Chapter 248 - 6.8 Most Prized Possession
A pair of glassy silver eyes stared back at him and for a split second, Jillian thought that he was looking at the person — spirit — he had been searching for but no... this was merely a doll. A very realistic medium sized doll which was almost as long as his entire arm.
His features were delicately carved; thin eyebrows, thick lashes that framed the pair of half-lidded dazzling eyes, high cheekbones and thin lips. His hair looked so soft and glossy, pooling around its body as he sat inside the cabinet dressed in only a piece of thin white robe. His hands were elegantly clasped atop of his lap. Jillian inadvertently sucked in a breath. The doll was...beautiful. Exquisite. Such breathtaking mastery...
This... This doll was perfect down to its smallest detail; it was as if Jillian was looking at the real thing himself!
He was struck speechless, unable to form any words for a few moments. His fingers twitched and the urge to reach out and poke the doll’s cheek to make sure that he wasn’t a real breathing human was almost driving him crazy. Alas, the thought of laying a hand on this masterpiece seemed blasphemous somehow. "This..."
Cyrus swooped in to save Jillian before he broke down right there and then. "You may take him home if you’d like, General. He’s all yours."
Jillian felt lightheaded all of a sudden. He... could take this doll home? He was allowed to?
Cyrus waved his sleeves and Jillian’s eyes widened as he saw a faint wisp of light floating into the doll’s body. If previously the doll looked gorgeous yet lifeless, now... Jillian subconsciously held his breath. Somehow, he had the notion that if he stared longer, he would be able to see the doll lifting his eyelids and blinking at him. Of course, none of such things happened.
"There," Cyrus harrumphed in satisfaction.
Jillian bent down slightly until he was at the doll’s eye level, not even blinking his eyes for fear of missing any change in the doll’s expression. "The spirit... is inside?" Upon receiving Cyrus’ confirmation, Jillian finally steeled himself and reached out, fingers brushing against the hair framing the doll’s face. In an instant, tingles traveled from his fingertips down to his whole body as if he was electrocuted. His breath hitched in his throat. For some reason, Jillian got a strong urge to cry as he brought the doll out of the cabinet and cradled it in his arms. So soft and warm... It made Jillian feel as if he was hugging a small sun. "Sorry for the late introduction." He whispered adoringly. "My name is Jillian Lacrosa, it’s such an honor to finally meet you, uh—"
"Regius." Cyrus supplied helpfully. "You can call him Regius."
"...Regius," Jillian breathed. Oh God, even his name sounded so majestic.