13 Chapter 13: Mask of Protection

Lareia stretched her arms as the warm light from the sun peaks through the curtains. Feeling refreshed, she sat up and looked around the empty room. It felt warm and empty at the same time. It was the first night that she fell asleep in peace, his mind clear of chaotic thoughts.

Staring out of the window, she recalled the painful events from the past few days. Escaping her kingdom, running to two noble utopians then saved by these utopian brothers, getting attacked by these demons, and saving Valor from a filthy middle-class demon; everything was exhausting and painful.

Suddenly, the scene where Valor attempted to murder her, played in her mind. She can still feel the pain and the feeling of the air escaping her lungs. His words echoed at the back of her mind. "Demons... demons poisoned the minds of utopians... They are the reason why our parents died! Why I am alone! You killed them! You killed them!"

She can't help but wonder what he meant by it. "The Nether Kingdom hasn't made a direct attack against utopians, so why did he say those words? Could it be that someone is trying to pin the blame on us? If I can, I would love to help Valor, but how?" she thought.

Her brows furrowed while she was lost in thought. Out of frustration, she pulled her hair, making it look like a mess.

She was about to stand when several knocks were heard from the door and the creaking sound followed. Jake stood there in shock, his jaw dropped as his eyes landed on her.

"What happened to your hair?" He asked, still standing still at the entrance. He is wearing a brown tunic, his hair tied behind him. Looking hot as always, even in simple clothes.

"None of your business," she stated coldly. After the poison accident, she decided to keep her mask and never let her guard down. They might be helping her, but it is a must to have a small space for doubts. Afraid of pain, she doesn't want anything like that to happen so she became extra cautious now.

Pain flashed in his eyes, as he stayed still. "Forgive me for intruding early in the morning. Breakfast is ready," he said in a formal tone and left. After the door made a clicking sound, the whole room was filled with an awkward silence.

Lareia lied down on the bed, her left arm over her forehead. "Am I too harsh..?" she asked herself, staring at the ceiling. She knew that her words hurt, but to keep herself safe, she has to keep the tall walls around her and never show her weakness.

"This is for the best," she said, convincing herself. Deep inside, she wants to protect herself without hurting those people around her, but she found it impossible. Standing up, she went and sat in front of the mirror, brushing her silver hair.

She did her morning routine and slipped in a black hoodie paired with black pants and leather boots. After packing all her things inside her anima orb, she went out and proceeded to the dining area. The brothers are done eating and were about to leave when she arrived.

An awkward silence covered the atmosphere, so Lareia decided not to eat since she lost her appetite. Taking a few steps out of the room, someone grabbed her by the wrist, stopping her. She was afraid of who it might be and decided not to turn around.

"L-Lareia? I-I'm sorry!" Valor said, fidgeting.

"It doesn't matter. Can you let go of me now?" she replied blankly. They were both stunned by her reply but decided to keep their silence and let her go. Lareia stormed out of the mansion and went straight to the garden.

She slumped down on the bench and leaned on it, then heaved out a heavy sigh. "I feel so exhausted," she whispered to herself. Both physically, mentally, and emotionally. She hasn't fully recovered from the effects of the fight last night but kept it a secret from them.

"How long do you intend to keep that wall around you?" A voice asked. She was startled and looked around her, but found nothing. Weird.

"Don't try to find something you can't see. I believe you are aware of this type of magic," The same husky voice said.

"Telepathy? Who are you?" She replied as realization dawned on her.

"Just someone concerned for you," he said.

Feeling pissed, Lareia put a blocking spell, preventing the unknown guy to use telepathy. Concerned? He is just another guy who wants something from her. She felt as if she knew that voice and she longs to hear it. Weird.

"Princess Lareia," a familiar voice said from behind. Jake. Turning around, she saw two unfamiliar wolves with them. "These are Delta Tasha and Zeta Jared, they will be accompanying us on our journey."

Tasha looked at her from head to toe, and Lareia did the same. "There is no need, Alpha Jake. I will leave on my own, I don't need you to accompany me. I hope you would go back to your peaceful days and pretend to have never met me," she replied in a formal, cold tone.

"Lareia. We already talked about this," Jake said sternly, his hands clenched. "Even if you try to escape, I will still follow you in secret. So what's the use of separating when we will end up together?"

"How can you be so sure? Aren't you afraid that I would harm you, knowing that I regained most of my mana?" she asked, her eyes squinted at them. She doesn't want to doubt them, but it still lingers no matter how many times she pushed them away.

"Stop being stubborn! I will always be with you, whether you like it or not. I am willing to protect you with my life! Please... at least let me protect you, Lareia. I am begging you..." Jake said, slowly approaching her.

"Stay away from me! Just because I let you see my fragile state, doesn't mean I trust you! If not because of you, I wouldn't have suffered that pain! That life and death situation is all I needed for me to abandon every faith I have in you. You're a disgusting creature, wearing that kind mask of yours," she said, her eyes full of resentment.

"I apologize for these hurtful words, but this is for the best. I hope you will understand someday," she thought as she tried to hold back her tears.

"Lareia, am I not good enough?" He suddenly asked, catching Lareia off-guard.

"W-What do you mean?" This is what she feared, his feelings. Lareia knew deep inside that Jake has special feelings for her, but ignored them. Her heart is still taken and she doesn't want to hurt him any further.

"I loved you since the first time we met. It was on the battlefield, where you landed in the middle and wiped out every human in sight. I was fascinated and enchanted by your ethereal beauty. From then on, I secretly watched you every time you left the kingdom. Yes, I knew about your relationship with the angel a long time ago. Let me protect you at least, Lareia," he said softly.

Hearing these words, her heart was shattered into pieces. She only saw Jake as an older brother, nothing more. Finding out that he knew her for that long, shocked her as she tried to find a single fragment of memory but got nothing.

"I-I'm sorry, Jake. Please forgive me... forget me," she said, her tears slowly rolling down from her orbs. Slowly, her surroundings start to wither. Another one of her curses. She always kept a cold front and act calmly at all times, because overflowing emotions will activate the curse that withers everything in a certain range.

"Calm down--" Jake got cut off when Lareia chanted another spell and her body slowly disappeared, leaving a dark smoke behind. Teleportation magic.

"Find her! She must be found within three days or I will tear off that throat of yours!" Jake roared at them, and everyone scrambled to leave the scene. The beautiful garden turned to an ash garden.

"Valor, do something about this garden. Lareia loved the scenery here, so it must be preserved, okay? You can do it, right? I will make sure to find her and keep her safe and..." Jake was breaking down, anxiety taking over him. The cheerful wolf has anxiety that can possibly make him go crazy.

Slowly, Valor wrapped him in his arms. "It will be fine, brother. You love her, right? Then you will find her with that love of yours as motivation. You must stay strong for her, okay?" Valor continued whispering comforting words to him until he calmed down and fell asleep in his arms.

Wolves came and brought Jake to his room, leaving Valor alone in the dead garden.

"I'm not a deity, brother. Do you really expect me to use my magic on something hopeless like this? Flowers that withered can bloom again with the help of magic, but can a cursed one do the same? Lareia, you are such a handful. Defying your fate? So ambitious."