The Fishermen and the Fishes part 3

" Eve?" Sarien couldn't help but ask when Eve stopped walking.

" I shouldn't move for a while." She deadpan responded, unable to tell that they should stop walking for now or else all her efforts would be vain.

The furball said Halesia and her fishes were about to head out and thus urged her to exit and "accidentally" meet them.

Naturally, she wanted to see Sarien get a glimpse of the harem the heroine had assembled in his place.

She was like the original wife's best friend, eager to catch the scum's hoeing escapade in action. Thus, upon getting the 'go' signal from the furball, she hurriedly pulled Sarien out.

However, the system guide proves its estimation of time is as poor as its looks.

They've been standing for a couple of minutes now, yet the other side has yet to move.

Sarien has no clue what is happening, and she can't say that they are hanging out here to catch adultery, can she?

" Why? What's wrong? " Sarien was instantly worried.

He assumed she might be in pain, thus wanted to check.

Eve feared she would be exposed and speedily explained,

" Nothing, it's just that I shouldn't walk for a while."

Sarien examined her face for any grimace but failed to see any clue.

Knowing Eve for quite some time, he understood well that the lass has a blunted affect. That even if she hurts, she won't show it on the surface.

He still remembers her hospital days where she won't even knot her brows when IV catheters were inserted in her veins, nor does she mention anything despite forgetting to take pain medications. She broke several bones yet didn't voice out any discomfort when recuperating. She only smiles lightly and replies, "It doesn't hurt." when questioned. It was really heartbreaking.

And now, the poor girl might be enduring something silently again, or maybe it's a sequela of the accident before.

Eve noticed Sarien's change in expression but wasn't aware he had hopped down the memory lane to ignite his brain supplement.

Eve: ?

" It is cramping? Does it hurt too much?" His eyes filled with anxiety.

He half-kneeled to check her leg but recognized that touching it would result in further discomfort.

" Should I carry you?" He subconsciously asked but, that notion sounded better as he thought it through.

Well, that preposition tickled Eve's lazy cells, and hence, she agreed.

" Okay."

Sarien took the girl in his arms and lifted her in a princess-carry style.

Her fragrance and warmth instantly assaulted his senses, causing him to smile and even forget why he did it in the first place.

His heart is beyond content that he couldn't keep a straight face.

Eve found a comfortable position by wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in its crook.

She could smell Sarien's scent- a mixture of fresh laundry with a subtle mint aroma.

It was pleasant.

Sarien could only focus on his strides to resist looking at Eve. He is tempted to lower his head and print a kiss of her fragrant hair.

Hence, when Halesia finally came out, what welcome her is a familiar back, striding away.

It took her two glances to verify that it is the prince she had remembered now and then.

A cheerful smile instantly blossomed on her face.

When she was about to call him, she noticed that he is carrying someone.

From where she stood, she could only see a pair of white kitten-heels looming beneath the hem of a blue skirt.

Just that sight caused her smile to vanish.

Her mind quickly recalled that he isn't in a relationship. She listened to Kyle mention it once, and the gossips she had overheard also says so. Maybe that person is his family member. That concept eased the discomfort she felt.

Her focused gaze caught the attention of her fishes.

" You know that person?" Maxilleam asked while scrutinizing Sarien.

She was about to answer that he is her benefactor when a dull sound echoed in the hall.

They looked at the pair that had stopped in their track and to the girl's fallen shoe.

At this moment, one of the men in black abruptly sprouted from the corners of the corridor and picked it up.

They seemed to talk further, but they couldn't hear it.

Then, the man carrying the person turned sideways and retrieved the shoe from the other.

That allowed Halesia's group to see Sarien's side profile and parts of the carried girl's face.

" Hey, it's that blue-eyed lass," Saino murmured towards Yohan. Halesia caught his words and became curious.

However, the angle is tricky, and the duration is too short for them to see.

Hence, Halesia was only able to glimpse Eve's long black hair.

[ Blue eyes?] But she vividly remembers Sarien has a pair of hazel eyes with specks of a greenish hue.

A discomfort flourished in her chest.

" You know who Sarien is with?" Halesia asked the twins.

" No, we don't," Yohan replied. They merely met in the hallway earlier and recognized her because of the unique first impression.

" Oh." She was a little dissatisfied with his response.

Halesia wanted to learn a lot about Sarien and, if possible, associate with him. Pity, she doesn't exist within his circle. She could only watch as he walks further away from her.

Kyle only looked at Halesia helplessly. The delight and yearning were prominent on her face when she saw that figure.

Naturally, everyone noticed her peculiarity.

[ Sarien, was it?] The males collectively took mental notes.

It seems there is a hidden contender they failed to acknowledge.

***

" Are you tired? Why don't you rest for a second?" Eve urged Sarien just so he could stay put and gaze at Halesia's group.

Nonetheless, they already reached the parking lot but, Sarien did not even throw her a glimpse.

[ So disappointing.] She could only lament. The drama she had ached to watch could only end with the introduction of Sarien's existence to the fishery. Hell, she couldn't even appreciate Halesia's love-struck face.

To think she even listened to the furball's counsel and let her shoe slid off as a way to make the hero turn back and meet the heavenly being.

But, it was all for naught because her bodyguards were all too dedicated.

" I'm not tired," Sarien answered while looking up ahead. He was beaming all the way towards their car.

" You seem happy?" Eve questioned.

[ How could you be happy when the heroine has gotten herself, seven males, while loving you?]

Sarien halted in his steps upon hearing her query.

He met her curious orbs and felt his heart become ticklish.

[ She's so lovely.] How he wanted to caress her face right now.

" Yes, I am happy." He answered with a broader smile.

Eve waited for him to explain but, only the curl on his lips remain.

***

" I'm sorry, but I won't be able to visit next month." Sylvius swept the leaves on Lilian's tomb with his fingers and continued,

" After all, the day you left was also the day Evangeline came to the world." A gentle smile is on his face but, grief is brewing in his eyes.

" Time flies, really. Now, she's already turning fifteen. Every day she resembles you more and more." He softly chuckled then uttered under his breath,

" If only you could see her."

He was silent for a moment then continued,

" It's my fault." He held his head down, and only his voice, full of heartache, gives away his weary soul.

" I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you."

" It's not your fault, Syl." A hand patted his shoulder.

Sylvius glanced at Iris, who unknowingly knelt beside him.

Iris wiped his tears, feeling distressed.

This man, admired by the world and assumed to be a person who didn't bleed, is silently weeping and looks miserable right now. She could even feel the immensity of his sorrow.

" I do not know Miss Lilian, but if she is a person whom you've said before, then I am sure she'd be truly hurt to see you like this, Syl."

She tenderly spoke as she cupped his face.

" Sylvius, please, forgive yourself."

Sylvius couldn't help but cry when he heard those words.

In fact, after all these years, he still couldn't accept it.

Her untimely death where he almost lost their daughter too.

All this time, he couldn't forgive himself. He has always believed that he is to blame.

Iris could only hug him and pat his back.

Today, they visited Lilian's grave to ask for her blessing.

Iris stared at Lilian's name carved in stone and prayed,

[ Miss Lilian, I do not wish to replace you in Eve's and Sylvius' hearts. I merely wanted to have a place in their lives where I could cherish them and love them in my way and to the best of my ability. Please, look after us, look after them.]

***

Judas gazed at the small charm in his palm and sighed.

[ Finally, I could go back to Master.]

He threw one last look at the beautiful view of mountain ranges and smiled helplessly. How he wished he could tell his master's father that he doesn't think of Eve in that way.

Judas knew what Sir Sylvius was doing. He is trying to weed him out of his master's side as much as possible.

Just like now,

It's been a week since he was asked by Sir Sylvius to personally climb a temple located on top of a mountain and get a charm. The point is, the sacred place isn't just hidden within the mountain ranges but located in the countryside at the furthest part of the country. He needs to drive for at least three days from the nearest city and trek for another three days to reach it.

He sighed once again.

Well, Judas truly wanted to assure Sylvius that he doesn't have any unscrupulous ideas towards his master.

He doesn't dare to, and his heart doesn't feel that way.

To him, Eve is a being that is almost sacred in his heart.

She is his salvation.

Still, there are times when he thinks she is too adorable. She reminds him of the younglings in their tribe who giggle slyly after causing mischiefs.

So, to Judas, Eve must be protected and should be spoiled- like a little sister.

He chuckled and chastised himself for thinking such.

However, that idea had taken root in his heart.

In that way, Eve wouldn't seem too distant. It might be wrong for him to deem it as it is, but he can have his selfishness, right?

With that, he trekked down the mountain with a smile.