Chapter 66: What Lies In The Nest
Eve just remained silent for a while, studying Ivan and wondered, what all he must have seen to have such deep insight into the subject. After some time, she asked, "What about you? How do you see other people’s lives?"
"I am no saint, Evelyn...but know this, I only serve justice to those who truly deserve it. I will always protect my people and the innocent." His eyes hardened as he spoke, as though those words were etched into him.
Eve knew his hands were stained with blood, yet it gave her some relief to think that it wasn’t the innocent who suffered his wrath, but those who had truly done wrong. Even so, she still couldn’t help but wonder, what must a person do to deserve death instead of a chance at redemption? Then she remembered the humans who had lost all their humanity and turned into darkrots in their greed for power. Their actions went as far as killing women and children without any remorse. Those were the kind who can never be redeemed.
Ivan noticed she was lost in her thoughts and asked gently, "What are you thinking about?"
Bringing her attention back to him, she shook her head lightly and said, "Just that...there is still so much I don’t know..." She fiddled with her fingers as she stared down at them before adding, "Back in my kingdom, no one ever told me about things like darkrots. I...I have come across different kinds of people back there, but I don’t think they deserved death. I could have never imagined something so sinister could walk on these lands where there is no redemption for them, until I saw them with my own eyes that day. Then again...I believe I am yet to see that side of the world."
As she said that and looked up to him, he silently watched her before whispering, "I wish you never do.."
Eve, who was not able to catch all his words as he spoke so softly, still felt her heart twist at the look in his eyes. For a fleeting moment, they seemed to hold immense pain, but it lasted only a second before it was gone, as though she was just imagining it.
"Iv-" she began, but before she could finish, the ground started to shake beneath them, like an earthquake. She exclaimed, "What in the world is happening?"
Ivan was on his feet at once, eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings and found that the roots of the trees were coming to life. "Creepers..." he muttered.
"Creepers?!" Eve sprang from her seat. "Why are they here? I thought they only appeared on the path up the hill."
"Seems like they don’t want us getting lazy," he replied flatly. Then, glancing at her from the corner of his eyes, he added, "Don’t tell me you forgot this is an enchanted forest."
"Yeah, and this place is hell bent on reminding us every time," she muttered under her breath, then sighed, "Can’t seem to catch a break."
"Let’s get moving. Unless..." he leaned in closer, "you’d like me to carry you?"
"N-No, I can walk." She blushed profusely and hurried ahead, putting distance between herself and the creepers.
Ivan stood there a second longer, watching her walk away, his thoughts heavy. ’Some dark secrets are meant to remain buried...it’s better you never get to see them. For it would be truly unfortunate to dim your golden light.’
Just then, she paused and turned to find he was not following her. Her beautiful brows knitted together in confusion as she rushed back, catching his hand and said, "What are you doing? Come on, let’s go!"
He gave her a nod and started leading her towards the other side of the forest, where the creepers were still, moving only on one side of the forest. They walked for nearly an hour until Evelyn, unable to continue, collapsed onto the grass. "I don’t think I can walk anymore," she said defeatedly. As she tried to catch her breath, her gaze drifted upward to the thick trees, and she spotted a bird’s nest. She almost looked away until something glinted faintly in the light.
She squinted her eyes, then widened in realization. "Ivan.." she whispered softly. Ivan, who had been looking around the forest, turned to her, "If you want to quit then forget it. I’ll carry you instead."
"No..." She pointed towards the bird’s nest. "Look there.."
As his gaze followed the direction of her finger, a slow, wicked smile tugged at his lips. "Looks like we can finally get out of here."
"Seriously? Out of all the places, they put it in a bird’s nest as a decoration?" she muttered, completely in a state of disbelief at their professor’s thinking.
Ivan leaped onto the tree branch, retrieved the blue stone, and walked back towards her. "Time to go." He stopped in front of her and extended his large hand. She smiled as relief washed over her and placed her hand in his. She let him pull her to her feet, and then, in a low voice, he said, "Hold on to it."
Staring into his deep red eyes, she placed her hand over the stone as Ivan channeled his powers into it. The stone glowed softly, surrounding them in a gentle blue light, and just like that, they were transported to the top of the hill.
It was already five o’clock in the evening, and though they had arrived, they were so lost in each other they didn’t realise they weren’t alone anymore.
"Ahem.." a sound interrupted them. Both turned their heads towards it and saw the three professors standing there, their faces wearing amused expressions. Beside them were some students who had been lucky enough to find the stone earlier, though not without injuries. Amongst them was Damien, grinning ear to ear, while Cece and Edward stood not too far away from him, sharing a knowing smile.
Evelyn quickly stepped away from Ivan, wishing the ground would swallow her whole. Ivan, however, frowned slightly at the sudden distance she created, though his expressions remained as unreadable as ever.
Professor Dante clapped his hands together, "Ah! My star pair finally made it! I was starting to worry as the time dragged on..." He paused, his gaze dropped to their attire, where Ivan was only in his inner shirt and Evelyn was wrapped in his jacket with her own coat nowhere in sight. A sly smile curved his lips. "I didn’t realise you two would be...occupied with other things."
Professor Leo’s lips twitched at Dante’s remark, while Professor Seira and Dr. Zora maintained their composure but internally enjoyed Ivan’s discomfort.
"We would be here sooner," Ivan deadpanned, "if someone hadn’t littered the forest with dead traps."
To this, Dante chuckled in delight, as if he had zero remorse. "Well, we’re glad you finally made it and passed the exam with flying colours."
Dr. Zora’s sharp eyes spotted a tiny spot of blood on Evelyn’s neck, and she asked, "Do you need medical assistance, Princess Evelyn?"
"Ah.." she contemplated whether to tell them, since Ivan had closed the wound, but if Dr. Zora examines it, she’ll know just how exactly they managed to close it. As colour climbed on her cheeks, Ivan spoke for her, "Yes, she does. She was injured by a wolf."
At once, Cece’s face tightened with worry. "Evelyn!" she called Eve out anxiously.
"I’m fine, Cece." She reassured her with a soft smile, then turned to Dr. Zora, "I think I could use some healing."
Dr. Zora gave her a firm nod, "Please follow me, I’ll tend to it right away."
Evelyn turned to look at Ivan, and when she found him still staring at her, she blushed lightly and gave a small nod. "I’ll see you around," she murmured quickly before scurrying away like a little bunny.
Ivan watched her retreating back for a second longer before shifting his gaze to the three professors, who were watching their exchange the entire time.
"You need to run a check on every student to see if they have any forbidden or restricted potions," he said in a grave tone.
Professor Leo raised his brows, "I assume you have a reason for such a request?"
"Yes, some rubbed a beast attraction potion on Evelyn’s coat sleeve, which led to us being attacked by multiple beasts."
Damien, Cece, and Edward’s brows furrowed at the revelation.
Professor Seira, a sorcerer, spoke grimly, "If that is the case, then it is extremely dangerous for students to possess such items. Not to mention it would be a violation of one of the academy’s major rules."
"Indeed," Leo replied, slamming his fist into his palm with a menacing look, "And I will make sure to catch those bugs."
Everyone knew how much Professor Leo enjoyed straightening out students who strayed from the right path.
Seria added, "I will go and inform Headmaster Charles and request permission to run the search."
With that, Ivan turned and left the place, followed closely by Damien, Cece, and Edward.
