Chapter 31

"Students !!! Take action! We're here !!"
I rubbed my eyes as I tried to get rid of the drowsiness. I looked at my watch and saw it was 8 pm. I tapped Lily who was leaning on my shoulder and still asleep.
"Hey! Ly! We're here. Wake up there,"
"Ahh! I'm still sleepy. I finished a lot of reports last night. I'm so tired," he complained.
"You can go to sleep later. For now, let's get up so we can fix the things and eat as well,"
He left leaning on me so I stood up to get my bag on our heads. We got off the bus together and followed our classmates as if amazed. Who can't stare at the heights of the trees. It was like we were on a show. Just a few steps away we reached a hotel. That's the only thing that gives light around except for the lights on the road earlier that we passed.
We stopped in the lobby and there three professors told us to come with us to the assigned rooms. Then we went one by one. Unlike others, the hotel is made of wood and cement with a gold theme. Very beautiful.
"Ahh. I really want to sleep! Vy! I'm so tired,"
I laughed when I saw that only one eye was open on him. Now I noticed her big eyebags. I opened the door and dropped my bag on the floor. The room is simple. Two beds with nightstand in the middle. In front of it are two more single sofas and coffee table in the middle, balcony, wardrobe and bathroom.
"I'll sleep first. I don't want to die vy," Ly
He was already lying down when I looked at his behavior, "All right. I'll just tell the professor that you're not feeling well. I'll just bring you some food here,"
I took my sling bag containing my cellphone and wallet then I left our room. I made sure the door was locked. I know that woman. Even if we rob, he has no use as long as he can sleep.
"Where is Miss. Mariano?" Prof
"She's feeling bad prof so I'll just bring her food upstairs," I explained
"I see. Well, tomorrow he has to participate. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Maybe he will regret it," prof
"Yes prof. I'm sure he can regain his strength now,"
He nodded. I went ahead and sat in one of the chairs there. They willingly gave us the food so I didn't have to stand up.
"Munchkin!"
I turned to Luke with a wide smile on my lips. I smiled back at him.
"Are you with me?"
"Yeah. I'm on the other bus. I heard that you're going so I go too. There's no way you'll go somewhere without me,"
I was swallowed. Why do I feel I should be nervous at what he said. He sat down next to me and shared a meal with me.
"Cassandra? She might see here. I don't want any more trouble Luke," I reminded
"I told you baby munchkin. She's not going to harm you anymore. You just need to trust me," Luke
Trust? Are you very confident?
I just shook my head and finished my meal. I would have let him know when he held my arm.
"Stay. Please. I want to spend time with you tonight,"
This man knows how to hypnotize because I just nodded at him. We stood together and without a word he pulled me out of the hotel.
"L-Luke! Where are we going? It's too late for us to wander around here. Luke !!"
I'm nervous. The surroundings were very dark and I could only see the road because of the bulbs on the pole.
"Calm down. I saw a hill here earlier. I want you to see it. It's amazing munchkin,"
"H-Hill? Luke! Please! Let's go home! What if there are bad people roaming around here right now? Maybe we can,"
But he did not listen. I was even more nervous as we veered off the road. The forest is really where we walk. The lights were gone before.
"Why do you always have to be killjoy, munchkin? You should experience the real life and this is it. Aren't you tired studying your ass off, following your parents and not being able to discover things that makes you alive? Because I ' m sick of those things. I'm here munchkin to make you feel alive so trust me, okay. You're pissing me off, "
I was stunned by the last thing he said. Is he disgusted with me? But I'm just worried for the two of us. And I promised papa but I"m here now with him and ruining myself for walking in the middle of the forest.
'You're a big princess'
'You already know right and wrong'
'I hope it doesn't happen again'
I took a deep breath and pulled my arm hard on hers. He looked at me.
"What's your problem?"
"I'm a woman of conviction. I promised my parents I wouldn't hurt myself and that's what I'll do. Even if you're mad at me because they're the ones I followed, I don't care Luke. I won't stop you. I'm going home, "
Without saying a word I turned around and hurried back to the hotel. Fortunately, I memorized what we walked before. I got to the hotel right away and went straight inside our room.
Ly was already sitting when I arrived. I sat on my bed.
"Vy? What happened to you?" Ly
"I left Luke in the woods. I hate him," I close my eyes
"Why? What did he do?" He was able to sit up
"He wanted to take me to a hill. I said I didn't want to but he was forcing me. I promised papa that I wouldn't hurt myself so when he forced me, I got angry and left him. Did I do the right thing?"
"For me, yes. Because you're my friend who keeps his promise. Luke did the wrong thing to break what you promised your dad," Ly
"Yes. By the way. I forgot the food. I'm sorry. He pulled me,"
"It's okay. It's enough for me to know that my friend really has a limit,"
***
I prepared the paper, ballpen, camera and put them in my sling bag along with the phone. Then I pinched my hair and Ly came out of the bathroom dressed.
"Tara na vy,"
I stood up and slung my sling bag over my shoulder then we left the room together. I felt strange excitement at the idea of ​​seeing the old palace of the Filifians. It is now modern so they decided to build a modern palace.
We were the third of the universities chosen to have a tour of the palace so around noon we would go there after the second. We can't go there at the same time. We gathered outside the hotel and listened to the rules and regulations then we walked towards the palace.
We couldn"t bring a car there so we left at the hotel. We had to walk only a few kilometers to get there and it was said that the area was upside down because there were many soldiers on guard.
"It would be nice here. It's like we're in a movie. Because it's a horror movie," Ly said
I laughed when he said, "It's crazy! Don't ruin the reputation of those trees! They were the only ones who witnessed the events at the Filifian Castle so don't say that they used to be horror movies,"
"Still. What does that palace look like? I only saw it in the picture," Ly
I shrugged, "I don't know either. I'm already curious,"
After a half-hour walk we also reached a large gate that was very old. My foot hurts. But because of the scene I can see, it seems like it's gone. I was even more excited to see the inside. We stopped for a moment.
"Wow. Do you see this Ly? I feel like I'm in a movie! Even though the gate is old, it's still nice," I said in amazement.
"You're right. It's amazing and curious at the same time,"
I stared at the gate. I have a strange feeling. I would love to come in and see the inside.
"STUDENTS !! Listen carefully. You're big so we hope you don't do any nonsense or forbid all laws to enter inside. There's thousands of guards surrounding this area and if they see you do something against the rules they gave us. We'll not be responsible if they lock you up here for three days. UNDERSTOOD? " We shouted Prof
We stared at him as he explained everything. After a long ceremony. Gradually the gate opened and we were exposed to an old palace. It's still nice even if the cracks in the wall are obvious.
Because our prof allowed us to split up. We immediately veered away from the other students. Ly and I are more comfortable when we are alone.
I don"t know how many minutes have passed since we circled half the palace. My foot really hurts so we decided to sit first in the old gazebo in the garden part.
"I'm thirsty Vy. You're here first. I'll find something for us to drink," Ly said goodbye
"Okay. Just hurry up. The time given to us is almost over. It's a pity if we can't go around this whole thing,"
He nodded then walked away. I leaned my back then closed my eyes. The pain in my feet.
Because of the quiet of the surroundings, I was somehow able to rest myself. Until I felt something caress my shoulder. I quickly lost my eyesight and didn"t expect who I would see.
Now I can see his eyes well. I had a chance to see his blue eyes.
Electric blue eyes
"It's nice to see you here lady blue! What are you doing in my palace --- the Filifian?"
I quickly adjusted to sitting and widened the eyes staring at him. My lips felt pity and I still couldn't believe it.
I can't believe I'll see him again.
"Are you the man in the waterfalls right ?? The one with the beautiful hair,"
He laughed softly and sat down next to me. The mask on his face was still there.
"Yeah lady blue. That's me. What are you doing here by the way?"
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. There was a strange twinkle in his eyes that I could not explain but my attention was not there but the cloth that covered half of his face.
"Why do you have a mask? Are you hiding something? Or are you sick? Then what are you doing here? Are you among the universities that are allowed to visit here?" I asked a series of questions
I really wonder what he"s doing here. Only one university at a time is admitted here inside, and it's our time now so if he can enter here. Does that mean he's studying at the university I'm studying at?
He averted his eyes and sat up before looking at me again, "Do you want to see my face?"
Suddenly my heart beat faster at his question. He said that seriously and it looks like he has no intention of taking it back. I felt something strange envelop my body.
I want to see his face.
"Lady blue? Do you want to see my face?"
I swallowed and nodded slowly. My heart beat faster as he raised his hand to remove the cloth that covered his face. And when the cloth was removed, my heart stopped beating when I saw the whole of his face. I can not breathe.
"A-you're handsome," I exclaimed
My eyes widened and I covered my mouth. I heard her faint laugh as if it had become music to my ears. There was something there that was beating fast in my heart. I was distracted by the feeling of my cheek getting hot.
Why didn't I even restrain myself?
"I know lady blue. But I'm still thankful. When you said that I seemed to believe even more that I was handsome," he laughed.
"B-why? G-you're really handsome,"
I was devastated to realize that I had repeated what I had said before. This time he laughed louder and was shaken.
"Don't spoil me too much. I might increase my self -confidence even more,"
I also laughed at him but I was stopped by someone who remembered me, "I forgot to ask something. What's your name? When we met, I didn't even know the name. I was sad because I might never see you again,"
He was suddenly stunned when he looked into my eyes. There was hesitation there but he also lost his smile on me. I was quickly attracted to his smile.
Who would have thought that you were so handsome in this world?
Who would have thought that there was more to Luke?
"Luhence ... My name is Luhence, lady blue. I live here in Filifia. That's why I'm so happy that I met you again, here in the lady where I was born," Luhence
I looked away as my heartbeat got stronger.
"My name is Elvy but you can call me Vy, luhence,"
His eyes were so dim when I looked at him again. I smiled at him. I looked at his hand as it rose to put some of my hair behind my ear.
"You had a very beautiful name, elvy," Luhence
***
He felt something inside, it's burning, it's making his heart go wild. And he knew what it was. Those captivating ocean blue eyes were making him go crazy over something he cannot comprehend.
He cannot take his eyes away from her. It was like a magnet.
"You had a very beautiful name, elvy," he whispered
The moment her lips tug into smile. He swoon. He's smitten right away.
'This lady. Will bring the death of me '
"Who the fuck are you ?! Don't you dare touch my munchkin you assh-le !!"
"L-luke?"
I got up from my seat when I saw Luke with a furious expression on his face. Wait? I shouldn"t be nervous. But why do I feel nervous not for me but for Luhence?
Before he could approach Luhence, I blocked his path. He gave me a bad look but I was not shaken.
"How dare you let him touch you? YOU ARE MINE! Get out or I'll be mad at you!" He shouted
"Man, If you want me out. I'm leaving. Just don't scream at her. She don't deserve that," Luhence said calmly.
"Shut up! You moron! I'm going to kill you!"
"Luke !!"
But he did not listen to me. He pulled me to the side causing me to sit down. I stared at Luke's fist that was about to hit Luhence in the face when someone stopped him.
"Where did you get the gut to punch Pri ----,"
"Stop Nash. Just leave them behind," Luhence commanded seriously
I just stared at them. I seem to have lost the word of what I see now.
"But majes ----,"
"Let's go," Luhence
Luhence looked at me first and smiled wryly before he walked away with the man named Nash. I could see the sadness in his smiles and it was as if my heart was pounding especially when I saw his receding back.
"VY! I can't believe you let him touch you!" Luke
I turned to her and sighed. I stood up to sit down.
"I also can't believe you just pushed me like that, just because you're mad at him. We're not doing anything wrong Luke. How many times can I make you understand that I'm not like other women. I'm not like your women Luke! "
I turned my back on him and walked away. I ignored her loud calling my name.
I can't accept that he treated Luhence like that.
***
"The King ordered clearly to me that if someone hurt, disgrace and threaten you. I will cut his head off from his body no matter who's that! Why didn't you let that bastard go? He called you names and even urge to punch you in the face! He was disgracing you in your own land Prince Dwight! " Nash rant
"Shut up Nash. It's better that way. They don't know who I am and they must not know about it until my parents introduce me to the world,"
The young man expertly climbed the horse and walked the horse slowly. He never lost sight of the girl. There were many questions in her mind and only the girl could answer them.
'Who is that man?'
Just by that question, he was already hurt. How else could the girl's answer to him.
"You show her your face. You knew it's dangerous but you still did. Why?" Nash
She smiled bitterly, "It's because I trust her Nash and I like her. But it seems like the world was against us,"
"Prince Dwight," Nash
"I know my responsibilities so I should get used of watching her from afar,"
***
"Where are you going Vy?" Ly
I met him as I was returning to the gate. Fortunately Luke no longer followed me. I feel annoyed because of what he did and all I want to do now is avoid him. I don't want to see his face.
"There are only 15 minutes left so it's good that we go back to the hotel. I don't want to be here anymore," I said
"W-what? Are you thinking right vy? Isn't this one of your dreams? To see the palace of the Filifians? Why are you going home right away? We'll have a lot more to go around in that 15 minutes. And then we'll walk too far and it"s not safe just the two of us, "Ly
I sighed and turned to face him, "I don't want to see Luke. I hate him,"
"Huh? Why? What happened?" Ly
"Long story as long as I hate him,"
"Okay? Let's just not leave until the others are with us,"
I hugged myself as we waited for the others. Lily was just playing on her cellphone and I was looking at the pictures on my cellphone with a sneeze. I felt excited when I saw Luhence sitting on his horse. He was with Nash who was staring intently at Lily and me.
"What are you doing here? Have you toured the whole palace?" Luhence
I shook my head, "I've lost my appetite. I feel like I just want to rest so we went here. We would have liked to go back to the hotel where we were staying in case it was too dangerous if we were alone," I replied.
Suddenly the energy returned to her smile but it also disappeared immediately, "We can take you with your friend but your boyfriend might get angry. I don't want to ruin a relationship, lady blue,"
I shook my head and approached them, "It's okay Luhence. She's not my boyfriend. I'm just dating her. I'm sorry for what she did before. Maybe it's just jealousy,"
I smiled as I saw the happy smile draw on her lips. He held out his hand to me, "Then let me and my horse drive you home, lady blue. It will be an honor to take care of a beautiful lady like you,"
I smiled and accepted his palm wholeheartedly. He pulled me to sit on the horse. I was in front of him and I could feel the heat of his breathing hitting the back of my head. I felt the heat but I ignored it. All I know is.
I am happy when he is close to me.
***
"When are you going home?" Luhence asked
Her voice was tinged with sadness. Even though I can't see his face, I know he still doesn't want me to leave.
"Yes. We will also return to Ihmapuleya. We only have three days to stay here and we still have a lot to do at school," I explained.
"Is that so? If that's the case I'll just go there. Is it okay with you lady blue?" He asked kindly
My cheeks warmed and I smiled. It's a good thing he can't see my face because he's behind me.
I was touched in my heart when I felt the acceleration. I was brought back to justice when he suddenly spoke again.
"Lady blue? Is it yes or no,"
"Yes! ... Y-yes. You can go there. Whenever you want," I answered quickly
"I'm glad, lady blue, I'm really glad,"
I didn't have anything to say to him so I just kept quiet until we reached the hotel but we didn't get too close in front of it. Our position is hidden. I was surprised to look at him but was unable to ask.
"We're only up to here lady blue. We're still going somewhere so I'm sorry if it's only up to here ---,"
"It's okay. That's why we can walk. You two be careful. In the evening, something bad might happen to you," I reminded.
He put the cloth on his face earlier and then got off the horse to help me get down. I stared into his blue eyes that were addictive.
"Take care of yourself lady blue," he said seriously
I could only nod in response to him before I pulled Ly in the direction of the hotel. As we got closer and closer, I looked around but he did not disappear from my sight until we got inside. And when he disappeared.
I felt sad
***
"It's annoying that he's with Vy! I can't believe he called me brat. I'm not brat Vy! Right !!?" Sighing Ly said
I was just stunned by the absence as I leaned against the headboard of my bed. I will never forget Luhence especially since I feel very sad now that we are apart again. I don't even know if we'll ever meet again.
"Vy? Aren't you hungry? Because I am. I've been blabbering on like this before but you're not listening. It's so hungry," Ly said.
"I'm sorry. Let's go so we can eat at the chin. I'm sure the others have returned," I said
I put on my ankle boots then I got up and we went out of our room together. Luke and what had happened earlier suddenly came to my mind. I felt annoyed again. It's a good thing Cassandra isn't here but I might not go out of my room even if I can't eat.
"Where did you see that man? He's handsome, anyway. Like a prince," Ly
I stopped walking and looked at him. He gave me a startled look so I walked again.
Prince? Luhence?
Impossible. No prince would dare to speak to just a simple man and no office in the palace. And then surely a prince does a lot to wander outside like Luhence does.
No. He is not a prince. Maybe he just had a job or his family so his face was covered with a cloth.
I quickly looked for a seat and when I saw someone on the side. I immediately invited him to go there. I want to avoid Luke first. A waiter came and asked for our order, which we also gave right away.
"Luke. Looks like he's looking for you," Ly whispered
I quickly looked at the part he was looking at. Luke's eyes were looking for something and when he found my eye he quickly approached us. I averted my eyes and continued eating. He pulled up a chair and there he sat.
"Vy? Talk to me please. I'm sorry for shouting at you earlier. I didn't mean it. I'm just .... I'm just jealous that someone's touching my munchkin. Please, forgive me, I 'm not mad at you but are you? " Luke
A few seconds passed before I answered.
"I'm not mad at you. I'm pissed! You shouldn't have done that to Luhenc!"
"Are you defen ----,"
"NO! I mean. Because of what you did I've proven that you don't trust me. You haven't even had a boyfriend like that yet! What if we're already together? You know it's not good to be jealous without a basis in a relationship!" I was disgusted to say
"Why I had this feeling that you were defending the fool ----,"
I stood up violently as I sat down so that everyone inside could look at me but I didn't care. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Don't underestimate that man, Luke. Come on Ly,"
He quickly stood up and chased after my fast pace. I was suddenly confronted by someone holding my arm.
"Let's talk," Luke said
The wind blew me away so that I would somehow get rid of my annoyance with him.
"That's first Ly. I'll be right next,"
"But Vy ---,"
"First that Lily," I sternly commanded
Maybe he saw the seriousness in my voice so he just nodded and walked away. I looked at Luke.
"Speak of that,"
"Not here munchkin. Please," he pleaded
"And where? I don't want to go out ---,"
"Just somewhere that no one can hear us. Please?" Luke
"Okay. Just don't do what you did in the past,"
"I promised munchkin. Come on,"
This time I pulled him. He took me to the back of the hotel where there were chairs. It is windy there and relaxing because there is a small lake overlooking the distance, trees and towering mountains.
"I'm sorry Vy,"
I was surprised when he suddenly hugged me, "L-luke!"
"Let me. I won't harm you my baby munchkin. I'm really sorry for what I did earlier. I know you can't understand it but that's how I am when I'm jealous. Forgive me I shouted at you "Believe cause I didn't really mean it,"
I was like a pole just standing there while he hugged me. I feel some because of the contact of that body with me. I fell silent and let go of his hug.
"P-I forgive you," was my short reply
"Yes! I knew it. My baby munckin can't resist me. So now that we're fine. Can I take you for a date tomorrow after class?" Luke
I looked away and hugged myself. I was wondering if I would agree. Because last time he took me out to the falls. He forced me to lie to dad and mom so they got mad at me. I promised I would never do that again and I would take care of myself.
"I-I want you to let Papa know me first. He seems to know that ----,"
"What? !! Is it even necessary? You're not a kid anymore. It doesn't matter wether you tell them that!" He complained
I felt annoyed again because I could see the expression on his face. He seemed disgusted at the thought that he would let me know just to get out. I crossed my arms and looked at him wickedly. I'm not missing this man!
"If you don't want to. Don't expect me to come with you!"
I was about to turn around when he grabbed my arm, "Okay! Fine! Damn it! Are you happy?" He asked in disgust
I didn't answer and was almost stunned. I removed his grip on my arm.
"I'm leaving. We'll be home early tomorrow," I said goodbye
"Wait! Munchkin!"
I turned to her and gasped in shock as she kissed me. My eyes rolled and I couldn't push him away in panic.
***
He don't know why but he felt his chest tightened at the scene in front of him. He could clearly see how the man pulled the girl and then kissed her on the lips.
He never felt this pain before and it was worst. Just like something slicing his heart into two. He looked away and walked slowly to the horse.
"See you around, my lady blue," he whispered in a pained voice