Ch. 54: The Traitor

I entered the dense forest on the outskirts of Fontaine, savoring the caress of the morning breeze against my face.

It had been so very long since I last ventured here, I felt a slight pang of nostalgia... The rustle of leaves and the trilling of birds accompanied each winding step along the winding dirt path that threaded between the towering trees.

Rays of the morning sun pierced through gaps in the canopy, refracting into golden shimmers that danced across the stony ground.

Suddenly, a shrill whistle shattered the morning stillness, emanating from the hilltop ahead. I halted my steps, surveying my surroundings with caution. Then, from behind an earthen mound up ahead, a human silhouette emerged. It was Alex, standing defiantly while eyeing me from atop the hill with a disdainful sneer.

"Ah, a traitor returns," he jeered contemptuously.

A traitor?

I met his gaze with a silent stare, furrowing my brow slightly.

Before I could open my mouth to respond, my peripheral vision caught furtive movement amidst the trees. Armed figures – they had surrounded me from all sides!

Treasure Hoarders!

I swiftly crouched down, placing the packaged pudding I carried onto the ground. Then I stood upright again with both hands raised, signaling I meant no confrontation.

Why were they ambushing me like this all of a sudden?

Was it because they had seen my photo with Charlotte in the newspaper? Assuming I was conspiring with her to report on their activities? Or could it be...

"Even though I've done nothing wrong?" I asked, a faint smile fixed on my face.

"Silence!" Alex barked from atop the hill, his voice echoing intimidatingly through the woodland stillness. He shot a glance towards his underlings surrounding me, giving a curt nod. "Apprehend him. If he resists, kill him."

Upon those orders, the Treasure Hoarders advanced with weapons trained on me. I stood calmly, surveying the situation with watchful eyes.

Then, I exhaled slowly.

I soon followed in Alex's retreating footsteps, flanked by two Treasure Hoarders at my sides.

Huh, like personal bodyguards.

As we proceeded following Alex, I stole cautious glances left and right. From behind trees and bushes, I sensed furtive stares from several pairs of eyes.

Why did these Treasure Hoarders never tire of watching my every move?

Now and again, I glimpsed Alex's back as he stalked ahead. His gaze remained fixed straight ahead, seeming unperturbed by his underlings observing from the shrubbery.

After traversing a considerable distance in silence, we finally arrived at a clearing not far from the forest's edge.

There, another cluster of Treasure Hoarders loitered about while a large, imposing man stood facing away from our approaching party. He wore a black mask.

The Boss of the Treasure Hoarders – Olivier.

An ominous hush smothered the woodland air. I fell still, regarding the Boss's broad back impassively.

"He's here, Boss," Alex reported, standing behind Olivier's turned shoulder.

Though I could not see his face, an aura of intimidation seemed to emanate from the Boss's towering frame.

"Hey Boss, long time no see. It's been a week since we last crossed paths," I remarked in a hushed tone.

Suddenly, my instincts triggered a warning of imminent danger. On reflex, I jerked my head sideways just as a blazing spear of flames whooshed past where my head had been moments before.

The fire struck the earth in an explosive burst!

Smoke and sparks erupted in billowing clouds.

That was a close one... nearly gave me a heart attack.

I swiveled to regard the blast site briefly, then turned my calm gaze back towards the Boss.

We exchanged silent stares for several tense moments.

"Cavendish... no, should I call you... Charles?" The Boss's deep voice finally shattered the stillness.

My heart seemed to skip a beat upon hearing him utter my true name. How could he have known it? Ah, of course... from the newspaper coverage of my involvement assisting Charlotte.

I did not reply, only meeting his stare with an unflinching look of my own as I waited for him to continue.

"You have nothing to say for yourself?" The Boss's gruff voice cut through the quiet once more.

I lifted my chin, regarding his back-turned figure. With a slow tilt of my head, I replied, "Should I apologize?"

The Boss furrowed his brow at my ambiguous response. I could sense a flicker of irritation wafting from his imposing frame.

Yet, he did not retort, only exhaling a long sigh.

"If so, then I apologize," I continued flatly.

Perhaps the Boss felt provoked by my nonchalant demeanor. However, he was not so easily baited into losing his temper.

Silence lingered. I could sense the Boss scrutinizing me. As if weighing whether I had truly betrayed them or not.

Finally, after a lengthy pause, the Boss spoke again with firm resolve, "Release him."

The order caught the two Treasure Hoarders who had bound my hands by surprise – or should I call them the escorts who accompanied me here?

They exchanged puzzled looks, their eyes questioning. Yet none voiced objection.

Not because they dared not. But because they knew full well that as subordinates, a superior's command was absolute.

It was not their place to question the reasons behind it. Their duty was simply to obey.

So despite casting me suspicious glances, they proceeded to unbind the restraints from my wrists one by one.

Once freed, I rubbed my reddened wrists but offered no comment.

Finally able to break loose... I exhaled a long breath of relief.

***

"Hey," I greeted softly, taking a seat beside her. I approached Melania, who sat in pensive silence with an empty stare.

Melania did not respond, her gaze fixed straight ahead as if perceiving something distant, something unreachable.

Then, slowly, she turned towards me. Her eyes held a hollow, near-lifeless look. After regarding me wordlessly for a few moments, she closed her eyes while curving her lips into a bitter, heart-wrenching smile.

Seeing her expression so fragile, I was suddenly struck by her face seeming to overlap with Keqing's. My memory replayed that dark moment when I...violated her in an unforgivable manner. A tumult of rationale swirled – fear, quests, lust, my own selfishness, and... sin. What did it matter if a sinner committed further transgressions once sinned against?

I flinched, shaking my head vigorously to dispel that horrific thought. No, that last justification was precisely what I always despised and regretted about my own actions.

I swallowed hard, shifting my gaze straight ahead like Melania had done earlier. "I...brought you some sweets," I rasped, striving to divert my mind.

"I don't like them anymore," Melania flatly replied without turning.

I fell silent for a few moments. "I see...," I eventually murmured.

In that stillness, I retrieved the package of sweets and began eating them beside her. Each bite punctuated the silence lingering between us. Melania seemed slightly perturbed, glancing over to watch me chew in wordless thought.

Then, I extended the remaining sweets towards her face. "Are you sure you don't want any?" I asked, almost pleadingly.

Melania simply shook her head without a word, averting her eyes once more. I sighed deeply, rising to my feet and walking away, leaving her alone. The package of sweets I left behind on the ground beside her.

***

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