"I need your help."

Kael spoke directly, looking into Aurelia’s eyes.

And in his mind, his conversation with Imperia began—

’Move the other Ants, tell them to carry the injured ones to an isolated area.’

’Father...’

Imperia called out in a concerned voice.

She too wanted to help her children, she too wanted them to be healed.

But...

She also knew the problems that came with it.

If someone healed her Ants, they would learn about the Whisperveils, connect them to her father and reveal one of his biggest secrets.

His eyes.

And if that spread, people would then begin thinking about ways to counter the Whisperveils, making it difficult for Kael to keep the information network as strong as the one he currently had.

’Father, you...’

Imperia tried to say something, words that would crush her heart the moment she said them but—

’Stop.’

Kael stopped her, knowing exactly what she was thinking.

’To me, your Ants are more important than the Stonefangs because they are your children.

I will never stoop so low that I let them die just so I can prevent my secret. If it reveals the truth, then let it be.

I am prepared for the consequences.

I have already killed many Ants because of my short-sightedness; I cannot allow more deaths. I won’t be able to live with it.’

’...’

Imperia did not know what to say; her heart felt at ease when she heard her father’s words, but at the same time, it felt... heavy.

Like she was disappointing him.

’Stop thinking what you are thinking.’

Kael spoke directly, this time, his voice was firmer.

’Do what I told you.’

He ordered.

’Yes, Father.’

Imperia nodded and began commanding her Ants.

Outside, Aurelia frowned in confusion as she stared at Kael.

"Right now...?"

She asked, confused.

"I need you to heal someone for me."

The Sky Serpent General’s frown deepened.

"I am already healing the Stonefangs."

"Not the Stonefangs."

Kael shook his head and Aurelia narrowed her eyes.

"Not the... Stonefangs...?

Then who?"

She asked.

And Kael—

"That, I cannot tell you."

He answered honestly.

"Huh?"

Aurelia’s expression changed, her eyes blinking as if her mind couldn’t register what was happening.

"How am I supposed to—"

"All you need to do is get your Bond to cast healing magic right in front of her while her eyes are closed.

And she needs to do it until I tell her to stop."

Kael requested.

It was an absurd request and Aurelia—

The woman caught on to more than what Kael wanted her to catch.

"So there are multiple people you want me to heal."

Kael’s mouth twitched for a very slight second; he did not wish to give this woman any more information, especially since it came with the risk of the Sky Kingdom and eventually the entire world knowing his secret.

But in the end...

He was in a desperate situation and...

Somewhere in his heart, he knew that out of all the people who could help him, Aurelia was... his best choice.

A person he could... probably trust.

Well, that is if everything went well. If it didn’t, his secret would be out, but right now, saving the Ants was much more important.

"And since you came to me, it must mean you are desperate.

Even if I do not agree to your condition and insist on watching who you want me to heal, considering your soft personality, you will give in just so you can heal the people you want me to heal."

And while Kael was calculating everything in his head, the Sky Serpent General read him like a book.

Lavinia stared at Aurelia but there was absolutely no expression on her face, almost as if she was scared the woman would read her too.

But that empty look alone was a giveaway.

Aurelia looked at her; she smiled ever so slightly, then she turned back to Kael and—

"She does a better job hiding her expressions than you do.

Being the Princess of the Strongest Kingdom does come with its own benefits, huh..."

The General commented.

"But then again, she isn’t perfect yet.

There are things only time can teach you."

"..."

Kael didn’t say anything.

He did not know what he was supposed to say.

Was this... the time to reveal his secret?

He thought inwardly. Imperia’s Ants were still gathering the injured ones behind the broken house near the edge of the corner, so he still had some time to think but...

It didn’t look like he was going to be able to keep his secret.

So in the end, Kael gave in—

"Alright. I’ll do it. On your terms."

—or at least that was what Kael was about to do, but before he could say anything, Aurelia said something surprising.

"...what?"

Kael blinked, even Lavinia was taken aback.

"I said I will do it. I will heal whoever it is you want me to heal without asking any questions."

"You will... do that?"

Kael muttered, his mouth hanging open.

Aurelia stared at him for a moment, then she shook her head—

"Never make that expression when someone gives you a favor. Know that you are more than capable of returning a favor, right now, and even more in the future. So never lower yourself to a situation where you give the other person too much power over you.

It shows desperation and people will use your desperation against you."

Kael listened to those words carefully. Aurelia, knowing that Kael was finally listening, continued—

"Always look like you will back away and shut off, even if you absolutely cannot. Do not reveal all your cards too quickly."

Again, Kael listened carefully and then he asked an innocent question—

"Then why didn’t you do it...?

Why didn’t you use my desperation against me?"

"There is nothing I want from you right now."

Aurelia paused for a moment, as if she was thinking about something and—

"Other than your trust."

She spoke.

"You are wary of me and you have every right to be.

My people went back on my word; that couldn’t have made a worse impression and I will need time to mend that."

"I could have freed you."

Kael mentioned.

"I am getting a delicious meal three times a day, I am in no hurry to leave. I’d rather wait to try and win you over."

Aurelia answered honestly, and her honesty confused Kael—

"Why do you want that so badly? Know that no matter what you do, I will not come to your Kingdom with you."

He spoke honestly too and Aurelia—

She smiled.

"You do not understand."

She shook her head.

"You are the Hero.

You cannot hide in this small place forever even if you want to.

That is not your destiny.

You will return to the main world, you will leave this place eventually—

And once you do, I want you to see me and my Kingdom as an ally, not an enemy.

That is all I want."

The Sky Serpent General spoke honestly, then, not wanting to discuss this any further, she changed the topic. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Now stop wasting time on unnecessary chit-chat. There are people you wish to save; let’s get moving."

Aurelia spoke, once again scanning her surroundings while her head calculated everything. Once she was done planning everything in her mind, she turned back towards Kael and—

"There are about five more people who need Hylia’s help in the line. I will send the other critical cases to others and deal with the rest on my own.

You take Hylia, bring her wherever you wish.

Heal whoever you wish and bring her back.

But keep in mind that you do not go too far from me. My Hylia is extremely attached to me; if she is too far away from me, she will panic and her magic won’t work as well as it normally does."

Aurelia then paused, staring at Hylia, who was still casting healing magic on the Stonefangs tirelessly. Then a light, almost vulnerable smile appeared on her face as she turned back towards Kael and—

"Please be gentle when you blindfold her. My Hylia gets scared easily, so do not rush her and please take care of her."

The Sky Serpent General requested.

Kael glanced at her, then at her Bond, Hylia.

Hylia was a Lunavale Skydove, an adorable but timid creature who had healing powers. She had silver-white fluffy feathers with lavender tips, big glowing mist-blue eyes, a floating feather halo, long ribbon tail feathers, and a calm aura that created a faint luminous mist around her.

It was around one and a half meters tall and was currently healing a Stonefang Elder’s broken hand with all her might.

*Hylia’s picture*

Kael then looked back at Aurelia and—

"I promise you, I will take the best care of her."

He spoke.

Aurelia nodded.

"Then give her ten minutes, then I’ll send her with you."

"I am grateful."

Kael nodded and even bowed his head, something Aurelia stopped him from before he could complete—

"I said it before,

Do not show your desperation."

"Yes."

Kael nodded again, this time, with a firmer look on his face.