Chapter 119: Haunted
The next day, Ivo planned to show
around the castle. Hugo already showed
around, but Ivo insisted. The latter wanted to give
a thorough tour since Hugo just pointed at things. The grand duke didn’t have that long of patience for such things as he kept teasing
in between.
"Are you alright?" I asked, looking back at Kieran and Cyran, who were following us from behind. Since they didn’t want to be seen as a nuisance and didn’t want to make
uncomfortable with their presence, they usually keep a good distance from . Not that I mind, to be frank. If letting them follow
would give Hugo peace of mind, why would I refuse?
Kieran, who was walking whilst holding his hand behind his head, smiled. "We’re fine, Luna."
"We’re never been this fine," Cyran reassured with a nod.
"Luna, you don’t have to worry about these two. Guarding you is way better than following Alpha Hugo wherever he goes," Ivo, who was walking beside , reassured. "This is the reason I am the one teaching you instead of Cuthbert. I will lose my mind if I stay with Alpha Hugo day and night."
"Ivo..."
He shrugged. "I’m just being honest. It’s good that we don’t stick with Alpha Hugo most of the ti, so we miss him."
"Yes. In that case, we won’t go crazy once we set off to inspect the territory." Kieran backed up.
A shallow breath slipped past my lips, treading carefully through the hallway to the place Ivo was leading us. I was honestly confused at everyone in the pack — especially Hugo’s elite warriors, who were with him in Everfell. Unlike those who were left behind in Belcoot, these n were freer to express their opinions. Or rather, they just didn’t care about any punishnt that might befall them.
I was already grown used to it, so I wasn’t surprised anymore. Still, sotis, they worry . Not that Hugo would kill them or anything of the sort. But they worry
in a way that they play too much.
"We’re here!" we stopped in front of a door situated at the far end of the castle. Hugo didn’t show
this place and with the lack of people around, I could tell this area was a place that no one would usually go in.
"This door leads to a straight exit of the castle. For generations, the grand dukes use this door to sneak outside the castle and a shortcut to the plaza. But now, no one uses it anymore," Ivo explained as he opened the door, revealing a long, cold, and empty hallway. I couldn’t see far ahead because it was dark as well, but I noticed a few cobwebs on the concrete wall.
"Why don’t you use it anymore?" I asked, glancing at Ivo.
"Why would we use it? Alpha Hugo didn’t need to sneak outside or receive suspicious guests," he replied in a knowing tone. "Anyway, although Belcoot had beco an impregnable fortress thanks to the current grand duke’s effort, use this if worse cos to worst to evacuate the castle. Don’t worry, my lady. I am simply saying this just in case."
I frowned. "I don’t want to use it." It reminded
of that secret passage in the castle in Everfell.
" neither, my lady. If you are forced to use this door, that ans there is a crack in this impregnable fortress. And that also ans more work for ."
"For
as well," the twins agreed in unison.
"Are you more concerned about that?" I inquired with a sigh.
"Of course!" The three of them answered together, making
shake my head lightly. Well, they were probably confident that they were already strong enough and more worried about what would co after.
"Anyway, don’t worry, my lady. This place isn’t a secret to anyone in this castle. If anyone is in a rush, they can use this door." Ivo cleared his throat, facing
squarely.
"If they can use it freely, why does it look like no one is using it?"
"Err... who would want to use this eerie tunnel? It’s scary!"
"That’s it?" I couldn’t conceal the dismay on my face, as the reasoning was rather too simple.
"Luna, you don’t know yet, but they say beyond this door is haunted. Although we already used it a couple of tis, Kieran and I always hold each other’s hands every ti. They have too many horror stories about this place, and they said many people died in here," Cyran explained while rubbing his shoulder, showing how this place gave him a chill.
I shook my head and glanced at the door while Ivo was closing it. "So, the other end of this long tunnel is also open?"
"Uh... yes. No one uses it, afraid they would get haunted." Ivo smiled and gestured
the way. I simply nodded and raised my brows, walking beside Ivo to head to whatever place Hugo failed to show .
But just as we took several steps away, I heard the door creak open. I stopped and looked back on instinct, knitting my brows seeing that a foot stepped inside the castle. Before I could ask Ivo, my eyes gradually dilated.
Hugo.
I looked at him from head to toe. Hugo’s presence wasn’t what surprised , but what he appeared. He was covered with blood, keeping an eye close because of it. Behind him were Reks, Mitch, and Tito, who also seed they ca from fresh from the battlefield.
"Hugh," I called under my breath, waiting for him to turn his head in our direction. I noticed how Hugo suddenly froze as soon as our eyes t. The look on his face was akin to being caught red-handed.
"Rinrin." His eyes veered to Ivo, and I noticed the warning look behind his golden eyes.
"Uh, damn it... I told him I will show her around, why did they co back early..?" Ivo mumbled in distress, making
cast him a quick look.
Was this what kept Hugo busy all this ti? An emotion I couldn’t pinpoint yet swelled in my heart as I marched towards Hugo.
Reviews
All reviews (0)