Chapter 11 - Lurra (1)

It is best to stay clear of drinking any potion from any type of creature you encounter. Unless, you want to die a peaceful death. It is up to you to try.

-Excerpt from The Essential Book of Human Survival

Jonathan Lorth

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Lurra Potion, known as the witch decoction for decades. It was created during the war between hybrids and vampires long ago. Vampires wanted to infiltrate hybrids territory without a single obstacle, a witch then created a potion called Lurra to temporarily cover a scent of a creature without no one able to tell them apart.

At first, no one was aware of its side effects. When it finally became known, it was then announced as mildly dangerous, almost immediately vampires abandoned the potion.

Memory was considered as something sacred for vampires, so the existence of the potion began to fade over decades. Though some witches still decide to trade this potion for a large sum of money and magical stones.

Ruby purchased several Lurra Potions from distant relatives she still managed to contact, she exhausted almost half of her entire wealth, though she did purchase it at half the market price. At first her purpose was to discover the detailed information and content of the potion, studying it and perhaps improving it.

Who would have known that this potion would come in handy at this exact time?

"Would it harm my body?" Raiene asks, eyebrows lifted in doubt.

Though she wanted to stay instead of returning to Arrenquile this early, she still doesn't want to return bloodied anywhere. Her mother would scream with concern and her condition would only worsen.

"Apart from a light headache after the potion effect runs out, this potion is quite safe to drink," Ruby explained further.

Raiene contemplates for a while, though she will have to lose the first day of the Lantern Festival, she feels this option Ruby offers is better than nothing. At least, Raiene could still enjoy the vibrant and festive Lantern Festival on her birthday. So then, she nodded her head eagerly, answering Ruby's former question whether she still wanted to drink it or not.

Her eyes once again filled with strong determination, as she took a deep breath her clear black eyes stared right at Ruby's fiery red ones. "You have to tell me though, whether I could convince Alin in the end or not," Ruby was startled by her statement, tilting her head in confusion.

Raiene still wants to prove herself in front of Alin, she wants Alin to acknowledge her ability, at the very least not acting hostile towards her. Raiene is aware of the respect and admiration that flooded through Alin's cold eyes toward Ruby, her exchange with Alin was also proof that she holds Ruby dearly. As someone who also respects and loves Ruby, she doesn't want to receive disapproval stares from such a remarkable person.

Ruby doesn't know what kind of absurd thing Raiene has decided upon, but she just nods at her and inwardly reminds herself to ask Alin about this matter when she returns.

Ruby put the bottle inside Raiene palm. Raiene slender finger carefully tracing the clear thumb size glass bottle with little hesitation, it was a little cold when she touched it. The colour of the liquid inside is quite enchanting from up close.

Raiene takes a deep breath and opens the tiny bottle, a sweet candy-like scent flows out through the tiny bottle, making her dazed for a second. Staring at the bottle for a while, there's no hesitation flitted through her eyes as she takes a deep breath and then drinks the liquid within one gulp.

The taste was sweet at the beginning but slowly burned her throat after leaving her mouth, the burn only lasted for three seconds before a sour aftertaste lingered for quite a while inside her mouth. She winced for a little bit before blinking and gulping down the remaining liquid.

What a strange combination of flavour.

Raiene opens her eyes slowly, revealing a trace of dark orbs that have turned into light brown, the colour that is most commonly associated with witches.

She takes a deep breath and notices the different faint scent slowly takes over her body and completely washed out her human scent. Eyes light up, she was about to ask whether she could go outside or not, when all of a sudden, Ruby waves her hand and dismisses her with a little snicker on her face.

Raiene smiles, showing her lovely hidden dimple and quickly plasters a wet kiss on Ruby's cheek, erupting a grumble from her as she turns around and leaves the cottage.

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Inside an empty hall, stands a man exuding dignity before a woman. His woman. Not a single person beside themselves, he had ordered everyone to stay clear of the hall and not get inside.

She kneels down in front of him. Eyes staring at the clear reflection of herself on the white marble, the one with breathing hard and sweat trickles down from her forehead, clearly ill.

He takes a step closer, but notices the way she flinches, resulting in him faltering his steps.

Until when, will she accept him?

Perhaps, never.

"I have sent guards to Yudril field, they will send me a message and confirm whether Raiene is there or not," his voice is clear, the woman that he loved for years still hasn't raised her head. He grit his teeth in anger, wanting a response from her.

If the Officials were aware of this, they would remind him and tell him to punish Raiene. Ten lashings would not be enough, confinement would be too light, banishing her from the Kingdom would be the only option.

But if that happened, Estalle would surely follow Raiene and leave him alone inside this cold place.

He didn't want that.

"Don't you have something you need to tell me?" Gerra raises his eyebrow in question.

Why did she do this?

For what reason?

He had tried his best to protect his daughter just like how Estalle attempted her hardest by leaving Arrenquile fourteen years ago. It was unbelievable at that time, his heart raced like crazy upon realising the woman that he cherished had gone in the middle of winter, seeking help.

Everyone had told him that Estalle wouldn't return, he even cried inside his chamber for this woman.

But she never cared.

"I have done everything I could. She went across the sea, going against the rules. If she comes back, you are well aware of what I will have to do to her," there is a defeated tone lacing through his lips, eyes red staring right at Estalle.

"Don't you, Estalle?"

Estalle raised her head at that time, orbs the colour of green forest, the only colour inside his bedchamber, staring straight back at him, "Punish me then. I was the one who told her to leave," she whispered.

Gerra roared at that, "With whose permission!"

He takes a few paces towards her, grabs her shoulder and forces her to stand, glaring at her.

"Why did you have to do all this!"

Estalle lifelessly stayed within his hold, with empty orbs staring straight at him.

"I have protected her all along, allowed her to leave Arrenquile, even let you wander inside the forest with her," Gerra gritted his teeth, eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep as tears pooled within and stubbornly refused to fall.

"What more do you want me to do? I can't protect her if you let her go against the rules. It was there to be followed, not ignored!"

His eyes turned furious, it was his weakness that Estalle could never tolerate, his emotion that couldn't be controlled. His anger would show easily. She used to be scared of him, but everything slowly turned into hatred, since that night fourteen years ago.

"Protected?" Estalle snicker with disbelief, pupils instantly turning cold with contempt flowing through, directly at The King, her husband.

"Since when?" Estalle scoff, shaking her head.

"I asked for your help fourteen years ago, Your Majesty," malice spitting out of her tongue, especially the thick mock carries his title when spoken by his beloved.

Estalle laughs at his face, she raises her voice at him.

"All you could say was there's nothing you could do. I beg you to find the culprit, but you said it was impossible to trace the perpetrator. I kneel before you for a title to my child, but you said you are powerless before the Officials," the woman before him blatantly stares right at him, challenging the mighty power before her.

A single smile traced her beautiful lips, one could visibly see the knife tracing that hopeless smile.

"I have never believed you Gerra."

Estalle took a deep breath and raised her chin.

"Never."

She gathers her strength, before she breaks free from within his hold.

"Mark my word, you won't hurt my child anymore."

Estalle points at him, anger swallows her whole.