Queen Of Adis

"Hello~ I've been waiting for you."

A tall, lean man with auburn hair spoke gently to Haru. His black thick-rimmed eyeglasses looked suitable for his almond-shaped eyes. When he curved his lips upwards into a know-it-all smile, his deep dimples showed, reassuring her of his good intentions.

But what really pulled her attention was the color of his eyes. Just when she thought that her eyes were the only ones in this world, another amber orbs appeared right in front of her, and it seemed to shine brighter than hers and spoke volumes of its vast wisdom.

"My name is Elior Hubert. I believe you have already met my beloved, Vesta. She likes to play a lot but I hope she didn't give you too much trouble," the gentle-looking man continued while petting the fatty cat's fur.

The cat just meowed and purred upon the introduction and resumed her lazy posture in his arms.

Haru blinked twice and her body stiffened at the revelation. She faltered when she finally found her voice. "Y-your Vesta's lover?"

"Why do you look so shocked, maiden of spring? Is it really weird for a man like myself to have a cat as a companion? My people also laugh at me whenever I introduce Vesta to them." Elior's smile widened as he carried the cat closer to his face and rubbed his nose against hers. "Living a long life can be really lonely. It's my Vesta who makes me smile and feel contented amidst this mundane world. Although she can't talk to me, I feel we understand each other more than I understand the human language."

She gasped in understanding and immediately thought to herself, ' Eh?! So when the goddess of sacred flame said 'lover' it was not about the s.e.x.u.a.l relationship, but just a mere pet-and-master companionship? '

"Tee-hee-hee."

Haru glanced at the mischievous cat when she heard her snicker. Her huge feline eyes reflected her feelings, ' You are really easy to read, human. Such a dirty mind you have there. "

She snarled at the cat when realization sank in. The itch to choke the cat's furry neck for misleading her was deterred when she heard the man's continuous blabber.

"Ah, please forgive my ramblings, I am just happy to finally meet someone of my kind. I've been sending multiple requests to the King of Umbra to allow me an audience to the future queen, however, that arrogant child doesn't know how to be respectful to his elder." He sighed and shook his heads to give emphasis to Adis' inexcusable manner. "Oh, that's right, I may look like this, but I am considered as his grandfather's senior. I have been blessed with the gift of longevity by the gods."

"Someone of your kind?" She almost didn't catch his first statement. Her eyes grew wide in anticipation and her feet unconsciously moved closer to him. "Are you from a different world as well? Are you from Earth? What country? What century?"

"Oh, my! I didn't mean to cause any confusion, dear child. What I mean is that we have the same ability, the Gift of Vision. Beings of this world call our kind, the Seer or Oracle. Our amber orbs are the proof of our remarkable ability. A power to journey to the past, to see what the future holds and to erase one's memory."

Haru stopped in her tracks and suddenly felt the sides of her eyes. She opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of the water.

How could that be possible? Yggdrasil didn't mention anything about another ability.

"It is because this gift is more of a curse than a blessing. Hence, the gods will just keep it a secret until you find it out yourself," Elior answered as though he could read her thoughts.

She looked at him in disbelief. ' So this kind of gift can also read someone else's mind? '

"I don't read minds," he blurted out.

Wait! Why did it feel like déjà vu? She grimaced at the recollection of the same conversation with Vesta in front of the Atlantis woods.

She raised a hand to stop him from explaining. "I know what you will say next. My thoughts and emotions were clearly shown on my face, right?"

Elior dropped his cat and clapped in wonder, while Vesta screeched in complaint. "Woah, I didn't know you can read minds." His eyes twinkled as he exclaimed.

"Tsk, idiot!" The cheshire cat rolled her eyes and accidentally spat.

The pope stiffened like a log then suddenly looked at Vesta. "Eh?! D-did my cat just spoke?"

"Meow?" Vesta tilted her head as though he had grown stupid.

He placed a hand on his c.h.e.s.t and sighed in relief. "Whew! I must be tired from the long journey. Thus, I am hearing things." He faced Haru again and extended his hand. "Haru, is it? Child, let's drop the formality and just call me Elior. I am here to teach you everything you need to know about your power so you won't be surprised like the others of our kind."

Haru stared at his hands for a while, then she slowly reached for it. However, before she could even touch it, a cold, calloused hand held hers and dragged her into a familiar embrace.

Adis' eyes narrowed and gritted through his clenched teeth. "I was surprised when you were not in the royal study. So you're already pestering my wife. Why did you come? Have you gone senile that you no longer understand simple human language, Your Holiness, Pope Elior?"

"What?!" Haru's complexion paled and her mouth trembled in shock. "H-he's the Pope? The only person in this world that can pronounce judgment against you?"

She read in Trium Regum's history that the Pope in this world had the right to intervene or judge the King's wrongdoings, if necessary. He could even replace Adis or his brothers with different King. Therefore, some corrupt clergy were fearless of the King's wrath.

"Calm down, child. This old man here just wants to be friends with your mate. Besides, you know you can't hide her from me forever. It is best to tell her the truth before it's too late." Elior coaxed the Demon King to see reason.

Haru frowned, totally confused about what's happening. But she was sure as hell that she was their topic.

However, she ignored her confusion and scolded her devil when she remembered his attitude. "Adis, that's not how you speak with your elders. Even if he's not the Pope, you should show your respect. I don't want our kids to get that kind of behavior from you. This better be the last you will act like that. Are you listening to me, young man?"

Behind her, Elior was jumping and clapping his hands while nodding his head in agreement. His eyes shone brighter upon seeing the Demon King's head tilted downward with a helpless look while being reprimanded by his lover. But he immediately put his hands down when the spring maiden suddenly turned around to face him.

"And you, Your Holiness, what is your real reason for being here?"

"Well, judging by the situation, I am most likely here to erase your memory."