Chapter 147: Chapter 147
DAHLIA:
I blinked and the girl in the water blinked. I turned my head from left to right, and she had done the same.
I have stared at my reflection for a full minute now, but everything was as it was.
Staring back at me as if it was really me was Samalah’s own face…
I was drawn into the horror of what I was seeing. Goddess, what was Samalah thinking? Between the two of us, wasn’t she the one who have likely caused this? I was sure that the spirit stone couldn’t have had the power to change my appearance.
Plus, she did say some really weird things before pushing me towards the side of the road.
“My request – that you are giving yourself to me completely – say you permit it!”
Was that why she made me say yes? Was this her idea of saving me?...
“Hey, miss, are you alright?”
I looked back from behind me, and finally, I saw the face of Efiro’s father for the first time. He had the same green eyes and long dark hair that he kept in a neat ponytail. He and Efiro were looking at me in a weird way.
What he said earlier came back to me…
“You said my baby is safe, right? Is it true? Am I still carrying my child,” I exclaimed as I ran and clutched my rescuer’s hand desperately.
I couldn’t be sure. Did I only change my outward appearance, or did Samalah and I actually exchanged bodies?
Although he gave me a completely odd look, Efiro’s father nodded. “Yes, the baby in your belly is safe.”
“H-How did you know? How sure are you?...”
“You can believe him one hundred percent. Papa is a healer, miss. He is the best healer in all of Jerulla,” the little boy answered instead.
If what Efiro and that man said were true then I had only changed my outward appearance, right? My child was still with me…
Wait, the boy mentioned Jerulla. That means -
“You… You’re dragons, aren’t you,” I said in a near whisper.
“Well, we never really did conceal our identities, miss, but is that a cause for alarm for you?”
Dragons – one of the most powerful magical clans in the world. They usually live in solitude in closely knit communities. So why did two dragons – a father and a son – travel out like this in the open?
“N-No,” I lied. Actually I was quite suspicious of them. “But, why did you help me out?”
“We saw you on the road, miss. You were sick, so I asked papa if we could keep you.”
Keep… Yes, I forgot dragons can be very possessive creatures… I must be similar to a play thing in their eyes.
As if the father had understood what I was thinking, he interjected. “Please don’t misunderstand my son. He is just small, so sometimes he talks without thinking…”
“By the way, I am Thesla, and this is my son, Efiro. What is your name, miss?”
“It’s uh… S-Samalah…”
“Can you say that again,” Efiro asked.
“Samalah…”
Although I have no idea how Samalah and I could switch bodies, there was no need for me to expose my real identity since I was amongst an enemy clan…
Dragons and Werewolves had a feud as old as time itself. Although they aren’t in any open war as of the moment, they never really interacted with each other unless the need arises.
Just like werewolves, dragons are typically on the conservative side too and disliked the idea of intermarriages and hybrids…
I couldn’t hide Samalah’s features, which resembled a water fairy so much, so I need to protect myself well while I still bore her face. I couldn’t possibly transform as a wolf under any circumstances, especially since I was a wolf with a spirit stone on top of her head…
“Alright, Miss Samalah. Efiro and I are travelling back to Jerulla although we would be staying a bit at the village of Camdress. Do you wish to continue gracing us with your company until then?”
I deliberated whether I should come with them or not. Travelling to the borders of Talandor’s territory like this is a bit cumbersome, especially since it was near the Dragon Clan’s lands…
However, in a village, there would likely be more healers. I’d be able to learn the kind of curse Samalah has put into me and confirm my baby’s health if I go to Camdress. It’s also a werewolf village, so even though it is near the Dragon land’s border, it would be safer to stay there even if I have Samalah’s hybrid features, right?
“If it’s not too much trouble for you, then would you give me a lift to Camdress,” I said.
“Of course, Miss Samalah,” Efiro said, hugging me by the legs. For a child, he is awfully joyful and possessive, but I do like him a lot.
Despite the problems presented by this new face, still, I am glad to be able to have a taste of freedom…
Who knows, maybe I can also deliver the baby and raise him there safely away from the scars that his father had left in my heart when he passed away…
This could still become a beautiful beginning…
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KAIST:
Everything was my fault…
If only I didn’t meet Dahlia in this journey and if only I didn’t believe that stupid count’s words of meeting him at a certain place, then all these disasters could have been avoided…
If I had been quick enough, I could have saved Dahlia from getting pinned underneath that burning tree.
I looked at Dahlly as she stirred in her sleep. She would stir every two or three hours and groan from pain. This time, I knew she was thirsty.
I came to her side bearing water from an improvised wooden cup. She drank for it greedily as if it she hadn’t tasted water for weeks.
I did this again and again for her until she was satisfied.
Looking at her charred hands and left leg, I couldn’t help but tear up.
It had been two days, and yet, we still haven’t found a healer to help her out.
What in the world happened to Count Abell and my father? Why did he leave Dahlia’s side?
After running away as Dahlia’s filthy husband had suggested, I waited to meet them at a place not far from there.
But two days passed by, and no one showed up. I became antsy and finally moved out of the promised rendezvous place, convinced that something had gone terribly wrong.
After tracking back the scent of the rogues and vampires who cornered Dahlia, I found her alone in their camp, surrounded only by her tormentors.
Thus, I set my plans of rescuing her. I wanted to create a perimeter of fire around their camp, but being highly inexperienced with magic, I ended up setting the whole side of that forest on fire.
It was my sole mistake that had made her a cripple!
“Don’t worry, Dahlly,” I said, “I will take you to the nearest village and make sure you get treated. Just hang in there, alright?”
In a few days’ time, I’m positive we can safely arrive at Camdress. She could get the proper medication and assistance she needed from there.
“Please, be strong, alright? Don’t you dare leave me!”
She has to hang on and be well. Otherwise, I swear I’d really kill myself!
Just then, I heard some noises in the bushes.