The chains remained a reality. The cold metal clung painfully to my skin.
Reality set in like a cold, bitter wind. I was being held captive!
And then, like a beacon of hope, I spotted Rufus sitting nearby. His presence, though comforting, only raised more questions. He was seated silently on the bed, donned in plain clothes, ruffling the back of his head as he frowned at a piece of paper in his hands.
My heart racing, I croaked out his name, hoping for some answers. “Rufus?
What’s going on?”
“You’re awake,” Rufus whispered as he turned his head towards me, his gaze softening. With a tender smile, he leaned forward and placed a scroll in my palm.
It was adorned with intricate drawings, twisting beautifully on the contours of the paper. My heart raced as I recognized the familiar artifact. It was the same scroll that Murray had given me. My mind clouded with confusion. How did it end up with Rufus?
His warm hand enveloped my cold fingers, sending a shiver down my spine.
“The time has come to settle the score,” he said in a soothing tone.
“What… what. .” I stuttered. Only moments ago, we had been clinging to one another, and now his behavior had changed so drastically.
I tried to muster the words to defend myself, but my tongue was tied in knots as Rufus expression darkened.
“‘You’ve seen this scroll before, right? Murray gave it to you?” Rufus asked, his voice low and hushed as he narrowed his eyes.
I gave a small nod, my heart racing as I spoke. “Indeed, it’s all about the method of forcing Noreen’s soul into my body,” I replied.
Rufus smiled as he unfurled the ancient scroll, revealing the contents within.
“I can see how to force Noreen’s soul into you in here. You haven’t deceived me.
Relieved, I was about to beam with relief when Rufus’ tone changed suddenly, and his expression darkened. It was as if he was a police detective interrogating a criminal. “But what about the red-lettered paragraph at the end?” he demanded.
My eyes darted to the section he referred to, describing the devastating consequences of casting the spell, which was perishing together with the soul.
How could I ever reveal the truth to him? I stumbled over my words. “It’s just a warning that only blood relatives can do the trick. Otherwise, the spell won’t work. And… it can only be attempted once.”
Rufus gazed at me intensely, silence filling the room. Finally, he spat out, “I don’t believe you.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at Rufus’ lack of trust in me. What was the matter with him?
“Well, if you refuse to believe me,” I said, my voice small and trembling, “then there’s nothing more I can do.” I tucked my chin into my neck and looked away.
Rufus’ sneer made my heart skip a beat as he reached out and lifted my chin.
“Stop lying, Crystal. You know I can always tell when you’re not being honest with me.”
My body shook with fear as I tried to keep my composure. “I swear, Rufus, I’m not lying.”
But as the words left my lips, I knew I sounded uncertain and unconvincing.
Thunder brewed in his eyes and he curled his fists. “You’re still not telling me the truth?”
I bit my lip and yanked my head away, unable to meet his accusing gaze.
“Crystal,” he said, his voice heavy with disappointment, “sometimes I wonder if you truly love me. Why do you always give up on us so easily?”
Rufus’ dismay pierced my heart like a dagger. My gaze locked with his, and my voice trembled as I confessed, “Rufus, I love you. I would lay down my life for you without hesitation. I don’t want to lie to you, but-“
Rufus inhaled deeply, folding his arms behind his back, and urged, “Then tell me.” his voice was firm as he said, ‘what happens after you use the spell?” I fell silent, feeling as if something was lodged in my throat. Waves of sadness washed over me as I lay there.
“You will die, right? Do you want to perish with Noreen?” Rufus chilly tone revealed his suspicions.
I knew I couldn’t evade the truth anymore, so I tightened my lips and refused to offer an explanation.
Yet, I couldn’t fathom when Rufus began to distrust me. I believed I had concealed my true feelings so flawlessly.
Crystal’s POV
“How did you know [was lying to you?” I asked Rufus in a low voice.
Instead of answering me, Rufus only looked away.
Then hushed groans sounded. I followed Rufus’ gaze to see Murray tied up in the corner, his mouth covered.
I was now more disconcerted than ever. Perhaps Rufus had known everything all along and had only been testing me since then. It had been a waste of effort for me to continue with my little ruse.
“Untie him,” Rufus ordered coldly. The guard who was standing by the door followed what he was ordered to do.
Murray spat out the cloth stuffed in his mouth. He did not even bother putting on his hood, leaving his white hair tied into two small braids revealed.
‘Crystal, I’m sorry. I had a hunch and ran away early. But your mate had already set up traps all around the palace, waiting to catch me,” Murray growled while throwing two pieces of black candy into his mouth.
I froze in my spot, words failing to escape from my lips. It was clear how Rufus had been wary of me even before I talked to Murray.
“So you never planned to believe me from the beginning?” I looked at Rufus in disbelief, my chest heavy with discomfort.
If that was indeed the case, then Rufus was a natural in acting! He was incredibly cunning. He had never shown any trace of dissatisfaction with me before.
And now the truth was revealed.
I was too complacent to think he would lower his guard a little after losing his memory. But I was wrong. It turned out that he was even more vigilant than before.
Rufus stood in front of the bed with his hands tucked in his pockets. He was calmly smiling at me. “Actually, I should commend you for making progress You’re really good at trying to fool me, and I almost believed you “When did you find out I was lying?” I barked.
“You’ve done something similar before, so it shouldn’t really come as a wonder if I never believed you from the beginning.” Rufus looked at me as if he was appreciating a piece of art. “Indeed, the more beautiful the she-wolf, the less trustworthy she is.”
His remark was the last straw and I snapped and glared at him. “You fooled me.”
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