Numbers x Casket-Chapter 19: Doing Fine

"If you want to have a price on your head, then please go ahead and try!" Celine snarled.

She couldn't believe the man's reasoning; after all, she knew how impossible it was to pass through the city without getting caught.

The magic circles, along with those orbs floating above, were not just decorations. They acted as security surveillance to prevent infiltration and monitor the crimes. Evading their trajectory was like passing a thread with the size of a thumb through the eye of a needle. In other words, it was hopeless to do so.

"You know what, just follow me!" Celine insisted.

The two of them gave each other a stare-down, and a moment after, the woman's left brow raised while Efraim opened his mouth and spoke.

"What's the catch?" he asked, his tone laced with doubt.

However, Celine shook her head and smiled.

"There's no such thing; I'm just returning the favor of saving us earlier," she answered.

Then, she didn't wait for the man's reply; instead, she turned around and walked towards the gate, ignoring the queue of people.

With both of his hands inside his pockets, Efraim followed behind. Glares coming from the crowd greeted them as they passed through the long line.

"Hey! What are you doing? The end of the queue is at the back," someone yelled in anger.

"Guards! Don't let them pass!" another person shouted, and murmurs followed.

But Celine and Efraim didn't show any reaction, not even a glance. They went straight at the gate, and everyone was taken aback, including the appraiser.

The guards stationed at the entrance bowed their heads in respect upon seeing Celine. They asked no questions and continued with their tasks.

However, the guards blocked the appraiser's path, causing him to halt his steps.

"I would like to apologize, but there's a queue; please patiently wait for your turn," the guard said.

Efraim tilted his head and glanced at the crimson-eyed woman. As soon as Celine felt his stare, she turned around and spoke.

"He's with me," she announced, her voice filled with authority.

"My apologies," the guard stepped sideward and even showed Efraim the way upon hearing the woman's declaration.

"Thank you," the appraiser nodded and walked towards Celine.

This particular scene got several attentions from the crowd. Some left the long line and complained to the guards about the special treatment, while others chose to keep their silence. However, the two people paid no attention to them and just continued on their strides.

As they gained some distance away from the gate, Efraim's eyes stared at Celine with a curious gaze.

"Who are you?" he asked.

Upon hearing the question, the woman turned around without halting on her steps; she walked backward while looking straight at the young appraiser.

"I've already told you, haven't I? Celine Boltz is the name," she answered, the smile on her face teasing the equator.

"I know, but I'm not familiar with Celestia's hierarchy or much about those noble families," Efraim replied.

Then he averted his gaze and looked around.

"But it's fine; I don't like prying into other people's lives," he added, his expression somewhat serious.

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Yet despite this, the woman's soft laughter struck his ears, making him look back at her.

"What? Why are you laughing?" he asked, his eyes squinted.

However, Celine didn't reply; she just shook her head and turned around.

"I want to surprise you; maybe if you stay until the festival, you'll find out who I really am," she stated.

"I don't plan to stay here that long, though," Efraim replied, which made the woman stop and turn around again.

Both of them halted their steps in the middle of the road, and they slowly began to garner attention, especially because of Celine.

Her crimson eyes, along with those grayish-colored strands, stood out among the crowd.

"Why? Are you not going to watch the wedding? That's the highlight of this festival! That would be a pretty grand event. The sacred ritual between the Nightfall's first daughter and the Chronos' heir would probably be the whole talk of Celestia!" Celine exclaimed, sharing her delusions.

Then she raised her hand and clenched all of her fingers except for the one next to the thumb.

"And here's the other thing!" She paused and turned around, looking at the magic tower at the center of the city.

"This wedding will be the path to the greater development of magic. With the Nightfall's lost magic along with the Chronos' advanced magic, Celestia would flourish and maybe even become the strongest faction in Oriental Plains," Celine added, her voice humming with excitement.

However, the curl on the edges of her lips vanished upon glancing back only to see a group of people staring at her in awe.

"E-Efraim?" Celine stuttered as she tried to look for the appraiser, but even his silhouette was nowhere to be found.

. . . . .

The Arcane City of Celestia, the sanctuary of all mages. A place where magic was considered the most important thing. Everything here was discussed and regulated based on the principles of magic.

Efraim stared at the giant tower located at the center of the capital. Based on what he knew, that very place acted as the supreme body that governed the entirety of Celestia.

"This place is really wonderful compared to that..." Efraim uttered as he scanned the area.

The streets were buzzing with people, mostly mages wandering around, children playing with magic circles, and performers dancing to the beat of loud music. The festival was not yet starting, but the city was already filled with joy and laughter.

The appraiser couldn't help but smile as he continued to watch the activities of the crowd. Then, a certain question came knocking in his thoughts, and his gaze diverted to the giant skyscraper.

'I wonder what she's doing right now. Is she doing fine up there?' he contemplated, and the curl on the edges of his lips disappeared.

. . . . .

Lindsay stared outside the window of her room, her gaze bored and straight without any glimmer of joy. Her mind was in a constant whirlpool of thoughts when a gentle knock on the door echoed inside.

"My Lady, may I come in?" said a voice, asking for permission.

Without averting her eyes from the crowd of people in the busy streets, Lindsay gave her consent. "Come in, it's open."

Then a woman entered the premises; on her hands were two beautiful dresses. Both had the same white color, but the intricate designs and their textures were completely different.

"My Lady, the heir of the Chronos sent these things for the ball for tomorrow night. Would you like to try them?" the attendant asked, smiling, her voice overwhelmed with courtesy.

"Just throw them out; I won't wear any of those," Lindsay answered.

Her reply caught the woman off guard, causing her to blink a few times in disbelief.

"But, My Lady, these are—" She was in the middle of speaking when Lindsay looked behind and stared at her.

She uttered not a single word, but her gaze was sharp like a dagger hurled at the attendant.

"As you desire, My Lady," the woman stated.

Then she bowed before turning around. As soon as the attendant left the room, Lindsay closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath.

Afterward, she walked towards the bed and threw herself in.

"Like a princess trapped in a cage," she whispered, sadness looming in her voice.

She was busy staring at the ceiling when another knock came on the door.

'Seriously? They keep on pestering,' Lindsay thought.

Despite not leaving the Magic Tower, she felt tired the whole day and just wanted to avoid those extra conversations, so she decided not to answer and acted like she was asleep.

"My Lady, it's me," the person behind the door stated, and the moment Lindsay heard the voice, she stood up in a hurry and went towards the entrance.

"Captain!" she exclaimed with delight upon seeing the old man.

His leather armor was now nowhere to be seen; instead, he was dressed in formal wear like that of a butler.

"How are you, My Lady? Are you doing fine? I just returned now," the old man greeted her while bowing his head.

Like a child, Lindsay puffed out her cheeks after hearing the old man's question.

"I'm dying here, Captain; can you please take me out?" she complained, then asked for a favor.

The old man couldn't help but chuckle due to her actions. However, he soon shook his head, opposing the young mage's idea.

"Forgive me, My Lady, but it's the Grand Lord's order to prevent you from going outside until the wedding ceremony is over," Captain Zed replied.

Lindsay turned around and grumbled while heading towards her bed. "He's really something. How can he do it to her one and only daughter?"

The old man followed her and walked in the direction of the window. Lindsay plunged herself into the soft fabric and covered her eyes with a throw pillow.

"How is he? Is he doing fine?" she asked out of nowhere.

Captain Zed heard her question loud and clear, but he didn't answer right away. He put his right hand inside his pocket and pulled something out.

From the length of its cord, it looked like a necklace. But the next second, he clenched his fist and shoved it back in.

"I think he is," he replied.

There was a hint of guilt present in his eyes.

. . . . .