"That would be one very long tale." She responded after recovering from the sudden whirl of chaos in her stomach when he stared into her eyes. "Please keep walking, we're not far." He had such pretty eyes, she thought.
She led him inside her quarters, being Marshal and right hand of the King comes with a more than decent luxurious abode. Gesturing for him to be seated at one of the plush elegant chairs in the sitting room, she summoned the servants giving them orders to prepare his room and bring him refreshments and clothes. Her bath can wait until she got rid of him from her side.
Once he settled on the chair, she seated herself across from him. Quickly looking away when she caught sight of his thighs. He really needs clothes. The cloak around his shoulders were revealing too much skin for her comfort.
"To answer your first question, Nao is currently in the dungeons. His whereabouts does not concern you so I suggest you stop questioning about him." She pressed on before he could protest, "I'm assuming this Shou you refer to is one of the assassins. Well...they're rebels against the Kingdom. I was ordered to lay siege on their fortress. I stopped my men before they could kill the rebel leader. The ones that attacked us today were those that managed to escape. It seems they thought their leader dead." Kiera looked up when two male servants entered the room arms laden with clothing.
"Lord Rei, asks these be delivered to you my Lady." One of them spoke, head bowed respectfully. She was quite impressed although she knew Reita has abilities beyond that of her knowledge. She smiled to herself, remembering his last visit to the castle.
"They're for him." She told the servant then turning to Uruha, "That room is empty." She pointed to her sleeping chamber.
Uruha got out of his seat to take the clothes from the servant thankfully, glad that he'll finally be wearing something that doesn't make him look like a the victim of a rapist. How in the world Reita managed to send clothes here, however, he'll just push into the corner of his mind for now.
"Sir?" the servant seemed surprised, reluctant to let go of the clothes in his hand.
"Um Kiera just said they're for me?" Uruha asked, unsure of why they're not giving him his clothes. God knows he needs them, he was getting very chilly now that the excitement from earlier has toned down.
"We'll be helping you dress," the servant explained, proceeding casually to spread out the clothes while the other male places his hands on Uruha's cloak.
"Woah!" Uruha backed off instinctively at the man's touch, stumbling a bit. He clutched the cloak tighter around him. "Really, that's not necessary," Uruha said nervously. If anyone's helping him dress he'd prefer it to be Kiera, but of course if he said that out loud, Reita's name might not be able to save him.
She sighed when she heard voices from the sleeping chamber. Surely he's not making a fuss over the clothes? She recalled his feathery ensemble. If he could wear that, then Reita's clothes should not be below his standard.
Shaking her head, she decided to intervene. She flung open the doors without thought, only to realize she should have knocked first or given some sort of warning for the man might have been naked. Thankfully he was not. However, it seemed he was trying to wrestle the clothes out of the servant's hands.
"What is happening here?" she asked sternly.
Uruha gave Kiera a look of despair. Like saying "help me" with his eyes.
"Th-they won't let me wear my own clothes," he said, pulling at the clothes from the servants.
Kiera couldn't suppress her amusement. He looked truly distressed. Taking pity on him, "They are servants. It is their duty to dress you."
"Oh" Uruha said defeatedly. But seriously, he does not wish to be manhandled by... well, men.
"Thank you," he said to the servants nicely then turned back to Kiera, "But could you tell them I want to put my clothes on by myself?" He added one of the brightest smiles he could muster, hoping that this would affect the seemingly cold Marshal somehow.
This is one strange man. With that smile on his face, she had to reign in the urge to fluff his hair and coo at him. The way the former king used to do when she was a child.
"Would it make the process quicker if I let you handle it yourself?" she asked him.
"Yes!" uruha replied hurriedly, now able to take the clothes from the servants' hands. He added, "And after I finish dressing... could we talk some more?"
She sent him a tiny smile. "Leave him to it." she ordered the servants.
"I shall await you in the sitting room." She turned back the way she came, unsure of what to neither feel nor think. This was really a strange man.
Uruha was thankful as the servants left him alone with his clothes. He put them on as quickly as possible, wanting answers from Kiera. She still hasn't explained to him who Reita exactly is in this place. What about Shou and the others... why were they rebels? Uruha wondered if she knew something about personality changes too...
She had told him not to press the matter, but Uruha was determined to find Nao as well. If she still refuses to tell him, he had already decided he's going to sneak around the castle and get him.
Uruha desperately wanted a familiar face with him and more than ever, he wished at least one of his friends from Alice Nine was still the same. It might just be wishful thinking, but he didn't want to believe that everyone has just magically turned into soulless murderers.
After he was done dressing, he proceeded to the room where Kiera sat.
"Hi," he greeted, sitting across from her. She seemed slightly confused at his greeting. Oh right, they probably don't use 'hi' a lot here.
"Um," he continued, trying hard to ignore her cute perplexed expression, "So... I do have a lot of questions."
He fidgeted slightly in his chair, wondering what he was getting so worked up about. Although there were servants around them, he felt like he was completely alone with her and it made him nervous.
"Wh-who exactly is Reita here?" He blurted out finally, "And... how did I end up in this place?"
For a moment she could not answer. Reita had chosen well. The fur collared coat sat snugly around Uruha's shoulders, the black material of the cloth contrasting with his pale skin. The simple silk shirt underneath displayed just a tiny bit of his smooth chest. His long legs covered with soft leather pants. As simple as the outfit was by standard of the King's court, he could make the ladies swoon.
You're not one of them Kiera, she reprimanded herself.
"Lord Rei, is one of the King's most powerful subjects. He is high in the King's favour and if the need calls he can be a lethal warrior. He's one of those that are able to cross the barriers between the worlds without aid." She paused glancing at his face. His mouth hung open, "Judging from your expression, I gather you did not know about this. As for your other question...it would seem that you have the same ability as Lord Rei."
A knock interrupted her. "If I may come in my Lady?" a servant asked, bowing respectfully. She waved her hand giving her permission. Several servants entered baring trays laden with food and drink. She dismissed them once serving tables were brought in front of them. She did not touch her food and neither did he.
"I cannot tell you why you are here. With the King's permission perhaps you could consult the oracle or one of the Nerieh council. How you got here is a different matter. From what my men told me, they first found you near one of the portal stones. It must be that you were near one as well from where it was that you came from. They have the tendency to transport anyone with even the slightest ability to cross over. Does that satisfy your questions?"
Never before had she taken the time to explain anything to anyone. Why she was willingly doing this now, she preferred not to think of it for the time being.
Uruha let Kiera's explanation settle in his head. Reita had the ability to travel through worlds? That means Alice Nine could do that too. How long have they been travelling to and fro? It seems unreal. Come to think of it... Reita did randomly disappear a lot. Was this where he's been coming? It was unnerving to think about it.
Uruha stared at the food in front of him. After all the exhausting things he had gone through today, he should be starving but somehow he did not want to eat. There were still a lot of things he wanted to get done. Nao, for one.
He knew she would refuse his question but he wanted to make her know that he is dead serious. He stared at Kiera, locking his gaze and making sure she doesn't avert her eyes. He's been told by many that his eyes are captivating and hard to say no to. Kiera was no ordinary girl but it's worth a try.
"Can you take me to Nao?" Uruha asked, his making his voice sound as stable and authoritative as he could.
Her eyes narrowed in flash of anger. She was known to have a fiery temper and this beautiful man was testing her control over it. She hated to admit even to herself that if his eyes weren't boring straight into her, she would have flung a dagger at his head by now.
"Did I not tell you leave the matter be? Repeat his name once more and friend of Lord Rei or not I'll cut you where you stand." She said coldly, "Is that in any way unclear to you?" she asked sweetly, a feral smile on her lips.
Uruha expected that much of a reaction from Kiera and for some reason was actually amused by her anger.
But there's only one thing he can do now. He has to pretend like he's going to let the problem slide first before making his own plans to get to Nao.
"I'm sorry, Kiera," Uruha said, trying to sound genuine as he lies through his teeth, "It's just... he's a really good friend of mine in the other world. But if you say I can't see him, then I won't. You've helped me a lot today and I wouldn't want to get on your bad side."
Uruha smiled at her innocently. He wasn't lying about not wanting to be on her bad side though.
She had no reply to that. It felt as if she was being easily smoothed over. Damn him and his bloody adorable smile, she cursed in her head. Kiera stood up stalking to the door, she called one of the servants nearby.
"Is the room ready?" she demanded. The servant quailed visibly. She almost felt bad for transferring her anger to the poor servant. She couldn't even explain why she was so angry in the first place.
"Y-yes my Lady."
Forcing herself to be calm, "Draw my bath. I shan't be long. And clear the tables." She ordered, in much more amiable tone.
"I shall take you to your room. Come." She called back to Uruha, who followed almost meekly. It wasn't far, in fact it was the only other room in the length of the hall. Kiera refused to look him until they reached the appointed door. Brusquely she turned the handle pushing it open.
"There will be servants nearby if you should need anything. If you have need of me, you know where I reside." She informed him, "One more thing, refrain from wandering around the halls in the night, the guards might not recognize you. They would not hesitate to throw a spear if they should think you're an enemy."
She made to leave.
"Thanks for everything Kiera," Uruha said to her as she left. He couldn't help but feel lonely all of a sudden but he shoved the thought out of his mind. There are other things he should be thinking of.
Going after Nao would be difficult with so many servants around. Besides, he had no idea where to go. Sighing, Uruha collapsed onto the ridiculously large bed and the soft mattress comforted him. His exhaustion crept up all over his body and Uruha let out a tired groan, his eyes closing automatically in drowsiness.
Who knows? Maybe this is really just a dream and if he fell asleep, he'd wake up in the real world... he would be back with Gazette... and Alice Nine and they'd be just like they always were... happy and lively.
Uruha could feel sleep coming to him naturally. Yes, when he wakes up, he'll definitely be back home...
"Uruha" a familiar voice calls out to him; it felt distant and echoed in his head in a strange slur. Ah, see? It's like he's back already. He's having fantasies about his friends' voice.
"Hey, Uruha," the voice said again, sounding much closer. But Uruha didn't open his eyes.
"Wake up," the voice says, now so close that it seemed to be coming from right beside him.
Lazily, Uruha opened his eyes.
"AH!" he yelled in surprise at the proximity of the man who seemed to have silently and suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Uruha took a moment to calm himself as he stared. "Reita?" he gasped, a smile coming to his face at the sight of his friend.
"No," Reita said, frowning, the expression on his face serious. But the seriousness disappeared in a flash, replaced with a large cheeky grin. "That's Lord Rei to you."
Kiera sighed in content as the warm water washed away the day's filth. She could not help thinking about that pretty faced man Uruha. The portals brought in many strange creatures, she was accustomed to dealing with them but this particular one stood out the most in her mind. His persistence over the former rebel leader had not been overlooked. She doubted he had given up on the issue. She would have to keep a careful watch on both of them. Kiera chuckled recalling the last time she had seen Nao. The man had been chosen as one of the entertainers at the ceremonial feast in honour of Apollo, meaning that he was forced into a bright shimmery golden ensemble and made to play a musical instrument of his choice.
It was most likely he rather enjoyed his time in the dungeons instead of being...well the recipient of the court ladies' less than innocent attentions. She closed her eyes, relaxing into the bath. She would make sure to check on Uruha in the morning.
Uruha sure was happy to see Reita. A familiar face amongst all this ruckus was just enough to ease his mind a bit.
"Reita! I am so glad to see you!" Uruha said, jumping off the bed and giving his friend a big hug. Suddenly Alice Nine's faces flashed through his mind. What if Reita was different too? He immediately let go and suspiciously eyed him.
Reita raised his eyebrows slowly. "What's wrong?" he asks as Uruha continued to stare at him like he had abruptly sprouted horns.
Uruha finally heaved a sigh and slumped onto the bed once more. Thank God, Reita doesn't seem to have the malice Shou and the others had. "Sorry," Uruha said, "It's just... I met Alice Nine today. They're completely different. I was scared you changed too."
"Ah" Reita drawled, sitting across Uruha, "People's personalities change sometimes when they come here. It can't be helped... they don't even know they've changed."
"How come you and I didn't change?" Uruha asked.
Reita's lips broke into a big grin. "Who says I'm the same guy?" he snickered, "Last time I checked, back on earth, I'm just an ordinary person. Here, everyone calls me Lord Rei and thinks very highly of me. I possess power so great it's beyond your wildest imaginations."
Uruha stared at his friend blankly. Well, he's gotten quite cocky, that's for sure. "You weren't really an ORDINARY person back on earth either," Uruha muttered, slightly offended that he'd referred to himself that way. Being a member of Gazette wasn't ordinary at all... at least not to him.
"Ah yeah, but you know what I mean," laughed Reita.
"Reita!" Uruha remembered what he wanted to do, "Nao's locked up in this castle! We need to rescue him!" With a heavy heart, he added the question, "Is he... different too?"
Reita flashed a smile. He stood up and adjusted his clothes. "Let's go see for ourselves," he said, "I'll take you to him."
A muffled snicker alerted Kiera to a presence in the room. She hid her irritation of the said presence being in the room with her when she was bathing. It could be important.
"What is it?" she asked, lazily opening her eyes. The petite demon sat crouching on a dresser, silver hair framing his seemingly innocent face. His fingers twirling around a massive piece of chocolate. He gave a bright dimpled smile.
"Lord Rei is here." He announced casually, nibbling on the chocolate. Kiera sat up in the tub forgetting her current state of undress, only to sink back in when the demon's smile widened staring at her.
"Hand me the robe." She ordered sternly. The demon pouted cutely before jumping off the dresser and fetching her robe.
"I'm being helpful." He said, bright smile once again appearing on his face, "Reward me?" As though to add effect, his mismatched colored eyes sparkled. Kiera shot him a glare.
"You've had enough." She told him. Wrapping the silken cloak around her body she walked out, picking up her swords along the way.
Uruha hugged himself, the damp cold sending chills down his spine. Reita's foggy figure walked ahead of him in fast confident strides. They descended down a spiral staircase that led to nothing but a black abyss. It was so dark Uruha could barely tell the difference between his eyes closed or open. It's amazing Reita could see at all.
"Um," Uruha whispered, his voice echoing across the blackness, "We've been walking quite a while now."
"Don't worry, we'll get there," Reita replied.
Uruha frowned, feeling sympathy for Nao. he's being kept in such a depressing place.
Suddenly, Uruha bumped into Reita's back, who had just stopped without warning. "Watch where you're going," Reita said to Uruha.
"I would if I could SEE where I'm going," Uruha hissed back, getting a bit annoyed at Reita's newfound arrogance in this world.
As Uruha's eyes adjusted, he saw the faint outline of a simple door. Reita ran his fingers over it. Uruha gasped, Reita's fingers were leaving a trace of bright blue light that burnt into the wood. In the darkness, the blue glow was so magical and beautiful Uruha found himself entranced by it.
The light spread all across the door, illuminating it in a ghostly glimmer. With a loud creak that echoed across the walls, the door opened.
The prisons were dimly lit, but in comparison to the darkness they had just walked through, it was bright. Uruha looked around nervously. Eyes from behind bars followed him as he timidly walked behind Reita.
"Stay close," Reita ordered, and Uruha hurriedly scuffled towards him.
"Lord Rei," a guard intercepted them, shooting a look of curiosity in Uruha's direction. She bowed, along with every other guard at the prison.
"I need to see Prisoner number eight," Reita said, an air of authority surrounded him.
"My deepest apologies, Lord Rei," the woman said, "But the King's orders state that he be allowed no visitors. Marshal Kiera also-"
"Oh surely," Reita interrupted her, "You're not actually obstructing me are you?"
"B-but Marshal Kiera had told us countless times-"
"I need to see him," Reita repeated, with what seems to be a generous smile across his face, "You can stop me if you want, but trust me... you don't want to."
Uruha saw fear on her face. Reita had uttered those words with a smile but was undoubtedly a threat. She bowed once more and stepped aside. "Thank you," Reita said smoothly and walked on. Uruha gulped, getting intimidated by the influence of Reita in this world. All his friends have changed and he knew that Nao would have too.
They walked past many cells. The guards were all silent, respecting Reita's very presence. Uruha was stared at a lot though, even if nobody dared ask Reita who he is. Finally, Reita stopped in front of an ironclad cell. Unlike the others, this one didn't have bars. Uruha swallowed his excitement. Nao sure is being kept under the strictest security.
The guard opened the door for Reita and him, hesitantly at first. One look from Reita was all it needed for him to hurry up.
"Hey, Nao," Reita greeted casually, "Look who's here."
Nao sat on a bed, leaning against the wall and staring up at the ceiling, his expression bored as he holds a book in his hand. He wasn't wearing prison clothes like everyone else. His 'cell' didn't look much like a cell either, apart from the door bolted with so many locks. This was... a lot more comfortable than what Uruha had expected.
Nao's bored expression changed to surprise. "Uruha? Seriously?" he breathed, immediately straightening his pose.
"H-hi Nao," was the only thing Uruha said.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Nao laughed, walking over to hug him. Uruha felt hopeful. Nao seems nice... he hasn't changed... right?
"He insisted on seeing you no matter what," chuckled Reita.
Nao smiled sadly. "Thanks," he said, patting Uruha's shoulder.
"I met Shou and the others," Uruha said, "They came to avenge you today! They thought you were dead."
Nao exchanged a strange look with Reita, like some kind of mind communication. "Did they now?" Nao drawled, deep in thought, turning away from them, "Interesting."
"Isn't it?" Reita added, his face serious.
There was definitely something they weren't telling Uruha. "Um, but now they know you're not dead. I hope they don't kill any more people," Uruha said cautiously, wondering what it was they were hiding from him, "They're all so different from the people I used to know. I don't like it."
Nao sighed, now looking genuinely anxious. "Oh that's not good," he muttered to himself. He lifted his head back up, and stared at Uruha.
"Listen Uruha," he said seriously, "I'm not who you think I am. I'm not the leader of the rebel group."
"Dungeons." The demon said, evidently sulking from his lack of reward. She almost felt bad for denying him his sweets but she had to be firm once in a while. He trailed behind her shadow munching noisily on his chocolate as they made their way down the dungeons. She regretted not putting on a heavier cloak, it was a chilly night. Torches lining up the walls of the stairs flared up at her presence, lifting the darkness. As she reached the door leading to the prison cells, her senses prickled. The magical barrier had been diffused.
"Its open." The demon commented.
"Why thank you for stating the obvious. You're very helpful." He pouted at her sarcasm. Kiera chose to ignore it. Him and his pouting ways.
She strode in, guards stood to attention at once upon her arrival. They bowed respectfully.
"Marshal, Lord Rei is here." one reported. Kiera frowned. It was not uncommon for Reita to drop a visit to a certain prisoner but it was too much of a coincidence what with the recent events. She glanced around at the guards crowding the narrow corridor.
"That is no reason to abandon your posts. Fetch Ieros Victoria, the seal has been broken. Send my apologies for disturbing her night." the guard closest to her, put his fist on his heart and bowed, saluting her as he left to obey her orders. Kiera continued forward towards the cell that lodged the rebel leader.
The guard positioned at the cell gave her a guilty look. Much as she wanted to berate him for accommodating Reita's visit, she decided she would deal with it later. The demon peered up at the guard, "You'll be punished later~" he said cheerfully. The poor guard gulped nervously eyeing the demon. She walked into the unlocked cell.
Somehow Kiera was not surprised to see that apart from the people she expected namely Reita and Nao, Uruha was there as well. It annoyed her greatly that he had gone against her.
"You did not inform me of your coming, Lord Rei." Kiera spoke loudly, alerting them of her arrival.
Kiera had arrived. Uruha was expecting her to find out about him sneaking around with Reita but not this quickly! And she looks mad too. Together with her was someone he hadn't seen before. He had silver hair and his left and right eye had different colors. Somehow this guy... doesn't seem right.
"Kiki! I missed you!" Reita chuckled, casually putting his hand on the angry Marshal's head like one would with a little girl. Uruha couldn't even imagine what his fate would be if he'd done that to her.
Reita's eyes now rest on the other guy, "And Takeru." He seems displeased with him, a look of annoyance creeping up on his face "Why did you bring a demon with you Kiki? Just breathing the same air as it is making my skin crawl."
Takeru growled indignantly at the comment, his nails seeming to growing longer. Kiera reined him in with a stern look. She was not in the mood to break up another quarrel between them. She shook off the hand resting atop her head.
"Lord Rei, I'm assuming you brought him here?" she indicated Uruha, she ignored the prisoner for the time being. Reita grinned, placing his arm around her shoulders. Even though she was used to the gesture, she felt slightly uncomfortable with Uruha watching them.
"Awww Kiki why so formal?"
"Very well then. I won't address you as such. I would question your intention behind bringing him here." As she spoke, she sensed the demon was no longer at her side. Reita however had not noticed.
"He wanted to see Nao." He stated simply, "Did you put that on because you know I was here?" he looked at her appreciatively.
"If I knew...I would've stopped by your room." He winked cheekily. Kiera slapped his arm from her shoulders. He could be really trying sometimes.
"It was circumstantial." It was about time she yelled at Uruha for going against her expressed wishes. She had to bite back a chuckle once she discovered Takeru's whereabouts. Reita on the other hand had a completely opposite reaction.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" he yelled angrily. Takeru stopped short. His finger poised a few inches away from Uruha's face.
Reita's scream shocked Uruha more than the demon who had noiselessly appeared beside him.
"Eh~! Come on LORD Rei," the demon sniggered, still dangling his fingers near Uruha's face, "Don't be a spoilsport. I was just going to poke him a little."
He turned to Uruha, his face now showing absolute purity and innocence. Uruha was reminded of a little boy asking for candy. "Hey, you don't mind do you?"
"Um-" Uruha started, not sure how to respond to that. This is a demon, if he let it touch him, what's going to happen? Maybe it's better to refuse.
"Have you all forgotten that I'm here?" Nao suddenly said, folding his arms, one eyebrow raised.
'"No but I don't like you very much." Takeru answered, "I don't like him much either." He pointed at Reita. Reita's face flushed in anger. Kiera thought it was time to intervene before chaos broke loose. There was no telling what Reita might do to Takeru. She spared a glance at Uruha who stood staring at the demon.
"Enough. He's no different from other people Takeru, there is no need to poke him." He retracted his fingers away from Uruha. She hid a smile as Uruha relaxed visibly at that. She returned her attention back to Reita. There was still a storm over his head. Why should he be the angry one? She thought in irritation. It was her who had to put everything back in place after the mess he made.
"I ask that you leave the dungeons, Lord Rei. I will escort your friend to his room. Your quarters are ready as always." She placed a hand on his arm. In an attempt to diffuse his anger, she threw in a generous smile. It seemed to work. The anger left his handsome face.
"As for you," she turned to Nao, "I would much rather forget your existence but that's not much fun is it. In this case, I suppose you're quite innocent of blame."
"No punishment?" the demon questioned, sounding disappointed.
"Perhaps another time."
She let her hand fall from Reita's arm.
"Uruha, I shall take you back to your room. Come, Takeru."