253 Revert: Be Patien

"It is here. Thank goodness."

Taking her time, she brought out the old magic book with her attention fully invested in it as though she was seeing it for the very first time.

"I have missed you. I am glad they did not check my bag or did they? What if they found out about who I am? No, they possibly can't, right? Where is Jareth by the way? I need to inform him about…"

Bang!

The door slammed open and Jareth walked in, startling her.

"Goodness me, you scared me," Astrid said as she clutched her right palm to her chest.

Jareth did not answer her. Instead, his gaze went to his bag and he walked right up to the corner where it was kept.

Her gaze followed his every movement till he came to sit down on the bed with his back turned to her.

'Is he still mad at me?' she sighed inwardly and pursed her lips. 'I guess I pissed him up real bad for him to not sleep in the room.'

As he rummaged through his bag, Astrid stalked closer to where he sat on the bed and stopped when she was a few inches away from his body.

Her hand moved on their own, about to touch his back but stopped midway and withdrew them.

She let out a soft sigh, preparing herself for the worst. "Jareth," she began t ay but he interjected her.

"I am not angry Astrid. I just needed to clear my head."

"I am sorry," she said in a low voice.

"I know."

'It doesn't change anything though. I shouldn't be angry. I cannot have you anyway. It is better this way.'

He wanted to tell her those words but he knew she would be upset. Rather he voiced it in his mind and turned to look at her. 

"Hey, go get ready for the day. I would take a stroll and see what I can assist them with. We might make pretty good use of the time we would spend here."

"Okay."

"Look at me." She obeyed and looked into his eyes but the moment she did, she regretted it.

Jareth's eyes had turned back into the same cold ones she once knew. The ones that kept everyone locked out and it hurt her. Did she do so much wrong yesterday for him to revert to his old self that easily?

"Astrid." He lifted his hands to her chin and pulled her face closer to his a little, drawing her attention back to his.

He could see the look in her eyes. It was as though she was lost… too lost in thoughts to even be bothered about the present.

He knew he caused it but he was not about to change that now. This was his decision. It was what was best for both of them.

"Huh?"

"I promise I would get us out of here. Be patient please."

"Okay."

"Good. Go prepare, Sabrina and Katrina are waiting for you."

*****

By noon later that day, Clive was discharged from the infirmary and headed straight for his house.

Knock!

"Enter!"

"Yes. I heard we have a new one?"

"Yes sir. His name is Cari, a merman."

"A merman!" Clive's eyes shot open at Brad's words. It was hard to believe. All his fifteen years of staying here, that was the first time he heard a merman waltz into his mini village.

I was shocked as well, but the elf helped proved it. He was exiled and found here by accident when he was looking for food to eat. That was how we caught him. He was stealing from us."

Clive did not say anything. He could only nod his head as Brad explained all that transpired in his absence.

"There is one other thing though."

"What is it?"

"I think the merman has taken a liking to the new girl. Of course, her lover would not agree to it, but it would be nice watching them duel it outright?" A sinister grin registered on his face as he voiced out his idea.

"Hmm, that is clever of you, Brad but I am thinking of something more. Why not have both of them at each other's throat and have them fight, killing each other. Then I would swoop in and reap the spoils. Hahaha…"

"Yes sir. You can have her for yourself without doing anything," Brad chipped in.

"Exactly. Although I have other plans for him just in case this does not go in my favour. For now, let them feel welcomed and watch them closely. Bring the merman to me let me have a talk with him."

"Yes, master."

––––––––––––

~HUMAN KINGDOM~

It had been a long time since Bayard saw Lorelei ever since her injury. He was worried and angry at the same time. 

He did not know what the other kingdoms were up to and with each passing day, they may be closer to capturing Astrid while he sat on his throne with no news or what to work with.

"Where is Lorelei when you need her?"

"Sire," Gerald called out to him upon noticing the troubled look on his face. "Anything the matter, your majesty?"

"Gerald, do you think I am becoming too soft these days?"

"Um, maybe a little. Why?"

"I should have troops combing everywhere for the hybrid but I am sitting down here doing nothing."

"Then do something."

"Like what?"

"Like anything. What you suggested perhaps."

"But I do not have any leads. The last thing Lorelei told me was that the hybrid is in the valley of lost souls."

"The what!"

"Yes, you heard me correctly."

"Why?"

"Thanks to Lorelei. She attacked and the hybrid fought back. In anger she threw her inside the valley using a storm," King Bayard explained.

"This is too bad. And no news till now?"

"None. Send for Lorelei. I need to speak to her. We must make adequate and necessary preparations."

~~~~~

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