Faithless was washing his face as he stared into the mirror with those sharp golden eyes. He placed the palm of his hand over his eyes, and then Antrois began to speak:
"How are you, oh faithless one?" he said with a majestic, regal tone.
Antrois stood floating in the air, inside a dimension whose formation and features were utterly unclear. Faithless replied in a calm tone:
"You already know the answer before I even speak. If I told you I was fine, you'd say I'm lying."
Antrois let out a soft laugh, then responded with a deep voice:
"You have a mentor, a new family, and friends who worry about you and respect you… and most beautiful of all, a girl who holds feelings for you. And still, you're not fine?"
Faithless gave a sad smile, one that came from the depths of his dead soul.
"I can't bear the taste of loss again, golden one… I don't want to get attached to people only to lose them again."
He paused for a moment, then spoke with a voice that seemed to tremble from his mouth:
"I am a human… not a monster without feelings."
"Nonsense," Antrois replied with that harsh, heavy tone.
Faithless was shocked by this response — his mouth slightly opened at the weight of the answer. Antrois continued in the same manner:
"Do you remember our first meeting in that dimension where I introduced myself to you? You remember it well. Thinking about the past is the trait of fools and cowards."
He followed up in that same dominant tone:
"Forget the past and build for yourself a new glory, a magnificent legacy before the whole world… one where your name echoes with weight."
Faithless, still staring into a distant future, replied with a deep tone:
"And can someone like me really make the world bow down to him? The world is vast… with kingdoms, continents, and rulers… we don't even know how strong they are."
Antrois smiled and responded with a tone full of philosophical depth:
"If you don't face everything and spill blood… you'll never become what you want to be. Sitting around, longing for the past, and avoiding relationships for fear of losing them — it's a cliché. An outdated idea."
He continued with the same dominance:
"If you truly have a deep plan to not lose anyone, then make damn sure you become strong enough to protect those you love — not through wisdom… but through madness. And then ascend… into calm."
"In my deepest opinion, that is the greatest evolution you will ever need in your life, lost fate."
Faithless murmured to himself quietly as he moved one finger aside to see the reflection of his eyes in the mirror:
"This advice needs application, not just saying 'yes' and moving on… If the world is insane, then I'm crazier than it."
"And before I go, Faithless… do you know why I respect you?" Antrois said with a wise, principled tone and a golden smile lighting his face.
He continued, words shining like gold:
"Because you didn't lean on me in order to defeat King Cradil… You wanted to experience the feeling of blood, of loss, and of suffering with your own hands."
"Until our next meeting… two-faced one."
Faithless removed the palm of his hand from his eyes, looking at the mirror with calm expressions… and then he sank into deep thought until he remembered something that had vanished from his memory. Something he heard the moment he first woke up in this room:
"There will be a tragedy… the sky will rain blood… a grand betrayal shall come… and my body will be torn apart… I didn't pay much attention to what Saint Sin was saying at the time — I was too shocked that someone like him was even speaking to me."
"Everyone believed he was just a myth, tied only to the Cathedral of Mary… but did I take his advice seriously? I don't know. There are too many strange hints and unexplained details."
"Ughhh… I don't want to think anymore. Also, I've started to notice that Antrois is throwing titles at me that The Liar used to say… That golden freak really has no respect for privacy."
Faithless sat on the bed and opened a book nearby to read, but during that…
Someone knocked — a soft and gentle knock.
Faithless was surprised for a moment, because he assumed everyone was resting in their rooms after the holiday Master Isaac had granted them. He placed the book aside and went to open the door.
He opened it slowly and looked at Marianne, who appeared absolutely stunning… she wore a black skirt reaching just above the knees, with sheer black stockings revealing her legs. A white blouse tucked beneath the skirt, a band circling her forehead and another around her neck. She wore red gloves through which her black-painted nails peeked.
She looked at Faithless with her beautiful, sharp eyes… and he smiled unconsciously when he saw her, as if his heart beat only for her.
"Would you mind if I came in, my prince?" Marianne spoke with a sweet tone.
"Of course you can… and also, I don't like the title prince when you call me that. Just Faithless, or Drop of Darkness, as you once named me." Faithless replied in a calm tone, gesturing for her to come in.
They both entered the room. Faithless sat on the bed, and she sat on the chair near the door, crossing one leg over the other.
"So, my Drop of Blood… what brings about this beautiful visit?" Faithless asked with a charming tone and smile.
"I thought of a little walk… just you and me, to get to know each other better. During this holiday the Master gave us," she answered with a soft whisper, gazing into him with her enchanting white eyes.
Faithless was momentarily surprised by the request, but then smiled faintly and said:
"Why not? A change from battle and training is the best choice… And, what places are we going to visit?"
She placed her index finger on her lips and said gently:
"Let's make it a secret, Drop of Darkness."
She continued in the same tone:
"I'll be waiting for you… outside the main gate of the palace."
"As you wish. I'll be there," Faithless smiled. Lady Marianne stood from the chair and walked out of the room, waving goodbye.
Faithless laid back on the bed with his arms spread open, speaking to himself with a deep voice:
"I don't know… but her personality reminds me of my mother's. And there's something I noticed… when I saw her, my heart started racing — as if I were seeing my mother. I hope these beautiful moments last."