-~*~-
After having their fair share of snacks, they both part ways. It is still not safe for Eker to return home and until it is, he will be staying over at the manor.
After bidding Luyao farewell, Yanyi opened the door to their apartment's courtyard and was a bit puzzled. There stood on the balcony of their living room a medium size box.
Despite the minimalist style she recognized a familiar symbol and let out a huge sigh. "To think you would send someone for this. And breaking in too." She complained before going upstairs and taking the box inside.
The symbol encrusted on the box is the Guardian symbol which means it came from Devian.
She takes the box inside her room, the safest place she could think of. After cutting the tape open, she turns the flaps over and peers into the inside.
Inside contains not many items but one that is quite familiar and old for Yanyi. It is filled with a ton of old research papers. But that is not where her eyes are drawn towards.
There lay a single tattered diary in the center of the box.
Her case journal.
One that she used to record all of her findings about the old unsolvable cases in the empire.
Flipping through each page, she reminisces about her academy days. She had this book for so long and kept it safe by Devian's side.
It's the book that she used to decipher codes and all the weird messages in all the cases that she had read before. Most of these cases are already solved but not in the way the perpetrator would've wanted.
So, Yanyi challenges herself to take all the codes given by the culprit and decipher it herself. It was difficult but not as difficult as scavenging for all the old records. She will never let those moments down.
Now this book is really of no use, not even to Devian or the Imperial family. This is because Yanyi chooses to take cases that are at most 50 years old. The most recent case that she gets a hold of is just the one that happened around 20-25 years ago.
The official records have already been buried deep into the archive so there's no point in even releasing her research. "Brings back memories." She tells herself before her eyebrows start to contort in confusion.
"I've never told Lyon to send it to me? Why the sudden package?"
Rummaging more to the bottom of the box she found a letter attached. Of course it has the iconic Imperial family emblem and colour. "Could've used Willow to send it sonner."
Chirp!
The little bird who had been staying and guarding the house chirped the moment it was called. Yanyi gently uses her index fingers to pat the little feather guy. "Thanks for guarding the house so far, Willow."
Chirp! Chirp!
It seems proud! Really proud indeed!
Turning back to the letter, Yanyi breaks it open and reads the content. It says.
'Licia, in this box I attach all of your previous code and cases that you've solved. It may be useful for you in the future. I have also attached your old case journal. That one has a more pertaining reason. I have included everything you need inside the book. Take your time to read it.
Sincerely, Lyon.'
"Well that ain't much." Shrugging it off, she decided to accept Devian's little help. She didn't focus on the research paper. She can read those later.
What she wanted to read more than anything was an old book.
And so she did. She made herself a cup of warm tea and changed into her casual wear. "Work can wait later, I'll trust that Kazuto has found something big."
She began to flip to the first page of the book.
.
.
.
"Oh boy… Here we go. I wonder if I can crack it this time." She turned to the last case of her early journey. One that no one can decode.
Only one person knew of the origin of the case.
The Emperor himself.
'What is this case?' some might wonder. Well I'll give you a simple introduction.
This case is the infamous 'The disappearance of the 6th founding father'. Now there are a total of five well known founding fathers of Volenix. Each having their own territory to protect.
However, for those who are eager to know the root of the empire from the early days, they will find some documents telling the existence of the 6th founding father.
It is mentioned in many of the texts that this 6th family is not responsible for any territory but rather works closely with the Imperial family secrets. They are what the noble know as the underworld raven.
They work from the shadows deep into the underworld of the empire. Making sure that everyone is following the rules. And if they don't their red piercing eyes would stab daggers into their heart.
Because of their sparse involvement in the above world business not many knew about it. Therefore their existence is more sparse than other founding fathers. The only one who knew is the emperor.
However, one day they just weren't there.
The records of their previous deeds are taken away from most public libraries and burned. Soon enough the underworld is guarded by each head of the state.
With no records telling about their story anymore, they are known as the '6th Founder'.
Now how the hell did Yanyi know about this thing? Well she is the Rin-Lumi of Devian meaning they are somewhat like siblings. Thus the imperial family treated her like their own daughter albeit not blood related.
Same with how the Xue family treats Devian as their own son.
In the future Devian will be the one on the throne. Yanyi, she will be working closely with him. Even closer than any advisor and Empress. It's like she is also part of the throne.
Here's the thing. Usually the previous emperor would give the crown prince all the secrets when he had reached his coming of age ceremony. Devian did receive most of the emperor's secrets. All but one.
There are no records about the secret behind the 6th Founder.
.
.
.
"Hide things? From you?" Devian nodded. He has been pacing around his study for the past 30 minutes. Yanyi is sitting on his study table with her case journal on her lap.
She had come over because her company, according to him, allowed Devian to think more reasonably for almost everything. Yanyi shakes her head, as if she couldn't believe his statement.
"Maybe you're just over-thinking it. Dad is your father. You're the future emperor and his son. Why would there be a need for him to hide things from you?"
"That's what you don't understand! This has never happened before in any generation." The crown prince starts to tighten the grip on his silver white hair. His stress is blowing over. One from the Emperor Dylan and the other came from the Rin in her study.
Yanyi — "What do you mean it had never occurred before?"
Devian — "*sigh* Yes, Dad did give me all of the secret records but it just doesn't add up! There's a record of all the previous secrets that each emperor had received throughout the generation."
Yanyi — "And?"
Devian — "I make a double take. All are there except for one. The 6th Founder."
"Did you ask him about it?"
"I would be stupid for not asking such a highlight?!" Again he starts to be rampant with emotion. Yanyi didn't like where this was going.
"Slow your pace, Lyon." Hearing such advice coming from Yanyi, he wanted to once again yell at her. That is when he turned to find her eyes staring straight at him.
The eyes of someone who believes him.
Taking her advice, Devian takes his steps back to his study chair. Yanyi proceeded to jump down and sat across from him. "What do you want to do now?" She asks, her palms underneath her chin. Awaiting his response.
Devian takes a deep breath in and out. He then turned to look down onto his table. Catching a glimpse of Yanyi's case journal. "Licia." She perked up.
"I have a favour to ask." Her heart just didn't seem to be so happy with what comes next.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!! You want me to help you uncover this whole thing?!"
Devian — "Come on, Licia. You're the only person that the Imperial family trusts to keep our secret."
Yanyi — "Secrets by the Imperial family as a whole! Not the
Emperor's secrets! I'll be punished heavily if I am found out!"
Devian — "Then I'll take the blame."
Yanyi — "Easy for you to say! You're not the one who will march quietly through the secret archive and try to pry all the information in under 10 minutes!"
"Please, Licia. Just this one favour! Take it as your final case journal." Devian begs for her cooperation more and more. Acting like a puppy who had lost his toy and wanted it back. Instead, it's a human form.
Yanyi let out a loud grunt before slumping back on the chair. Her hands cover her face, not wanting to face the man in front. A reluctant sigh came out of her lips before it moved and spoke. "What if I can't solve it?"
"I don't need it to be solved. I just want to know why it is kept a secret."
"Gosh… Never in my life had I done something so dangerous."
"Will you do it?"
Her eyes peek underneath her palms, looking straight at Devian. Then she held out a hand. "One year. I will only try for one year. Whatever I find in that one year, you will accept it."
"Deal!"
.
.
.
Yanyi had to make various trips around the palace. From the secret archive with the excuse to solve her final case. The royal library to search for more history books. To even the temple's library to find any evidence.
At last, when the timer hits one year, she quits. Thus ending her case journal journey.
What she had figured out is that, yes the 6th founder did exist back in the day. However they had at one point betrayed the Imperial family to have even their family name wiped from history.
She does believe that instead of wiping it out of shame it is out of protection. From the looks of the past, the close relation between the Imperial and the 6th didn't make much sense to wipe it out of shame.
Protection makes more sense.
Protection to ensure that people would not know of their existence. Thus connection would not occur, preserving their future lineage to live normally.
The last time this family was heard was around 40 years ago. When the supposed betrayal takes place. One that would eventually break the title and later their disappearance. What the betrayal is, she has no idea.
Finding all of this doesn't really quench Devian's hunger. Sure he had learned about the secret itself. But he has yet to learn why it is kept secret from him specifically.
He kept his promise and didn't linger around it any longer.
.
Yanyi flipped to the end of the page and found a rather thin book inside. Taking it she found a sticky note attached to the front of the cover. "From Dad's library. Sorry and thanks for your effort." Is what it says.
Yanyi then proceeded to read.
Every
Single
Page
.
Twice
.
Flipping to the final page, she found a few stuff falling off. One is a device while the other is a bunch of photos.
Taking one of the photos she can see a family portrait. A mother, a father and a son. Who seems to be around a year old. Confused, she then flipped to the other photo.
It is a more close up shot of the mother and father. "Taken during their youth. Why do they look familiar."
She sees the female to have long straight and silky midnight coloured hair. Her eyes are small and elegant. Gentleness buried deep in her smile.
On the other hand, the male. He has jet black hair. Short and simple in front with two cowlick hairstyles at the back. His eyes are one that she is very familiar with. Crimson Blood. His demeanour is cold and apathetic.
Her grips tighten on the photo. Almost crumpling them.
She then turns to the device that is included. It is an LCTV recording. Her mind is calling to watch it but her heart says no. She can piece everything together from just the book and the photo.
Her head slumped down into her palms. She is tired.
Tried of secrets.
Tired of time.
Tired…
.
10 minutes pass by in silence. Yanyi sits back up and grabs a hold of her old journal. Her right hand then takes a hold of a pen in her stationary stand.
Opening the tip of the pen, she flips to the end of her last written page in the journal. Her hands glide in a smooth motion. With some hint of hesitation.
With the thin book and picture on her right side, she wrote down what needed to be recorded. Every single page is filled from top to bottom with information. Clearing all the blank pages with dark thin lines.
This is her final entry.
Next time…
There will be none.
.
She finished after 2 hours of writing. Her pen was placed gently on her desk.
Solemnly her eyes peers down to the pages. Instead of feeling like a weight has been lifted, more pressure is pressed to her chest. You can even see a tint of regret in her eyes.
Letting out a deep breath "It's time…" Yanyi grabbed the thin book and walked over to the candle lamp in her room. Bringing it out of her room and opening the casing for which the candle is placed inside.
She lifts her arms. The edge of the book touches the flame.
Slowly, the small flame from a wee little candle burns bright. Covering 20…
50…
80…
100 percent of the book. It has turned into a pile of ashes. Scattered on the ground.
Her favour is complete.
Complete with a heavy heart.
.
.
.
Like a robot, her feet move to the kitchen. Cooking dinner for two. Placing it down on the table before having her own bite.
To take away some memories you have to do something in return. Let your mind be distracted. Not be consumed.
Her experiments continue…
.
.
.
On the other hand, around 1:30 in the afternoon that same day. Kazuto is still waiting outside of the forensic room. He had been waiting for like nearly 2 hours. He almost dozed off at one point.
Creak!
The door to the forensic room opened and out came Daniel. A clipboard in his hands. Face filled with confusion with a little hint of shock.
"Daniel!" Hearing his name, he turned his head. He walked over to Kazuto, one of the people he was searching for. "Young Marquess, I have all the data that I can collect with the… patient?"
He handed over the clipboard to Kazuto. The man takes it and flips through them, making sure to read all the details at hand. He then proceeded to walk into the room with no hesitation.
Daniel doesn't mind so why should he.
Daniel — "I was quite surprised with the man's body. He is eerily similar to a dead body. At first I thought that it was a living person that had some sort of weird condition."
Kazuto — "And?"
Daniel — "He's not a living person, sir. He had died for a week already."
Kazuto — "A week? Are you sure that he is not a living human?"
Daniel — "By the blood test that I have taken, I am 90% positive. Not only that but his muscles, tissue and organs… All of them had ceased to function for the same amount of days."
Kazuto gritted his teeth. "This is far beyond our task." he mumbles to himself. He then turns back to Daniel. Wishing to ask one final question. "How come the body is moving when it is already dead?"
"All of his organs are not functioning anymore, even his brain. However, sir… His heart."
"It is rapidly beating and pumping working blood into the rest of the body."
"The rate?"
"Inhumane…"
.
.
.
-~*~-