Chapter 87: Chapter 87
TRISTAN:
I was right. That was the last time I would see Dahlia…
Sir Casior tapped my shoulder in a sorrowful way as we walked towards the city proper of Payn.
“She is your wife, I suppose? Congratulations on your wedding,” he said with an empathic smile.
I know he was Livia’s friend, but possibly he was more than a friend. He was also someone who knew me as a child back when the Apricus Kingdom and the Shadow Rune Pack maintained a close friendship. Yet, I still have not gotten used to this vampire’s familiar and friendly demeanor…
I really wished vampires would age a bit so that it would never get this awkward when talking to him…
“It’s a long story, but we’re not together anymore,” I said.
“You’ll get back together, don’t worry.”
I raised my eyebrows at Sir Casior. “How did you know?” Does he have the power to tell the future?
“You still care a lot for each other, I can tell.”
I did not speak. I did not want to get my hopes up just because he said there’s still a chance for Dahlly and me…
She would never forgive me… I don’t think I would forgive myself if I were in her shoes…
When we got back to the village, we were interrogated for a long time until they extracted the pieces of information they needed.
We gave them an account of what happened, omitting the fact that Livia used her powers to defeat the rogues and substituting it with a lie that Sir Casior used his sword – a relic that can wield lightning - to kill them.
Looking at Sir Casior’s ability, I can only guess who trained Livia to use her powers...
Even if I die then, someone would look after my little sister, right?
After we were eventually let go, Livia informed me that Dahlia and the rest of the volunteer workers had already gone back, as expected.
It really was goodbye for the two of us… I hope she looks back at me with only fond memories in her head…
I was prepared to never see Dahlia again…
So why then am I seeing her beautiful face here?
Two days after that sudden rogue attack happened in Payn, I dragged myself early in the morning to prepare for my expedition in Dalrus.
I needed to see for myself whether that spirit stone was my mother’s or if it was someone else’s, I still needed to obtain it and get information where it was harvested.
I was prepared to die for this mission. Life without Dahlia is useless anyway, and I’m sure Samalah would never stop her revenge against the Talandor royals in my absence.
So, why was my wife here inside the carriage I will be using?
“I’m going to Dalrus,” Dahlia declared.
She stared at me with icy golden eyes that pierced my soul in coldness but at the same time drag me into passion so deep that I almost lost my senses in the want to kiss her…
“No,” I said, coming back into reality. “Move out. You’re not coming with me.”
Her beautiful eyebrows lifted themselves up from her face.
“Make me. If you could make me move by myself, then I won’t come.”
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DAHLIA:
Blast this heart! Why did it keep pounding so loud in front of Tristan?
I’ve practiced it inside my head several times before this. I will be firm even if he says no. I will try at least three times to convince him to take me…
But blast it, why was my body giving me away?!
I really was deathly frightened to face Tristan. I know I must hate him. I haven’t forgiven him yet for what he had done, but based on the sleepless nights I spent after Livia informed me of the auction, I knew I had to come here today.
I simply can’t let him go on this suicide mission…
“Tell me, is it true? Are you going to Dalrus to obtain… it? Is it that precious enough to throw your life away?”
I couldn’t say the exact word for fear that the servants will hear that we were obtaining spirit stones.
“Yes,” he said curtly. “Now, get out. I need to go.”
He came closer to move me, but I slapped his hands away.
“Don’t touch me. I am not going.”
He hovered over me, his natural scent enveloping my senses that I almost forgot to breathe out.
“Dahlly, this is not the time to act out. Please get out.”
He raised his hands again towards my shoulders, probably to drag me out of the carriage.
“I said don’t touch me, and don’t call me ‘Dahlly.’ You have no right to do both,” I said as coldly as I can despite the spiking nervousness in my chest.
I was positively borrowing Eva’s spirit on this… If this was just me, I would have already cried out of stress.
Goddess, I hated this man to the core, but I can’t bring myself to let him leave like this!
“How did you know about this affair,” Tristan said. He sat himself from across me in the carriage.
“I am doing this for Livia.”
“Damn it, this isn’t child’s play! Get out while I’m still being nice,” Tristan said, his eyes turning misty.
“Who are you to make that decision for me,” I said, my heart starting to swell in anger. “I promised Livia to do this favor. Once it’s over, we can call it quits. You can die wherever you want, but not this time.”
“Why are you doing this? What can you possibly gain by helping me out?”
“My father…You must promise to leave my father alone in your hateful plan… You can send whom you want to send to the pit of hell for all I care, but you must leave my father out of this. This is what I want,” I replied.
That’s right… I’m only doing this for papa. His conscience had suffered enough. He mustn’t be dragged into this mess that I have gotten myself into…
“I cannot promise such a thing.”
“I am not asking you for it. I made a deal with Livia. She already agreed to my demands.”
That’s right. Livia readily agreed when I told her this. She was even tearful when she promised that she’ll keep it as long as Tristan and I come back safe, sound, and successful.
“Dahlia, this is the last time… Please I beg you.”
“There’s no use begging for me to leave. I’ve made up my mind.” I turned around to the coachman’s window and opened it. “Let’s go!”
The sudden jolt of the carriage made me jump in surprise. I was sent haplessly into the air and landed straight into Tristan’s lap.
He caught me in his strong arms, with one hand at my back and one hand resting on my legs.
“You’d be sorry you did not bail out of this…”
“Let’s see who between us will be sorrier,” I whispered.
I had no plans into falling for his lying and deceitful schemes again.
This time, I’ll be wiser and tougher. This is the only way I could save my heart from further suffering.