Chapter 8(part 2)

What on earth is going on here? Why’s he laughing? It’s not a creepy laugh or one that makes you want to be wary of. He just seems joyous.

But it doesn’t mean something good to him will prove to be good for me too. So I snatched the boy back to my side and took on a protective stance.

Although I know I’m no match for him but I still have to get this kid out of here atleast so I must try. I began to remember the spells most effective against such opponent. I glanced at the boy who was also in wonder about what is happening with that person?

“N-No. You misunderstand me child. I am no foe of yours. Infact I am someone familiar with you.” He stepped forward cautiously, waving his hands as to show us he’s no harm.

“I’ve never seen you.” I stayed firm to my memory.

“Well... not yours actually... but your lineage.”

What?

Is he talking about Aunt and Uncle?

No. That’s not possible. First, With the spell it’s impossible for him to recognise me. And second, even if he can see through my illusion it’s not possible for him to know me.

Afterall... I’m... an orphan. Aunt adopted me after my parents died when I was four. So he’s probably not talking about the Sherridens.

“My lineage? Hah! Stop with the lies and state your motive.”

“Child. What do I benefit from lying to you? I am really familiar with your Lineage”

Let’s try.

“My lineage? Are you referring to...” My gaze shifted to the little boy while my voice trailed off.

The elder seem to have noticed my predicament.

“Let me take care of that.” With that he snapped his fingers and the boy fell unconscious.

“What did you do!” I caught him before his head hit the ground and yelled.

“Worry not child. He’s just passed out. After all we have to get him, to where, he should be.” He flicked his head and out of nowhere strong winds erupted and took the boy from my arms. They surrounded him gently as if a porcelain doll and carried him out of sight.

“Where is he?” I glared at the hermit.

“He is where you began your search for him. That little one shouldn’t hear what is about to

be said. Now that there’s no extra eyes to peek and ears to overhear, let’s continue from where we left off, shall we?” His lips stretched into a soft smile.

“Now that there’s no reason for me to be here, why should I waste my words talking to you? I am done here so I’ll take my leave.” I turned to leave but the monk didn’t stop me.

Just then as I took a few steps my eyes caught something.

The pedestal. Why would someone so reverently powerful want to safe keep something so badly. What did he wanted to protect so much as to even put his life in danger.

Curiosity piqued me but I shoved the thoughts away. No. This is not the time for this. I need to get out of here. But just as I turned away from it a voice sounded from behind.

“You being here is no coincidence, child. Don’t you think it’s fate to have brought you here? Why hurry to leave?”

I kept up my pace.

“No. I absolutely don’t think it’s fate cause my fate is something else.” To be able to leave this dukedom, far away from these luxuries, far from these fakes, far from these complex emotions, and wander the world.

“You can’t deny your responsibility. Your fate. Your sole purpose of existence. You can run child but you can’t hide, you can delay but you can’t escape.”

My feet didn’t hesitate at all and quickened towards the exit. He talk as if know me when I’ve never met him before.

“Fate? I write my own destiny. Responsibility?

I’ve already fulfilled it. Purpose? I’ve figured it out long ago. And it’s definitely not what you’re talking about. So, thankyou for saving me and that boy and may we never meet again.”

My fate? My responsibility? My sole purpose of existence?

Hah...

What a joke. What fate? What responsibility?

What sole purpose of existence? He’s just a mad man. A madman. I don’t know what he is talking about when we’ve just met but never mind. It’s funny.

I walked out of the desolate place and saw Lily, Elex and Elis still waiting faraway.

I grabbed the reigns and walked towards them.

...***...

“I thought you could break it. The spell. May be I overestimated you.”

“Don’t be delusional. These two were worried so we waited here.”

“Sis are you alright?” Elis asked.

“What took you so long. The boy was found for a while now but you...” Lily asked.

“He’s out?”

Phew~

Thank the goddess he’s out. That man kept his word.

“Yes. They found him unconscious a few tents away. Maybe he got out by himself?”

“I didn’t see him in there so maybe he never went in and just followed the monkey to somewhere nearby. I think the couple had a misunderstanding.”

“Quite possible. But what was in there? Did you encounter something dangerous?”

“Nothing. I just lost my way while finding him. And just managed to get out.”

Lily folded her arms and raised her brows.

Uh-Oh. She didn’t figure out anything, did she?

But unexpectedly she smiled her brightest smile.

“As long as you’re back. Let’s go. It’s not to late, we might still have a bit of time to enjoy and have fun before returning.

Elex’s face which had been dull from the worry written over his face since I went in, suddenly seemed to have realised something. His eyes brightened to show the excitement when he realised we can still go to the night fair.

“Let’s go! Let’s go!” He hopped up and down.

Looks like Lily bought it. Thank__

“Don’t think I believed it. I’ll get even with you after this”, a familiar whisper resounded near my ear. Lily stepped back, turned around and advanced towards the horses.

Elex’ and Elis were already buckled up.

Did I sea that correctly? That sullen livid expression, that face. Was it really Lily? Is she the same person I remembered from two years ago? For that split second she didn’t wear her usual smile.

Lily has never been so furious with me to the point of showing discontent openly.

Did I really do something so wrong?

No. In the first place did I even do something wrong?

What ever happened two years ago was because of the circumstances. She couldn’t have helped me even if she wanted. Not that I wanted her to meddle in and get into trouble.

So I did, what I had to. I left...

Sigh----

“Hurry up sis!” Elis called for me.

“Come on Cynthia. We’ll be late at this rate.”

Lily’s voice was sweet and cheerful. Unlike the one I heard a moment ago. She didn’t have a trace of the previous anger on her face. Just something about those eyes felt distant. Just for me. It felt like just for me...

...***...

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