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Near lunch hour, Luyao returned back to the station. Entering his shared office he saw the table belonging to his partner is in a complete mess. Papers all over the place. The culprit is sitting behind said table.
"What are you doing?" He questioned, hanging his coat on the coat rack. Yanyi didn't answer his question as if she was going to immerse in her own world. She didn't even notice when Luyao had come her way.
Snap!
"Huh?" Is all she let out. Eyes are now staring at where Luyao is. The Inspector then repeat his question again. This time she did answer it, "Writing reports for the Imperial family. Have a couple more and I have to copy it three times."
Luyao — "Three times?"
Yanyi — "Yeah. The Emperor, Leon and one to the Marquess Ryuichi. Since this incident occurred in Kinsel, I have to hand the report to the head of state before it could be contested in any court. A complicated procedure."
Luyao — "That's a lot for one case."
Yanyi — "One can't run away from formality even if she wants to."
"Anyway I can help you?" Sincerely he is asking for guidance. He had his fair share of formalities but most of them had to go to the head of the state first. Hardly had he ever needed to write to the Imperial family.
Now that he is taking the name of the Zheng again, he ought to learn the necessary protocol even if it's a bit late. Yanyi didn't ignore his hand and started to search underneath her table. She then proceeded to pull out a stack of papers.
Yanyi — "These are the ongoing official documents for the station. I need it to be signed before it can be handed out to the respective organization."
Luyao — "So I have to handle the normal paperwork?"
Yanyi — "You did say that you won't bother with the next case, right? It's not like I won't teach you. I'll teach you the next time we get another big case, okay?"
Luyao wanted to ignore her talk and walk away but… he can't say no when Yanyi pulls out her smile. He had long known that her smile is his biggest weakness but he can't run away from it. Nor can he build immunity for it.
He wiped down his face with his palm before taking the stack of paper and sitting back on his table. At least he has some work to do. Not tutoring eker again. That boy can learn for himself now.
"Oh! I almost forgot." Luyao turned to Yanyi's direction before she explained how she had planned on putting Daniel and Andrew in the Soter's Academy soon. She planned on visiting the Countess later this week to ask for permission.
The reason she had told Luyao is because Daniel doesn't have any family members. If she didn't make a mistake, Luyao had once told her how Daniel had been a person Luyao had saved while he served in the military and had been working for him.
Long story short, Luyao is his unofficial guardian. Despite him being 19 years old already.
Luyao didn't go against it and thanked Yanyi for giving Daniel such an opportunity. Yanyi waved it off and both continued their work.
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Night envelopes the sky and the owl returns to hunt. Yanyi stretched her arms and eventually closed her table for the day. The same goes to Luyao. They both prepare to clock out.
The big sister is watching his younger brother sleeping so peacefully on the couch. Waiting obediently for Yanyi to finish her work. They had their dinner already so there should be no concern for him getting famished.
Gently, her arms wrapped around the boy's little body. Her arms situated underneath his thighs and one behind his back. Luyao had taken the liberty of driving them back home. To which Yanyi handed out her own hand. "Why don't you spend the night over?"
Luyao — "Are you sure?"
Yanyi — "Yeah. Irene is not at home and it would take a long time for you to go back to the manor anyway. It'll be a waste of time. Besides, we have a guest bedroom so feel free to sleep over for the night."
Luyao — "I'll take you up on that offer then."
Sooner than later, they reach Irene's apartment and prepare for a night full of rest. Yanyi bathes Eker while he is fast asleep and takes a bath for herself. Since there's no knocking on her bedroom door, she figured that Luyao didn't need any help to situate himself.
Seeing the clock on the wall that has yet to reach midnight, Yanyi decided to spend the rest of the night writing to Devian. Reaching her study table she saw a note placed underneath her table lamp.
'You gave me that book this morning to save everything! - Irene'
"Give you a book this morning?" She was genuinely confused with that statement. As far as she knew, she had never given anything to Irene yesterday morning. The book is strictly for her to hold.
The most weird part is the fact that she hadn't even gone to Irene in the morning. She had left for the station really early on. She is preparing to go to Red Leaves Village. It would be impossible for her to go to Irene and then suddenly be on the road for Red Leaves Village.
Did someone steal that book?
Quickly, Yanyi pulls open her drawer and pulls out the secret compartment. Thinking that someone had broken into her room. However to her surprised and uneasy heart, no trace of breaking in or even attempting to steal her book.
The book. Her journal book. Is safely tucked inside the drawer.
Safe and sound.
Even the LCTV recording is there.
Even that little box.
"Did someone copy my book? Did someone disguise as me? How?" Thinking more and more about this is making her head spin in a weird way. All of the silence surrounding her is suddenly buzzing.
Taking a hold of her chair, she shakes her head to bring her back to reality. She then eyed the paper and envelope on the table. "Looks like I can't delay this message anymore." For the rest of the night, Yanyi spent all of her sanity writing.
When her head could no longer take it, she ended her report and went to bed. Making sure that no one is able to penetrate her humble abode. She will send that note tomorrow morning.
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Underneath the shining moon, the wind blew away from the west to the east.
Their white capes swayed underneath the bright moonlight.
Their eyes watching the small changes in the town.
The full moon engulfed by the cloud soon turned dim.
Its light is no longer viable for the late passerby.
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The next couple of days are just mundane tasks here and there. From settling needed work to accompanying Eker to shop for his illusion ceremony. According to Marchioness Vaiden herself. "A young warrior shall also dress like a warrior. In other words, handsome."
Yanyi didn't object to her demands and accompanied her whenever she wished to buy more clothes for Eker. One thing she is thankful for. She can spend her salary for groceries this week.
Oh also, Luyao had also changed his name officially. Needless to say it reached the entire state and many had even started to research his family. To no one's surprise not much is able to uncover the dark side of it.
All they know is that Luyao is from one of the founding father families. That's it. Period.
Kazuto is now healed from his previous injuries and Irene had also started to compile her end of intern contract. What they want to do after this is none of Yanyi's nor anyone's concern. As long as it doesn't bother the official stuff.
Yanyi's life is also not much different. She juggles between teaching Eker and working. Not only that she needs to also keep a strict tab on Eker's Elotion ceremony. Speaking of which she had just realized something.
It's a month away.
And she has yet to make a reservation.
She stood up from her table and took her coat off the rack. Quickly her legs descended down the stairs and went out. Luyao, who is taking turns in teaching, turns to Yanyi and her sudden rush. Then the same thing strikes him which he quickly pushes away.
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After much time, the lady's figure finally emerged from the temple's gate. She has put for a last minute Elotion date. One that has been discussed beforehand with the rest of the adults here in Kinsel.
All she has to do is tell the Marchioness and she can start handing out invitation. Sure it is an elotion ceremony meant to reward the birth of a new warrior. But since Eker is new to the noble circle they all figure that it could also serve as his entrance ceremony.
If he can make a couple of acquaintance that is enough for everyone.
But the most important part.
For him to have fun.
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The Elotion Ceremony.
The day has finally come. And the whole group, including the Ryuichi's, decided to move together to the venue. So they had spent yet another night over at the Ryuichi's for easy transportation.
The ceremony doesn't start until noon but they had to be there really early. Eker not only had to have his prior learning about the whole ceremony he was also given a private quick tutor by the head priestess about the whole Signia thing.
Marquess, Luyao and Kazuto will be handling the technical and logistic side of the afterparty. As well as greeting all the guests that will soon come over.
Irene and Marchioness will be handling the ceremony decorations and what not. Making sure that nothing is off the radar even for the last minute.
Yanyi?
Well she will not not be doing anything. She herself has something much more detrimental to do. This has to do with her long distance relationship with Devian who is in Ashrin. Her Rin flows.
Long distance really puts a strain on Rin-Sil. That is the reason why each state in Volenix has a grand temple that resides in a special area specifically made for Rin-Sils. No one but them can enter.
It is like a charger for Rin-Sil and each person has the duty to make sure that their bonds are not severed intentionally. Why?
See it as this, Rin are the foundation of energy for signia and magic in this world. Rin-Sil is the foundation of those Rin energy generating throughout the whole empire. That is why Rin-Sil are highly protected individuals that will have to be registered under the grand temple.
Yanyi being the Holy Maiden and Devian being the Holy Guardian is not only important to the empire's structure but also to the Rin foundation. Essentially they are the base foundation of the Rin across the Volenix empire. If one dies then the energy would be near to non-existence.
That would be in literal death
Or
In Rin's death.
Thus, the garden acted as a gateway to reach out through the whole Yucoria. No matter where the other Rin-Sil is, as long as they are alive they won't die from Rin deprivation.
Also this has become a routine for Yanyi to come and visit once a month practically. That's the short answer.
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On the other hand,
Luyao, who is also greeting oncoming guests, saw from his peripheral view of a temple worker coming over to him. Before the man could call for him, he had turned and raised his eyebrows. "Young Master Zheng, the new warrior is calling for you and Lady Yanyi."
"Right now?"
"Yes, young master."
"Very well. I will go there right away." The man then bowed once again before taking his leave. Luyao then made his way to the northern tower. Walking up the stairs he soon came face to face with a pearly colour gate.
Made of marble and stone yet the aura around it is nothing but pure energy. Inside he saw the lady she was looking for laying down, surrounded by a field of blue irises. Luyao knocked on the pearly gate which quickly brought the woman's attention.
She quickly sat up and patted her clothes away. Clean like a newly bought one. She walked over and stood at the other end of the pearly gate. Her lips etched a teasing smile. "Can't enter, Young Master Zheng?"
Luyao — "Nope. But I know what can make you walk out."
Yanyi — "Eker? Did something happen to him? The ceremony wasn't supposed to happen for another hour is it?"
Luyao — "Yeah. One of the temple men told me that Eker is searching for the both of us specifically. Figure that I had to come and get you first."
"Let's go then." Yanyi didn't waste time and stepped out from the garden and walked alongside Luyao down the northern tower. Her feet brought her to where the supposed tutoring room is. The guards immediately bowed and let the two inside.
Upon opening the door, Yanyi is face to face with her younger brother sitting on the central bench. Four statues stood behind him. It's formation as if guarding him. "Eker, what's the matter?"
Eker eyes then stare towards Yanyi. There is no hint of fear or tears. No, instead his face is screaming embarrassment. That is when things strike Luyao and Yanyi at once. "Ouh… We forgot."
It has been so long since they received their signia. They had forgotten that members of the founding father needed to recite a specific vow before the ceremony started. And the thing is, that vow is completely in the ancient language of the empire.
And they didn't teach him anything.
"Let's recite the vow together, okay?" Yanyi says, trying to ease the embarrassment a bit. Luyao didn't walk over instead he stood over to the side. Looking away from the sibling pair.
He then recalled the vow that he had taken 12 years ago. Something along the line of.
'To write the path towards peace,
To ensure the harmony of the people,
To conquer the evil of the world,
To vanquish the wrong,
To preserve the light of the empire.
I, Chen Luyao, vow to never raise my cryst against my family,
My friends,
And the innocence of the empire.
Let this vow be the proof of my sincerity and my oath.'
That but all in ancient language. It's hard for him to translate so he won't. After 5 minutes the vow was finished and he turned back to the pair of siblings. Eker is now much more calm and less red than before.
Yanyi is also holding onto his little hands. Her arms wrapped around the little figure. Hoping that whatever is getting the little guy a bit nervous is now far away.
The more he watched the more he wanted to make her his wife.
Right?
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-~*~-