
.
Abela and Armand just continued on their way home in silence. Of course because Armand had to focus on riding his horse. Abela tried not to fall behind Armand. Her dress did not match the riding activities she suddenly did.
Arriving at the Armand residence, Abela immediately looked at Orlando with a hint of sharpness. Makes the boy cling to her to apologize with a slight whine. Abela did not believe the thirteen-year-old boy could still whine like that, guessing what kind of mother Abela was to Orlando. But instead of being distracted, Abela enjoyed it. She stroked Orlando's hair slowly.
"I was playing with my mother's cat" said Orlando, smiling broadly at his teeth.
"Mosie? You like him?"
"Name Mossie? Yeah, he's funny." Orlando answered.
"You can have it if you want. He's actually a monster, but your father gave him a magic necklace. As long as Mossie wears that necklace he won't turn into a monster size."
"Can I?" asked Orlando to convince his hearing.
"Yes ... Of course." Abela smiled, still stroking Orlando's hair.
"Bastian must be envious," Orlando said with a laugh.
"You can share it with him." Abela doesn't think about Bastian.
"Allah ... Alright ... I'll take Mossie and disturb Bastian again." Orlando was about to reach the door before turning to look at Abela again.
"I hope my mom and dad make up" he said with a smile. Abela returned her smile. He stared at the boy until he disappeared behind the door.
Abela rested her back on the cushioned back of the sofa. Suddenly recall she had not asked the expedition to the witch castle on Armand. But he was too tired to get out of his place. Abela closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep.
.
.
Abela ate her food quietly, it was quite surprising to see Armand acting so ordinary right now. The perfect time to discuss the expedition to the witch castle might not have to wait anymore.
Armand's face looked more relaxed not stiff like this morning. After Orlando and Bastian. Abela did not stop looking at Armand. Armand was aware of that, but he calmly still ate his dinner.
Abela could also just wait, she did not want to interrupt Armand this time.
"So? What do you want to say?" ask Armand at last.
"When do we go to the witch's castle?" Abela immediately revealed what she wanted to know.
"Tomorrow." Armand answered briefly. "Faster is better" he said again in a blank tone.
Abela was stunned for a while, what better faster that? Abela forced her smile. Sure oes. The sooner he leaves this world the better for him.
"I gave Orlando the mossie. He's a smart cat. So I guess it's okay?"
"Why?" ask Armand quietly.
Abela had not looked at Armand. Somehow he didn't want to know what kind of face Armand was displaying right now.
"Eitherway? Farewell gift?" Abela smiled somewhat wistfully. Maybe it's not enough. Any gift would not be able to entertain the child. How could?
Armand stared at Abela's smile in silence and at her lips which she tightened. What emotions are he suppressing this time. Armand didn't even understand his own feelings.
"All right." Finally, that was all Armand could say. He got up from his seat fan left the dining room. Leaving Abela still pensive.
.
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Abela walked down the aisle towards her room, as she saw Mossie staring at her in the distance. Abela came closer to the cat, taking her into her arms.
"You haven't slept?" ask Abela.
"Not yet...it's too early to sleep." Orlando asks Mossie out of Abela's hands.
"Tomorrow, let's go home" said Orlando, the young man smiling very widely.
"Mom can't." Abela replied, "Tomorrow, I will go on another expedition."
Orlando stared silently at Abela. There was a lot he wanted to ask the woman he called the mother.
"Why?" ask Orlando at last.
"What made you come?" Orlando asked in a strange cold tone. It was the first time Abela heard it.
"Later ... I'll tell you later," Abela replied after pondering for a long time.
"When? After returning from the expedition and being kidnapped and almost dead again? When later?" Orlando raised his tone.
True enough, Abela and Armand always thought Orlando was too young to know everything. Unknowingly, he is someone who has the right to know more than anyone.
Orlando should have been the first to tell Abela that she wasn't Abela's mother.
Abela gulped, seeing the tears hanging in the boy's light blue eyes.
"listen ... Orlando ... Me ...." What would he say? Abela was stunned again as Orlando's tears completely flowed down her cheeks.
Abela felt her chest suddenly hurt. His body memories again? Ask Abela to herself. Abela doesn't know what's really going on. In a split second as Orlando tried to run away. What his hands do. When she suddenly reached out to the child and took him into her arms.
Orlando's cries began to sound, sobbing in Abela's arms. Abela doesn't yet know what she has to do to make Orlando calmer. But apparently, Orlando did not give him that chance. Orlando broke away from Abela and ran away. Regardless of Abela's call.
Abela did not know what made her run as well. Whether his body reacted spontaneously or indeed to his own consciousness. Abela even forgot she was wearing high shoes and a pretty big dress.
"Orlando !" Abela called out the boy's name once more as she watched Orlando climb down the stairs.
But it was a mistake, as Orlando turned his feet off balance. Orlando had already fallen to the floor. Making all the servants scream and Abela who was still far from his reach.
And as the chaos ensued, a black bulge was seen in the corner of Abela's eyes. While Mossie with his monster form jumped up and grabbed Orlando's shirt with his sharp teeth, before Orlando reached the floor.
The waiter's screams grew louder and louder. Especially when the monster brought Orlando by biting on the back of his shirt, Orlando's legs and hands hung.
Slowly Mossie put Orlando on the floor. The cat's gleaming yellow eyes stared at Orlando's stunned blue eyes. It was only the first time I saw a monster that close.
Abela moved closer to Orlando and took him into his arms again.
"What are you thinking? You're almost hurt!" abela shouted a little frustrated.
"Mother ... Mon ... Monster ..." stutters Orlando while pointing at Mossie.
"Is that important now? Where's the sick part? Is anyone hurt?" Abela bombarded Orlando with questions. Nothing Orlando could answer. The boy was still stunned in his place. Look directly into the monster's eyes.
"Mosie?" call Orlando carefully.
Slowly Mossie approached Orlando and placed his head next to Orlando's hand. Orlando was a little surprised to feel Mossie's slightly rough feathers. But finally stroking it awkwardly as well.
"Don't be afraid, he saved us. He will take care of you from today" whispered Abela softly.
Orlando looked at his estranged mother. It was the strangest thing Orlando felt. His mother who suddenly did not call herself mother, the monster that saved his life. Or tears she couldn't stand. All these ambiguous things that make him confused, whether they will be answered.
"You ... Not my mom, right?"
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