Chapter 488: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [27] Change Of Mind
Chapter 488: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [27] Change Of Mind
Chapter 488: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [27] Change Of Mind
Night arrived and I accompanied Freyja before her departure. We walked side by side.
When we reached the carriage, she turned to face me.
"I do hope you will fulfill my request, Loki," she said quite expectantly.
Her obsession with that woman's death hadn't wavered. The idea weighed heavily on me-a woman marked for death without any clear reason. Yet, I had to do it for my mother.
"I have a certain wish..." I replied, keeping my words intentionally vague.
Her lips curved into a knowing smile. "I can see it written all over your face. You're hiding something from me."
I met her gaze, expecting anger or suspicion, but there was none. Freyja regarded me with the same unshaken confidence she always had, as if I could never truly harm her.
"I will grant you any wish you desire," she continued, her voice taking on a playful lilt, "except perhaps the privilege of sharing my bed, of course."
I grimaced instantly.
"You are indeed beautiful but that clearly wouldn't be enough to charm me."
"I wouldn't dare, Your Highness," I said curtly.
There was no way I was this desperate!
Why was she still confusing me as a woman?!
"I assure you, I haven't entertained any improper thoughts toward Your Highness," I said again.
Freyja tilted her head, her amusement undiminished. "I doubt that," she said, her voice dropping as she reached out, her fingers brushing against my cheek. "I only hope you'll manage to satisfy me." Her words were low, almost a murmur, and their meaning didn't really reach me.
I frowned, unsure how to respond. Her smile, in contrast, only widened.
"Don't look so forlorn at our parting, Loki. Kill her, and I shall reward you appropriately. A reward from the most beautiful woman in the world-does that not excite you?"
I forced a smile, strained as it was. "Of course, Your Highness. I'm honored."
"By the way," I added quickly, hoping to shift the conversation, "could Your Highness keep my horse? I would rather not take it with me into the chaos of war."
Freyja raised a brow, then turned to one of her knights. "Take his horse," she ordered with a flick of her wrist.
Before the knight could approach, I placed a hand on the horse's mane, stroking it gently. The animal closed its eyes, leaning into my touch with a soft huff.
Freyja's gaze softened, if only slightly. "It seems you've grown fond of my gift," she said.
"Indeed, and I remain grateful for it," I replied sincerely.
"You should be," Freyja smiled satisfied before stepping into the carriage. The door shut behind her with a quiet click, and the horses began to trot forward, taking Freyja away from Utopia-and from me.
Be it Freyja or Alvara, both women seemed to have more than a few screws loose. Twisted in their own peculiar ways, they mirrored each other disturbingly well. If I had to label it, Alvara was the human version of Freyja in some ways. It wouldn't be surprising to consider them as sisters even.
Stifling a yawn, I made my way back inside the towering structure of Utopia, where I had been granted a room. It was an odd privilege for someone like me, but such were the perks of being Freyja Ruvelion's so-called guard. She had insisted on it, of course. Her generosity felt more like a gilded cage than genuine kindness. Freyja had a habit of pampering me―lavish meals, fine quarters, and an unspoken air of favoritism. Yet I wasn't blind. I knew she sought to add me to her collection of treasures, a pawn among her possessions. That knowledge kept me on edge.
"They both deserved better in life while they were still alive-better than rejection and curses. This time, I want to give them a new beginning, a life free of burdens. A life they truly
deserve."
[
"Yeah, I know," I replied, exhaling softly. "But I'll make sure to keep some distance at first.
They've been with me for so long now, they probably only know me and the world I inhabit. They need to see more-experience life beyond me and my surroundings. Maybe it's best to entrust them to Aunt Belle as well."
My thoughts drifted to Aunt Belle, aka the best Aunt in the world.
She was perfect for the role, always had been.
When my mother died, she had been my anchor, stepping into a role no one had asked of her
but one she fulfilled it. She raised me with care, taught me with patience, and offered comfort when I felt lost. Until I pushed her away.
It wasn't her fault. After my mother's death, I was consumed by fear-the vision of the future I'd seen in the Game haunted me. A world where everyone, even Aunt Belle, turned against me, rejecting me and seeking my end.
I'd barely managed to withstand Elona's and Miranda's rejections, but Aunt Belle... she was like a second mother to me. Losing her would've been unbearable. So, I preemptively distanced myself.
I still remember the day I asked her to stay away from me. My words had been harsh, laced
with a fear I couldn't voice. And yet, she hadn't argued. She hadn't cried or demanded an
explanation.
She simply smiled.
She patted my head gently and left without another word.
All these years, she respected my request, never once bringing up the pain I caused her. And when I returned to her-when I finally recovered my memories of Nyr-she welcomed me
back with open arms.
She wasn't a mother, but she had been the best I could've ever hoped for.
I was sure Orlin would grow into someone remarkable under her guidance. She was nurturing
and wise, someone who could instill the best in anyone fortunate enough to learn from her.
As for Tihana, I'd left her in the care of Stana Teraquin-a different choice entirely, but one
that suited her unique circumstances.
But Annabelle and Samara?
After the Second Game, I would leave them with Aunt Belle.
She could help them regain what they'd lost-their sense of self, their identity, their place in
the world.
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