Aethernea : Soulbound [Book 1]

Episode 45 - Mystification

In the previous Episode:

After breaking the cube used in the exam, Elaru finishes early and waits for Kiel's exam to finish. After meeting up, the two of them make their way out of Muni. Elaru leads Kiel into the city, claiming that she is taking him shopping.

* * *

Kiel stood dumbfounded, staring at the luxurious shop in front of him which had several dangerous looking guards standing at the entrance. His bangs cast shadows over his eyes so no one was able to tell that his eyebrow was violently twitching.

Elaru pulled on his arm, but he stood frozen like a statue, refusing to take a single step towards the shop.

"Come on." Elaru frowned slightly, his behavior was strange. Even his aura was turning violent.

"No." Was the only response she got. And even that was said in a husky, dangerous voice.

"Wh...?" Kiel didn't even let her finish the statement before interrupting her. "No."

"Let..." Elaru pouted and was about to explain, but she didn't manage to say much before being interrupted again. "No."

Her eyes narrowed, and she stopped trying to communicate verbally. "Why won't you go in?"

Kiel looked at her as if she was an idiot. "It. Is. An. Engagement. Ring. Store."

Elaru stopped pulling at his arm, looking back at the store in front of them. It was a large luxurious building made out of white marble. Through the windows, could be seen the glow of silver and gold, coupled with multicolored light reflections of various precious jewels.

"Naah, I think they sell all kinds of different rings. Not just engagement rings."

Kiel's lips were pressed so tightly together they turned white. Naturally, he had never visited a jewelry shop before. But even he, who lived the majority of his life in a small town of Beyd knew this brand of jewelry shops. This was where couples usually went to buy engagement rings!

He had no idea why she wanted to go in there, but no way would he go in with her.

Kiel pinched the bridge of his nose trying to calm down. "Why are we here?"

Elaru looked back at him and smiled brightly. "Why do you think? We are here to look at rings!"

Kiel almost got a heart attack from that statement. Seeing Kiel's horrified, pale expression, Elaru blinked confusedly. "Why are you so allergic to jewelry? You make it sound like I brought you to a lingerie shop."

Kiel took several deep breaths, trying to figure out the right action to take in such a scenario.

"If you ever take me to a lingerie shop in the future, I'll kill you." As he transmitted the thought, Elaru could clearly feel his killing intent in the words. He wasn't joking.

Why did she bring him here? Surely she wasn't one of those insane clingy girlfriends who wanted to get engaged three days after meeting the male counterpart. She wasn't even his girlfriend. In fact, she wasn't even his friend.

"I am not going in there, and that is final. If you want to shop for jewelry, go by yourself. I'll wait for you in a coffee shop."

Elaru paid closer attention to Kiel's expression, his eyes flashing cold light, his aura exuding all kinds of cold feelings. "I can't go by myself. I need your help picking a ring."

Kiel looked her straight in the eyes. His beautiful icy orbs made her forget her previous annoyance. "Is this really the time to be ring shopping? Can't you wait to do it after the exams?"