Chapter 12 - “Would You Care to Join us For Tea?”

A few weeks have passed since the Divine Lord Foeni left and the incident with the three Battalions in Limes Temple. Everyone starts following her rules to a 'T' as Captain Jairu supervises and reports directly to her.

She is staring at the ceiling as she carefully considers her next move. She is holding a thick book in her arms as she rested her eyes from reading too much. In her mind, she can't possibly laze around there while waiting for everything to unfold.

She then raises her right hand with the phoenix ring as she marvels at its craftsmanship. It's undoubtedly a beautiful ring. A sudden thought came to her, 'It would be nice if Brother Ravi and I got together...'

It took a while before it registers to her. Her eyes widen in disbelief. What kind of thoughts are she started thinking again?!

She quickly sits up from the lounge chair, her face extremely flushed, and her heart is pounding like crazy as she catches her breath.

What did she just think? She isn't thinking straight again. She truly needs a distraction away from this kind of thought.

She doesn't understand why she has such thoughts every time she is thinking of the Divine Lord Foeni. They are simply incompatible, even though it feels natural to with him.

She closes her eyes to calm her raging emotions. She finally decided to meet with Captain Jairu to discuss her plans and take away her thoughts from these matters. She has rested well enough, and it's time for her next move.

"No, young miss. Definitely not. The Divine Lord Foeni will definite punish me once he learned I let you on your own to take such a dangerous task. Ask someone else to carry on your behalf." Captain Jairu vehemently refuses as he raises his husky, determined voice.

He rarely argues or contradicts her, and this is one of those instances.

She knows how dangerous to take this mission. She heard scouts disappearing and never able to report about their discoveries if there were any.

She knows Jairu will never agree to her even if she decided to force him and thought to compromise.

"Will you allow me if I bring five capable men to help me with this mission?"

"Fine. I will choose men who will accompany you. Also, refrain from acting reckless and impulsive." Jairu's brows creases as he massages his temple.

He is starting to get a headache as he is having conflicted thoughts and continued, "It's a dangerous place, and I shouldn't let you tread there. Why do I need to agree with you?"

"Because it is necessary...?" the little girl carefully responded with a question.

He needs to contemplate about it himself. Jairu knew how important this is. Their enemies are always steps ahead of them and have anticipated their every move.

The Holy war, two hundred years, has pushed them over the edge. The mysterious perpetrators have avoided their surveillance exceptionally well, and until recently, it seems that they are inactive on their operations.

He looks at the little girl in front of him. Little Eu is somewhat also a mystery. He knows she is an Oracle, but he can't defuse the thought this girl is more than that meets the eye.

Also, he doesn't want her to end up as a sacrifice just to accomplish something. The Divine Lord Foeni left her under his care. If anything happens to her, he won't be able to forgive himself.

"I will be careful, I promise. I also will neither act brashly nor imprudent." the girl said as she breaks his train of thoughts.

"Give me three days. You can leave and start whatever you are planning after that. But before anything else, let me carefully select men to assist you. You shouldn't be on your own."

"Deal!" she quickly responded with a smile. Her amethyst eyes sparkle in contentment as she hears his response. She knew very well that she is putting him in a very tight spot as she continued with a very gracious tone, "Thank you for your trouble, Captain Jairu. I really mean it, thank you, and I'm sorry... I promise to send detailed reports and won't fail your expectations."

"Just promise me you'll return safely. I don't want any misfortune befalling you, not because you are under my care." the burly man heavily sighs as he continues his duties.

Before she could leave, he reminded her to prepare herself and reassures everything will be ready in three days. He is quite afraid this little girl will not listen to him if he didn't reassure her.

She smiles and gives him a reassuring nod. She doesn't need to say that she intends to keep her word and follow his advice. Having people to help her is necessary for the task she wanted to achieve.

Little Eu heads back to her quarters and passed by the courtyard. She witnesses the commanders enjoying some tea time in the pavilion. Their extensive training has barely given them time to sit back and relax.

It is indeed a beautiful day as she looks up into the clear blue sky, and the refreshing breeze rustles the tree leaves. She can't help closing her eyes as she relishes the moment. It's a peaceful day, and everything seems to run smoothly...

"Young Miss, would you care to join us for tea?"

She was startled someone calling her out and turned to their direction. The brawny man named Reon is waving at her. They are all smiling and seemed rather pleased to meet up with her again and decided to join them.

"Presea brewed this special tea, and it is quite refreshing. Please join us." Reone said as he raises his cup.

Reone is a brawny beast-man who would prefer alcoholic drinks instead of tea. He has bushy dark brown hair with streaks of silver-tone bangs and has bright dark obsidian eyes.

Presea prepared another teacup for her as she pours her newly brewed fruity tea. The clear red hot liquid flows from the small ceramic teapot. The aroma is sweet and refreshing, indeed, as it fills the air.

Presea is a beautiful lady with an alluring body. She is a griffin in her beast form. Her wavy platinum hair is loosely tied and resting on her shoulders, flowing in front of her body, and some cover her captivating green eyes.

"Don't worry about anything else and enjoy some tea. We are not holding anything against you, young miss. Instead, we are grateful that you put us back in shape." Aryen's calmly spoke with his modulated voice.

Aryen looks like a pacifist scholar. Red jewels embedded and adorning his forehead resembling a circlet. He has a pair of sharp yet gentle hazel eyes and long flowing midnight blue hair. Not to mention, he is gorgeous.

The Little girl sat on the empty seat next to Presea as she receives the beautiful, golden rimmed ceramic teacup as she bows her head and says with a gentle smile, "Thank you for inviting me."

She took out a box of pastries from her wizardry compartment and placed it on the table. She loves these little treats, so she always brings a box or two in her storage. The sweets complement the fruity tea perfectly.

"These are simply a heavenly combination. Presea, forget the military and ask the young miss to open a tea shop with you." Reone is sweeping the three-tiered pastry box as he gulps his tea.

Little Eu was flabbergasted. She honestly didn't expect him to act like a sweet glutton monster. She silently sips her tea and covers her slightly parted lips.

She is making these treats to replenish her depleted energy after a strenuous training course. She wanted to explain, but she just cast an anxious smile.

"Reone, stop saying nonsense. How could you suggest one of the mightiest commanders leave her post? Besides, I don't think Little Miss Eu will agree." Presea quickly refutes.

Experiencing the little girl's fighting prowess, she can tell that she doesn't intend to stay behind and watch from the sidelines. The first spell she cast is a high-level ancient magic that could wipe out armies. It's difficult that even master casters fail to achieve.

Learning two elemental magic is already tricky. How much more all seven of them?

Her movements are fluid, precise, and graceful at the same time. She is practicing at a very, very young age. How could she cast everything away and become to be a patisserie?

"Don't listen to him, Little Eu. He looks like an alcoholic brute, but this man has extreme sweet cravings. He is trying to exploit you." Presea turned to Little Eu as she revealed the man's greatest weakness.

"Hey. I am not! Stop slandering me!"

The two began arguing in front of Little Eu. Oddly, she can't help but smile as she watches them bicker.

They are really good friends, after all. The two seem to forget their existence as they continue their almost nonsensical debate.

"Don't mind them. They will soon realize how absurd the whole thing is." Aryen broke his silence as he took a bite on his cream-filled pastry as he said, "I have to admit they are quite good."

"Thank you for the compliment. It's okay. It's always nice to see good friends getting along…" Little Eu responded happily.

Mentioning they are friends, the Reon and Presea stopped on their debacle and faced her as they said at the same time…

"WE ARE NOT FRIENDS!"

"STOP COPYING ME!"

"HEY, I SAID STOP!"

"YOU ARE DEFINITELY MIMICKING ME!"

"STOP IT ALREADY!"

A bright amused smile is in Little Eu's face as she continues to watch them and thought, 'Definitely good friends.'

Aryen could only sigh as he does the same. These two companions of his bickers like husband and wife.