Not long after the door opened. Revealing a man in his twenties using red robes. His blond strand reminded Elda of the sun illustrated in her book. Something she rarely sees in Tenebris Kingdom. The man bows towards Noir.

  “Greetings lord Noir, my Lady, forgive my impertinence of arriving later than promised. My name is Jibran from the Flame Rose of Solen Kingdom.”

  Elda knows there are three factions of the Solen Kingdom and from that faction the people of Solen could choose the next successor of the throne. They’re named after the flower that was used for the coloring of their robes. The red robes of Flame Rose, the yellow robes of Sun Breath, and the orange robes of the Sunset Blossoms.

  “Bringing the second prince of the Flame Rose faction. How generous of the Solen Kingdom, ” smirked Elda. Her eyes stayed on Jibran who was still bowing.

  “Yes my Lady, they believed that I would be up to the task of this diplomatic meeting, as I am able to help not only on the deal but also on my other expertise,” answered Jibran swiftly.

  “Expertice such as?” inquired Noir as he rested his chin on his palm.

  “I’m quite physically trained although not as honed as my brother but enough that I could traverse this extreme land. But that’s only important because of my knowledge. I have gifts in agriculture and supply management. I also had researched all the lands geographically, knowing what kind of plants could survive even the coldest of weather.”

  Noir flinched and then straightened up from his relaxed posture. Elda saw his eyes were full of despair. If Elda guesses, it’s another vision he’s having.

  “Are they offering a political hostage?” Taunted Elda. She saw Jibran stiffened.

  “Yes, my Lady. Quite so.”

  “They could be quite cruel.” sneered Elda. The man who was bowing all conversation just now, lifted his face and glared at Elda. He has bright bronze eyes that are filled with storm and fire. Elda’s sneer turned back into a smirk.

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  “Enough sister,“ interrupted Noir firmly to Elda before facing back at Jibran.

  “We will talk more tomorrow morning. My men will bring you to the meeting halls, I will meet you there. For now rest, for I know you’re delayed by the snowstorm coming here. “

  “Thank you for the considerations my Lord. May you have a lovely evening.”

  Jibran bowed to both Noir and Elda, despite not saying any pleasantries to her. A polite man, Elda presumes. Noir signals his men to escort Jibran back to the guest’s quarters.

  “Why the animosity towards the Solen Kingdom?” asked Noir as he stood up from his throne. He stretched his shoulders. Elda followed his suit and started to walk down the stairs.

  “Nothing. They have been a thorn in my side for quite a while. Seeing one of them with such a passion in his eyes irked me.”

  “Yet it interests you?” asked Noir. Because of course Noir would catch on some little details no one else would register.

  “Maybe so. But not to the point I would be kind to him,” replied Elda curtly. Noir sighed again. Looking ahead while his guards opened the throne room door. They stepped out of the room and started to walk to their quarters.

  “It was the land where our mother was born. Where you got your crimson hair. Couldn’t you give more mercy?” Pleaded Noir. He tousled his own hair as if in stress.

  “This is already mercy. I may resemble my mother in appearance. But don’t expect me to be like her or you,” Elda said sharply with a huff. Noir stayed silent, seemingly to think about something. Or maybe reminiscing on something.

  “How ironic, you look so much like father yet you’re so alike mother. I’m the opposite,” mused Elda, with a quiet chuckle.

  “Then you’re kind in your own way. Father was the same,” stated Noir softly.

  “Stop being soft on me. I hate that.”

  Elda exhaled a harsh breath whereas Noir laughed. Then Elda recalled something.

  “What was that face you made? You can fool other people but not me. Why such sorrow when you saw him?”

  Elda saw him stopped at his track, mouth quivering, hand fisted. Elda stopped as well, turning back to face her brother.

  “His fate?” Inquired Elda. Because that was one of the inconveniences of his ability it seems. Activating when sometimes the user doesn’t even want it to.

  “Be as kind as you can to him, Elda. For he’s a compassionate soul, no matter how we treated him,” answered Noir as he continued to walk.

  “A vision?” Elda followed behind him until they arrived at the hall near their rooms.

  “A lot of it. From a lot of possibilities, and the most likely one. And no matter which possibilities it was, he’s a kind soul.”

  With that Noir retired to his room while Elda ruminated on all the conversation they had since the throne room.