ADONIS ALVHAR

As soon as the conversation between Adonis and the Archduke ended, Celeste dragged Adonis away. Upset with the outcome, she left the bemused high nobles on their own. It may seem rude to snatch someone away so quickly without a word, however, her displeasure was most …urgent!

Her temple crinkled, displaying the displeasure she felt. Adonis just let her be as she hastily led him to the maze garden located at the back of Baron Iver’s Mansion with an overlooking medium-sized pond full of lilies.

“What the hell are you up to now, Adonis?” She asked while the wrinkled skin on her forehead compresses, making her look irritated.

Adonis did not listen, in fact, he was just keeping his silence, watching the hectic Imperial knights running about, carrying the dead soldier's bodies and mercenaries that were mercilessly slain by the Archduke.

“Look at me, Adonis!” She demanded. He looked at her, making the Imperial knights and dangling lifeless bodies as their dramatic background.

She faced him, the man who ruined everything, Adonis.

Her chance of escaping now was as dull as the ditchwater, and the visible outrage was unveiled in her lush green eyes.

“Why are you messing me up in this kind of way? Why?!” She questioned him with a wave of indescribable anger from the statement she just released. It did not make sense at all. Including the whirlwind event that happened earlier. 'Damn this situation!'

Adonis tensed up due to her occasional outburst. She noticed it while she looked at him seriously. He was unable to respond since he tried to recollect himself first. It was understandable but she needed his answer. She didn't like waiting for too long, not at this time.

“Do you even know whom you were dealing with back there? Let me remind you just in case you forgot—that man is a De Clarzus!” She thundered her phrases endlessly. Like low-pressure weather turning into a storm.

Adonis remained still by way of a ginkgo tree. And once again, she started another condemnation. “What if the Archduke finds out I am a witch? That man does not have any discernment—" Adonis avoided meeting her gaze as she continued her speech, “Whether I am good or evil, he will kill me just like how he gets rid of those hundreds of witches! You know that Adonis, you are fully aware of it!” She saw Adonis, looking rather conflicted about something and that made her mind go nuts. She could not have grasped what was behind his furtive countenance.

Just his cast-down eyes were unceasing.

“Damn it, Adonis!” She exhaled sharply, “Say something!”

Finally, Celeste heard a sigh from him and lifted his gaze to meet hers. No underlying motives whatsoever could be seen before he opened his mouth to speak, “Aunt Este, I have no choice. This is the only way to protect you.”

No, she didn’t understand what he meant by that statement. Curiosity dawned on her as to why Adonis had uttered such words, and come to think of it, she recalled their prior conversation back at the tavern before she rescued the missing children.

Didn’t he also hint something when she brought up the case of Baron of Edelfort? He also looked troubled at that time when he forbade her to meddle with the case.

‘Adonis is definitely hiding something from me.’ She hated the thought. Keeping her in the shadows, not knowing anything. What was he trying so hard to protect her from? Just what on earth was going on?

She was too preoccupied with her own future problems that she hadn’t really thought about the subtle effects of the choices she made in this new life.

“Don’t speak to me in riddles, Adonis. Why do I need protection?” She asked him in a low demanding tone.

Even so, his adamant expression was enough to show her he wouldn’t give her any explanation for his unpredictable actions. With her lips pressed in frustration, she touched the crease in her temple—in an attempt to reduce her predicament.

“Aunt Celeste, I’m really sorry,” came his sincere apology, lowering his gaze once again. “But when the time comes, I will tell you. I just need to sort everything out first. And at this moment, the only safe place for you is sticking with the Archduke.”

She covertly rolled her eyes at what this brat was saying. ‘Yeah, Nah. That Archduke you behold so greatly just skewered my chest in my previous life. A safe place, my ass!’ A thought that she wanted to blurt out to him.

“Why can’t you tell me now?”

“Argh!” He groaned in exasperation which just added more to her irritability.

“What was that? You have a death wish?” She said in a murderous tone of voice. But as soon as he caught sight of his own slip of frustration, he cursed to himself.

“Hah!" Adonis cleared the lump in his throat when he felt the intense pressure coming from the petite white witch at his front. "Ehh… Give me a break. I cannot tell you now, Aunt. Because if I do, you will just face the problem straight away without any plans which will get you into trouble, and probably lose your life! No! I’m pretty sure you’re gonna die!" Facing her now, he poured all that had been in his mind. "Just like today, you exposed yourself to danger when I told you not to!”

With that being said, she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, and some dark corners were given light. Nonetheless, was someone really after her life? Could it be related to her execution in the past?

“Adonis, you… do you perhaps know something…”

“Aunt Este, please… just trust me this once,” he muttered faintly—as if desperately begging her not to do anything reckless. With a sullen gaze, Adonis inched closer to her before putting both his hands on her shoulders and continued speaking in a trembling voice. “I will not forgive myself if anything happens to you. Because I promised someone that I will keep you safe.”

Guilt filled her heart after hearing his answer. Although, she kept her unwavering composure despite the turned-gloomy atmosphere. ‘This brat, when did he get matured enough to say something like this?’

Uncertain of how she would reply to him since Adonis had always been an easygoing kind of person, and full of mischief, hence, seeing him so dispirited for the first time, Celeste had no idea how to comfort him.

A sigh escaped her mouth, eventually giving up on her empathy and accepting his unclear reasons. She gently shoved his hands away that had been gripping her shoulders and nudged him to raise his head.

“I don’t like this side of you, Adonis. So stop being so dramatic because it’s super cringy and creepy at the same time to see a man in his forties saying those theatrical lines.”

“Hey! I’m only thirty-nine! And I’m being serious here, Aunt Celeste. Why do you have to be so scornful?”

“Beats me.” She raised her shoulders briefly. With that, the gradual tension between them lessened as Adonis finally eased up. Better, she liked it more when they bicker like this.

“Oh, that’s right. I’m talking to an old hag.” And a sly smirk was shown on his lips.

'Well, except for this kind of retort from him which truly brings out the worst in me.' This brat must have forgotten already what he did wrong to her moments ago. Of course, she won’t back down from such snide remarks.

“Hmm, how come? I look more youthful than you. Have you seen the fine lines on your face? People could’ve mistaken you as my father if we’re seen together.” Having said that, she saw a glint of cheer in his eyes. And undoubtedly, Adonis immediately held his stomach and a breathy snigger soon followed.

“Aunt Celeste, you’re the best!” He said in between his laugh, small tears even forming in the corner of his eyes.

“Of course. I’m the great Forest Witch.” She gave him a grin before stepping a foot back. “Fooling aside, I will try to heed your words and well…” Unsure of how to feel about her next statement, she heaved a deep sigh. “…go to the Archduke.”

She paused for a moment. He seemed touched by her faith in him, making those puppy dog eyes towards her again. “…Only for the time being,” she added a sentence while having a disgusted expression on her face looking at Adonis. “Please stop making that face.”

“Aunt Este…”

“Shush,” she dismissed him rather quickly before he could say something mushy. “But what’s with you and the Archduke? You two seem so close to each other. And he was asking for my help with his investigation, ain’t that even place me more in danger?”

Adonis gave her a side glance and replied ever so casually, “You’ll be fine. The Archduke is inhumanely powerful. He is really strong that I’m even scared of him.”

“What? So you haven’t really thought about that?” Celeste raised one of the corners of her eyebrows. 'Ah! I'm going insane!' Seriously, this man never failed to amplify her anger issues.

“Haha yes?” With a scratch on his forehead, he even suggested a ridiculous idea. “Why don’t you try and seduce the Archduke? I think the two of you would make a great couple—”

But he didn’t finish his words as it was cut short when her solid fist landed on his cheek without a warning.