Chapter 64

Chapter 64

“What a pity. All of a sudden, staying at that crazy woman’s house…”

In the silence, the whispers of the other elves could be heard.

‘…Crazy woman?’

Holly asked herself and looked up at Lyla’s face. The Lyla she knew was a good elf who was both graceful and merciful.

“What do you mean by pitiful? Didn’t you hear that they are sinners?”

When Lyla heard the gossiping elf get scolded by their friend, she raised her head and her eyes met Holly’s. She was embarrassed but then turned her head away with a haughty face.

‘Lyla said that among the elves, she is known for being an oddball.’

Holly thought it was just that simple.

Even though Lyla hadn’t even answered yet, the elder turned away, thinking that she would naturally agree.

“Ah! I have something to ask you tomorrow, so please come to the mansion early in the morning. Lyla will guide you.”

The elder was about to leave but looked back at Adam and said so. His face hardened with the elder’s attitude, like trying to have him run errands in a very natural way. Even Badin, who had been standing with a calm face the whole time as if it was none of his business, frowned.

“Why should I do you a favor?”

Cahill asked, tilting his head.

“Your ancestors used to help with difficult tasks whenever they came to Lauriue.”

“Do I have to do what they did?”

Adam also nodded with the harsh answer. To think that they would let them work on necessary things without giving proper treatment. Nonetheless, the elder frowned, seemingly not understanding Cahill’s attitude.

“Let’s talk when the day is bright.”

As the elder was about to open her mouth, Lyla stood in front of her. And she said, pointing with her glance at the moon half-obscured by clouds.

“Then, I think you will take responsibility for it.”

After speaking one-sidedly, the elder turned away so quickly that a cold wind blew in as her son whined next to her.

“Come this way.”

As Lyla spat out at her and the group and took the lead, Holly followed closely behind her. Lyla went deeper into the village.

Shortly thereafter, Lyla stopped in her tracks. When she poked her head out from behind her back, there was a large cave in front. The entrance to the cave was large enough for a large bear to enter while standing. At first glance, the old trees on either side of the entrance looked like gatekeepers.

“My mansion is inside the cave.”

The floor of the cave was evenly covered with soil, making it easy to walk.

Lyla walked forward without hesitation, even in the dark cave. Soon, beneath her feet, in the ground, a spirit with a body elongated like a snake revealed its head.

‘Lyla made a pact with the earth spirit.’

Holly was glad that Lyla’s spirit had helped her before, so she waved her hand a little. She followed Lyla’s eyes as her spirit suddenly hurried somewhere.

“Come to think of it, Holly, you could see the spirits, right?”

Lyla smiled thinly as she saw her spirit wrapped around Holly’s ankle. It wasn’t until Holly saw that smile that she realized that Lyla smiled a lot more often when they met at Halidem.

“Can I act like I know you now?”

Holly glanced around and approached Lyla, whispering in a low voice.

“It’s okay. Because nobody comes this far…”

She smiled bitterly as she stroked Holly’s hair like she would treat a little one.

“Lyla. What happened? Your face is haggard…”

Holly looked at Lyla’s face with concern. Even though she was still beautiful, she was lifeless, unlike before. It was breathtaking and pitiful, like a flower petal that would fall off if touched.

“It’s just. I haven’t been able to sleep well lately.”

Lyla said, stroking her cheek with the palm of her hand. Seeing her pretending to be fine made Holly more concerned. Still, even as Lyla rescued her from her debtors, Holly did not wonder about her circumstances.

‘…It’s rude to be interested in other people’s affairs among elves, so I have to put up with it.’

As Holly let out a sigh instead of asking more questions, Lyla looked at her with pleased eyes before taking a step back.

“You can go down here.”

As they walked a little further inside, their path was blocked. After a moment of panic, she saw a hole in the floor in front of the wall. Inside was a staircase made of earth.

‘What would an elf’s house built underground look like?’

A firm arm blocked Holly as she tried to step forward, excited with curiosity.

“I should explain first. ‘Cursed House,’ ‘Crazy Woman’. Where did that talk come from?”

Holly’s eyes widened as she raised her head to see the owner of the arm blocking her path.

“I can’t keep you in such a dangerous place.”

Cahill explained to her surprised face.

She remembered how the elves in the village had called Lyla a ‘crazy woman,’ but it seemed that there was more gossip going around than she heard. At that, Holly looked worriedly, wondering if Lyla might be offended.

Nonetheless, Lyla was looking at her with an intrigued smile.

“I wondered why you left Centuria…”

Lyla’s gaze turned to Cahill.

‘I don’t think she’s offended. Thank God.’

Holly let out a sigh of relief when she saw a laugh mixed with Lyla’s tone.

“You’ve met someone who really cares, Holly.”

Her words make her face turn red.

‘…It sounds like I’ve eloped with Cahill.’

Holly raised her eyes and glanced at Cahill, who was still scanning Leila with sharp eyes, probably because of the unanswered questions. First, she had to reassure Cahill, who thought Lyla could harm her.

“Lyla is not that kind of person, no, that kind of elf.”

Cahill’s expression darkened when Holly’s words seemingly protected Lyla.

“Are you close?”

A gasp escaped from Holly’s mouth. Cahil’s jealousy did not discriminate between race and gender.

Behind them, Adam let out a sigh of disgust. It wasn’t so bad as that had become Holly’s daily routine. She rolled her eyes hatefully and took Cahill’s arm.

“It’s okay because you’ll be with me no matter what happens.”

As she clung to his arms to calm him, Cahill’s sulky heart melted at once with the light touch. He smiled and hugged her, feeling good that she had approached him first. Similarly, Holly was relieved in his arms.

“I thought Holly knew human shame…”

Adam, who was watching the scene from behind, clicked his tongue and muttered. Holly pressed her blushing face to Cahill’s chest.

‘…Did they say that you’ll improve if you do anything many times?’

She had already expressed her affection a few times, which was only awkward at first. However, the embarrassment was now reduced.

‘It’s fortunate that I can calm Cahill to this extent.’

She decided to be a little more brazen.

“Yes. Even so, what about the rumors that this is a cursed house?”

Regardless, Cahill was still persistent. Holly’s efforts made him soften his tone though he didn’t stop being wary of Lyla.

“That’s right! We cannot take our prince to such a dangerous place.”

When Adam also agreed with his words, Holly flinched as she looked into Lyla’s sunken eyes.

“If you don’t like it, you can go back.”

Lyla sighed coldly instead of explaining her circumstances.

“Cahill, stop.”

Holly said as she cupped Cahill’s cheek.

She was fine with leaving, but the other person was Lyla, her benefactor. Even though Lyla was pushed by the elder, she even invited them over to their house anyway. She couldn’t make her feel uncomfortable doing such a favor.

“I’m sorry, Lyla. Many things happened on the way from Centuria to here, so Cahill is worried about me.”

As she hurriedly made excuses at Lyla, Cahill shut his mouth in displeasure. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to have any intention of continuing to dig further through the vicious rumors.

“I understand if that’s the case.”

Lyla gladly accepted Holly’s apology.

“But, how in the ground…”

Holly, relieved, tried to change his mood. Though suddenly, Cahill’s eyes sharpened and he pulled her towards him with a stiff face.

“What’s wrong, Cahill?”

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