Raiene never felt this peculiar sensation running through her veins, from a single utterance of her full name, despite her name sounded through the lips of numerous people with clear disgust and annoyance, she never shivered nor cower under their presence.
However, Raiene never thought the sound of her name could render her speechless and her step rooted to the ground. Just from the way he mentioned her name, she could visualise his face scrunched up in disbelief.
He is mad.
He is totally mad.
Turning around, Raiene faces her partner in crime and an uncertain smile slightly makes its appearance on her lips.
Crion crosses both of his hands, his usual serene blue eyes currently assessing the girl in front of him from head to toe, his eyes narrowed ever so slightly before he inhales a deep breath through his nose. Seemingly trying to control the ever present smoke of rage that wanted to swallow the girl before him.
"Explain."
Shaken from his mere presence, she tried to avoid his gaze and small laughs emitted through her lips, though those actions still couldn't diminish his boiling gaze. Defeated, Raiene stops in motion while her dark orbs staring straight at her feet, murmuring with guilt evident within her voice, "Outside."
She raises her head a bit, peering at the boy's eyes through her black long lashes, flattering her eyes a little and pouting her cherry red lips. Hoping he would let her go without further questions, but his cold calm undisturbed eyes make her stomp her right foot and cross her hand.
"Ruby will take me to Qye."
Upon hearing Raiene, the boy's eyes widened, the soft blue orbs lit up with exhilaration. However, within those exact seconds, Raiene could witness the way his brain was doing a few fact checking on his own before those eyes turned dim when sudden realization hit him hard in the head.
"Alone? With Ruby only?" he asked in disbelief. Raiene slowly nods her head, causing Crion to further fuming with anger.
"I thought we promised to come together! You should've told me if you had plans to visit Qye! That way I can ask my father to strengthen my ring!" he complained, eyes still wide from anger.
Although Crion is two years older than Raiene and the general's reliable son. Sometimes Crion acted more immature than his age.
Thinking back to the first time they met under a tree, claiming to each other that they could climb the tree faster than anyone else with overflowing confidence, they start climbing the tree and fall to the ground at the same time, the two laugh loudly upon facing each other.
Since then, Crion always followed Raiene like a chick following its mother. He is always bored and Raiene has numerous ideas on dispersing that boredom. Being the General's son has its perks, one of them is the access to easily pass the wall's and border without anyone's approval. That is the reason why Crion has the same ring.
Raiene sighs, "I only know of this matter today. My mother made this sudden arrangement, she told me it's my birthday present," Raiene tried to reason out, but it's Crion's turn now to pout his lips.
Eyes turn glossy about to pour its warm watery content, as if he had been wronged greatly. Raiene inhaled a deep breath and sighs once again.
"Ri-"
Crion shakes his head. His golden hair swaying from side to side, not wanting to hear Raiene anymore. He sends her a sharp glare, wishing for her death.
How dare she visit Qye without him? She had promised to go wherever with him, now she has decided to dismiss that promise and happily spend her time there!
Crion sighs after a while, then nods his head, her previous statement now sounds logical to his ear.
Raiene doesn't have time to inform him, it was sudden after all. It's not her fault that he forgot to strengthen his own ring. Despite the sour taste of betrayal bubbling within him, he turns around and makes Raiene face his back, while he murmurs through his lips.
"Go, before I change my mind."
Raiene bursts into a wide smile, she immediately hugs him from behind then lets go of her arms, her step has become lighter now that somehow Crion has sided with her.
She passed the door and left Arrenquile while observing her surroundings. After making sure that no one was watching her, she let her white wings spread from her back, flying across the green lush forest with eagerness.
Not even aware of a shadow lurking behind a tree, witnessing everything with a sinister smile.
• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •
Ruby is restless.
She had been waiting for the petite slender body of that girl to stride inside her hut without a care for the world. She had expected the girl would come inside her hut with eyes lit up like a torch, smiling and unveil a hidden dimple of hers, filling Ruby's insides with bubbles.
Ruby could never have predicted that she would end up loving that girl, the little girl had easily stolen her heart since the first day of that girl's life.
Eyes the colour of deep black that penetrates and drowns those who stare at it. Something an ordinary human shouldn't possess. Ruby was aware that the girl couldn't live like ordinary humans inside Arrenquile.
At the age of three, she had attracted numerous Nymphs whenever Estalle brought that girl to her hut, it took Ruby a few hours and spent a few bottles of spells to chase them away. Ruby still remembers the way Estalle gaze filled with guilt that very day.
At the time when that girl turns five, about fifteen wolves surround her hut, howling and wagging their tail happily like a dog. Something even Ruby herself never witnessed her entire life, that was the very first time her jaw could literally reach the ground.
Previously, Ruby thought nothing could surprise her further, but that girl proves there's more to this world. When she has passed the age of eleven, she gains the ability to spread her wings, fly freely and with control when she turns twelve. Now that she will turn fifteen, Estalle has pleaded with Ruby to accompany that girl to visit Qye. Show her the world and make her understand her life that has been hidden from her for years.
Raiene has questions, no doubt. But she never voices it out. Perhaps, she thought it was rude to question her origin. Despite having both a human mother and father, she is far from what is stated as normal.
She didn't want to be suspicious of her mother and made her hurt from her question about the strange ability that she gained. And the stubborn Estalle only said to Ruby, that it is not time yet, which resulted in making Ruby further frustrated.
Ruby can only wait. Raiene will understand eventually.
When that redhead is about to lose patience, the said girl instantly opens the thick wooden door with ease. Her forehead has droplets of sweat that trickle down and her breathing is heavier than usual, indicating that she had flown once again to reach Ruby's hut faster.
Raiene flashed her white teeth, running towards Ruby with an arm that spread wide, Ruby predicted her impending doom. Because the girl has crushed her body to the wooden floor, laughing to her heart's content right above her.
"I love you so much! Thank You!"
It had been Raiene's wish ever since she became aware of the outside world, she wanted to visit Qye. Crion has been gushing about the colourful stone road every step of the way, the free and high spirited nature of its people, and strange numerous creatures that fit the norm. She wants access to the world where her 'peculiarity' is considered normal in the eyes of those mixed creatures.
To think that this small wish of hers could be realised.
Raiene pinch her arms, still in disbelief, laughing more when it brings pain to herself. Eyes crinkles with tears clouded her vision, burrowing herself further to hide her face within Ruby's hold.
Land of Qye is the only place where various types of creatures could visit freely without being reprimanded. Ruby had told Raiene stories and tales about the four powerful states of the mainland.