61 Broken Glass

Yelli rushed out the house towards the huge world trees. She hid herself behind it and glanced around. After making sure that she was not followed, she rang the small bell tied to her waist.

A falcon swooped down and rested on her shoulders.

Again, Yelli glanced around to find no one in the vicinity. She swiftly wrote a small scroll and tied it on the falcon's feet. "Carefully take it to your master."

The falcon let out a deep cry and soared into the dark clouds. Only after its tail disappeared did Yelli let out a deep breath. She wiped off her sweat and rushed into the house.

Watching all this from the trees above, Kaden frowned. He jumped up high and caught the falcon as it was about to disappear into the cloud. He untied the scroll. He bit into his fingers and drew a blood enchantment on its wings and let it go.

After doing so, he silently walked into the house.

Deric was waiting anxiously outside to his room. "Let's talk inside," he pulled Kaden in. "did you do it?"

"Yes, I've paced a tracking enchantment on that falcon. And I got this. That maid was trying to send this," Kaden held out the small scroll.

Deric frowned and opened it. "As I suspected, this maid is informing someone about Eru's powers. I knew it. She was also the one that released the information about his mystical tears," he summed up. He already had suspicions on her. So when he knew that this dubious maid was following Eru for his training, he tagged along. Convincing the king was tough, but it was doable. "Send this to his highness, he should be able to unmask her real purpose," he whispered.

Kaden nodded and walked out.

"Wait... you should always protect Eru. No matter what, even from me you should protect him. Swear it," Deric whispered.

Kaden frowned at first. But he could not refute his friend. "I swear that I will protect Eru, even from you,"

"Good, take rest now," the hostage prince sent him off. After which he directly walked over to the little Prince's room. He stood outside awkwardly for a moment without knocking. 'Last time....he sort of rejected me...but I don't want to give him up,' he thought, clenching his fist. 'Not to that Zhong...'

{"Yesssssss that person is yours. No one elses."} The sinister voice whispered suddenly. Deric kneeled over, holding his aching head. Unknowing to him the darkness that had receded, had returned with a vengeance. A strong smell of smoke emaciated from him. His stomach rolled with disgust.

He dashed away to his room. Right then, Eru opened the door and glanced at his receding figure. "Why didn't he knock?" he mumbled and went back to sleep. Plopping on the bed, Eru glanced at the new ceiling. 'Wait....was Deric having a dark halo again?' he thought with a frown.

He got up and wore his mask and left the room. He silently walked to Deric's room and knocked. "Deric... are you asleep?" He slightly pushed on it and the door opened slightly.

"umm Eru, I'm not feeling that well...I'll talk to you later ," Deric whispered, followed by a sound of puking.

Worried, Eru entered the dark room. The lamps were not lit. In the darkness he could see a dark figure hunched over the corner with shattered glass all around him. There was also a vague darkness around, along with the stench of smoke. "Deric? Are you okay?" he whispered and walked closer. The glass pieces crunched under his shoes.

"Stop! Don't come close!"

Eru froze. "I—I don't mean no harm. I will just check you... and perhaps clean this place." he stepped closer, but the dark hunched-up figure retreated further.

Deric silently moved further away from the prince. The glass shards stabbed his feet, but he still retreated. The silent night Vera's light illuminated the room, the glass shards glimmered reveal his horrific face.

"Eru, I'm a monster," he whispered after a long silence. A silent sob followed after.

"No, you are not. You are a kind, compassionate and a dazzling person. Not a monster," Eru whispered and stepped closer.

"Please don't....don't come closer,"

"But it's okay. It's going to be okay," Eru stuttered. "I think of you as my family. Deric, please don't push me away. Let me help," he whispered.

"Your help....is not needed. Please.....please go out," Deric said firmly. "GET OUT!" he shouted.

Eru sighed and walked out. He closed the door behind him and leaned on it. 'What is going on with him? That dark halo.....is it the heart demon again? But how didn't he get rid of it.' "Deric....please let a healer take a look if you are hurt. Don't hide yourself,"