Chapter 125 Strange Catharsis (4)

Chaerin's already broken hearted expression turned into a pained smile.

He could see her perfectly clear through the dark, but somehow, moonlight now started to seep into the windows as the Veil of the Forest lifted.

Lukas stared at her face and knew that he said the wrong thing–so he tried to apologize.

"I'm sorry–"

"It's fine." Chaerin said quietly. "That's what you truly think after all right?"

"No, that's not–"

"It's okay." Chaerin's voice broke a little, but she made it firmer. Tried to, at least. "Your original girlfriend was Lily, I'm just someone who got in the way–"

"Chaerin, please–"

Lukas saw the glimmer of tears that pricked her eyes, something that she tried to pretend wasn't there.

Chaerin took a deep and shaky breath, she tried to get up. "It's fine, Lukas. I'm just going to go out and catch some air–"

"No, don't leave." Lukas said and wanted her to stay, but then looked at her forlorn expression. "I'll leave instead. You can stay here and get some rest instead, okay? We can talk in the morning instead."

"Lukas…"

The idea of talking with Chaerin when both of their emotions were at the peak was a bad idea. Lukas wished he could stay and talk with her, he almost just wanted to continue talking but she was so close to tears that he was afraid that she'd break.

That was how Lukas found himself standing up and gently patting Chaerin's head. She didn't exactly move away from him, but neither did she lean into his touch.

It was a heart wrenching moment and that was fine.

He'd leave her be for a while.

Give her enough room.

Lukas stepped out of the hut and took in the cold morning air. It was still dark, and most of the night had already passed but it was still dark and everyone was still fast asleep and resting in their own huts.

Well, Ursa and Nievu were still awake.

The two demihumans found themselves staying by a fireplace, keeping warm in the chilly weather and it was probably to keep the villagers safe–still wary and not completely trusting of Cervus' words.

But somehow, it also seemed like they were just strengthening each other too.

Lukas didn't know the full story of Ursa or Nievu, but it didn't seem like he needed to. He didn't need to intercede or act as some sort of intermediary–they were already fine enough on their own.

Lukas turned away from the sight of the two and decided to leave them by themselves, he walked into another direction.

A part of him chose to weave through the trees, and if he wanted to–he could have gone for the van nestled in between them.

Lukas eyed the silhouette of someone in the front seat of the car.

If there was anyone who also might have stayed awake for the entire duration of the night, that was probably Theodore. Too concerned with the danger and everything that he'd stalk out the night, he was a true quintessential of a Vampire.

"Would someone like him know what to say or do?" Lukas murmured to himself, but then bit back a sardonic smile. "Nah, someone like him who's here by himself wouldn't know a thing."

If Theodore was in any relationship with someone–he'd have trouble leaving Lux City for the sake of his cousin.

That would mean that he'd cruelly left a loved one to prioritize family above all.

Not to mention the danger of his work already meant that he was risking his life constantly.

That wasn't exactly the most comforting profession for someone with a partner.

"I might be wrong, but I'm likely right…" Lukas said and he eyed the van, avoiding it with every step of his. "And even if I was wrong, he'd be the last one I'd want to talk about something like this."

Theodore once seemed friendly and chipper when they first met–but there was an almost sinister way he changed when it came to him discovering Lukas' relationship with Lily.

The guy would likely see Lukas as an incapable partner, not fit in handling two partners and much less one.

Eventually, Lukas arrived in a more isolated place by himself.

Surrounded by trees and without anyone to bother him–except for his own thoughts.

Lukas closed his eyes and breathed slowly, trying to calm himself down.

It didn't work well.

"Fuck it." Lukas stretched out his hand and summoned the Sanguise dagger. No talks. Only action.

He stared at a branch far above the trees and aimed his weapon there, feeling the cold metal against his fingertips and then flung it.

It missed–and so he tried again.

And again.

And again and again.

Lukas figured it was probably his own thoughts that made it hard for him to actually concentrate and strike, every now and then he'd glance at the corner of his vision. Waiting and almost frowning.

There was a certain somebody who he'd only last seen when Cervus and the Dryad came parading into the elder's village.

A part of him almost thought that she may have attempted to flee, but it was clear that she had actually stuck around and discovered that she couldn't quite escape him as she liked.

"Come out now, there's no use in hiding." Lukas muttered.

He threw the dagger again towards the highest branch of the tree and saw it miss again, much to his annoyance.

That wasn't exactly a good look–for all he had been brooding.

Lukas resummoned the dagger again and tapped on his foot impatiently. Almost as if he meant to actually miss the target.

He didn't know why he insisted on such appearances, but it helped soothe him.

Like he was still in control.

"We don't exactly have all day to mess around here–no matter how much we'd like." Lukas said with a tiny hint of a sarcastic smile. "If you don't come out right now, don't blame me if this dagger strikes you next–"

"Okay–!"

Lukas' eyes momentarily widened.

It wasn't Rhea.