Moon Pavilion was not too far away when they headed through the streets.

The large buildings around them were clean and beautiful, elegant and beautiful, the closer they got to the prestigious Institute.

People in long, white robes, poised, with many exuding elegance and tranquillity. It was clear that this was a place for the upper crust of society. Money was in every corner, every window, still, every jewel work by the people around them.

The Pavilion itself was a thing of grace, and Yin admitted it was breathtakingly captivating. Walking up the steps, they ended up in a large hall, where music echoed through it as a young woman played the harp in a corner. Her face was quiet and filled with quiet delight as she played.

Yin walked up to a man who seemed to be almost a receptionist. Smiling.

"I would like to meet with Tang Yuehua." She said and gazed at the man before her.

He took a look at her. Her clothes are of good material but well-worn by travel. The black hair was pinned up in a simple, work-style that spoke of practice. Someone who preferred hairpins over ties.

Not someone usually found at the Pavilion, but neither someone to be discredited at first glance. His gaze briefly brushed Jiang, but he ignored him. Large and imposing, he resembled a guard at first glance, and that was what the man saw.

"May I know your name?" He asked, and Yin smiled.

"Tang Yin. I am her niece. Tang Hao's daughter." She answered him. "Tang Yuehua will know whom I am talking about."

"I see. If you don't mind waiting, I will inform her about your arrival. Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but she should know that I was about to arrive about these days. We have travelled a long way, you see."

"I see." He said and then asked them to take a seat with a sleight of hand as they settled on one of the pristine white sesselounges.

Jiang leaned close as his hand was on her back like a steadfast assurance when an elegant woman walked in. Sucking the breath out of Tang Yin.

The woman carried an incredible aura.

Not beautiful, but elegant and with impeccable presence. Her dress was golden white, her eyes the most transparent blue, and her hair the equally deep blue colour, tied up elegantly and kept in place with golden embellishments and white jade.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." She said as Tang Yin got up. "I am your Aunt. Tang Yuehua."

"It is nice to meet you. I am sure you already know my name, but I'd like to take a moment to introduce myself. I am Tang Yin." She stretched out her hand in greeting, and Yuehua took it with a firm grasp.

Firmer than expected before she drew Tang Yin closer, before hugging her quickly, before letting her go. "You are the spitting image of your mother." She said. " So very lovely."

"I cannot say. I never met my mother." Yin told her.

"I see, then let me tell you. Look in the mirror and you will see how your mother looked. You have her eyes and the same beauty." Then her gaze turned to Jiang. "And who is this gentleman behind you?"

"I am Jiang." He introduced himself and bowed to Tang Yuehua. "Tang Yin's companion."

"Companion?" Tang Yuehua seemed momentarily confused when Yin smiled.

"He is my boyfriend." She said confidently, and Jiang looked away, slightly blushing.

"Oh, I see," Yuehua said with a well-meaning smile on her lips. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Jiang. Come in, be welcome. Both of you." She said and then led them inside.

Arching hallways, a sprawling garden of haunting elegance. The Pavilion was stunning. Smaller versions of his namesake were tucked away in hidden corners, offering privacy for the students dressed in their white gold uniforms, who chatted among themselves. Curious glances and looks wander their way.

Yin kept her head up as she observed the surroundings. Her left hand was itching with the temptation to draw the scenery.

Jiang is behind her, close up. He made even more looks wandering his way.

"I knew you would be coming," Yuehua said as she led them over a bridge. Beneath a pond where a handful of carp were drawing their circles, lotus flowers were blooming, and a cheeky frog was hopping from a leaf into the water. "Tang Hao...he sent a letter. My stubborn brother has not sent a letter in over fifteen years. I memorised each word."

"I didn't know," Yin said as Tang Yuehua sighed.

"His choices made things difficult for the clan, and the choices made are irreversible. I have received another letter from him... attached as a notice for you, should you arrive." She took a sheet of paper from her sleeve. "I have not read it yet."

Yin took the parchment from her and folded it open. Then her eyes widened. Her brother seldom wrote in Italian; he didn't know the language well enough for most things, but he had developed a strange mix when talking to her between Chinese and Italian. A mix so wrapped up it was almost a language of its own, their own little secret code.

A code he only rarely used in letters.

To my beloved sister,

I hope you are well, and the sea god exams have gone well. While I had hoped to share these words with you in person, I am, unfortunately, unable to do so.

I won't make it to our meeting on time, Sis. I am sorry. I will be late. I wrote you a letter to Poseidon with this information as well, but having no idea if it would reach in time, I sent this along with Father's letter.

Do not worry about me. I am eating well, and training is harsh but not unbearable.

Lately, I have taken up drawing because it reminds me of you. It turns out, sister, our entire talent in that field must have gone to you since mine is barely definable as chicken scrawl.

The reason for my being late is that I will be going to Slaughter City. A dark place, my father says, but it will give me the strength I need to protect my two most loved people in the world.

Do not worry about me. I am merely taking my time.

Love,

Tang San,

Your idiot little brother.

She folded the paper up, shoved it down her pocket with pinpoint precision, turned to the side and jumped to the railing before taking a deep breath.

"Moron!"