The Deep Forest

Porta

On the other hand, Alice is still trying to understand William's words. She pressed her temples while massaging them a little. All the information regarding elves made her a headache. She was pensive in her room looking up at the rumbling clouds in the distance while William went to make hot tea for her.

Alice also begins to worry about her mother's condition that doesn't return when she goes out with Dylan. she couldn't stop holding her cold feet even though they were covered by the blanket. no matter How hard she tried to remember the memories she had during her childhood did not appear in her mind. Her thoughts were interrupted when William opened the door, handing her a glass of her favorite warm rose tea. William picked up the fallen blanket and pressed it against Alice's body

"OK?" he asked. Alice nodded while placing the glass on the table in front of her. Her gaze returned to focus on William, who seemed to be waiting for her response

"Okay. Although all of this sounds absurd, but somehow I tried so hard to believe it, ”said Alice

"You try hard"

"I am," said Alice firmly. She sighed heavily and closed her eyes as if looking for inspiration. It's been a long time since she thought of anything complicated except her calculus class. It really bothered her

"So .. my mother is a Porta and my father is an elf, the king of elves - Alice's voice sounded like she was convincing herself- don't say that cruel man is my biological brother because he is the queen's child?" Alice bit her lip as she folded her arms while told about Dylan. William nodded in approval

"I also don't want to admit it but the fact that you are the king's daughter is better than being the younger sister of that bastard prince," William said. Alice could see the hatred visible in his eyes, she wanted to ask the cause but considering Dylan's attitude towards her was enough of a reason why it happened.

Alice smiles at William's response, knowing her neighbor knows a good way to curse someone seems refreshing to her. She didn't realize she was smiling too

Alice also suddenly realized why Dylan disliked her so much. A thought crept through his brain

"So, why haven't they been aware of my existence all this time, I mean mom did do something with magic—"

"Dylan has found your whereabouts since you were little"

"What?" Alice winked in disbelief

"I'm serious," William said firmly

"How come?"

“he is a very strong elf and cannot be underestimated. His power became a lot of conversation among the port and even the elves who walked in and out of the gate. Somehow he can find where you are. This was already known to my grandfather before he died, well that's why he helped your mom to disguise your whereabouts. But Lili didn't know that until now, and my grandfather also forbade me to tell her. "

"Why?" Alie said nervously

"I do not know. I often met him wandering in the forest, because my grandfather gave him a ruby filled with Dylan's blood to detect his whereabouts, which for some reason I never knew. I intended to tell your mom but I never saw him do things that would hurt you — William's voice hungover — and I know it's the way it is now I'm sorry. Forgive me"

Seeing William apologizing to make Alice feel guilty, she suddenly hated herself.

"I am not a child that William has to take care of. And it's not your fault. ”Alice has always hated the way William blamed himself for so long making him feel like a bad guy

Alice could not understand any further and chose to remain silent for a moment. She wanted so badly to come to this Dylan and kick him in the face for turning her normal life upside down within three days. Coupled with his insolent attitude

Alice took her glass of tea to feel the warmth that penetrated the beautiful ceramic. She suddenly wants to hug her mom. She quickly drank the remaining tea and stood up, dragging the blanket so it didn't fall off her grip.

"I want to take a nap Will, my head hurts." Alice stepped into the bedroom and pulled the blanket over her stomach. She immediately closed her eyes forcing her subconscious to pull her and hoped that all this commotion was a dream.

William came over and pulled Alice's blanket up to her chin, making sure the woman in front of him was not cold. He rubbed her head lightly and smiled bitterly. Somehow seeing Alice have such a weak expression made him want to hug her so badly

"Go to sleep first, I'm here, you save" somehow William's words were like a spell that made Alice fall asleep immediately.

***

William started turning on the lights when it was getting dark. He didn't come home at all just to look after Alice. Even though his house is only a few meters away, he prefers to clear his messy mind

He walked down the living room after washing the used rose tea glass. His gaze is fixed on the picture frame where two small children are smiling cheerfully while bathing the puppies.

William still remembers vividly the times when Alice first moved near his house. The puppy named Sky was a gift from his grandfather for his new neighbor. He still remembered how her mother always brought Alice to visit regularly at his house to be given sealing magic

William still remembers the beautiful face that was always confused when the sealing process was finished.

All those memories made him smile briefly as he rubbed the picture frame with his finger. Guilt still haunted his mind. Somehow he wanted to meet Dylan and hit him hard in the face.

Even though he realized that the opportunity was very few, he thought that if they faced off as fellow humans without using magic, William had that confidence. a single harsh blow to the elf's arrogant cheek according to him is a price comparable to the way Alice had been treated.

Only William knew that Dylan was secretly spying on Alice. Who knows when, but William has met the elf in the forest since Alice moved. The aura he was carrying was also too big to hide

He was grateful for his sense of taste which was able to detect a possibility. But the thing he really hated about him was that Dylan purposely wanted to harm Alice

The death of her beloved dog and his grandfather was no coincidence when juxtaposed with the appearance of this powerful elf. Although many ports insist that it was the work of a black elf

However, his grandfather was a legendary port that could not possibly have disappeared without a trace. No elf could sense his presence. This is what makes William no longer want to lose the people he loves. No more.

"I'm home" a voice snapped William from reverie. he can see Lili enter and take off her jacket and throw it towards the sofa. However, a moment later William felt a familiar air and began to take a stand on alert

He did not know what further dangers awaited him. As a Porta he always had the intuition to detect strong and weak opponents from him. Seeing William Lili's response, immediately waved her hand and made the aura of the house more comfortable and familiar. "Calm down Will I brought an old friend," she said

Shortly thereafter Maya appeared from outside the door and smiled at William, who was still dumbfounded. "You're a very responsive porta," she said. William paused in shock. Immediately he bowed and paid tribute to the elf queen. "I'm sorry for my impoliteness, queen. Glory upon Naftalie, ”he said. Maya immediately waved her hand to get his back to his feet

William still did not expect to be reunited with the queen of the elves since his baptism as the successor to the porta since his grandfather died.

Her aura felt completely different from 10 years ago. Somehow the beautiful queen seemed to have a lot of burden with a forced smile. The rumors that are circulating are probably true. Naftalie's not doing very well

Lili approached William and asked "where is Alice?" her worried face was etched into her eyes. William holds Lili's hand which is on his shoulder and calms her down

"She's up there sleeping. Too many stories make her tired” Lili listened as she rubbed William's hand. "Thank you so much, I don't know what to do without you" William smiled softly as he answered

"nevermind"