53. Mask and figurine [3]

Dionne gathered the sheet and wrapped it around him. Then, she took the mask and stood. The silence inside the room was deafening, and only the sound of her footsteps gave them a sense of reality.

Dust clung to her soles as she walked on the hardened soil floor of the cottage. She was still scared and trembling, and the traces of the burning sensation she felt hadn't yet disappeared. But somehow, seeing the proud and dignified second prince of Leymar look so vulnerable and weak tugged strings at her heart.

She bent down and extended her hand, which held the mask, and she quietly said, "Nothing happened…Your Highness."

Azer's figure twitched. He grunted and gruffly answered, "Stay away from me."

Dionne silently dropped the mask on the ground and headed to the door. However, her hand was pushed away by an invisible force. She wondered why and tried to do the same again, but her hand would only feel like it was getting slapped.