**The Third Signature by Mark Twain – Chapter 10**
Miralys remained vigilant, her thoughts racing as she reminded herself of the truth: Sylvara was nothing but a nuisance, devoid of any mental acuity or physical prowess. She couldn’t possibly grasp the intricacies of the plan that she and Seraphine had woven together.
“What are you saying, Sylvara? We’re family, after all. Naturally, we want what’s best for you and your future,” she said, her tone deliberately soothing, hoping to calm Sylvara’s restless spirit before she wandered too far into the territory of Agares’s formidable warship.
What if Sylvara encountered Agares? What if he whisked her away to Kolar planet? The machinations their mother had set in motion to eliminate her would be thwarted, and Miralys could not allow that.
“So until you grow stronger, it’s probably wise to avoid any meetings with His Highness Agares. We wouldn’t want the public to see you as weak,” she continued, her words laced with a feigned concern that masked her true intentions.
It sounded like a sisterly warning, but in reality, it was a calculated move to prevent Sylvara from crossing paths with Agares.
Why was there such urgency in the marriage proposal while simultaneously trying to keep them apart?
What kind of convoluted scheme was this?
Had they been granted too much ease in their lives, and now they sought to challenge the might of the top commander?
Sylvara, for the moment, decided to play along, her expression shifting into one of reluctant compliance. “I’ll heed your advice and Aunt Seraphine’s. I’ll work on getting stronger,” she replied, her voice steady.
“Where are you staying? I’ll accompany you and see—” Miralys began, but was abruptly interrupted.
“Miralys,” Zephyrion appeared, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Sylvara. “Are you alright?”
The hypocrisy of the situation weighed heavily on her. Here was the jerk, finally making his entrance.
Sylvara gently extracted her arm from Miralys’s grasp. “I’m fine. You two talk. I need to rest,” she stated, her voice devoid of emotion.
And just like that, she slipped away, leaving Miralys and Zephyrion in her wake.
Zephyrion felt an urge to call after her, but Miralys stepped in front of him, a saccharine smile plastered across her face. “Aren’t you fascinated by the hunter warship? Let’s go explore it now,” she suggested, diverting his attention.
With Sylvara out of sight, Zephyrion turned his gaze away, curiosity mingling with concern. “Sylvara mentioned she’s already married. Who did she marry?” he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“Ah, Zephyrion, that’s Healer Auren Dawn!” Miralys exclaimed, excitement bubbling over as she grabbed his arm, her eyes darting past him as if she hadn’t even heard his question.
Zephyrion froze, his mind racing as he quickly turned to see Auren, the chief healer of Agares’s Hunting Legion, striding purposefully alongside adjutant Carlos.
They offered a curt nod, passing by without a moment’s hesitation.
The duo’s rigid posture and dark green uniforms, coupled with their unwavering stares, compelled Miralys to grasp Zephyrion’s arm tighter and rush after them. “Auren is my idol! I aspire to be as talented a healer as he is!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with eagerness.
With her mental energy at Level 3, she was set to study healing at the Fifth Military Academy. Auren had been the top student in the Healing Department, handpicked to join the hunting legion—a fact that had sent ripples through the Empire’s Starnet.
“Is it really okay to follow them?” Zephyrion questioned, his admiration for strength evident, though he felt that a healer didn’t quite fit that mold. He aspired to the kind of power that Agares possessed. “There are many areas on this warship that are off-limits to us.”
Miralys waved off his concerns, her focus unwavering. “What’s the harm? If we’re not allowed, we simply won’t enter. Let’s just see where they’re headed. Maybe he’s off to treat someone in need.”
They trailed behind Carlos and Auren for a good five minutes until they reached a guest room and knocked on the door.
It swung open, and someone peeked out.
Both Miralys and Zephyrion’s eyes widened in shock. Before they could react, Carlos and Auren had already stepped inside, and the door clicked shut behind them.
Miralys clenched her teeth in frustration. She had thought that Sylvara had yet to encounter Agares. To her astonishment, not only had they met, but Agares had also summoned Auren to tend to Sylvara.
“Miralys, was that Sylvara who just came out?” Zephyrion asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. Why would Agares’s adjutant and chief healer treat her with such deference?
Was it possible that Sylvara had feigned a marriage just to entangle herself with someone more powerful, leaving him behind?
“You must have misseen. She doesn’t reside here. I’ll take you to her,” Miralys lied, pulling Zephyrion away with urgency.
Despite his reluctance, Zephyrion was compelled to follow her lead, glancing back longingly at the door. But just then, a patrol team appeared, their demeanor stern and uncompromising. “Excuse me, this area is off-limits. You have three warnings to leave, or we are authorized to use force.”


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