! ! ! WARNING ! ! !
Chapter contains fighting and blood. Not excessive but just want remind everyone this story will have violence, even murder, in the future.

Seungcheol stared at the silver-haired in front of him, his heart surprisingly in a flutter. He blinked once, twice, thrice yet the mad thuddings inside his chest still incessantly hammered on. His lips pursed in deep thought, the expression on his face becoming peculiar. There was a hint of confusion, suspicion, and unexpectedly, intrigue swirling and turning in the depths of his gaze.

His pretty doe eyes sparkled with unabashed curiosity.

The person standing before him had hair as silver as moonlight and eyes seemingly obsidian like a starless night sky – quite eye-catching, he candidly thought. Meanwhile his robes were as white as snow, etched with off-white cloud embroideries and glittering silver linings – a stark contrast to his deep burgundy soft armor; he could somewhat discern that the messenger was indeed from Aer by his robes. Yet, he could not lower his guard down at the moment.

His instincts had saved his little life countless times before; and now there's this familiar heaviness in his chest, gnawing at him, Seungcheol couldn't help but be wary.

Sharp almond eyes met with inquisitive doe ones.

With a quirk of his lips, the silver-haired took out something from his robes – it was a fist-sized medallion, a familiar symbol engraved on it.

The young general's gaze turned surprised. Seungcheol clearly recognized the medallion.

" Guoshi [1] sent you?" he asked, his tone with slight disbelief.

"The forest is quiet and peaceful yet dangers still lurk within," the other curtly answered.

Sungcheol's brows furrowed together.

The dangers of the Forest of Lubra were known to all in Domhan; it's a place which was easy to enter but was rather difficult to leave. Nevertheless, he could still not trust the messenger easily.

He, indeed, had expected some sort of welcoming party from the kingdom, but he actually never would have expected for Aer's highly acclaimed Guoshi to personally send an envoy.

This matter wasn't simple at all.

Every nation has its own Guoshi; they were all heavily involved in running state affairs. Yet Aer's Guoshi was a special exception.

Dong Hai Zi Wang [2], or Lord Donghae, was an elite elemental. He came from beyond the East Sea. As to where exactly was his origins, no one dared to ask.

Zi Wang has a lofty personality. He's hardly involved in politics nor does he interfere with matters of the kingdom. To say the least, his position as Guoshi was merely a figure-head title – a small courtesy given to him by his good friend, Her Majesty, the Queen of Aer.

And now this wilful and aloof deity had sent someone to him, Seungcheol would have put his master's teachings in vain if he wasn't doubtful.

Moreso, he's actually beyond skeptical!

The silver-haired noticed his doubts. He shook his head, chuckling softly. He then grinned at Seungcheol. "The prince is his beloved disciple," he reasoned, the tips of his lips turning into a smirk.

The latter's eyes widened in shock. "He is?" he blankly gawked.

A firm nod gave from the silver-haired affirmed his words.

The young general then turned to his men, his gaze blazing. "Why wasn't I informed of this?" he angrily bellowed.

His deputy immediately stepped forward and knelt down on the ground, his head bowed. "We've failed the general," Kim Mingyu stiffly answered. "Please punish."

The rest of the army also followed suit, asking the general for punishment.

"Now, now. There's no need for that," the silver-haired languidly drawled. He looked at Seungcheol then towards the kneeling men, a condescending look flashing across his eyes. "Only a few knew about it," he said, rolling his eyes in the process.

Seungcheol stared at him with a piercing gaze, trying to discern any falsehoods. Deep, almond eyes confidently gazed back at his doe ones.

Seemingly like a lifetime has passed, the young general eventually looked away first, forgoing his earlier intention. He then pardoned the soldiers and walked towards his stead, looking thoughtful.

With a jump, he swiftly straddled his horse and grasped its reins.

Doe eyes met with almond ones again.

"Lead the way," he domineeringly told the silver-haired, nodding towards the forest. He acted as if he hadn't doubted the other's intention.

The silver-haired looked at him askance, clearly not liking his tone. Seungcheol helplessly shrugged. He couldn't help it if he was used to using such a voice – he was general after all.

Mumbling curses under his breath, the silver-haired then went to his own horse.

"Oh I'll lead you guys, alright," he darkly muttered. "I'll lead you all to Hell!" he disdainfully sneered.

**

"Where is he?"

The voice was languid yet one could still sense the majestic aura of its speaker. Hearing this, everyone in the throne room shuddered, their hearts almost jumping out of their chests. They kept their heads lowered, avoiding the speaker's terrifying gaze.

No one answered, either too afraid to answer or suffer its consequences. Obviously, keeping mum was the best solution at the moment.

The figure sitting atop of the throne disappointingly glanced at her ministers. They were all excellently adept in handling the kingdom's affairs yet unexpectedly turned dull when it came to the prince. Looking at them shamelessly cowering their heads, they were seemingly like turtles hiding in their shells. She couldn't help but sigh in seeing this.

Her thoughts then went back to the prince – her godson.

She was Song Jihyo, the Queen of Aer with the title of Hui Mie Nu Wang [3]. She could defeat hundreds and thousands with a wave of her hands yet she couldn't even win against her godson's mischievousness. She was honestly helpless when it came to him. He wasn't spoiled to such an extent but she owed him too much thus she usually let him do whatever he wanted – and now he's run off to God-knows-where! At such an important time too, she internally groaned.

Her peerless face turned sombre. She's regretting it now. Regretting it too terribly!

Already feeling a headache, she glanced at the ministers again. "Where. Is. He?" she repeated, her voice getting colder and colder by the word.

The ministers felt cold sweat slid down their backs, their hearts chilled. The Queen was truly angered now.

"Punish us, Your Majesty!"

No one knew who started it but everyone repeated the words, all kneeling and kowtowing on the floor.

"Punish us, Your Majesty!" – these words reverberated throughout the throne room, causing others to wonder what had conspired inside for such a heavy plea.

The Queen waved her hand, her sleeves flicking, sending a gust of wind towards the ministers, stopping them from kowtowing further. "Since you all don't 

know,"said, her gaze squinting. "I'll look fostep."

She was about to leave when a familiar voice coming from the doorways halted her steps.

"No need to worry about my little disciple," an elegant man wearing pale blue robes said as he entered the throne room, his steps light and unhurried. "Wherever he is right now, I'm sure he's safe and sound," he added, a languid smile adorning his face.

Hearing his words, instead of feeling relieved, The Queen became even more concerned.

She glanced at the elegant man. "Lord Donghae," she acknowledged her friend, Dong Hai Zi Wang, or Aer's Guoshi, Lord Donghae. She then leaned back on her throne, lightly tapping her fingers in a rhythm and her eyes suspiciously narrowing.

"You know where he is."

It wasn't a question. It was obvious her good friend knew where his troublesome disciple was – or more accurately, he was the one who gave him permission to.

Lord Donghae affirmed with a nod, knowing her thoughts. "I even gave him my medallion," he told her with a proud grin.

Her eyes twitched. This pair of master and disciple truly do know how to stretch her limits, she thought wryly.

Massaging her temples, she impatiently looked at him. "Then where did you send him?" she asked. "His fiance will be arriving here soon from Teine, along with his men. The prince needs to be here."

"I know," Lord Donghae said with a nod. "That's why I sent Soonyoung to personally welcome them."

The Guoshi's words were like lightning, striking everyone in their hearts. Remembering the prince's reaction of his marriage, horror was immediately etched onto their faces – even The Queen.

Unaware of the awkward expressions of everyone in the throne room, Lord Donghae took out a fan from his robes and lightly chuckled. "It's an opportunity for them to get to know each other and nurture their relationship," he started, as if explaining his reason. "Although it's an arranged marriage – and Soonyoung's duty to uphold, it'd be nice for feelings to develop," he expressed, a complacent look on his face.

The Queen stared at him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at his decision. She was honestly quite lost.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to the e