Chapter 20 - Eyes of the Forest (5)

"What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed, this time his usual friendly tone had switched to anger and frustration.

His eyes showed a mixture of annoyance and worry. "It's dangerous here!"

Claire tried to answer, but only a sigh came out. The fear she had just experienced made her whole body weak. She knew Ethan was angry, but she had no other choice and no more energy to argue.

"Don't tell me you leave the old cottage to look for them?" Ethan continued, his tone disbelieving. His face stiffened, as if he couldn't imagine Claire's reckless actions.

Claire bit her lip, guilt lingering in her heart.

"I .... I want to meet them," Claire answered in a low trembling voice.

Ethan snorted sharply, his eyes staring at Claire as if he had just heard the craziest thing in his life.

"Them? They are not even looking for you! If you keep this up only a foolish death awaits!"

His voice was trembling slightly, Ethan's gaze pierced Claire's heart, but his hand held Claire's hand gently. 

"This forest is swarming with monsters, do you think you can survive by yourself?"

Claire fell silent, knowing that Ethan was right. Everything she did was so reckless, but she couldn't help the feeling that welled up inside her to see her family soon. 

Ethan took a deep breath, then with a softer expression, he patted Claire's head, reminding her of her dearest brother even more.

"Even if you wanted to leave the cottage, you ought to ask me first. This is not a normal forest, it's the forbidden forest."

Claire gasped. "Forbidden? I… didn't know that."

"Of course you didn't know. You're used to living in luxury in the duchy, with servants doing everything for you," Ethan replied, his tone colder.

However, there was some undeniable truth behind Ethan's words. Claire remembered her life in the mansion, being served without ever facing any real threat. Everything she saw and experienced in this forest was so alien and frightening.

"You must have noticed. There are no living creatures in this forest. The weather is strange, it drizzles continuously, and day feels like night," Ethan continued. His gaze traced Claire's expression.

"You won't find a way out if you keep walking alone. Your breathing is also getting short, right?" Ethan continued, his expression softening slightly.

Claire remembered how she felt trapped in the endless rain and the always gray sky. Everything Ethan said felt right.

'Everything he said was right…,' Claire thought.

Ethan took a deep breath, wiping his face roughly. "Follow me," he ordered, but the desire inside Claire's heart made her keep being stubborn.

"I want to see my father and brother," Claire hissed, even though she knew it was unwise. 

Ethan turned, about to reply, but the sound of the bird's wings came again, getting closer. The flapping of the large wings created a wind that made the leaves around them fly.

"Let's get out of this forest first," Ethan muttered before pulling Claire's hand again, this time even firmer. His steps were fast, passing through the dense trees that looked like a cage.

Claire tried to follow, but her sprained foot was getting more painful, and her body was starting to feel feverish from the damp and gloomy weather in this forest. Her breath was getting shorter, her body was hot, but she couldn't say anything.

"Ethan!" Claire winced, yet Ethan showed no sign of stopping. The sound of the flapping was getting closer, their time was running out.

Looking back at her, Ethan realized Claire's condition was getting worse.

"Damn!" he muttered. He knew that they couldn't stop now. The monster was too close.

He pulled her back behind a large tree, hugging her tightly while covering Claire's mouth tightly.

"Shh," Ethan whispered, his voice almost inaudible and his face felt very close to Claire's.

Claire's breath stopped for a moment as she felt the warmth of Ethan's body intertwined with her. His strong embrace felt like she was really protected, she couldn't help but compare this experience to Vincent giving her a dagger instead of taking her out of prison.

However, the feeling of doom and despair keeps getting stronger and more gripping, the monster passed them, its large body cast a terrifying shadow that swept the path. The fiery red feathers were mixed with blood and charred flesh, adding to the terrifying impression. Every flap of its wings brought heat, creating a small circle of fire that never went out. The creature was looking for its lost prey.

Claire could feel Ethan's heartbeat remaining calm behind her body, but her mind was in chaos.

'Why is Ethan here? If this forest is forbidden, why did he dare to enter?' Claire was increasingly confused amidst her fear.