PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFER BEST NOVELS || LATEST MOVIES || LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME
GARDEN OF POISON
Activity for the gatherings (Chapter 191)
Music Recommendation: South Carolina - Nicholas Britell
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Emily stared at Raylen with genuine surprise, but her expression shifted to one of suspicion as her eyes narrowed at him. Was he trying to flatter her by calling her 'moon princess'? Since the moon was often associated with beauty and romantic admiration, this only deepened her suspicion, reinforcing her belief that the archdemon was up to no good.
"I will go ahead," Raylen declared to her, his lips twisting mischievously as he walked away.
Julia approached the princess from behind and whispered, "King Raylen must like you, Princess Emily."
"He's probably just testing Brother Dante," Emily responded to her maid. Not to mention, the red-headed demon seemed to get his kicks out of provoking others, she thought to herself. She added, "I will see you later, Julia."
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"Yes, milady." Julia gave her a bow and wished, "I hope you have a good day today." She watched her princess heading in the direction where King Raylen had disappeared, and a smile crossed her face. However, when she turned around, her eyes met Westley's sullen expression, and she rapidly made her escape to avoid being in his presence.
After Emily and Raylen had left the castle grounds in the carriage, she heard him say, "The schedule for today's gathering arrived late last night. We will be having breakfast with everyone first, after which the gathering will be moved outdoors, or, to be more precise, behind the Ruiz's mansion."
Emily wondered who had delivered the letter in such heavy rain, feeling pity for the unfortunate soul. She inquired,
"Did it contain details about what they have planned for today?"
Raylen nodded and explained, "Men and women have been instructed to wear darker, thicker attire to stay warm, as the temperature is expected to drop. High boots are also recommended."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Emily replied with a frown, glancing down at her lilac dress. She wondered why a dark-coloured dress was required, and not to mention, her current shoes didn't extend past her ankles. "King Raylen, are you attempting to jeopardise my time at the gathering?" She couldn't think of any other reason why he hadn't informed her.
"On the contrary, I think it will work to your advantage," Raylen replied in a bright, cheerful voice that didn't match Emily's expression. He added, "I think it will put to the test the men who want to woo you."
"What kind of test?" Emily questioned, wanting to know what was going on in the demon's devious mind.
"You will find out in due course." Raylen smiled at her while she continued to stare at him. She wasn't pleased, not knowing what to expect. "Considering your mopey behaviour yesterday, it would be better to pull out the useless weeds so that you can reach the finish line. We need to see who is truly willing to save you."
Emily frowned and replied, "I don't need saving. It's not as if I'll be drowning."
"Are you saying you know how to swim?" Raylen questioned her in his kind and polite tone.
"I do," Emily replied, crossing her arms and shifting her seating position.
"And you left poor Princess Niyasa to drown and wash away. Sure, you know how to swim," Raylen teased, cracking that annoying smile that made Emily wish she could hit him now.
Perhaps next time she should ask her brother's imp to deliver Raylen's coffin, Emily mused wryly. With that thought, she realised she had forgotten to ask her family about Niyasa's whereabouts. She had intended to ask her grandmother, but before she could do so, Raylen had popped up in her room, disturbing her train of thought.
Returning to the previous conversation, Emily suggested, "We should return to the castle so that I can change my attire."
"I am telling you, it is all part of the plan," Raylen responded, not telling his driver to halt or turn. He said, "You need a man, someone who will not only make you feel good but also look good by your side. Someone who won't be intimidated by Nathaniel's presence. Do you regret not opting for darker colours?"
"I will tell you if I do," Emily muttered under her breath.
Once they arrived at the Ruiz Mansion, the carriage door swung open, and they gracefully disembarked from the vehicle. Raylen wore a benevolent smile, giving him an almost saintly appearance, while Emily beside him added even more charm to his already captivating demeanour.
Emily noticed some of the guests casting glances in their direction. She said in a lowered voice, "I feel like having them believe you are related to me is going to encourage more men to approach me." She briefly paused to exchange a smile with one of the women before continuing, "For their own benefit, of course."
"I am certain you are an astute woman, Princess, capable of discerning their intentions?" Raylen asked, maintaining his kind smile as they entered the mansion.
For now, Emily hoped to find a tolerable man. Someone who would not get on her nerves to the point of contemplating murder. She shook her head. Violence is not an option, Lily, she reminded herself. At least, compared to the overwhelming attention she had received in Versailles, the spotlight at this gathering was dimmer, giving her space to think and converse without being bombarded with insincere praise.
"King Raylen. Lady Emily." Julius Ardolf walked towards them with his mother by his side. "Greetings to you both."
"Good morning, Mr. Ardolf," Emily greeted the man with a slight bow, and then she extended the same courtesy to his mother, who sized her up from head to toe before breaking into a smile.
"Good morning, King Raylen. It is always kind of you to grace these humble gatherings with your presence," Mrs. Ardolf expressed warmly. The woman stood at a height of five feet, her body radiating good health, and her cheeks adorned with a pink hue that matched her lips.
"How could I not when I have the Moon Princess accompanying me," Raylen remarked, causing Emily's eyes to widen slightly. Julius and his mother looked puzzled by the king's words, and the young man asked,
"Moon Princess?"
"Oh my, we have a princess among us?" Mrs. Ardolf's eyes began to shine with excitement at the prospect of having a daughter-in-law of such high status.
"We certainly do," Raylen responded. "Emily is a bit clumsy, and she bumped her head this morning. You can see the moon on her forehead."
Emily's face flushed when their eyes landed on her forehead, making her want to hide it. She laughed softly and then said, "It was a little mishap. Clumsiness seems to be a family trait, especially after you bumped your head too." She smiled warmly at Raylen.
Raylen's eyes lit up at her words and he hummed, "Indeed, quite clumsy."
"We are relieved to see that nothing happened to both of you," Julius responded. He then turned to Emily and expressed, "I am also happy to see you again, Lady Emily. I have been looking forward to our meeting."
"That is very kind of you to say, Mr. Ardolf. I hope we can get to know each other better today." Emily smiled at the earnest man.
"That is what I was hoping for too. Would you do me the honour of joining me for breakfast?" Julius asked, but before Emily could reply, Raylen interjected,
"Julius, please give us a moment, as I just remembered that Emily and I have to take care of something."
"Of course," Julius nodded, and he added, "I will save a seat for you at the table." Offering another bow, this time with his mother, he departed.
When Emily turned to look at Raylen, he locked eyes with her and deadpanned, "Allow me to offer you a piece of advice: Don't sit with him."
"Why not?" Emily asked, genuinely curious about what could be wrong with Mr. Ardolf. He seemed like a perfectly nice man. "Is it to attract more attention from him?"
"I don't think he's a suitable match for you. And I say this with the thought that your brother wouldn't approve of him either," Raylen remarked casually as he picked up a glass of blood when a servant passed by them.
"Why not? He's a good man," Emily pointed out.
"He is," Raylen acknowledged.
"He's well-behaved and didn't come on too strongly. He's considerate," she added, presenting the next point before Raylen could respond.
"Like I said before, he's too still, almost like the dead," Raylen responded, taking a sip of the blood and savouring its taste.
"I am not looking for turbulent waters. He's a steady stream," Emily replied with a frown before adding, "You should be the last person advising me on whom I should or shouldn't engage with. And you can be quite judgemental yourself."
Raylen took his time to leisurely finish the drink. He remarked, "It was just advice; there's no need to get worked up. And perhaps you are right. Still waters do meet other still waters; you might make the perfect match."
Emily let out a sigh and turned to walk away when she heard him ask, "Where are you going, Moon Princess?"
She clenched her teeth in irritation at the remark. She turned back to meet his intelligent blue eyes and the confident smile that adorned his strong features. She then uttered,
"I should go mingle before the good ones are taken. Now, if you will excuse me."
Emily took a few deep breaths before she walked inside and encountered Mrs. Ruiz, who seemed delighted to see her. The woman embraced her warmly and said, "Always a lovely sight, Lady Emily. Has King Raylen not accompanied you today?"
"He is conversing with the guests, and I thought I would go ahead to see you," Emily replied with a smile.
Mrs. Ruiz nodded. "That's perfectly fine. Come, let me lead you to the dining room. Mr. Ruiz is also occupied with the guests, and it might take a while, so we should fill our stomachs while we wait," she laughed softly as they began to walk through the corridors. The woman then added, "Many of the guests have approached me, asking for an opportunity to speak with you."
"About what?" Emily asked, and the woman smiled.
"I mean to arrange for you to meet them at Storm Castle. Unless, of course, you'd prefer to meet them in the town for a stroll?" Mrs. Ruiz offered her the choice.
If Emily were to be married in Versailles, the idea of a leisurely stroll before the wedding would be a far-fetched notion, as save for the unions between soulmates, marriage decisions concerning the royal family had been primarily political in nature until now, and the betrothed couples would typically only see each other directly on the day of their engagement or on the wedding day. She replied,
"I believe meeting them at the castle would be more suitable for now, before considering a stroll."
"A very wise decision." Mrs. Ruiz nodded. "Usually, suitors arrive at the woman's door bearing gifts. However, I believe because you are related to King Raylen, they are a little wary."
With Raylen's words lingering in her mind, Emily inquired, "Mrs. Ruiz, may I ask about one of the gentlemen attending the gathering?"
"Oh, has a man caught your eye? Who is it?" Mrs. Ruiz asked.
"It is Julius Ardolf," Emily disclosed, and a smile formed on her lips.
"Oh, Mr. Ardolf. He's one of the sought-after men of this season. Many young women's mothers have been asking me to set up their daughters with him. As expected of the king's niece; you have found a fine individual," Mrs. Ruiz remarked with a nod. "No vices, and quite helpful. The poor man's father passed away during an attack, and Julius was raised by his mother."
Upon entering the dining room, Emily observed the long table, where the majority of the guests had already taken their seats.
The smile on her lips didn't die. When her gaze landed on Janelle, her smile widened even further. Her friend was seated beside one of the men she had danced with yesterday.
"Lady Emily, would you like to take a seat here?" asked a distinguished gentleman.
Emily's gaze shifted to Mr. Ardolf, who was looking her way, as if eagerly awaiting her company next to him. However, simultaneously, a young woman who sought to engage Julius slipped coyly into the vacant seat he had saved for the princess.
Seeing how most of the seats in the room rapidly filled, Emily accepted the offered chair and sat beside the gentleman. Raylen entered the room and took a seat next to the woman whom Emily had met in the shoe shop. The woman named Beatrice. She couldn't help but wonder where Gloria was, as she hadn't seen the woman since their arrival this morning.
As if sensing her gaze on him, Raylen's shifted to look at her and the people seated beside her. There was a subtle smirk on his lips, amused by the idea of her following his advice, when in truth, it was purely coincidental.
Following a pleasant breakfast, the attendees made their way to the back of the mansion, which connected to the forest behind it.
"My apologies for not being able to secure the seat for you, Lady Emily," Julius expressed regretfully.
"There's no need to worry, Mr. Ardolf. It happens to the best of us," Emily reassured the man with a smile, who appeared relieved by her words.
Mr. and Mrs. Ruiz came to stand before the assembled guests, who were ready to enjoy the remainder of the day's festivities prepared for them. Mr. Ruiz began,
"To make things a little more lively, we have arranged a little game for everyone to enjoy this noon. The weather is perfect—" Emily's eyes discreetly moved to glance at the overcast sky, wondering how it was considered perfect "—and you won't have to worry about breaking a sweat," he added with a laugh.
"What is the game?" someone inquired from the front, and as Emily leaned forward to see who had spoken, she recognised it was the man named Marshall Travis.
"It is a treasure hunt in the forest," Mr. Ruiz announced in an excited tone. However, when he noticed the less than enthusiastic expressions on some of them, he swiftly added, "You will all be divided into pairs, and the one who reaches the end will be the winner, along with the exquisite prize waiting."
Mrs. Ruiz opened a velvet box to reveal emptiness inside it. She said, "The treasure that was supposed to be in here is what awaits in the forest. The clues are scattered around for you to find it."
"Are we to go by foot?" another guest inquired, just as horses were brought around by the stableboys.
"We recommend you use the horses. Please go ahead and select who you want to ride with."
The majority of the men and women present at the gathering were excited about the prospect of finding the treasure Mr. and Mrs. Ruiz had hidden in the forest. The men hoped for the maidens to be seated behind them, providing an opportunity for the woman to hold them, or have them sit in front of them. And the women were no exception, sharing similar thoughts and expectations.
The men eyed Emily like a prized possession. After all, she was the king's niece, a beautiful and dainty woman who had the power to quicken their pulses. Before the others could approach and swarm her, both Marshall Travis and Julius Ardolf stepped forward and stood before Emily, each of them politely inquiring,
"Lady Emily, please do me the honour of riding with me."
"It would be an honour if you rode with me."
"Your niece is the most sought-after woman at this season's gathering, King Raylen. You must be proud of her," Beatrice remarked while standing beside the red-headed king. "Whom do you think she will choose?"
Raylen's blue eyes settled on the two men standing in front of the princess, their tension palpable as they glared at each other. He replied,
"Neither one."
Beatrice raised her eyebrows in a mixture of question and curiosity. "Is she not going to participate in the hunt?"
Raylen didn't respond but only stared at the princess, who stood out among the others. He then heard Emily speak, saying,
"Forgive me, but I intend to ride a horse by myself." A soft chuckle escaped Raylen's lips, and Beatrice couldn't help but inwardly frown at the attention the king directed towards his niece.
The two men blinked at her, clearly not expecting her answer. Julius murmured, "My apologies. I thought you wouldn't know how to ride."
"Lady Emily, I will be right behind you, to ensure your safety." Marshall volunteered for the role, even though Emily hadn't offered it to him.
Emily politely smiled at them and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Travis, but I am perfectly capable of riding a horse. I have been doing it for quite a few years now." She offered them a gracious bow and made her way over to where the horses were lined up.
Some of the onlookers looked at Emily as if she had missed a good opportunity to be in close proximity to the eligible men. However, they believed her loss was their gain, and they became elated by the thought.
Emily found the horse that responded to her before she mounted it. As she adjusted the lower half of her dress, she heard the soft clip-clopping of hooves from another horse pulling up beside her. When she raised her eyes, she realised it was Raylen, who wore a sly expression.
Her hazel brown eyes regarded him with curiosity, and she said, "I didn't know you were participating as well."
The game was designed for those seeking future spouses, and Raylen was looking for neither. Emily's eyes shifted to the back of the group, where she saw Beatrice making her way towards them.
The corners of Raylen's eyes crinkled, and he remarked, "I thought a little competition would make things more interesting."
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GARDEN OF POISON
Fog in the forest (Chapter 192)
As the rest of the group continued to mount their horses, some had already decided who they wanted for their riding companions. Meanwhile, the remaining men and women paired up with each other randomly.
"Why didn't you go with Prince Charming, Ardolf?" Raylen asked Emily.
"I didn't see the point when I know how to ride my own horse," Emily replied, lifting her chin, which brought a hint of amusement to the Storm King's eyes.
"Showing off that you are the better rider?" Raylen asked her, and Emily's eyes moved back to meet his gaze.
"In that sense, all men like to show off," Emily responded to his words.
"Believe it or not, they do. They want to catch the fair maiden's hand, but it seems the fair maiden likes to swat away anything that comes near her." Raylen's clever blue eyes locked onto hers. He continued, "Poor lads, they will need to work harder. Keeping yourself in a tower, waiting for the men to slay the dragon and whatnot, all before they find you. You cruel dragon murderer," he added with a grin.
Emily rolled her eyes at him and replied softly, "I don't expect them to fight dragons, nor am I locked in a tower," although the idea sounded appealing to her. She secretly longed to be desired, to have men fight for her, without becoming disheartened or turning away from her, she thought to herself. She wasn't asking for much.
"Princess," Raylen called her, and when her eyes met his, he said, "It seems like you have inherited your grandmother's spirit, but you don't know how to wield it. Some cards are uniquely held by women, but you are playing the cards of men."
Before Emily could question him, Raylen moved past her and made his way to the front, while Beatrice brought her horse next to him, leaving Emily to be flanked by Julius Ardolf and Marshall Travis on either side.
Mr. Ruiz snapped his fingers, and the servants, each holding a scroll, approached the riders to give them their instructions. He explained, "These scrolls contain clues to your quest. Remember, you have an hour and a half before the game ends, at which point, you are to return here. We hope this will be a memorable event for all of you, and that you enjoy it to the fullest."
The man then raised a gun to the sky and fired it, announcing, "The hunt begins now!"
The gunshot echoed around the area, and most of the participants hastily opened the scrolls in their hands. After reading the instructions, they spurred their horses into action and galloped into the forest. This included Marshall, who was determined to win Emily's hand since he had set his sights on her.
Emily unfurled the scroll and read its contents—
'Clue 1. I call you every hour of the day, with each passing second, my abode lighter than wood. Come look for me as I sing, a clue you may believe lies within my treasure, but it is not where I conceal it.'
Emily thought about it for a moment before whispering, "I know the answer!" A smile swiftly appeared on her lips, and she noticed Mr. Ardolf was riding beside her, looking over at her.
"I was waiting for you…" Mr. Ardolf looked slightly pink, clearly unsure of the solution.
"We should go search for the bird, Mr. Ardolf," Emily said, "The clue speaks of a cuckoo. It is what resides inside the clock, within the clock housing its home."
The man's head bobbed up and down. "So it was the cuckoo. You are a smart woman," he praised her.
When Emily turned, she noticed Raylen had already left and went ahead. He had taken the lead! She said, "We should go look for it where it sings."
Soon, Emily and Julius galloped through the woods, and she realised how different it felt to ride a horse in this wooded terrain compared to the endless sands back home. Under the cloudy sky, the cool wind whipped against them as they sped among the trees, the rhythmic beat of their horses' hooves making splattering sounds against the wet ground.
"Have you been to this place before, Mr. Ardolf?" Emily inquired, hoping his familiarity might help in finding the next clue.
"Unfortunately, no, milady. My work has not allowed me the chance to explore these woods, except for some occasional tea inside the mansion," Mr. Ardolf replied. Then, looking at her with a friendly smile, he added, "You may call me Julius, Lady Emily. Please," as if to let her know that he wanted to foster a closer connection between them, especially since the other men had gone in search of the treasure to present it to her.
"Julius," Emily replied, acknowledging his request, but she didn't offer him permission to address her without her title.
But Julius didn't seem to mind it, or he didn't pay attention to it, as he was enthralled by her beauty. He noticed her words were true—that she managed herself on the horse as if she had years of experience. As they searched for the cuckoo, he asked,
"When did you learn to ride, milady?"
"I learned when I was twelve. My father gifted me a horse, and I still have her with me. Sky," Emily spoke fondly about her horse. "How about you?"
Julius shared, "I first rode a horse when I was eight. However, after my father passed away, we had to give it away as times became tough and my mother had a hard time making ends meet. She worked everywhere she could to provide for us, and she's the one who raised me on my own." He smiled, adding, "Fortunately, things have gotten better over the years. Since I started working, we now have our own home."
Emily was touched by Julius's words, and she responded, "I am glad to hear things have improved for you and your mother. She must be a strong woman to be able to overcome such challenges."
"Indeed, she is," Julius replied, returning Emily's smile with his own. Then he turned his head to the right and remarked, "I believe I heard the bird in this direction."
[Music Recommendation: Enclosed Forest - Michael Ghelfi]
Emily galloped on her horse, keeping pace with Julius, when, out of the corner of her eye, she had the fleeting sensation of passing someone standing to her side. Her horse slowed down, but Julius, caught up in the excitement, did not look back. Emily turned to see what had caught her attention, but there was no one there except for the trees. It was then that she realised that the ground was covered in a light fog that continued to thicken until she heard nothing but silence all around her.
"Julius?" Emily called his name, but all she received in response was the soft, cold wind blowing through the fog-covered grounds and the eerie silence that enveloped the atmosphere.
Her eyes strained to see what lay ahead, while her ears caught the distant sounds of birds chirping, but it was the cawing of crows that sent a shiver down her spine. It sounded ominous. This was not part of the treasure hunt, was it? Emily asked herself. As if the cold weather wasn't enough, the eeriness of the place brought goosebumps to her arms, and she pulled the shawl of her dress tighter to cover them.
"MR. ARDOLF?" Emily shouted his name, but her voice only echoed briefly before being swallowed by the thick fog.
Emily wondered where the others were or if they had encountered the same fog. Something seemed to have frightened her horse in the misty atmosphere, causing it to rear up and throw her to the ground before galloping away. As the fog thickened, the world around her began to darken.
As she cautiously began to walk, it felt as if something was trailing her, and she pulled out a dagger that she habitually kept strapped to her leg. Past experience had taught her the importance of being prepared for unexpected situations like this.
Far away from where Emily struggled to find her way back or encounter someone familiar on her way, the other participants in the hunt grew increasingly alarmed at the density of the fog. Janelle anxiously inquired,
"Is this forest always so foggy?"
"I don't think so," the man with her replied.
Janelle remarked, "I don't think it will be easy to find the clues for the hunt."
They heard a couple more sets of hooves approaching, and one of the guests asked, "What is with the fog?"
"It makes me worried," a woman remarked, and just then, they heard a crow caw, startling one of them. A woman fell from her horse with a shriek.
Raylen jumped from his horse and helped the woman remount hers.
"King Raylen, is it because of the impending rain?" Beatrice inquired, having followed closely behind him until now.
It wasn't the rain, Raylen thought to himself. Despite his attempts to disperse it, the fog was too dense to blow away, almost as though it weren't a natural occurrence, but was intentionally conjured. He replied, "That must be it. It would be better for everyone to return to the mansion. Continuing the hunt would not be safe."
A murmur of agreement rippled through them as the chill only intensified, causing them to shiver.
However, before departing, Raylen asked, "Is everyone present here?" A faint chorus of responses followed.
Julius reported in a tense tone, "Lady Emily isn't with me. I don't know when she lagged behind, but by the time I realised, I couldn't find her."
The princess, Raylen thought.
Julius volunteered, "Let me go and find your niece, King Raylen. I will be sure to bring her back safely to your side."
"Allow me, King Raylen," men began to chime in, jumping at the opportunity to be seen as heroic in his eyes.
"Very generous of you, gentleman, but it is with great sadness that I must decline. I don't trust anyone but myself to find her, as I cannot leave her unchaperoned," said Raylen, speaking with continued sweetness in his voice.
Marshall was insistent and said, "My King, please allow me to accompany you."
"Do you think I am incompetent, boy?" Raylen inquired with a smile, his face concealed by the fog.
"N—no, I did not mean that, King Raylen. Please forgive me!" Marshall hastily apologised.
"Ardolf will lead all of you back to the mansion," Raylen decided, then turned to the side and added, "You too, Beatrice."
Once they departed from the area, heading back to the mansion, Raylen's pupils sharpened into slits, and he could immediately tell that the forest was not the source of the fog. The last time he had experienced such fog was several decades ago in Hell. He attempted to pick up Emily's heartbeat but couldn't detect it.
He snapped his fingers, and suddenly, an imp materialised before him. The imp had smaller eyes and was far more wrinkled than the imp serving Dante.
"Milord," the imp bowed with great solemnity.
"How is the portal of summons looking, Balor?" Raylen questioned his imp.
"Tight as ever, Master." The imp then noticed the fog around them and said, "There hasn't been any sign of a breach, and if there was, I would have known. It looks like a higher demon's doing."
"Keep an eye on the forest and observe anyone who leaves this place," Raylen ordered the imp, who obediently bowed and vanished from sight. Now, the question remained: where was the princess?
Emily, on the other hand, was walking in circles. Having never been inside this forest before, with the dense fog obscuring her view and her horse nowhere to be seen, there was very little she could do. She called out names, but there was no response. The profound silence that surrounded her was unexpected and sent shivers down her spine, making her skin crawl.
It triggered memories from her past.
'Come, Emily, let me show you how to play.'
'You press the tip of the knife right here, and push it.' A boy's scream echoed in her head, the sound louder than usual.
Emily covered her ears, as if hoping it would silence the screams, and strangely, they did stop. She continued to walk, hoping she would reach the edge of the forest, unaware that the forest stretched far beyond what she could cover by foot in a single day. She pondered where everyone had disappeared to when the cawing of the crows caught her attention again.
As the sound of the crows reached her ears, she also heard something snapping not too far from where she was, and her heart started to race at the unsettling possibility of what it might be. She hurriedly moved farther away from the source of the sound, but it was as though something was following her, lurking right behind her.
[Music Recommendation: Visions of Gideon - Sufjan Stevens]
"EMILY!"
Emily heard Raylen's voice calling out from a distance, filling her with immense relief. She quickly responded, "I am here! I think there is someone else here!" alerting him to the possible danger.
"Stay right where you are," Raylen instructed her, and Emily nodded, even though he couldn't see her. When her leg slightly moved back, she heard something echo behind her.
In less than a second, an enormous fire erupted from the ground, burning everything it touched in its way. With a brightness that rivalled the sun, it dispelled the fog and vanished the darkness. Emily caught sight of Raylen standing some distance across from her as the searing heat conquered the cold air hanging around them.
Raylen noticed the frightened expression on Emily's face, her fear about being lost evident. She stood on the edge of a well clutching a dagger. The trees and surrounding vegetation swiftly ignited, their embers ascending into the air like fireflies. It was the first time he had seen her this scared, as if she were a fragile porcelain doll that would break if he were late.
Screeches pierced the air, causing Emily to break her gaze away from Raylen to look at something small and cloaked behind the trees. It emitted a shrill scream before vanishing into thin air.
"Step forward," Raylen instructed her.
Emily frowned, her foot involuntarily moved backwards, and Raylen's eyes narrowed. Before she could fully comprehend her surroundings, she noticed the dark well. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before her and swiftly pulled her by the shawl wrapped around her arms.
"For fuck's sake, can you, for once, listen to what I say?" Raylen demanded in exasperation.
Emily could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her fear almost causing her to stumble into the well behind her. In response to Raylen's frustrated words, she retorted, "Step forward. Would 'there's a well behind you' have been too much to say?" She then added softly, "Thank you for finding me..."
She noticed Raylen gazing at her with a curious expression, and he didn't immediately release her shawl, as if contemplating whether to pull it tighter or release his grip on it.
"If I were to let go, would anyone come to find you, Princess?" Raylen asked in a calm voice, causing Emily to look back with concern.
"If you had wanted me dead, you wouldn't have come here," Emily stated, although she wasn't entirely sure about it. Raylen… his actions could be unexpected. "My brother and my family would be very unhappy. Grandmother would have the Devil on your tail."
Raylen's head tilted to the side before he said, "I wasn't aware your family had such a close connection with the Devil. She must be preparing for her next spot after all the things she has done here." With that, he pulled her away from the well, adding, "My little amusement will die if you were gone. Besides, there's no point killing someone who is already dying."
When Emily balanced herself, Raylen's words caught her off guard. She asked him, "What were those things that burned over there?"
"Bugs," Raylen replied, looking at the nearby trees that were still burning. "Bugs of death. They are attracted to bodies that are nearing death. They try to latch on to the host, waiting for the soul to depart. Normally, these bugs can't be seen with the naked eye, except for a few—"
"I am not dying!" Emily exclaimed, laughing at Raylen's attempted joke. However, when he turned to meet her eyes, his gaze was serious. Her hands grew cold, and she uttered, "That can't be possible…"
"You were once an archdemon's soulmate, and though that connection is no more, it has initiated the decay of your soul," Raylen explained to her.
"Oh, God," Emily muttered, wondering if she had attracted all the bad luck possible. Left without a soulmate, she had expected something like this might happen, but she didn't anticipate receiving confirmation of it. In truth, she didn't need to know.
A crackling sound echoed around them, and Raylen's imp appeared.
"What did you find out, Balor?" Raylen questioned it.
"There is a crack in the barrier near the port," the imp informed its master. "It is being guarded now."
"You can go," Raylen dismissed the imp, which transformed into smoke and vanished from their sight. He then turned to Emily and said, "Let us get you back to where everyone else is."
Emily didn't want to die; she wanted to live a long, happy life. She wondered whether, if she were to die, the haunting dreams that plagued her would persist. She followed Raylen back to where the horse was patiently waiting. He took hold of the saddle, and with a single fluid motion, he mounted the horse before turning his gaze towards her.
"Come on, Princess."
Emily looked up to meet Raylen's outstretched hand with a hesitant glance. Recognising she had little choice, she gingerly placed her hand in his before mounting the horse...
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