Chapter 66: Eyesight

Aries was silenced by the words of Cari. He was willing to do anything just to keep his promise to his beloved. Now that he had heard those words from another person, he felt guilty.

Before he could remember some of his memories, he thought that Serestral had no connection to him and it was only a trial from both Heaven and Hell. When he began recalling his memories, he realized that the place and some of the people there were like family to him. A family he never had. 

"I don't know about the things you can remember," Aries seriously told Cari. "But I will save all the people that I can save. And I will never sacrifice any of my comrades. This vicious cycle will end in this lifetime."

Cari stifled her laughter and said, " I heard those words from you every time. But here we are, still living the same old life.."

"I will do it this time," Aries was determined.

"No," Cari was as serious as he was. "We will leave this place and enjoy a different life. We will be husband and wife."

"I need to save Serestral. Help me and I will go wherever you want me to go."

"You cannot use me as you did in our previous lifetimes. I am stronger now. You are under my spell. You don't have the right to ask favors from me," her white eyes were ominous and Aries felt the wind around him become heavier.

He had to lean on the windowsill to prevent his vessel from dropping on its knees.

"What…" his voice had faded when Cari tenderly caressed his face.

"Rest, my love," she gently placed his head over her right shoulder and Aries could not find the strength to struggle against her grip.

It must be because of his new vessel. Cari gave it to him and she obviously had full control over it. As long as he was in that wooden body, he was only a tool for the crazy house leader.

"Let's talk again after we leave this place."

Aries blacked out. His consciousness drifted away from the wooden vessel and found its way towards the princess.

"That's it?" Prince Sunrei asked and he sounded in awe.

As usual, Aries could not perceive anything but sheer darkness.

"What are you expecting?" Gust asked back with a yawn.

"How can you calm Jodien just by talking to him?" Prince Sunrei put more details in his question.

"Not all Celestial Knights are that bad," Gust answered with a sigh. "Look at Gani. Aries allowed him to occupy a vessel. They probably have an agreement like Jodien and me. As long as I can keep my side of the bargain, he will hold on to his pledge," he paused for a moment then asked, "Princess, did you return to the House of Goat?"

"Not yet," Princess Pieffer replied in a dispirited tone. "I am worried about the situation here."

"As you can see, there is nothing to worry about. My uncle already regained consciousness. He will resume leading the House of Goat after I reinstate the barriers. It will take four days and my magic will be fully spent every day. I cannot assist you in searching the House of Goat. But you can take Jodien with you."

"You need to be protected while reinstating the barriers," Princess Pieffer reminded the stubborn Zodiac Knight. "I can survey that place on my own. The rest should stay with you. Even my brother."

"Then Gale will come with you," Gust firmly stated. "Both of you can easily go in and out of that place. You can only accept that offer. You know that we cannot let you wander alone in that dangerous place. Aries will not be happy with it."

"Deal," Princess Pieffer agreed with a sigh. "You should all get some rest. I'll just take a walk in the backyard. I will see you all tomorrow."

Aries heard faint footsteps. Princess Pieffer was already leaving the conference area. The stone floor became unpaved ground then Aries heard leaves crackling as the princess took more steps.

I want to see something. But how can I see? I need to tell them about Cari. But how can I talk to them? I need to ask Guardian Aika how to take control of that wooden vessel. I cannot let Cari do what she wants with my soul. I have to take control!

"Ouch!"

Darkness had been replaced with crimson and after a few seconds, that intense color had zoomed out of his sight until he could finally glimpse the princess. 

He was momentarily astounded at the fact that he could finally see. Then he realized that he was the one who made the princess gasp in pain. A tiny crimson needle had pricked her finger and it was attached to the ripped arm of the rag doll, his older vessel.

Witnessing that, Aries could finally believe what Guardian Aika had said. A part of his soul remained in that ripped arm and it was the one pulling back his consciousness.

"Aries?" the eyes of the princess brimmed with tears. She had totally forgotten the pain that crimson needle had caused her. She was crying with joy while gazing at the thing that pricked her finger. "You are safe, right? You will come back to us, right?"

Aries wanted to answer but there was no mouth in that ripped arm. Aries wondered how he could see despite not having a pair of eyes in that vessel.

Is it because I wanted to see things?

He also wanted to speak but no voice was coming out of his vessel. Nonetheless, he had to be extra careful and avoid hurting the princess.

"Pieffer, you should get some rest," Prince Sunrei approached him. "If you want to save Aries, you have to be at your strongest."

"Brother!" Princess Pieffer showed the crimson needle at the prince. "You can see this, right?"

Prince Sunrei nodded despite his confusion.

"Though you look so happy… uhm...I have to ask… ahm…" Prince Sunrei pointed at the needle, "Does this mean something?"

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"Brother!" Princess Pieffer yelled impatiently. "This is a crimson blade. Only Aries can wield this. Guardian Aika was wrong. This arm doesn't contain a part of his soul. Aries is inside this thing. His soul is with us. He probably wants to talk to us..."

"Hey, calm down," Prince Sunrei quickly said. "We have to check that out with Guardian Aika. For now, you should get some rest. We have a lot of things to do tomorrow."

"Okay," Princess Pieffer agreed with a sigh of disappointment.  "Let's get some rest."

^#######^

"Give me that ripped arm," Prince Sunrei said when Princess Pieffer was about to enter the bathroom inside their chamber.

"Why?" the princess glared suspiciously at her brother.

"You will take a hot bath, right?" the prince was glaring back at his sister. "Why do you have to take that ripped arm with you?"

"I thought you don't believe that the entire soul of Aries is within this thing?" she snapped at her brother and her grip tightened around the ripped arm in her right hand.

"Entire soul or not, he is still in there," the prince extended his arm with palm wide open. "Give me that ripped arm. Don't worry. I will take care of it as much as you do."

"Fine," Princess Pieffer tossed the ripped arm at her brother.

The sudden motion made Aries a little dizzy and he felt a little disappointed.

Disappointed… Wait! Why am I feeling disappointed? Do I really want to see her taking a bath? Her… naked body…

"Ouch!"

That gasp of pain stopped Aries from imagining sinful things regarding the princess.

"Hey, Aries!" Prince Sunrei was staring at his bleeding finger with annoyance. Another crimson needle came out of the ripped arm and pricked him. "Are you angry because I stopped you from peeking at my sister?!"

Of course, not! I… I can't control Vermillion!

"You should understand," the prince went on. "I am her brother. I should protect her from anyone. Even from you. A man is still a man in front of a bathing woman. I think from now on, I should be the one keeping you safe. I can only allow you to stay together at all times if you are already married but since that is not the case, you should stay with me at all times. You get my point, right?"

Aries wanted to prick the prince but the needles remained unmoving. He wanted to stop the prince from saying senseless things but his blades were not cooperating. He was wondering if it was because his body was incomplete. He suddenly remembered the vessel Cari had provided to him and marveled at the thought of using his crimson blades to get out of that ominous white place.

Should I leave or should I convince Cari to change? She is still a Zodiac Knight.

Aries had his doubts. Cari was determined to abandon her responsibilities and run away with him. She would not be easily swayed.

Then… Should I use her feelings towards me?

Aries shook his head. Killing was his expertise but not flirting.

That's right. If I defeat her then maybe she would listen to what I have to say. Maybe I can make her see that this kingdom is still worth saving.

But defeating a powerful spellcaster would only be possible if he could take full control of his body.

Aries was distracted by the sudden movement of his tiny vessel.

The princess grabbed him from the grip of Prince Sunrei.

"Hey!" the prince exclaimed.

"Why are you suddenly doing this?" Princess Pieffer sat on the bed, a few feet away from the couch where Prince Sunrei had settled. "You know how much I wanted to protect Aries. That is why you let me take care of him."

"I will still allow you to take care of him but you cannot take him with you to the bathroom or to your bed! You are not yet married!" Prince Sunrei strictly explained.

"We used to sleep on the same bed ten years ago!" Princess Pieffer stubbornly yelled and rested her back on the bed with the ripped arm still in her hand. "I will not take him to the bathroom but he will sleep right next to me!"

She had covered her entire body with a blanket and Aries had been shrouded with dimness. It took his vision a few moments to adjust against the darkness.

"I know you can only remember a few memories between us," the princess had softly whispered and she was staring apologetically at him. 

Her lips were only a few inches away from Aries and it was making his heart, though he had no heart at the moment, something was definitely pounding hard and fast from within him. 

"I know a lot of things had changed between us," the princess went on and Aries could not help but feel more uncomfortable. He had no face but he felt something inside him was getting hotter. "You already have someone in your heart. I am aware of that. So, you don't have to worry. I just feel that both of us are safe if we sleep near each other. There is nothing more to it. I promise. Just take a rest. Good Night, Aries."

The princess closed her eyes and after a few minutes, she had already fallen asleep while Aries remained wide awake. He could not take his eyes away from the princess. The pounding within him was growing stronger. The burning sensation was intensifying. His desire was escalating.

This woman… did I really sleep with her ten years ago?

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