Aster Veren
Episode 214

- Carel

I see Hans looking confused to notice the surrounding atmosphere that looks dark.

"What's going on?" I asked while patting her shoulder, making her turn towards me with her worried expression.

So that was Rigel trying to target Hans? I continued in my heart while looking at Rigel and the old man fighting.

"Young master? Why are you here?"

"I don't want to hear it from you. I came because I heard your screams. Did you find Aster?" I said after a long breath.

"No, I think I saw it wrong." He answered while showing a thin smile.

"Ck, why is everyone so slow? And we're only looking for one person in this little territory." My decak began to be impatient, then walked back out of the forest outskirts while brushing my hair in frustration.

When I got back, I saw that old man had already managed to bend Rigel. He quickly secured it to those who followed him.

"Don't miss a single place to find my daughter. Then if anyone is suspicious, secure him immediately! Don't let my enemies get ahead of me to find Aster." He said in a loud voice, making them all answer out loud as well.

"Hmm, does that mean he's ready to take his position back?" My murmur could not let go of my gaze at the figure of the old man, but soon I came back to realize what I had to do.

Though I was determined to find Aster earlier than anyone, but my pace slowed down since meeting Eric and seeing the old man fighting with Rigel, then suddenly heard Hans's screaming voice calling out the name "miss".

***

- Esther

"Ugh, this is so painful." I muttered after successfully escaping from Hans.

I don't know if he saw me when he was shot by Uncle Rigel or not? Clearly before the light shone towards me, I immediately rushed into hiding and moved silently upon hearing Carel's voice.

My heart was actually almost out when Hans suddenly shouted for "miss" as I groaned in pain from the bullet that pierced through my chest.

It was almost, lucky I had avoided it even though it was too late. Otherwise the bullet would've really hit my heart. My inner being while holding a gunshot wound in my chest.

But Uncle Rigel, why would he know my location and be so determined to shoot me hiding behind a tree? Though I was pretty sure he didn't know my position, but in one shot, he managed to hurt me.

"I. .. have to go to a safe place, before that I also have to take out the bullet right?" I murmured with cold sweat that started to wet my face.

It really hurts, but if I stop they'll find me. I don't want to get caught, I'm not ready to see Dad again, I'm afraid that the news of my father's memory coming back is a lie. I fear.

Should I go back to uncle's house and ask him for help? But if I do that, will uncle hand me over to you? Given that Mr. Albert had already dismantled my fake death and uncle was also working with him. It's not unusual for uncle to obey his orders to arrest me and hand me over to Dad, is it?

"Huh, hah hah~ I can't take it anymore ...," I said stopping my steps under the street lighting as I felt the growing pain, I saw my right hand was covered with blood, my eyes also began to shaded, both knees feeling very weak and my left hand seemed to tremble withholding my weight, trying to stay standing firmly while holding on to the pole beside me.

"Hah~ am I going to lose my consciousness here? Will I ... be okay?" I felt a headache in my head.

No, even if I have to die. That's not a bad thing, is it? I was expecting it a few months ago, so if I die now why? Isn't that good because I can finally go to mom and grandma's place?

I felt a gust of wind start to hit my body along with the shadow of someone running towards me. Judging from his stature, it looks like he—Dean? I'm not sure because my view is completely blurry, I can't even hear his voice. All I could feel was her warm touch before my consciousness completely disappeared.

***

"Faren?" I murmured when I saw him under the street lighting.

What the hell is he doing? I continued to wonder with his figure that never went from there, until my eyes saw his pale expression that looked alarming, even my eyes began to turn on the other hand that looked bloodless, not even a glance, holding his left chest.

"It can't be, right?" My words immediately ran up to him with mixed feelings that I could not explain.

Though I intend to go look for her after delivering Sarah and leave Yuna to her, I want to make sure directly about what I heard from Teo tonight. I wonder if she really is a woman? Then why did he have to change his appearance to such an extent? Why would he fake his death? I know the Veren family loves their daughter very much.

At least that's what I know from some news that circulated a few years ago before the news about Mr. Veren's condition circulated. I only knew that his condition was not good, after that suddenly the news of the death of princess Veren was unreasonable.

"I wanted to make sure, but ... Faren! What the hell's going on? Be aware!" I said when I got near him before he fell. I quickly noticed my surroundings, trying to find someone who could help me get Faren to the hospital. But it doesn't seem to exist. Inevitably I carried him and ran to the nearest clinic to help Faren.

"Hopefully still have a chance, hang on a little Faren!"

I stopped my steps when I saw the temporary clerk at Uncle Tesar's bakery standing before me with his chaotic appearance, even the sound of his irregular breathing was heard to my ears.

"You!" Excitement surprised me.

I saw that the red bead was staring hard at me, then turned to Faren in my lap. "What did you do to him?" The next look so upset made me reflexively take a step back from him.

"No, this .. I met Faren near here. She was already like this when I found her, I had to take her to the clinic immediately, so—"

"Let me. There's a doctor who can help him at Albert's residence." Cut him up and take Faren out of my hand.

"Albert's residence? You mean that Albert?" I could not stop thinking about that famous man.

"You! Who are you really?" I stopped his steps, I saw that he had turned to me and looked at me cynically.

"It's none of your business. Don't stop me again!"

"Of course it's my business, I'm also Faren's friend. Let me come with you, I—"

"Faren? You're wrong, he's not Faren but Aster Veren my lover!" The cut made me grin so surprised at what I heard.

I saw that he had taken Faren away from me with his broad strides, I intended to help him and wanted to make sure that everything was stopped by the boy with just one sentence?

... He's not Faren but Aster Veren is my lover! His voice again flashed in my head, even his cynical gaze was still clearly reflected in my memory.

"So .. does that mean that Faren is really the daughter of the Veren family?"

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Thanks for reading...