss for words, trapped in his memory from the night before. His tongue was knotted in his mouth, preventing him from spewing another word. The days they spent tangled in each other's arms and embrace were something Grayson feared. He was grateful, yet each time they were close, Grayson felt thorns blooming on his chest and body. His palms fisted against the sheets surrounding him, recalling Hayden's revelation. Grayson never denied the fact that he and Hayden were bound for life. Their fate lay not just in their hands but also on the prophecy of the Divine Balance Crest or what the monk mentioned in his past lives, the Shen Ming Crest. The blessed and the cursed forever. The balance of the worlds.

"It never was, Qing'er. That was my choice and even if you ask me a million times, I will still pick the same choice," Jiayue answered, cupping his cheeks with her palms. "Seeing you alive at every chance I traded for you is already a blessing. Qing'er, remember, I will never resent you if that is what you are worried about. I will never regret the choices I made."

Pulling Jiayue into his arms, Grayson nodded in silence, just embracing her close. He could hear her heartbeat syncing with his, steady and in peace. He wanted her to stay by his side, free and cheerful, trying all the different desserts the world had to offer, even if he had to sacrifice himself to protect her.

"Do you still love flowers?" Grayson questioned, meeting her eyes, and when she nodded, he held out her palms. "Come with me. I want to show you something."

Exiting the cabin, Grayson brought Jiayue towards the large gardens just behind it. He had been the most excited about this, and if it wasn't for his siblings and parents keeping Jiayue in the main house, Grayson was certain he would have brought her here first. Five days since he had brought her home, yet every one of his siblings was still elated by her presence. It was also a waste that his youngest sister had embarked on a study journey with the royal family, or Jiayue would have had a companion to accompany her in the kitchens and the gardens. Grayson pushed the tiny gates open, proudly showing off the mini gardens filled with flowers and berries.

"Tiger lilies and wildberries," Jiayue stated, turning to look at Grayson. "You still remember."

Grayson nodded, holding onto her palms. "I might have lived just for a few hundred years, but I have passed too many lifetimes. I do not want to forget the first and the only person who showed me kindness when everyone was keen on executing me. I want to remember you every time the weather changes and the seasons pass. The one thing I want to keep stagnant in my life is you, and I want to love only you, your soul, for eternity. Even if one day, I might break this cycle of rebirth with passed-down memories, I will never let my memories of you slip away, my tiger lily."

= xxx =

Watching Hayden and Jiayue getting along made Grayson's heart soften. He pinned the emblem on his chest, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The golden crest reminded him of duties unspoken and unknown to the commoner in his kingdom. In his family, there were only three of them with this emblem, and despite the respect they earned, there were heavy responsibilities on their shoulders. When he spotted the familiar sight of his mother adjusting his attire, Grayson offered her a smile, assuring her that everything was fine.

"You don't look too well these days, Grayson," she started, tucking his fringes behind his ears. "There is something off about you that I cannot put my hands on. I don't know what it is that bothers you, but as your mother, I am worried."

Meeting her eyes that mirrored his, Grayson hugged his mother tightly. He sank his head onto her shoulders and rubbed her back. Those worries should not be hers. At times, Grayson wished he could stay in his cabin at night, but because the environment was not suitable for long stays and due to his family's rules, Grayson had to live in this prosperous mansion. He did not want to be ungrateful. However, ever since he returned, Grayson had to admit that he felt restless. Every night, he was awakened by the same dreams. Sucking in the air around him, he untangled from the hug.

"I am fine, mother," he assured, brushing her shoulders. "You don't have to worry about me."

With that, he headed out to get his boots. This wasn't the first time he had heard someone spewing those concerns to him. The first person was Finley, when he almost lost a duel which Grayson could win anytime and anywhere. He did have frequent nosebleeds and dizziness, but Grayson brushed them off, suspecting that it might be because of his lack of sleep. Tying the laces on his boots, Grayson made sure he was presentable.

"He'll be fine," Ezekiel chipped in, kissing his mother on her cheeks. "I will look out for my little brother. We'll be back by dinner so I can deliver him to his lover's embrace. He's already getting agitated with the idea of being far away from her. I wonder if he was a reincarnation of a leech."

"I heard that, Ezekiel," Grayson answered with a scowl. "Don't compare me with such a vile creature."

"No one is a leech. You are both my sons. Look after each other, and I will see you during dinner," his mother stood by the door, sending them off.

Grayson made his way along the path, preparing himself for all the questions from the court. He spent three days escaping his duties and the other two hiding in his secret cabin. Denial of reality became his best friend. He received letters from the court demanding his presence, but Grayson was wary about his answers. He did not have any memory of being separated from his team. Neither did he recall what happened after he was separated, nor his consciousness before the siblings in the Red Rose Clan rescued him. Was it all just meant to be fate? He rolled his right arm, loosening up his tense muscles.

"Are your wounds fully healed?" Ezekiel questioned, striding next to him.

"Almost. There is nothing to worry about," Grayson assured, meeting Ezekiel's concerned gaze. "What? I am fine. Really. I am just annoyed that I have to attend to such petty matters when I could have just worked on the upcoming plans at home."

"Gray, you know that's not what our king wants," Ezekiel spoke, stopping his brother from crossing the bridge before them. "He does not care for the missing Vault of Antre. The key to it lies in his knowledge. Without it, the artifact is useless. He is demanding your presence not because of the artifact, but because the families are getting restless. They need answers."

Stepping backwards, Grayson stared at the castle just across the bridge. Black and white flags draped across the windows in honour of the missing soldiers under his command. The news was never foreign to him. When he spent the evenings with Finley in the training grounds, Grayson heard those secret whispers about him. They piled up within days, just like corpses on a battlefield.

Irresponsible. Lack of potential. Heartless.

Those were his brand. Grayson knew they would have pushed him further for answers if he had not convulsed at the training grounds. If it wasn't for his pale facade and uncontrolled magic, Grayson would bet with the angels and demons both that his home would be infiltrated with mourning families. There were five that rode out with him, and none of them returned. Some were children. Some were husbands, and two were wives of a reputable family. They exited the kingdom with glory and fame, yet nameless they became in the outside world.

"Gray? Grayson!"

Snapping himself away from his thoughts, Grayson retracted his palms from Ezekiel's arm, which was covered with a slight burn from his magic. Grayson's Castleton eyes were visible alongside the mark in the middle of his forehead. Unlike before, a tiny vine began creeping into the mark from the back of his head, making Ezekiel step forward. His ears rang, causing him to flinch. As he took another step forward, Grayson swayed, tripping over himself.

"Grayson," Ezekiel called out sternly, catching his brother. "Grayson, look at me."

When Grayson saw Ezekiel's crimson eyes mirroring his Castleton eyes, he pushed his brother away.

"Finley's right. There is something wrong with you," Ezekiel started, watching Grayson steady his internal magic as he wiped the blood that began to drip from his nose. "How often has your magic gone berserk? Aside from the nights you were awakened by your dreams? The redness on your cheeks is getting paler day by day. Gray, if..."

"Please, Ezekiel," Grayson started. "I am fine. I am. These might just be the after-effects from all the healing and herbs I was given for my wounds. Give it another week, and I will be fine again. Alright?"

There was hesitation in Ezekiel's eyes, and Grayson could read it like the skies above him. He squeezed Ezekiel's arm, continuing their journey to the castle. Deep down, Grayson was aware that something in him had changed. Yet, he was not sure what or how or when. With the uncertainty dancing in him, he did not want to worry his family. Ever since his return to Deatrius, Grayson had seen several familiar faces around. He saw the parents of his soldiers visiting his mother just to obtain an answer for their missing son. His family had protected him and lied for him. Now, everyone in his village knows that Jiayue is the one who saved him instead of the Red Rose Clan. At first, Grayson was angered by their choice of answer, but when Jiayue confirmed that she was the one who proposed the idea to his parents, Grayson softened.

Regardless of how many lifetimes he had with Jiayue, it felt as if he owed it all to her.

Back then, she was the herb to his plague.

Now, she is the main source of his calmness. 

Word Count: 2,022 words 

Cumulative Words: 15,343 words