A Prison

Sylvan was getting more and more unscrupulous under the table and Aradia was getting annoyed. As she looked at him and glared, Duke Callen turned to her making her look down and pretend to be eating.

"Aradia!" Duke Callen called out.

"Yes?"

"Take care of Drusilla. And inform us about any change in her health condition. I won't say too much since I know that you won't be careless."

"I'll do my best," said Aradia.

"That's good. Then all of you eat and get on your way. Don't delay."

"Yes, Father," said Sylvan.

All of them ate in silence and went back to their bed chambers. Aradia looked at the cat which just woke up and was stretching and yawning lazily. Sometimes he was really envious of this leisurely and lazy cat who could sleep whenever he wanted and however long he wanted.

"When are you leaving?" asked Neville once he saw that she was back.

"Just in a while," she responded.

"Pack my bags. My noble self will accompany you on this journey so that you don't feel lonely."

Aradia was taken by surprise, "You're going too?"

"Yes," replied Neville. "Now, hurry up and pack my bags."

Aradia's lips twitched wondering what bag was she supposed to pack for him. "Should I pack your cat toys?"

Neville bared his sharp teeth at her, "Don't insult my noble self like this."

"There is nothing else to pack then," responded Aradia. She went to his side and hugged him up. "I'll just carry you with me." He wanted to resist but feeling lazy, he decided to just enjoy this service. At least, he won't have to walk. "But why do you suddenly want to go?" she asked seriously. "Don't you usually avoid even seeing Drusilla?"

Neville snorted, "I still don't want to see that spoiled princess. As I said, I'm going with you to keep you company. Not for her. I can't leave you alone." Aradia smiled when she heard that. It sounded like he was concerned about her. But instantly, he ruined the mood as he added, "What if you ended up missing me so much that you cried? Won't I feel distressed for you?"

Aradia stopped rubbing his ear and pinched it instead, "I won't miss you at all!"

Neville smiled to himself and didn't mind her reaction at all. Instead, he honestly told her, "I don't trust your Lady Drusilla. She doesn't have pure intentions so I have to come with you to protect you from her."

"Fluffy, you have trust issues," said Aradia. "Stop doubting Drusilla all the time. She is a very nice girl if you look past her spoiled habits."

Neville snickered, "You're still very blind."

"And you're still very arrogant," she shot back.

"That can't change. Arrogance is in my blood." Taking a pause, he asked, "Show me your wrist?" Aradia obediently showed her injured wrist to him. "Hmm... It's healing well. Did it attack again?"

"Last night," she told him. "It did. I felt suffocated but suddenly, it changed into a comfortable feeling. So, I'm not sure if it was my illusion or not."

"Not an illusion," said Neville.

"Then what was it?" she asked.

"Something you won't understand with your tiny brain."

Aradia felt like throwing this cat away for being so mean all the time. "Can't you talk nicely?"

"No," he retorted. "I can prove that you have a tiny brain."

"Oh? How so?"

"Did you pack the Blue Flake to take with you?"

Aradia was startled and looked around before saying unwillingly, "Why do I need to bring it with me?"

"Or else? You want to leave it here for the Duchess Rosewood?" Aradia was stunned to her spot. "Do I need to remind you that once Duchess Rosewood comes back, the first thing she'll do is to check your room to see if you have something that you shouldn't. See? You didn't even think about this. Do you really think just because you love Sylvan Rosewood, that this House Rosewood is your safe haven? Don't forget it. It's still your prison. Even if you embellish it will jewels or hopeless dreams, it will still be a prison for you."

"Stop talking," said Aradia with a heavy heart. "I'll bring the flower with me. There is no need for you to poke my bloody wounds."

"If I don't remind you of these, won't you forget everything just because of the love you have for Sylvan Rosewood? People try to escape from their prison and you want to actually stay in it for life? I don't even know what you are thinking. But I shouldn't expect anything grand from you. After all, what kind of mother will give birth to what kind of a daughter."

"What did you say?" Aradia asked since his voice got too low towards the end and she couldn't hear it clearly but she did hear 'mother' and 'daughter'. So, she was curious about what he was babbling about again.

"I'm saying, stop wasting time and pack up the flower. In fact, bring it to me so that I can use my invisibility spell. If anyone got even the hint of it, it'll only bring chaos to this world once again."

"But someone already knows about it," reminded Aradia. "Did you get forgetful too? That man who hurt me that night. He knows about this flower."

"He isn't someone to be afraid of," said Neville.

"Why are you so certain? You didn't meet him. Besides, isn't the fact that he injured me so badly enough to show how cruel he is?"

Neville's eyes set on her wrist and his blue eyes deepened, "He wasn't being cruel though."

"What did you say?"

"You told me that the flower called for him. That only means that he isn't the enemy. We shouldn't be afraid of him. And you better let go of your hatred. It isn't gonna help."

"I refuse!" she said. "Whenever I see him again, I'll do anything to kill him!"

"Then good luck!" was Neville's careless response which actually indicated that he didn't trust her at all. And this attitude of his only made Aradia angrier and more convinced that she wanted revenge.