Mystic - EN version

Chapter 26 : Departure

Noah fluttered his eyelids, ready to fall asleep, leaning on the edge of the terrace. He and Clave were leaving tomorrow. His aunt had advised him to sleep, but the young man wanted to enjoy the view one last time.

He admired the stars in the sky, the scarlet leaves on the tree and the fireflies in the air. He was glad to have shown this landscape to Clave.

He was also happy to be going off in search of the Crown with her. He didn't want to leave her. Ever since the first day he met her in that corridor in Arthur's mansion, Noah had had strange feelings for his friend. Attraction? Interest? Love? The young man didn't know. It was a mixture of all three.

– Clave? whispered a soft voice. Clave, it's time to wake up.

The young girl was in a large, dark room. Beside her stood a tall woman with long, glossy hair. She smiled warmly at her, despite the tremors that shook the room. She held out her hand and led him over to a bed. Clave was about to lie down on it when Duke Arthur appeared at her back. She turned, ready to defend herself, but everything went black.

– Clave...

The young girl opened her eyes and met Griselda's kind gaze. At first she wondered what the young woman was doing there, but then she remembered. Today was the big day.

She didn't want to get up. She didn't want to leave. She wanted to talk to Catherine, to ask her why she had done this. But the young girl knew it was too late. She had to go now.

Griselda sat down on the edge of the bed.

– Noah's waiting for you downstairs. I've brought you some clothes, if you like.

The young woman pointed to a pile of things on the corner of the bed. The kitten sniffed it, as if checking that everything was in order.

– It'll be more practical for travelling, won't it? smiled Griselda gently.

Clave nodded.

– I'm going downstairs. Meet us in the hall, okay?

– Yes...

Griselda left the room, leaving the young girl alone... or almost. She gently stroked the kitten's head, then got up from the bed to get dressed.

She put on the white shirt, the black trousers, the jacket of the same colour and the leather mittens that Griselda had given her. The shirt was slightly too big, but it would do. Finally, Clave slipped her blue pendant around her neck and under her top. She had a feeling she was going to need it.

When she arrived in the entrance hall, after looking at her reflection in the mirror one last time, Noah noticed her and came towards her. However, he also noticed the kitten, glued to the young girl's feet. The young man stepped back, his eyebrows furrowed.

– Where did you get that thing? he muttered. Reassure me, it's staying here?

– Yes, yes, don't worry.

At these words, the kitten meowed as if it wanted to protest. Noah seemed to want to go far, far away.

Clave wanted to turn to the little cat one last time, but there was a white radiance that forced her to close her eyes to avoid being blinded. When she opened them again, she met a hazel gaze. However, it wasn't her kitten. It was a young man with blond and red hair and serious features.

Clave let out a noise of surprise. Noah moved closer to her, his eyebrows still furrowed.

– Who are you? he spat.

– My name's Corentin. My mission is to help Princess Mystic find the Crown of Radiance.

It took Clave a moment to react to his real name.

– And why were you turned into a cat? growled Noah.

Griselda was watching from a distance, leaning against the wall, looking intrigued by Corentin.

– I have metamorphosis powers, he explained simply.

– Are you going to come with us? asked Clave, who decided not to be impressed.

She stood up straight, looking him straight in the eye.

Corentin studied her up and down without comment, then held out his hand to the young girl.

– Nice to meet you, Mystic. Would you like me to accompany you on your quest?

Clave took a breath, then shook the young man's hand.

– I accept. But please call me Clave.