Ki Song didn't change her expression or move from her spot. The throne room was silent for an uncomfortable time, and the atmosphere was full of tension so thick you could cut through it like softened butter. Sunny was sweating bullets under the mask, wondering how to get out of this one. 'Gods! Gods! What do I even do in this situation? I'm a dead man! Who convinced me to wear this stupid mask in the first place?!' He paused. Oh, right, Sunny did. By the grace of Shadow God or Weaver themselves, Ki Song let out a laugh full of amusement, but as the laugh went on, the air slowly turned colder.
"You are a very bold young man to think I would marry one of them to someone who will not even show his face. Not only that, but you have also shown me nothing that proves you are worthy of any of my daughters. So no, I will not be wedding any of them to you. You will have to do more than impress them with your Battle styles, Lord Shadow."
Her voice became slightly colder, and her presence started weighing down on him like a Category 3 Nightmare Gate. "For your own sake. Do not mention this ever again in my presence. Lord Shadow, this is your only warning; otherwise, you may go."
Her presence disappeared, and Sunny released a breath he had no idea he was holding this entire time. Gods, Sunny had cut it way too close with this one. He turned to leave, trying his best to ignore the stares and glares he was getting from the women who witnessed what he had said. Walking out of the castle pretending to be unfazed by what had just occurred, the Blood and Song Sisters followed behind him. Sunny briefly moved into the shadows to switch his mask back to his helmet without them seeing his face. He tries to ignore his Naughty shadow, who was giving suggestive glances at the sisters and sly looks back at Sunny while wiggling his nonexistent eyebrows. Sunny spoke to them without glancing behind him.
"I think that went very well, considering what could have happened."
Eunbin would have lunged at him if her sisters hadn't held her back. "Are you mad? You have to be! To say what you said to our mother is entirely unacceptable and uncalled for!
He gave a nonchalant shrug, "Yes, I am a bit mad, but it doesn't matter. What's done is done, Princess Beastmaster." Sunny decided to tease Eunbin about the ridiculous boyfriend story her sisters assumed about Eunbin and Sunny. He was still stumped over that. Where exactly did that come from? He barely knew the woman! "I'm sure you're glad to be out of there. Now you can go see your boyfriend."
Eunbin's lips moved to say something, but she stopped when she saw a large shadow descending on Raven Heart. Sunny couldn't help but smile behind his mask. After the vile thieving bird had stolen Sunny's fate, it had been too long since he had seen Kai. His best friend was likely returning from a mission in the waking world. His large shadow disappeared, replaced by an enormous, beautiful dragon with midnight scales, landing in the middle of the open streets. A crowd quickly gathered. He immediately spotted rain heading towards the bathhouse. Of course, he was in her shadow, so there was no need to look for her, but he still liked to. Kai was weaving through the large crowd, sending waves and smiles so dazzling that it nearly made some onlookers pass out. Kai looked in their direction, spotting the Song sisters and their ascended companions. Then, he locked eyes with Sunny with a curious yet hesitant expression and approached them. Kai bowed politely to the Song sisters and Blood Sisters.
"Greetings to you all, and you as well, Saint..?"
Kai held his hand to shake Sunny's. Sunny calmly shook Kai's hand. "Shadow, you may call me Shadow. I do not mind going by another name; we are best friends, and that's what friends do, right? I have plenty of stories to tell you as well, friend. Once, a sea tried to kill me."
He watched his friend's face shift from confusion to all the color draining from his face. Ah, Sunny had missed this. Kai was now particularly interested in the sky. He then turned his attention to the Song Sisters, who were watching with looks of amusement. The Blood Sisters were trying not to ogle Kai, but quickly looked elsewhere when he stopped looking at the sky
"I do not want to waste your time. I'm sure you ladies are pretty busy. I wanted to stop by and say hi. It was nice seeing you all. I will go to an Emporium I heard about if you need me. It is the one you went to, Lady Eunbin. Ah, Lord Shadow, it was nice meeting you as well. I uh hope we can work together in the future," he said in a rushed voice, quickly rising in the air and flying off.
Sunny turned to the women behind him and stared at them wordlessly. He soon felt another presence approaching him from the right and spotted a handsome young man with smooth dark skin, a bright smile, a black suit, and a red tie. He stopped before Sunny, did a dramatic bow, and straightened to his original position.
"Oh my! Lord Shadow! How nice of you to finally be here! How did things go with the Queen?" Mordret wore his signature false smile, and Sunny couldn't help but feel sorrow for the young man Mordret had killed and currently wore as a suit.
Sunny shrugged and kept his voice emotionless. "It went better than I imagined. Why?"
The Prince of Nothing's smile grew a bit wider. "Well, Queen Song dislikes it whenever someone mentions her daughters, especially when it involves marriage! Just for future reference, in case you need it. Again."
Mordret bowed to them and then started to walk away. "That is all! Welcome to Raven Heart, Lord Shadow. You'll love it here! Please, Ladies, treat him well!" He looked at a window and stepped into it, instantly disappearing within the reflection.
Lonesome Howl frowned at the window reflection. "Damn weirdo. But back to you, I guess." She pointed a finger at Sunny. "As our ally and guest, we must at least show you around. Come. Oh, Bin, do not think you're getting out of telling me where you acquired that new memory you're wearing."
Sunny nodded. "Lead the way, but do not waste my time, Princess Lonesome Howl."
Lonesome Howl started walking, signaling for Sunny to follow her. Meanwhile, Eunbin said she had things to do, which Sunny knew she had left to see his original body and offer him the proposal she mentioned when she last visited the Emporium. Sunny begrudgingly found himself starting to enjoy Eunbin's company, especially since she had a humorous side he had no idea existed. Then again, Sunny could use the excuse of Eunbin using her Aspect on him. It would be a lie, and Sunny never lied. But honestly, he was slowly starting to enjoy her presence. He brought himself back to the present, looking at the back of his tour guide.
Nothing she said was new to him, so he shifted his focus to his original body just in time to sense Kai's shadow walking into the Emporium. Sunny walked out of the kitchen with a genuine smile and bowed at a wide-eyed Kai. "Saint Nightingale! Welcome to the Brilliant Emporium! I am called Master Sunless. How may I help you?"
Kai regained his composure and bowed back, " Hello, Master Sunless. I hope you don't mind me being here. I figured I would find a place to relax while I have the time. If you don't mind, I have a question." Sunny nodded, prompting a somewhat embarrassed Kai to continue, stepping a bit closer and leaning down to match Sunny's height with a mesmerized expression. "Your skin is so smooth, I would like to know what your skin care routine is! If you don't mind telling me that. You don't have to!"
Sunny tried to stay polite and not laugh at his friend's question. "Oh! It's pretty simple, you have to defeat many people, but the number of how many I'm afraid that's a secret for now!" Sunny didn't want to tease Kai just yet; he would have plenty of time as the Lord of Shadows to do that. He watched Kai's handsome face fall with hidden disappointment, but it was quickly replaced by a smile so bright it nearly blinded Sunny.
' Argh! Quit smiling goddamnit!'
"But! Moving forward from that, may I sit? I've heard great things about this place, and even Lady Eunbin tells me that this place is delicious. From what I hear from her sisters, the woman has a very selective taste in restaurants, so you must have something to impress her. Well done! But I digress! I ran into Lady Eunbin on my way here. She told me that you are an Enchanter as well."
"Yes, I am an Enchanter, and you may sit! Hey, Aiko! Get down here, please. Someone is here!
Sunny took his friends order eventually they both heard Aiko's huff, and a few seconds later, she floated down the stairs with an annoyed expression, which turned into surprise when she saw Kai sitting at a table staring at her with a smile before it morphed back into an annoyed expression when Kai stood up and approached. "Aiko, it is so nice to see you, I didn't know you worked here!" He leaned down and patted her head several times, causing her to swat his hand away with a flustered expression.
"Don't act all chummy with me, and you don't get to pat my head! Not when I'm still pissed at you!"
Kai's beautiful face beamed, and his smile grew wider. Sunny immediately knew that Kai's flaw had picked up on her lie somewhere in that sentence. "Oh, of course. Anyways, how have you been?" The charming archer went to sit back down, gesturing for Aiko to sit as well, which she reluctantly did, sitting across from him. Sunny went into the kitchen with a smile on his face. At least someone enjoyed themselves, even if they didn't want to admit it.
Speaking of enjoying things, Sunny wondered if Eunbin was enjoying her new memory. He would hope so! As if thinking of Eunbin summoned her like some deity, Sunny sensed her shadow approaching the Emporium with her usual confidence brimming from her shadow. He felt her open the door and immediately sensed her surprise at seeing Kai again. They engaged in small talk while Sunny finished making Kai's omelet, and his other body started on Eunbin's waffles. Once he finished both orders, he left the kitchen and saw Eunbin sitting beside the dashing archer across from Aiko. Eunbin was showing him the memory that she had commissioned, and they stopped talking, seeing Sunny walking out with their food and drinks. They smiled dazzlingly at the sight, and he quickly put their plates on the table so he wouldn't drop them and bowed.
" Enjoy, Saint Nightingale! And welcome back, Lady Eunbin! If you don't mind me asking, how was the meeting?"
Eunbin smiled. "It went better than expected. He is here in Raven Heart now. His aspect has to do with shadows, much like you, Master Sunless. But do not expect him to teach you anything. He is very unpleasant to be around and extremely rude, the opposite of you."
Sunny feigned surprise. "Oh! Do you mean that scary fellow with the creepy mask who is wearing all black? I saw him earlier, absolutely terrifying!" He pretended to shiver.
Eunbin nodded, "Yes, he goes by Lord Shadow, he lives in a death zone."
Sunny kept up his act and paled, "A death zone?! You mean he's that same man? The rumored Mad Saint? How did you manage to convince a lunatic like that?" He was having too much fun with this.
Eunbin shrugged, "I'm still trying to figure that out myself
I thought for sure he would decline us. But enough about that, let's move on to my offer that I mentioned when I was last here." She gestured for Sunny to sit across from her, but before that, he excused himself to make lemonade. Coming back with two glasses full of lemonade in each hand, one for Sunny and the other for Aiko, sitting beside him. Sunny sat back down across from Eunbin, who had finished her food.
Eunbin leaned forward a bit. "I would like for you to be my memory purveyor, specifically the Blood Sisters Purveyor, and occasionally my sisters' Purveyor, should they need it for whatever reason. Naturally, you would be provided with a workshop to accomplish your tasks, but not only that, we would be seeing you more often than not. Needless to say, you will be given payment for each memory you make, and on top of that, monthly compensation for your services to us. Should you accept, you must come with me to sign papers and visit someone, then have tea if you wish, in no precise order."
Sunny almost did a double-take at that last part; it sounded similar to what the Mad sorcerer Noctis said. He shook his head, took in all the information, and contemplated, "[I think you should take it]." Cassie's voice resounded in his head.
"[Oh? Why's that?]"
She didn't respond momentarily. [You wouldn't have anything to lose from it. You will have more money and you would be able to spend more time around beautiful Princesses, so that's a bonus for you.]"
Sunny tried not to roll his eyes, for a second, Cassie almost sounded like Aiko. But she was right; he had nothing to lose besides his secret identity. Even if they found out, it wouldn't matter because he was allied with them; he already knew this. Sunny just wanted to hear a second opinion. Luckily, Eunbin wasn't impatient and sat quietly along with the other two with a light smile on her enticing lips. Eventually, after a few minutes, Sunny decided what his answer would be.
"I accept your offer." He held out his hand, which Eunbin happily shook. Then, abruptly, she stood up and walked to the entrance. "Come then. We will go immediately."
Sunny looked to Kai, holding down Aiko, who was wildly but silently gesturing for him to follow with a wide grin on her face. He could already see her drooling over the money they would be getting soon. Sunny shook his head at her antics and approached Eunbin, still waiting at the entrance. She smiled at seeing him, held her arm with a teasing smile, and then put it down. They started walking with Eunbin leading, and it was still daytime.
"And here I figured you would be a gentleman and hold my arm."
Sunny's eyes widened. "Lady Eunbin, if you weren't aware, I love being alive. Your sisters and mother would tear me apart if they saw that!"
She laughed. "Oh, I was only kidding, I'm trying to get you to loosen up, Master Sunless, I'm not going to bite!"
Sunny smiled. "Yes, I know that, but I once encountered what I thought was a regular chest that wouldn't bite me, and what do you know? It did! So I've been cautious ever since."
Eunbin eyed him with curiosity and a slight smile. "Do you always have silly stories like this to entertain people? If so, I must hear them all."
"They are not silly, my lady, they're genuine! But yes, I have plenty, and perhaps you will one day." Eunbin stopped walking, disregarding the gazes of onlookers at seeing them together. They had reached the castle again, and Sunny couldn't help but feel nervous due to the conversation an hour ago with the Queen.
"Princess Eunbin, I thought you said we would sign papers, meet someone, and then have tea."
Eunbin nodded. "Yes, that's right, but I recall saying in no exact order, just that we would do it."
'Damnit,' Sunny hoped she had somehow forgotten that, but Saints had a much better memory than anyone else. Sunny knew that better than anyone else. Stepping and opening the doors, Eunbin fully opened them and stepped to the side, "After you. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere." Sunny walked through the doors again and towards the throne room again, with Eunbin closely behind. Before he even got to the room, the chilling presence of the queen had already hit him like a tsunami, but he had to exaggerate it, so he made a show of swaying; he planned to hold onto the wall for balance. But he was baffled when he felt strong, soft hands holding him.
Sunny turned his head to see that Eunbin had unexpectedly caught him. Before he could thank her, he realized they had reached the doors to the throne room. Eunbin knocked loudly several times, and the doors opened, revealing a few of her sisters and their mother sitting on the throne, who had already locked eyes with him. He walked towards her with a visible nervous expression to sell the act of being a weak master, though some nervousness was real. Stopping a few meters away from where Ki Song was sitting, Sunny knelt before her. He felt her gaze piercing through him, not with hostility but curiosity, then it moved elsewhere, presumably to Eunbin.
"You may look at me. Tell me what your name is, young man."
Sunny looked up, meeting her calm stare. "Sunless, your majesty."
She surprisingly smiled, "Sunless? I've heard that name before. Ah, yes, now I remember. You are the one my daughters have been talking about."
Sunny couldn't stop the confusion on his face; thankfully, Ki Song took notice and clarified. " You are an Enchanter, correct?" Sunny nodded, and Ki Song continued, "My daughters have constantly mentioned an Enchanter Sunless. It is satisfying to put a face to a name, and quite a pleasing one, might I add."
What? What was pleasing? His name? This was going far differently than when he was the Lord of Shadows, but he also wasn't wearing Weaver's Mask, so he had to be far more careful in what he answered. She turned her sights away from him to look past him at Eunbin again.
"Eunbin, will you not tell your mother why you brought this young man here?"
Sunny felt Eunbin's shadow move closer towards them. "I would like for him to be our memory purveyor."
Ki Song's eyes flicked between Eunbin and Sunny several times, and she nodded. "Very well, I trust you, I will allow it, and I trust you that you will not openly flirt with my daughters, Master Sunless." Sunny's eyes grew wide as plates. 'What?!' Yes, this was drastically different
from earlier.
"Yes, your majesty, that will not be a problem; I will not flirt with them or even look their way."
Ki Song's face suddenly shifted a bit. "Oh? Are you saying my daughters are too unpleasant to look at?" Huh?! What kind of game was this woman playing!?
"No, not at all! They are stunning. I was acknowledging your demand."
She seemed satisfied with that, considering the smile playing at her lips. "Hmm, very well. Well done, Master Sunless. You managed to impress Eunbin; for future reference, the girl is very picky about many things. You are free to go."
"Mother!" he heard Eunbin quietly call out
'First, she thinks I think her daughters are ugly, and now she's giving me tips for later?!' Was she toying with him? Whatever the case, it didn't matter; all that mattered was that he was free, thank the gods. He and Eunbin left the throne room, returned outside, and spotted that it was now nightfall. Sunny just needed to sign the papers, and he was done for the day–
"Stop, I want to speak to you." He turned to see who interrupted his thoughts and saw Revel staring at him indifferently. Gods! He couldn't catch a break!
She stepped closer until she was right before him, then asked him a question that almost made the Lord of Shadows, walking through Ravenheart, stumble: "Are you dating Eun—"
Before she could finish her question, Eunbin slapped her hand over Lightslayer's mouth, shooting her a murderous glare, and smiled at Sunny, "Master Sunless, you can wait over there if you'd like. I want to have a quick conversation with my dear sister. I won't be long." Walking over to a bench nearby, Sunny sat down, and shortly after, Eunbin arrived with her clothes a bit torn and hair slightly disheveled, and sat beside him. An evident sibling quarrel occurred, but since she did not mention anything about it, he chose not to either.
"Sorry about that. My sisters often say things without thinking; they're supposed to be saints! I will ensure they do not cause trouble when you're around. Now. Come. We have papers to sign." She got up and started walking around the palace to a separate place away from the castle, stepping inside. Sunny followed. He was surprised to learn this was where the Blood Sisters stayed when they weren't on the field, and confused when they kept glancing at him more than once. Perhaps they were suspicious? Ignoring their constant stares, he sat across Eunbin, who had already finished gathering documents. She placed them in front of Sunny with a smile, giving him the time to reach through each one and answer his question. Once finished, he signed them and returned them with a polite smile.
Eunbin beamed with joy upon taking them. "Excellent! If you have time, you can come back tomorrow and I will show you your workshop, or I can show you now, it does not matter to me."
It wouldn't hurt to stay longer, "I wouldn't mind now."
Today wasn't terrible.