Thief of Twilight

Part Three: Chapter 79

"I'm impressed! I thought you wouldn't make it until after sunrise!"

I walked up the stone path to the pavilion.

Sinopia stood before me with a smile on his face. "I didn't expect you to wake up in time. Not with you living such a lavish lifestyle and being the future empress. I'm sure you would want more than anything to sleep in until the sun rises."

"...Sinopia...I feel like you have the wrong impression of me. I wasn't born into this type of lifestyle." I sighed. "Besides, I used to wake up this early before I met Yohan."

"Really?" he raised a brow. "When did you first meet the pup? When did you two become engaged?"

"...This past spring."

"...Ah...so about five months ago?"

"...Yeah..."

Sinopia rubbed his chin. "I didn't think that the rumors were true. The two of you have been together for five months?"

"Well...I would say close to three. I mean...I did run away...for two months..."

"What?"

"But he obviously found me. But that's not something I really want to talk about right now. So I'd rather focus on restoring my manna for now."

Sinopia took a deep breath before nodding his head. "Alright then. Well, then how about you tell me what happened."

I felt my throat tighten up.

Sinopia sighed. "If it is too difficult for you to talk about, then just tell me how you came in contact with the helos crystals."

"I...well..." I could feel my whole body shaking. "I was forced to eat them. Some were in the form of a liquid as well..." I didn't realize it, but I was staring at the ground. I was too afraid to look Sinopia in the eye.

"...I see..."

"I know it was stupid. But-."

"Don't worry."

When I looked up, I saw he was already a few feet away from me walking up the stone path.

"Follow me. It looks like we have a lot to do."

I reluctantly followed him. I'm not sure what I expected but this isn't it. I mean...I know he's going to probably scold me at some point.

Sinopia opened the door to his bedroom and gestured for me to enter. "Lay on the floor."

"Huh?"

He closed the door behind him. "I have to take a look at your core. If you ingested Helos crystals, I need to see how damaged your core really is." he explained. "Don't worry. You are far too young for me."

"What?" I sneered. "I wasn't even thinking about that but now I'm curious. You look like you are no more than thirty-five."

"I am much older than you think." he chuckled. "Now, lay down and pull your blouse over your head."

I pulled my blouse over my head with a laugh. Thankfully, the camisole I wore underneath was a simple sleeveless top. As I lay on my stomach, Sinopia sat next to me.

"This may hurt a bit but just endure it. It won't take long." he placed his hands on the middle of my back.

I began to feel a subtle tingling sensation on the center of my shoulder blades before a sharp penetration that was similar to a rodent digging into the ground. Sharp pains, almost like knives, dug into my skin. Burrowing deep into my bones. I clawed at the floor trying to pull myself away from Sinopia.