224 Make up for Lost Time (1/2)

He was also very happy to discover that Lady Nystrom was actually the Black Phoenix.

My family will be very proud of me because of this discovery.

There was a record of the appearance of the Black Phoenix in their family's extensive but hidden library. The first ever Sherwood to have become a Bookkeeper apparently witnessed the birth of the Black Phoenix in the Rosenberg clan. But he didn't have any evidence to prove his claim. And thus, it was brushed-off as a mere speculation.

But the Black Phoenix is real!

And it was none other than the Supreme Fire Mage herself.

”Interesting,” he whispered to himself. ”This is really interesting.”

”Who are you?”

Noel Sherwood turned around to see the Keeper who just woke up. ”Oh, you're up,” he said cheerfully, then he bowed politely to him. ”I'm Noel Sherwood, the current head of House Sherwood. I'm pleased to meet you, Keeper of the Supreme.”

”Ah, the clan of nosy Bookkeepers,” the Keeper with different-colored eyes said, then he turned to the unconscious witch beside him. ”Did you treat Lady Luna's wounds?”

When he arrived at the Nystrom estate, he found the Keeper on the roof in a terrible condition. He wanted to help him but he knew that the Keepers would regenerate as long as the Supreme was still alive.

And so, he went to check on Winter Nystrom instead.

Unfortunately, his ancestor already took the children with him. The only one he found in the room was the unconscious, bleeding witch on the floor. He remembered that Luna was Lady Nystrom's closest aide. And so, he tended to her wounds.

Luckily, Luna only got a stomach wound but it didn't hit her vital organs. The scratches and bruises all over her body didn't seem life-threatening so he just left them. After he gave first-aid to the witch, the Keeper arrived to warn him not to touch her. And then, he collapsed.

So, in the end, he just put the Keeper beside Luna on the bed.

”I did,” he answered the Keeper's question a while ago. ”Miss Luna is fine. Maybe she just needs some rest.”

The Keeper fell silent for a while as if he was trying to feel what was going on in the estate. ”They are safe.”

”They are,” he agreed while nodding his head. ”My ancestor and the Moon God left a while ago.”

The Keeper ignored him, then he stood up. ”Leave,” he told him while giving him a cold glare. ”You already witnessed a momentous night. Give them the privacy that they need.”

”I want to see the Supreme,” he insisted. ”I mean, the Black Phoenix.”

I'll die if I pursue what I want.

”Alright, I'm leaving,” Noel Sherwood said with a smile, and he even raised his hands in surrenders. ”Please give my regards to my masters.”

The Keeper just turned his back on him. ”Just leave before I kill you, Bookkeeper.”

***

TILLY FELT a lot better now after being enveloped in Kiho's cold embrace for almost half an hour.

Her body temperature returned to normal, and the burning in her chest already disappeared. She was so glad that her husband's Mana could help her stabilize the side effect of her using too much flame. Was it the reason why the Fire Mage clan allowed him to marry the Black Serpent despite their hate for him?

Well, whatever. I believe Kiho and I are simply meant to be. Period.

”Kiho, I'm fine now,” Tilly assured her husband when she looked up at him. ”Let's bring the kids to their room first.”

Kiho still looked very worried of her. ”Are you sure you're okay now, honey?”

She nodded and gently patted his cheek. ”I'm really okay now, Kiho.” She gave him a kiss on the jaw. Well, she wanted to kiss him on the cheek but she was still kind of sluggish, so she just kissed him where her lips could reach a part of his handsome face. ”Thank you for everything, hon.”

”I should be the one saying that, Tilly,” he whispered, then he paused for a while as if he just berated himself internally. She understood why. That wasn't the time for self-pity since their children were still unconscious and Roarke and Luna might both be in danger. ”Rest here for the meantime. I'll check on the kids.”

She just nodded. ”Okay.”

Kiho carried her and gently put her on the sofa before he went to check on their kids. While her husband was waking the boys up, Roarke arrived at the room.

”I'm glad that you're safe, Lady Nystrom,” Roarke said, then he got down on one knee and hanged his head low. ”I know that you have a lot of questions. I will answer all of them, Supreme. You just have to ask me to.”

Ah, Roarke probably felt it when she awakened as the Black Phoenix.

And if he didn't mention Luna, that means she's safe. Roarke wouldn't leave his ”mother” and come here if Luna's life is in danger.

Anyway…

To be honest, she didn't have that much questions since she already retrieved all the memories that had been locked up in her mind. As per why everyone kept the fact that she was the Black Phoenix from her, she could pretty much tell that it was their own way of ”protecting” her. She understood, but she was still pissed.

And she knew who exactly was the person to blame for that.

”My questions can only be answered by my brother,” Tilly told the Keeper. ”But I have one for you, Roarke.”

”What is it, my lady?”

”My spirit guardian,” she said and she saw Roarke flinch. ”You know that Lucina Morganna is my spirit guardian, don't you?”

The Keeper fell silent as if he was contemplating on how to answer her question.

But that kind of silence already screamed 'yes.'

On the other hand, from the corner of her eye, she saw Kiho turn to her. He didn't look surprise anymore. It seemed like he had truly retrieved all his memories.

”I have retrieved Soleil's memories a few years ago,” she said with furrowed brows. ”Why didn't I remember that Lucina Morganna was my spirit guardian then?”

”Every memory of yours that has something to do with your Black Flame or the fact that you're the Black Phoenix was sealed by Lord Wixx, Supreme,” Roarke explained, and it made sense. ”I apologize but that's all I can tell you. Even I was shocked when I saw Lucina Morganna in this lifetime.” He paused for a while before he continued. ”This may sound like a lame excuse but I was the last Keeper to be created by Lord Wixx. My knowledge of the past isn���t as extensive as the others. My deepest apologies, my lady.”