The Author's Viewpoint

Aura led Tave and Lily through the front doors of the house. The entrance hall opened warmly before them, and a few attendants stepped forward to greet their arrival.

"Welcome, Lady Aura," they said with respectful nods. "We'll begin preparing rooms for your guests right away."

From the way things looked, Tave had a strong suspicion, this place was probably Aura's personal residence outside the palace grounds.

"I usually spend most of my time here," Aura explained, turning to them. "But it's far too spacious for just me. I hope you don't mind sharing it."

"No, this is more than enough," Tave replied politely. "I just hope our presence won't interfere with your duties as an Imperial Knight."

Aura answered with her trademark composed smile. "You are Princess Vanya's honored guests. That means you'll receive the best care we can offer. Whatever you need, if it's within my power. I'll make it happen."

She added softly, "Welcome. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

At that, a young servant girl with streaks of silver in her hair stepped forward with a graceful bow. "I'm Sylara. If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your rooms on the second floor."

Tave and Lily stepped forward, following the forest elf girl named Sylara. They ascended a spiral staircase that seemed more like it had grown into place than been constructed—its curves smooth and natural, as though shaped by the trees themselves.

Lily's eyes sparkled with wonder, visibly enchanted by the graceful, almost dreamlike atmosphere that surrounded them.

"First time in a forest elf home?" Sylara asked, glancing at Tave as they climbed.

"Yes. It's... different," Tave replied.

"Lady Aura keeps to the old ways," Sylara explained with a soft, almost proud tone. "Few of our people hold on to tradition after living among humans. But she believes in staying rooted. Literally and figuratively."

As they reached a landing, Sylara's gaze shifted toward a nearby window that opened to a view of the eastern forest.

"The woods have been... restless lately," she murmured. "Strange sounds echo through the trees at night. Our hunters avoid the deeper paths now."

"What kind of sounds?" Tave asked.

Sylara paused before answering, her voice lower this time. "Like screaming. But not from any creature we know."

Tave tilted his head slightly at that. It was an odd thing to mention so suddenly, and the unease in her voice made it feel all the more out of place.

Sylara led them down a hallway and opened the door to Tave's room. Inside was a bed carved from what looked like a massive tree root, covered in impossibly soft sheets. Crystal formations provided gentle lighting, and a large window showed the surrounding forest. In one corner sat a meditation space with cushions arranged around miniature glowing saplings.

"The meditation grove is attuned to the local Gaia Flow," Sylara said. "It helps guests center themselves after... significant experiences."

"About those sounds you mentioned," Tave said. "How long has this been happening?"

Sylara's hands fidgeted with her apron. "Three days now. Ever since..." She stopped herself.

"Since what?"

"I shouldn't say. Lady Aura—"

"Sylara." Tave's voice was gentle but firm. "If there's danger here, I need to know."

She looked toward the door, then back at him. "Three of our scouts went into the eastern woods. Only one came back. He spoke of creatures that shouldn't exist, moving in organized groups."

Sylara showed him the room's amenities quickly, as if eager to change the subject. "Fresh clothing in the wardrobe. This crystal controls the lighting. The basin connects to our spring system. And writing materials are at the desk if you need to send messages."

"Thank you," Tave said.

"Your sister's room is next door. Lady Aura instructed us to ensure your complete comfort. Guests of Princess Vanya are guests of the highest honor."

After Sylara left with Lily, Tave closed the door and sank onto the soft bed. Everything hit him at once—the Pact with Vanya, her true identity as the crowned princess, the political storm brewing. He'd gained incredible power through their bond, but at what cost?

He needed to grow stronger, quickly. His dormant Echo was proof of potential, but potential meant nothing without development. Every day he delayed was another day for his enemies to prepare.

A knock interrupted his thoughts. "Come in."

A different servant entered carrying a food tray, followed by Lily whose face was bright with excitement.

The servant set the tray on a small table. "Lady Aura thought you might prefer to dine privately today. Tomorrow, she'd be honored to have you join her for breakfast."

"Of course. Please give her our thanks."

After the servant left, Lily immediately examined the food. Tave recognized some dishes—roasted vegetables, venison—but others were clearly forest elf cuisine. Delicate pastries that seemed to shimmer, unknown fruits, soup that smelled of pine and mountain herbs.

"This is incredible," Lily said, tasting something. "Try this. It's like honey, but better."

Tave sampled it and agreed. The flavors were complex, layered. There was magic in this food, the kind that nourished both body and spirit.

"They gave me the most amazing room!" Lily announced. "There's a window seat overlooking the entire forest, and the bed feels like a cloud!"

She paused, her expression shifting slightly. "Though... There were some strange marks on the wall. Like scratches. Deep ones."

Tave looked up. "What kind of scratches?"

"Claw marks, maybe? They looked old, but..." Lily shrugged. "The servant said it was probably from construction."

As they ate, Lily chattered about her room and the servants' kindness.

"Tave," she said eventually, more serious. "How long do you think we'll stay here?"

"I don't know. It depends on how quickly the political situation develops. Aura is providing sanctuary, but it won't last forever."

"And then what? Do we go to the Vensalor Kingdom?"

Tave set down his cup. "Probably. The Pact I made with Vanya changes everything. There will be questions, investigations, decisions made by people far above us."

They finished eating in comfortable silence, the midday sun streaming through the window. The forest beyond seemed to glow with natural light.

As they relaxed, Tave made a decision.

"Lily," he said. "How about we hunt monsters in the forest near here first. Want to?"

His sister paused, fork halfway to her mouth. "Monster hunting? Here?"

"Near here. We might be waiting days or weeks for word from the kingdom. I can't sit idle. I need combat experience. And you could use the practice too."

Lily's eyes lit up. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious."

"Yes!" Lily's excitement was obvious. "I've been dying for real action. Rest is nice, but I'm itching to test my skills again."

Tave smiled at her enthusiasm.

"We'll need information first. Find out what monsters inhabit the local forests, what's worth our time."

"Sylara seemed knowledgeable," Lily suggested. "Maybe she could help?"

"Good thinking. We'll ask her." Tave paused, remembering their conversation. "She mentioned something about scouts going missing in the eastern woods. And you found claw marks in your room."

"You think they're connected?"

"Maybe. There's also been problems with ocean hunting lately. The monster levels have been increasing. Hunters are avoiding the waters because everything's gotten too dangerous."

Lily frowned. "That's not normal, is it?"

"No. Something's driving the monsters to evolve faster. Or something worse is pushing them toward land."

Tave stood. "For now, I want to work with the Gaia Flow here. See if I can make progress."

"And I'll practice my sword forms," Lily said, heading for the door. "There's space in my room."

As his sister left, Tave settled onto the meditation cushions. The miniature grove pulsed with gentle energy, and he could feel the Gaia Force flowing stronger here than anywhere outside the Emergency Rift.

There was, in truth, one thing Tave deeply wanted to do while he was here—something that might very well cost him his life to even attempt.

He needed to find the World Tree. Not the smaller, fragment of it housed within his Gaialume, but the true World Tree that stood on this island.

Technically, his pact with Vanya should have granted him greater access to such places. But judging from how things stood now, it wouldn't be that simple.

Still… What had Sylara meant by suddenly bringing up that topic? The strange sounds in the forest? Was it meant as a warning? A subtle way to say: don't wander too far, especially not for hunting or training?

Unfortunately, Tave had no solid information about Sylara herself. She was just an "extra" this world had conjured up after the story warped into something real—no detailed backstory, no clear purpose he could trace.

If he had to guess, Sylara was Aura's personal maid. And that brought everything back to the same point: Aura.

There was always something veiled behind Aura's calm eyes—layers and thoughts she never voiced aloud. She was not someone like Elincia, who wore her heart on her sleeve and couldn't help but blurt out whatever was on her mind. With Elincia, every word rang with raw, unfiltered truth.

With Aura? Every gesture, every kindness, needed to be read twice. He had to second-guess everything.

So maybe it was time to turn to someone he did trust.

Maybe he could send Fang.

Yes. He could spend the night resting… and let Fang move quietly through the dark, gathering the truths that no one would say out loud.

And in that same moment, Tave's shadow detached itself, and slipped through the window.

"Fang," Tave murmured under his breath. "Do it quietly. No threats. Just observe, and report back if you find anything… interesting."