"Ughn..."
"Leon?"
My magic puppetry was cut and I hid beneath the swing bed!
"Was that you?"
"No..."
"Who...?"
This bed isn't helpful with hiding at all! Upon forming an enchast, I snapped with two hands to perform the magic and everything went safe for me under this bed. The dust on the floor here caused me to cough so I rolled out and shook off the dust. "That was close..." While doing so, my 7 dogs were surprised that I appeared under the bed in this room. After then, totally unsettled, I sat on the bed with the memories of what I discovered playing in my head.
How could Hessuel do that behind me? Does it mean the rumor is true? I hurried to go downstairs. Stealing a mug from one of the customers' tables, I tapped it and became half filled with wine, then I gobbled. "Hey!" the customer complained, then I laid the mug on their table again and left nonchalantly. On the counter of the bar, I did the same. I drank several shots of different flavored wine, the same as the count of the playing bad scene!
Brushing my head with my fingers, bumping my forehead on the table a few times, and screeching my nails on the table; yet all of it seems futile to diminish my irritation on them! The mug knows how much I want to bald them, curse them, or feed them to my dogs! For the past 5 years, I trusted his sincerity in this engagement ring. I never expected he could replace me. The table was about to meet my forehead again but a rough hand covered it from behind.
"What makes the Lady Eldar frustrated?" the pirate with an unrealistic name said. I removed his hand and drank. "I think I know. Whatever it is, it's none of my business, you'll say. Anyway, it's fun to watch you like this. It's unusual."
"You..." Extreme dizziness attacked me after my sudden response to him. I just felt two hands on my arms securing my balance. I revised the effect of alcohol on me, however, the giddiness is still here.
"You need a seat, lady."
I walked without any assistance but the floor turns sideward! The captain caught me in his arms and that was when I relied on his balance up to our seat. He's sitting next to me on a long couch. We're still drinking hot drinks he served himself and during that, I caress my aching bite mark.
"You're not doing any better. What's going on with your wolf boyfriend? Or is it your kids again?" his undying query. "You look as pale as a ghost... and as problematic as in debt." He's examining my face while an elbow is propped on the table, smirking mischievously.
"Why are you so concerned about me? I have zero to pay you!"
"Would you rather switch to that subject? Why am I concerned about you?"
I glanced at him from eyes to collarbone with an eyebrow raised. "Great idea for diversion," I praised and refilled my mug with clean cold water. Yet I paused from drinking when he says,
"I know you've always wanted to hear the truth from me, your suspect for sabotaging Haiban's plan. You want to talk about it?"
He's like a hot villain mocking me with his confidence! "Fine. My mate is not home yet and I abhor whatever is taking him so long! There. I told you the truth behind my frustration and it's your turn." At least this might solve one of my 99 problems. With his offering, I gave him a strong drink. "You can't tell it when sober, no?"
"You're so good at bargaining." He claps. "For you, my lady, I don't have to be intoxicated to tell you," he said, yet no trace of expression again! "Haiban told me his plans before he killed himself but not just that, he lent me the authority to visit his small world. I saw the poor captive white wolves in their world, Haiban's office, including the tree where your wolf boyfriend was slumbered. In other words, nothing caught my interest.
"Until one day, I heard about the prestigious scholar woman in Venduque Academy. I set my feet on land again to see the hearsay and from the moment I witnessed your victory in the wrestling game I knew this girl is something... because it was the first time, and never happened again, that a girl enticed my attention." He looks like a typical philanderer as he smells some strands of my hair on his fingers. Narrowing my eyes at him, I was puzzled if I should stop him or not.
"There has never been a woman who succeeded in enchantment. I wanted to savor that inspiration. I wanted to claim that girl and destroy anyone who would get in my way. So I murdered every potential competitor..."
"You did what!?"
"... involving your destined werewolf. I confounded him. It was an insult that I couldn't kill him, he's the fated man for the most wonderful woman but he was like an unborn child in a womb. So I sabotaged Haiban's plan, I made him the hope of the poor wolves and the purpose of Lanasia's ancestors which made your wolf boyfriend entangled with Haiban's purposes that will one day compel him to kill his own son. I was too busy cleaning my way and actually wasted my time than crossing that path instead.
"You got married... then I stopped. I realized I was not confident to approach you... which made me lose. I was an old stinky seaman who raised several times from the grave, only a compelled woman will fall for me."
"Thank you for considering that."
"I turned my back on my mess and remained in the sea. Whatever explosion may happen behind my back, I didn't care. I heard about the death of your husband so I left my ship again, searched for you, and lost for the second time when I met you with your wolf boyfriend. I watched my mess and it was an incredible show. It was you who personally approached me, and oh, it was entertaining to watch you play my game.
"Do you want to know more? The enchantment you traded with me gave me the confidence to show the legendary Eldar in public. You made me confident. That's why I'm here, pursuing you this time." He's sticking his face close to mine and glances at my lips. "That's all you want to know, my lady."
"Are you serious? I thought you had a bargain with some sea creature to give you the hidden treasure in exchange for the werewolves' peace but this!? a cringy story behind the commotions of two packs!?"
"It was fun." I'm about to slap his smug face but he presses my bite mark. "Don't take love lightly, my lady. It can kill you," he said in sudden seriousness.
What a psychopath! Fiddling the engagement ring, I reclined my back as I stared at the empty mug. Those hands who used to touch me... are now touching the skin of another woman, smelling neck, and that woman could feel the body that is exclusively mine—or was. He's right. Love is killing me. I leaned on the table as I stood and walked away to the sink behind the public view. Washing my face is my attempt to wash away these painful thoughts too.
"You're not acting yourself, my lady."
My shoulders flinched when I heard his voice behind me! I shook off my soaked hands and wiped my burning eyes. Looking at his worried face, I pursed my lips very well to keep myself from spilling more to this guy!
"How about we tour around the town? That will refresh you."
"Why...?"
"Why what?"
"You only want my attention, no?"
"Ah, I want you for the rest of the life of Earth... or Linevr, whatever pleases you."
I shut his lips by kissing him. Grabbing his face to me, he's willingly returning the kisses I give. He locks my waist with his arms, leaning my lower back to the sink and I slide my hands to unbutton his shirt to crawl my fingers into his shaggy chest. I'm slowly losing my resistance as this pleases—relieves—my bite mark the longer it takes... until Lanasia catches us.
"What on earth, Dandeline!!" She quickly split the two of us, jabbing a finger at Avfshaganifs. "Do you know what you're doing? You're taking advantage of her tipsiness!"
"I'm not drunk," I said.
"She started it. Of course, I'll gladly repay." There's a playful smirk on his lips as he rubs his lips with his thumb. "And you? Do you know what you're doing?" He forms a small enchast on his thumb.
"This," Lanasia scolds, "has nothing to do with Eldars! You two are on my property and I control everything! This will be family issues and the best friend can encroach whenever necessary... and that is me!" She grabs my wrist and threatens me, "We need to talk." Pulling me upstairs like a mother, she continues her scolding and slams the door of our room. I lie down on my dog on the floor and she sits on the bed.
"How could you do that? I know you're aware of the rumor about your relationship with Avfshaganifs but don't make it worse! You have a mate! You have kids!! You're completely cheating on them—!"
"Cheating? I saw Hessuel lying with another woman!"
"He what!? That dimwit..." She switches to my side.
"Behind our kids... behind me... and it's so painful I can't find anything else to relieve me but breaking the rules! Hessuel is supposed to be my healing."
"That doesn't make you less guilty of cheating. My friend, you're too raw for a relationship! Try to understand your partner a bit. You haven't seen or heard the whole story yet. Do you know why a relationship ends? The common reason is misjudgment with a callous instinct used for the conclusion of one's accusation!
"Remember when Hessuel jumped into the penitentiary to save you? He did it because he trusted your reason nevertheless! Now it's your turn to understand him! That's what equal partners do! You betrayed him twice but he keeps you."
"Ugh, why do I have a love professional friend...?"
"Because you suck at it which made us destined friends."
"How dare—"
"Knowing you," she sits on the floor with me, "you won't let anything take away your happiness, even the goddess, so don't be intimidated by this mistress. You have the advantage, I believe that you are still the holder of Hessuel's love. Don't let that woman shake you! Do you hear me!?"
"Yes!" I replied—determined.
"What did I say?"
"May the best flirt win!"
"Perfect! You got this, my friend! You're the only winner!" We're holding each other's hands firmly, smiling victoriously, until I pass out. "Uuugh, this drunkard..."