WMMAP - [S2] Shelter You

5: A Peek Into Trauma

Beneath layers of heavy doors, something that human sense could not easily detect made the dog's ears twitch, and he stopped as he picked up a sound.

With the tempting command calling out to him, he sprinted back toward it.

Having owned the dog for over a year, Athanasia has gotten used to his body language. So, she knew why the dog suddenly bolted in that direction.

What she didn't expect was the scream that was heard vividly momentarily after Raven disappeared from their side.

She stopped walking and looked at her escort, who smiled at her. He shook his head and said, "The boys are probably playing. Don't worry."

"I am not worried."

"Are you disappointed, then?" He asked, and she remained quiet. Felix continued, "I'm sure Lucas doesn't always have the wisest choice when it comes to words, but I'm sure he didn—"

"Felix. I don't wanna talk about it," she cut him, and she was obviously not planning on listening to him or anyone anytime soon. "Let's just go and find Lily."

With a deep sigh, he said, "As you wish, milady."

"I think I never got to ask... But... What kind of person Lily is? Was?"

"What do you mean?"

"When she was young? When you guys were young?"

"Are you saying that... I am now..."

"Old. Yes."

Felix gasped dramatically. "I have a good skincare routine, you know."

"You do?"

"I'm just kidding, Milady. I do not."

"You are just born with a baby face?"

"Your father has a baby face, too."

"Ah... I just noticed when you said it just now."

"But his health has been going downhill."

"Of which I am here to take over, or at least a fracture of his workload."

"Small steps at a time, Milady. You ought to still enjoy your youth," Felix said, rubbing his chin. "Anyhow, should I grow a beard?"

Athanasia tilted her head slightly. "Old man Robane, your father I meant, looks nice with his beard."

"I see. I see," Felix nodded reluctantly, "I may as well suggest His Excellency grow a beard too?"

"I agree, but if you want to get yourself killed, then sure, you can you ask him to grow a beard," she said, "And you haven't told me about Lily."

"Well... I can understand why she never told you anything, but just between us, Lilian was super strict and... Scary," Felix began, "As the only daughter of the noble family, Lilian seemed destined for a life as a political pawn, to be married off in military of alliances. For power purposes."

"Aren't you... part of the military alliance, too? Your father is a general."

"That is correct, Milady, but I am just a bodyguard to you and your father. And just the spouse of Lilian York. From an early age, she deliberately defied every expectation placed upon her. Her mother had the finest craftsmen of Obelia fashion, the most lifelike dolls for her to play with—but Lilian gave them to her maids, and took up a rapier, hiring and forcing a sword master to give her lessons in secret."

"HOLD UP! I NEVER KNEW LILY CAN FIGHT?!"

"Shh," Felix brought his finger to his lips, "Don't be too loud, milady."