21 Chapter 21: Unbreakable walls

"Take care, my lady, young master." The maids and butlers bid them goodbye as the carriage starts moving.

"We will be taking the roundabout route so the trip will take a couple of hours, is that fine?" Clint asked, sitting opposite Lareia.

"Sure," she stated nonchalantly, watching the sun rising from outside of the carriage.

He studied her face, trying to figure out what's going on inside her mind. "La-" he was about to call her when she cut him off.

"Reia," she said, her eyes fixated on the road outside.

"R-right. Lady Reia, what do you plan upon your visit to Tranquil? You haven't explained your intention regarding this request," Clint uncomfortably stated, looking at her carefully.

"I just need to gather the information that can pinpoint their weakness, and if possible, figure out their plans," Lareia replied, turning to him. She sat emotionlessly yet her ethereal beauty is blinding. She is sporting a plain black medieval dress.

Clint, on the other hand, sported a blue tunic and brown hose. They both wore plain clothes, similar to peasants, but their looks are too good that they will still stand out in the crowd.

The whole ride was filled with awkward silence. Clint kept stealing glances at Lareia, while she stared blankly at the changing scenery outside the moving carriage.

After fidgeting in his seat for a while, Clint finally broke the silence. "Lady Reia?" he said, his eyes hoping for a good response.

Lareia then shifted his gaze from the window to him, staring at him with a questioning look. Clint was left dumbfounded under her sight, forgetting what he was about to ask. She then heaved out a heavy sigh, making Clint lower down his gaze.

"You call my name, and now that I'm looking at you, you shift your gaze down to the floor without speaking. I don't know if you're shy or simply trying to annoy me. If you need something, go ahead and state it, stop acting like a child."

Her words were like daggers piercing him. Yes, he felt shy for some reason, even though he is quite the playboy. Earlier this day, he saw something he shouldn't have. Now that he recalls it, he felt heat rising up to his cheeks as his mind was filled with dirty thoughts. He was lucky that Lareia didn't know about the accidental peeking earlier, or else it would be the end of his glorious life.

Lareia shifted her gaze back to the window when Clint didn't respond to her and kept his head hanging low. It made her feel irritated, for she believes that 'a noble must never look down in front of someone in the same or lower position than them.' Considering her situation, she is now lower than him, for she is now a lady without a kingdom. She doesn't belong to any place, even her real race is unknown to her. She looks like a demon, but there are parts of her that cannot be considered as one.

"Oh, we are in the outskirts of the Emerald Kingdom. We will reach the Tranquil Kingdom in an hour or two," Clint finally spoke, he also looked out of the window in the opposite direction of Lareia.

They watched the humans do their works, farming under the blazing heat of the sun. They looked tired, but a smile can be seen on their faces as they talk to each other. Even though the Emerald Kingdom is the most targeted one, they are still the happiest race out of all the creatures in this world.

"How disgusting," Lareia murmured, enough for Clint to hear.

"What is so disgusting about them?" Clint blurted out without thinking.

Lareia kept gazing at them, a bitter smile on her face. "It's disgusting how can they be happy in this cruel world. How I wish..." Lareia trailed off. She doesn't deserve to wish for happiness that she can never have. "Those smiles filled with joy, it's something I can never have. I don't need them either way, happiness won't save me. I can only survive... with this blood in my hands."

Clint only stared at her, eyes full of pity. He knew she is breaking inside, but he can't help her. He doesn't have any clue how. Understanding what's going on in her mind is already difficult, helping her is even worse. He felt so helpless in front of this fragile yet strong woman.

"Don't look at me with pity, I don't need those. I already pity myself so don't waste yours on me. This world... is full of pitiful people who strive their hardest to find happiness, but still falling hopelessly into the depths of despair."

Clint slowly reached out to her and caresses her cheeks. Even though she spoke emotionlessly, and kept her cold mask, he can still feel all the pain and suffering behind those words. His heart trembles in pain upon hearing them. To Clint, Lareia is a rose being pierced with her own thorns, helplessly bleeding without anyone knowing.

''Lareia... you can breakdown. You can let down your defenses, be vulnerable, and cry out all the pain you have been shouldering all this time. Let yourself go of all the pain of the past, stop putting restraints on yourself because of the painful memories. Stop letting yourself fall in the abyss of loneliness..." Clint whispered gently. He caressed her cheeks while looking straight to her red eyes, full of sincerity.

"Stop spouting nonsense," Lareia said as she slapped his hand away. "You're only doing this out of pity, and I don't need your pity. If that is not clear to you, then shut up if you don't want to lose your blissful life."

Clint stared at her hopelessly. No matter how much he wants to help, if she won't accept it, then it's all for naught. If that is what she wants, then he can only support her from behind and silently guide her to the right path.

The carriage slowly stopped, a sign that they reached their destination. Lareia then tossed a cloak that felt like water, to Clint. He looked at her with a questioning look as he caught the said cloak.

"Invisibility cloak. Let's wear one for now since the potions are still not ready. Shall we start the hunt then?"