Chapter 39: Chapter 39

JONEA

"Da-Daran…"

Without realizing it, I was walking backward because I was so scared. My back hit one of the objects and fell to the floor, making a loud clang.

It wasn't the only thing that fell. I also slipped. Just before my head and body hit the floor, I felt like my body was being held down by something soft. When I glanced to the side, my body was floating.

With his magic power, Daran supported me and made me stand straight again. He also returned things that I accidentally dropped to their respective places.

"Jonea, what are you doing here?" Daran asked in a cold voice. He walked closer to me with threatening body movements.

"I... I..." I needed clarification, and I was looking for the right reason.

At that time, the corner of my eye saw a row of paintings that looked quite old displayed in the warehouse. I also pointed at the row of paintings.

"I'm just curious about them. I've never seen anything like it before. Why would you hide such cool and good things in a dirty and dusty place like this? Can't you appreciate works of art?"

I spoke nonsense to distract Daran. I acted excessively as if I was disappointed and annoyed at him for wasting beautiful paintings with high artistic value.

"Jonea!" Daran said firmly. "You have not answer my question. How did you get here?"

My lips immediately locked tightly, and I didn't say a word. With a stiff body, I turned slowly to face Daran with my head bowed.

"I'm sorry, Daran. I don't know if this place is forbidden for me. I should have asked permission first. I'm just curious. When I came home earlier, I saw this building accidentally. I'm really sorry. I won't come here again and forget everything."

There was quite a long pause between our conversations. Not long after, I heard Daran exhale behind his mask.

"You can't call those paintings works of art. You know... They're just worthless paintings I make in my spare time."

Suddenly, I raised my head and looked at Daran in surprise. "So you painted all this? Are you kidding? This painting is very cool. Judging from the paint, it looks like it is hundreds of years old. Just imagine how much it would cost if you sold it at today's currency exchange rate?"

Daran tilted his head and looked at the painting displayed on the wall.

"Do you think so? If you like it, take it and sell it."

I actually gaped at Daran's words. Is that easy for him to say? Oh, my gosh, rich people are different.

"But, you don't have to do it tonight. You still have quite a lot of time. We'd better go home and have dinner. Why are you coming home so late, Jonea? I've been waiting for you for a long time."

I'm very nervous. Until I couldn't move my legs at all. I'm still thinking about what the hybrid said earlier. There are many things I want to ask Daran. But I knew he wouldn't say anything. I'm also sure Daran knows the hybrid. I just wanted to confirm whether he was Miller—my brother?

Because I didn't come out of the warehouse, Daran finally returned. He suddenly lifted my body. He literally carried me like a child in his arms.

"Let me down!" I said shyly. My face feels hot. "I can walk by myself."

"I do not think so. You're too slow as a snail. I'm already hungry and I think Owen is also annoyed because he has to wait for you for dinner."

"I thought you didn't need to eat?" I protested.

Daran ignored my complaints and continued to carry me. We walked back to the house. My hand touched his chest. I could feel his heart beating so fast.

I shook my head. Maybe I was wrong; perhaps it was the sound of my own heartbeat.

"Are you sick Jonea? Your face looks so red. Next time, wear warmer clothes when going out of the house."

I looked up to look at Daran, but all I saw was his mask, which looked so cold and expressionless.

"Daran, I really envy you being able to live in so many eras. How does it feel to live a long life?"

Suddenly, Daran's footsteps stopped right before we entered the house. He looked down at me from behind his mask.

"It doesn't taste like anything. Not as beautiful and fun as you imagine. Sometimes, I feel very tired, bored, and want to end my life immediately. Unfortunately, I am destined to not be able to die."

Without realizing it, I was gripping Daran's shirt quite tightly. I was angry at Daran and at myself.

"You... Blessed with a long life. Instead, I was cursed to have a very short life. If only... You could share a little of your life, I really want to..."

"What do you really want from a long life, Jonea? Why do you really want to cross the line of life that is destined for you? What do you really want? Can't you share it with me?"

I bit my lip hard. I couldn't possibly tell Daran my true purpose. I'm afraid that if Daran finds out, he might never help me to awaken my wolf. After all, I was already under contract with Daran to be his bride.

When I was about to speak again, the house door suddenly opened from the inside. Owen stood there looking confused.

"Gosh, where have you guys been? The food is cold and I've lost my appetite!" shouted Owen in a hissing voice and with anger on his face.

I'm very nervous. I tried to get out of Daran's arms. However, this position makes me embarrassed.

Daran seemed to understand my anxiety. He put me down carefully. "Let me make you guys a new dinner."

I turned to Daran with a questioning look. "You're going to cook?"

Owen looked no less surprised. "A Daran Carver will cook? Haven't I always been the one cooking and preparing breakfast and dinner for you?"

"Well, I always saw Loko cooking for us while in Blackton," I added.

"Stop it both of you! Do not exaggerate. Do you think I'm that bad that I can't prepare food for myself? Even though I don't actually need food like humans, I can do anything."

Daran looked quite annoyed and offended. He entered the house while rolling up his shirt sleeves to below his elbows. Owen and I followed behind him to see what he would do next.

And sure enough. Daran goes to the kitchen. He wore an apron to protect his clothes before starting to cook. I can only wait and watch everything. I thought he would use magic power to bring in food.

I'm even more amazed when I see Daran's arm muscles and his dexterous, slender fingers when he cuts vegetables. The sound of a knife hitting a cutting board gives a warm sensation in my chest. All of this amazed me.

Gosh, explained and seen from any angle, there is only one thing I can say to describe this situation. Daran Carver he's so hot when he cooks!

Owen turned to me with a sneer. He rubbed my face with his cold hands and disturbed my focus.

I pushed his hand away and glared angrily at Owen. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Why are you stunned and smiling to yourself like that? Just because you saw my uncle cooking? Have you never seen a man cook? Don't you always see me cooking in the kitchen every day?" Owen looked annoyed, and I didn't know what had made him like that.

"You should be wary when a wizard says he wants to make you dinner. Have you never watched animated children's films with witch characters?"

"What?" I asked confusedly.

Then Owen just left me and went up to his room.

Would Daran put magic powder or poison or something in the food? Is this my punishment? My thoughts went very wild.