Chapter 72 - Adrian Reis

Aleister stepped towards the tree and twirled his fingers slowly. A soft wind blew taking away all the dried leaves with it.

Esme closed her eyes at the ghastly sight that she saw.

Despite closing her eyes, that sight was still imprinted in her mind.

Laying below the tree was a corpse and one could see the person's bones. Their cheeks were hollow and deep and their flesh seemed to have rotten.

"I'll send the word to the Magistrate," Aiden said, taking his eyes off the corpse as he looked at the setting sun, "We should leave," The sky was gradually darkening and the birds were returning to their trees.

Esme opened her eyes and followed his gaze. For some reason, the sky looked like a huge expanse of a bowl turned upside down. There was a crimson glow around the setting sun.

A chill ran down her spine, an uneasiness crept in her heart.

Esme quietly shifted from her position and she grabbed Aleister's hand without saying anything.

Aleister tilted his head from the corpse before he look at her wary eyes, "Tired?"

Esme shook her head and intertwined her fingers with him.

He glanced at their intertwined and his gaze flashed.

Suddenly, a person appeared in front of them like a shadow as he placed his hand on his chest before coming on one knee, "My Lord, the carriage is at the border of the forest," Rowan said.

Everyone else was stunned. So, the Prince did bring his right-hand man together. He just did not inform anyone about it.

Aleister did not say anything as he glanced at Aiden.

"My Lord, we should leave," the man smiled gently, "It is not safe for Lady Esme here."

Aleister's lips thinned. For some reason, he found the person to be an eyesore.

"We should leave," He said after some moments as he turned to look at Esme who was looking at the corpse, "Don't look if you are afraid," He placed a palm on her eyes, blocking her vision.

Esme shook her head, "I am not afraid. I think I saw-" She paused as she realized that there are others around, "I am fine. Just a little afraid," she said.

As they turned around to leave, a ripping sound was heard and Esme's footsteps halted, feeling a tug from behind.

Her heart skipped a beat and she slowly turned around to see what it was.

But a small relieved sigh escaped her mouth when she saw that the hem of her gown was stuck on the thorn bushes near the tree.

Aleister walked towards the bushes before getting her gown off the thorns. All the while, he did not let go of her hand.

The manor that they were staying in was just like the house that Aleister had arranged for her Aunt. It could not compare to it though. Even though it looked quite decent from the outside, it was extravagant from the inside.

In the Dining room.

The sound of horses caught Esme's attention. She gulped the food in her mouth as she looked at Aleister, "Did the Magistrate send his response?"

"Yes," Soon enough the word escaped Aleister's mouth, that eyesore of a man stepped inside the dining room, "If I may come in....?" He asked.

Aleister's gaze deepened.

Rowan also stepped inside as he fixated his cold stare on Aiden, "It is an offense to be barging inside while the Prince is having dinner. You can be beheaded for that."

Aiden smiled, "Aren't we here under the disguise? No one is a royal at this moment," He said kindly, as he tilted his head letting his silver hair fall to the side.

Rowan narrowed his eyes and in a swift movement, he unsheathed his sword pressing it against the man's neck.

The pressure of the movement had a trail of blood appear near the man's neck.

Esme's gaze flashed. A distant memory ran through her mind as she looked at Aiden as if she was looking at someone else.

Despite having a sword against his throat, Aiden seemed to be calm.

But when she saw the blood near his neck, Esme stood up, "Stop," Her voice went a pitch higher and her eyes had reddened. She pushed the chair and walked towards them, "Take it off his neck."

Rowan frowned. For her to be this considerate about Aiden...

When he did not respond, Esme grabbed the blade with her bare hand, "Take it off his neck. Do you not hear me?" Her voice went cold, reminding him of the night when she had strangled him.

Rowan frowned. Even if he wanted to retract the sword, she would get injured given the way she was holding it.

Just as Esme's grip on the sword was tightening, Aiden grabbed her hand as he looked at her with his gentle eyes, "I am alright."

Aleister who was quiet till this moment, pushed himself to his feet as he walked towards Esme.

Wordlessly, he pushed his hand towards her back and his other hand settled behind her knees as he carried her in his arms, "Let go," His voice was low.

Aiden retracted his hand from hers and glanced at their retreating backs.

Rowan took the sword away from the man's neck, "Keep your eyes off the Princess," He said before he turned around and left.

Aiden averted his gaze as he placed his fingers on his neck, feeling the warmth of the blood on his skin.

He turned around and walked towards his room with large footsteps.

His eyes looked calm, hiding his raging emotions within them. He entered his room and as the door closed behind him, the man raised his hand and pinched his chin as he walked towards the mirror. A thin layer of skin was scraped from his face as he threw it aside, looking at the reflection of the person in the mirror. 

With the mask, the face was was a pleasant sight but without the mask, one could see the exceptionally carved face.