Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Daran Carver

I quickly came when I felt a powerful magical energy. The magic power was coming from Evangelista's study. I don't know what she's doing, but I'm worried that something terrible will happen to Jonea.

I shouldn't have left Jonea alone with Eve. Even though I trust Eve, she won't hurt Jonea; Eve doesn't know who Jonea really is.

When I came, a magic power was enveloping Jonea's whole body. It was a mighty wild, magical power I had not seen for several hundred years.

She must be stopped.

I tried to cut the magic knot and hugged Jonea from behind to protect and comfort her. I have to bring Jonea back to her senses.

All the bits of bladed weapons, armor, and wrought iron that had been in Eve's workshop went flying. Everything was spinning in a whirlwind and enveloping Jonea's body.

The girl didn't even realize that her body was scratched by many sharp weapons.

I hugged her tightly and absorbed her wild magical energy.

No! This energy comes out of the dragon's tears. I had no idea how dangerous these dragon tears would be to Jonea.

"You have to make up for all this damage," Eve called out to Jonea after the chaos died.

"But I don't have any money."

"Do something for me instead."

"What can I do?"

"Could you go to the storeroom and get a black wooden box? Bring the wooden box over here. Be careful when lifting it."

Jonea just nodded. She left Eve's study just like that without much question.

When I thought Jonea was far away and couldn't hear our conversation, I got mad at Eve.

"Are you crazy, Evangelista? Did you do it on purpose?"

In that instant, Eve immediately knelt with one foot before me. She folded her arms across her chest and bowed deeply before me.

"Forgive me, Your Highness. This is completely unintentional."

"Stand up, Commander! I don't want Jonea to see you kneel before me. Even though you are the best warlord I have, if you harm my bride, I will not hesitate to give you punishment!"

"I know, Daran!" Eve said in a low voice, full of regret.

I groaned and looked away from her. I've never been this angry. But this time, it really worried me.

"Is that why you kept her by your side, Daran? I ask as a friend, not a commander in chief to his king or a subordinate to his leader."

I sighed again.

"Of course, I've been searching for the red moon's holy blood for a long time. Sacred blood belongs to a man from the lineage of King Rawling. But, when I found Jonea at the auction, I was surprised because she is a girl."

Eve staggered a little. She looked at me questioningly.

"So, Jonea has the bloodline from the Rawling family?"

"I still need to find out. However, she may be the alpha of King Rawling's last surviving lineage. We still have enough time to unravel all these mysteries. The most important thing right now is to awaken the wolf inside that girl. So I can use her holy blood."

"Was moving to Blue Sapphire the right choice?"

"Only there can I awaken her holy blood. She's bound by dragon tears that come from that place."

Our conversation had to end when Jonea returned with a black wooden box about 30 cm in size.

"Is this city you mean?"

Eve nodded. She asked Jonea to place the box on the table Eve cleared.

I just watched the two women from the corner of the room.

Eve opened the black box after unsealing the locking runes. Eve took something out of the box and handed it to Jonea.

"What's this?"

"Black bone dagger," Eve cried. "Black bone is a scarce weapon-making material. Usually used by witch. I found bits of black bone and turned them into this beautiful dagger. I think he really suits you, Jonea."

I saw Jonea looking confused and doubtful. Eve handed over the dagger, and Jonea still had not received it.

"Take it, Jonea!" I shouted. "Eve left that special weapon to you. She took it as a punishment for you. It means you must maintain and protect the weapon as best you can."

"But… I don't deserve it. And I don't think I need a weapon like this."

"You will always need it, Miss!" I shouted.

Suddenly Eve knelt before Jonea and uncovered the hem of her skirt right before my eyes.

Jonea screamed in surprise as she closed her skirt again.

"What are you doing, Eve? You are so impolite!" protested Jonea.

I almost laughed at them. I can't even remember when Eve realized that what she was dealing with now was a girl.

"Sorry!" Eve exclaimed jokingly. "I didn't mean to be rude to you. Can you lift your skirt up a bit?"

Eve took a leather belt and tied it around Jonea's left thigh. It's a gun belt.

I watched the two girls as Eve slipped the black bone dagger into the gun belt on Jonea's thigh.

"Use this as a weapon if the ugly monster tries to bother you," Eve whispered into Jonea's ear while glancing at me.

"I can hear it, Evangelista! I know you whispered it out loud on purpose."

Thirty minutes later, after cleaning up the mess at Eve's shop, I took Jonea away.

We walked back to the station. Jonea looks still gloomy. She just walked expressionlessly beside me.

What is she thinking right now? But it didn't feel right to ask that in such a lively place.

"You want to take the train?" I offered Jonea.

"Train? What train do you mean?"

I placed my hand on the top of the girl's head and stroked it gently. "Of course, the train. Aren't we at the station now?"

Jonea's pair of eyes, which were somber before, now opened wide. She looked around us.

"Is it true that we can return to the castle by train?"

"Do you prefer to use magic portals than trains?"

Jonea quickly shook her head. "No! Of course, I prefer to use the train. That magic portal really made me nauseous and dizzy. It torments me. So which train shall we take?"

I snapped my fingers, and two golden tickets appeared in my hand. I handed the ticket to Jonea.

"Choose whichever carriage you want. Your carriage will take us back to the black castle, even though the destination shouldn't be there."

"Wow!" she screamed. "Are you going to control the carriage with magic?"

"Of course not! What am I doing that for? All the trains in this country are mine. Wherever I want them, they will take me. Because I am the king here."

Jonas froze. She looked around again and probably realized that the station was so quiet.

Hundreds of people fell silent and stared at us while lowering their heads.

She whispered to me. "Daran, what happened here?"

I pointed at my face. I've uncovered the mask and put it beside the head. My actual face was exposed, and everyone recognized me. I did it on purpose.

They all bowed to pay their respects to me—the Lycan King who ruled the land of Blackton.

Without needing to explain, Jonea opened her mouth and eyes wide. She really looked cute and adorable at that time.

"Gosh, you want to show off your power in front of me?"

"Choose whichever carriage you wish, My Queen!"

I bent slightly and reached out to help Jonea enter the carriage she chose.

I took her into the VIP carriage. There were only the two of us in the luxurious cabin.

All services have been provided for us. From the food and comfortable seats to the view of the train with the roof and windows all made of glass.

I saw Jonea choose a seat near the window on the right. I screamed at her.

"Don't sit there!"

The girl also failed to sit and froze in the middle of the aisle. "Is that a special place for the king or what? Then where should I sit?"

The place previously appointed by Jonea, I now occupy. I motioned my hand for Jonea to come closer. I clapped my hands on my thighs.

"Sit on my lap again!"

"Are you crazy? You, the perverted man!"

Jonea instantly drew a black bone dagger from the weapon belt on her left thigh. She pointed the blade at me.

I rolled my eyes in disbelief.

"Really? You're gonna do that to me? That weapon won't work on me."

I saw Jonea starting to hesitate. She's so easy to con.

I secretly admire this girl's dexterity and speed. Apparently, Jonea is proficient with weapons and has good martial arts skills.

"I'll sit somewhere else," Jonea grumbled.

I don't want to be rejected. I pulled the girl's slender waist and sat her ass in my lap.

"This place has the best views. Are you sure you want to refuse? I want to enjoy the view of the trains out there with you. So, sit on my lap quietly and comfortably. Don't move too much, or you'll strain me."

"WHAT?"

Jonea rebelled and tried to escape. But I still held and hugged her waist to keep her sitting on my lap.

"I told you not to move much!"

The train started moving slowly. She sat stiff and still for some time. Until the train passed a flower field with winter scenery.

"Beautiful!" muttered the girl, putting both hands on the glass window.

I groaned and restrained myself. She touched something she shouldn't have felt. Damn it!

"How come the flowers don't die? But instead, it freezes and forms crystal flowers? Daran, how did this happen?"

She turned her head and stared at my face, which was red from the strong thrust below.

"What's wrong, Daran? You are sick?"

I cleared my throat. "N-no!"

I cover my face with a mask.

"They are eternal flowers," I explained nervously.

Unknowingly, I reached out to reach Jonea's neck. Quickly too, she holds and holds my hand.

Our eyes met, and our hands clasped together.

"Why?" I whispered hoarsely. "Why don't you let me touch your dragon tear?"