Chapter 19: Stay away

"Is that so?" Emma asked, her gaze steady as she stood before the nun who managed the little church in town.She hadn’t come here with any purpose—just to look around. After all, this was the same church William often visited, the place where he prayed and spent time playing with the children.

It was by chance that she ran into the nun, and their idle chat soon turned into a revelation.

"Yes, he recently started coming," the nun said, her smile soft and warm. "At first, I was nervous. He looked like someone from a wealthy family, the kind who might not know how to blend in. But then... he opened up to us. Showed us his gentle side. The children adore him."

Emma’s arms folded over her chest as she released a slow breath.

"He brings them several gifts. He even donated quite a generous sum to the church..." the nun hesitated, lowering her voice as worry crept into her tone. "Ah—did he perhaps get in trouble for that? Maybe his parents scolded him for spending so much?"

Emma shook her head. "No... nothing like that. I was just... thinking about him."

What kind of man is he, really? Emma wondered bitterly. He had to know she was watching him. Surely, this was all a ploy—a carefully staged trap meant to lure her attention. He wants me to believe he’s kind. That he’s loving.

A warm hand suddenly settled on her shoulder, cutting through her thoughts. Emma looked up at the nun, startled by the gentle strength in her eyes.

"Don’t ever doubt him, child," the nun said softly. "He has a very pure heart."

She sighed, her gaze turning wistful. "When I watch him play with the children, I see it clearly—the smile on his face, the way he loses himself in their laughter. In those moments, he becomes a child himself."

Emma’s lips parted slightly before she murmured, "I’ve seen it too." She remembered the sight all too well: William laughing in the dirt, unbothered by mud clinging to his clothes, his image as a refined young master completely forgotten. Around those who knew nothing of his name, he seemed like a different man altogether.

The nun’s voice grew firm but kind. "If you ever find yourself at a crossroads—forced to choose between trusting him or trusting the world—then just once, try to see things through his eyes. It may change everything."

....

And that was exactly what Emma did.

She went against the world—and trusted him.

William stared at her in disbelief.

He had been certain he was two steps ahead, weaving his little game, pulling her in like prey. But in truth... she had been four steps ahead all along.

She knew. She knew he was trying to trap her with his act of kindness and innocence. And still, she played along. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ????????????????????•????????????????•????????????

"I must have looked like a fool in your eyes, didn’t I?" William muttered, hands resting on his hips, frustration flickering in his eyes as he looked at the grinning girl before him.

Emma tilted her head, her smile mischievous. "You were adorable, you know. Pretending to be oblivious while I crept up as a cat."

William clicked his tongue. "You’re a nasty woman. Do you know that? Right now, I feel like the biggest fool in the world."

A chuckle slipped from Emma’s lips. "But isn’t that fine? After all... it stays between us."

His eyes narrowed, the playful air fading as tension rippled between them. "Why are you here?" he asked, voice low, searching.

The grin faded from her face. Emma’s tone hardened as she asked him,

"I want to know... why did you stab me?"

William tilted his head. "Because I have nothing to do with you. And after today, I don’t want you coming here anymore."

Emma’s gaze went cold. "And you think I’ll listen to you?"

The air between them chilled. William’s voice dropped, low and dangerous. "Didn’t you see what I can do? If I were you, I’d be scared to be alone here with a man who’s already suspected of being a criminal."

Emma sprang to her feet. "What will you do?" she said, stepping forward. "Use your new strength to attack me?" She took another step. "Crush me to death or break me slowly?"

William looked down at her, and she grabbed the collar of his shirt, close enough to see the anger in her eyes. "Try and kill me," she snarled. "I’ll drag you to death with me."

"Do you have the guts to do it?" he growled.

"Why don’t you try?" she shot back.

Their faces were inches apart; their breaths mixed. She smelled of medicine, he of iron and blood. Crimson rage met deep aqua defiance in their eyes.

For a long, tense heartbeat they stared each other down—then William stepped back.

Emma’s eyes widened at what she’d almost done. Her heart hammered so loud she could hear it in her ears.

While she was busy in calming her heart, William turned away and then spoke, "There is a reason why I don’t want you to come near me."

Emma frowned before looking up, but confusion soon turned into shock as she felt it.

Dark crimson like energy clung to William’s left hand.

The two states of energies that flow in the world.

Unless one has been corrupted, a human should always be surrounded by aether.

However, the energy William was radiating right now...

"How in the world...."

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. By the way, is the cover of the book good?