Episode 7

They were all in oblivion. As much as I wanted to speak, I was satisfied seeing them in silence. I turned to look behind me. The man I had been searching for earlier was now in front of me.

Looking so mighty and... dangerous. With his defined and Roman beauty that screamed ruthlessness and sternness, his resemblance to the man I loved was undeniable. Though, Mikael was soft and gentle.

He faced me. No words, but with a connection, he kneeled in front of me and bowed his head. “Sorry for taking too long, Master.” His voice was deep.

I was shocked and still couldn't process what had happened. Everyone else was the same. They seemed to be wondering what my connection was to the man kneeling in front of me now.

“Malaya? What is this— ”

“Furappu. You marked her?” Luis asked. He looked calm. Dangerously calm. But his demeanor wasn't what made me silent. It was the... name.

Furappu? What is that? Is that the name of the man behind me? But I remembered clearly how he wanted me to give him a name!

I waited for him to answer, but nothing came. I pursed my lips as I roamed my eyes around the people.

They were hesitant to ask me. Of course, who wouldn't? This man beside me was radiating ruthlessness!

Plus, he just stopped Divine Power! And mind you, it was the High Priest who did that!

I thought he lost his power one at a time? What was going on?

I sighed, feeling my head aching from all the thoughts since earlier. The engagement, the people, him, and now... him again?

Couldn't I just disappear suddenly? They were exhausting me! My head was already aching from this situation before it even started.

I didn't speak. I walked past them and decided to go and lock myself up in my room. Ah, too much information.

“Malaya about the engagement... ” Duke Eléftheros trailed off. I turned to him sharply. Didn't they understand? I don't want to get f-cking married.

“You're talking to the wrong person. You should ask for Innocence's opinion instead.” I said. I glanced at the Crown Prince, who was now silent too. I went upstairs and didn't look back at them. I glanced at the mark, and now, it looked stable.

“Master,” I heard someone whisper.

I knew who it was. If he sounded coldly a while ago, now, he sounded calm and almost like he was feeling nothing.

I was in my room. I peeked through the slightly open door. My thoughts were haywired because of the name! I could ask him right now. I wondered if he would tell me.

I opened the door and waited for him to come in. But he didn't. He just looked at me. No particular emotion. I sighed.

“Come in,” I ordered. He bowed his head and nodded. He squeezed himself in and fit his body through the small opening of the door.

I walked towards the small table next to my bed. He followed me. But he was three steps behind. As if he was distancing himself from me. He's like a bodyguard to me.

“I have a lot of questions. Could you answer them?” I asked immediately. There's no stopping now. I think I'll learn everything from him. I'm not hesitant. More like, I'm desperate.

He bowed his head. Even though he was bowing, he was still taller than me. He replied firmly. “I swear to answer my Master's questions honestly.” He said.

I breathed heavily. “I don't know if I'll believe everything I've seen and heard. But, is it true? I'm your Muryō?” I asked. He nodded immediately. “The mark says so,” he answered.

“Why me?” I crossed my arms. Without changing his usual expression, he said, “Because, I wanted to give it to you. There's no other reason,” he said.

I furrowed my brow. It sounded like he was just giving it to anyone! And he just gave the mark to me for no reason? Wow?

His name appeared in my mind. “Who's Furappu? Is that your name?” I asked. He turned to me before sighing.

He then nodded. I cleared my throat. “So, there's no need to give you a name?” I asked again. He shook his head slightly.

“I don't want that name. It was given by the creator of this world, and I hate it. But if the Master insists on calling me after my mythical name, I will oblige.” He bowed his head again.

He hates his name. The creator he told me was surely Mikael. Furappu... it was the Japanese term for, flap.

Phoenix is a bird. Birds need to flap their wings. But he was cursed, so he couldn't do it freely anymore. So, he looked for me. His Muryō.

Muryō is the Japanese term for... free. More like, freedom.

He marked me as his Muryō. In other words, I'm his way to freedom. Just like my name. Malaya. I am his path to becoming... free.

But I wonder why he hates his name though.

I didn't ask any more questions. I turned to him. “Kneel in front of me and raise your head,” I ordered like how a Master should do it. He immediately obeyed.

I smiled. Mikael, for me to completely forget you, I wanted to disappear here. But since the world you created won't let me, please let me use your name so that I can adjust to it.

I won't be hurt anymore if I call your name, because it's not you anymore.

“Mikael Yvan Furappu. I will call you Yvan,” I said as I laid my hands on his head. He looked up at me. I smiled. “You are Yvan now. If I call you by this name, it's you. There's no one else around. You're Yvan. You're my Yvan.” I told him.

He didn't speak. I just nodded at him. I suddenly remembered the upcoming days in this world. After my two months of being grounded, the age of coming of Innocence will happen. And the appointment of knights.

And I still have a problem with this so-called engagement!

I don't want to get a knight. But looking at Yvan right now, I have a plan.

“On the 26th of September, the appointment of Knights will happen. Blend yourself in with the Knights because I will choose you.” I tapped his head like a puppy.

But I remembered that Malaya was the one who would make the final choice. I looked at him. He's too big and massive to not be noticed! Maybe another noble will choose him! He has the face, the body, the power, and everything!

I pouted. I was annoyed by the thought. “Don't make yourself noticeable. Maybe someone else will choose you,” I pouted my lips. He nodded at me. “Yes, Master.”

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