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 properly connect with a spirit as she was naturally able to handle the crowd and the little accidents because the Sachiel Shores was the place of trade and port of foreigners.
Lucian was taught by the book about values and honesty. Amaryah experienced a lot of things beforehand and that shaped who she was.
They were very opposite, so they did not really get along well when they first met. He couldn't handle how unruly Amaryah was while she was skeptical about how spoiled and sheltered Lucian was.
Yet although he was like that, Lucian was one of the good guys. The real good guys.
But he will only trouble her if he starts going on about justice and the heaven's retribution in front of her when he finds out about her plans.
A silly thought crossed her mind: "Didn't I die at Volcano of the Lost already? How about I act like he got the wrong person and escape?"
It was an offhand comment that she wasn't able to hide from the witches.
The witches were one with her, and when they heard this, they all teased and mocked her in her mind that a frown slowly appeared on her face.
At the same time, Lucian looked up and saw this expression.
"What's wrong? Does it hurt?" he asked again, voice laced with worry.
Amaryah wavered. How long ago was it? Those couple years in that unreachable place, with no one else but shrieking witches, she can only feel the cold.
The warmth in Lucian's voice poked into her memories. There was a time when people showed her nothing but sincerity, showering her endless love and warmth. And now where were all of them?
Amaryah steeled her heart and forcefully stuffed the resurfacing longing back in its supposedly impenetrable cage. Those people have either died already, been executed, or turned on her.
That's just how people are.
How life is.
Without thinking much about her actions, Amaryah denied as she shook the man's hand away: "You are mistaken. I'm just a homeless nobody."
She figured she wasn't exactly lying. For one, she isn't a Sachiel anymore. Never was. And she's honest about being homeless.
She had been chased out of her clan, so she is no one today but a wandering girl with clumps of souls inside her veins mocking her when they know that if she dies, they'd disappear with her as well.
She also doesn't want to acknowledge that their maker is her home yet. She might have stayed and endured a good decade on that side, but she never asked for it.
Like how she didn't ask to be born a witch, or to possess such powers.
So with solid hatred and annoyance, she willed the witches to shut their mouths, or consciousness, in their case, by using her usual threats.
Amaryah was getting tired of their antics, and she needed a rest.
With much stubbornness, she resolved to act the part like what she said, a homeless nobody, and bravely looked up to glance at Lucian's expression.
For a moment, a glint of unexplainable mixed emotions passed through his irises. His mouth twitched ever so subtly, before he opened his mouth to speak.
"Hm, my mistake. You look a lot like someone I know." Lucian nodded and looked away.
Amaryah pursed her lips and unconsciously raised her head, looking a little smug when inside, all that she was was relieved Lucian didn't push it.
Acting as if she was busy about something, she dusted her once white robe and hummed.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have urgent matters to attend to," she uttered.
Amaryah turned again, ready to bolt away. She was just beginning to familiarize herself with the surroundings and trying to remember where in Selaphiel she actually was when she felt a hand grip her shoulder.
It wasn't that hard of a grip, but it wasn't exactly gentle either.
So with all the running and reminiscing, she almost forgot about her aching body from all the thrashing in the cabin and draining summoning of souls, although it was only technically a scrap.
Amaryah reflexively winced and groaned from pain, letting out a sound like she was getting butchered.
Yaron Lucian was shocked that he stood frozen for a moment before carefully retracting his hand that was left hanging in the air.
He looked down and saw Amaryah crouching on the ground while protectively holding the shoulder he touched.
"I'm sorry." He panicked. "Does it hurt very much? I didn't know about your injury there. I'm sorry. Does it really hurt? Should we take a look?"
"Ah..." Amaryah thought Lucian was being funny, and she almost laughed. She saved herself and turned the split laughter that escaped from her mouth into a more dramatic cry.
And Lucian, as if back in the old times, was clueless and completely fooled.
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
"My lady!" A servant came running to meet her once she entered Lucian's residence. It was the maid that had been helping her.Amaryah's gloomy aura instantly disappeared as she greeted the servant back by stuffing a handkerchief in her mouth."Why are you being loud? Yes, I am here," she scolded, chest still thumping from being caught off guard by the maid's voice.With muffled sounds, the little girl tried to answer, but Firal, who had heard the commotion, also came running to her with a sweaty face. He interrupted the maid and talked loudly as well, but Amaryah didn't have any more handkerchiefs with her. So she just scowled at him which Firal did not seem to see."My lady, where have you been? Please do not disappear without a word again! If the lord finds out about this—" He halted as Lucian appeared behind Amaryah."If you already know that there are consequences, keep a good eye on her next time," he coldly said as he passed by them. "R