Alaric let out a soft sigh, feeling he'd expected too much from the fiery woman standing before him. His gaze softened as he realized she'd gotten anger instead of the special connection he'd hoped for. "Fine," he said, his voice gentle. "Calm down, my lady. Go change your clothes. Once you're ready, we'll head out together. Is that alright?" His words were a soothing balm, aimed at diffusing her frustration.
Luzella's anger melted away, replaced by a radiant smile that spread across her face, softening her features. Her lips curled up in a sweet, gentle curve as she replied, "Okay. Wait for me here."
Alaric hummed in response to acknowledge Luzella's words and he watched as she turned and left. Sometime later, the soft rustle of fabric announced her return, and Luzella descended the stairs, looking refreshed in her new attire. She walked towards Alaric, a smile still playing on her lips, and said, "I'm ready. Shall we go?" Her eyes sparkled with a hint of anticipation.
Alaric nodded, his eyes gleaming softly in the dim light, and stood up, his movements quiet and deliberate. Together, they walked side by side, their footsteps muffled on the cool night floor as they left the grand mansion behind, the midnight darkness wrapping around them like a silent blanket.
Luzella settled into the front passenger seat, the leather creaking softly beneath her. Alaric slid into the driver's seat, his movements were precise. He inserted the key, turned it, and the engine roared to life. The headlights cast a golden glow on the darkness ahead, illuminating the path as they pulled away from the mansion, the wheels smoothly gliding over the driveway.
Alaric's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his gaze intent and focused as he navigated the darkness. The silence between them was punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional passing of streetlights, casting fleeting shadows on his profile. His voice was low and smooth, as he asked her "Don't you have any questions to ask me?"
Luzella's frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion as she asked, "But you said, you want me to find answers?" Her voice was laced with a hint of uncertainty. So, Alaric replied straightforward, his voice calm and even, "About the earlier incident in the room." The silence that followed was brief, with Luzella's gaze drifting to his hand, her eyes lingering on the spot where the molten lava had touched his skin.
"Oh," Luzella said, a smile spreading across her face as she replied, "Actually, I'm shocked beyond your belief." Her eyes flashed with concern as she continued, "Maybe I was more afraid of what happened to your hand in that moment and didn't think much of it then." Her voice trailed off, and she took a deep breath before adding, "It's been some time now, and I'm still trying to process what happened." Luzella's gaze drifted to his hand again, her expression softening. "I don't mind listening if you want to tell me, but I won't ask."
Alaric's eyes flicked towards Luzella, his gaze piercing as he asked, "Why? Don't you want to know about it?" His voice was low, with a hint of curiosity, as if genuinely interested in her response. The dim light of the dashboard highlighted the sharp angles of his face.
Luzella glanced at Alaric, her eyes thoughtful as she replied, "I want to know, but that doesn't mean I have to ask. What if it's something personal? It's not my place to pry." She paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts before continuing, "You didn't answer the questions I had to ask, and instead, you told me to find out for myself. So, I think other things are unnecessary to ask." Her voice was measured, her tone considerate.
Alaric eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, as he asked, "Don't you fear me anymore, that I'll do something to you?" his tone seemed to awaiting for her honest response, as if eager to hear her thoughts.
However, Luzella's response was a vague hum, her gaze drifting out the window as she stared into the darkness. The passing streetlights cast fleeting shadows on her face, but her expression remained calm.
Alaric's eyes flicked towards Luzella briefly, his gaze softening as he suggested, "If you're sleepy, you should take a nap. It'll take some time to reach." a hint of consideration underlying his words.
Luzella met Alaric's suggestion with a glance, her eyes locking onto his for a moment before she replied, "I'm not particularly sleepy, I slept earlier. But if I feel drowsy, I'll definitely take a nap." Her voice was smooth, her tone matter-of-fact. Alaric responded with a soft hum, his expression unreadable as he returned his gaze to the road ahead.
After a while, Luzella fell asleep with her head against the car window. Alaric glanced at her, a small smile formed on his lips. His smile remained as he turned his attention back to the road and accelerated to his ability, the scenery blurring by. Luzella would have been in for a surprise if she had been awake to see the breathtaking view whizzing by.
An hour later, The car halted at the desolate area, shrouded in an eerie darkness. The black soil stretched out like a canvas, contrasting starkly with the moonlit sky above, where dark clouds loomed ominously. In the distance, skeletal trees stood like guards, their branches tangled with dry, overgrown grass. Amidst the landscape, crumbling houses and abandoned structures seemed to whisper tales of the past, their emptiness casting a haunting spell. An unsettling silence enveloped the area, punctuated only by the distant wind.
Alaric hadn't initially planned on bringing Luzella to this place, but her unyielding stubbornness had eventually worn him down. He felt a sense of ease knowing she was near and he could protect her more effectively. With her by his side, Alaric's concerns about her safety diminished, and he was more focused on the task at hand. Perhaps, he thought, having her along would be so better after all.
Alaric turned his head and looked at Luzella, who was sleeping very cutely. Her cheeks were plump, and Alaric gently stroked one cheek with his fingers, the softness of her skin was too delicate. The gentle touch seemed to calm him, and he let his fingers linger for a moment. His gaze then fell on Luzella's lips, which looked pale in the dim light. Alaric stared at her lips without blinking, and his throat felt dry, as if the air around him had grown thick. As an instinct, his hand moved to touch Luzella's lips, his fingers tracing the gentle curve of her mouth. But just as he did, he seemed to catch himself, and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He exhaled slowly, and withdrew his hand.
As Alaric sat there, a car suddenly pulled up alongside his, the sound of the engine dying down. Two figures emerged from the vehicle, and Alaric's gaze narrowed as he recognized Rowan and Butler Halley. It had been at least three hours since they had departed, and yet, they had only just arrived. In contrast, Alaric and Luzella, who had left a hour back, managed to cover the distance at a remarkable pace, arriving at the desolate location ahead of Rowan and Halley. The two newcomers stepped out of their car, their eyes scanning the surroundings before fixing on Alaric's vehicle without a flicker of surprise. Their faces remained impassive, simply acknowledging Alaric's presence. It was as if it was entirely normal for Alaric to have arrived before them, and they didn't bat an eyelid at the fact. Their expressions were flat, without expectation or surprise, merely registering the situation. They walked towards it, their movements deliberate, their faces shrouded in the darkness. Rowan's eyes seemed to gleam with a calculation as he approached Alaric's car, while Halley stood beside him, his expression unreadable. However, when they spotted Luzella sleeping in the passenger seat, their bodies frozen and their eyes widened, their composure momentarily faltered, simply they shocked to their cores.
"Halley, is this for real, or am I seeing things?" Rowan asked Butler Halley, his voice laced with surprise and curiosity.
Halley was taken aback, his mind racing to process the unexpected scene before him. They knew how deeply Luzella's presence important to Alaric, having witnessed countless instances where Alaric's attempts to recall his forgotten past always had ended in frustration and anger. The thought of approaching Alaric, especially at those moments to his side, made them shiver. They had seen Alaric's desperation, his anguish, and the torment that came with being unable to remember the girl who seemed to occupy every corner of his being. Despite the passage of time, Alaric's memories of Luzella remained elusive, yet his emotions and longing for her persisted, a constant reminder of his pain and loss. The sound of his heart being torn apart seemed to echo through the years, a haunting testament to Alaric's enduring anguish.
Butler Halley's thoughts swirled with questions. Why had Alaric brought Luzella here? Did she have any idea about this place? If she doesn't know yet, How will Alaric respond to her inevitable questions if she knows? Had he considered the potential consequences of bringing her into this situation? And what about Luzella if she knows? Will she be frightened by Alaric's presence or the atmosphere of this place? He just met her recently, Had Alaric thought through the potential risks and repercussions? Halley's mind was filled with doubts and uncertainties as he watched Luzella.
Not getting any response from Butler Halley, Rowan's gaze drifted to Butler Halley, who stood frozen, lost in thought, his expression a mask of deep contemplation. Rowan's eyes lingered on him, expecting some sign of acknowledgement, but Halley remained still and silent, his gaze fixed on Alaric's car.
Rowan nudged Butler Halley and asked, "What are you thinking about, lost in thought?" Halley jolted back to reality, his eyes refocusing on Rowan. "The consequences," he replied, his voice laced with concern.
As Alaric stepped out of the car, Halley's eyes locked onto him, and he said to Rowan. "Let's go, he's getting down." Rowan followed Halley's gaze, his eyes settling on Alaric's figure as he walked towards him. Without another word, Halley led the way, striding towards Alaric. Rowan fell into step beside him, their movements synchronized as they approached Alaric.
Alaric's words cut through the air, his tone sharp and commanding. "You are so slow," he said, his voice laced with the same intensity and intimidation that he typically used for everyone, Unlike his gentle behaviour for Luzella. His gaze seemed to bore into Halley, his expression unyielding.
Hmm, why do you think Rowan and Halley surprised beyond their imaginations? Then pls do read about to know about the mystery place.