Chapter 80: Red Strings of Fate

The next morning, Zachary arrived at the Sun Palace to discuss the captured assassin with Ephraim and Lydia.

They gathered in Ephraim’s private study, where maids had set out tea and snacks for them.

"Based on everything we’ve discovered so far, the missing prince seemed to be hiding in Belfort University. My hunch said that he wasn’t in Elite Class." Zachary explained as he projected several pieces of information onto the holographic screen. "Especially since I’ve scoured all Elite Students."

Ephraim studied the records with a serious expression.

"We can’t go asking random people blindly without confirmation and alert the wrong people. I’ll do my best to get more information from class rosters and Head Principal later."

Lydia listened quietly as the two Sentinels discussed their findings. Eventually Zachary dismissed his holographic records with a single tap on his bracelet.

Just as he was about to say something else, his gaze landed on Ephraim’s neck.

"Well, well. Someone just got laid last night, huh?"

A knowing Cheshire like smile slowly appeared on Zachary’s lips. "Our Crown Prince Ephraim sure looks radiant as the sun today. Someone must be in GOOD MOOD."

"Senior."

"I was simply admiring your new Bond Mark. Can’t say I’m not jealous of that."

Zachary was looking between Lydia and Ephraim as he raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? There’s nothing on our Guide’s neck. How curious."

"I am respecting her wishes. Besides, this was more than enough." Ephraim smiled at Lydia.

Lydia’s cheeks warmed. She hadn’t expected Zachary to bring it up so casually, especially when they were supposed to be discussing an investigation.

"Can we talk about something else?" she muttered.

"Of course, my deerling. But before that, there’s something I’d like to explain."

Zachary’s teasing expression softened as he glanced at the sapphire brooch on her dress.

"Your brother gave you that Guide Brooch, didn’t he?"

Lydia nodded. "Yes. Vincent gave it to me before he left for Luanna."

"I see. It’s a useful protective device, but do you know how to use it properly?"

Lydia looked down at the brooch.

"Not really. I know it can summon help from my Sentinels, but I haven’t figured out how to use it."

"That’s what concerns me." Zachary rested one arm against the table. "You couldn’t use it when that assassin attacked you. He even knocked it from you. You’re a Guide, not a Sentinel. I don’t want you to be stuck in another life-and-death situation without us."

Zachary had a point. The assassin’s attack had happened so suddenly that Lydia barely had time to react.

If the Duke and Sylvain hadn’t arrived, Lydia might not be here.

"We Sentinels and Guides are already connected through Resonance," Zachary continued. "A Bond Mark makes that connection stronger. As for Guide Brooch, you can think of it as a device that can help your Sentinels find you if you’re ever in trouble."

"How does it work?" Lydia tilted her head.

"Think of it as the red string of fate. Once you give a Sentinel your Bond Mark, you’ll be able to sense their Resonance through your connection. You can even track their location and send messages directly through your mental power."

"That sounds neat. Like having a walkie talkie."

That was really convenient. It would be useful to have high-ranking Sentinels at her beck and call!

"You can use it to call me from faraway Lydia. Make good use of this Bond Mark."

Zachary nodded approvingly. "You sure know your things, Golden Boy! Won’t it be nice to be able to have a prince at your disposal? Go for it, deerling!"

Ephraim looked at Zachary with a deadpan expression but he decided to not make a fuss about it.

Before they could explain anything further to Lydia, the door opened. An Imperial Elite Sentinel entered the room and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings to the future sun of Adelstein, Crown Prince Ephraim, Lady Valendorf, and Count Ludenberg."

"What’s the matter?" Ephraim asked.

"I have a report regarding the military deployment in Luanna, Your Highness. There have been several updates from the relief forces."

"Understood. I’ll hear the report in the next room."

He rose from his chair and briefly glanced at Lydia and Ephraim.

"I’ll be back shortly."

Lydia nodded and took a sip of her tea. "Take your time."

After Ephraim left with the Elite Sentinel, Zachary turned his attention back to her.

"Time to put your Bond Mark into action, deerling. Why don’t you try it?"

"How?"

"Close your eyes and think about Ephraim."

That was too abstract. What she was supposed to think about Ephraim?

His crimson eyes, his warmth from last night, or... when he was deep inside her? Sure he felt really nice but Lydia sure it wasn’t what Zachary meant.

Ahem. That last part might not be the best answer to this. Let’s get back on track and be an appropriate lady.

Lydia decided to think of Ephraim’s face. Perhaps that was the best option for now.

She settled into her chair and closed her eyes. At first, she could only sense the familiar darkness behind her eyelids.

Then, as Lydia focused her mental power, something began to appear.

A fiery red string stretched through the darkness. It was thick and bright, almost like a burning rope.

Lydia could feel the powerful fiery Resonance flowing through it. There was no mistaking whose presence it belonged to.

"Ephraim..." she murmured.

"Can you sense him?" Zachary asked.

Lydia nodded without opening her eyes.

"It’s like there’s a string connecting us. I can feel his Resonance. Warm and bright, like the glow of a roaring fireplace on a cold winter night."

"You can describe his Resonance that clearly?" Zachary asked as he looked at her in surprise. "That’s unusual. Most Guides can feel another person’s Resonance, but putting those sensations into words is another matter. It’s almost like seeing colors when you listen to music, deerling!"

"Yeah, I could feel it clearly. As for Ephraim’s string and Resonance, it was the kind that made you feel safe and at ease."

"Interesting. Now try reaching out to him. You should be able to connect your mental power to Ephraim through that string."

Lydia tapped into her mental power again. This time, she imagined herself reaching toward the red string.

Her mental power flowed along it, and she could sense Ephraim’s presence more clearly.

A moment later, the door opened.

Ephraim returned after finishing the report. Lydia was about to greet him when something caught her attention.

The red thread was still there.

It stretched from her pinky finger to Ephraim’s, glowing softly between them. Even as he walked closer, it moved along with him, never breaking.

"Did you call for me, Lydia?" Ephraim asked. "I could feel your mental power reaching out to me."

She looked from the thread to his face. "I can actually see it!"

Ephraim glanced at their connected fingers and smiled faintly. "So can I."

It was connecting their pinky fingers like the red string of fate from an old legend.

"I can actually sense you through it."

Ephraim smiled faintly and tugged at his hand gently. "Now try something else. Send me a message through your mind. Just think of something you want to tell me."

Oh, this could be fun.

She focused on the red string again and carefully sent a message toward him through her mental power.

You forgot to zip your pants. How careless!

His eyes widened. He glanced down at his pants, then hurriedly turned away to fix them.

Zachary nearly doubled over in his chair.

"HAHAHA! I didn’t expect you to use your new ability for something like that! You two act like an old married couple who’s been together for fifty years."

"Senior!" Ephraim snapped, his cheeks faintly red.

Lydia was still giggling. She hadn’t expected the connection to work so effectively, but seeing Ephraim’s reaction made the experiment even more entertaining.

This would be really useful in the future, for sure.

"Well, at least we know it works," Zachary remarked, wiping the corner of his eye.

After regaining his composure, Zachary raised his hand and continued his explanation.

"But there’s one thing you should remember, my deerling. Since you’re the one who gave Ephraim his Bond Mark, you’re the only one who can track and contact him through those red strings. He won’t be able to do the same to you—but that’s where the Guide Brooch came in handy!"

Zachary’s smile returned as he glanced between the two of them.

"Want me to join your harem, my deerling? I could be rather useful for you."

That was smooth. As expected from Zachary.

Although Ephraim looked annoyed, he couldn’t dismiss Zachary’s point.

After what had happened during the Hunting Competition, he didn’t want Lydia to find herself in danger again.

"Senior has a point there," he finally said. "Besides, Senior is an SSS-Rank Sentinel. I’ll feel much more at ease if you can connect to us whenever you need our help."

She hadn’t expected him to support Zachary’s suggestion so readily. The old Ephraim that she knew would be against the idea, for sure.

"You’re not against it?"

"Not when it concerns your safety. It is the most important thing." Ephraim paused before clearing his throat. A faint blush appeared on his cheeks. "Just... make sure you Bond Mark Senior when you’re alone."

Zachary burst into another fit of laughter, nearly falling out of his chair. Lydia pressed a hand over her mouth, but her shoulders shook as she tried to hold it in.

Good thing Ephraim had changed for the better.