Zuzu pointed to the names inked in faded gold, "Bingya and Baixue."
Daita's eyes narrowed at the familiar names. He muttered, "So they were once a single spirit…"
Zuzu gave a slow nod. "Yes. Twisted by the curse, they turned against all life, slaying anyone who dared enter the snow mountain. But Baiya… he had once been the dearest devotee of the god of health. And that god, moved by his fate, descended from the heavens."
He turned the scroll slightly, tracing the ancient passage. "As a final act of mercy and in exchange of a favour, the god granted them a golden petal. A sacred flower that could heal any wound, any illness, saving the life from death . But it wasn't just a gift… it was a deal. The petal would remain hidden on that mountain, watched over by the cursed demons. And in return, they were given a sliver of hope, a chance to be freed from their torment."
Daita leaned in, eyes sharp. "How?"
Zuzu's tone became grave. "The flower can only be used by someone worthy. Someone strong enough to face the demons and kill them. If such a person uses the flower to save a life, it will break the curse binding Bingya and Baixue…"
He let the scroll curl shut in his hands. "…But only by taking the curse of that flower into themselves."
Daita's jaw clenched. "Taking the curse?" he echoed, urgency rising in his voice. "What does that mean? What kind of curse does the flower carry?"
Zuzu looked at him grimly. "All the lives that were lost on that mountain, those who were slain by the twin demons don't pass on peacefully. Their souls became restless, twisted into vengeful spirits. And when that flower is used…" He hesitated before continuing. "…they attach themselves to the one it saves. Spirits of the unworthy, those who failed to claim the flower cling to that life, drawn by the divine energy."
His voice dropped, barely a whisper. "They haunt the saved one. Torment them. Slowly draining their life force… feeding on their soul until nothing is left but an empty shell. And when they're done—"He looked down."—they take what they wanted the most… a life."
Daita stood up so abruptly the scroll rolled away from his lap. "What?!" he breathed, eyes wide.
Zuzu flinched at his reaction and quickly rose to his feet, confused and worried.
"Seventh Prince?"
Daita didn't respond at first. He slowly brought a hand to his face, rubbing his temples, then dragging it down with a groan. "I made a mistake," he said, voice low, tight with guilt.
Zuzu froze. "What mistake…?" he asked carefully.
Daita's eyes, filled with dread, met his. "I used that flower… on someone."
Daita suddenly lunged forward, gripping Zuzu by the shoulders. "Tell me how to break the curse!" he shouted, shaking him violently. "There must be a way! There has to be!"
Zuzu stumbled, caught off guard, still processing what he had just heard. "I—I don't know!" he stammered, eyes wide. "Wait! there might be something in the scroll!"
He pointed hastily toward the parchment still half-unrolled on the wooden floor.
Without another word, Daita released him and dove to the scroll, fingers scanning over the ink with urgency. His eyes darted across the weathered text, breath sharp and uneven.
Then he froze.
Found it.
He snatched the scroll, rolled it tight, and without sparing a glance back, he turned and sprinted toward the towering arched doors at the end of the hall. His footsteps echoed across the hall, and with a loud creak and a slam, the grand doors of the library closed behind him.
Zuzu stood frozen in place, hair tousled, robes dusty, blinking in the silent wake of Daita's sudden departure.
"…What was that?" he muttered, brushing parchment crumbs off his sleeves.
Then, with a sigh, he stared at the empty space Daita had left behind. "Seventh prince… You better not be running headfirst into more trouble…"
————
Astra stood at the edge of the rooftop balcony, her hands lightly gripping the stone railings. The crisp night air brushed against her skin as her eyes traced the bloom of fireworks bursting across the sky gold, silver, and orange embers painting the heavens. The distant music of flutes and drums floated up from below, but she stood motionless, her gaze lost in the celebration unfolding beyond her.
"What happened? You're oddly silent tonight."
The voice came from behind, teasing familiar. She didn't turn back, "Shion… what are you doing here?" Her voice was quiet, almost weary. "You booked the most expensive room in the whole inn. Why are you up here instead of enjoying it?"
Shion's footsteps sounded against the rooftop tiles as he slowly approached, stopping beside her.
"That's because your room has the best view of the sky tonight," he said with a small smirk, eyes lifting to the glowing moonlight and colorful sparks above. "I thought I'd take a look before heading to sleep."
Astra didn't answer, only shifted her gaze downward. In the square below, a vibrant dance was underway. Dozens of performers twirled through the crowd, dressed in layered silks of deep red and shimmering gold, their sleeves flowing like flames in motion. Bells jingled at their ankles with every step, matching rhythm with the beat of the drums. Lanterns swung gently from high ropes, casting flickers of warm light over the sea of spectators cheering and clapping along.
The entire street pulsed with life laughter, music, movement but Astra watched with quiet eyes, unmoved.
"You don't like it?" Shion asked, glancing at her sideways.
Astra's voice was soft. "It's not that… it just feels a little too far away tonight."
"Far away?" Shion echoed, his brow arching as he turned to look at her.
Astra finally turned toward him, her expression thoughtful, almost conflicted. "I don't know why, but… I'm feeling different. It's like something is close so close I can feel it, but still too far to touch. I don't even know what to call it."
Shion frowned, folding his arms across his chest. "Astra… did you hit your head when you jumped off that boat and land on something hard?"
Astra narrowed her eyes at him. Shion shrugged, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I'm just asking because you're acting weird."
Astra scoffed and turned away, but not without the faintest smile tugging at her lips. The fireworks sparked again in the sky, their reflections flickering in her eyes.
After a quiet moment beneath the crackling sky, Astra spoke again, her voice lower this time.
"Shion… do you know who the other person was that jumped into the water—aside from Ryoma? I heard Ryoma couldn't see his face or find him afterward."
Shion paused, his brows furrowed slightly as he thought back.
"No, I don't. Ryoma said the man disappeared without a word after handing you over to him. Why?" He glanced sideways at her. "You planning to say thank you?"
Astra nodded faintly, eyes still on the distance.
"Yeah… I am."
Shion chuckled under his breath. "Ryoma already thanked him, I'm sure. Now go to sleep. We'll be leaving early." He turned, walking back waving lazily over his shoulder.
Astra exhaled, relief softening her shoulders. She shook her head with a tired smile, letting the curtain fall as she returned back into the room.
The soft glow from the fireworks filtered in through the silk-draped window. Inside, Xue lay curled up on the bed, sound asleep, his expression peaceful beneath the warm light.
Astra quietly walked over and sat beside him. Carefully, she lifted his small hand and gently unwrapped the cloth bandage, making sure not to wake him.
Her eyes narrowed in surprise.
"Where are the wounds…?" she whispered to herself.
The wounds were completely healed smooth skin with not even the faintest trace of injury left behind. Not even a scratch.
Astra tilted her head, then let out a small breath and shrugged. "Maybe that tiny box of medicine Arisu gave really did work very well…" she muttered.
She rewrapped Xue's hand gently, making sure it was snug but comfortable. Then, with a soft smile tugging at her lips, she leaned in and ruffled his hair lightly.
"He's so cute when he's sleeping." she whispered, watching his sleeping face relax even more under her touch.