Chapter 57: Chapter 57

DARAN CARVER

All afternoon, I kept pacing and restless for no reason. I couldn’t even leave the house. Every now and then, I’d glance towards the door.

“I’m home!”

“Oh, you’re here?”

I quickly got up from the chair and turned to Jonea. I really looked at every part of her body from top to bottom to make sure she was okay.

“Yes, sorry, I came home a bit late.”

I folded my arms across my chest and stood before her, showing her a slightly stern attitude.

“I thought you would run away and break your vow to be my bride!”

“No way!” Jonea said in panic.

“I was kidding,” I replied briefly but in a cold voice. “I thought I set a curfew for you, didn’t I?”

“A curfew?”

“The one you always break!” I replied firmly. “Do you know why I did it? I set a curfew so I wouldn’t worry!” I shook my head and immediately corrected my words.

“I mean… so that we don’t worry about each other. Do I need to emphasize it again? Starting today, you cannot come home later than ten at night. If you break this rule, I will never allow you to go to campus. We might even have to return to the Blackstone kingdom.”

“W-what? Curfew? I even always ignored it when I was in high school. And now, if I break it, I can’t even go to campus? That’s too cruel. That punishment is a bit excessive. You might as well whip me—”

“Whip you?” I asked coldly. “So you’re already planning to come home late at night from now on?”

“No! It’s not that I mean to do it, but—”

“Then?”

“There’s an emergency. And why do I have to obey the curfew and come home before ten at night? I’m not even a high school student anymore. I’m an adult. If you keep restricting me like this… I want to cancel the agreement between us. I don’t want to be your bride…”

“And you’ll continue to be sealed?”

After saying that, I kept quiet and stared at Jonea from behind my mask.

She, initially stubborn, finally lowered her head and corrected her statement. In a weak tone, Jonea said, “Okay, I’ll be home before ten at night. I’ll be home early.”

I was satisfied with the answer she gave. “Then go to your room and rest.”

I sat back on the sofa, feeling relieved. Then I heard the door slamming quite loudly. Bam!

When I turned around, I saw Jonea peeking from behind her bedroom door and speaking softly, “The wind made the door slam. I didn’t mean to do it on purpose.”

“Yes, I understand,” I answered briefly, holding back a smile behind my mask. I felt delighted with our agreement.

Yesterday, before I returned to the Blue Sapphire, Owen asked permission to go home to see his mother in Riverstone. I never thought that without Owen here, I would be overwhelmed having to watch over Jonea alone.

I went back to my room and stood in front of the window. I kept thinking about the risks if we had to stay here longer.

I told Eve, “Let’s do the plan we’ve made!”

***

EVANGELISTA

In the middle of the night, he sent a message to my cellphone, meaning he was in a human country, or the country that used to be inhabited by humans, Blue Sapphire. A few days ago, Daran came just to see me. I thought he came to make weapons, but he asked me to do something else.

“Owen and Jonea’s relationship is not so good at home. They fight more often. Meanwhile, I need someone to watch over and be Jonea’s friend.”

“Do you mean you want to ask for my help? I’m quite skilled and experienced in human affairs.”

But Daran was still hesitant when I conveyed my idea. Now, he has sent me a message that we should implement it.

This morning, I came to the human world to disguise myself as a student at the same university where Jonea studied. After walking around the campus and completing the administration, one of the students finally escorted me to the faculty where I was supposed to study.

“Hey, girls!” called the senior. “There’s a new student who will join your department. She’s in the same year as you. Say hello, her name is Evangelista.”

My eyes kept on Jonea. I never got tired of admiring her beauty. Would she recognize me now?

When I reached out to introduce myself to Jonea, apparently, the girl grabbed my hand and shook it.

“Hello, my name is Marilyn Monroe,” said the girl coldly and arrogantly. She didn’t seem to like me that much.

She even squeezed my hand so hard. She thought it would hurt me, but it didn’t at all. I just smiled at her. After that, I let go of my handshake and turned to Janea.

“Hi, what’s your name?” I asked.

“Jonea Rawling,” she answered calmly. “Nice to meet you, Evangelista.”

“Just call me Eve. I just moved from overseas and came as an exchange student. Nice to meet you. Let’s be good friends!”

This is very interesting. It seems Jonea doesn’t recognize me. My disguise worked, so this would be easier because she wouldn’t be suspicious of me.

***

DARAN CARVER

I was sitting in the cafeteria working on something. A woman suddenly approached me and placed a piece of cake before me. I put down my writing utensil and turned to her.

“Oh, you are an old customer at our cafe. It is an honor for us that you are still willing to visit. Thanks to your recommendation, our cafe has become quite famous among the curators. So this is free,” the woman said. “You should try it. This is our cafe’s newest menu.”

“Thank you,” I replied politely.

Then, the woman left me alone. At that time, I received a message.

“I just met her. Jonea,” Eve said in the message I received.

In Blue Sapphire, humans and werewolves know me as the owner of several art and historical auction houses. Several large museums are also part of the foundation that I manage. From that magic auction house, I was finally able to find Jonea.

I always choose this cafe because its position is right in the center of the meeting of several dimensions. I usually sit here while studying historical records. I am looking for a way to remove the wolf seal inside Jonea.

***

JONEA

I am attending a joint class with Eve, the new student. But why has she been staring at me? I feel very uncomfortable. Have I met her before? Her face feels so familiar.

“Rawling, didn’t you listen to my explanation?” the lecturer said, speaking in front of the class.

I was shocked and flustered. A friend sitting next to me patted my shoulder.

“What happened? I’m sorry, sir. I wasn’t focused earlier.” I was very sorry and also embarrassed.

“I know you are a smart and accomplished student, but if you are not serious about attending my class, you should not disturb our class!”

I just lowered my head while holding back my shame. Then, the lecturer explained that the group division had been determined.

“Each of you must do research in pairs. Make a report and send it to me at the end of this month.”

I turned to the white screen in front of me. My name was there, along with the names of my teammates who had been determined.

“Hunter Abraham? Impossible!” I shouted.

“What’s wrong, Rawling? Do you object to my decision?” shouted the lecturer.

“Oh, no, sir! Sorry, I was just surprised.”

Out of all the people in this combined class, why did I have to be paired with Hunter Abraham to complete the assignment?

I clenched my fists tightly while glancing at Hunter, who looked happy.