Like what the scrap of soul had said, her body is currently too weak to even manage a whole spirit. Much less be sensitive about her surroundings and the fluctuations of their emotions.
She does not have any place in mind, but for now, she can only make do with the mountains and caves.
Anywhere no ordinary human would reach or accidentally pass by and where energy is abundant and clean enough will be good.
However, she didn't know that the witches already devised a different and better plan for her.
"We have prepared you a place already." Her brows knitted upon hearing the words. "There is no need to thank us. Consider this one of the many great deeds we shall do to repay you."
It disappeared after speaking and Amaryah breathed a sigh of relief. She finally felt a lot lighter, but upon digesting what the scrap of soul said, she was baffled.
"What the hell are you talking..."
She was absently moving before and could only feel the difficulty of maintaining her strength that she did not notice how her body was running to a certain direction on its own.
It was then that she realized how she let her guard down, and she was playing into the palms of the witches' hands again.
She was submitting to their hints and suggestions! What use was her knowledge now if her body can't keep up?
Upon bumping into something hard, she was brought back from her thoughts, yet she found herself lost again.
Unconsciously, she cocked her head to the left as the familiar smell of the wild mountains and incense wafted in the air. The scent was like a switch clicked to bring her back to a certain period of time.
When everything was still okay and everyday life was normal.
For a moment, she almost forgot that she's in the middle of the woods. She could see light green robes with the hems gently swaying as the person walked up a mountain path. She could see the firm hold of a hand carrying a silver sword.
She could see the tight black belt around the person's thin waist. She could even almost feel the piercing gaze the person was giving her on that first meeting again.
And it was as if she could hear the melodious songs that have always calmed her before.
She immediately snapped out of the hallucinations once she remembered it wasn't time for such reminiscence.
Amaryah was not often enveloped by the arms of the person who smelled so much like this. But from the very first time she collided with this chest, this scent has already stuck itself to her nose and mind that the probability of forgetting or mistaking it is zero.
She was dumbfounded at the sudden realizations with no time to reprimand the witches, or even to at least confirm if this was their doing and what they meant about this.
Cursing inside, she can only turn away and was just about to escape when a hand grabbed her sleeve.
"Amaryah," the deep and almost hoarse voice said, and she felt her heart thump loudly in her chest a couple times before it sank.
How lucky must she be to promptly meet an old friend after only minutes of awakening?
"Amaryah," he had called her again, much louder and clearer this time. It made her heart thump wildly because she isn't prepared for this sudden confrontation at all.
The tone of his voice was almost incomprehensible, but maybe it was just her.
For years, all Amaryah could remember was not his usual soft voice which was famous throughout Selaphiel. She could only hear his angry, raised tone when they last spoke, and his helpless shout back at the top of the volcano.
This certain voice calling her name both times with opposite emotions filled her mind for years. Sometimes even, it would distract her meditation and the witches would howl another round of curses at her for not focusing.
One small tug at her left sleeve brought her back to the present. She felt the soft caress of a cotton cloth on her wrist.
Her sleeve was rolled up to her elbow, revealing the bruises and scratches in her arm. The wound on her wrist already stopped bleeding, but it was still smeared with blood.
She glanced to see the man behind her wipe away the dried blood stains on her hand.
His eyes were focused on her injured hand, so she freely watched the person.
Like what she had suspected, it really is the Lord Lucian of Yaron Clan, the man said to have been blessed with an angelic voice by the gods within Mist Mountains.
The male version of the noble lady from the legend.
Yaron Clan is well-known for its music. Prodigies of both stringed and wind instruments reside in the Mist Mountains.
Among them, there was Yaron Lucian. He was said to possess a voice so beautiful and hypnotic that when he sings, the heavens and the gods would shower the mountains with more and more blessings of spiritual energy.
He is simply a genius. The pride of his clan and of Mist Mountains. The youngest to become lord in their generation.
Upon looking, Amaryah saw that he didn't seem to have much changes in his appearance. He still wore that arrogant hair tiara.
His bare face is still clean and handsome, and his robes are still neat and straight. Just like how Amaryah remembered him.
He only has a more serious air about him and seems gloomy, the kind that might snap at you at any moment. Very unlike the gentle and comforting leader that she sees in her memories and the descriptions he had before.
But who is she to know? It has been years. A decade.
"What happened? Are you being chased?" he asked, still busy about her wound.
Amaryah was a little relieved. At least, this was another thing that didn't change. His concern and his voice. A Lucian that she knows.
Lucian threw away the now bloodied handkerchief and took out another to bandage her wrist. Now that they are close up, she could feel his surging aura. She was really being careless. She had felt this energy the moment she opened the door of the cabin but did not bother with it. An aura this strong, in normal circumstances, she would have avoided it at all costs. Yet look at how persuasive the witches' hints are. They dragged her body towards this person, and she was pulled like a magnet. However, she really doesn't like this situation. This is dangerous, and she could be led astray. Lucian may be smart and a good leader, but she remembers that he lacked practical experiences. All because the people, most especially the direct descendants of the leading family of Mist Mountains seldom left to see what it was like outside. While Amaryah was brought up in the Sachiel Shores, he was born and raised in Mist Mountains. He grew up learning social etiquette, combat skills, and how to
Amaryah sobbed louder as Lucian beside her did his best to hide his panic. Thinking the girl was now crying and blaming himself for it, Yaron Lucian kneels beside Amaryah and checks her condition. The girl had red eyes, probably from pain and holding back some tears, but of course he didn't realize it was actually from suppressing laughter. She was gripping her shoulder with both of her hands; one hand was bandaged while the other, with sleeves rolling down, revealed more scratches and bruises She also seemed to have internal injuries from the way she was leaning down, body trembling a little. "May I?" Lucian asked, pointing at her hands. "You seem to be in a worse condition than I initially thought. Let me check your pulse." Acting reluctant, Amaryah let go of her shoulder and showed him her hand which Lucian carefully grasped. He held her right wrist, and using his middle and index fingers, he looked and felt for her pulse. Lucian's eyebrows raised a little upon listening to h
Like most places, there is a legend known to many about how the Mist Mountains came to be. A few millennia ago, these erected mountains were just like any other ordinary mountain. That is, till a lady of some famous noble family runs away from home due to a marriage she didn't want. The lady hoped to offer her whole lifetime praising and singing to the gods, but her family never understood nor supported her. She was miserable for days upon hearing the news of the day when she would marry, so she took off and hid in the mountains. She lived secluded, sang beautiful songs of praises and gratitude to the heavens day and night, and was even able to ascend. Her years of hardships living alone and doing nothing but worshipping gods had made the Mist Mountains what it is now. Amaryah felt the fluctuating energy after half an hour of walking. She looked up to the foggy view and was once again reminded of how much of a waste it is to hide the glory of Mist Mountains from the rest of the w
"What kind of defense is this. Few meters of walking in the mist and then you get to your destination so easily," Amaryah scoffed, trying to provoke Lucian to both amuse and redeem herself. She knows he must have sensed her weird behavior while walking up the paths. Yaron Lucian did not pay her any mind, and instead walked very quietly all of a sudden. Even the leaves dared not to cause the slightest crackle. His breathing also slowed down. He steadied his aura and chose to walk under the shadows of the leaves and trees. Frowning, Amaryah looked at him intensely to make sure he was still with her. She almost thought she fell into some kind of illusion and that this was all actually a trap. Her overthinking is worsening every minute she is not aware of what her enemies are doing or where they might be. There was also the incident an hour ago when she unknowingly let her guard down and bumped into Lucian. The more she thinks about it, the more she wants to quickly grow and be able
With all her might, Amaryah tried her best to restrain herself. She thought she was the shameless one for pretending and taking advantage of Lucian—well, she was partly telling the truth then. But this Yaron Lucian, does he still have his dignity? Or did it flee down the mountains from suffocation because of their small world? Looking at where she was, it's not that she is complaining since she at least was given a place to stay, but this cabin? Really? The clan leader and elders have their own residence at the back of their offices at the center of their mountains, but they also have a private residence. In all their homes, she remembers there were cabins built behind for their wives and children. Lucian had led her to the cabin farthest from his bedroom, or the place for the “least favorite” wife. He went out again to get a healer, so she was left alone to think and mend for her hurt pride. Yaron Lucian was just so adamant at staying single for life in the past that she never
Amaryah was there, standing in front of a million people. Clothes tattered, dust covered her skin, and head was still bleeding. People occasionally threw stones and some would hit or graze past her. Yet she doesn't recognize pain anymore."Throw her into the lava!""That thing does not deserve to live!""She's going to cause another calamity!""A curse to Selaphiel!""Misfortune!""Wench!""Immoral!"All these people in front of her were the very same crowd who once fought beside her, admired her skill and beauty, and some even not just once asked for her help. Yet they gathered before her and screamed for her execution. The feeling of betrayal already drowned out whatever pain and noise she could feel and hear.So Amaryah was just there, wishing for everything to quickly end. Staring straight into nothing with dead eyes."My lady?" It was a faint sound, but it was loud enough for Amaryah to quickly realize she wa
Saying that Amaryah was speechless was an understatement. She and Lucian had a staring contest before a knock disrupted them. Amaryah jumped a little in surprise. "Lord Lucian, the food and medicine are here," Firal announced from outside. While Firal and a maid prepared their food on the table, the two were just quietly watching them. The maid was intimidated under their gaze, but Firal was only confused. Lucian was wearing a rare silly smile and the lady was in a trance. What is with this atmosphere? "You may think about the matter anytime. You need to eat for now," Lucian spoke, picking up a spoon to taste the soup. When Amaryah came to, there was only her and Lucian in the room. Once again, she suffered in another internal war. On the side were the witches who were secretly laughing at her. Of course, she knew what they were thinking since they currently share a single body. "Whatever happened to Lucian, really!" she exclaimed in her mind.
Amaryah followed behind Lucian for half a day as he talked and led her to places where she didn't see even a single soul. She understood that Lucian must not be ready to introduce her to anyone from his clan at all, but it didn't bother her. It was an advantage on her part, anyway.Lucian would watch her expression as he spoke while the girl would only nod from time to time to show that she was listening.However, the truth did not escape from Lucian's keen eyes.More than ever, he believed the girl was Amaryah. The way she had put on such a serious face while pretending to be attentive was all too familiar for him that he almost laughed in amusement.Before the sun had fully set, Firal came looking for him carrying some clan matters that needed to be urgently taken care of. So Amaryah was sent to her quarters, the same cabin from last night, and was advised to rest as she waited for her dinner.Naturally, no matter how much the witches dissuaded h