Chapter 104 - Mind Controlling

''Sister, I don't think anything remarkable happened during that time,'' Arlan scratched the back of his neck. 

''Then, what were you doing in the Enchantment Forest, the illusionary trap, how did you write that letter and leave it there? How did you reach Nevesray?" Esme stepped towards him.

Arlan retreated two steps back. Unlike him, his sister did not possess any magical powers. Still, he was intimidated by her at times. 

Aleister crossed his arms in front of his chest. It looked like this younger brother-in-law is hiding something. He wondered if Esme noticed it as well. 

Arlan looked around the room as if he was looking for an answer on the walls, ''Sister, I… I was just passing by.'' 

''Be honest,'' Esme sighed. 

''Nothing happened,'' his fingers curled into a fist. 

She frowned. She quietly looked at his face for some time before she stepped forward and looked into his eyes. 

Arlan was about to avert his gaze but the moment he looked into her eyes; he was unable to look away. It was as if something held him captive in his place. 

Aleister's brows tugged together. He understood what she was doing and as much as he wanted to stop her, he was certain that she won't listen to him. Esme wanted answers and for that she would go to any extents. 

''When you find it overwhelming, stop,'' he whispered. 

She heard him but there was no reply from her. The corner of his lips twitched. She was still angry over their argument that took place in his room earlier. 

Was she going to hold a grudge over it? 

Esme quietly looked into Arlan's eyes, directing all her focus on it. Her throat ran dry and a wave of dizziness hit over her but she fought it, trying her best to stay awake. 

'Thud'

Arlan dropped to his knees. 

Esme stepped back from him, ''Who are you?" 

''Arlan Reis,'' he answered, his face was expressionless. 

Every time she used this mind-controlling power of her, her body will become weak for days. Despite knowing that, Esme decided to take this step today because there was something amiss. She could feel it but she could not put her finger on it. 

Her brother was right in front of her but there was something strange around him. It sounded bizarre but she felt it. 

By doing this, the truth will be out. Or atleast, they will find something useful that will help them connect the dots. 

''Do you know who I am?" Esme asked. 

Arlan tilted his head, his brows tugged together as his blank eyes glanced at her, ''You… look like my sister but you are not her. She is weak and delicate.'' 

Esme did not stop looking into his eyes. Weak and delicate. That's how their Aunt has been painting her to the world so that she would stay out of dangers. But that only made those filthy men make attempts to lay their hands on her over and over again. ''Did you mysteriously disappear weeks ago?" she tried to not let her mind wander in the matters of the past.

''I….'' there was a hint of conflict on his blank face, ''I don't remember anything,'' he said softly. 

''Anything? How can you not remember anything? How did you end up in the Enchantment Forest? How did you go to Nevesray? What happened to you during this period?" 

''I don't know. I remember my elder sister and I left our house to go to the market. We told Aunt that we will be back soon. After that, I remember waking up in my old room back in the Royal Castle of our kingdom. Anything that happened in between, I can't remember it at all,'' Arlan spoke in a daze. 

''Why did you lie about it? Why didn't you tell anyone that you have lost your memories?" Esme tried to hold his hand, ''Stand up.'' 

He retracted his hand and kept kneeling, ''Because I didn't want my sister to be worried.'' 

Esme's face softened, ''Do you remember anything? Anything that you find strange?"

''A woman. She will burn me alive, eat my soul or shatter it little by little,'' the corner of his eyes turned red, ''That's what she said in my dream and I keep dreaming of her. She is… scary.''

''How did she look like? Do you remember her?" 

''She… I have seen her shadow. Sometimes, her silhouette.'' 

Esme frowned, sweat droplets trickled down her forehead, ''How did your powers regress so much?''

''I don't know. I can't use them. It feels like I have lost all my powers and what I have right now is an illusion,'' a teardrop rolled down his cheek even though his face remained emotionless, ''That day when we left our house and were walking through the alley, I flaunted my powers and promised my sister that I will protect her forever but it looks like I can't do it anymore. I am so weak now,'' Tears rolled down his cheeks as he spoke. 

Esme's breathing was ragged at this point. She closed her eyes and the connection between their minds snapped. 

Arlan's body jolted as he shook his head, trying to shake off the dizziness. 

Aleister placed a hand on Esme's lower back. 

Esme glanced at him.

''Why am I…. kneeling?" Arlan blinked in confusion as he pushed himself to his feet. 

Esme stepped towards him. She raised her hand to pat his head, ''You don't need to worry about protecting me. You have done that for a long time. Now, I just want you to rest, recover from anything that haunts you and do things that make you happy. Meanwhile, it is my turn to protect you,'' And to avenge you. 

The person who has done this to Arlan, she won't forgive them. Her bright and cheerful brother is now masking his miseries behind a fake smile while living in a confused state. 

There was a ruthless glint in her eyes. Arlan saw such expression on her face very rarely. 

Esme turned around and walked towards Aleister before pressing her face on his chest, ''Cough…'' 

Aleister tilted his head down and his face darkened.