CHAPTER X: Casimir Sanguinus

~Arriah's POV~

When the door swung open. Lillian with a swollen eyes from crying for a long time, greeted us. It was evident that she was very much worried about his husband's situation. Even though, it was my plan to make a scene, it makes me feel some guilt for causing Lillian to cry like this.

I sighed lightly. And smile at her like telling her that everything's gonna be fine.

She walk away from the door, then I followed her while Cillian was the one who closed the door. She stand on the right side of the bed staring at his husband. While us, was standing on the left side.

"Lady… *hic* Arriah, what should I do? I tried healing magic that I know, but only the small cuts and bruises are healed. But the magic exhaustion, physical exhaustion, and magic force exhaustion…" Lillian said, as her voice was obviously shaking and on verge of tears.

"That's expected. But don't worry. I assure you, he will wake up tomorrow evening." I said and smiled at her genuinely. Then look at her husband who was sleeping like a dead man. He was still breathing but in a slightly heavy manner. I put my right palm half-meter above from his chest where his heart exactly located. "Now, I will start on replenishing his mana, as it will help him recover his body and spiritual power from exhaustion." I explained plainly and started to examine his body through my mystic eyes. It was like finding some major injuries and finding the most effective solution to the situation of the examined body.

(Mystic eyes —it makes me see anything beyond the surface.)

It was his mana pool that is exhausted. Mana pool is the phase of your magic capacity before reaching its higher stage. Moreover, Eternal core is the higher stage that a human can reach—all to those who possess magical power.

(Second phase/stage: Magic pool —the phase where an amount of magic force being concentrated in the center part of both body and soul. Though, this requires a lot of work and practice to succeed on this phase.)

After few moments of releasing a one percent of my power. I use for the last time my mystic eyes to check if I filled his mana pool at least 80% as it was the adviced amount based on my experience. For the 20%, he will be the one to normally fill it through proper rest and meditation.

"There. I replenished his magic pool to 80 percent. The rest of it will be normally replenish as he rest and do some meditation. Meditation where he will be practicing on circula—" I was cut off by their stares. It was like they don't understand what I am saying. I sighed heavily as it was like a moment of being exasperated.

This will give me a lot of work. I said internally.

I massage both of my temples. "Just…" I crossed my arms under my chest and looked at them plainly. "…inform me immediately when he's starting on gaining his full consciousness." I added in my monotone mode.

"Y-Yes, Lady Arriah." Lillian said and she looked at her husband's face wiping off some sweat on its forehead.

"But how can we inform you, Lady Arriah? Are you staying in the castle today?" Cillian asked with curiosity in his voice.

"No. I'm staying somewhere. You can just inform my companion. You can find her in your sage's tower. She will send your message to me." I said and smiled for a bit just to assure them that I will come. "Though for now, I will borrow you Sir Cillian." I said plainly and looked at Lillian who was also a bit shocked. "I have some matters to discuss with the knights. So, make sure that you will rest too, Lillian." She nod and I smiled to her.

Then we left from their room.

~Cillian's POV~

When we left the master's bedroom of Sanguinus, I've been thinking of what matters do Lady Arriah wanted to discuss with us, Andromeda Knights.

Saying, she will borrow me, I felt like my blood hitched high for a moment. It was a mixed nervousness and curious about the matters she said thus needed some discussions.

"Ahhm…Lady Arriah?" I hesitantly said.

"Yes, Cillian." She said, still walking while I follow on her pace.

"May I ask something…out of the blue?" I said in a careful manner, not to annoyed or pissed her off.

She said in monotone.

Now, we are in the hallway of the second floor.

"H-How strong… you are? How come that you can replenish such exhausted magic inside a person's body? For hundreds of years after the ancient magic system has been created by the Transcendental Persona, they said that no one can replenish someone's magic exhaustion unless…that person is a transcendent." I said while emphasizing the word that I wanted her to understand from me.

"What do you think is the right answer for that, Cillian Scaldris?" The only response I've got from her. She paused from walking, turn herself and face me with a smile plastered on her face. A smile that tells me everything. Even her answer is a question instead of answering my questions directly, it makes my questions and confusions inside my head become clear.

It was a beyond belief. Beyond for me to take it all. I unconsciously gulped some of my stuck saliva in my throat. I was too stunned while staring at her.

"What are you standing in there? Let's hurry and for you to quickly assemble all of your fellow knights." She said as it was the reason I regained myself from being stunned for a moment. I cleared my throat and nod.

"A-Ahh yeah! Yes, you're right. The knights, I should make haste and assemble them for a meeting." I said

obviously panicking and a little bit nervous.

Now, we continued walking down the hallway.

We reached the first floor of the castle, I dropped her off in the conference room and do what she said. Assemble all the Andromeda Knights, the scouts, the captain and vice-captain of every class we had in Triangulum.

(Class— it also means the occupation you have after reaching the right age as an adult.)

There are 6 present classes in Triangulum that considered as assets for battle.

Knights— specialized in using sword.

Hunters— who specialized in using bow and arrow.

Spearman— who specialized in using spear.

Scouts— who acts on gaining or collecting information beforehand and who also acts as a spy.

Mages— those who can fight using magic; there are two types of mages for a battle, the Battle Mage and the Healer Mage. As what the names suggested, it was also its role to fulfill during battle.

Only the captain and vice-captain in each class will participate in the meeting, except us knights. All of the Andromeda Knights are compulsory to attend as what Lady Arriah instructed.

We all seated inside the conference room. While waiting for Lady Arriah, who's looking outside the stained glass. After a moment of pure silence reigned inside the room, she walk to the chair situated in the center. She crossed legs and crossed her arms below her chest. She looked at us with a plain expression on her face.

"I know that…you had a lot of questions running within your mind. But let me say this to you, that I will entertain your queries or any clarifications, after I discuss the main agenda for this meeting." Lady Arriah said slightly tilted her head and leaned her back to the chair. "This meeting is all about your future trainings, incoming battles, and the new class or…like a new group of people that I'll create." She continued. "Not just a group of people but also, they will be the new class to be an asset for this territory." She added and she looked at the maid who's standing in the corner of the room. She just nod at it, then the maid bowed slightly then left the room.

"Lady Arriah? Can I suggest something?" Sir Evander said while his right hand was still raised, head level.

"Sir Evander. What is it?" She said in her monotone voice.

"I think, while we're waiting for the errand you had given to that maid to be accomplished, can some of us here start on introducing themselves?" Sir Evander said and lowered his hand.

"That's a good idea. Okay, go on." Lady Arriah said while she seated straight, and then she hunched forward on the long table, put both of her elbow above it while also both of her palms where placed both on her cheeks.

She was like a child or a woman whose curious on gossips. I said at the back of my mind.

Everyone of us sit erect, and nervousness was a little bit obvious to my comrades' and fellow knights' facial expressions.

"Then, I'll be the first to introduce myself." Sir Evander said confidently as possible. "Evander. Evander Terra the Vice-Commander of Andromeda Knights."

Then the next man sitting on his right side followed the queue.

"Anibal. Anibal Calas the scout leader." He said trying his best not to stutter.

"Neita. I-I'm Neita Ceraun the Vice-Captain of the Triangulum Soldiers." He suddenly stand from his seat and bowed slightly, showing respect while introducing himself.

"You may take your seat, Mr. Ceraun." Lady Arriah said while smiling. A smile that she was quite amused by the nervousness of everyone whose present in this room.

Neita jolted when Lady Arriah said that then he sat back. The maid arrived perfectly on time when everyone finished introducing ourselves. Lady Arriah instructed the maid on giving us somewhat like a five pages of sized 8.5 sechin by 11 sechin of parchment paper. Though it was not vellum as the finest quality of paper we could get, holding it was too much paper for us.

"Now, you can start reading the details written in there. I've written all the details of the trainings, the things that you needed to improve, the skills that you have to gain while training and etc." Paused, lightly sighed then continued while she leaned back on her seat and arms crossed. "Please read, comprehend, and study…all of it. Make it an important matter for you to be more useful for this land. For the empire that you are serving. It will be a great help to support your lord and commander of this land Triangulum." She said in a very serious manner.

All of us turned our attention to the distributed five pages of parchment paper.

Study, huh? Can I really comprehend all of this? Help me heavens. I said internally and felt like my head ache for a moment, thinking that we have a lot of things to remember and to improve.

(Sechin— metric system of this world; as what we call inches)

~Lillian's POV~

It is now the second day that Casimir was still, asleep. Like in coma. But I'm still glad that his vital signs are not decreasing drastically. It was just like his in a state that it made me worry and not let my heart on ease.

Last night, I just let myself sleep beside him and being the one holding his hand while embracing his arm.

I felt a warm touch, like tickling on my nose and cheeks. I slowly opened my teary eyes and yawn for a moment. But I closed it again.

I'm still sleepy. And so, I'm tired. I said at the back of my mind.

The warm touch that I felt for few seconds,was now touching my left shoulder.

"Still sleepy?" A sweet mild voice asked me.

"A little. But…I have to get up. I have to take care of…" I replied, the sleepiness was evident in my voice.

"Then, continue on resting." The latter responded.

Continue on resting? I pondered on my mind. Oh, I remember that I fell asleep on the bed beside my husband whose on a deep sleep.

Then I realized, I'm talking to someone! I quickly get up and was surprised that it was not a dream or a daydream or being half-asleep. It was Casi, who regained his full consciousness!

I stared at him and felt my tears flowed, uncontrollably.

"Oh my…thank goodness! Your finally awake, Casi!" I said and hugged him tightly. I heard him chuckled. I distance myself a little bit for me to look at his face clearly. "Amused? What for?" I said and pouting unconsciously.

"You're just…too cute, I feel like I would die." He said smiling sweetly, then he put my hand over his wide chest. I felt my heart beating so fast, I also felt his heart beating like mine. "My heart is like going to explode from so much joy, just looking at you." He added, saying it like it was one of his sincere words.

I can't control myself feeling warm from what he said. I can't control my heart beat, beating so fast. I can't control my breathing, it was like I'm out of breath. I can't control my cheeks and ears getting red as beet from it.

My heart…like melting from the way he stares at me, I can't bear it for too long. I instinctively looked away from his eyes.

"Casi… don't stare at me like that. I—" I was cut off when he cupped my face and his lips…touched mine.

Soft and warm. I commented on that nice feeling I am getting from him. I just let him, and closed my eyes as I felt this warm love.

~Casimir's POV~

My control snapped and I kissed her without letting her finish what she wanted to say. The blushing of her cheeks, the embarrassed expression, her whispering and soothing voice— all of it, is a wonderful sight and music to my ears, indeed.

~Third Person's POV~

Casimir didn't want to stop there. A peck kiss was not enough. For him, that light kiss was not enough to satisfy what he needs. It was like chasing the perfect timing for him to get what he wanted. He pulled from the light kiss. He saw his wife's eyes, it was like pleading for him not to pull that kiss.

He smiled sweetly at her and the response from his wife was the same.

But Casimir is Casimir. When they were alone, enjoying each other's company, aside from thinking steamy thoughts about her, teasing his wife was the thing he would also enjoy.

"What a needy eyes…you should always do that." He said teasingly and grin at his steamy thoughts.

Lillian feel more embarrassed at the thought of her husband. She was not dense on understanding such thoughts. It was just embarrassing for her to make her obviously wanting it too. She pinched both of her husband's cheeks, stretching and pinching it.

"Casi! I thought you died. I'm so worried that I even get my eyes swollen from hours of crying. I wanted to take a bath for a moment but the fear that if I relax myself for a little bit…I think like a paranoid that it will also a negligence of me, if you suddenly stop breathing." She said continuously that after ranting all her worries with her teary eyes, again. She hit Casimir's wide hard chest with her light small fist.

Casimir just patted her wife's head to sooth her and calm it from all the worries. He chuckled and embrace her for a few seconds then pulled away himself. He stared at her, smiling sweetly.

Holding her small fist and say sweetly, "Thank you for taking care of me, Lil. I'm very happy…having you in my life. Making you watch over me in a hard situation even though you're tired, you still keep on taking good care of me." He said and kissed her forehead.

Lillian felt her small drop of tears falling down slowly, she closed her eyes and let herself drown in her husband's loving embrace.

It was now getting darker outside, as it was the night falls.

×××

After a few hours of both of them, being at that state lying in the bed— feeling each other's arms and warm embrace, Lillian later remember what Arriah said to her. It was to notify Arriah about Casimir regaining his full consciousness. After taking a bath with Casimir and dressed themselves in their simple attire, Lillian called a servant and instructed it to call Cillian. After a few minutes waiting, Cillian was now at the door waiting.

"Lady Lillian? Do you need my help?" He said after knocking lightly at the door.

Lillian opened it and smiled. "Yes, Sir Cillian. Please inform Lady Alice that Casimir's awake. You can find her at Sir Adrian's tower."

"Lady…Alice? That's the name of Lady Arriah's companion?" Cillian curiously asked.

"Yes. She will be the one who'll inform Lady Arriah." Lillian said while she nod to affirmed it.

"I understand, Lady. I will do that immediately." Cillian replied and run quickly through the hallway.

The couple while waiting for Lady Arriah, is now enjoying tea and some sweets while talking about what happened in the entire day. Unexpectedly, Casimir spilled the tea on his white tunic but then they just laughed for it. Their conversation was disturbed when they heard a three light knocks from the door. Both of them looked at it and Lillian stand up from her seat and before opening it she asks, "Who's there?"

"It's me." A familiar voice.

When Casimir heard it that someone will visit them, Casimir immediately stand up from his seat and get himself inside the dressing room of their room to change his tunic.

It's Lady Arriah. Lillian said internally. Then she opened the door and greeted Arriah bowing slightly while holding like raising a bit the sides of her dress— that a proper lady do some of their practiced greeting etiquette.

"Good to see you, Lady Arriah. Thank you for the quick response of our call." She said politely then straighten herself and smiled genuinely to the latter.

Arriah also smiled back and tilted slightly her head and saying, "Can I come in? Is visiting this hour was a bad idea?" She said in a teasing manner.

Lillian instinctively jolted and blushed. She hated herself for that, blushing frequently red as a beet.

She cleared her throat from the thought injected to her by Arriah. "Ahem! Lady Arriah, what are you saying? You're here, perfect timing." She said dodging the teasing stares of Arriah.

Arriah chuckled a bit then cleared her throat.

"Then, shall we?" She said smiling.

"Yes." Lillian's short but welcoming response.

Then, Arriah followed Lillian's pace inside the the big enclosed space of masters' bedroom. They walk to the corner in front of the fireplace where a table and 3 chairs that has been set up.

Arriah take the seat offered by Lillian, also Lillian seated on her seat across Arriah. While waiting for Casimir, they started to drink tea and eat some sweets.

A light sound from the door of the dressing room of the master's bedroom— it opens revealing Casimir. He closed the door and walked towards the two ladies talking and enjoying the tea. He stopped between the ladies, in front of the table.

"Sorry for being late…for a few minutes or did I disturbed you both enjoying some snacks and tea?" Casimir said hesitantly and awkwardly smiled.

The two ladies smiled then Lillian chuckled at the expression on her husband's face.

"Nah… don't be sorry for anything. Your on time. We just talk about some of lady things, you know." Arriah said and sip from her tea.

"Oh, okay. Then, I'll be seated." Casimir said then tried to make himself comfortable in front of Lady Arriah. "Ahem…Uhm Lady Arriah? What's our agenda for today? I've heard that you'll be taking care of my fellow knights' training, starting tomorrow? And including the other class assets of Triangulum." He said as to start the small meeting they are having between the three of them.

Arriah looked at him in a serious expression on her face then smiled slightly then say something that made Casimir to be speechless.

"Casimir Sanguinus, you're an excellent, no, an interesting person. Not just you've unconsciously chosen your class, but also you've managed to make your magic force to developed into a magic pool. What an excellent knight." Arriah said and drank all of until the last drop of her tea, then she crossed her arms against her chest.

"M-Magic…" He said stunned and almost speechless by what he heard. "Magic pool, what do you mean by that?" He added.

"It is what it is. I know you already know, what's a magic pool." Arriah said thus it didn't help Casimir's confusion. He looked at his wife, his wife only nodded in affirming what Arriah said to him. He stared back at Arriah still speechless.

Magic pool? Did I really achieved that?

It's the only phrases that he could think of out of his doubts to himself.