King

CHAPTER XLI

Al has been meeting up with Francis to ask him about the researches they’ve made. Everything he was telling me was working. Al was even able to convince Zynrick to drink animal blood.

“How’s Zynrick?” Francis asked as he scans the papers in his hands.

Even though they’ve been doing the search for Ellesmiere a secret they’ve been making progress which delighted both of them.

“He’s doing well, I was actually able to make him gain a bit of weight after making him drink animal blood and eat human food,” Al answered.

Al didn’t expect that they would be making much progress but he was ecstatic with everything they’ve been discovering.

“That’s good to hear,” Francis said and stretched his arms. Al glanced at him before returning to what he was doing.

“Are you married?” Al asked which made him stare at Al with surprise.

He laughed and hit Alystair’s back, “What’s with the sudden question?” He asked with his arm wrapped around Al’s shoulder.

“I don’t know, aren’t you scared for your life? I mean, look at what happened to my parents and Tyrone’s parents,” Alystair said and he sighed.

“Look, kid, no one’s going to miss me if I die,” He answered which made Alystair stare at him.

“What?” I asked in utter disbelief, “I’m sure at least one person would miss you,” Alystair said.

“Nah, my parents are dead. They were already old when they had me so it’s natural that they passed ahead of me. I also never fell in love and got married. I guess I’m too in love with science that’s probably why I don’t have a lover. I also don’t have friends anymore because they’re dead,” He said as if it was nothing.

Francis’ answer made Al wonder what happened to him for him to act like this.

“That’s sad,” Alystair whispered but it seems that Francis heard him.

“It truly is sad, but I have the lab to spend most of my time. Though, I don’t know what happened, being here seems to feel like torture nowadays,” He said and shrugged before sighing.

Al thought that Francis was probably grieving but Francis didn’t know it himself.

“Being here is pure torture to me,” Alystair admitted. Francis wrapped his arm around Alystair and ruffled his hair.

“I know it must be for you. This place brings nothing but sadness to you. It’s like a constant reminder of what happened to your life,” Francis said and Alystair couldn’t agree more.

“Alright, it’s almost time for you to go to Zynrick, I’ll go buy us lunch so we can together,” Francis said and Alystair nodded.

They’ve been doing everything together and the conversation they had earlier made Al realize that they were filing the loneliness they were feeling by being there for each other.

A week had passed and Alystair received good news, “Francis!” He yelled and barged into Francis’ room.

Francis was startled but the smile on Alystair’s face made him realize that he had brought good news with him, “What’s up with the smile?” Francis asked.

“The High Commission on Magic Regulation promoted me and put me as the head researcher in charge of Zynrick’s case,” He said which made Francis smile.

“That’s f*****g amazing!” Francis said and hugged Alystair. “I’m so proud of you right now,” He added.

Alystair smiled when he felt the warmth of Francis’ hug. It made him think of the last time he was hugged with such affection.

“It’s all thanks to you though, if it weren’t for your help then Zynrick wouldn’t make progress and I wouldn’t be here,” Alystair said.

Francis patted his head, “You worked for it for almost two years so credit yourself a bit,” he said.

“Thanks,” Alystair said and they went out to celebrate.

A week had passed after his promotion and he received a text from Francis.

“Come see me at our meeting place. I have clues of where Ellesmiere is, we just need to deploy people and hope that at least one of these places is Ellesmiere’s burial place.” –Francis

Alystair excitedly ran to their meet-up place but he was horrified by what he saw.

“Please back away,” A forensics officer said and pushed Alystair back.

Alystair felt tears run down his cheeks when he saw Francis lying on the ground. A pool of his blood was surrounding him.

“How the f**k did this happen?!” He yelled and grabbed a police officer that was passing by.

“Sir, please calm down, we don’t know everything yet,” The police officer said calmly.

Alystair couldn’t believe what was happening in front of him

“Sir, please leave, we need to clean this place up,” The officer said.

Alystair couldn’t help but feel pissed. He punched the officer and the others restrained him.

“Don’t talk about him like he’s just an object you’re cleaning up!” He yelled and broke free.

He left the lab and called Diane. Though Diane said she’d always be there for Alystair, it’s hard for him to meet up with her. Diane’s work required her to travel around the world so Al had a hard time reaching out to her.

“Hey, Al,” Diane greeted cheerfully.

“Diane, could you send a few of your people to the lab,” Alystair said seriously.

Diane didn’t expect the favor but she understood that things weren’t going well just by the tone of Alystair’s voice.

“What do you want them to do?” She asked without question.

“I want them to investigate what happened to Francis Porter. He’s a friend of mine and he just died earlier. I think it’s a homicide but I’m not sure yet. I’m certain the lab will cover this up so I want to know,” Alystair said.

Diane sighed on the other side of the line, “Okay, I’ll send five people to investigate. I’ll let you know after I’ve decided who to send.” She said and Alystair nodded.

“Thanks, Diane,” He said, “I’m in debt to you,”

“Don’t think about it that way, besides, I’m just returning the favor. Your parents saved my entire family from being poisoned by our enemies. They also saved us from manmade illnesses. So, all of these is nothing,” Diane said making Alystair chuckle.

“Alright,” Alystair said and sighed.

“Al,” Diane called out seriously.

“What is it?” Al asked.

“Just don’t cross to this side. It’s hard to go back.” Diane said and Alystair nodded.

“I know, I won’t let that happen,” Alystair said before they ended the call.

A week had passed after what happened to Francis. Al was given the unfinished researches and findings when he attended the funeral. The investigation made by Diane’s people was also over and he was right. Francis was murdered inside the lab but all pieces of evidence of Francis’ murder were disposed of.

“Just wait for me, Zynrick, I’ll get us out of this hell hole,” He whispered and buried himself in finding Ellesmiere.

A month had passed and Alystair’s visit to Zynrick lessened. He started doing fieldwork and paper works so he didn’t have much power and energy to visit Zynrick.

He doesn’t know what happened but one day, after he decided to visit Zynrick, he was pinned against the wall.

“Zynrick, what are you doing?” Alystair asked in confusion.

“You were lying to me weren’t you?!” Zynrick yelled.

“You lied to me and told me that I was drinking animal blood when the truth is I was drinking human blood!” He yelled.

“Do you think I’d do that to you?!” Alystair yelled in anger. “After everything that I’ve been doing for you, do you think I’d make you do something you didn’t want to!”

“Do you think I wouldn’t know the taste of human blood?! I drank your parent’s blood for f**k’s sake!” He yelled.

Alystair fisted his hands punched Zynrick. He felt so betrayed that Zynrick would accuse him of making Zynrick drink blood.

“I can’t believe that this is how you’re going to treat me after all the work I’ve done for you! Who told you that I was making you drink human blood?!” Alystair yelled.

Just as he was done asking, the nurse came in with a cup of blood.

“Erin, get out of here,” Zynrick said which made Alystair look at him.

“Is she the one?” Alystair asked. Zynrick didn’t answer so Alystair decided to walk towards her and take the cup from the tray.

“What is this?” Alystair asked Erin.

“Its cow blood,” Erin answered and turned towards Zynrick.

“Drink it,” Alystair commanded and grave Zynrick the cup.

Zynrick balled his hands into fists and looked at Alystair with anger in his eyes, “Why would I?” Zynrick asked through gritted teeth.

“I’m the one who’s paying people to gather as much animal blood they can so I can give it to you. I don’t want to see you drinking human blood because I know that you hate it. Now, prove me wrong, show me that what I have been giving you was human blood,” Alystair said.

“I won’t drink that just to prove you wrong. Besides, how will you know the difference?” Zynrick asked.

“Your eyes will turn red if you drink human blood but it’ll remain the same if it’s animal blood,” Alystair answered.

Zynrick took the cup and gulped before downing the blood. He looked at Alystair who was staring at him with a blank expression.

“Now, look into the mirror,” Alystair said.

Zynrick did as he was told and saw that his eyes were the same color. He turned towards Alystair to say something but remained quiet when he heard what Alystair said. “If you’re going to tell me that I’m lying then there’s nothing I can do about it. But remember one thing, Zyn, I was the one who saw what you looked like when you killed my parents.”

--

A week had passed since the battle with Tyrone. I also talked to Alystair about his memories. Now, I understood why he looked so pained when I kept on asking about his past. I apologized for being petty and pushy about him opening up to me.

“Elle, you know you can’t avoid Zynrick forever,” Alystair said while sitting in front of me.

Ever since Zynrick he told me that he had something to tell me after the battle, I started avoiding him. I was scared of what he was going to say especially after knowing that Erin died when I lost control.

“I know but I don’t want to talk to him just yet,” I said and hugged my knees.

Haneul entered my room and saw Al and I talking. She sighed and sat beside Al.

“Can’t you just talk to Zynrick?” She asked and I shook my head.

“I don’t want to,” I said and she sighed again. I heard her groan and throw her head back. “Do you know how annoying he is when he’s asking about you?”

I shook my head which made her groan, “He’s hella annoying! He won’t shut up about asking if you want to talk to him!” She complained.

After a week of staying together, it seems that everyone was able to adjust with Alystair being a demon and having Haneul stay here.

“I’m scared to talk to him though,” I said and hugged my knees tighter. “After I found out that I like him and I killed someone important to him, I can’t face him. I know he’s just going to scold me about Erin.” I said and covered my face.

I just don’t like the idea of displeasing the people I love. I don’t know if it’s because of my nature as a Maharlikan or if I’m just soft.

“How are you so sure?” Alystair asked.

“He defended Erin from me twice. You saw how he reacted when I told him that Erin was working for Tyrone. The time you were captured, I was fighting Erin, she attacked me first but he still defended her,” I answered.

I’ll admit that I’m still jealous of Erin but I’m able to control it now unlike the last time.

“It’s my first time seeing you like this and I don’t know if I should be pissed at you or if I should be happy that you finally found someone you like,” Haneul said and stood up. “I heard him say that he’s going somewhere,” She added.

“Oh, today’s the day they’re going to bury Erin, right?” Al asked and Haneul nodded.

“I want to go out and take a breather. Being in the chateau is suffocating me. Your sulkiness is rubbing on me,” Haneul said and walked out of the room.

“Take your time to think while everyone’s out of the house,” Alystair said and stood up as well, “I’ll go with Hanuel. Who knows what she’ll do if we let her leave alone,” He said and left.

I rolled my eyes. He just wanted to be with her.

I was happy that Alystair and Haneul were okay but I couldn’t help but feel envious that they were doing well even after being separated for years.

I sighed and walked out of my room. There’s no point in sulking in my room. I’ll just sulk somewhere else.

I prepared myself some coffee and went to the pool area but I was surprised when I saw Zynrick’s back.

Those f*****g liars.

I quietly turned around and attempted to leave without him sensing my presence but the moment I took a step away, I felt his hand on my arm.

“Please, don’t leave,” He said in a pained voice.

I shook my arm away from him and ran to my room. The coffee was spilling everywhere but I don’t care. All that matters to me was running away from him.

“Wait! Elle!” He yelled and chase me.

I arrived in my room and attempted to close the door but he pulled it open.

“What do you want?!” I yelled. I want him to leave me alone, why can’t he understand that?

“I want to talk to you,” He answered calmly. He was looking straight into my eyes and I hated it.

I used to love staring at his eyes when we talk but now I hate it.

“I don’t want to so can you just leave me alone!” I yelled and pushed him but he didn’t budge.

“I gave you a week to be alone, can’t you listen to me?” He asked while holding my hand.

I shook my head, “No, I don’t want to talk to you because we have nothing to talk about,” I said and struggled to break free.

He took a deep breath and looked at me, “Give me a reason why,” He said.

I clenched my jaw and gulped. I don’t want to say this but I need to, “You’re just going to get mad at me because I killed Erin,” I whispered.

Saying that sentence was painful.

I looked up at him and I wished I didn’t. He had a shocked expression and his eyes looked so sad.

“I’m not going to,” He said and hugged me. “I can’t believe you think I’d scold you,”

I couldn’t help but clench my jaw. He’s confusing. I don’t like it.

“You defended Erin from me twice,” I said and pushed him away.

“I know but when I saw her with Tyrone I regretted it. I wish I could turn back time and tell you that I believe you.” He said and took a step forward but I put my hand up.

“You can never turn back time,” I said and looked at him.

“I know, that’s why I’m sorry for taking Erin’s side,” he apologized.

I thought I’d feel better if I heard him apologize but it just made my heart hurt.

“I want to forgive you but I don’t want to see you right now. I don’t want to have this painful feeling in my chest whenever I see you.” I said. He looked like he got hurt from what I said but he doesn’t know how painful it was for me when he didn’t believe me.

I guess hearing him admit the fact that he trusted Erin more than me is more painful.

“I’m sorry but can you at least hear me out,” He pleaded but I shook my head.

“I don’t want to hear you say that she’s important to you that’s why you acted that way,” I said and pointed at the door. “Leave,”

He shook his head, “I won’t leave unless you forgive me,” he said.

“I forgive you, now leave,” I said but he shook his head.

“I want you to genuinely forgive me. I still have a lot of things I want to tell you but I won’t tell you anything if you won’t forgive me,” He said but I don’t want to talk to him.

“Leave or I won’t talk to you for the rest of my f*****g life,” I threatened but he still shook his head.

“Fine,” I said and blasted him out of the room.

I didn’t want to use magic on him but he left me no choice.

If only he didn’t defend Erin from me twice then we wouldn’t be in this situation