The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

The Royal Institution had not even fully closed for the day when Rosette and Misty took off. Aeric could be anywhere in the entire realm at this point, but Rosette already had an idea of where he could be and she led her obedient sister there right away.

The light was a bright white shimmer, pouring its spirited glow across the sweeping, endless stretch of the Elysium Plains.

Riding side-by-side atop their formidable beast companions, Rosette and Misty cut an impressive figure as they made their way through the grassy fields.

Rosette, astride her Owlbear, had her usual mannerism of a smileless face, with her sharp eyes focused ahead. Misty rode beside her on her Horsesparrow, her expressions softer, clearly worried and filled with questions that she was too nervous to ask.

The sound of hoofbeats and powerful strides broke the quiet of the plains as they made their way toward a small collection of white painted bungalows with green roofs and small thatched houses nestled in the eastern borders of the Elysium Plains.

Misty cast a sideways glance at Rosette, and finally, she found the courage to ask her question, although her voice remained gentle but curious. "Rosie, why are we here? The plains are quiet... serene. What would Aeric be doing in a place like this?"

Looking back to her sister and sighing, Rosette's gaze returned forward and stayed fixed ahead. "Aeric was wounded badly yesterday if you have forgotten. Celestia took him to a Healer's hut and the closest one to the Institution is here in the Plains. If he was here once, he could return — or perhaps the Healer might know where he was headed."

Misty fell silent, absorbing her sister's words as they pressed forward. "Right. You're so smart, sister. I never would have thought of that."

Rosette didn't react. "That's why I want you to stay by my side always and listen. You could learn a few things, Misty. You could be smart too."

She urged her beast forward and Misty followed after acknowledging her sister's words with a gentle nod.

Before long, they spotted a modest structure surrounded by tall herbs and medicinal plants. It was a Healer's hut. The closest one to the Institution.

"Here," Rosette gestured towards the building. "This must be it."

As they directed their Beasts towards the hut, a few townsfolk lingered nearby, and heads turned as the two sisters approached. Recognizing them through the sigils of the Starlight Region on their expensive cloaks, eyes widened and fingers pointed. Your journey continues on empire

Naturally, word spread quickly, and soon a small crowd had gathered, murmuring and pointing, the awe evident in their faces.

Rosette paid no attention to the whispers. Leading the way, she swung down from her Owlbear with a practiced grace, landing lightly on her feet. Misty dismounted as well, looking more hesitant, her gaze flitting across the onlookers.

Rosette walked to the front door and knocked firmly on its wooden structure. Misty stood beside her, they shared a glance and waited for an answer.

The door opened a moment later, revealing a kindly-looking older woman, Edna, who looked both surprised and apprehensive at the sight of the sisters.

Rosette raised an eyebrow at the woman. She was dressed rather strangely for a healer with her clothing having an extended boob window and clinging tight to her skin. Not to include the tear that reached from the end of the gown all the way to her upper thigh.

She was not at all dressed like a woman her age speaking more of a healer. It almost seemed like she had particularly dressed this way in anticipation of someone. Rosette didn't know, it was just what her instincts were telling her.

Nevertheless, she recognised this woman as Edna of Elysium. She was one of the maidens who had helped in the birth of Aeric, and she was also the one who had wanted him dead. Rosette remembered that her mother had banned her from ever entering the Starlight Region because of that.

If she was the healer that took care of Aeric yesterday, Mother would be dreadfully angry.

"Daughters. Can I help you?" Edna asked, her tone polite but guarded.

"Yes, you can." Rosette's voice was cool, direct. "We're looking for my brother, Son Aeric of Starlight. He was brought here yesterday by Daughter Celestia of Dawn, possibly receiving treatment for a Winged Pegasus attack."

Edna's expression seemed to change at the sound of Aeric's name. At first her brows lowered and mouth seemed to open, but then she tightened slightly, regaining herself. "Ah, yes. The Son Aeric. I remember of course. He was here, but he left yesterday. Healthy and hearty. I haven't seen him since."

The two sisters shared a glance before looking at the healer again. "Are you sure about that?" Rosette's gaze narrowed, her tone dropping to a chill. "Perhaps you could think a little harder, healer. Do you know where else he might be? It's very important that we know that. He's our brother and our mother would be horrified if she found out he was missing."

Rosette's eyes darkened. "You wouldn't want to anger the Mother of Starlight, would you?"

"No, no. I do not." Edna hesitated, glancing nervously at Misty before looking back at Rosette. "I'm telling the truth. He left yesterday. I have no idea where he went after that."

Rosette's jaw tightened. She couldn't help but sense that there was something off and blaringly suspicious about this woman. From the way she was dressed to the way she was acting.

Because she trusted her intuition, she took a step closer, her eyes hard. "We'll be the judges of that. Step aside." She brushed past Edna without waiting for an answer, pushing the old woman's door and causing her to fall to the ground, ripping her tight gown.

"Rosie, what are you doing?" Misty cried.

Stepping into the hut, Rosette's gaze swept over its interior. There were small shelves hanging on the walls, stocked with various herbs, salves, and small potions. A low bed sat in one corner, neatly made, and a faint smell of magical antiseptic lingered in the air.

"Rosie, this isn't right…" Misty began softly, glancing back at the healer with a sympathetic look. "Perhaps she really doesn't know anything. We shouldn't intrude on her space."

But Rosette was already moving deeper into the hut, checking each corner with a critical eye. She inspected the shelves, lifting a few bottles as though expecting them to hide clues, then moved to the bed, examining it with a detached sort of scrutiny.

Misty sighed, helping the woman up and staying back as Rosette combed the hut in silence.

In the end of it all, there was nothing to find. Aeric wasn't in the hut and there were no clues that pointed to where he was.

"He's not here," Rosette said with clenched teeth.

"I told you he wasn't. We can't just barge in here, this is another Region. Our royalty and power doesn't extend here, we could be in trouble for this, Rosie!" Misty admonished, though doing her best not to sound combative.

She then turned to Edna. "We are so sorry, miss."

"It is fine. The Son's life is of great importance to the realm and Mother Guinevere. I understand Daughter Rosette's frustration."

Rosette looked at the woman with an emotionless glare. "If he does return, you'll inform us immediately, won't you?"

Edna nodded, her eyes still wary. "Of course, I will."

Without another word, Rosette and Misty began to stride out of the hut, but then Edna stopped them.

"Can you do the same for me, Daughters?" she asked, her head down, arm clutching the other as her cheeks turned red.

Rosette and Misty looked at her, confused. "Do what?"

"Can you..." her cheeks flushed even more, "...let me know if he returns?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"What?"

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