Chapter 8

Waking up was as awkward as she had expected it to be. She was surprised she had been able to sleep at all, being so close to Ringabel. Carefully she freed herself from his grip and climbed out of bed, longing for fresh air to clear her mind. Despite her attempts to be as silent as possible, he woke up.

"Come back", he murmured, looking at her through half closed eyes. She had to admit he looked kind of cute, being barely awake.

"We have to get to Florem", she said, unsure what to do. Last night confused her and she was angry at herself for having been so thoughtless. What were they now? Still friends? More than friends? Not friends anymore because he finally got a kiss which may have been all he wanted?

"Let me wake up first", he said in a muffled voice and buried his face in his pillow.

"Wake up faster." She folded her arms and wanted to take away his blanket when a sudden idea struck her. She had always liked to tease him, especially after finding out he could dish it out but couldn't take it. After what happened last night she had so many new possibilities to taunt him.

Don't do anything too stupid, she reminded herself and crawled back to bed. Letting one finger wander along his spine, she whispered in his ear: "Shall I help you wake up?"

"What are you doing?", he gasped and turned his head to the side so he could watch her from the corner of his eye.

"Nothing, really." She started to massage his back with both hands and felt the muscles at his shoulder blades tense under her touch. When he abruptly rolled over, sat up and tried to pull her closer, she backed away.

"I have no intentions in staying in bed much longer." She wiggled a finger at him and jumped out of bed again.

"Do you like it? Torturing me like this?" He let a hand wander through his hair and sighed heavily.

"I got you to sit up which is all I ever wanted", she answered. "Now get up and fly this ship to Florem." She turned towards the door to go change her clothes.

"As you wish", she heard him say when she closed the door.

"Are you mad at me?", she asked, standing next to him at the ship's wheel.

"No", he answered, staring into the distance. "I'm thinking."

"About what?"

"Things."

"Things?" Not extremely happy with his answer, she grabbed his wrist. "If you are angry, just say it." She couldn't stand the fact that they were standing there without saying anything for half an hour.

"Why do you think I'd by angry at you? I am thinking about a nice place to go to. With you. Tonight. Going to a restaurant is too ordinary, don't you agree?"

"Why do you think I would agree to this?", she asked and raised her eyebrows.

"You wouldn't?"

"Ask me in a proper way." She sticked her tongue out to him. A confused expression flashed over his face, but then he asked with the usual self-confidence: "Edea Lee, will you finally go out with me?"

"Even though you still have no idea where to go?", she teased him and than sighed with played resignation. "Fine, you'll get one chance. Make something out of it."

"Definetely", he nodded. She felt the urge to hug him, but his black, cold armor wasn't really inviting. At least he didn't wear the helmet; not being able to see his face was weird.

The capital city of Florem was as colourful, loud and busy as always. Edea had the impression that even more women were walking around the city - or were it just less men? Now that she thought about it, there was an unusual small number of men to be seen, even for Florem.

"It's good to have you here", the Matriarch greeted them. Then she lowered her voice: "The missing women have reappeared. And all of their husbands got murdered. There is an unmistakeably pattern no one could ignore. We questioned the women several times, but it seems they can't remeber anything. Neither where they've been nor what happened to their husbands. You see - we can really need your help."

"Murder is a whole different matter than the disappearance of women", Ringabel thought out loud.

"Luckily we've already proven ourselves as detectives", Edea quickly said. "Don't worry, Matriarch. We know what we're doing and we will catch the filthy murderer as soon as possible."

"Very good", the Matriarch nodded. "You must know there were never many married couples around the city. Most of them leave after marriage and settle down in one of the villages near the city where they raise their children. I am not proud of it, but our capital is not the best place for young families. Especially during the last years - and thanks to the Blood Rose Legion's influece - many girls in this city turned out to be extremely superficial and shallow. I pray one day it will be better, now that the Water Crystal has been reawakened, but these murders don't make it look that way.

Maybe it helps you to know that there are only three married couples left around the city. The women haven't disappeared - yet. But I have a bad feeling about this." The Matriarch handed them a list with six names.

"We'll take care of it", Ringabel promised. "Leave it to us, the worried expression does not suit your beautiful face."

"Ringabel", Edea hissed and shot him an angry glare. The Matriarch just laughed and waved her hand at them. When she was gone, Edea asked: "Did you really have to say that? You really are a bad example of Eternian knights."

"Jealous?", he grinned.

"Not in the least." She grabbed the list. "Let's find these people and observe them."