16 Chapter 16

The moon shone above the lively streets of the middle circle. Cailina followed behind Aris as he jumped from stall to another. His small hand held a paper crane that his Lady bought for him. The night appeared colorful with Cailina. His enthusiasm was extinguished as soon as his sight landed on the smiling Lai. The mere presence of the newcomer would cause his smile to turn upside down.

No matter how much he complained to Cailina, he was brushed off. He took a deep breath and puffed up his cheeks, "Lady, can we return that thing from where it came from?"

Cailina chuckled and rubbed his head, "Silly, learn how to get along with others. Don't worry, you'll still be my favorite."

Aris huffed and shrugged. He narrowed his eyes at the smiling animal. If he ever tried to take his Lady away from him, he wasn't afraid to let his hands soaked with his warm life force.

He latched on Cailina's arm throughout their way, never having Lai a chance to converse with his Lady. They arrived at the circus and a clown was standing in front of the entrance.

"Welcome children! The great show is about to begin! If you answer this riddle, you will be able to meet our stars backstage! What do you say?" The clown focused on Aris as the puppy's eyes sparkled. His peculiar ruby eyes caught the smiling joker.

Aris nodded and his charming response made the clown laugh, "Alright brave one. I'm free to roam where I want, but when someone has their wants, they take me to brighten their smiles and give me pieces of croissants! Now, what am I?"

Aris' smile froze. He looked at the clown with smiles on his face. The man behind the thick cosmetics became overwhelming for him. The clown's face came closer to his and Aris stepped back. He clenched his fists and gulped, the riddle had awoken a few memories that he buried in the back of his mind. Aris took a deep breath and smiled, "That's an easy one, mister! It's a bird!"

The clown widened his eyes and clapped, "We have the first solver of the riddle! Congratulations young Lord! You and your company have earned a pass!"

Tickets were handed to Aris as he accepted it with a small smile. He gave it to Cailina for her to keep. His heart slowly pounded in his chest. His grip tightened on his Lady's arm. A few glanced at the agitated Aris, his unusual eyes amazed some.

They entered the large tent, and a loud chattering filled the atmosphere. Aris covered his ears as the sound was deafening for his keen hearing.

Roi handed their passes and was given the front seats of the show. Cailina looked at the brochure of the show. She smirked as the event will end before midnight. She made herself comfortable within her seat and glanced over Aris. The puppy carried a complicated expression, his brows knitted together but his lips tugged upwards.

Cailina chuckled and poked his cheeks, " Why do you look stiff? Is something the matter?"

Aris looked at Lai who was busy chatting with Roi, the latter had noticed someone's staring at him and so he returned a charming smile. The puppy sneered at him and looked at Cailina's confused face, her Lady really doesn't see the trouble that the newcomer can cause. The complaints in his heart were all painted in his small face.

Aris bit his lip and looked down, "Nothing.'

"Do you not like your seat? Or how about snacks?" Cailina asked. She wanted her puppy to have the best experience.

"Everything is fine, my Lady." Aris smiled and snuggled closer to her.

Lai sat a few seats away from the duo and saw the adorable interactions of the children. He smiled and bitterness raged in his eyes. His fingers tapped on the armrest as his gaze never left Cailina. Roi noticed his stupor and cleared his throat, "The young Lord arrived a few months ago, and our Lady is fond of him."

'Yes, I can see that.' Lai snickered in his heart. He wanted to monopolize the little lady. The expressions that Cailina showed only to the traitor's fellow kin, he dreamed to have it all to himself.

"I'm gonna tell you this now, don't think about harboring ill-intentions at the young Lord. HisGrace also approves of him." Roi said. He wasn't a dense person, the newcomer's look on his face gave away his ambitions.

Roi shook his head and ate a mouthful of snacks. He could only say a silent prayer for Lai. Aris was aware of Lai's meaning behind his piercing gaze. He smirked and went closer to Cailina, he purposely looked again at the jealous little newcomer and subtly stuck out his tongue.

Aris' mockery was caught by Lai, his blood boiled at the immature dog. Lai held his urge to smash a chair on the puppy's head. He swallowed the resentment bubbling inside his mouth. Lai flashed an aggravating sweet smile, he passively sent an invitation of competition.

Cailina focused her attention on the dim stage. She furrowed her brows and waited for the show. She took a deep breath and patted Aris' head in which the puppy gave Lai another winning look.

"Ladies and gents! I welcome you to the Running Ghosts Show!" A man went up to the middle and was under the spotlight. He smiled as he aroused the crowd's enthusiasm.

"The first one to make your breaths hitched will be our beautiful Swan!" The man beckoned a petite woman wrapped in a corset. Her outfit was fitting that her figure shone brightly under the light. The man didn't disappoint the crowd with Swan's look. She grinned and her pearly smile captured a few gentlemen's hearts. The man disappeared from the stage to let the woman have the eyes for herself.

Swan gave an elegant bow as her pale nape was exposed. This wasn't a normal show, Cailina smirked. This will be the start of an entertaining night for the little lady. She landed her focus on Aris, whose face showed dissatisfaction.

"What's the matter?" Cailina asked.

The puppy frowned, "I do not wish to watch a show about a lady of the night."

Seriousness laced his voice and a few married women heard his comment of displeasure, "My, would you look at that sensible young Lord. Unlike some of noblemen's hearts that pound every time they see a younger woman."

Cailina chuckled and shook her head. The puppy of hers fears nothing. Well, it was natural for him to behave that way because whoever messes with what she owns will sleep for eternity without knowing the reason.

The show began, Swan prepared two high ladders with a platform. Their distance was far enough for a common man to cannot make on the other side. She bowed and started climbing. The audience gasped and held their breaths. It was dangerous for a human to cross over.

Swan took a deep breath and smiled at the crowd looking up to her. This was a view that she dreamed of seeing when she was a child. An icy stare froze her as she landed her attention at a small lady sitting on one of the front seats. Her amber eyes looked into her soul, she gulped and her hands began sweating.

She looked over the other platform, and the distance seemed impossible to reach. Her heart began racing in her chest as her breaths chased one another. She closed and opened her fists several times, but the heaviness never abandoned her chest.

A pressure gripping her neck and commanding her to expose what secret lies within her.

The man noticed Swan's hesitation. He frowned and signaled a few runners to pop confetti, "Ladies and gentlemen, another round of applause for our brave and beautiful Swan! She will attempt to jump to the other platform. This stunt must not be performed without an expert supervising you!"

The crowd cheered for the little human performer. Swan bit her lip and gave a gesture at the man. The man nodded and turned to the crowd, "Our beautiful Swan!"

She waited for the audience to fall silent. The escape rope that she'll grab was set alongside the replica of herself. Swan smiled and lifted her arms, her pale body shone even paler under the light. The promise of having a large pay stayed close in her heart.

She readied her feet and jumped, her hands gave an illusion that she has wings as the spotlight abruptly followed the falling figure. The performance happened fast, and the audience focused on the failed stunt. The figure exploded as it contacted the stage. Flower petals floated and a sweet scent lingered in their noses. Cailina widened her eyes and swiftly covered Aris' nose.

The puppy stopped breathing; he was scared that his Lady acted with suspicion in her eyes. Lai followed Cailina's action and covered his nose. He wasn't aware of the reason, but he has also the blood of the traitor running within his veins. Whatever measure his new master does, he will gladly obey.

Cailina's expression darkened as she muttered in a low voice, "This circus troupe's performance would be one deadly show."