CHAPTER 3

Morgentaa touched objects, walls, and plants along the path she traversed. In her cold-clad body, there was a speck of warmth in her heart. Memories intertwined with both sorrow and joy. Not much had changed in the Murch region, especially within the Hawk clan's inner area. Purple ornaments adorned the walls and lamp posts. Lavender bougainvillea flowers thrived in the garden. The traditional attire of the Hawk clan remained unchanged. And her brother, Erhillmen... she acknowledged Erhillmen's authority, not significantly different from the person he was ten years ago. The difference was that Erhillmen was now more adept at controlling his expressions and emotions.

Ekdantan said, "You're sad."

"Yes. Did that feeling reach you as well?" Morgentaa inquired.

"Clearly," Ekdantan accidentally squeezed Morgentaa's fingers he was holding.

"Sorry." Morgentaa smiled gracefully in front of Ekdantan.

Ekdantan shook his head. "It's not a problem. In fact, I'm pleased to know everything about you."

Morgentaa's hand, initially holding Ekdantan's hand, let go and shifted to his waist. Now, they appeared affectionate as they made their way to the guest room. Of course, many pairs of disapproving eyes watched them, not because they were unpopular, but the rule against closeness without proper etiquette, let alone displays of affection, was an established law within the Hawk clan. This rule applied even to those who were already married. And now, someone who lacked discretion had appeared.

"Isn't that excessive?" Eleuther, now behind Morgentaa and Ekdantan, remarked.

They didn't turn around, only paused. "Not for me," Morgentaa stated.

Eleuther walked ahead of them and handed them two purple jade tokens with a special emblem. "I'm just delivering these, special guest identification tokens for the Hawk clan."

Ekdantan took them. "Thank you."

As they were about to leave, Eleuther said, "Respecting the rules of the place you're in is my advice."

"Morgentaa always acts in accordance with her principles," Morgentaa replied and left Eleuther.

Eleuther didn't stop them because that was their nature, even though, as far as he could remember, Morgentaa and Ekdantan were not the type to act recklessly and disregard etiquette and manners. After all, Morgentaa had once been a part of the clan, initially.

Yes, indeed, but Eleuther didn't understand how someone could change so drastically. In any case, ten years is not a short time. He had almost died facing various life-threatening events, although he had successfully survived, even though he had never ventured beyond the clan's inner area. With that in mind, Eleuther naturally considered the possibility that they had experienced numerous near-death experiences together out there.

However, it wasn't just Eleuther's speculation. Morgentaa and Ekdantan had indeed grown up together since ten years ago. A chance encounter had led to a mutual agreement: bound to each other, sharing, caring, staying together. It was a relationship that had started from the unusual.

They were reluctant to label their relationship as lovers. They preferred to view it as a necessity.

And now, their return had a reason. Morgentaa wanted to uncover the events from ten years ago, and Ekdantan wanted to fulfill his promise to his father. Though different, they were always there for each other. They didn't act alone.

***

Since setting foot outside the area they had lived in for ten years, Ekdantan and Morgentaa had already undergone a period of adjustment through disguises, at least for two months. After that, they sent letters to the Hawk clan. Not much had changed in the past ten years, except for the way the community viewed them, particularly Morgentaa.

"The entire Western Continent is talking about you," Ekdantan sat by an open window with his eyes closed. He was quite tired from this journey. Although a soft bed was available, he didn't want to lie down there just yet. He was someone who could easily fall asleep once he was in bed.

Morgentaa had already reclined on the bed, the one next to Ekdantan's, and said, "Let them talk; I've been a topic of discussion for a long time."

"Even though what they're discussing now isn't pleasant?"

"Indeed, what's the matter? It won't affect me. So, don't engage me in conversation again. I'm sleepy," Morgentaa said and then yawned.

On the other hand, as the sun sank further, Eleuther prepared to head to the reading room. However, Erhillmen inquired first, "What are your plans?"

The room was the chairman's special place. Numerous shelves held documents written from right to left in yellow scrolls. Erhillmen also seemed to be handling numerous reports related to the people and their problems.

Murch, the region controlled by the Hawk clan, a clan that specialized in dimensional magic—much like the structure in D'Perse, a magical world ruled by the major clans, each specializing in a particular type of magic.

Murch consisted of two parts. The outer part was where the common people lived. Those with magical talents, known as truph, could continue their education in the inner part, where magic training and the clans were located. Meanwhile, those without magical abilities, known as extruph, could receive an education in the outer part. Typically, extruph individuals chose to specialize in fields that could lead them to professions unrelated to magic: business, science, history, arts, and more.

Erhillmen was responsible not only for managing the Hawk clan but the entire Murch region. Therefore, it wasn't surprising that Erhillmen often complained silently about his never-ending workload. He took occasional breaks when a headache struck. Although many high-ranking members of the Hawk clan helped, including Eleuther.

However, now, the dark-skinned man had tidied his desk a few minutes ago, although there were still stacks of scrolls. Erhillmen wasn't quite pleased with his actions, especially Eleuther's response.

"Going on a date. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

Seeing Eleuther's awkwardness, Erhillmen smirked. "Hmph! I thought you could handle this." He glanced at Eleuther's worktable.

"This is what I don't like. You've combined our workspaces, and it makes me uncomfortable. Finishing it before time is enough, right?" Eleuther stretched after rising from his work chair and massaged his buttocks for a while.

Sitting for extended periods was indeed unpleasant. Unlike Erhillmen, who had been obedient and trained to listen to teachers while sitting attentively in the academy, Eleuther often skipped classes and climbed over the academy's fence during lessons or with teachers he didn't like. Hence, it was no wonder that Erhillmen was now calm and focused at his desk.

"Are you sure you don't want to know about my business?" Eleuther's question was also an offer to Erhillmen.

"No!" Erhillmen replied firmly, as if he didn't care about Eleuther's actions.

Eleuther didn't dwell on it. He quickly left the busy workspace and headed to the reading room.

The distance between the reading room and Erhillmen's office was not far, only about four spacious rooms apart. Each room was perhaps ten to sixteen square meters in size. And Eleuther's legs were well trained for walking.

Upon entering the reading room, Morgentaa was already there, sitting on the floor with round cushions, reading scrolls with maps. Ekdantan noticed Morgentaa's index finger tapping on the table and said, "Four minutes and twenty seconds; I've been waiting for you that long."

"Not even five minutes," Ekdantan replied.

"Right, and I'll leave if I've waited for more than five minutes." Morgentaa rolled up the map. "So, what's the matter with the child that the previous chairman kept hidden, inviting me to meet here?"

Eleuther was taken aback, his body stiffened, but his expression remained controlled. He frowned slightly, albeit briefly—less than a second. "W-what do you mean?"

"You understand what I mean the most, Kak Eleuther." Morgentaa emphasized the word "Kak."

---

*Kakak/Kak can be explained as "older sibling" in English. Referring to a brother or sister who is senior in age.