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Chapter 8: White Lies .3

Something from the ceiling dripped on my face which woke me up entirely from my nap. I just closed my eyes for a bit and now an hour has already passed by. As I took a glance from the window, I saw that darkness had already crept into the day.

I saw Scarlet outside sitting on a rock in front of a crackling fire. It looks like she's lost in her deep thoughts as she just stared at the red-orange flame that slowly sparks in front of her. I then decided to go sit with her, subtly. As I settled down, silence echoes within a few minutes and only the crackling fire and the sound of the crickets throughout the forest is heard. Scarlet glanced up at the sky and gazed upon the stars.

I furtively took a glimpse of her face. She's just so beautiful in every angle, even with a mask on, from the first time I saw her. I can't help but stare. I just love how her eyes have so much soul in it and her long hair just flows smoothly as it stunningly glows with the fire through the night.

She must have felt that I was staring when she suddenly looked at me. I sheepishly looked away.

"So, how's your wound? Does it still hurt?" she asked out of a sudden.

I felt my body stiffen the moment she spoke, and I felt abashed the moment she caught me staring. I might have looked like some kind of a creep and I don't want to leave an impression like that.

"It's getting better now. Thanks to you." I timidly replied with an awkward grin.

"Oh yeah, no worries. I'm just glad you're okay." She warmly uttered which blossomed a genuine smile on my face.

"Can I ask you something?" I then asked her.

"Of course, what is it?"

"It's just that, I was a complete stranger to you and the potion doesn't even concern you for that matter, but why did you still risk your life to save me? You weren't even sure if I was a good person."

"Well, besides the circumstance I found myself at that time, I also find my inner peace in helping others who I know really needs it. I do help others not because of who they are in this world or what kind of things they'll do in return for what I did, but because I know that that is who I am as a person. No matter how small or big it is, no act of kindness can ever be wasted. It's always going to be worth it."

I just stared at her in awe. Her golden heart makes her a hundred times more beautiful than how she already is. Who wouldn't adore such kind of person, right?

"I wish more people and other creatures out there are like you, then the world would be such a better place."

"Kindness is like a sword that travels through the heart of hate and kills it, that's why kindness is a simple way to show others that there is still goodness and love

in this world. That in itself can ripple through each one making others start being kinder to others. It's always possible to have way more people be kinder to each other, you know." She genuinely stated as she stared at the fire.

I am actually feeling a bit guilty right now because I can recount the times that I haven't been kind to others myself. I'm not a bad person but sometimes I'm just unaware that I'm being mean to people until I realize it too late, and I'd always regret it. But she's right, there's still a lot of time to be kind now as I move forward and as I realize it, I have already encountered a lot of kind people throughout my journey here and that should already spark me to be kinder to others. I can say that I'm already kind, but it takes more effort than thinking it.

"And you know, my mother's the kindest person I know, and I guess I can say that she's the one who taught me everything I'm saying to know. She was my role model and I learn everything by just watching her go through her everyday encounters. I really miss her so much." Scarlet added.

"It sounds like you have a wonderful mother, I wish my mother would be more like that, even just a little bit." I uttered sadly while I looked up at the night sky.

"I'm sure she is wonderful in her own way, Finley. Whatever she's done to you, I'm certain that she has a reason for it."

"Yeah, I hope so. I hope she'll explain some day."

A moment of silence followed while we stayed in the moment.

This is nice. This is the best encounter I had in this world so far.

We steal glances from each other from time to time and I can't help but love her already within just a day of knowing her.

"CRASSHHHH!!!!!" a sound of a glass abruptly smashing broke the silence. It came from inside the house and alarmed as we are, we immediately rushed inside.

Scarlet's Point of View

I know Finley's looking at me from time to time and I don't know if he is also aware that I am doing the same. I can't help but peek at those tantalizing hazel eyes of his. When he beams, he gives off this awkward yet alluring smile.

During the three days that he was unconscious on the bed, I got a lot of chances to stare at him without the awkwardness and I am not trying to be some kind of a sneak. There's just something in him that enthralls me. I just need time to fully discern if I can really trust him so we could keep him around but so far, he seems like a nice person.

After a wholesome, short conversation, we just sat together at one with the silence for the next minutes. It's quite nice to have another person around at this time. Tucky and I would often feel lonely every once in a while, and a new companion is a good change.

After a while, we were startled by a loud, smashing sound of a glass from inside the dwelling. I rushed inside, worried that something might have happened to Tucky.

"Tucky!!! Are you alright?? What happened here??" I immediately asked as soon as we got inside.

Tucky stood in front of the small counter by the window while holding a piece of the broken glass. As I looked down on the floor, there was Tucky and his family's portrait along with the shattered glass from the frame where it was placed. He looks utterly glum with his head bowed down and a tear jerked slowly on his face.

I just looked at him with empathy. My heart's breaking inside and I know that it hurts more for him.

"Did you drop it?" I asked him.

"I accidentally knocked over it while reaching for something."

"It's alright, Tucky, I'll fix it for you. I hope it didn't cut you."

Finley approached Tucky and tried to clean up the mess.

"Is this your family?" he drearily asked.

"Yes, they are." Tucky mournfully replied.

"Where are they now, if I may ask?"

"They're...gone. It cuts deeper than a cut from a glass could ever do."

"I, I'm sorry, Tucky. I shouldn't have asked." Finley said.

"Stop apologizing to us. None of this is your fault. It's not a sin to ask." Tucky responded. But the guilt is still visible in Finley's face. I think now is the right time to explain at least the main core of all this. He needs to be aware now of what kind of villainy lurks all over the kingdom's floor.

"Finley, now that you're in our party then I guess, you should know what we're really up to and why are we doing it." I decided to say.

"Yes, Scarlet, I genuinely want to be a part of this and I'm all ears all the way."

"I told you before that our main goal is to take back the throne from Demetrius, but you see, it's more than that. He didn't just rob the throne with force, but he also took away thousand or even million lives of people and beings in this realm."

~ To be Continued ~

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