Aiden walked slowly toward the Tower of Beginning, lost in thought. His awareness slipped, his steps guided more by habit than intention.
"This is getting bad."
His brows tightened into a deep frown. The anger from earlier still lingered, but he had swallowed it. Childish insults were safer. Anything sharper might have cost him his life.
Even with their shared past, his hold over the captain was far from absolute.
"I need to see Ailsa."
He exhaled and picked up his pace.
Moments later, he stood inside a vast study that could pass for a library. Books were scattered everywhere. Chaos, yet deliberate.
His gaze swept the room before settling on the stout man across the table.
As expected, Steins didn't look up.
"So Todd is dead."
Aiden stayed silent for a moment.
"You don't seem to care."
Steins paused briefly, then turned a page.
"Soldiers die."
Aiden nodded slowly.
"You really are who you claim to be. Conversations with you are always... refreshing."
A faint chuckle escaped Steins.
"How old are you?"
"Does it matter?"
"I suppose not."
Silence followed.
Their gazes met.
For a brief moment, the room felt... balanced. An old mind refined by time, and a young one sharpened by necessity.
Aiden sighed and took a seat.
"The girls took him."
"I'm aware," Steins replied almost immediately.
"I only needed to confirm he wasn't one of yours."
Aiden frowned slightly.
"Then why send Todd? You could have waited."
This time, Steins looked up. He tilted his head, resting it against his palm.
"Don't tell me you've grown attached."
Amusement flickered in his eyes.
Aiden said nothing.
Steins shook his head and stood, gathering a few books from the table.
"He was just a gift to Endric. I don't keep dogs that question their owner."
He spoke carelessly as he walked toward the shelves.
Aiden leaned back slightly.
"So he was just a pawn. Fine. Doesn't matter now."
He paused.
"What about that thing? You sent him straight to the girls."
Silence.
Then
"But I didn't."
The words came soft. Almost a whisper.
Steins continued arranging his books as if nothing had been said.
Aiden's eyes narrowed.
'Just like I thought… Ailsa.'
Thinking without information was pointless so he stood.
'I'll go see her myself.'
Then his expression darkened.
'And I need to get back before that idiot creates another disaster.'
Without another word, he turned and left.
Steins watched him go.
"What a rude child."
He reached for another book. His eyes lit up slightly as he read the title:
The Way of the Heavenly Dao
"This should be interesting."
Meanwhile, in the southernmost district of Steins City, within a manor so magnificent it belonged only in fairytales, a young maid hurried into a vast hall.
The space resembled a throne room more than a residence.
"My lady, he's not showing any signs of waking."
Her voice carried urgency. Perhaps even fear.
"Of course he isn't. It will take time."
The reply came gently.
The curtains behind the throne stirred.
Step.
A pale leg emerged, flawless, almost unnatural.
Step.
Then she revealed herself.
With golden eyes,calm and bright.
A faint smile rested on her lips, effortless yet dangerous. Every movement she made carried a quiet, suffocating grace.
She didn't feel human.
The maid lowered her head further.
"Kara, you may leave. Send Ailsa to me. We have visitors coming."
"Yes my lady." And just like how she came, she retreated even faster making the lady chuckle.
She took a seat on the throne, her chin rested on her fist and with a light flutter of her brows she fell to sleep....or maybe not.
A few moments later Ailsa walked in with a polite smile. Unlike the lady in the throne, here was indeed warm as it looked.
The lady on the throne opened her eyes and the smile also returned to her face.
If a bystander was present, they would be completely stomped because it would be difficult to tell which smile was more unsettling.
"Ahh, as expected of you little Ailsa, your smile is always the best remedy to any ailment." She said without lifting her chin from fist but the teasing hostility in her voice wasn't hidden at all.
Ailsa bowed deeply. "You called for me my Lady." There was not a single trace of emotion laced in her voice, it was as though the hostility wasn't directed towards her, her smile as warm as it had always been.
The lady stared at her for sometime. She lifted her head from her chin and rested back into her throne.
The dangerous smile on her face was nowhere to be seen.
"I'll be taking the boy with me when he wakes up."
Ailsa continued smile with her head held low.
"As you wish my Lady, it has always been your decision, please let me know if there's anything I can help you with."
The Lady nodded calmly. Her serious look making her even more enchanting.
"You and the others will come with me," Evangeline continued.
"Decide among yourselves who stays behind. Someone must watch the captain... and Albert."
For a brief moment....
Ailsa's smile faltered.
Just a fraction.
Then it returned, just as warm as before.
"Of course, my Lady."
The mention of the captain was something that made her attitude turn more serious.
They had been one faction at the beginning, during the creation of Steins city, the worked together in helping Albert Steins as best they could, but they slowly fell apart.
Their interests started misaligning, there bottom lines was been shredded apart.
So they separated, each with their fellow gender to keep the chaos from overflowing.
But at this moment they were forced to bring a person who wasn't of their gender yet haven't be exposed to the decay of the opposite faction into their ranks.
Ailsa was really against this decision but she was powerless against the Lady who appeared out of nowhere with the name Evangeline.
"My lady, if I may as.."
"Don't!" Lady Evangeline cut her off immediately.
"Just go ahead and start making preparations." She stood up and headed for the curtain behind the throne.
Pause.
"Oh..you have a visitor."
She said and vanished behind the curtain.
Ailsa raised her head , strained her posture, her smile surfaced again and with measured strides she headed for the throne.
"You may come in please." With that she made herself comfortable on the throne while the doors flung open and two figures walked in.