"Stop it," Valen chuckled as Rhydian played with her jokingly, running his fingers through her scalp. She hit his hand and tried to crawl away from his hold as they were lying on his bed, but Rhydian was just too quick to prevent her from leaving. He swallowed her back into his embrace, causing her to yelp and giggle as he tickled her. Valen laughed until a tear rolled out of the corner of her eye. "Okay, please... please stop it. I give up." She admitted defeat, her words choking her. That was when Rhydian stopped with a playful smirk. He relented and sat on his knees, staring at her with calm eyes. Valen pushed herself up, still chortling but then slowly came to a stop when she noticed how still Rhydian was. She looked into his eyes. He wasn't even blinking as frequently as he used to. He was just staring back at her. It didn't feel super cringe or cause her fear. It just made her feel self-conscious. "Why are you staring at me like that?" Rhydian blinked, feign
"Well, that doesn't sound right." That was Lucan speaking one evening after Valen bore her thoughts down to him especially what she had seen about Iza. Currently, they were resting from the intense practice that they had finished together. The sun was starting to set, and the campground, which used to be so lively with the noises and movement of people, was empty. What could be seen were only the ruins from the fire. Something that did no further than hurt Valen each time that she saw it. She hadn't forgiven herself yet for what happened. But sitting next to Lucan gave a bit of calmness as she tried her best not to look too much into it. "Exactly my point. I couldn't bear it anymore and that was why I had to share my thoughts with you " "Honestly, between Aldridge and Iza, I would say that Iza is most likely to do something suspicious like..." Lucan paused, causing Valen to turn her head to look at him, expecting him to continue with what he was saying. "Suspici
Iza stepped into the room and indeed, the man he was waiting for was waiting for him in return. He had his back turned against him like that other night so Iza couldn't see his face. "Hey, good evening." Iza managed to greet after noticing that no one would say a word at his arrival. "You're here." The man said, "I wasn't expecting you to reach a decision even though I knew you were going to come back." He added. Iza was going to fight against that statement but restrained him. It was better not to. "I had to come back because something happened." "Does this mean that you're ready to join us?"Iza took his time, pinching his fingers behind his back with his eyes staring at the ground. If he entered here, it was all over. He wouldn't be able to go back on his promise so he knew that he needed to be careful. "Before I respond, I would like a few questions to be answered for certainty's sake." He cleared his throat. "Go ahead with your questions." The man urged him. "Who are
Iza was standing right under a tree close to the same spot where he had been attacked that night and kidnapped. He blew out some air through his nostrils and folded his palms deeper into the corner of his armpits as the weather was getting colder. He was here, hoping to meet the same men for the deal. They said they were going to reach out to him but how? They did not tell him how. And right now? He couldn't hold it anymore. He needed to bring back the real Lycanis throne. The playful noise from the kids distracted him from his thoughts and he pushed his body off the tree. Maybe he should go back to being that silent King's assistant whose voice wouldn't be listened to because of a woman. He looked around for a few minutes, his eyes searching for any clue that the strange men could be around. Even though he couldn't recognize them from that night, their voices and also the way they smelled could have easily given them away. Also, he knew the people and the land like the back o
"Star, my dear," Seraphim said with a struggle as Gold entered the room. She was about to stand up but because of her weakness, she fell back. Gold rushed towards her and supported her until she was sitting back comfortably. "Aunt, please you have to take good care of yourself."Seraphim coughed, "Yeah. I am trying to. Any letters from Valen? Did she send you anything?" She asked, but the glimpse of hope in her eyes vanished when Gold slowly shook her head. "Nothing yet, Aunt."Star had not gotten the chance to converse with Valen ever since the day they fought. It was only to her surprise when she found out that she had gone back to the Lycanis. "Are you two still fighting? Did she not settle things with you before she left?" Seraphim blew her nose. Star felt her hand get taken into Seraphim's soft yet weak ones. "Not really," "What was the fight about? I feel like there was more to the fight than what I'm seeing now. Will you tell me what it was about
"Do you not want to speak to your father anymore?" Rhydian asked that night after Valen helped with dressing him for bed. She adjusted his robe but only answered the question after she tied the ropes around his waist She met his curious gaze "I had to ask because I know for a fact that you are attached to your father but it has been days since you came back..." "I am not happy that I am not with him, Rhydian. So yes, you're right about that. Every night that I go to bed, I can't help but question my legitimacy as his child. He must hate me by now." "He must hate that you're siding with the monsters. His enemies."Valen smirked, a line of sadness appearing on her forehead. "Everything happens for a reason, Rhydian. I am not giving up on him though. I believe he can still understand what I mean but now might not be the perfect time." She answered. Rhydian sat down on the bed and sighed. That was such a good relationship between the father and daughter. Valen