Rebellion

38: Rebellion

Cedricos ven Keldrich or just Cedric, met Lara's eyes and stopped. His eyes widened in surprise; he didn't expect to see her here, in Velhellah so soon. Shouldn't she be back in the human world?

"You're okay…" Lara whispered. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her childhood friend… Cedric was okay. Well, he's wearing a sling and there are scratches and some bruises on his face. But no missing limbs. Everything was intact! 

Cedric laughed at Lara's stunned expression, his smile putting a wrinkle on the corners of his eyes. 

"Hey, pumpkin! What are you doing here?" He asked, but Lara didn't reply and gave him a loud smack on his arm instead of a hug.

"What the hell? You're okay!"

Seriously, she couldn't believe how worried she was when she couldn't contact him last night.

Cedric cringed at the pain. The smack definitely hit a bruise there.

"Of course, I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?"

Lara shook her head, suddenly remembering the explosion she heard from the phone that night.

"What happened to you last night? I heard an explosion!"

"Ah," Cedric nodded, like he remembered something happened that wasn't that important at all. "It was nothing, really..."

Nothing? "There was an explosion, Cedric!" 

"I got ambushed." He said, mildly correcting her. "But as you can see, I survived."

His words didn't make her feel better, though. "I really thought something bad happened to you!"

Cedric's expression softened. "Knowing you're here to worry about me makes me happy." And then he messed with her hair. "Your adorable when you're worried, by the way."

Lara frowned. "Cedric," she warned him.

Cedric knew he should start being serious now. Knowing her, she'll blow up, so he straightens out and said, "You know I can't be killed with just an explosion..."

"Still, I was worried."

Cedric laughed, rubbing the arm she just smacked. "I can feel the worry over here." He joked and then smiled. "I'm really sorry for making you worry, pumpkin. And I just woke up. I was going to call you to tell you I'm okay, but you're here."

Lara sighed. "Even if you called, it wouldn't stop me from coming back here."

"Your father told you to stay there, you know."

Lara sighed. "I know. But I'm here because of you both. Anyway, I'm glad that you're safe. Don't make me worry like that again."

Cedric smiled softly and wrapped his arms around her for a warm hug. "Me too. I'm sorry for scaring you like that. I'll be careful next time."

"Yes, you should." Lara playfully punched his side and Cedric gasped from the pain.

"Omph!"

He's still injured, and Lara wasn't able to control her strength.

"Can you be gentle with a patient?" he scolded her, red faced from the pain while cradling his side. Lara only smirked.

"But you deserved it." 

Cedric rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah… Fine, you win."

Lara chuckled and stared at the office doors behind him. 

"Is father inside?"

"Yes, just came in to give him a full report about what happened."

Lara nodded. "I see. By the way, I have a lot of questions to ask you later but… seeing how injured you are, I'll talk with my dad first. Then it's your turn."

Cedric smirked. "Very well." He knew Lara wasn't about to let him go just yet. "Shall I wait for you in the gardens then?"

Lara tilted her head at the thought. "Do that. I won't be long."

"Roger that." Cedric messed with her head again. A habit he does whenever Lara is being adorable in front of him again. "I'll tell the royal kitchen to prepare your favorite snacks." 

"Yes, please."

Cedric laughed and waved at her as he left. Lara waved back until his back disappeared in the corner. She turned to face the door.

Well, then. Next phase of the plan is to talk with her dad.

Lara looked at the guards standing on each side of the door. "I'm going in." She said, and the guards nodded at her. With that, Lara knocked on the door.

Silence…

"Father, its me."

Sebastien, Lara's father, replied. 

"Come in."

Okay… Breathing in, Lara entered the study. A whiff of her mother's favorite scent reached her nostrils, and she stopped. A sudden wave of sadness and longing filling her chest. 

Even after her mother passed away, her father still committed half of his heart to her. He loved her, even though death separated them from each other. And their love was an example of true love for Lara. That's why she wants to find a love just like what her mother and father once shared.

"Have a seat." Sebastien was busy with the papers in his hands so he's full on working mode.

Lara closed the door behind her and stepped inside.

"Your still making mother's favorite candles."

Sebastien stopped at her remark and gave Lara a momentary glance. "Yes." He stared at the candles burning below his wife's beautiful painting. "You know I will never stop doing what your mother love." After that, he returned his attention back to the papers in his hands. "Did you get the letter I sent you?" He asked, changing the subject.

Lara picked up one scented candle and sat down. "Yes." She inhaled the soft lavender scent on the candles and smiled. Her mother's cloths smelled the same. She used to smell them all the time when she visits her mother's room.

"Then," Sebastien placed the papers on the desk and stared at his daughter. "You're aware that I forbid you to return here..."

"Yes, that too." Lara sighed. "As you can see, I ignored them and came home, anyway."

"Lara," Sebastien took off his reading glasses, his tone warning her to behave while massaging his aching temples. Lara pursed her lips. The sight was too familiar to her since he always does that whenever he's preparing to scold her. "What's the reason for your disobedience this time?" Sebastien asked.

The exhaustion was visible on his face, but her father's beauty still stayed untouched throughout the years thanks to him being immortal. The only thing that showed her father's old age was the line of white hair on both sides of his brushed-up styled hair. 

"Well, for starters, I can't stay there and let you fight off the rebellion on your own. I also came here because I feared for your life. I came to help." 

"You're misunderstanding me, daughter." Sebastien sighed. "The only thing you can help me is to keep yourself safe. I told you not to worry about me."

"Dad, I can't do that."

"You should." Her father cut her off. "Because I cannot pour my attention into fixing this when I'm worrying for your safety."