I sighed. Did I overreact? I mean, I must have. I probably sounded like the original female lead, yelling those words. He only tried to kill me because he thought I was still her. I gently raised my hands towards him, cupping his cheeks.
"Okay then, till death do us part," I said softly, and watched his eyes shift into confusion. I saw that small vulnerability in his eyes and gently placed my forehead against his. I caught him blushing softly.
"I was wrong. You have every right to be angry at me," I said. I shouldn't have said those words. I hugged him. I felt his body tense up at my action, but he didn't push me away. It was warm. "I won't ever hurt you again!" I said softly, wrapping my hands around him tighter.
I pulled away from the hug the moment I sighted Orange. The cat had disappeared ever since our last encounter… I knew she was my guide, but still, taking care of her made me happy. I had always wanted a pet, but my ex never let me have one. He was always allergic; it didn't matter the animal. I had given up on trying to get one, but with her, I could fulfil that dream.
I crouched down and gently rubbed her fur, watching as her eyes beamed with joy. "Meow." She snuggled into my arms and a smile curled on my lips. I didn't realize when a soft tear escaped my eyes. I wiped it off. I could feel Azrael's burning gaze and turned to him, beaming softly.
"Since when did you care about cats? Since when did you care about anything other than Darian?" he asked, and I raised my brows in confusion. Did she only ever obsess over Dariel? I mean, I did read the novel, but it was never portrayed to this extent. I sighed softly and turned back to Orange, stroking her gently. "I used to be someone else, but I'm different now," I said, turning my gaze to him once again.
"Azrael, would you ever trust me again?"
I watched as he stiffened, put off by my question, and parted his lips. "Because your acting different and you did a few nice things doesn't mean I trust you. I'm not foolish like the others!" he spat. His eyes went dark, his anger visible, but behind them I could see something else: hurt.
"Hmm, of course, Azrael. Clearly, even after everything, I'm the same F-rank villainess that has tormented you and your fellow beast-men. I know I hurt you, but I'm trying, Azrael. I'm not asking you to forgive me, just give me another chance," I said, and he disappeared into mist.
I shifted my gaze to the cat. I placed a fish in a bowl and gently placed it before her. She ate gracefully, and I yawned. The room wasn't hot anymore, and I suddenly didn't feel cold.
"Why?" I asked, and at that moment a message popped up: [Congrats, Azrael's affection level increased by 2%]. Hearing the system notification, I choked on my own saliva. Did he warm me up before leaving? A warm smile curled on my lips.
I climbed on the bed and snuggled into the sheets, smiling, blushing softly. The night was really warm. I guess he can forgive me after all, I thought to myself, drifting into sleep.
MORNING
The carriage had arrived, and I stared out, watching as the maids carried my things into it.
"You seem really happy today! Did anything happen?" Ryker asked, and I turned to him, gently placing my hands on his cheeks. "You seemed to have slept well yesterday too," I said, trying to shift his focus away from yesterday. Remembering the kiss with Thyrian, my cheeks turned rosy red.
Then Ryker guided me out, and we walked towards the carriage, taking our seats. Veyra had already taken his seat, and Thyrian would be transported after the pool was completed. But Azrael wasn't here. I stared at the gate, waiting for him. I thought we'd gotten closer yesterday. I thought he'd at least come say goodbye, even if he wasn't coming.
"I don't think Azrael wants to come with us, master," Ryker said, and I bit down on my lip. I could feel the maids' judging gazes.
"I knew she wasn't able to control her beast-men." "I don't even like her."
Others whispered, but I just stood there, waiting. My hope was faltering. I thought his affection level had increased, but with everything now, I guess he still hated me.
"We'll go drag him out!" Veyra and Ryker said, but I raised my hands to stop them. "Let's just head out." I had completely given up when, out of nowhere, Azrael appeared, walking majestically. His fitted suit clung onto him well, revealing his broad shoulders and built structure. My eyes brightened, a smile creeping on my face. But at that moment, my smile faltered, sighting who followed closely behind… the Duke?
I remembered in the novel, once a daughter was leaving for the Beast Bond Academy, the mother and her eldest beast father are to greet their child before they go. The Duke had seen Elowen off, and I guessed she didn't want to see me off.
Did Azrael actually convince her to come so others wouldn't gossip about me? Did he convince her to come see me off? No one really cared for me to this extent.
He stood before me and bowed. "Sorry I was late, the Duke had kept me waiting," he said, but I reached out to him, stopping him mid-bow.
"It's okay," I said and trailed my gaze to the Duke. She scoffed, eyeing Azrael with hatred. Looks like he had used physical means to actually make her come. The thought made me chuckle softly. "Good job, you did well," I whispered, and he shifted his gaze to me. I didn't expect that and suddenly froze.
"I bless you, child, as you go!" the Duke said, cutting through the silence, not even looking in my direction. Her tone carried indifference and reluctance.
"Don't worry, mother, as the eldest, I promise to take care of Elowen." Hearing my words, she snapped her gaze towards me. She gritted her teeth and opened her mouth to say something, but Azrael's gaze met hers and she stumbled on her words.
"Do care for her," she said, ready to leave, but I moved towards her and hugged her. She stiffened, staring in shock.
"Thank you for coming," I said, hugging tighter. I expected her to push me off, but she gently tapped my back. I pulled away from the hug, ready to turn away when…
"Raven!" I heard a tiny voice call out from afar… Lily. She was holding the hem of her dress, running as fast as she could.
Oh! I had forgotten about her. I had been too focused on the events that happened after the day the Duke dismissed her from my room. She hugged me tightly, not even breaking her sprint, and I staggered but managed to keep my posture, hugging her fragile teenage body.
"I'll miss you so much, sister," she said softly, and I laughed gently, caressing her hair.
"Be a good girl to Mother till I'm back, okay, and practice really hard. I want you to be an A-ranker," I said and watched as her smile widened.
"And sister, don't care about what anyone calls you there. You are the best," she said, and I gently pinched her cheeks.
"I know," I boasted, and she giggled.
"Byeeeeeeeee," she waved as I and Azrael walked into the carriage. I didn't mind the shocked expressions on the maids, like hot oil had been poured all over them, with their jaws hanging wide open.
"You are late, master was ridiculed by everyone," Veyra said the moment he stepped in, but Azrael kept a straight face.
"She can handle smear words," he said and gently sat down. Ryker laughed in anger.
"Still, you could have come a bit earlier," he scolded, and Azrael rolled his eyes.
"You guys shouldn't quarrel with Azrael. He did help me. It's not his fault," My voice faded as I looked out the window, pretending to focus on the passing scenery. But my chest didn't feel calm.
Azrael had come… and even the Duke showed up because of him. I swallowed hard. For a moment, I didn't know why my chest felt so tight.
"…Why does it feel like this?" I thought quietly.
My fingers slowly tightened against my own lap. No one said anything in the carriage. The silence felt heavier than usual.
And then it hit me....My parents never came for me. Not for graduation. Not for anything important. I always stood alone and told myself it didn't matter.
But now…
I didn't realize when my vision started to blur.
For the first time…It wasn't emptiness I was feeling, It was warmth.
The tears slipped out, falling to the ground as I cried hard. I didn't realize when a soft hand reached for my cheeks.
"It's okay," Ryker said, and Veyra gently patted my back. But it only made me cry harder.
"I re-al-ly have only you guys!" I cried out more, choking on my words, but only Azrael stared from his seat… my gaze bored into his, and he looked away.
"You shouldn't be this weak," he said, and Ryker bared his fangs at him, even Veyra's eyes glowed brighter red.
"Thank you," I said, and Azrael's lips parted. He stared at me for a second and looked away.
"I didn't do it for you!" he said, and I nodded.
"I know. But thank you so much, Azrael. You made me feel better," I said.
"He did nothing special. I could have also done that!" Veyra said, and I chuckled, gently rubbing his horn.
"Of course you would have!"
"What about me?" Ryker suddenly asked, staring as I caressed Veyra's horn. I gently roamed my hands around his hair, and his fox eyes popped out, making me smile.
I shifted my gaze to Azrael, who was focused outside, and I stood up. My hands reached for his hair, and he trembled, his gaze met mine… and I locked gazes with him.
His cheeks turned rosy red.
…
…
[SYSTEM ALERT: Host has entered a designated Death Zone.]