Chapter 41: Chapter 41

“Where did Reign take Thraia?” I immediately asked Elliott when he came to my room to take me downstairs and eat. I went back to my room because I couldn’t afford to stay there in Reign’s room.

It has also been three days since the day Thraia confessed. I did not have a night of proper sleep during that day, and I could see the wakefulness and swelling of the eyes on my face. I don’t know why I’m like this, maybe because Thraia was the one I wanted to be friends with for the first time in my life.

“You need to go downstairs and eat lunch, Ruchee. The maids said that you eat a few mouthfuls, then sometimes, you don’t come downstairs to eat. How many days have you been like that?” Elliott said, ignoring my question. I looked at him, and there are scars on his hand and face. I only saw him again three days ago, and I also did not see his face for a month. What happened to him?

“What happened to you? Why did you show up today? Did Reign imprison you too?” I ignored him because of my mixed emotions; I got up and immediately approached Elliott, “Tell me, will Reign do to Thraia what he did to you? Will he kill her as well as the others?” I asked while grabbing Elliott’s clothes.

Elliott gently took my hands from the grip on his shirt. He looked at me, “Look, you’re losing weight. Everyone here will be doomed when Reign sees your situation,” he said as if he was whispering. He doesn’t seem to be able to see me in this situation either.

“I know you are afraid of your cousin. You are right; Reign is ruthless. But aren’t you afraid of what he can do to Thraia? Thraia is innocent!” I groaned; my chest was already hurting.

“Yes. Reign is ruthless, Ruchee. I know that your eyes can see what kind of person Reign is,” I kept staring at Elliott. I can see in Elliott’s face that he also doesn’t have taken a proper sleep.

“Yes! That’s why you need to tell me. Where is Thraia?” I asked again; hopefully, he’ll answer my question, but he just shook his head.

“Reign doesn’t kill and beat a woman because he respects them,” says Elliott, who suddenly relieved my chest but only came back in pain because of what he said next, “But when it comes to you,” he suddenly stared at me with sad eyes, “He won’t kill but can beat a woman to death,” he added that made my knees trembles.

“Thraia is not the one behind my poisoning,” I couldn’t help but say at the same time as my stingy tears were dripping. I just sat on the floor because my knees are getting weak, and I didn’t get enough sleep for the past few days. I’m hungry, but I don’t have any appetite to eat.

I felt Elliott sitting behind me. He gently stroked my back, causing me to cry a lot. Why am I acting like this?

“I also know that she is innocent but think about why she does it. Why Thraia claimed to be your killer?” I suddenly stopped, and immediately something entered my brain—the real culprit behind this happening.

I don’t know, but suddenly my weakness disappeared. I looked at Elliott, who was surprised by my sudden standing.

“Take me to the village,” I firmly said while wiping my tears. Elliott stood up and confusedly looked at me. I thought he would ask why I wanted to go there.

“I will take you there,” my face suddenly brightened but disappointed as Elliott continued talking, “But in a condition,” my left brow raised, waiting for him to drop the condition he was talking about, “Eat first,” he said as I immediately nodded.

“Really? Everything I asked from you has a condition,” I said when I remembered the first time I asked something from Elliott, and he wanted me as his date for an exchange.

“That’s what life is. Everything needs an exchange,” he said with a profound meaning, but I click my tongue.

***

Elliott did what he said. After I ate lunch, he then accompanied me to the Village. When I got there, it was, as usual, the others were busy doing things. I groped Old Garry using my sight, and soon my eyes saw him.

I did not hesitate and walked quickly to Garry’s place. He was talking to one of the islanders. I felt Elliott following behind me. Luckily, he hadn’t asked what I was going to do in here.

When I got in front of old Garry, he immediately turned to me. His interlocutor said goodbye when he saw me. I don’t know, but they seem to know me because of Reign.

“Good afternoon, ma’am. What brings you here, and where’s sir Reign?” Garry suddenly asked and then looked behind me, “Oh. Good afternoon too, sir Elliott,” he greeted Elliot, then put a smile on his wrinkled lips. Elliott also gives his greetings to the older man.

“I’m just going to ask something important,”  the old Garry just nodded his head.

“Sure thing. Go ahead,” I turned to Elliott first. He was looking at me and seeing in his face the astonishment. I looked back to the front.

“Can I know if where is Sharmon?”

Old Garry’s face suddenly doubled the wrinkles, “I thought Sharmon was at Sir Reign’s house. She informed me the other day that she would attend the Grand Ball at Jaccobich’s mansion. Sharmon said that she got an invitation from the sir,” old Garry confusedly answered.

“Have you received an invitation from Reign?” I looked at Elliott when he asked the old Garry.

“No,” I returned my eyes in front, “No, I didn’t. I was also surprised when Sharmon said she had received an invitation from the sir,” old Garry said as he shrugged his head. I did not prolong the conversation. I thanked the old Garry for giving me answers and said goodbye.

“If Sharmon got the invitation, knowing Reign, everyone in the village should also receive one,” said Elliott as we entered the house. I looked around. We were in the receiving area where the grand ball was held a month ago, “Why are you looking for Sharmon? What do you need about her? How did you meet her?” Elliot asked in succession. I stopped walking and faced him.

“One time, Reign took me to the village, and there was the moment I met Sharmon,” I looked at Elliott and took a deep breath. Maybe it’s okay for me to tell him this one thing. I want to claim Thraia’s innocent, “Sharmon once threatened me,” I don’t know, but Elliott didn’t seem surprised to hear what I’ve said.

“Thraia already told me about that,” my forehead furrowed because of what Elliott said and the way Thraia’s name was pronounced. Why did I just now notice? “I already know that she’s innocent. Reign already know that she’s innocent, but he was doing this for Thraia to spit up the truth,”

I suddenly felt terrible for myself. Why did I tell Reign that thing? I should have been the one who looked at the bigger picture and not him. I don’t know Reign, but why does he have to complicate everything?

“Then why are Thraia and Reign doing this?”

“To lure the real intentions of Sharmon. If she wanted to kill you and she failed in the first place,” Elliott smiled, “She’ll come to you until she succeeded,” The thorn in my chest disappeared.

“I didn’t know that this was what was behind the incident. I was crying like an idiot then everything was planned,”

“I know you think that they’re just giving you a good time, but this is for you,” Elliott paused, “Thraia approaches Reign and tells what happened between you and Sharmon and about the threat you received. Thraia confessed that she knows after you were poison. And also,” Elliott let out an alluring smile, “Thraia wants to see if you see her as a friend,”

I softened because of what I heard. Even though it didn’t come directly from Thraia’s lips, I feel like a dear friend cherished me. I was right; words are addictive. You will never know what is true or not.