Chapter 13:~where the story is hidden (part 2)~

For a few moments I thought that Alepoú would remain still, but apparently I was wrong to underestimate the reflexes of my beloved guardian who seemed to have gained enough courage to go out and confront both subjects. And for that, he returned to his human form to make things easier.

—In my presence...no one is going to touch young Nathaniel, and even less a stupid crow...!—He shouted at the same time, as he grabbed my arm to jump and push the youngest, stopping his fall. . We left that hiding place to position ourselves in front of those two who remained still.

In a quick movement he had me in his arms, keeping me away from those two who only took off their cloak to reveal their true identities. The older of the two was wearing a black suit and top hat, as were his eyes and hair, which were the same color. His serious look transformed into one of surprise from one moment to the next, while his companion only rolled his eyes. jet black eyes as he adjusted the ruby fringe that fell down his forehead.

Adjusting his white bow and pulling out his red bow, he cleared his throat and then extended one of his hands that were covered by a white glove towards the sky and with a sly smile he said:

—My lady, we have found the source of that smell that bothered Ulric—. he said while with his left hand he adjusted his silver glasses.

—Idiot—. he said as he sighed, apparently called Ulric.—Cardinal, are you too stupid or don't you remember?

Saying that, Ulric only approached Cardenal to grab one of his ears with his left hand and then bring his right hand to his chest. His surprise faded and with a slight smile he addressed us while Alepoú began to growl at him.

—It's the stupid fox that was next to young Tristan, Alepoú—.he explained, still maintaining his smile that showed satisfaction when he saw that my guardian was slightly showing his smile.—Only he's wearing a different outfit than the one he was wearing before.

— Oh! How boring... I thought it was the other fox. Tch... But what can you do? Young Tristan was the one who did it, so...

Cardenal did not finish speaking, since upon seeing me in Alepoú's arms, his face became somber and serious compared to his attitude a few minutes ago. Adjusting his bangs, he pushed himself free of Ulric's grip to begin walking towards us and immediately afterwards, in a quick moment he approached my face to grab my chin.

— Alepoú... now that I remember... You should be inactive because young Tristan died a long time ago. What are you doing with the little mongrel?—. he asked as he kept his gaze on my eyes.

—First time you've used your brain, you clumsy bird—. he sighed again and then approached Cardenal and took him by the shoulder to move him away from my face.— You know that if the little young man is here and with this tricky beast... there could be two options.

— Raven, we request to see Lady F and Mr. Burnett.— Alepoú asked Ulric.

—Fox, if you tell me the reasons why you are here, I will gladly let you pass to see my lady—. Ulric mentioned to him, who only returned to his serious face like Cardenal.

—This Castelia wouldn't be here if his situation wasn't critical. Thanks to the fact that he is a mestizo from the two strongest families of the 4 groups of witch families.... you must be running from the eternal sleep of which the hated Castelia have condemned you—. Cardenal said as he crossed his path. arms.

— You have no filter, you clumsy red bird. Keep saying things like that about my young Nathaniel and you'll end up with me.— Alepoú threatened while I just continued listening in silence.

— What Cardenal says is true. Alepoú, you would not have brought young Nathaniel if his situation with the Castelias was not serious.—he growled.—Those fools... I hate them with all my being but for obvious reasons I cannot hate the boy who was condemned without having the right let's decide.

—The situation is more than clear, Ulric. We must take him to the farm as soon as possible, if Alepoú is with him, it is because he must have met young Tristán.—without hesitation, he approached us to help me get down and immediately took me by the hand to begin dragging me. .—This fox was left because young Tristan knows something, he remembers that he himself said that he would protect Rossalín and his descendants.

Alepoú was about to free me from Cardenal's grip, but he just pulled me closer to him in a hug to start walking faster. On the other hand, Ulric was trying to keep my guardian calm, who didn't seem to be happy.

— Don't be jealous, we only serve Lady Fray. We will not replace you, remember that if another puppet appears it is only to help or attack. — the human crow puppet explained somewhat amusingly.

When I heard it, I just laughed quietly, but that's what the red-haired man realized, who still had me imprisoned in a hug while we walked heading towards the Fray farm.

—Hey, young Nathaniel. Are you generally very serious?— Cardenal asked me, to which I stopped laughing to look up at him since he was about 10 centimeters taller than me.

—I'm not when I'm with trusted people, Cardinal—. I answered.

—And do you have friends? —He asked.

—I only have Alepoú, I don't know if you know that I was rarely allowed to go out and that was only to go to the Castelia mansion and rarely to the Fray house.— I responded while directing my gaze forward.

— I'm very sorry, my pretty young man. I didn't want to hurt him with that question—.he told me without thinking while he caressed my left cheek with his right hand.

Hearing it made my cheeks burn, but I ignored that feeling to continue looking at the path that was covered by orange and brown leaves.

—Stop playing, Cardinal. I'm not a child for you to call me young man, just call me Young Man or Nathaniel—.I asked him in the calmest way I could.

— But your innocence about the outside world is like that of a little one curious to discover and experience. If you don't want me to call you young man— he only became more attached to me even though he was hugging me from the side and then asked me a question that perhaps could take me by surprise since when I looked at him I realized that— Tell me: Do you know what it is to fall in love?

Listening to him made my heart stop, but even so I just looked away and trying to hide my nervousness I answered: — No, of course I don't know. And that's because they kept me sheltered and practicing to prepare for the Castelia tradition.

— If you want... I can help you in that regard—. Cardenal said as he moved his hand from my cheek to my chin to lift it to make me look into his eyes.

—Idiot, disrespectful puppet!—. I shouted and then gave him a slap that he did not miss in the sight of Alepoú and Ulric who ran towards us since we were almost two meters ahead of them.

Alepoú, seeing me blushing, stood behind me and then took me by the shoulders and about them he spoke:

—What did that fool do to you?—.He asked me very seriously.

— Cardinal, tell me that...

He interrupted.— What did Cardenal do to make Nathaniel like this?—.asked the third voice that seemed to come from a woman.

If her skin was white, now they had taken on the color of a sheet of paper just by listening to that voice.