Chapter 100 - Departure

Another night in the capital passed swiftly like any other day. Faustina wasn't able to sleep properly because of her never-ending train of thought. She wasn't sure how it came to that, but she was certain the thoughts kept on coming one after another. The whole night the festivities were interminable. The sounds of pipes, the sound of laughter, clinking beers, and dancers and cheers. Orwell didn't cast a magic to null the noises for precautionary measures—which kept Faustina wide awake.

Anxiously thinking about Orwell's words.

Her master may be alive.

She couldn't put a stop to her questions, but she was able to drift off to sleep, even though she forgot how. It was a vividly blurry dream with soft music she distantly heard before. It was lovely as well as warm. Something she might have heard in her sleep—like a lullaby.

In her dream she watched two people sing a song. To her, it was the loveliest sight to behold. The two people were in sync. Their chemistry was overflowing that they looked . . . ethereal. When Faustina awoke, it was already time for her to be prepared as Maddie readied her bath. She was growing a bit accustomed to how the life of a noble works, but she was still uncomfortable.

Soon they departed to their inn and headed to the carriage which will take them to their next destination—the third. She then instilled her journal to her lap to encircle the next place they would go before they arrive at Magierstadt. She took notes when Orwell explained it to them.

FIRST DESTINATION: From the Feuerlon household, we will head east towards the Feuer port.

SECOND DESTINATION: From the port, we will be boarding to a ship that will head to Feuer capital, which is located northeast.

THIRD DESTINATION: After reaching the capital, we will take the carriage to the central harbor, and we will board to the Feuerlon ship that will head straight to Magierstadt.

Faustina encircled the third destination as she stares at the map.

The final journey before she goes to Magierstadt.

It didn't take long before they got into the central harbor—Faustina, Orwell, and Maddie. Lucas didn't go with them because his business was only in the capital, although he was sad to part with Faustina.

Faustina was growing accustomed to it—deceiving. Yes, deceiving. She couldn't think of anything nicer to label what she was doing, anyway. Lucas told her to be careful and threatened Orwell. Faustina chuckles as she recollects what Lucas had said earlier.

"I'll break your bones when a single strand of her hair falls off because of your ineptitude," says Lucas. "Don't try to even scamp off, Orwell!"

"You're overreacting," Orwell answers. "But yes. I will take care of Faustina,"

And that was basically it.

The central harbor had a ship already prepared for them. It was from his majesty. They were told that the ship already had incantations to ward off sea monsters and protection to any other evil entities.

When the three of them boarded in, Lucas waved as he sends them off. Faustina was certain she could almost see some tears falling through Lucas' eyes.

Soon there was nothing but a vast ocean that awaited them.

"M'lady . . ."

"Yes, Maddie?" Faustina asks as Maddie stands alongside her, admiring the ocean as they welcome the warm, ocean breeze. There were sea monsters but their ship was ignored by them. This allowed Faustina to stare throughout the vicinity without worry.

"Orwell said these monsters were made when Darkwielders infiltrated this land," Faustina exclaims. "But look at them go with shining, different colors. I don't think the tale is accurate."

"Oh, you mean The Tale of Old, M'lady?"

"Yes," Faustina retorts. "They said the Darkwielders and Lightbearers created monsters. But look at them—how could these beautiful creatures be monstrous entities?"

"Well, they're mostly neutral unless you harm them," says Maddie. "The Tale of Old isn't that reliable in telling the origins of the world."

"Yes," Faustina answers, her hair swaying with the breeze. "Say, Maddie. What do you think the origin of the world is?"

"Well, I'm not that much educated in things, M'lady . . ." Maddie starts. "But if you ask me based on my opinion, I think it's magic,"

"Magic?" Faustina asks.

"Almost everything around here revolves around magic. The elementals form the world. Energy form the world. And we humans also form the world." She says. "I think the answer to everything is magic!"

Faustina smiled as she stares at the endless sky.

"One billion points for you, Madielyn,"

"Lord Orwell!" Maddie exclaims as she and Faustina turned to Orwell, who was walking towards them.

"'Lord Orwell'? I told you, I don't want you to be too polite with me . . ." Orwell smiles. "But anyway, I really appreciate your answer, since it's partly true."

"I-it is?" Maddie asks, clearly astounded.

���Hypothetically," Orwell replies. "No one really knows the origin of the world, but that's where researchers like me step into the picture."

Orwell then sits beside Faustina.

"Are you excited?"

"Excited?" Faustina asks.

"To uncover the truth," Orwell says, his eyes telling her different things. And then he smiled nonchalantly. "To uncover the origins of the world."

Maddie beamed, "They teach that in Magierstadt?"

"Oh, countless theories, they do!" Orwell grinned. "In Magierstadt, learning will be their utmost priority. They'll show you how vast the world is!"

Maddie clapped. "That's amazing! It's like being an adventurer!"

"Well, more than being an adventurer!" Orwell exclaims, his eyes lighting up. "Imagine knowing the secrets, and unleashing your utmost potential! Isn't that cool?!" Orwell paused, "Ahem!"

Maddie stared at Orwell and Faustina with shining eyes. "Did you hear that, M'lady? You're going to learn lots of things!"

Faustina couldn't contain her smile, which resulted her to grin. Orwell blinked as he sees this up close.

"That's right," Faustina says, "I'm excited! I'm happy!"

"But be careful, alright, M'lady?"

"Yes, Maddie."

"And, and tell me about what you learn, alright? I know I won't be able to attend to you, after all!"

"I will, Maddie!"

Orwell reached to his chest, scowling a bit as his heart beats furiously—throbbing so rapidly. How so? Through his spectacles he eyed Faustina, whose eyes were shining as her grin shows.

He grew so accustomed to Faustina looking at him with confused eyes and worry—and now her new expression had startled him.

"I know I'll gain nothing if I dwindle," Faustina says as she balls her hand to a fist. "So I'll do my best!"

"Wah, M'lady, that's very unladylike! Don't raise your fist!"

"To uncover the truth!" Faustina exclaims, raising her fist to the air. "To finding answers!"

Orwell gripped his chest.

"To finding answers," he mumbles as he smiles, raising his fist to the air as well.

"W-wah-wahh! Lord Orwell too?"

"Come on, Maddie!" Faustina grins.

Maddie closed her eyes, her face red as a tomato. She raised her fist to the air as well.

"To f-finding answers!"

"To finding answers!" The three of them said in unison, as they welcomed the new journey ahead.