chapter 66: Zoe..
Despite the library's bewitching towering shelves, dim lighting, and the musty scent of aged books that seemed to transport its visitors to a different time and place , there was a lot of tension .
The atmosphere was so thick that one could cut it with a knife , in the library stood a beautiful woman . Her curly , short hair was ebony-black.She had a decanter shaped waist and her complexion had an impeccable, ochrous hue. Her pencil-thin eyebrows eased down gently to her black, beetle's-leg eyelashes. A sculptor could not have fashioned her seraph's ears and pixie's nose any better . Her posture elegant and smooth. her nebulous, Eden-green eye were like two beryl-green jewels melted onto snow. Dressed in a long dress , she was like the symbol of elegancy.
Her calamine-pink lips quivered at the sight of finn. A lone tear escaped her eye , which she let fall down without wiping it off.
"Finn? How?" Were the only two questions she asked
"Zoe , you still fly beyond fate's control . I see your beauty still knows no boundary , your presence graces my humble soul . Oh...-"
"Paaah" the woman called Zoe slapped Finn , leaving her hand print on his face .
"I said how ?" Her face was scrunched up into a sad frown , with tears threatening to rush down her beautiful face
Finn rubbed his cheek , the rest of the group behind all had different expressions on their faces but Elaine's expression stood out the most . Fury. She looked furious, her hands were balled into fists . She was barely holding herself back from attacking Zoe.
Finn explained to Zoe everything that happened but the frown on her face only deepened.
"So you did not trust us to keep your secrets? We fought alongside you Finn , we all had been in life and death situations together . We faced the children of neptunia and many other horrors in the deep together . Did that not mean anything to you? You knew everything about us but we knew nothing about you , and now you come back a decade later telling me you are the king of an enemy kingdom. What am I supposed to do huh?" Zoe lashed out , hitting Finn on the chest .
"I think that is enough." Elaine spoke through gritted teeth
" Shut your damn mouth if you know what is good for you . " Zoe gave elaine the murderous side eye
Elaine was about to move forward but then Finn spoke up"Elaine....stay out of this."
Elaine wanted to refute but Finn also gave her the side eye . She retreated back up the stairs in anger .
" Captain"
"On it my Lord " komoni bowed and ran after Elaine with the girls.
" I'm sorry Zoe but there was nothing I could do , I had a royal Knight following me everywhere. Plus if I had revealed my true identity and it happened to be leaked then I would have gotten captured and tortured by your kingdom's officials....I had no choice." Finn explained in a calm voice
Zoe's frown did not leave her face but she did back away a little bit . Zoe turned to look at Lenard who was leaning on a bookshelf with a lazy smile on his face
"When did he arrive here?" Zoe asked
" Two weeks ago , why you asking?" Lenard raised an eyebrow
"My husband spotted a huge yalungar hybrid escaping the gates of bemun approximately two weeks ago....I'm guessing it was you?" Zoe turned back to Finn . Her expression was now better
"Yes . We had to use that route in order to lose anybody trailing behind me....I could not take chances." Timothy explained
Zoe nodded lightly , " oh I see but how did you escape from Badu larohua? My husband said he saw you escaping from a gate guardian .... explain yourself Finn,now." Zoe's aura flared up
" Calm your aura Zoe , do not forget where you are ." Lenard's expression was grim . Zoe immediately calmed her aura and apologized to Lenard shocking the group of boys except for Timothy who knew his master was more than he seemed .
" We may have been friends but we are not equals ,I do not and will not answer to you . Know your place for you speak to a king " Flames erupted in Finn's eyes but not even a shred of his aura was released , keeping it all in like a dormant volcano .
Zoe was startled by finn's reaction that she hurriedly took a few steps back. Everyone in the room felt the weight of Finn's words , especially the blades . They were starting to doubt their king but after today all doubts were cleared. Finn was still a very capable leader , it was just that the circumstances they were faced with were dire and he had to let go of his pride if he wanted them to survive.
" Understood..... king Zaloz , forgive me for testing your patience" Zoe bowed her head . Finn's anger subsided and he slapped his forehead realizing what Zoe had just done
*You sly demoness , come here" Finn moved in to hug Zoe. She giggled in a cute manner making it painful for the group of boys to watch without having improper thoughts.
" You still have your pride?...good .I missed you Finn so much. " Zoe started sobbing
Finn gently smile whilst brushing her hair . Lenard clicked his tongue in annoyance at their scene.
"Well it seems like not all of you missed me hahaha." Finn laughed a bit , but despite his laughter there was a hidden sadness that he had tried to hide these past few days.
"He missed you the most Finn and you know.....give him time , he will surely come back to you. After all you two compliment each other perfectly and he knows ." The woman named Zoe spoke as if Lenard was not even Infront him . Making Lenard's right eye twitch a little.
"So I'm guessing these young ones are your blades?" Finn calmly nodded.
"They are. "
"Greetings blades my name is Zoe finn...uhm your Majesty's friend " Zoe smiled at the boys . They all awkwardly waved at her in return making her giggle at their awkwardness.
" So does Theo know you are here? " Zoe's expression changed as she spoke . Finn shook his head and glanced at Lenard .
" I-urm she is busy preparing for the wedding ceremony , so I have not found time to tell her ." Lenard half smiled
"I see.... And you your majesty, are you not going to ask me about my husband?" Zoe turned back to Finn , looking at him straight in the eye.
" Does he make you happy ?" Was all finn asked
Zoe was shocked by his question , she clearly was not expecting him to ask something like this . Her eyes shifted to the floor , her husband was not bad but the man she truly loved was a hopeless drunkard and a poetic fool. Deep in Lenard's eyes was sadness because despite his feelings for her , he did not see himself as the correct man for her . So he simply acted as if he never noticed her . But when he heard that she was getting married it broke him apart , his drinking got worse . But now he had his student and his old friend back , maybe life would have meaning again.
"He does " Zoe's answer was barely audible . Finn nodded and he stole a glance at Lenard from the corner of his eye . He could see the sadness in his eyes before he quickly replaced it with his lazy expression.
" Then that is what matters , Am I right Lenard?" Finn smiled shifting his eyes to Lenard . Lenard smile back nodding.
Zoe put on a pretense smile as she too glanced at Lenard . Lenard cleared his throat " right , Finn let us go and get your group registered."
Lenard walked to the door leaving Finn and the rest to stare at his back .
"Dan, go and fetch the others" Dan nooded and ran up the stairs .
Within a few minutes everyone had left the library following closely behind Lenard who seemed deep in thought.
Timothy quickly caught up with him and glanced at him as they walked side by side . " Master what is troubling you?"
"Matters of the heart are weighing down on me ....but I am fine ....any progress with the task I gave you?" Lenard asked
Timothy nodded slightly "yes but the progress is slow . Do I really have to read poems? " Timothy had a helpless look on his face . Lenard chuckled at his response and reaction
" You have to embrace being a poet , that is the only way this will work . You are not playing poet Timothy ,you have to become a poet both in character and soul"Lenard explained to his unwilling disciple.
Finn and the rest stated at the master and disciple duo infront of them with different expressions. Zoe inspected the Mesa boy from head to toe as they walked. Timothy could feel someone's gaze on him.
"Did that boy just call Lenard master?" Zoe asked Finn , who nodded but did not explain further.
She seemed baffled at this but being a smart woman she did not bother herself with inquiring more details about the relationship between the pair .....