CHAPTER 535: CHAPTER 535 - PREPARING TO LEAVE CERYNEIA (PART 5 - A DASH OF FAMILY DRAMA)

Instead of answering his father’s question, Lir simply gave him the same note I gave him that was written by Marius. As the man saw the short note, it seems that he has recognized the handwriting quickly since he murmured, "Prince Marius".

The old man stood up and started bringing out sacks filled with clothes and essential items from the shanty’s separate room. Realizing that his father has agreed to leave this place, Lir carried the little girl and placed her on one of the two chairs inside this house, telling her not to move while he and their father put all their stuff in bags and boxes. The little girl nodded and obediently stayed seated then she simply said, "We are going on another adventure."

It seems that this young girl thought that every time they move from one place to another, it was just another adventure and it was a fun thing to do. I simply watched the two men as they quickly packed everything inside the shanty in less than 10 minutes. It seems like this family has always been on the run as they are very adept in packing up this quickly to leave.

I saw Lir nod at me and I threw a storage ring at him to use. He wore it immediately and waved his hand to keep all their luggage inside. His father’s eyes widened and then he looked at me for a few seconds without blinking as if realizing something. I simply gave him a business-like smile and he looked away with furrowed brows.

Just when they finished packing up, I felt the presence of several people just a block away from where we are and they seem to be running. It is a different group from the ones that were pursuing us earlier. Is it possible that there is another group?

I told the two men via telepathy about what I noticed in the surroundings and they both nodded to me to acknowledge the information. I told them that I will first teleport the elder and the little girl out to keep them safe. Surprisingly, the old man shook his head and responded, "This little girl’s parents are schedule to visit today at this time. Those footsteps might be theirs and their aides."

Just as he finished his statement, two merfolks of stunning looks entered the shanty’s front door. Their resemblance to the little girl was uncanny as the man has an almost identical face with hers while her hair color was inherited from the woman. These must be the little girl’s parents.

I can sense several people guarding the perimeter of the shanty. Well, these two were indeed nobles so they should indeed have guards sent to protect them. The two were shocked as they noticed that the house was devoid of anything except the four of us standing in the middle of it.

The little girl’s father was the one who spoke and he was obviously worried and feeling a but of panic, "Is someone threatening you? Are you moving again? Where do you plan to go? Ash City is the only place left. It is too dangerous for the child to live there."

Lir was the first to react as he raised his hand to stop any futher blabbering from the man in front of him. He then looked at me and spoke in a nonchalant manner, "Sorry, I totally forgot to introduce these people to you so let me start.. Everyone, this is Selene, a... friend... She gave me work for the past three days."

I chuckled at how he cut off such a serious conversation like a dunce but simply nodded in response. He started introducing his father whose name is Kai while his little sister’s name is Naia. He then proceed with pointing at the two newcomers then simply said, "The man is Neris and the woman is Itsa. My father already told you who they are."

Naia, the little girl was still obediently sitting on the chair while looking longingly at Neris and Itsa. Father Kai the spoke, "Now that the introductions are done, to answer your question Neris, yes we are leaving. As to where, we are leaving Ceryneia for good and moving to the dry lands."

The statement shocked Neris that his knees buckled and Itsa had to support him by putting her arm around his torso to steady him. Neris started crying and could not speak so Itsa asked, "Why are you suddenly moving so far away. How can we visit Naia if you bring her there?"

Even before Father Kai can respond, an exclamation can be heard from Neris as he said, "I am going with you! I will just need to... Umm... I will go back to my estate quickly... I need.... jewels, money, clothes... I need to pack everything. Wait for me... I- Naia, I will accompany you okay?"

As he was about to leave the shanty, he bounced back as he hit the barrier I erected earlier to keep all our voices inside. He screamed like a madman and said, "What?! A barrier? Remove this in an instant! I need to pack my things! I will come with Naia. I can’t let her grow up alone. NO! NO WAY! I will die!"

Itsa, watching the father of her child almost going crazy simply spoke, "I will do the same. Please wait for me. This is actually a good idea. In the dry lands, Neris and I can just be any other couple or even a family with Naia and you Kai. We don’t have to worry about our families being enemies and having to sneak around like thieves so the three of us can meet."

Since they have nade their decision, I offered a solution for them to be able to pack up and leave as discreetly as possible. I would be accompanying Neris first as a guest of his home and help him pack up everything before teleporting him and his people out of Ceryneia in the shortest possible time. Then I will do the same for Itsa afterwards.

For now, teleporting Father Kai, Lir and Little Naia out of the territory would be the priority. Upon hearing the plans, I can see a clear hesitation from Lir’s end since the plans means that we have to partways right here then I will go forward with the other steps on my own.

He really looked like he eas about to have an outburst anytime so I grabbed his arm and pull him to one side with a sound barrier around us. I gave him clear instructions that he has to help in settling down not only his own family but the other new citizens of the temporary sanctuary that I would be sending them to as well. That will be his last task and his important role in the whole plan.

He looked back at the area where his father and little sister was then he reluctantly agreed to the plan. He then glared at me and with gritted teeth, he murmured, "If you dare abandon me and hide from me, I will hunt you down. Do you hear me?!" I simply smiled in return but did not oblige him with any verbal reply.

Whoa! Are all mermen this feisty when staking a claim on the woman they wish to keep?

Where did all the ones with the gentle husband persona go? I have been only getting the wild cats, the foxes and tazmanian devil ones lately.

With the plans ironed out, I took down the sound proofing barrier and prepared the teleportation circle for Kai, Lir and Naia. Their move out was quick and with that, it was time to go to Neris’ home for another "pack up and teleport" scheme.

Itsa and her close aides were asked except for one who was assigned as the advanced party to start packing up, stayed inside the Kai’s home. Me, Neris and his men started making our way back to his estate in Cobalt City.

Once we arrived, I placed a sound proofing barrier as the house became a flurry of activity. I gave Neris a storage ring and taught him how to use it. He looked like a child given a very interesting toy as he went running back and forth, keeping all the stuff that his aides have kept in boxes and luggages earlier. He also started keeping furniture and fixtures without being told.

It only took about half an hour for Neris to leave the home he has stayed at for 5 years. He did not look like he regrets it but instead, there is a certain aura of peace and happines surrounding him as he left the place inside the teleportation circle I just opened.

I teleported back to Kai’s home to do the same thing with Itsa. Since she had sent someone to pack up in advance, packing up her home was quicker by a bit. We finished everything in 20 minutes as the person she sent out was very efficient. Itsa seemed to also had fun turning her home into only bare walls and floors. It was followed by a quick teleportation afterwards.

As I watched Itsa laughing like a child while using the storage ring, I realized why despite being from enemy families, her and Neris ended up liking each other. Even after having Naia and leaving home to fend for themselves, they still retained that child-like innocence, happiness and a little craziness in them.