The tournament

1600: Confusion

“Harper doesn't..." I volunteered before Cuthbert could utter a comeback.

I like Harper I really do but I will not let her question Cuthbert's loyalty.

I trust him, he is the second person I ever trusted after Bella. He saved my life when I didn't know how to handle myself.

"It's a trap, Daphne." Her voice came out as a plead.

"This is insane.” Cuthbert scoffed, his hands flies around his sides, demonstrating his annoyance. I wish they could just get along. We are in a place that needs agreement not fierce controversy. “Daphne you know I wouldn't let anything happen to you. You have to believe me." Cuthbert softly breathed.

"We've made it this far we can't start this right now." I preached, hoping they don't let the hatred they have for each other get in the way of our survival.

But clearly, Harper wasn't paying attention to what I was injecting, because she boldly mocked Cuthbert.

"Really? Okay, then why won't you tell her you're the son of chairman Ephraim?"

The blow in the chest her words came with, almost knocking me to my knees, I had lean against the trunk of a tree behind me.

"What?" I croaked.

Cuthbert's eyes were shut close, I couldn't see the truth or lies in them, and for the first time with him I desperately want everything to be wrong. It shouldn't be him to rip off my heart, not the boy I'm gradually having feelings for; but Harper's word isn't enough, they kept coming with a sharp blade scraping the middle area of my heart, I couldn't breathe.

"Yes the fact that you weren't in the headquarters for training was because you were never meant to be here, and so your father has his men hunt the bunker for your replacement for the tournament and they found Archiefield's most popular orphan?" Harper added.

I shook my head at her with a gaping mouth and try to explain what I am no more sure of, only I hope it could be my defense.

"No, that's not it... I-I, professor Ephraim let me in because my mother asked for me, she's..."

"Dead.” Harper is quick to interject. “Your mother has been dead for years, she never made it across. If she is alive you really thought she wouldn't come back for you?"

There are tears I have no control of, rolling down my face.

This can't be, she can't possibly be right.

"No, that's not true."

"I'm a veil witch but I also told you I have knowledge. The ancient perception from my ancestors was also shared with me, I can see all of you Daphne, and I would tell you there's nothing you will need from him."

No.

A soft sob let out my throat when I turned for those pretty eyes that stopped me from seeing through them. “Cuthbert? Please..."

"His father manipulated you." Harper hollered.

"I heard the audio," I argued, refusing to let her words make significance in my head.

"It was a forgery. The chairman would do anything to save the a*s of his beloved son." She spat, fury etched into her expression when she glances at Cuthbert.

"He was a professor." I defend professor Ephraim in my tears.

Professor Ephraim was a professor. He only wanted me to reunite with my mother. Cuthbert is only trying to keep me safe. Please let Harper be wrong.

She dipped her head and leveled her eyes to mine, she continues to insert her strong words in my head.

"It was a lie, why do you think you were brought to the headquarters in the last days before the game?"

"Cuthbert tell me this is all a lie, she's wrong. Isn't she?” I urge him wobbly but left me disappointed when he stayed quiet I couldn't even hear his breathing.

Harper composed herself and swirl to the wordless boy who's avoiding me, she stops next to him and throws in his face: “He can't because he is a liar, a deceiver, and a cheater. He's been following you to end you. I might not make it to the bridge but I am trying to help you, Daphne. But with him is impossible."

"Cuthbert?" I pressed. The pain in my chest increases with every second of silence from him.

"I just wanted to protect you." He despairingly muttered.

"From what? When all I need protection from is you." I furiously said.

"I followed out for you, for whoever had to carry my place, I swear to keep them save, I swear I wouldn't hurt you." He rushes his words but still refuses to look at me. Knowing that's what I want more than anything right now.

"You looked to my face with many chances to tell me the truth, yet you continue to lie. I keep trying to know you but you kept lying."

"I was afraid of this."

I exhale a sob and sniffed. “No, this wouldn't have happened if you have talked, I would've listened, I would've tried to understand." God knows I would.

"Let's go," Harper recommend.

"Daphne that isn't the right direction," Cuthbert warned, and knowing he is right, I so badly want to hit him badly for being so confusing. I'm so confused I don't know what to think.

"You are going to stay away from me, I think I've had enough of your family wrecking me. You can go back under your father's reign and let innocent people die out here because he can control who to live and who to die... Just don't follow me." It takes everything to spit those words out. They were the toughest decision I've ever made.

"Daphne..." He calls when I follow behind Harper with a tear-stained face.

Earlier all I thought was me and him and harper walking through the bridge together but now all I see is blank. I have no more hope in myself.

"I don't need you anymore," I yelled and resist the temptation of looking back. “We are following the hills.” I weakly told Harper.

I might not have Cuthbert anymore but I have my father's voice telling me the right way to follow.