Chapter 302 - Ring

All the occupants of the manor had been informed about Syryn's amnesia. They were concerned about it but the mage had assured them It was temporary and that he was working on resolving the problem. With that said, Syryn had told them he no longer wanted to discuss the matter, a wish that his friends respected. 

Salem had chosen a room for Enkansh that was far away and on the opposite end from Riha's room. The siren skipped dinner and remained in his room to rest while the others listened to Syryn tell his tale of his adventure at Silisia. The night ended late and Syryn fell asleep even later.

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The very next day, a messenger arrived early in the morning from the palace. He was intercepted by Rowan who spotted the carriage arriving through the gates of the manor. 

"Sir Rowan Windwalker, his majesty, the king, summons you to the palace today at noon. You are invited for lunch at the palace which will be followed by an audience with the royal family." 

Rowan accepted the elegant mauve envelope that bore his name in large cursive writing. Thanking the man, he returned to the kitchen where he had been breakfasting before the interruption.

"What's that?" Luci asked. They were the only ones in the kitchen at the moment. Enkansh had eaten his fill and was exploring the manor grounds. Syryn was still fast asleep and Salem was taking a morning walk. Alka had prepared breakfast, eaten his fill, and was out in the garden tending to his expensive plants. 

"An invitation to the palace," Rowan replied. His mood was heavy after he had received the invitation.

"Are you going to meet the silver-eyed princess?" Luci asked. 

Rowan put the invitation down on the table and glanced up in surprise at the redhead who was quietly watching him. 

"Yes, I am. Why do you ask, Luci?" 

"I saw the princess a few years back. She was... I mean she still is very beautiful. Princess Li..." The redhead struggled to remember her name.

"Lillith," Rowan supplied.

"Yea, princess Lillith and prince Drake are the only royal members I've seen. I was just curious, Rowan." 

The blond had lost his appetite. There was only one reason why Lillith's father had invited him to the palace. Rowan had been putting off his duties because he wanted to wait for Syryn but the royals weren't taking no for an answer. Lillith was impatient to have the ceremony conducted since she wasn't getting any younger. That pressure came upon Rowan who had been refusing to do anything about it. 

"You look worried, Rowan." The words were said quietly by Luci. A half-eaten slice of bread sat on his plate being slathered upon with layers upon layers of jam. 

"Yes I'm worried," the blond admitted to the child. "There's always someone or something getting in the way of what I want, Luci." 

"You're Rowan," Luci replied. "I know you'll figure out something." 

The blond was warmed by the child's faith in his abilities. "Don't tell Syryn about it." 

"Why?" 

"Because I will tell him myself." 

Rowan took the half-eaten slice of bread that Luci handed to him. It was a gift of affection but the amount of jam on it mildly horrified the anti mage. Still, he thanked the boy and ate it because that was the right thing to do. The smile on Luci's face was his reward. 

[Wow Luci, jam with bread on it. What's it called?]

(The Luci special!)

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When Syryn woke up, it was almost noon. He hadn't slept the entire night because of insomnia that came from feeling restless. The mage had gotten only a few hours of sleep but he was unable to go back to sleep. 

"I'm going to the palace, Ryn," Rowan told the mage who sat listlessly on the bed. 

"Okay," Syryn replied. His stomach informed him it wanted a meal. Rubbing his tummy, Syryn stood up and stretched. "What are you going to the palace for?" 

Rowan looked amazing in a navy blue dress suit. His gleaming blond hair had been washed and brushed back, making him look stylish and handsome. "I've been invited to the palace for lunch with the royal family. I'll be back before dinner but if I get late, don't wait for me." 

Syryn blinked and noticed that the anti mage was looking different today. His gaze moved up and down his man's body. Rowan looked absolutely delicious when he was scruffy but now, now he looked every inch the nobleman that Syryn suspected Rowan was. The fact that he had been invited for lunch with the royals only confirmed his suspicions. 

"You look nice," he told the anti mage. 

"Thank you." 

Rowan seemed oddly solemn and distracted. He adjusted his collar in the mirror and turned to the mage who was watching him quietly. 

"Ryn, do you trust me?" Rowan abruptly asked the mage. 

"I guess I do," Syryn replied. "Why?" 

Rowan began to slip the gold band off his finger. He held it in his hand and looked up at the mage who was watching him with unblinking eyes. 

"I'll explain when I return." 

Syryn felt a coldness seep inside his heart. He was already feeling anxious because of his amnesia. Now he felt anxious, insecure, and angry. But he did not allow any of the feelings to surface.

"Alright. I'll be waiting," Syryn replied without emotion.

Rowan placed a light kiss on Syryn's cheek and left the room.

"Bye..." Syryn said to the air after Rowan exited. He fell back to the bed and stared at the ceiling thinking about what reason Rowan could have for keeping his relationship a secret. Did he trust Rowan? He had said yes but he hadn't known the blond for enough time to truly decide that. Syryn didn't have enough information about Rowan to say he trusted him completely.. At the very least, Rowan had been transparent about what he was doing, and he was willing to give Syryn an explanation for it.