Of Roses... And Blood? Wait What-?

Departure

"Can you tell me exactly... What... do you mean by that, miss Cage?"

Alberu flopped himself tiredly onto the couch. His shoulders hunched forward in disbelief over Cage's words. Did he hear this right? An alternate dimension? Perhaps the effects of preparing for war were more severe than he thought. So much so that he started to hallucinate. Because there is no way in this world that this is currently happening.

But it's not. The way princess Rosalyn looks at her with worry and disbelief present in her eyes means that he wasn't the only one to hear such nonsense coming out of priestess Cage's mouth. The rumors were true afterall. Priestess Cage truly has gone crazy. Should he really try to wait and hear on what this heretic is trying to say?

"It means-"

Cage couldn't finish her words as the Molan Patriarch walked in with the Wolf King long trailing not far behind. Ron Molan paid her no mind, however. He instead silently placed a couple of teacups, filled to the brim with steaming hot tea in front of Alberu and every member of Choi Han's party. Not long after Ron was Wolf King Lock, placing his own set of tray filled with mouth-watering desserts.

"Thank you, Lock." Rosalyn did not miss the chance to thank Lock for his help. Although the words of gratitute seemed a bit awkward due to the contents of what was currently being discussed. Even the smart and graceful princess Rosalyn was befuddled by the words coming out of priestess Cage's mouth. It was so out of this world, every occupants of the room was currently having trouble trying to wrap such words around their head.

Cage coughed into her hand, a silent signal trying to gain back every occupants' attention. Once each member of the room had their faces turned to her, Cage continued her sentence, ignoring the bewildered and suspicious look coming from said members.

"As I was saying... By an alternate dimension, I mean a world parallel to us, but different in experience. All of the people there are the same as the one here. In simpler terms, if there is a Crown Prince Alberu Crossman here, than it is likely for the other world to have their own Alberu Crossman. If Swordmaster Choi Han is here in this very room, it could possibly well mean that there's also another Swordmaster Choi Han of their own. Although this variable might not be fixed. It all depends on the action of the citizens there. Someone who might be dead here, might be alive in that world due to another's action. As well as someone who is dead there could very well be alive in this world, vice versa."

Almost everyone in the room flinched at the implication.  Expecially Lock. The boy, no, the young man's eyes were trembling as an image of a certain elf popped up in his mind. Following that were a few children, with a similar colouring to his own, ranging from blue to cool grey. Rosalyn noticed this, placing a comforting hand over the Wolf King's large but hunched shoulders. It was during moments like this that makes the big wolf seem so small compared to others.

Though that wasn't quite right either. Lock may be big physically, but that does not apply to him mentally.  He's a child that was forced to grow up way too quickly for his age. This causes Rosalyn to sometimes worry for Lock. The Wolf King looks tough and rough on the exterior. Losing his loved ones caused him to shed away the weak personality he had in his younger years and become the ferocious wolf that he is. But Rosalyn knew that was far from the truth. She knew that the soft and kind Lock was somewhere inside, past that rough exterior and harsh glares.

Sometimes, the tiniest quirk of the lips could be seen by Rosalyn whenever the wolf was praised by Beacrox's father, Ron. Whenever brought up, he tries to deny it with a snarl. It did good in shutting down the people around him. Or the way his tail wags the slightest bit whenever Choi Han praises him for his improved fighting skills. Last but not least, the way Lock would barge into her lab, with his eyes shining in curiousity. It's well hidden, but Rosalyn was smart. Smart and sharp enough to notice the littlest things that makes Lock... Well, Lock.