Chapter 22 - Veronica's Weakness

“Hello, Larry? I need you to come here, please. I am in deep confusion right now. This pain is tearing every inch of my vein, I - I just can’t bear this, my brain wants to explode right now and my body is slowly deteriorating. Please… I need you.”

The voicemail immediately answered which makes Victoria furious but her lips still trembles while waiting for Larry to pick up her call. She has no choice, it is only him that can pacify and tame her.

She straightened her gaze and vividly remembers her first encounter with Larry. It was when he went to the forest to hunt animals for food and collect their skulls for his decors. It is the same dark forest where Lord Martin kills and punishes their kind for disobeying their law.

Victoria was chasing her breath as she ran away from hungry black wolves, she accidentally found a dark forest, the forbidden forest, which her father warned her not to even step a single foot on the boundary for it will cause trouble.

Afraid of the newfound forest, this little Victoria found a shade from a huge tree and decided to hide while she shakes in fear, "What is this place? How can I go back? Will they ever find me?"

But when the dusk snatches its light from the dawn, Larry who just killed a deer and dangles it to his right shoulder saw a girl crying under the huge Mabolo tree. He decided to observe her actions and saw four black wolves from behind going into the direction of this litle girl.

One black-furred wolf with a streak of gray fur near its left ear grabbed her right arm and angrily tore her skin apart while the others stood by and observed. Larry prepared himself to be the hero at that time, drop the dead deer into the ground and ready to put himself into action. But when he pushed aways those huge leaves that covers his sight, it was also the time when the little girl knew she had powers . Victoria angrily showed her fangs, it finally showed up after years of trying and in an instant her blood-curdling pointy and sharp fangs instantly shooed the beasts away.

Her eyes was still on fire when she released a fierce spine-chilling growl from her tiny mouth but slowly turned into a sweet little angel. Larry waited her to calm and finally decided to gently approach her, "Are... are you okay? Don't worry, I won't bite, I'm here to protect. Is it okay if we talk or I.. ahm sit beside you?

Larry hesistantly curved his lips upward, thinking that this little fellow will feel comfortable with his getle presence, " Does it hurt? I mean... your arm?"

Though she is till afraid of another stranger, Veronica decided to trust this man, whom she never met before, whom she does not know which tribe he is in, "Aahm... kinda, but it will heal soon, I just have to bathe in the river."

Some warmth and joy dominates Larry's face that time, "Which river? I usually bathe in the river. I play with fishes, I hunt eels and turned them into delicious meals." Larry was trying to convince this little girl that he could offer friendship.

"Oh really?" Little Veronica giggles but tries to still compose herself.

"I'm Larry, I saw what happened to you earlier, I was worried, but amazed at the same time. You easily scared those wolves. I mean, wow! Just wow! I thought I was going to be in action but you were like stronger than me, haha!"

Veronica smiled as she bowed her head slowly, "I am one of them, they are my playmates, but they are bullies, and they never get tired of bullying me."

Larry was stunned, but still thought that this beast is a part of Tikaluna tribe, "Hmm... what tribe are you in? I can ask Lord Martin that I can be your protector and guardian from those bullies. you know, bullies are not even allowed in our tribe. I supposed, you are from Martin's cousins."

"I am not, I am from Kaplawa clan, a rival of your clan, but curiosity led me here, I did not intend to trespass, I did not intend to ruin any of your land, it is just that these bullies never get away from my path and so I need to look for somwhere safe and... I found this land. I"m sorry, I promise I'll be back soon, just don't let Lord Martin know that I trespass." Sweet little Veronica bended her knee with fear in her eyes.

Larry witnessed this, a fearless child casting away a beast suddenly turned into a delicate child longing for warm embrace. Without hesitation he embraced her and covered her with his dark brown velvety cape like a knight and shining armour.

The tears from the little girl's eyes suddenly stopped as she turned her face upward and saw the edgy masculine chin of Larry.

It was Veronica, the girl who’s been admiring Larry for years, the girl who’s 20 years younger than her prince. She is the girl who promised herself that she will do anything and everything to be with him forever.

To him, Veronica is just a little girl who needs to be rescued, but to her Larry is the man that she’s been willing to give her all whatever it takes. She dreamed of being Larry’s wife, of bearing children with Larry’s blood even if this dream is an ultimate disobedience to their law.

Growing up, Veronica always seeks her father’s attention. She will do a lot of silly things just to get her father’s time to talk to her. Every scolding is love, every punishment is comfort, and every little attention from her father makes her world complete. Everyone thought that being a child and only daughter of King Angus in the Kaplawa Clan is a privilege, an honour, a precious position that each creature dreamed of having but it was a life bound with jealousy from other beasts.

King Angus is a king for his people but never been a father to Veronica. He could always be seen treating other clan members with respect and his concern for everyone is very clear.

Veronica will not forget when she saw a palm-sized yellow butterfly with black polka dots all over its wings gliding calmly in lucid air. She planned to pet it and put it in a sanctuary where it can live and multiply. But when she was about to catch it, Freya, her elf playmate, swiftly made a scene and caught the butterfly with its elongated green tongue, sticking it to her left arm while stroking its wings gently with her right pinky finger giving Veronica a mocking stare.

As a frustrated child, Veronica’s eyes were flaming mad and wanted to pull Freya’s right ear, but she managed to control her emotions. After five heavy breaths, she lifted her head up and negotiated with Freya to get the yellow butterfly and offered to give her the well -loved flower head pieces that she collected to Freya in exchange for the beautiful wild creature.

But Freya , as selfish as she is, swiftly runs to King Angus crying her heart out telling the King that Veronica wanted to get her butterfly and wanted to kill it. This made the king furious.

“Veronica, you know that elves are the little army of this clan. Their wants and desires matter. They brought honour and pride in our family. Without them, being the spy and trusted fellows, our clan won’t be able to cope with our rival tribe, and with envious hard- headed, stone -hearted people.”

King Agus once again reminded her daughter that a simple creature like the butterfly is worthy to be given to a loyal servant.

“But father, there is no other creature as lovely as the yellow butterfly, I was the one who waited for the caterpillar to bloom, I was the one who planned on giving it the shelter that it deserves, I was planning to pet and multiply it but…”

Before Veronica could even defend herself, Freya burst into tears and without any word, King Agus made his final decision, “Freya, keep it and give it the best love that you could ever give” Freya giggles and sprints like lightning away from Veronica.

While Veronica’s eyes were glued to Freya’s trace, in teary eyes she mumbled, “You did not consider my feelings father, it has always been your army, your servants whom you put first. I felt betrayed, I felt hurt, I felt alone and no one can find me in the darkness that I have made.”

Without facing her daughter, King Angus answered, “Your heart makes you weak, your mind makes you wise. A useless creature will never bring you into places, but a loyal servant will offer their life for you. Stop crying, your tears will never give you the things that you wanted.”

Veronica’s mind wants to answer back his father, “But these tears will find peace from someone who deserves my love and my life.”

True enough, Larry found her in her most weakening state but it has always been a one-way relationship. Larry, even if years has passed by, he still sees Veronica as the little child that he rescued from the beast.