CHAPTER 125: HOW TO SAY THESE THINGS?

Hael

What do I feel for her? How do I describe it in words? I stared at her quietly.

She asked a question I couldn’t have given an immediate answer to.

"I," I began and then stopped

But I do want to give her an answer. She has changed and I thought she might not have any affection for me anymore but time proved that wrong.

"Yes?" She looked at me with all her focus, "I’m listening."

I feel that we are a step away from becoming what will make me feel whole again

I can tell that she will make me feel whole again.

But how do I put it in words?

I need to collect my words. I want them to match my thoughts

But it’s proving to be more difficult than I thought.

I looked down at my chest.

These... Feelings.... They’ve grown.

I looked straight again, straight into her eyes

I don’t wish to mess this up.

Would simple words like, ’I want you’ be enough?

But I already knew I wanted her, I realized the reason later.

Do I add that?

I parted my lips to speak but my mind wouldn’t form correct words.

When she came out of the closet with my clothes on, wearing my shirt. I felt my mind stop working for a moment.

It just went blank

When she danced, I thought my heart would stop. I felt things about her, I have never experienced

How do I put them into words? And how much do I have to put into words?

I had no idea what to say.

Amber

I stared at Hael, he tried to speak but nothing much came out of his mouth.

Am I forcing him? Does he need time? I shouldn’t put pressure on him. I already regret how I pressured him into telling his past to me.

Although I also believe that Hael would never have told me all that if it wasn’t for a situation like that, but I still hate how I reacted.

I shouldn’t do that again.

"Hael," I smiled at him,

"Yes?" There was a soft frown on his face

"You can take your time to answer." I smiled, "There’s no need to rush it, I’ve already asked my question. You can answer me, when you have your thoughts collected."

The frown on his forehead disappeared, "Is that fine?"

I nodded, "It’s fine, but do answer me though!" I made my point clear, "I will wait for it, but I don’t mind how much time it takes."

He gave me a slow nod, "Alright,"

***

Lyal

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I glared at the guards, "I went there myself?" My head was bleeding. I had multiple injuries and was bleeding all over.

That bastard of a magician left me in the densest part of the forest. The place was filled with miasma and corrupted beasts!

"Your highness!" I was at the gate of the palace, "We’ll help you in!" Two guards came to support me.

"His highness isn’t thinking straight." Another guard was talking to a comrade of his, "He said he was taken in the forest but a lot of people saw him go there himself."

The two guards that supported my weight began to help me.

Does everyone here thinks I went in the forest by myself?

I gritted my teeth.

Hael, that son of a gun. He must have done something to make people believe that!

So I can’t hold him accountable for his actions?

I balled my fists over the shoulders of the guards.

He did this for Corvina, didn’t he? Because I tried to kiss her? That bastard has hots for her, but did he think I’d die in the forest?

The image of the big skeletal monster came back to me and my body shuddered. The way it was looking at me, the way I couldn’t see anything but its eyes, at least not till the time I used my magic, it was terrifying.

I was as good as gone.

I’ve lost flesh, fractured bones, even broke my ribs and if I didn’t know anything about that ’thing’ beforehand, I would have died!

I still might die, I’m losing too much blood!

***

Amber

We got a call from the Royal Palace. They said it was a medical emergency and they needed the saint as soon as possible.

I honestly didn’t want to use my powers to heal Lyal but I also couldn’t ignore a royal order.

So Hael and I went to the palace.

"You should heal him " Hael said as we were being guided through the palace hallways by a head butler

I turned my head towards him to raise my brows at him, "You’re saying that?"

"Yes," He passed me a professional smile, "He needs to be in perfect condition to be useful again."

???

I eyed him.

To be useful again?

"Hael, did you put Lyal in the forest to see how good light magic works against that giant monster?"

His smile widened, "It was the perfect opportunity," He answered and my mouth hung open.

OH, MY, God,

So it wasn’t just because he was mad at Lyal’s actions?

...

Or he was mad, but he decided he could get two birds with one stone? I kept looking at him, shaking my head in denial.

I was secretly excited that he got jealous because Lyal tried to kiss me. He didn’t succeed though because I got teleported away-

???

Wait... Why is it that I get teleported all of the sudden? Twice I was teleported and went to Hael when I was about to get kissed.

I squinted both my eyes at Hael as we kept walking. He was looking ahead but I couldn’t stop staring at him.

And each time there was a tingling hotness below my nape...

What is the meaning of this?

Has Hael done something to me?

The head butler’s solemn expression did little to ease the growing unease within me as we approached the grand double doors leading to the prince’s private chamber. The hallway, usually bustling with guards and servants, was eerily silent. The only sound that echoed was the soft, muted clicks of our footsteps against the polished marble floor. The towering doors, carved with intricate patterns of the royal crest, loomed ahead like silent sentinels.

"We’ve increased security measures due to the recent threats," The butler explained, his voice barely above a whisper. "You’ll have to enter alone, milady. No one is allowed inside except the saint herself."

I glanced at Hael, "It’s alright," He answered me even before I could say anything, "I’ll wait for you here."

I have questions for him. Once I’m done healing Lyal, I’m going to ask him about this whole Teleportation thing!

I nodded at him, then turned to look at the door.

I felt something odd, but I tried to push down the sense of foreboding gnawing at my insides. As much as I despised the idea of going in alone and healing Lyal, I understood the necessity. I can’t have Lyal dying when I’m right here to heal him.

The butler gave a curt bow before slowly pushing open the massive doors, revealing the dimly lit room beyond. As I crossed the threshold, the doors creaked shut behind me, sealing me inside the chamber.

The room was suffused with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. Thick velvet drapes were drawn over the windows, allowing only the faintest slivers of moonlight to filter through. The flickering light of a few scattered candles cast long, dancing shadows across the walls, adding to the room’s somber mood. The air was thick with the scent of burning incense, a feeble attempt to mask the underlying stench of sickness that permeated the space.

I looked around for Lyal, and my eyes quickly found the prince lying on the massive, four-poster bed at the center of the room. He was pale, his vibrant features now ashen and drawn. His chest barely rose and fell with each shallow breath, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead, glistening in the dim light.

And he was unconscious.

I let out a deep breath and approached the bed cautiously, the silence pressing in around me. My hands reached out to touch his forehead, the skin clammy and cold under my fingertips.

His condition was worse than I had anticipated.

I removed the blanket that was on him to examine what I was dealing with but the moment I removed the blanket a gasp escaped my lips.

It looked like he’d lost a lot of blood and the injuries were far too severe for me to ignore.

I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together, focusing on the warmth of my healing magic as it began to flow through me. A soft, golden glow emanated from my hands as I placed them above Lyal.

"Heal," The magic spread over the prince’s body like a gentle caress. The magic worked to ease his pain, to stabilize his condition.

I could also tell that doing this had gotten very easy for me.

I kept my eyes on Lyal as the Holy Power did its job but before I was done, I heard something.

A soft rustling sound behind me snapped my eyes open.

!!!

I froze, the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. The room was supposed to be empty, yet I wasn’t alone.

Slowly, I turned around, my breath catching in my throat as I saw a dark figure slip out from the shadows near the door.

"Who’s that!" I immediately asked, my voice laced with suspicion.

The person, clad in dark clothes and covered from head to toe, moved with eerie silence, his black cloak blending seamlessly with the dimly lit room. I could only see his eyes since that was the only part that was uncovered.

"I asked," I removed my hands as I turned my body to face him, "Who are you!?"

A glint of cold steel caught the faint candlelight, revealing the wicked curve of a dagger in his hand.

Panic surged through me, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum.

An assassin!?

The assassin’s eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the cold, detached determination within them. His target was clear—the prince. But I stood between them, and he wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate any obstacle in his path.

OH SHIT!

My mind raced as I tried to think of a way to stop him. If he kills Lyal, would the blame fall on me? Shit, I either have to get out or I have to stop him! But how?! I was a healer, not a fighter.

What do I do?

"Um," Maybe I can talk it out, "Listen," I raised my hands in the air, "How about you let me go and do this an hour later when I’m far away from this place?" It was like he didn’t even hear me, the assassin moved towards me fast, his movements a blur as he made his move.

Before I could react, he was upon me, his dagger flashing through the air with deadly precision. I barely managed to raise my arm in defense and move out of his way, the blade slicing through the fabric of my sleeve and biting into my skin. Pain flared, sharp and searing, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I stumbled back, clutching my arm, blood seeping through my fingers.

The assassin’s eyes narrowed as he assessed me, no doubt calculating the best way to eliminate this new threat. I could see the decision in his eyes before he even moved.

He was going to kill me.

Fear gripped me, cold and paralyzing.

Shit! Shit! Shit!!!

I tried to call out for help, but the words died in my throat as the assassin lunged at me again, his dagger aimed straight for my heart. I raised my arms to shield myself, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough.