32 STRANGER: PART VI

'Ah- I overdid it again.'

Athena was finally conscious, she wonders what happened after she fainted.

'I'm sure everyone is all anxious and worried now wondering where I am.'

The girl slowly opened her eyes as she peeked at her surroundings. She examined the place thoroughly as she wonders about the events that happened.

"You're awake?" The man came in the room with some refreshment. "Here, drink this."

The girl accepted what the man offered her despite she does not know what it may be. "Thank you."

Whilst she drank her drink, she glances at Lirius from time to time. She was captivated by how different he looked without his cape. He looks so young and handsome, but there was this scar on his right jaw which actually suited him. He was quite handsome for someone who doesn't take care of his own house.

'Why are the men in the world just so handsome, this heart of mine can't keep up with them.' She thought as she finished her drink.

"How long was I asleep for?"

"Just a couple of hours," He sat down beside the girl as he started checking on her condition without asking her. He grabs her hand and started checking her pulse leaving the girl all flustered.

"I'm fine, I should really get going now. I'm sure they are all worried for me since I didn't tell them where I was going." The girl moved the blanket aside covering her as she took her hands away from the man. "I thank you again for always taking care of me."

"Can you even walk?" Lirius got up first, as he looked down and narrowed his eyes on the girl already expending the worst to come.

The girl said nothing and only nodded her head confidently. For after a long rest, she would normally recover and be able to do a simple task as walking. However, this time, she was wrong.

As she stood up from the chair, she was flustered when her legs felt so wobbly and she lost control over them. Leaving her falling on her knees shocked and embarrassed by what just happened. "I guess, not…"

Lirius sighs as he already expected the girl to not be able to walked. After he checked her pulse, he notices some strange occurrence within the girl body. It was the poison slowly taking full control of her body. 'Seems like she won't last long.'

"Let me help you."

"No, it's fine. I'll just rest for a bit an I'll be on my way." Athena rebuked ashamed that she'll be causing too much trouble with the young man.

"No, let me."

"Please, I've already troubled you this much."

"..."

In summary of what happened, the girl ended up losing to the young man as she was being carried back to her home. She realized it was not the first she lost an argument with a handsome man, it seems as if she can't win against them no matter how argumentative she is.

The girl felt ashamed for being carried all the way to her house. The fact Lirius's estate was at the far end of the village and it took her hours to reach the estate, what more when the man is carrying her.

However, the feeling wasn't that bad since she was being carried like a princess as they walked through the forest. The fact the forest was even more beautiful at night.

The forest atmosphere was even more majestic compare at day, since some of the enchanted plants were flowing in different colors. Night animals roamed the forest as insects sounders echoed all over harmonizing with the nearby river stream. The sound felt so peaceful, that one could easily fall asleep.

As they reached the outskirt of the estate's territory, Lirius paused as he sensed another presence ahead. He placed the girl down, causing her to wonder what was going on.

"Is something wrong?" The girl asked as she turned to what the man was looking at.

From a distance, she saw a man running towards them. She was unsure of who it was but when the man called out her name, she knew right away who he was.

"My Lady."

Serfred was covered in sweat as he ran to the girl along with Fuji. It seems like he had climbed the mountains and swam the see for her. He looked all flushed and exhausted when he reached them. As he was about to be joyously be reunited with his lady, the man's tired expression turned called when he saw an unfamiliar figured with his lady. He stops a few steps away from them as he coldly glared at the man.

"Who are you? What have you done to My Lady?" He questioned him whilst he pulled his sword and directed it to the man.

"And, you are?" Lirius showed no sign of fear, keep his cold and expressionless face as he face the man heads for. His gaze at the man softer as he realized he was someone who can't go again him. He only smiled mockingly at him, teasing him if whether he has the guts to strike the sword on him.

"I am her personal knight, don't you dare look down upon me." Serfred tone was fierce as he felt annoyed by the young man's smirk.

"I can see that," He paused, then stared at the man vexed that he still has not moved the sword away from his face, "So, why don't you move this before I blast it away."

"Why you-"

Before things could get out of hand, the girl jumped in between them as she yelled, "Serfred, enough!" She sighs as she left like she was seeing a romantic movie in which two prince fight over the princess. Regrettably, she hated the idea, but the feeling was so close. She calmed herself down as she knows it's not all the man's fault. Who would have thought Lirius would have such devilish side of him. It made his girl think, maybe he is indeed a demon since he does act like one. "Put your sword down Serfred and calmed down."

Afterwards, she turned to Lirius and prompted him to calm down as well. The man was shocked by how the girl was looking at him.

"Did she just…" Lirius felt insulted that the girl order him around like a dog by staring furiously at him. Shockingly, he was surprised that he obediently followed her like a dog.

"I'm sorry for worrying you Serfred,"

"It's fine, as long as your fine."

"Anyways, how did you find me?"

"I didn't, Fuji did." He answered as he pointed at the puppy who has been ignored and mopping on the ground.

"Fuji, you're here." Athena went down to pick up the puppy as she started to coax it and cuddle it.

It surprised Lirius to finally get a close look at the puppy. He didn't expect it to be a Twilight Wolf. 'Why is a fragile girl like here with such a beast. Does she not know what that beast is capable of? She treats it's a if its a puppy…' Lirius looked bewildered by what he was witnessing a Twilight Wolf being treated like a normal puppy.

After she have coaxed the puppy, she went back to handle some serious matter, seeing the two were having a glare off competition.

"Serfred, this is Lirius. The stranger whom I mentioned before, whom you thought was a God. The person whom you are very grateful to…"

Serfred turned to the girl looking all flustered from what she was saying. Yes, he did mention how he wishes to thank the person who saved her. But, since both of them don't seem to see eye to eye, he had already forgotten about it.

"So, you think of me as a God?" Lirius continue to tease Serfred as the man's face turned super red.

"Stop it," Athena scolded the man for teasing Serfred, "Anyways, this is Lirius."

"Call me big brother." Lirius didn't stop pestering the man.

"Why should I, I am already 19 this year." Serfred acted more like an adult as he face the man, "Shouldn't it be you who should call me, big brother."

"19, and your proud about that. Then, address me Master sound better than a God."

Whilst the two continue to argue with each other, Athena left with Fuji as she didn't care about how the two should address each other.

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