272: 6.32 Revelation

6.32 Revelation

Ever since knowing that Regius was a God, Jillian had always wondered what kind of a God he was. He knew from story books that there were numerous kinds of Gods in charge of their own domain. God of Birth, Goddess of Luck, and God of Love were the three most mentioned ones. The three Gods symbolized the light and the Evil God being the embodiment of darkness and together, they would defeat him. It was children's books after all, so Jillian didn't hold much expectation.  2

He couldn't help but wonder what kind of God Regius was. Judging from the way he appeared amidst the howling blizzard, wearing a pure white robe, maybe he was the God of Winter? That was very plausible. Regius always had that kind of cold and apathetic face when he looked at others except Jillian. Being the God of Winter suited him best, it sounded sexy to be honest.

Why didn't he just ask Regius directly? That was a good question. Regius didn't even intend for him to find out his real identity. Jillian wasn't so insensible that he would ask something that the other didn't want to answer.

So here he was, a day after Prince Hayden's official coronation, hiding deep inside the royal library between the old and abandoned section. If there was a place to store texts and information of centuries ago, then it would be the royal library. 

Usually, the royal library would only be accessible to members of the royal family and ministers themselves but Jillian especially asked for entry permission when King Emeri asked him what he wanted in exchange for having brought His Majesty's son back to him.

Thinking nothing about it, the King happily agreed to Jillian's wish. 

Jillian hoped he could find the answer he wanted soon before he started to feel guilty for leaving Regius at home.

"So exactly what are you searching for, Duke?" Prince Hayden, who was slouching on top of the table, asked curiously. 

He looked like a totally different person clad in silk and embroidered outfits, diamond cuffs, a brooch with the royal family's insignia pinned on his scarf, and his hair slicked back to show his sharp features. 

Clothes really did make the man, Jillian mused.

As much as Jillian didn't want to spare him a glance, it was improper not to respond when the Prince was asking him a question. Thus he lowered the book about legends and myths of the country he was reading and turned to Hayden. 

In an instant, Hayden sat upright with a guilty look like a puppy caught tearing into its owner's shoes. The corner of Jillian's lips twitched. "Responding to Your Highness' question, I am looking for ancient texts to curb my curiosity regarding matters I can't disclose. One more thing, you are allowed to sit however you want, Your Highness."

Hayden cringed visibly and scratched his cheek, sheepish. "It has become a habit." He slumped back to the table, to Jillian's exasperation, and groaned like an angry boar. It was very un-noble like. Jillian resisted the itch to slap the back of his head. Hayden was right. It had really become a habit. "Can you please not talk to me in such a formal tone? It sounds so weird…"

"I deeply apologize for my inability to fulfill your wish," Jillian replied succinctly. "If Your Highness minds how I speak, then he should tend to his own business instead of being here."

"Are you kicking me out?" Hayden stared at him incredulously. "Are you really kicking me out right now, Duke?"

"Am not." Jillian deadpanned.

"You are!" Hayden gave a victorious beam. "Ha! You're the one who said that I should tend to my own business so here I am! I don't like being around those noblemen who flatter me with every word they say, and the King tears up everytime I show up in front of him so… nope, I will just stay here with you. You make me the most comfortable, Duke."

Jillian huffed out a sigh. "As you wish."

"So what are you searching for, to be exact?" Hayden got up from the table and approached him. "Ancient texts? Do you mean things like Gods, Goddesses and mythical beasts?" His eyes brightened up when Jillian affirmed with a nod. "Oh, I liked those stories the most when I was a child! It's my favorite bedtime story!" 

Hayden shuffled through the shelves and took out a few old yellowish books whose binders had almost fallen off. "Trust me, Duke. You should read this one, this one and this one." Jillian took over them with a hum. Maybe it was better to trust someone more knowledgeable in this particular area. "Especially this one!" Hayden put the last book atop of the stack. "It's the story of the ivory and obsidian dragons, my most favorite of all!"

Jillian was looking for Gods, especially a God named Regius, he wanted to say. But there was just something in the faded cover — the painting of two dragons, one white while the other black, coiling around each other amongst the sea of clouds — that piqued his interest and before he knew it, he had sat on the table and opened the first page. The pages were old and brittle, and he took care to handle it carefully. In front of him, Hayden had similarly found another book and was reading in relish. 

It was unexpectedly simple and easy to follow. However, the content was too superstitious that it was hard to believe. It was like looking into the author's most imaginative mind. He supposed that he, too, wouldn't come to believe the existence of Gods without Regius in his life. Soon, he found himself immersed in the story, uncaring of the obvious snicker from the man opposite him. 

The ivory dragon, Cyrus, the gatekeeper of Heaven, the wielder of the power of touch. The obsidian dragon, Luan, the gatekeeper of Hell, the wielder of the power of words. Jillian read how they came to exist, their respective duties, the responsibility that came with their power. The book was surprisingly descriptive and comprehensive in both the text and illustration. It took him a full hour to finish the book before he closed it and put it back to the table.

"How is it?" Hayden asked excitedly.

Jillian opened his mouth to reply but then, his brain screeched to a halt as he truly registered what he had read. 

Cyrus and Luan…? 

Weren't they the travelers who had brought Jillian back from the forest? Weren't they also the ones who had prepared the doll vessel for Regius even before Jillian truly knew what was happening? The strange accents, the way Cyrus always wore overly long sleeves that hung over the tip of his fingers, Luan's muteness, the mystery that surrounded both of them…

Of course, they had been the one who found him there, deep in the forest where the wolves were still running loose. Of course, they would be knowledgeable about Regius' existence and trail after him. And goodness— the bizarre death surrounding Ouin's assassins that had never been solved up until now... None of them were coincidences.

Jillian blanched. All these while, he had two legendary mythical dragons by his side and he didn't even notice anything…

"Duke?" Hayden peered into his eyes with a concerned look. "Are you okay? You suddenly look so pale."

Jillian took a deep breath to recollect himself. His hands were shaking when he grabbed the next book in the stack. "Certainly," he forced out through gritted teeth. "Everything's fine. I just recalled something." Jillian tried to take his mind off the revelation he had just had and focused himself in the book. However, he couldn't concentrate anymore. His mind was swirling around whys and how cans. In the end, he closed the book and abruptly stood up, startling Hayden into standing as well.

"D—Duke, are you okay?"

"Excuse me, Your Highness but I need to excuse myself." Jillian gathered his coat and hastily paid his respect to the Prince before he all but marched out in large, quick steps, ignoring Hayden's worried inquiries behind him. 

What was the truth? What if he had just been thinking too much? No— he couldn't just stay still. He had to go home and confirm that everything wasn't his mere imagination!

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