Chapter 123 Strange Catharsis (2)

Trust was not an easy thing to give when it was already broken before.

Cervus sat in the fireplace and waited for the Vampires' reply alongside Ursa. Out of the five of them all, Theodore did not spare a glance whatsoever at his group and tried to give a reply.

"–Let's stay here then." Lukas quickly said.

Theodore shot him a look alongside with the rest–but it was mostly clear from the group that it was only the assassin that didn't look happy with it. Chaerin smiled a little while Alexei simply scratched his head.

"Does it mean that we'd at least actually get a comfortable bed to sleep in tonight–or whatever few hours we have left?" Alexei asked.

Stacy elbowed her brother, but she also looked more willing to stay.

"We need some rest too, Theodore. Got to recuperate you know?" Lukas rubbed the back of his shoulder. "I had quite a heavy throw from earlier."

"Who said I was against it?" Theodore smiled and nodded towards the two demihumans. "We'd be happy to stay awhile and ensure there's peace before we leave."

"Thank you so much, we know that it's a bother–"

"Nonsense. It would put our minds at ease more." Theodore reassured them.

It was clear to Lukas that Theodore probably didn't mean it, but it was actually convincing enough–or the others didn't choose to comment on it.

As for Lukas himself, his own reasons to stay weren't entirely benevolent either. He really wanted to rest, but also to spend some time with his special person.

"I could offer the same accommodations if you people are willing to travel back to the tree houses," Cervus said.

"Or stay here." Ursa glanced around the huts available. Most of the elderly were returning to their places and were drained after quite a scare, so most of them were getting filled up again.

"Yeah, we don't want to travel back and forth–even with the van." Alexei yawned.

Lukas resisted the urge to shake his fist. He wanted more privacy, and the huts here were all too close to one another. Not to mention that they were probably all occupied.

"If necessary, we can simply sleep on the ground," Theodore said. "But… with the fogs clearing up in the forest, it seems a bit more difficult to do that."

His initial reply might have gotten dirty looks from both Alexei and Lukas, but fortunately for him–the latter part was able to salvage some of it.

Not that Theodore really cared about their desires that much, but he was at least still decent.

"Well, there's still the van–" Chaerin said.

"I have a hut and so does Nievu, use it." Ursa decided at last. "Only two to spare though."

Lukas smiled and wanted to call it a win.

"That's more than enough–"

"We can split it then, boys take one and the girls take the other." Alexei nodded in satisfaction.

Lukas blinked at the other Vampire, and despite no visible reactions, Stacy who was looking at him–caught it immediately and elbowed her brother again.

"Hey," Stacy gave her brother a pointed look.

"What?" Alexei turned to her in confusion.

"Hah." Theodore pinched the bridge of his nose and tried not to make a face. Sometimes, it seemed like Lukas was an unreadable figure, an unpredictable force–but then at times, he was like an open book.

Cervus' lips quirked in amusement.

"What's the matter?" Ursa raised a brow. "Want us to evict elderly from their beds?"

"Nono, it's not that!" Chaerin waved a hand and reassured her. "It's just that, well, the sleeping arrangements… well, it's not that important, really!"

"Oh, really?" Cervus asked.

"Yes, really." Chaerin stressed and narrowed her eyes at the effeminate man.

"Chaerin…" Lukas didn't know what to say.

"Yes, Lukas?" Chaerin tilted her head. "We're all good, aren't we?"

"We're all good over here." Alexei responded immediately. "Right, Theodore?"

"I can frankly sleep in the van." Theodore rolled his eyes, not wanting to be a part of this.

"Well…" Lukas hesitated.

Truth be told, Lukas was a little disappointed that she didn't seem keen on defending the sleeping arrangements at all. Had she gotten used to the ground and the van?

Did she not realize the reasons why he wanted to stay with her?

"We're more than willing to keep watch, right?" Chaerin said.

"Ugh, also rest." Alexei muttered to himself.

Lukas grimaced and realized that she probably didn't–still focused on the situation with the demihumans beforehand.

It was both a wonderful thing, and a not so great thing at the same time.

Lukas rubbed the back of his head.

In the presence of the two demihumans, he honestly didn't care that much about them.

Yes, a terrible thing could have happened–but the crisis was averted!

They couldn't keep hand holding the different folks and expect peace, yes?

"I'm not really sure if I'm okay with this." Stacy sighed and crossed her arms.

"Huh?" Chaerin frowned. She didn't like Stacy in particular, especially because she was close to Lukas–but she had been willing to stay in the same room as her to ensure the peace.

The situation was still a little tense and they needed all the eyes that could at least stay watch and guard. Chaerin had noticed that Nievu was still on high alert and Ursa wasn't at complete peace either.

People could have died and might still die if anything were to happen.

"I'm actually more comfortable with my brother." Stacy tried to keep her face placid. Which wasn't that hard, except for the fact that Alexei was throwing stares at her.

"You… you are? Well that's…" Chaerin frowned and then glanced at Theodore.

"I'm on van duty, frankly. I still don't trust everyone completely here and would prefer to keep our transportation method safe." Theodore grunted.

"If that's the case then," Chaerin pursed her lips and then glanced at Lukas.

Lukas was mostly still blinking at Stacy, he didn't know how to react–but then gave a crooked grin at his girlfriend.

"I hope you don't mind me around?"