CHAPTER 343: THE GUISE OF A BOY

Lexie, from a young age, assumed the guise of a boy, navigating the delicate balance between familial protection and the tumultuous emotions that swirled within her.

Her childhood was colored by the turbulent crush she harbored for Isiah, a love that couldn’t find a foothold in reality.

The guise of a boy served as a shield, a defense mechanism against the vulnerability of unrequited feelings.

Concealing her femininity allowed Lexie to protect her family from the complexities of their life in Delwias island.

In the process, she grappled with the internal struggle of suppressing the natural inclination to love and yearn for someone as all children do.

Now, thrust into the underground city of Triavert, the charade persisted, and she found herself navigating the challenging terrain of concealing her femininity while wrestling with the lingering remnants of a childhood crush that never found resolution.

"It’s a relentless cycle, repeating itself over and over," she whispered, her reflection in the bathroom mirror mirroring the weariness etched across her face.

Days had passed since Isiah’s departure, and a sense of urgency now compelled her to take action.

Despite the passing time, the haunting memory of the mistreatment she endured still clung to her, casting a long shadow over her every move.

As she prepared to navigate the challenges ahead, a palpable fear lingered, heightened by the unsettling molestation.

.

When Eijar caught sight of her emerging from the bathroom, clad in pants and a buttoned white shirt, her once-flowing hair now trimmed to reach just her ears, she observed the deliberate transformation.

Her countenance bore no trace of feminine care; instead, she embodied the essence of a boy, down to the meticulous details.

However, for those who lingered in their gaze for more than a fleeting moment, subtle hints of her true gender became apparent.

To conceal this vulnerability, she had crafted a grand scar on her face using her magical abilities, a cleverly designed mask that obscured the more delicate features that betrayed her true identity.

"What is this?" Eijar exclaimed in surprise. Lexie retorted, "Do I resemble a guy?"

"Hardly," Eijar replied with a sarcastic edge, his tone laced with amusement. "But you’re doing a stellar job at convincing everyone otherwise."

Eiajr’s words slashed through Lexie’s already fragile demeanor like a razor. "Ah, I see you’ve joined the ’short hair, don’t care’ club," she remarked, her tone saturated with biting sarcasm.

"Though, honestly, you’ve probably missed every chance to turn Isiah’s head with that new ’do."

Lexie’s smile faltered, a sharp pang of insecurity gnawing at her heart. "Yeah, well, seems like missing chances is my specialty," she retorted with a forced laugh, her eyes revealing the hurt beneath the facade.

Lexie gazed at Ciel, who was still peacefully asleep on the bed, before turning to Eiajr. "Please take care of him. I’m going to integrate into this place. Isiah is nowhere to be found, and I had to make this decision," she explained, her voice tinged with a mixture of determination and worry.

Lexie chose to keep her interactions with Eiajr to a minimum. Aware that whatever she said would likely be met with cutting remarks about her relationship with Isiah, she opted for silence, shielding herself from potential hurtful comments.

Outside, guided by her newfound friend Khaz, Lexie took on various odd jobs. These tasks ranged from lifting heavy objects to cleaning large amounts of debris from different locations and moving cumbersome items.

The nature of these jobs demanded a level of physical strength that she didn’t naturally possess.

Despite the challenges, Lexie didn’t shy away; instead, she pushed herself to tackle each task head-on, determined to adapt to the demands of her new environment.

As time passed, Lexie took on the responsibility of securing supplies all on her own.

The tasks ranged from gathering essentials to ensuring the comfort of their living space.

Ciel, being just a child, struggled with the confinement, his frustration and discontent evident in his demeanor.

It became Lexie’s mission not only to procure the necessary items but also to bring a sense of joy and diversion to Ciel’s restricted world.

Every morning, Lexie rose early, embarking on a day filled with relentless work. Her dedication knew no bounds as she toiled tirelessly, often returning late.

Despite the grueling nature of her tasks, she made it a point to purchase an abundance of supplies for Ciel and even Eijar.

However, her own sustenance took a back seat; the food she diligently acquired held little appeal to her.

The moment she allowed herself a brief respite in the bathroom, exhaustion would overtake her, at times leading her to drift into sleep within the confines of the small space.

Eijar noticed the tremendous effort Lexie put into sustaining their daily lives.

In a display of empathy, Eijar would often wake her up gently so that she could go and sleep in the bed .

Despite her increasingly frail appearance, with her body growing thinner and her arms and hands adorned with numerous scratches, Lexie persevered.

The harsh conditions of the frozen underground in Triavert took a toll on her skin, leaving it red and irritated.

Weeks passed since Isiah’s departure, and Lexie gradually relinquished any hope of his return.

Initially, she would panic at the thought of him seeing her worn and weathered, but as time went by, the reality settled in that she might never encounter him again.

The underground city of Triavert had become her new reality, one marked by relentless struggles.

Exhausted and on the verge of collapse, Lexie found herself caught in the relentless demands of her work.

The man she worked for seemed indifferent to her plight, continuously assigning her more strenuous tasks without regard for her well-being.

Juggling numerous items, she struggled to move them from one place to another.

Fatigue finally took its toll, causing her to stumble and fall onto the unforgiving ground, aching and bruised from the harsh impact.

She hurried to lift what she was carrying, desperately attempting to salvage the items despite her weakened state.

Feeling a presence beside her, she turned to see a tall figure, his face obscured by the dim light of the underground space. The man observed her struggle with a certain detachment, as if assessing the limits of her endurance.