Veil 5

A vast city as normal as it could be laid in front of the three's eyes.

"It's… more normal than expected. Looks like the core," Lily wasn't sure if she was seeing right.

The city didn't look any different than the capital or the other city Lia resided in. Wooden houses like ancient temples with streets filled with shops laid out the city.

It wasn't as fancy as the capital, there was no white marble. However, there were no veils here anymore. The dark surrounded everything and the eerie thing was that no light or sounds emitted from the houses.

It was quiet as if the city was abandoned. As if it was a ghost town.

Only the ghosts scurrying around showed signs of life in this desolate place. Lia had hoped to be able to meet someone but this hope was quickly abandoned by the state of this sight.

In the far and close up, nothing could shake off the feeling that absolutely no one was living here. They also couldn't just knock on the doors or intrude the houses. If people really lived here, then it was their norm and signalling them they weren't from here by making a stupid mistake, would just straight put them under the blade the border provided.

"We should find a place to stay and inquire tomorrow," this was the only option Lia could think of right now that was safe. She expected the soldiers not to check the cities as they would assume the intruders wouldn't dare to go through the white veil.

So staying here was better than venturing outside with soldiers on their tails. Tomorrow they could gain information. Since it seemed like the residents never left their cities, there was a risk for them to all know each other.

But it wasn't unacceptable to traverse from city to city in the veil. At least Lia hoped so. They could also try to use an excuse like trying to visit their relatives.

With that in mind, the three of them strolled around the city to get familiar with it and to find a place for the night to stay. The harmless ghosts floated around them as they were curious about the strangers.

One of them got particularly close to Lia. She subconsciously held out her hand and the ghost eagerly touched and then shook it formally. Lia gave it a warm smile and the ghost happily returned it before circling them a few times and leasing.

Then the thought of all the mortals having to die under her hand back in the facility, made the encounter tremendously sadder. At least the harmless ghosts died a more peaceful death and because of some light lingering regrets, they stayed here or in the mortal world, not ready to pass on.

"How about this place?" Xavi pointed to a small green area. It was a square with a botanic garden along with a few benches. In the core, most of the cities didn't have a park or square gardens. The only green scenery could either be found in the council families' mansions or in the outskirts.

"You should answer it. Can you sleep there? Young master might not be used to it," Lia's teasing made Xavi's face flush red and Lia thought it was a shame she couldn't see it in the dark.

"I-It's fine for me!"

Lily also nodded, so they headed over and went to a bench in the far corner.

There were only single benches. Without any hesitations, Lia picked Xavi up under his protests and laid him on the bench. Then she laid on the grass next to the bench, "Lily, you should sleep on the other side, so Xavi doesn't feel unsafe."

"Young master, don't worry, I'll be with you here!" Lily wanted to give Xavi a hug but the latter quickly retreated and stood on the bench exclaiming, "I'm not a child! Stop treating me like this! Both of you!"

"If the young master wants it!"

"Truly childish. Only a child would say that. What a child."

Both females were beautiful, however, they had their respective faults. One was pampering and the other one had quite a … snarky mouth. How could the poor young master bear it?

The night has been long and they were exhausted from all the events that have happened, so they quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, Lia woke up early. Despite drifting off to sleep, it wasn't a very peaceful one as the constant worry of the next day haunted her even in sleep.

The eeriness from yesterday was completely gone. However, the feeling that this city was abandoned didn't leave. It was still early but immortals didn't need much sleep and loved to venture outside. Yet there was not a single soul here, at least in the area they were in.

Again only curious ghosts floated around them. Lia sighed disappointed. How much easier things could've been if ghosts were able to talk.

Lia stood up to explore on her own when Xavi's sleepy voice stopped him, "Lia where are you going?"

His hair was messy, his little hands rubbed his droopy eyes and his whole demeanour was groggy. He was like a little kid afraid his parents would leave him. Lia suddenly felt her heart squeeze warmth out, prompting her to rub Xavi's head and speak in a coaxing tone, "I won't go anywhere."

"Um," Xavi agreed and even rubbed his head against Lia's hand. Xavi was right now still sleepy so he didn't register properly what was going on, so his ears caught a break from turning red.

Lia sat down next to Xavi on the bench before a weird feeling and sensation overtook here. When she looked down, she saw that Xavi laid his head on her lap and made himself comfortable.

Lia was torn. Xavi was like a little kid but on the other side, that brat! He was already an adult hiding in a child's body taking advantage of the situation.

But she couldn't help spoiling him a bit. They only knew each other for almost three weeks but she grew closer to them and faster than she did with Noel.

Maybe because both of them were less suspicious than Noel in the beginning and didn't do shady things like he did. And because Xavi and Lily were genuine in whatever they did and said, and because they were quite childish, Lia quickly let her guard down and trusted them.

It seemed like Xavi fell asleep again. Lia just sat there until soon the sun hung high in the sky, yet as she watched the surroundings there was still no person wandering around. She wanted to see the city centre to check if things were different but no bearing to wake up Xavi and Lily, she quietly endured.

Time flowed slowly and Lia's body felt sore and her thighs were numb. Luckily not long later, Xavi finally woke up. The heat rushed to his cheeks and ears while he scurried away from Lia. Lia thought it was a shame not to tease him, so she said, "You like my lap this much? What a pervert."

At this, Xavi's poor fragile heart on the verge of shattering from embarrassment squeezed all the air from his lungs and he coughed.

"I-I," but he didn't know how to retort or justify himself. He could still feel how soft it felt and how comfortable his head floated as if he laid on cotton.

It was heaven compared to the hard bench, ok? But he could only swallow those words and make inaudible noises.

"Young master, is everything ok?" Lily woke up from Xavi's desperate attempts to wash himself clean but he only got more embarrassed. There was no winning in this situation!

"So, both of you are finally awake? We should head to the centre until now, I haven't seen a single person. This concerns me."

Xavi got serious again and jumped off the bench but the whole way to the centre, he couldn't look Lia in the eyes. Lily noticed this and asked, "Young master did something happen between you and Lia?"

As if Xavi just couldn't catch a break, his face decided to betray him as he choked out a 'No!'

"Are you sure?" Lily whispered again but Lia heard them and was amused, "It's nothing. I just found out a very interesting fact about your young master. You should be careful Lily."

Xavi wanted to cry, bawl and whine. His reputation… was ruined in Lia's eyes.

He avoided Lia and ignored Lily. Both females had a glance exchange that gave Lily no clue why her young master was throwing a tantrum.

Arriving at the city centre, they finally saw signs of life albeit very few people were around. They seemed only to be heading out for some important business and scurried around very fast.

Lia was puzzled just what in the world was going on in the Veil? Everything was completely different than in the core. Just how much more contrasting were Mistand and Neverland?

"Xavi, I think it's a good time now for you to grow and learn."

The three of them hid behind a house corner when Lia pushed Xavi forward.

"What are you doing with young master?" Lily protectively held Xavi in her arms.

"He should ask for directions."

"Alone?"

"His child appearance will lower people's guard."

"I'll go with him," Lily was about to drag Xavi when Lia stopped her, "What's the point if you go with him?"

"Young master can't do it alone!"

"Alright, both of you children should go together."

"I'm not a child! I can go alone! Lily, don't follow me!"

"But young master!" Lily wanted to trail behind Xavi but his determined glare made her give up.

"Be careful," was the only thing she could say.

Lia watched Xavi nervously walking towards the people in a shop. He tried to be as natural as possible but Lia could see his fingers anxiously fiddling around with his shirt.

She found it funny but at the same time why was Xavi so nervous? He had no qualms killing the G family nor facing her but here he was acting like a true little child.

This question needed to wait though as loud footsteps sent shivers into the nearby people and they scrambled away. Xavi was left perplexed as he finally approached one.

Lia turned to see the source of terror and briefly froze. The soldiers in a big troop were heading their way. Lia rushed out and told Lily, "Quick, we need to get Xavi!"