Chapter 35

'Helen,' False's voice rang with a strange kind of clearness, as she finished her approach, 'I wasn't expecting you so soon.'

'But you were expecting me,' her eyes glanced from him to Lus, then back again, 'because of that girl?'

'Girl,' False frowned.

'The Power Limitless one.'

'That was a girl?'

'Yes, didn't you know?'

'I wasn't sure,' False sighed and folded his arms, 'she appeared as my Perfect Mimic, so it was hard to tell.'

'How did you manage to escape from Ni, Helen,' Lus examined her curiously.

'The girl helped me.'

'But why?'

'She wanted me to meet my Prince,' a strange smile flickered across her face.

Ever since the first moment she'd encountered him there'd been a spark, she knew that. What she hadn't realised was the spark was more than just a passing infatuation. If the girl was right, then the spark was true love. As she closely examined Lus, she became aware of the fact he was examining her with the same amount of curiosity. There was something about it which made Helen feel a flush of embarrassment. The girl clearly hadn't been lying about her Prince already being in love with her, he was just a little more aware of the possibility than she'd expected.

'Aren't you supposed to be getting married,' Lus's words were careful and slow. 'I mean, have you decided to marry Ni yet or not?'

'I'm still undecided,' she half turned, 'especially since the girl told me there was another Prince out there for me.'

'Well I can hardly say that I'm a prince,' Lus lowered his head in embarrassment, 'although some might convince you that I was.'

'Some like who?'

'Arc and Talc,' False was the one to offer an explanation, 'they're still alive and they use the titling in regards to the Heirs.'

'Oh,' she nodded slowly, allowing her gaze to meet Lus's, 'I guess that makes sense,' she suddenly felt the impulse to make a half bow, half curtsy gesture to him. 'My Prince,' she handed the test-tube towards him.

'What is it,' Lus gave a nervous cough, as he took the test-tube off of her and examine the contents.

'It's the cure,' again it was False with the answer.

'Cure for what?'

'The complications the doctors found. It won't take away your fits, but it will cure…'

'Since when has there been a cure for…'

'It's a Nymph Cure,' Helen interrupted him, 'Nymphs, especially Healer Nymphs, have the power to create anything via their magic. Only when their potions and spells are used on non-Nymphs there can be… side effects.'

'What kind of side effects,' Lus tilted his head curiously.

'That depends on what the potion is for,' False sighed.

'What is the side effect of this cure,' he focused his gaze on the male Vii Sen. 'What will happen to me if I drink it?'

'You'll get better,' Helen gently took hold of his hand.

'And what else?'

'Your heart will become open.'

'Open to what?'

'To love.'

'But my hearts already open to love,' he shook his head. 'So unless you're about to tell me that this thing will make me fall in love with the first person I see…'

'Not exactly,' False shook his head. 'Right now your heart is divided, whether you know it or not is unimportant, what matters is that it is.'

'And this potion will decide which of them my heart is really longing for?'

'Yes,' Helen nodded.

For a few moments Lus was silent. Then he slowly allowed his gaze to rise up and meet with Helen's.

'You're a little older than I am, that doesn't bother you?'

'Not really,' she shrugged, 'I mean, my other choice makes me look like a two year old in comparison.'

'That's true.'

'But how did you know I was the other one in your heart?'

He was silent again, before shifting his gaze away from her.

'There was a spark or something the first time I met you. I've never been able to shake this… feeling.'

'I know what you mean,' she pressed her lips together, 'but that doesn't mean we're meant for each other.'

'No, but this might help decide that, right,' he held the test-tube up for her to see.

For a few moments she found herself studying the slimy green liquid. She couldn't say she'd be happy drinking it herself; it just looked so… vile. In fact she'd never seen a Nymph potion look so undrinkable before. Normally there was something almost inviting about them, but this one… somehow it just looked all wrong.

'It's safe, isn't it,' Lus's expression twitched with tight curiosity as he studied her expression.

'Safe?'

'To drink, I mean, it is what it's supposed to be, right?'

'I would hope so,' False sighed, 'but who knows. This mysterious being could have other plans none of us can even comprehend yet.'

'You mean she might be trying to kill me?'

'I hope not,' Helen gulped, 'I mean, I want to be able to trust her.'

'Why?'

'Because she seemed so…'

'Sure of herself and her power's ability to do something about this mess we're in,' False finished for her.

'Yeah,' Helen nodded, 'I just don't want to believe that it's possible for a Balancer to turn against the Balance.'

'That's assuming she was one to begin with,' Lus pulled a face. 'What if she was lying about that?'

'Well there's only one way to find out,' False indicated towards the test-tube. 'Bottoms up.'

Helen watched Lus with deep anticipation, as he slowly uncorked the test-tube and brought the rim of it to his lips. For a few painfully long moments he just held it there, resting against his lower lip, as though he was too afraid to let it pass into his mouth. Then, closing his eyes, he downed it in one, swallowing painfully hard as he did.

'Well,' False's voice was almost fearfully quiet, 'how do you feel?'

'I feel… fine.'