CHAPTER 71: TOO EARLY TO GIVE UP

Anna sat in silence and caressed Elise’s face, her eyes having lost the usual prideful and confident sheen when she looked at Elise’s blank expression.

Only her breathing was keeping Anna from falling deeper into despair, but she was still not faring any better.

’What if I hadn’t returned from Azor?’

’What if I had done better during the attack?’

’Why did I not question the strange actions of Hanna?’

Anna fell into such thoughts, each breaking her more and more.

White stood there as he stared at Anna with a solemn look on his face.

*Knock* *Knock*

A knock was heard, but Anna didn’t react. After all, she was too deep in her depressing thoughts.

White looked at the door and shifted his gaze to Anna as he called out.

"Miss Anieal."

Anna, however, didn’t hear him or simply ignored him.

"Miss Anieal," he called out again with a little louder voice.

Anna came out of her thoughts and turned towards White as she questioned with a frown.

"What?" Her tone was dejected, like she had already given up.

"Someone’s knocking on the door," White informed as he turned towards the door.

Anna looked at the door and replied with a nod.

"Go ahead."

White nodded as he stepped towards the door and opened it.

One smiled at him and spoke.

"Took you long enough."

White looked at One with a forced smile as he said.

"Things are a bit down here..."

One looked at his eyes for a few moments before placing his hand on White’s shoulder as he spoke.

"Let your brother handle this, alright?"

White nodded at his words and stepped aside, giving way for One to enter.

One stepped inside and looked at Elise and Anna, who sat there with a solemn look..

One walked towards her and called out.

"Miss Anieal,"

Anna turned towards him with furrowed brows as she questioned.

"Who?"

"I have the name One." One replied as he bowed to Anna.

"Ah... you are the one from the party," Anna replied with an empty tone and turned back towards Elise.

One nodded at her words as he continued.

"Lord Damien has decided to return to Azor." One stated as he looked at Anna.

Anna’s lips dropped into a frown and questioned with a devastated tone.

"Why now?"

One didn’t reply for a few moments and stared at her back.

Anna, feeling irritated by his silence, turned towards him with an angry look on her face as she questioned.

"Why now, One?"

"Lord Damien just wants to keep you safe, Miss Anieal." One answered with a flat tone.

Anna turned silent at his words and bit her lower lip as she lowered her head. Her eyes had a dejected look in them.

"You should not give up so soon." One said as he turned his head towards Elise.

After hearing him, Anna lifted her head and questioned.

"What do you mean?"

"I remember the Night Seer wanted to meet you." One said as he shifted his gaze to Anna, his tone gentle.

"Can she... heal Elise?" Anna stood up from the chair and questioned as light returned to her eyes, after all. She had already met the Night Seer and had a good relationship with her, or at least she thought so.

One replied with a shake of his head.

"No, she can’t heal her... but as a diviner, she may find a way to cure her." One said slowly, making sure that Anna understood his words.

Anna knew what diviners were; she was similar to them after all.

"I see..." Anna mumbled to herself as she nodded her head a few times. A thought blossomed in her mind as she questioned.

"What about Ember?" Anna questioned with a puzzled look.

’Why did they not ask Ember to heal her? She is the best healer after all, no?’

"Ember?" One questioned back with a tilt of his head.

"Ahem..." White cleared his throat as he grabbed the attention of both.

"Miss Anieal is talking about Helena Zaryen," he commented.

"Oh... Lord Damien had already asked Miss Helena about her cure." One replied as he turned towards Anna.

"But?" Anna questioned; she wanted to know more, she had to.

"Miss Helena said that the issue is not physical." One said and looked at White with the shift of his eyes.

Hearing that, White’s body trembled. Even if it was not because of him, he still blamed himself and his weakness for not acting in time.

"Then what’s wrong with her?" Anna asked with a puzzled look.

"The heavy use of charm on her by the demon caused this..." One replied as his voice turned heavier.

The room turned silent, and the occasional sound of the beep from medical machinery echoed throughout the room. Each beep made them remember their failure to save everyone without any loss.

"I am sorry, Miss Anieal." One apologised as he bowed to her, his tone remorseful.

Anna looked at him and lowered her head.

’I have no right to blame others... neither the both of them nor... brother.’ Anna thought as she clenched her fist.

’I need to get stronger... and become someone they would not dare to touch again...’ Anna’s eyes gleamed with determination and resolve.

Anna lifted her head and looked at One as she spoke.

"It’s not your fault, One."

Anna stated with a reassuring tone. She turned and looked at White as she called out.

"White."

White straightened himself as he replied.

"Yes, Miss Anieal."

"Where is Hanna?" Anna questioned as she looked at Elise for one last time.

"Miss Hanna is currently staying at one of the guest rooms," White replied as he turned to look at One, who just nodded at him.

"Let’s go. We have yet to finish our talk." Anna said and stepped towards the door.

She stopped in her tracks and turned towards One as she ordered.

"One... keep an eye on Elise for me."

"As you say, Miss Anieal." One replied with a bow.

Anna nodded for one final time and stepped out of the room. White too nodded at One as he left the room.

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