Chapter 7 Resonance of Starlight and Storm
Lyra：POV
After dealing with the lunch, I arrived at the library. The atmosphere of the royal library always calmed me, the scent of ancient books and quiet environment like a sanctuary from the world. I felt Stella becoming exceptionally active as we entered, practically rejoicing.
"He's here!" she exclaimed. "Aquilo's energy is so clear. Walk toward the third bookshelf on the right."
Following her guidance, I found Arden in a secluded corner. He'd been waiting, several ancient tomes about dragon history laid out before him. When he saw me, his eyes lit up.
"You came," he stood, genuine joy in his voice. "I almost thought you might change your mind."
Seeing him again, the Soulbound connection felt even stronger. I could feel Stella practically tumbling inside me, her dragon soul enthusiastically communicating with Aquilo.
"I promised I would," I smiled, sitting down. "I see you've found some interesting reading material."
Arden nodded, pushing an ancient scroll toward me. "Look at this, ancient records about Soulbounds. It says true Soulbounds can sense each other's emotions, even anticipate when the other is in danger."
We browsed through books, discussing dragon history and Soulbound legends. His knowledge impressed me. However, when the topic shifted to Star Crystal Territory's defense systems, I noticed his questions becoming more specific.
"Where exactly is the Star Pool located in the palace?" he asked casually. "I've heard it's the energy core of Star Crystal Territory."
"In the eastern garden wing," I answered, feeling a twinge of unease. "But why the sudden interest in that?"
"If we truly are Soulbounds," he smiled, "I should learn about where I might live someday, shouldn't I?"
His explanation made sense, but I caught something in his eyes I couldn't quite read. However, when his hand gently covered mine, that familiar warmth immediately washed away my doubts.
In a hidden corner, far from other readers' sight, Arden stopped and turned to me.
"Lyra," his voice softened, "since meeting you yesterday, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. The Soulbound connection doesn't lie, does it?"
I nodded, feeling my heart pounding. He slowly leaned closer, gently lifting my chin.
"May I?" he asked softly.
I didn't answer, just closed my eyes and tilted my face up toward his. When his lips touched mine, soft and tentative at first, the dragon souls' resonance nearly overwhelmed me. He deepened the kiss slowly, one hand cradling my neck. I found myself leaning into him, my fingers gripping his shirt as unprecedented warmth and belonging washed over me. The kiss lingered, tender and searching, as if we were memorizing this moment.
When we parted, I saw his gaze briefly fall on the royal insignia at my neck, something flickering in his eyes that I couldn't identify.
"I want to formally request a Soulbound confirmation ceremony from the Elders," he said, holding my hands. "But before that, I'd like to know more about your world. Perhaps... you could show me around the palace?"
Although his request sounded reasonable, something deep inside warned me. Yet Stella remained absorbed in her connection with Aquilo.
After leaving the library, I found myself immersed in complex emotions. Arden's kiss still lingered on my lips, but his interest in the palace also left me with doubt.
"Why so quiet?" Stella finally returned from her communion with Aquilo.
"I am happy, just..." I hesitated, "don't you think his interest in the palace is a bit strange?"
"A Soulbound naturally wants to know about their partner's life," Stella answered, though her tone wasn't as certain as before.
I contemplated how to explain to my father that I'd found my Soulbound and would refuse the political marriage with Valen.
As sunset approached, I chose a deserted path back to the palace. Everything that had happened today required quiet contemplation.
"Lyra, wait," Stella suddenly became alert. "The energy fluctuations around us are abnormal. Danger approaches."
I immediately stopped, scanning my surroundings. Then three black-robed figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding me.
"The Star-Chosen finally reveals herself," the leader spoke, his voice cold and hollow. "We sensed the starlight purification waves."
"Void cultists!" Stella cried in horror. "Lyra, you must run now!"
But it was too late. The three robed figures began chanting ancient incantations, and dark purple runes appeared on the ground, forming a sealing array. I felt my internal energy suppressed, even basic water element control becoming difficult.
I gritted my teeth, attempting to form a water element attack, but the water flow in my hands was weak and unstable.
"Your resistance is meaningless," the black-robed leader sneered. "The Void Gate will soon open, and you will be the key."
When I was nearly desperate, a lightning bolt suddenly streaked across the sky, striking one of the robed figures. This wasn't ordinary lightning—it carried star-like blue patterns.
A man leaped down from a nearby rooftop, storm energy swirling around him, lightning dancing at his fingertips. With each attack, ancient runes lingered in the air, his lightning interwoven with starlight patterns.
"Get away from her!" he roared, his voice carrying thunder-like authority.
The black-robed figures clearly hadn't anticipated such intervention. Their sealing ritual disrupted, the rune array began to collapse. After a brief but intense exchange, the remaining cultists were forced to retreat.
"The Star-Chosen will not escape her fate. The Void Gate will soon open," the leader threatened before vanishing into the darkness.
When the danger passed, the stranger turned to me, his eyes flickering with star-flecked purple lightning. "Are you alright?" he asked, extending his hand.
As he helped me up, a peculiar warmth spread from our point of contact. This feeling differed from what Arden evoked—more intense and primal, like a connection that had existed for millennia.
"This energy..." Stella trembled with shock in my mind, "so familiar yet so strange..."
"Thank you for saving me," I steadied myself, examining my rescuer. He had deep blue hair with silver streaks, a powerful build, and moved with innate majesty.
"I'm Storm-wing," he introduced himself, his voice deep and calm. "I've been tracking those void cultists. Their sudden interest in you is dangerous, Princess."
"You know who I am?" I asked, surprised.
"The features of Star Crystal Territory's princess aren't hard to recognize," he answered with a slight smile, maintaining polite distance.
I noticed how carefully he kept his distance, yet occasionally gave me complex looks, as if studying a long-forgotten puzzle.
"Do you know why they called me the 'Star-Chosen'?" I asked.
"Void cultists typically track keys to void seals," he answered, his gaze deepening. "And they seem to believe you're connected to that."
When he casually mentioned "the fusion of storm and starlight," we simultaneously felt a strange resonance, making the surrounding energy ripple slightly.
"How did you find me?" I asked.
"I sensed the energy fluctuations of the sealing spell," he answered. "You should be more careful, Princess. Void forces are increasing their activities."
He touched his chest in an ancient gesture that felt oddly familiar. "If you need help, call upon the storm's name. I will sense it."
As he turned to leave, I felt an involuntary urge to make him stay. "Wait!" I called out, then realized I didn't know what to say.
When he looked back, moonlight illuminated his storm-deep eyes and a faint ancient scar on his forehead. In that moment, I felt inexplicable familiarity.
"Take care, Star-Chosen," he finally said, then vanished into the night.
On my way back to the palace, my thoughts were chaotic. Everything that happened today swirled in my mind—Elena's prophecy, my awakening purification ability, the intimate moment with Arden, the mysterious attack, and the stranger called "Storm-wing."
Surprisingly, Stella remained unusually quiet. When I asked about her feelings toward Storm-wing, she answered vaguely: "Some paths of destiny are too complex."
I recalled the strange warmth when Storm-wing touched me, different from what Arden evoked but equally intense. This confused me greatly.
Weren't Soulbounds supposed to be unique? Why did I have this sensation with two different people?
Returning to the palace, I found Aria anxiously waiting. "Your Grace! I was just about to search for you," she sighed with relief.
"Just lost track of time reading in the library," I lied.
Aria looked at me with doubt, but only said softly: "Sometimes truth finds us in the most unexpected places, Your Grace."
I suddenly remembered I was supposed to have dinner with my mother, so I headed toward the pavilion.
