Three days later...

After re-bandaging her burns once again, he sighed at how slowly it was healing. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you more Talim. And your eyes..." He glanced up at the bandages covering them. "Perhaps I should try something different."

Resting against the plump pillows that varied in range of soft yellow and snow white fabrics, she shook her head. "You've done alot for me. After all, if it wasn't for you, I would have died. But tell me, how did you save me?"

He swallowed nervously as he tried to think of a sufficient lie. "I... I am a very powerful and rich man but I was still unable to stop them for executing you. So I merely disguised myself and used my powers to save you. Things were rather chaotic when some rebels and invaders from the Ottoman Empire charged into the city so I managed to save you without too much mishaps. "

"Did you hurt anyone while saving me?" asked Talim, reflecting back to the night where she was almost executed.

"N-No. I mean... No one died. I merely inflicted a few cuts and other injuries on the soldiers as I escaped with you," Graf Dumas replied uncomfortably. He wondered why she had decided to question him. After all, he was pretty sure he hid the evidence very well. She couldn't possibly know about the bloody massacre."Why do you ask about the methods used to save you?" Dumas questioned warily.

Talim held a hand to her heart and the transparent pieces of fabric attached to the dress fluttered at her touch. "My abilities have been suppressed by Soul Edge's powers. So, if I have to guess, some of your powers may have leaked into me somehow."

"Are you alright?"

He immediately moved closer to her in concern but she gave him a reassuring smile as she felt him near her. "Yes. It's just that... I am now limited to reading the wind. I can't use it in combat."

Dumas sighed in relief and said, "There's no need to. I'll protect you." Placing his hands on hers, he squeezed them lovingly.

"I can't stay with you forever my friend," Talim said softly, touched by his care. "I have to continue my journey to search for Raphael, Amy, Pyrrha and I have to save the malfested who are out there as well."

"Talim." He held up one of her hand and stared down at the gold silk sheets nervously. His ruby eyes looked at the delicate priestess protectively, not wanting her to go and risk her safety out there. And to be apart from once more, would pain him deeply. His grip tightened slightly. "What if... I... What if I said that I don't want to let you go?"

Blood rushed to Talim's head as she heard that and she immediately withdrew her hand. "I'm sorry but I only see you as a friend. If I had done something to make you misunderstand, then please forgive me. I didn't mean to. Besides..." She held a hand to her heart and whispered, "I cannot love you. Raphael has my heart and that will never change. So please, let's just be friends."

"You misunderstood me," lied Dumas, feeling heartbroken and elated at the same time when he heard that she still loved him. But not knowing that he was sitting right before her. Clearing his throat, he replied, "You have become one of my dearest friend. As a malfested and a rather cold man, I do not have many that I can actually trust. I have been very lonely... Life as a malfested is a life filled with... rejection and disappointments."

She heard the pain in his voice and she knew that he must have been through alot. With a gentle smile, she replied, "I won't reject you." Opening her arms, she hugged the man sitting in front of her tightly and was saddened by the fact this was all she could do for him. She could hear him let out a surprised sound at the embrace and she whispered, "I promise you that I will come back after I find them. No matter what happens, you will always be held in my highest regard."

"Talim." Wrapping his arms around her, he rubbed the side of his face against her hair and wished that these peaceful days could last forever. Sitting on the golden bed with her in his arms; it was all he could wish for. Her heart beated against his and he could smell the lilies from her body and hair and it was absolutely intoxicating. His lips brushed her hair and moved down to her ear. "It's a promise then? You'll never leave me right?

For his question, Talim nodded and replied, "No matter who or how many people reject you. I will never do that because..." Talim hesitated slightly as she replied, "You have done so much for me and I owe you my life. To me, you are very important." Letting him go, she said, "Never forget that even though you are a malfested, it does not make you a monster or a bad person. I have faith and I believe that you are a kind and strong man and if you show the world the kindness you have shown me, you will be accepted one day."

At that, he merely answered, "You are adorably innocent, Talim. The world is dark and cruel and the only way to survive is to become stronger and protect yourself. No one else will do it for you and everyone in this world is selfish and greedy."

"You shouldn't judge everyone like that. Everyone makes mistakes and no one is perfect. You must look past that and believe in the world we are living in," pleaded Talim gently, hoping that he'll forgive those who hurt him and let his past wounds heal.

Kissing her on the hand, he withdrew and said, "I know you are a good person my dear. And that's why I appreciate you. But as for the rest of this world, they do not deserve my mercy or compassion. Now, I'm afraid I'll have to leave you for a few hours. I have things that I need to take care of."

When she heard the door closed, Talim sighed sorrowfully. She had met too many malfested who let hatred destroy their lives and she did not want to see him walk down such a dark and unforgiving road. "Just like Raphael..." whispered Talim sadly, as she put a hand on her medallion. "Amy, Raphael, where are you? I miss you both so much."

Opening his doors, he was about to greet Talim since he had been in his study the whole day but he quickly stopped when he noticed that she was praying. Used to this, he was silent as he closed the doors shut and opened the window so that the wind could come in. Seeing her lips curled into a smile, he prided himself on knowing what she loved best. Gazing up at the rainy night sky, he breathed in deeply and listened to the drops of water hitting the ground as he waited for her to finish. After awhile, she finally spoke up and he walked over and sat on the bed. Pulling back the dark blue canopy, he

After awhile, she finally spoke up and he walked over and sat on the bed. Pulling back the dark blue canopy, he tied it and leaned against the bed post. "You look troubled, is something wrong my dear?"

Talim made a graceful gesture and motioned to the wind flowing through the window. "My bird hasn't returned to me for quite some time now. I'm worried about it. I also have friends who were expecting me and they haven't heard from me in awhile." Siegfried, Hilde and Hwang... she hoped that Alun would return to her soon so that she could give them the message that she was alright.

Dumas looked at her in surprise. Ah, her pet bird. He remembered her telling him about the thing seventeen years ago and he was alittle astonished that it lived for this long. Trying to reassure her, he said, "I'm sure your bird will be back soon and your friends will understand that sometimes, people can be alittle delayed on their journeys and such."

Talim put a hand to her heart and replied, "I hope so. They're very dear to me and it makes me feel very guilty if they're worried about me while I'm here."

He smiled. "Always thinking about others, you're such a sweetheart."

Talim shyly twiddled with the blankets in her hands. The room was warm despite the fact that it had just rained outside and she idly traced the stitching on her blanket. Things were so peaceful and safe right now while she was with this mysterious friend. But out there... Talim remembered the chaos that was threatening Europe and grew downcast.

Dumas noticed the drop of her pink lips. "Talim, what's the matter?"

"It is a most troubled time we're currently living in." Talim tucked her legs behind her and sat there with a mellow posture. "Patroklos told me that there will soon be a war between the Holy Roman and Ottoman Empire." She sighed sadly. "War is a horrible thing and Graf Dumas is wrong in trying to wage such a pointless fight against the Ottoman Empire."

Dumas grew agitated as he realized that she saw him in a horrible sort of light. He did think that it was better she hated Dumas then hate him as Raphael, but it still bothered him, he realized. What did she know? He was under orders and he had to protect his position. Only by winning battles and keeping his political alliances, can he hope to succeed and gain even more power. In a slightly irritated voice, he said, "I am part of the Holy Roman Empire and I believe that what Dumas is doing is right. He is merely eliminating a threat and making our empire stronger."

"That is wrong," Talim stated quietly, thinking about all the destruction she has seen when armies clashed against one another. "People live in peace and freedom and no other country or empire should rule over everyone else. When the Spanish and the Portuguese came to our land... they forced us to change and live by their ways. I don't want to any more people live in fear."

He turned away and his voice was clipped as he replied, "You are deluded Talim. Only the strong survive and those who are weak, only have themselves to blame. This world will be reunited, under one strong ruler who will correct the errors and ways of this world. Dumas... is that man."

Talim was greatly saddened by his words. "Graf Dumas is walking down a very dark path that will ruin many lives. A generation of orphans and widows will be raised from this needless bloodshed." She reached over and put a gentle hand on his warm hand, being able to sense where it was even without her eyesight. "Can you not see that what he's doing is wrong? How can you side with him? He's conducting a purge to get rid of you and the malfested."

"It's actually all a lie."

Talim's mouth opened in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"The purge is actually a way to save the malfested and kill those humans who wish our deaths." He grabbed Talim's hand as she withdrew it and he said, "I know what Dumas is doing. By his hands, he rescued a hundred malfested from an army that was hunting us down like animals. To save us, he eliminated all of those humans who were after us. To you, is he a monster or a hero?"

"I... I..." She winced slightly at his tight grip and she was also slightly fearful of him. He had never sounded so cold before. And he had always been gentle with her until now. His grip was strong and it bit into her skin as she tried to pull away. "You're hurting me. Let me go."

"Answer me and I'll let you go," demanded Dumas, impatient to hear what she though of him.

Talim drew inward and whispered, "My friend, what's wrong? You're not acting like yourself-"

"I want an answer from you right now," he interrupted rudely. A frightened sound escape her lips when she heard how cold he was. At that moment, Dumas realized what he was doing and his grip loosened. He drew back with an apologetic expression and murmured, "I... I'm sorry Talim." He looked at the red mark around her wrist and whispered, "I never meant to hurt you." He move in close to her and held her red wrist delicately. "Please forgive me."

Talim was relieved that he seemed to be back to his old self. "It's alright, I think your emotions just got the best of you at that moment." She gave him a reassuring smile and said, "I'm alright. And as for your question..." Talim pulled her hand back and rubbed it absentmindedly as she thought of an answer. Remembering how the young girl had looked at her during the Purge in Odenburg, she murmured, "To the humans, he is a monster who has taken many lives. But in the eyes of the malfested, he is a hero for he has saved them. In my eyes..." Talim said wisely, "I think that he wouldn't have to make such choices if we lived in a different world."

He could hear the sorrow in her voice and he replied, "We will live in a different world shaped by peace. I will make this fighting between the two races stop for your sake."

Her cheeks turned pink and she stilled as he placed a hand on her cheek. Her heart pounded in her chest and she found herself rubbing her cheek into his palm. Swallowing thickly as she realized what she was doing, she abruptly pulled away.

"Good night, Talim."

"Wait." Talim reached out for him with her hands and when she felt him hold on to them, she held them tightly. "Please promise me that you won't take part in the purge. If you wish to save the malfested, there are other ways. Please..."

Hearing her plead with him like this, he looked away and said slowly, "For the future of the malfested. I believe that what Dumas is doing is right. But for your sake..." He kissed her hands gently before letting go. "I will think about it. Now my dear, it's time for your medicine."

He strolled around in his garden and looked at the flowers without much interest as the cool breeze touched his exposed skin. The rain had stopped but the ground was wet and his boots squelched into the dense green grass as he walked and his loose red shirt flapped slightly from the wind. Slowly, he took out a small shard of Soul Edge he had taken from his study and stared at it. "What should I do if Talim continues to disagree with my methods?"

"She is foolish to believe that everyone can be saved Raphael. You should rid her of such thoughts. The priestess is still ignorant to the ways of the world. The malfested will never find happiness until they have their own world. You know that. It's what you've been fighting for after all these years."

He sat down at a garden table and looked dejectedly up at the moon. "I do not wish to make her unhappy. She wants those wretched humans to live and I want her to be happy."

"Have you forgotten about your daughter? You and her are a malfested! You can't show any mercy to those humans! Those inferior beings have cause you and all of the malfested so much pain. They cannot be forgiven!" Soul Edge shimmered with a sinister red light and said, "Remember your pain. Remember all the sufferings the malfested have gone through. Those humans do not deserve any mercy... Death is their just reward, don't you agree?"

His eyes flashed red for a few seconds and he stared up at the sky. Finally, he said, "After all these years, there's no turning back. I will continue in making my world for the malfested and on her behalf I will still allow humans who are like her to live." He continued looking up at the night sky shining down on him."It's better this way. If those humans die, they'll have eternal rest in the spiritual world. That's their salvation and that can be their world." His hand curled into a fist as he gestured to the heavens above. "But this world is mine. All mine! And it will be rebuilt the way I see fit!"

"That is good to hear, Raphael."

"Good, this partnership is working quite splendidly I must say." Turning away, he left the garden to retired for the night.

"Oh Raphy! Oh goody! You're still alive and kicking!"

Dark clouds blocked out the light of the moon and a chill penetrated the air as a few ravens cawed and landed on the branches of his trees and looked down with glaringly red eyes.

Dumas turned around at the sound of that irritating voice and he snarled hatefully, "You... how did you-" But he stopped when he saw her bloody ring blade. She was sitting on a tree branch of his apple tree and blood decorated her weapon and clothes. In her hands, she held a dead soldier by the scruff of his neck and she tossed the body down at him.

Leaping down, she strolled towards him casually while putting on a coy expression. "It was nothing really. I just danced around and chopped off a few limbs here and there." She put a hand on her hip and shook her head at him. "My my, the humans were as slow as a turtle! And your malfested soldiers weren't much better. Did you actually train them? Because mine are much better..."

He merely narrowed his eyes at her. "How dare you show your face here. I shall make sure that you will not leave in one piece. Voldo!" At his master's command, Voldo leaped out faithfully from the shadows and hissed at Tira and at her new ally.

A small girl about ten years old with curly blonde hair smiled and her deep blue eyes sparkled with amusement. "Do you want to play with me?" Snapping her fingers, white strings came out from her fingers and attached themselves to the dead corpse Tira had tossed down. Moving her fingers, she controlled the body and made it walk over to her. A cold wind made her short white dress flap in the air and she blinked at him with her big blue eyes.

Dumas asked coldly, "How old are you?"

"Me? I am going to be twenty seven this year." The young girl immediately pouted. "My body is that of a child forever... I will never grow up and no one will ever accept me. They all laughed... or shunned me." Her eyes flashed red for a second as she smiled. "I hate them all."

Dumas snapped at Tira, "What have you done to her!"

Tira looked surprised and she pointed to herself. "Me? I didn't do anything to little Laura. I just let her natural instincts take over." Tira giggled and said demurely, "I have alot of the malfested under my command actually... hehe heheh ehehehehe." Playing with her white and purple pigtails, Tira smiled. Pyrrha was not the only malfested she had seduced and gathered. There were many more of them under her command and she was only bidding her time until they were ready. Glancing over at her hated enemy, Tira said, "Unlike your soldiers whom you train daily so that they can control themselves, mine are ruled by their instincts. It's so much funner, don't you agree?"

"How dare you!" shouted Dumas. Those who were malfested were in constant danger of warping into monsters if they let the evil energy in the bodies take full reign. Tira had let her minions do whatever they want and now they were totally vulnerable to hatred and bloodlust. They were now nothing more than monstrous killing machines. His own people powers were slightly less powerful but they didn't have to fear for their sanity as he trained them. "Tira! You monster! I'll kill you right here and now! Guards!" The guards that were still in the house rushed out and Dumas said, "Get them out of my sight."

Laura and his soldiers engaged in vicious combat while Tira howled with delight. "Ah! As impatient as always Raphy. But I'm not really here to fight you. I came here for the priestess."

"You will not touch her!" The shard in his hand glowed and Soul Edge, in it's phantom form materialized in his hand. His eyes glowed red and his voice deepened. "Out of my sight. Filthy cur!"

"Haha! Show me what you got." Leaping into the air, Tira skated her ring blade towards him and her eyes sparkled with delight as he blocked the blow and the two traded a few moves back and forth. Sparks flew down the length of their blade and Tira cut at the soldiers who dared intervened in their battle. When another soldier fell, she leaped backward from Nightmare's last attack and turned into her gloomy mood. "Where's the real Soul Edge? That is just a piece of its powers."

"I don't have to answer to you. Begone!" Dealing two vertical strikes, he readied himself for a low attack but Tira dodged it.

"Hmph. This is a waste of time... I can't believe my jolly side wanted to come all the way here for this," drawled Tira, draping her ring blade over her shoulder. "She just wanted to let you know that the new host for Soul Edge is doing splendidly well. Heh. You should start counting your days Raphael. It's not going to last much longer."

He said dryly, "You came all this way just to tell me that?"

"Not quite. My jolly side also wanted to give the priestess a little present. Here, you can give this to her." Tira took something out and chucked it at him.

Catching it, he looked down in disgust. "A dead bird? What is the meaning of this?"

With Tira's unstable mental state, she turned back into her jolly side and giggled. "It's no ordinary bird. It's her bird! Now, I really like animals but that stupid thing pecked me! And since it belonged to her, I didn't really like it. That's just a way of giving her a message really... now that I finally know where she is." Let out a loud cackle, she said, "Tell her I'll kill everyone around her one by one until she is left. Once my new vessel is ready, and I have Soul Edge back again, she'll be the final dish that will open up the gates!"

"Get her!"

"Now my pretties!" Letting out a shrill whistle, many of Tira's new watchers cawed and came forth. Dark feathers flew everywhere and when Dumas could see again, she and her companion was gone.

"Damn you Tira!" He looked at the orange size white bird in his hand and his face was grim. "Double the guards! A few of you can go and search this city! Everyone else, be on your guard! If you find her, cut her throat open for me."

Deep in her medicated sleep, Talim whimpered slightly as an ill wind came through the opened window. Her hands unconsciously tightened around the bedsheets and even though it was a warm night, Talim felt ice cold.

The next morning...

"Talim. Wake up my dear." Dumas smiled slightly as Talim huddled down into the blankets Behind his back, he held a large bouquet of lilies that he had picked for her himself. After the events of last night, he wanted to apologize to her for her hurting her. And ever since Tira appeared, he felt even more protective over her. Bright sunlight flooded the room with it's warmth and light and it almost banished all of his fears and worries. He brushed her cheek gently and whispered, "I won't let her hurt you...dearest."

That familiar word nudged Talim awake and she slowly turned her head towards the sound. "What did you just called me?"

"I... I said that you were my dearest friend. That's all. Oh, and I have something for you." Taking out the flowers, he handed them over to Talim and added, "These are my way of apologizing for what happened last night. I hope you'll forgive me."

Even though she couldn't see, she held them flowers in her arms tenderly and traced the petal. Inhaling the sweet scent, she smiled. "Lilies... they're my favorite. Thank you very much my friend. And I forgive you of course."

Hearing this, he felt his heart lighten up and was glad she wasn't angry with him. "Thank you Talim. Now, I need to take care of some important matters so I must leave you for now." He gave her a chaste kiss on the hand and turned to leave.

"Wait. Can you stay with me alittle longer?"

Dumas stopped for a moment and looked at her in puzzlement for the sudden request. He had matters that he needed to attend to but how can he refuse her when she was openly asking him to stay with her. Strolling over, he picked her up and said, "Let's sit in front of the fireplace to keep warm. You were shivering last night Talim. Forgive me for forgetting to close the window."

She smiled and shook her head. "No matter how cold the room may be, I feel warm inside knowing that you're there to protect me."

He looked at her lovingly. "You are correct. I will always protect you, no matter what." Settling her down on the white fur fug before the fire, he noticed her radiant smile as they enjoyed each other's company. "You look very beautiful when you smile Talim."

She blushed and said shyly, "It's hard not to smile when you're always here to talk to me and keep me company. I'm very grateful for your friendship..."

Hearing that, he wrap one arm around her shoulder in a friendly gesture. To be perfectly honest, he was doing his best to restrain himself from pulling her down on the white fur rug and kissing her and touching her slender body. But after seventeen years, he could wait alittle longer. And he had a feeling Talim would still insist on waiting for their wedding day even if she found out that he was Raphael. Thinking about it, he chuckled.

They sat there in silence and listened to the crackling fireplace and enjoyed the warmth from the fire and from each other's presence. Talim breathed in the smell of his cologne as he continued draping his arm around her shoulder and he continued to hold her close. What was this feeling? It made her feel safe and he... felt so familiar. The fabric of his silk red shirt brushed her bare shoulders as he adjusted it and she fidget slightly. "My friend, what is your ethnicity?"

"I am French," he replied hesitantly.

Hearing that, Talim slowly asked, "What is the color of your hair and eyes?"

"Blonde... and my eyes are red. A common trait many malfested have." Seeing that she was going to ask some more, he merely put a finger on her soft lips and lied, " I am not who you think I am. Besides, you would be able to tell by just reading the wind around me. Correct?"

Disappointed, Talim replied,"You're... right. I'm sorry for this."

He stroked her hair and said, "I know it must have been painful for you all these years. But I believe that you and and Raphael will be together again."

Talim's lips quivered and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I just want to make sure he's alright. It's all my fault that he and Amy got separated. I killed him... and because of that, Amy tried to get Soul Edge to revive him. I am at fault for everything."

He shook his head and shushed her as the memories returned to him. "You managed to bring him back. And it was his fault for losing control like that. You did what you thought was best for him. Talim... he took a piece of your soul and you nearly died. And if it wasn't for you, Amy would have died. But thanks to you, she's alive and is somewhere in this world. Stop blaming yourself for everything. Everything will work out in the end." Letting her go, he smiled and said, "How about a story to cheer my beautiful lady up. What do you think?"

Talim shook her head. "My friend, the reason I asked you to stay with me today is so that I can recount my experiences with the the malfested over seventeen years. I want you to live life to the fullest and enjoy the love from your loved ones. Many malfested could not let go of their hatred and it destroyed them in the end. I don't want to see that happen to you."

"This world is cold and those inferior humans all deserve to burn in hell. How many unjust deaths and sorrows have they wrought on us? We, the malfested, will never forget and we will never forgive." He looked at the fireplace and his lips was thin as his hatred for the world flared up inside him.

Saddened that he was still the same as last night, she gently said, " Then hate me as well. For I am just as human as they are."

"Talim..." He tilted her head up slightly and replied, " You are different from them and you're also part storm maiden. And those wretched humans almost killed you. How can you defend them?"

She drew back from his touch. "Although I am part storm maiden, I am still human. Everyone in my village also have powers but the fact doesn't change that we're human." She touched her cheek and remembered the stone that was thrown at her during her execution. "They did not hurt me out of malice. They were just afraid and I forgive them because of that." When he didn't say anything, she continued. "I love this world very much. The blue skies, green forest, deep oceans and majestic mountains along with all the people who live in this world. Many of the humans you despise are actually risking their lives to save the malfested."

"Only a small portion are like you. If I do meet these friends of yours, I'll spare them."

Talim could tell that her words did not seem to be getting through to him. So she communicated with her touch instead. Slowly, she leaned towards him and reached forward.

His eyes widened slightly when he felt her hand on his chest. It moved upward until it rested directly on his heart. Her other hand held his in a comforting grip and she said, "We're all the same. Humans or malfested, we all laugh when we're happy and weep when we're sad. Hate between the malfested have caused much pain and scars. But I know it's possible to move on and understand each other." When he placed his own hand on hers, she whispered, "We... we're all capable of love. This is what will heal us all." As she said that, she couldn't help but feel her cheeks turning red. What made it worse, was Olcadan and her grandmother's words on telling her to let go of Raphael and heal.

Dumas paused before saying softly, "Some wounds will never heal. Scars will remain." He looked away from her. "You may have been raised and surrounded by love as you grew up. That is not the case with me."

"Then I will help you move past those scars," replied Talim firmly.

"Ha," he chuckled as he moved her hand up to his mask. "Really?"

"Even if I wasn't blind, I wouldn't care about how you look like," she replied, knowing that it was the truth. She bit her lips and said sorrowfully, "It has been seventeen years... I..." Drawing away, she hugged her knees and cried.

Dumas quickly placed his hands around her. "Talim what's wrong? Does something hurt?"

Shaking her head, she said, "I'm ashamed of myself."

"For what?"

"I think I'm falling for you," Talim weeped. "It's terrible. I'm betraying Raphael. Worse, I think I'm falling for you because you're so similar to him. You even smell like him!" She sobbed and said, "I'm a horrible horrible woman."

"Talim," he coaxed as he pried her away from her deathgrip on her knees. Brushing away the tears with his thumbs, he said, "I understand that things are probably confusing for you. It doesn't matter to me." Cupping her face, he said, "I will be honest and say that I like you too. But I am not going to push for anything. If you decide to return my affections or continue loving Raphael, I will respect your decision. Just take your time." When she made to tear up, he said, "And no crying, alright?" He kissed her on the forehead and helped carried her over to the bed. "Get some rest, Talim. I will see you soon."

The doors closed and Talim turned on her side, touching her forehead where he had kissed her. At once, the memory of Raphael kissing her on the forehead and proposing to her, surfaced. "Why?" she murmured, curling her body inward as she struggled with her feelings. "Oh Raphael, where are you? I'm so confused."

Out in the bustling city, Dampierre rubbed his hands together slyly and grinned at the mansion a few feet away from him. They were in the rich part of Odenburg and very few people were walking around. Only fancy carriages moved along the nicely decorated street with it's trimmed trees, elegant houses and flowers. But from a distance, a grand manor stood apart on it's own, hidden by a wall and the steps leading to the place was protected by a beautiful gate while two guards stood ready at attention. "Gisele, Alphard, Ludovigo, I hope you're ready. We're going to be infiltrating Graf Dumas's mansion today."

*Reference to Raphael kissing Talim on the forehead and proposing is back in 'A Journey of Fate, the Chapter: The Proposal'

*Thank you for the great reviews, Thalie and diegofu, glad you enjoyed the last chapter. It's probably one of my favorite thing to have written. I love the song The Breeze at Dawn :)