Chapter 18

While the group are currently having their rest for the night, Harley is still awake. He's currently mindlessly playing with the fire.

Lylia, on the other hand, could not sleep despite the comfort that Gloom gives her as her pillow. When she noticed Harley, she decided to get up and give him company.

"Hey," she called out as she sits across him. Harley stopped poking the fire with the stick and looked at her.

"You've got something to say?" he asked.

Lylia snorted and crossed her arms.

"Can't you speak atleast once without your arrogance overflowing?" she commented. "And I have nothing to say to you, jerk."

Harley smirked at her and said, "But your facial expression says otherwise. If you're just going to confess your love, then I am already rejecting it."

Lylia balled her fists as she tries not to attack him.

"You annoying, arrogant dumbass," she mumbled. "Anyway, what is your purpose in invading the Enchanted Forest?"

"To unveil the truth, maybe," Harley replied. "When did you get so interested with us?"

"I was just asking," Lylia replied.

"It's still the same," he commented.

"To be honest," Lylia looked down and hesitated. Harley looked at her.

"Spill it before I force you to do so," he said.

"Argh! Why are you so disagreeable when talking to me, asshole?" she asked, filled with irritation.

Harley remained quiet and simply waited for her to continue what she has to say.

"Seeing Harley and Nana, I knew they are Leonins who used to live in the heart of the Enchanted Forest, you saying unveiling the truth would only mean that you guys wanted to know what really happened," she said. "I know where the heart of the forest is. But entering it would be devastating to the two Leonins."

"Their memories of the tragedy would bring their memories back, right?" Harley asked.

"Exactly, but why are you still leading them? Knowing what really happened to their home would take a huge blow on them," Lylia said.

"Why are you so concern?" he asked, "Could it be that you have something to do with the destruction and close extinction of the Leonins?"

Lylia froze. Was she that obvious? She knew she has left no clues about it but why does this guy seem to see right through her?

"You bringing trouble and fighting me means that you are interfering in our journey. Since you failed to defeat me, you decided to change your plan. If you want to hide something, hide it better 'cause I could see right through you," Harley said.

"Go and have some rest," he dismissed her. She got up and walked towards the others.

"I won't be telling them about your involvement in the massacre. Rest assured," he added.

Lylia wanted to speak to him about a lot of things but she stopped herself. She should just be grateful enough for his kindness.

Harley suddenly jolted up and held her shoulder.

"I forgot to ask, where is the exit?" he asked.

"I..." Lylia hesitated for a while. She got her confidence back and held her head high.

"I know this is so fast but I will only be telling you that if you promise me one thing," she replied. "Let me be your girl."

Harley stared at her with blank eyes but Lylia didn't dare look away.

"This girl has lost her mind in every way," he thought.

"For what purpose are you proposing that deal?" he asked.

"The moment you defeated me, I realized that if I make you my partner, it would be easy for me tp learn more. It is the solution I came up with in order to avoid being the subject of hatred in your academy," she replied.

"You're doing the exact opposite, idiot," Harley stated. "I am admired by a lot of people, if you stick around me as my girlfriend, you'll be mocked and criticized to no end."

"That is fine by me for I know that I am tied to you," Lylia insisted. "You've lost one companion, if we go further, you'll lose another. Now, choose."

"Fine, be my girl and endure the consequences. In return, lead us out of here," Harley agreed.

"Yes!" Lylia said. "To start, do no call me by my name. Address me as your girl. Now, if you'll excuse me I am going back to sleep."

"Airhead," Harley stated before sitting down facing the fire once more.

"Getting out of here is the priority. I was an idiot for not stopping this so-called adventure in the very first place. We even lost Chang'e," he thought as he watches the fire slowly die.

When the sun has risen, everyone is on the track once more. Unknown to the two Leonins, they are actually on the path of going out from the forest.

Lylia is leading the group with Harley beside her as to not make anything suspicious.

"You look awful, did you even sleep last night?" Lylia asked when she noticed the dark circles around his eyes.

"Don't mind me," he simply replied.

Lylia looked away before grabbing his hand and intertwined it with hers. Harley looked at their hands.

"What the hell is this?" he asked. "My hand will get sweaty."

"This is what couples do when walking side by side, ignorant," she replied.

As they start to argue, the other three on the back can't help but wonder what their relationship is.

"Are they dating?" Nana asked.

Despite her normal voice, Harith saw in her eyes that she's somehow hurt.

"Harley isn't going against her so maybe yes. But ain't it too fast? They just met like one day ago," Lolita replied.

"Maybe it's different when you meet someone of the same level as you," Nana commented as she tightens her grip on her shirt.

"Maybe," Lolita agreed. "Lylia seem to be strong enough to be on par with him. Maybe Harley sensed that, too."

"I cannot wait to see the Harley who's in love," Lolita snickered.

"Yeah," Nana responded weakly.

"I also read that couples should go on dates so after this journey, take me to a fancy cafe and eat some sweets," Lylia continued to blabber.

"Why are you reading such stupid books instead of studying magic?" Harley asked. He tried to let go from their holding hands but Lylia just tightened her grip.

"It's also important to get some rest after studying. Besides, I am a girl, too," she replied.

"My hands have become sweaty, let go," Harley demanded but she simply took out her hanky and wiped his hands.

"No excuses," she stated.

"Why am I even going along with this girl's stupid play?" Harley asked himself. "If sis finds out about this, I wonder what her reaction would be."

"We're here," Lylia claimed. "The Icy Lands."

Everyone stared at the strong winds blowing. Snow is all over the place and once they step on it, they'd no longer be in a forest but in a snowy land.

"How are we supposed to go there?" Lolita asked. "We're not wearing the proper attire. We'll freeze to death and become a fossilized human dound in the lost world of the Enchanted Forest."

Harley pulled Lylia towards him as if giving her a hug.

"Is this the real way? If you're bluffing, I won't hesitate to kill you," he warned.

"Feel free to do so, if I am right, you're obliged to marry me," she responded.