Afternoon atmosphere made the air feel weak, added with wind that rarely blew made the situation become more tense. Behind there was a lake. That place was beautiful and cool because behind it there was a very wide forest and tall towering trees. The forest was protected so it was quite dangerous if entering without bringing someone who understands the ins and outs of that forest.
We all fell silent. Staring at the book in front of me because until this second they still did not understand about this book and where I got it from.
"So none of you understand this language?" I asked and they shook their heads.
"Wait... but it seems my friend understands." Said Michelle while pausing her words then we all immediately turned to her and raised our eyebrows.
"Really... your friend understands?" I asked and she nodded but on the other side she also looked hesitant to speak.
"Where is she now?" Farel asked Michelle and after that it was answered with a sigh from Michelle.
"We have to go to a village." She said and after that I nodded but Arvan immediately stopped and held my hand. I was confused and frowned looking at him.
"You cannot go." He said, instantly I frowned again why I could not go, would something happen.
"Why can't Xanders go?" Farel asked with a frown on his face and Arvan immediately sighed.
"Your condition has not fully recovered and in addition right now King Albert is also giving shadow guards to you, if you go without telling your purpose to King Albert maybe you also cannot go." Hearing Arvan's statement, I looked at Michelle and then alternately.
"I'm fine and I think Albert is overreacting towards me." I scoffed softly and Arvan only chuckled lightly.
"We just need to follow his orders." After hearing that answer I became confused because it came from someone trusted by King Albert. But I did not think too much about it because this time my goal was to go together with Michelle and find out.
"You go with Michelle, I and Farel will find a way so you can go." Arvan said casually but Farel immediately turned to Arvan and looked shocked.
"What? What??" "I and you will work together?" "What about me?" said Farel while pointing at himself.
"Go tonight and wear Farel's clothes maybe the soldiers will not recognize." After that I nodded but what was meant by Farel's clothes, he only showed a lazy face.
"So you tell me to replace him and I tell people that I will leave the palace first?" Farel asked again and Arvan nodded.
"Don't be like that. Xanders and Michelle can go but Michelle go first so it does not raise suspicion from the king." Said Arvan and the three of us nodded.
"Alright then I will go now we will meet at the north gate." Michelle said while getting up from her seat and she smiled thinly while waving at me.
"What is going on between you two?" Farel asked while lightly patting my shoulder and I immediately turned to him with a flat look.
"I think you two will become a couple." Farel said casually but my eyes widened how could I become her partner I also did not have feelings towards her.
"You are being annoying again." I said and I immediately stood up and did not forget to bring the book that I had. Leaving Arvan and Farel in the pavilion.
"Tch you are very annoying." Said Farel while cursing at Arvan and after that Farel immediately left Arvan alone in the pavilion.
"Wait for me!" he shouted loudly and I kept walking without turning back because I was sure Farel would follow me to enter the room and he would also ask permission to go out for a while to the head guard.
Now time was moving quickly and I did not forget to bring the bag that I had prepared to carry the book.
"Are you ready?" said Farel and now he was also ready to pretend to leave the palace and replace me while I go.
"You only wear that?" Farel asked seeing me who looked very simple.
"I don't like wearing too many clothes like you." I scoffed casually but that made Farel click his tongue annoyed.
"Now... you become me. We will switch roles so you must act like what I wear and act so please cooperate well." I immediately did it and sighed then opened the wardrobe wearing Farel's clothes. I used Farel's usual clothes and he also did not forget to tidy my hair to look more like him.
"Alright then go because it is getting late." Said Farel and I immediately hurried to leave the room using Farel's identity.
I went out sneaking sometimes I tried to act like Farel but on the other side my feeling suddenly became uneasy like something would happen. According to the time we decided I was already waiting for Michelle because it seemed she was a little late so it made me wait at the north gate that we agreed.
I looked at the gate that stood tall but even so there were several guards and now I was in a place to eat so I was not too noticeable.
When I was about to drink tea suddenly Michelle came. She was dressed like a man. "Have you been waiting long?" she asked me and after that without sitting she asked me to hurry.
"Not really." "Let's go quickly from here I think our time is not much." she said and I nodded then I put coins on the table and started to leave this eating place.
Because it was night I could not see clearly fortunately Michelle had been here several times so whether night or day was not too important for her because she already memorized the path and this time we also brought a torch or lantern used at night.
Silence happened between us and we did not start conversation because confused what to talk about maybe she also did not like me so I just stayed silent.
"Do you have family?" she asked suddenly and she stopped walking then looked back. I looked at her eyes briefly she was a bit similar to me but I shook my head then nodded.
"Yes I have a grandmother!" I answered casually and she nodded then continued the journey.
I do not know how long we walked but the sound of wolves howling was heard making us stop. "Wait that is wolf howl?" I asked Michelle and Michelle nodded.
"We must hurry to get out from this forest." she answered with a very uneasy face but on the other side there were some things that made me think how could there be wolves in human clan territory.
The more we panicked the more we heard many footsteps so Michelle immediately turned off the lantern she carried.
"We hide first." said Michelle to avoid conflict. We decided to hide and indeed after we found a place suddenly the pack of wolves came near our location.
Our eyes met when the wolves tried to find us. "I thought you did not know this technique." said Michelle making me roll my eyes.
"You don't need to think like that." I said and Michelle nodded. Because we were not detected the wolves left us and I saw they looked disappointed not finding us.
Only accompanied by moonlight we hurried to walk again with quiet voices and silence truly happened.
Because several times we almost fell we walked slowly and that made us a bit late from estimation. We arrived when the rooster crowed which means the sun would rise soon.
From here the gate looked tall and the road was quite small but had comfort that made anyone there feel comfortable. Michelle immediately ran fast leaving me.
"Why are you running?" I shouted but she did not answer and I immediately followed.
We entered the house and I looked at the house in front of me this house felt familiar and slowly I walked through the yard.
My lips smiled thinly when memories suddenly appeared. The memories rotated like unforgettable memory and I slowly heard happy voices from inside the house. The light turned on dimly and cheers were heard clearly near dawn.
I opened the room door it turned out Michelle and Lira were hugging making me smile seeing their happiness.
"Uncle Xanders." after that she realized my presence so she immediately called my name. Because she was in Michelle's arms she immediately got down.
She walked slowly with a very bright face accompanied by a wide smile.
"You finally came here again?" she asked with a shining face and I nodded.
"I really miss you uncle." she said and after that I immediately hugged her and carried her.