Chapter 107 - Long Time No See

''Two separate beds. He did well with this invisible barrier which showed me and all outsiders only one bed in this room,'' Adrian shook his head, ''I almost believed that you two are lovers but you know what? I was still doubtful about it. I know you well enough to know that my sister would stay far away from a controlling narcissist, a ruthless man who would kill without any reasoning, who is heartless, cunning, and manipulative. And the Prince of Visteria happens to possess all these traits. How is it possible for you to fall for him?" He clicked his tongue.

Esme quietly glanced at Adrian's face while he spoke his thoughts regarding her relationship with Aleister. She did not think they could hide this from her family for long. 

''I kept feeling there was something amiss. I was certain that the relationship between you was not how you showed it to be. And as much as he did well in making the invisible barrier to fool me with the illusion of one bed, but you walked past it and picked up the water from your side of the bed. There were fluctuations in the barrier. Although they were minute but I sensed those fluctuations. This barrier feels different but I can't put a finger on what's different about it.''

''What you want to say now is….?" Esme tilted her head.

''That I won't question you about anything. About why you pretended to be his lover or anything else. But it is time for us to go back to where we belong and I want to know your decision on it. You want to go back home right?"

''Home? A home which stabbed my faith, which killed my childhood?"

''Esme…'' Adrian stepped towards her.

Esme stepped back from him, ''Home, it is. I will go there with you, brother. You didn't have to ask me about it. I don't belong here,'' she expressionlessly said.

Adrian smiled. He patted her head, ''Good girl,'' he turned to look at the two beds in the room, which were separated by a curtain, ''I will make separate living arrangements for you.''

''There is no need,'' Esme shook her head, ''Since we are leaving soon, let me stay here till then. I kept having nightmares and kept sleepwalking since the day I came to the Castle. This is the only place where I feel safe.''

''That man is dangerous,'' a vein popped on his forehead as his fingers curled into a fist.

''Is he?" Esme turned around and walked towards the window. She placed her hands on the windowsill and glanced at the bright sky, ''He feels safe, brother,'' her voice was so light that her words would have dispersed in thin air if they weren't being paid attention to.

''You have been bewitched by him,'' Adrian massaged his forehead.

Esme turned around to look at him. She leaned back on the windowsill, ''He is the one who has protected me from every danger that I faced here. How can I not feel safe with him? He must have bewitched me by protecting me, by lending me his shoulder when my family was busy protecting their secrets,'' the corner of her lips tugged up into a smile that was neither polite nor disrespectful, but it contained a hint of mocking.

Adrian frowned, ''Princess, you…''

''The day has barely started brother. Let us not ruin it by arguing over unimportant things.''

Adrian closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath, ''I am doing it for your own good. You should think about it when you are calm. I have places to be so I will leave now.''

Esme glanced at his retreating back.

…

Later, Esme went to the Royal Hunting Field. Yesterday, Aleister asked Arlan to train with the Chief of guards.

The training ground for the soldiers was a part of the huge hunting field.

The Davens' castle and Enchantment Forest were separated by the large territory of the hunting ground. Once someone crosses it, they will reach the borders of the Forest. And venturing further into the forest would lead them to the sea.

No matter how many times she thought about it, Esme was always in awe of the place Daven's castle was situated in. Surrounded by the mystical enchantment forest and the vast stretch of sea, it could not have been more unreal.

But as they say, beauty brings disaster. And she had felt her blood turning cold over many incidents since the day she stepped inside the castle.

The most dangerous things have the greatest allure.

And this castle was probably one of those dangers.

The guards standing at the entrance bowed at her and let her in without any questions. Everyone's attitude towards her has been cautious and respectful because of Aleister.

As Esme stepped inside, she witnessed a sight that made her gasp.

Arlan was lying on the ground, beaten and bruised and there were a group of people standing around him.

Her gaze did not wander to them even once as she rushed to him. ''Arlan,'' Esme squatted on the ground, not caring about her etiquettes or the edge of her gown which was sweeping the dust. She supported him by his elbow.

''Cough…'' Arlan wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, ''Sister, I am fine.''

Esme frowned. She placed the tip of her index finger on his cheek and poked it hard.

Arlan winced.

''Fine like this? Beaten black and blue?" Esme narrowed her eyes.

''It was the Prince Arlan's wish for us to spar with him.''

''He is neither trained nor as experienced as you are,'' the voice was familiar but she did not bother to check who it was. Esme replied to the person's words.

''Sister, Sir Rowan is right. I wanted to learn properly. And it can be done only when they spar with me seriously instead of treating me delicately,'' Arlan rolled his eyes.

Esme's expressions shifted slightly when she heard the name. Rowan? Wasn't he Aleister's right-hand man?

She tilted her head to look at him.

The man nodded at her, ''Long time no see, Princess,'' he smiled politely.

Esme pushed herself to her feet and extended her hand towards Arlan.