Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Jonea Fallon

I even came here bringing nothing with me. But why did I pack so much of my stuff to return to Sapphire Blue?

"Do you need any help, Miss?"

I jumped in shock and almost died right then and there. Without a sound, without knowing when he came, suddenly he was standing behind me like a ghost. Loko's face was always pale. He stood stiff as a log.

"Yes! No!"

I corrected my words because I was too nervous.

"You don't need to worry. I can pack these things myself. How about you? You must be busy because you must pack Daran's things."

"Mr. Carver didn't even bring anything for this move."

"What does it mean?"

"Because the house we are going to has long been owned by Mr. Carver, decades ago. The house is already filled with Master's personal belongings."

I actually stood up and faced Loko because I was so shocked.

"So you're saying Daran has lived in the Blue Sapphire before? Even there, he has a private house and personal belongings, I see?"

Loko just winked in approval.

"Wow!"

"But the house was never occupied by Mr. Carver. After purchasing it several tens years ago, Mr. Carver left it at that. The house is now being cared for and temporarily occupied by his cousin."

"Cousin?" I rolled my eyes in disbelief. "Daran has a cousin?"

"That's right, Miss. In the meantime, you will live there with Mr. Carver's cousin. All the information you need is already in the logbook."

"Does that mean Daran won't transfer to Blue Sapphire? I have to go alone?"

"At this time, Mr. Carver is on very urgent business and cannot be left behind. In the next few weeks, you may not be able to meet Mr. Carver; Master asked me to help you pack up and move into Blue Sapphire first because the new school year is about to start. When the business is finished, Master will follow."

"Rich people are crazy!" I muttered.

"Is there anything else you need, miss? If I can do nothing, I'll take my leave first."

"Wait, Loko!"

I run. I was so hurried that I tripped over one of the opened suitcases. I nearly toppled over if I couldn't control my body and get back on balance.

"Please be more careful, Miss. Watch your attitude. Things like that shouldn't be done by a future queen."

Somehow I feel guilty and like a child being advised by his parents. But there is something more important I want to ask.

"Why should we switch to Blue Sapphire? Isn't there somewhere else we can go?"

“Sorry, miss. I can't answer that. Everything is Mr. Carver's decision."

"Then, his cousin! Was she as terrible as Daran? Is she… also a monster? Oh, I mean, is she a Lycan too?"

Loko was silent for a long time. I can't read his expression. Is he angry, offended, or what? I don't know.

But clearly, I need answers. I can't go see whoever it is– Daran's cousin– without knowing anything about her.

"There's nothing for you to worry about. Mr. Carver will ensure your safety."

I let Loko go.

"Yeah, of course, no one currently knows what Daran's plans and thoughts are. But, back to Sapphire Blue? Living with his cousin, who I don't know who she is? It's like suicide for me. Why would Daran choose to enter the enemy's lair at a time like this?"

I closed my eyes and recalled the whole mess that happened two years ago. The entire Blue Sapphire country was ravaged by dragon fire.

The attack was a complete surprise.

All this time, I thought I had lived in a peaceful country even though I had to coexist with werewolves who considered themselves superior.

That night, fire attacks came from all over. War broke out just overnight. Luke Draken, who collaborated with the dragon army, eliminated the entire human and werewolf race controlling the Blue Sapphire.

I don't know how the Blue Sapphire is doing right now. I kept running and hiding in the dark forests for two years after that night.

"Miss, the taxi is waiting in front. You'd better hurry or miss your flight."

I came out dragging two large suitcases filled with my personal belongings. Loko helped me carry the suitcases and put them in the taxi trunk.

I saw the driver. He looks like a typical taxi driver with a special uniform and a clear identity. But there was something strange about the man.

His eyes are black. All black. There is no white part at all on the cornea. His face was also so pale and flat. I would have almost run if Loko didn't hold my hand.

"He's human. You don't need to worry. I've cast a magic spell on him to keep you safe and secure until you arrive at the airport. He won't remember anything he did while picking you up and dropping you off."

I swallowed hard and glanced again at the taxi driver, standing as stiff as a corpse. He really didn't speak and didn't show any expression.

Loko opened the back door for me.

"Should I go to Blue Sapphire by plane? Can't I just use the time portal?"

"Only if you travel with Mr. Carver. You have to go to Blue Sapphire by yourself, it's better for you to use the mode of transportation like normal humans do."

"Is Blue Sapphire safe? What if they detect my arrival at the airport and arrest me?"

"You don't have to think about those things, miss. Because Miss Evangelista has prepared everything. All identification, passports, visas, and even the campus you will have all been prepared by her."

"Campus?"

"Oh, didn't I tell you? According to Mr. Carver's instructions, while on Blue Sapphire, you will again receive a proper education and go to university like other girls your age. According to Mr. Carver, you should live a normal human life."

I trembled even more at Loko's words. Are there still free-living humans in the blue sapphire? Are there still humans who can go to university? To school? And to other public places without feeling threatened? I even doubt there are any humans left.

"Please check and study the notebook that Miss Evangelista has prepared."

I was already sitting in the back of the taxi but still kept the door open. I looked pitifully at Loko.

"Can't I stay here a little longer?"

Loko shook his head. "You must transfer to Blue Sapphire according to Mr. Carver's instructions. Have a nice trip."

I subconsciously replied to Loko's words. "Well, pray that I'll be able to survive and be able to come back alive."

"Come back alive?"

Loko asked me a question for the first time, and I could see a slight look of confusion on his face. It really blew me away. Loko can't show any expression other than a straight face.

"Oh, forget it! I was just kidding."

Loko was ready to close the taxi door, and I held him down again. From that slight gap, I pitied Loko.

"Make sure you call me every other day! If I don't answer, please call the police, security, or whoever is in charge to save me immediately!"

"Police?" This time Loko looked even more confused than before.

"You may not know," I said fearfully. "The current Blue Sapphire is like hell. There are filled with criminals and creatures that are so cruel. I don't know if it can even outlast the age of a fly."

Loko calmly replied, "You don't need to worry, Miss."

This time Loko really closed the taxi door. I was still looking at him through the closed glass window of the taxi.

The taxi passed, and I saw Loko standing in the house's driveway, so I couldn't see him anymore. I sat with a heavy sigh in the back seat of the taxi.

I reopened my personal belongings: passport, identity card, and registration card as a student at a university. They all have a photo of my face but with a slightly different name.

"Jonea Rawling? Eve actually used my real name and the names of my biological parents on the ID. Yeah, it's not wrong, anyway. I hope no one will recognize me there."

I went back to leafing through the notebook Eve had also tucked in for me. I studied the current Blue Sapphire. Only then did I realize what Loko meant by the humans in Blue Sapphire?