"I don't understand what you're saying," I said in confusion.
"Not every question is meant to be answered at once," he replied calmly. "Don't worry about where you are — just do your duty."
His words echoed in my mind as I looked around the vast garden. My task was simple — to choose a single flower. Yet as my eyes wandered across the sea of colors, none of them felt special, none called to me. Then, at the far end, I noticed a lone plant — different from all others. It stood apart, quiet, as if it too knew what it meant to be alone among many.
It was a black rose, with four white petals at its heart — rare, strange, and inexplicably beautiful.
I reached out and plucked it.
The moment I did, the flower began to glow, its petals shimmering like liquid light. Suddenly, it transformed into a stone, and before I could react, it shot into my chest, vanishing beneath my skin.
"What's happening?!" I gasped, clutching my chest. "Did that thing just go inside me?"
Before I could comprehend it, the beautiful garden has disappeared, and the next moment, I found myself underwater — sinking into darkness. My body wouldn't move, my breath felt trapped, and all around me light-blue flames danced like spirits in the deep.
---
Somewhere far away In Mariya …
"I'm sorry," Phils said softly, his voice breaking. "I shouldn't have spoken to you that way that day. I never meant to hurt you."
His wife looked away, her tone cold. "It doesn't matter now. I won't live with you anymore. I'll stay at my own house — and I won't give you a divorce either. You'll have to live the rest of your life alone… without me."
Phils' eyes softened. "Do you remember? This is the same shop where we first met — you were stuffing food into your mouth and forgot your wallet. I paid for you, remember?"
"So what?" she said sharply. "If you had to get me, you had to do something, right? And by the way, I heard you've brought home a girl — one who has a spirit."
Phils stiffened. "Who told you that?"
"Max did," she replied.
"Of course," Phils muttered under his breath.
"What did you just say?" she snapped.
"Nothing," Phils said quickly, forcing a smile.
He reached for her hand and leaned closer to kiss it — but before their lips and hand could meet, the window shattered with a loud crash. Well stood on the table, his face calm as ever.
"Commander Wellness has disappeared," he said quietly. "We've searched everywhere. She's nowhere to be found."
Everyone turned to look at Well in shock.
"You know, there's a reason we have doors," Phils said, trying to control his anger. "So people don't have to break windows to enter."
"Sir, I've been looking for you everywhere. When I saw you from outside, I came in directly," Well replied calmly.
Phils sighed, then turned back to his wife. "Please, come with me. I need you," he said softly, kissing her hand.
She smiled faintly. "Alright, then let's go."
Phils lifted her gently onto his horse, and together they rode toward the palace.
---
"Why do you think I gave you that responsibility, Well?" Phils asked quietly as they rode a hourse.
"I'm sorry, sir. I failed in my duty," Well said, lowering his head.
"It's alright," Phils said. "What's meant to happen will happen. Forget it now."
"Search for her in her village," Phils ordered.
"Commander, we've searched the entire kingdom. She's nowhere," Well replied calmly.
"Then she's somewhere she shouldn't be," Phils murmured.
"Do you know where Wellness is?" Well asked.
"She's going to get the stone," Phils said. "That's why I brought her to the palace for training."
"What?" Well's eyes widened.
"The spirit within her — such spirits are usually placed inside the powerful children of royal bloodlines to protect them. But Wellness doesn't know this. That's why she never gives it any commands. A spirit without its master's orders remains silent."
Phils looked out toward the horizon. "If she found the stone early, she won't be able to control it — not yet."
"Wellness would have been safe if I hadn't fallen asleep that night," Well thought to himself bitterly.
Phils noticed the guilt on his face. "Don't blame yourself, Well. We've reached the palace."
---
"Wow! Allen, it's been so long since we last met," Prince Sam said cheerfully as Phils and his wife entered.
"Yes, it really has," Allen smiled, hugging him warmly.
"Don't you think someone might mind you hugging me like that?" Sam teased, glancing at Phils.
"You saved my life once, Prince Sam. I just wanted to thank you again," Allen said with a soft smile.
Phils' eyes darkened, a quiet storm behind them. Sam quickly stepped back.
"Wellness has disappeared after all," Sam said. "And since Captain Well was responsible for her, he deserves punishment."
"I accept whatever punishment you give me," Well said, bowing respectfully.
"What's done is done. He'll receive no punishment for it," Phils said sternly.
"I was only joking! Everyone takes me too seriously," Sam laughed.
"Well," Phils said, ignoring the jest, "those who receive the stone never vanish. So why did Wellness disappear?"
"Wellness and the stone are being merged," Phils explained. "She hasn't fully connected with it yet. It might take time — especially if her stone holds greater power than usual."
"By the way," Sam asked, "did you find out who her real parents are?, by the way we even didn't found out her fake one"
"No," Phils replied quietly. "There's still no information about that."