~Ah, since it's been so long since I've uploaded my next chapters, it's no wonder I've lost the interest of those who used to like this story! Again, I'm sorry! But, hopefully, it's still okay.

Chapter 8

Green eyes looked curiously at the surroundings around her. Quietly, Fuu walked inside the princess' chambers. She opened the door and found Aska alone. "Aska-sama? Are you well rested?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Aska said, her voice back to that confident and commanding young lady. "That small convulsion isn't enough to kill me, you know."

Fuu smiled, "Well, at least you're back to normal."

"What do you think of my family?"

A bit surprised that the princess would ask this question, Fuu stood there, with nothing to say. Then, seeing that Aska was absolutely serious about the question, the Magic Knight answered, "I've only seen your three cousins. Two of them seem to oppose your rule strongly."

The princess looked up, startled, "Three cousins? Oh, no. Two of them are my cousins. The other gray-eyed female was Riruka-san, my elder sister. She's younger than Kairi-san, and so usually goes to places where my eldest sister tells her to go. Solon and Peon are my two cousins. It's hard to believe they're brother and sister."

"Oh, really?" Fuu asked, putting the pieces together. "But, why does it seem that Solon would hate you so much?"

"I'm thinking that his favorite cousin is Riruka-san," Aska answered, shrugging, "He's kind of obsessed with her, if you think about it."

Fuu sat next to the princess' bed and nodded her head, "So, this authority sits with bias and favoritism. Hmm…it seems that we have a way to win their hearts after all…"

Aska looked up with hope at Fuu's face, "Oh, please, I hope you're right."

Whistling, Ferio strolled along the palace grounds. He headed towards a pond and looked up at the stars. "Fahren sure looks beautiful tonight."

"You're telling me," a voice said from behind him.

Ferio turned to look at the speaker. The figure was covered by a cloak, "Do I know you?"

The figure answered in a feminine voice, "You probably do, but disguises are only to fool those that one is hiding from."

"Why are you talking to me?" the prince of Cephiro asked, confused.

Unraveling the cloak, the figure revealed herself to him. It was the curly-haired cousin that visited Aska with Solon and the other angry woman. Blue eyes sparkled and she dropped the cloak on the ground, not caring whether or not it became dirty. She then sat on a small white bench overlooking the lake. "How is Aska faring? Is she well? I'm afraid that Solon and Riruka went too far today."

Scoffing, Ferio leaned next to a tree. "Why do you care? You're trying to overthrow Aska-sama."

"You don't understand," the woman said sadly, "Aska's well-being doesn't involve whether she'll rule or not. I'm simply asking out of a cousin's concern, that's all."

Raising an eyebrow, Ferio replied, "Why don't you ask her?"

Peon raised her eyes at the prince, and he looked back, uncomfortable, "My time here is short. I must return soon. But, I have heard from resources that you're looking for a power source? If you help my cousin out, I will gladly bring you there in return. It takes a strong will like Aska-sama to break the chains of enslavement the nobles of Fahren are experiencing."

"What enslavement?"

"I…I can't say anymore," Peon said, and gathered her cloak. She put it on, turned around, and looked back, "May Nataku watch over you and the people in the castle."

Fuu walked down the hall, accompanied by Aska, who walked in silent contemplation. Ferio came running back in from his stroll and smiled at Fuu then at the princess, "It is a beautiful night! Why don't you have some fresh air, Aska-sama?"

"I…I guess I should," Aska said, doubtfully, "Will I leave you two here?"

Nodding, the prince smiled again at her, "Sang Yung is out at the garden, if you want to know. I think he's waiting for you."

Aska blushed, and walked to the garden, leaving Fuu and Ferio alone. Fuu looked questioningly at the prince, who was still smiling, "Why are you so happy? Did the Fahren air get to your head?"

"Oh, no, my lady," Ferio said, happily, "I've just encountered Aska's cousin, that's all."

The Magic Knight pulled him closer to her, so they could not be overheard, "Did she say anything? Was it the blue-eyed one?"

"Yes, and yes."

"What did she say?"

Ferio told Fuu what had happened outside and the Magic Knight listened intently. She beckoned Ferio to her room, and she closed the door, so no one could spy on them. Fuu paced the room, thoughtfully going over the details she has heard. "And she didn't tell you anymore than that? Nothing about what kind of chains or who is holding them to it?"

The prince shrugged, "I've only repeated what I heard from her own mouth. The rest is either implied or we can only guess. I'm wondering whether Kairi is the ringleader of all this."

"She certainly has the most power out of the whole Fahren noble line that opposes Aska-sama. My question is why Peon-san would risk herself by coming over here just to ask you to keep Aska-sama safe and in return, she will bring us to the power source. If she cares so much for the princess, why is she on Kairi and Riruka's side, and divulging their secrets?" Fuu asked.

"Whoah, slow down, Fuu," Ferio said, smirking, "You're thinking too much. Already you're sounding as if you've got a mystery to solve."

Fuu smiled, "Well, I do want to help Aska-sama. She'll truly make a good ruler in Fahren. She loves the country so much. Just like your sister. And Clef…"

"He'll be okay, Fuu, don't worry," Ferio reassured her. "Clef isn't a weakling, and when he promises not to die yet, he'll keep it even if it means having to leave Cephiro to look for the three of you."

"No, that's not what has me worried so, Ferio," Fuu answered, eyes lost in thought, "It's just that when I had that dream, it seemed that something was after Guru Clef. A shadow…and then it disappeared right after Clef used his powers. His sickness, it isn't right."

Ferio looked at her, uneasy, "Fuu, you're getting pale, maybe you should sit down."

The Magic Knight looked straight into Ferio's amber eyes. "Oh, this is getting us nowhere. I'm probably tired. Maybe I'll be able to think tomorrow morning, when I've regained my strength."

"Okay, Fuu," Ferio said, taking one of her curls in his hand, "Don't think too hard. Relax, and clear your mind for some time. It'll help refresh your head."

Fuu smiled, "I'll take that in mind."

With a hug and a quick peck on the cheek, Ferio opened the door. He turned to her and winked, "G'night, Fuu."

The Magic Knight reddened and she closed the door. She threw herself on the bed and sighed. What could be troubling Fahren? Why did Peon tell Ferio that the nobles of Fahren were being enslaved some way? Was it Kairi or Riruka? Why was she having a dream of Clef and a dark shadow out to get him? What does this have to do combined? Pondering all these questions in her head, the Magic Knight drifted off to a dreamless slumber.