Epsilon continued.

“Scars, or marks,” He pointed at her, “You still have a few chains. I can see them. It’s how you’re being tracked.”

Ryunise frowned at him deeply, “What are you…chains? Tracked?”

“They can’t hear any conversations you have though, but if they try hard enough, they can generally see what you see.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Hold on! Who are you even talking about?”

“The coven that’s responsible for trapping you in the realm of sleep, sweetness.”

“Gods, I’m going to throw up on you…” She felt like she would turn green at his sudden nickname, “What coven?”

“Haven’t found that out yet,” He waved a hand, “And, honestly, it’s not my place.”

“Oh, you’re just a joy to have when it comes to helping.”

“Always,” Epsilon nodded, “The chains can’t be broken right now. So, it’s quite possible you may or may not still be influenced by Dark Sleep. You might even fall into another one.”

“…are you saying that I can be in another coma?” Ryunise stared at him.

“I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what I said.”

“What?! But how?!”

“Dark Sleep, when successful, can have a wide range of side effects. And depending on how successful, it might even be a permanent affliction.”

“So, you’re saying I could have this for the rest of my life.”

“Again. I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what I said.”

Ryunise slumped again. She was tired already, how can she be even more tired? But in a different way?

“…you’re concerned about that, but not me. Right here. Who can take everything away from you,” Epsilon pressed the subject again.

“You’re still going on about that?”

“Now I’m just curious.”

“Oh, now it’s YOU who’s curious?” She snorted, “Epsilon. If you were going to kill me, you would have. You’re not the type to waste your breath. Since you bypassed all protections, you’re so powerful that with just a flick you could blow up the whole road with this carriage with just a thought. But you don’t. Instead, you bothered to cast Mute to secure a space for us to talk and leave my servants alone.”

“Hmm…interesting. But why would I do that?” Epsilon asked.

“Don’t know,” She responded, “All I know is that you have no intentions of killing me, or harming anyone.”

“What if it’s a ruse?”

“Oh, please. My bullshit meter is unparalleled,” Ryunise shrugged casually, “So, why should I be afraid?”

Epsilon was quiet again, which was unusual. He was left moderately stunned without words twice already in a span of a few minutes. Fascinating. Very fascinating.

He scoffed again at her, “You’re surprisingly simple.”

“I still don’t give a fuck,” She crossed her arms.

“I wasn’t expecting you. Just saying.”

“So? How do I get rid of these ‘chains,’ or whatever, as you’ve said?” Ryunise waved a hand, wanting the conversation to move along.

Epsilon saw the basket of baked goods. He swirled a finger in its general direction and a berry and cheese roll floated over to him. He studied it, letting it tumble slowly in the air before him, as if showing off in a pageant.

“Dunno.”

“Then what use are you?”

“You want me to be useful?”

“You seem to do whatever you want. Whether or not you’ll be helpful or a pain in the ass isn’t up to me, now is it?”

“Good girl.”

“Okay, that I’ll let it slide.”

Epsilon opened his hand and the bready goodness came down to rest on his palm. But he wasn’t looking at the bread, rather his shock-green eyes told his mind was elsewhere, “Even I can’t tell where exactly these chains are ending up…I don’t know who made the links, nor who can pull them. Or if it even can be pulled.”

“But why?”

“Hmm?” He glanced down at her.

“Why me?” The girl asked, “Why? I’m not really worth it, right? That’s so much of a hassle. It would be better wasted on a higher nobility, or skills, wealth, connections, at least God and Goddess affinity. Why would they want a child? Is it because Marcaes Emerodelle is my father?”

“You ask a lot of questions that mean the same thing,” He said, “No. I doubt it’s because you’re the daughter. But you said you’re not worth it. But, you see, the cast of Dark Sleep should already be the answer.”

Ryunise paused then. She lifted her head a little as it sunk in. That’s right. Dark Sleep came with so much consequences and high on the mortality skill. The fact that she was driven into such a state means she definitely was worth it. But what exactly is that worth? What could she possibly have that they could want?

“You also mentioned God and Goddess affinity,” Epsilon sustained, “Are you so sure? You haven’t even been tested yet.”

She looked back at him.

“You seem so sure about that avenue, but it’s quite possible that that might be a reason.”

“But, it’s not possible to foresee someone’s affinity unless it’s through the Church. Specifically, it’s some of the High Fathers and each High Mother that can even divine a person’s affinity.”

“Ah, actually, they can only confirm, log in texts, and announce publicly what they are,” Epsilon informed, “Rakoul Kingdom relies heavily on the Church’s texts and takes them seriously more than the laws of the land. They’re just as undisputed as the Kings’ orders.”

“What…?”

“Exactly. Just because it seems like the Church is the likeliest place to see into a person’s soul and affinity ascendants, they’re just there for formality and official authority ordained by royalty,” He said.

“So, you’re saying that…” She paused then shook her head, “You’re just saying that it’s a possible reason. Not that that is the actual reason.”

“Very good,” Epsilon inclined his head, “You don’t really have much of an ego…”

“Are you joking? Of course I do. But just enough that I have confidence in myself.”

“That’s not ego. That’s just flat confidence,” He scoffed again.

“Anyway…how do I get rid of it? This icky crap.”

“Icky…” Epsilon rolled his eyes, “You sure have strange words.”

“None more stranger than you, Epsilon, I’m sure.”

“For now, I don’t have an answer for that. Dark Sleep is something I’m not very familiar with either. Since it’s so obscure with a low percentage for success, there are rumors that successes could also have various degrees. After all, I did mention additional side effects.”

Ryunise sighed. A pillow lowered down and she clutched it along with the scabbard for Caelus. She tucked her legs in and curled up a little. So much thoughts were pounding around her skull now making a pent house on top of the apartment of questions in her mind. It should be made into a sanitorium, she thought, with how much thoughts are living in her head now.

“…I can’t believe a brat actually hit me. With a pillow. In the face.”

“Oh yeah?”

“And then threatened to kick my face in.”

“Oh, no. I was aiming to relieve the burden of your poor, stiff shoulders by punting your head clean off.”

“I’m amazed you could say that all with a straight face.”

“Same to you, Epsilon,” She sneered.

Epsilon tugged down his mask a bit. In one second the baked treat was gone from his hand and the mask settled back in place. How the hell does someone eat so fast? She thought. If he even is human.

“That was surprisingly decent,” He looked at her, “Your father will be back in one minute exactly.”

“What? You can track people too?”

“That’s an odd sort of way to ask if he’s fine.”

“I know he’s fine, shadywad. I can feel it.”

“And we’re back to interesting nicknames.”

“There are plenty more where that comes from. As well as another pillow punch to the face.”

He lifted his hands in defeat, “All right, all right. When you get to the Church, be sure to keep meeting me and what I said to yourself.”

“Why? Are you secretly a criminal and therefore I should turn you in immediately?”

“That’s a steep turn of thinking,” His lips twitched under his mask, “No. And I suspect you know why.”

“That goes without saying. It’s because I don’t know how to trust in the Sacred Oraclast Church. Religion is always a convenient mantle when you want to hide the devious and dastardly. And, sometimes, it’s the most pure that is the most evil.”

“…seriously. How old are you?”

“Old enough to kick your ass,” She glared at him.

“Your instincts and intuition are sharper than your tongue, too. All right. You make sure to turn that to full power when you’re within the walls. Who are you seeing?”

“Why should I tell a bizzaro character like you?”

“I’m not a stranger if you call me by my name.”

“I’ve met you – unwillingly – TWICE, mind you.”

“See? We’re not strangers anymore. You call me by my name, razz me, swear at me, and you’re not trying to kill me. I think this officially makes us friends.”

“Acquaintances. You’re not a friend. You’re way too fucking annoying.”

“You’ll change your mind one day.”

Do I tell him? She asked herself. There was so much going on. But the protections haven’t activated. Epsilon even touched her father’s Cobalt Nobelle crest and nothing happened. Who the hell is this guy?

“Principle August Haviomist,” She decided to say.

He perked slightly, “Oh? Old Fally Auggie? Then that’s fine. You can trust him. Just watch if you’re ever in front of him.”

She furrowed her brows at him, “Wha? Why?”

“Old Fally Auggie has the world record of being a professional klutz. It’s why we started calling him ‘Fally Auggie.’” Epsilon shifted forward, “Hold still.”

“Wait, what are you—” Ryunise flinched and breathed a little sharply.

Epsilon was brushing two fingers over her eyes. His black gloves were velvet, soft, and warm, but there was a pain that unfurled like sunrays behind her eyes. She could’ve sworn she heard a ‘snap’ inside her head. It was brief, only lasting for one second, and then withdrew into a dull hole. Spots polka dotted across her vision in dim, muddy colors. No. No, no, I don’t want the darkness again. I don’t want the prison...!