Chapter 4. Sister

Since day one, when her Master told her she needed to build up stamina if she wanted to be able to participate in a demon hunting mission soon, she’d been pushing herself since the sun rose in the sky until the daylight was gone.

But that morning after an early training session, Ayla went out of Master’s Rabi manor to find some coffee to drink. Last week, as she was moving, she spotted a nice, cozy place some blocks away.

Most residents in Cloud City were Soul Guardians, but not all of them. Some regular humans were also blessed to live here, most of them descendants who were born and raised in the city for generations, not knowing any other form of life. As beings that existed with a sole purpose in life, romantic relationships and marriage were frowned upon by guardians, in contrast with unions between soulmates that would always be celebrated as Heaven’s Will.

However, such things still happened as Soul Guardians were after all, born among the rest of humanity and worked training their natural ability until transcending their human limits and got closer to divinity. Some didn’t lose the desires that linked them to their old life and would find a partner on their own. This would be seen with bad eyes, but it wouldn’t be punished. Therefore, Cloud City was also filled with humans who were never allowed to see the rest of the world.

Those were the kind of citizens that took care of shops like the one Ayla was visiting at that moment.

‘Pinky Cloud’s Cafe.’

Even the name was cute, and just as it suggested, most of the decoration inside was pink. Perhaps because when she was a kid she couldn’t enjoy this type of things little girls were supposed to like, but now Ayla wanted to enjoy sitting in a nice, cute shop drinking hot chocolate. Her allowance was enough to get this much for herself.

“Welcome to Pinky Cloud. What would you like to have today, Miss?”

“I just want hot chocolate and coconut cookies, please.”

“We’ll take it to your table in a moment.” The attendant girl said with a smile.

Ayla was turning to find a nice spot to sit, when she saw the person behind her. It was impossible not to see him because of his appearance. Despite his young face and well built body, his hair was completely white. The rumor was that being 5 years old he had such raw spiritual power that the boy couldn’t control, and his hair turned that way and stayed like that since then.

She had only seen him from a distance during the examination.

10th Master Ler Aldrich.

Perhaps she was so startled that ended up staring for too long, Master Aldrich cleared his throat.

She was ready to apologize, but he opened his mouth at the same time she did.

“I’m s-”

“The chocolate here is good.”

Huh?

Ayla blinked, confused. Then she noticed his cheeks had a slight red color on them. Was he embarrassed? Why?

“Ah, that’s great. It’s my first time here.” She said, feeling a bit uncomfortable, and trying to smile. “Thank you, Master Aldrich.”

She went to find a table, but kept looking at him. It seemed he was a regular customer, the attendant already knew what he would have. Ayla realized he’d been embarrassed for being caught in the Pinky Cloud’s Coffee. She didn’t understand why, but anyway it was cute.

***

After that sweet breakfast, Ayla was in high spirits as she headed back to the manor since at 8 o’clock she had training with Master Rabi and Senior Milo. She had a match with Senior Milo four days ago and her leg was still hurting since then, but she was confident to do better this time.

Yet when she walked into the secondary training yard, she found someone she didn’t expect (and didn’t want) to see.

“Ayla, come here for a moment.”

Master Rabi called her, and only then she could take her eyes off Nox Chevalier.

“Yes, Master?”

Confused, she walked small steps towards the two men’s direction.

“Today Master Chevalier has an important matter to discuss with you. So today you are dismissed from training, we’ll leave that for tomorrow in the morning.”

An important matter? Why was he here? The last time he pretended he didn't recognize her at all, could it be that he had suddenly changed his mind? Ayla sighed. It didn't make a difference, since he was already married, was't he?

Her mind was full of questions, and she didn’t even say a word as her master left and she was standing there alone in front of the man who stared at her with solemn eyes.

It was only after a long, uncomfortable silence that he finally spoke.

"You resemble my wife, and she lost her young sister many years ago. Would you come with me to the Chevalier Manor?"

Those weren't the words she was expecting to hear.

Sister?

She had a sister?

There were many different thoughts running in her mind at that moment, after she heard his words. So the last time he seemed to recognize her, was it only because she resembled someone else? His wife?

It couldn't be, since her soulmark had faded away the very same instant she met him. However, the mark was no longer there, Ayla also had to confront him about that matter if he chose to ignore it.

If Nox Chevalier's wife really looked like her, then... were they related somehow? Was that person related to the woman who had abandoned her when she was a child?

"You want me... to meet your wife?"

It all seemed like a big joke to her, once the words came out of her mouth.

But he nodded and kept looking at her with that cold expression...

"As you command, Master Chevalier."

She had no way to know, but in that moment as they took that step, Nox tasted a bitterness in his mouth.

He had always been taught to take responsibility for his actions. After Lyra confessed she had a younger sister, he knew it had to be this girl, Ayla. Just like she'd hidden the existence of her sister, it was also very likely she had lied to him about the soulmark. The one in his chest had vanished after meeting the person who was now walking by his side, but did it matter anymore?

The woman he had married was Lyra. And his wife was sick, Nox couldn't mortify her when she was like this, his duty was to protect her and make whatever he could for her to be happy, such was the oath he took when he made her his wife. Even if that meant he had to pretend Lyra's sister wasn't connected to his own fate in any way.

He'd made a mistake, and he'd pay for it the rest of his life.

***

It had been the longest and most awkward walk in her life.

Every Master in the Cloud City had a residence that could very well be described as a palace. Ayla, of course, had only seen Master Rabi’ Manor until the moment, but she’d taken a moment to see from outside the walls the residences of the 6th, 7th, 9th, and 10th Masters that were also located in the southern side of the city.

The first five manors, including the one that belonged to the Chevalier House, were on the northern side. Most of them didn’t seem to have much difference from the others from the outside, but when they reached the gates of the 4th Master’s Manor, the distinctive golden silver doors stood out.

As they crossed the gates, contrary to what she expected, Ayla's mind suddenly became calm again. These people were too noble and rich, there was no way for her to fit there, surely there was just an error with her soulmark.

She hadn't heard of anything like that happening before, but she was still very ignorant, maybe it was possible.

"Where is Lady Chevalier?" Nox asked one of the maids.

This household even had servants, and said servants were very nicely dressed.

"The Lady is waiting for you in the West Garden, my Lord."

It was unfair that some lived such a luxurious life, fortunate for being born in the soul society, while others like she and Estée had to go through so many hardships in the past, before entering Blue Castle.

Then Ayla saw her. It was like looking at herself in front of a mirror, except the woman's hair was longer, her skin evidently more fair and clear than hers, and dressed in princess’ clothes. But if it wasn't for those small differences anyone could mistake both of them, they did look so alike...

"My Lord" The woman called first, as she stood up and turned to greet them. Who referred to one's husband in that way? The nobles were really strange.

However, Ayla did not have much time to let her thoughts wander, as the woman's eyes were on her.

"You are really alive, sister. It's a relief..."

Suddenly, she kneeled in front of Ayla.

"A... relief?"

"Lyra, stand up." Nox was already helping her. "You are not well, you shouldn't force your body like this."

"My Lord, let me... I have to ask forgiveness. Sister..."

"Ayla. My name is Ayla."

Lyra smiled.

This woman who looked just like her, as so many people had told Ayla in the past, must have been the one who abandoned her. What other reason was there for her to ask forgiveness?

This person, Lyra Chevalier, had cruelly left her to die when she was only a baby.

"Please forgive me, Ayla!" She cried "I should have never left you, but I..." as she raised her voice, she started to cough violently and her whole body was shaking " I was not able to take care of you."

"You were not able to take care of me? So you just left me to survive on my own when I wasn't even able to stand on my feet?" Ayla scoffed.

She frowned. The spiritual energy in Lyra was so weak, it was not hard to guess she didn't have much life in hers left. If so, wasn't she just looking for her because of guilt in her last days?

"I'm sorry. You are right, I don't deserve to be your sister." Lyra sighed. " But... even if it's the only thing I can do for you... please let my husband, Lord Chevalier, be your brother from now on."

It felt like a stab in her heart. Just a moment ago, Ayla was comforting herself thinking that the soulmark that led her to Nox Chevalier was a mistake, but it was still the face of the man she'd thought for a long time that would be her predestined love... and this woman was asking her to call her brother?

What a joke.

"You wanted to meet me, I was also curious so I came." She said, her gaze shifted to Nox's direction. No, Master Chevalier. " However, I am just a lowly girl without a name born and raised in the ways of the human world, I don't fit in this kind of noble household, with the sister who didn't want me before. Even since that day, I have no sister, so clearly I have no brother either."

"Miss Ayla, don't speak such harsh words to my wife."

"I apologize, Master." She bowed politely to both of them. " I'll be mindful of my position in the future."

"That's not what I meant..."

She didn't want to keep listening, so she left.

***

Nox regretted bringing Ayla to the manor. He'd always acted according to Lyra's needs and wishes, but clearly this wasn't good for her, even though she'd wanted to meet her young sister.

"My Lord, you must be despising me now, don't you?"

"How can you say that?"

But she knew. When she saw Ayla's face, she already knew.

"Please forgive me."

Her apology just tortured him more. He didn't want to hear it, yet...

"Why should I forgive you?"

"I've never had a soulmark, but I never imagined... My Lord, your soulmate mark has finally faded away, right?"

He didn't answer, and instead looked away from her.

"I'm sorry."

"Let's go inside, you must rest."

"Even if I've caused you this harm, please, for the sake of my sister, please take care of her."

He didn't want to. He'd rather never see Ayla anymore, so he wouldn't think about the way he had hurt her without realizing it.

She was just a girl, just a small and young girl, and the person he was supposed to be with, yet he had gone and married her older sister. In her eyes he was probably the worst kind of person.

Even Nox thought it so, because he was worrying about her when his own wife needed him more.

"I'll look after her."

Making sure Ayla lived a good life was the least he could do for her. But those words were still very difficult to say.