Tales Of Darkness And Light
Chapter 43's

Arthur Vedric Hirrim, King Hirrim is a handsome man in his mid-twenties. She has black hair and blue eyes like her sister, Mirthy. His friendly face smiled as he saw Apples enter his room.

"Welcome," said Arthur kindly. Sitting at his desk, he stared at the Apple standing in front of him full of smiles. "I am Arthur Vedric Hirrim, King of Hirrim. Nice to meet you, Apple."

The apple that had covered its blood-red eyes with a white cloth looked at King Hirrim expressionlessly. Arthur's hospitality did not make him lose his vigilance. There was something strange, why did King Hirrim invite him to the king's study?

"You don't have to put up such vigilance, Apple." Arthur laughed as soon as he saw the attitude of the Apples.

"What do you need to call this servant, Your Majesty?" ask Apple flat. He uses sociable language probably because he does not want to attract attention while trying to find out what Arthur's intentions are.

Arthur smiled at the question of Apple. "I want to meet you, Apple."

"You're a King, Your Majesty," replied the Apple fixed with its flat voice. "You don't need to get acquainted with the servant who is a commoner."

Arthur laughed again upon hearing the words of the Apple "Jobly People? Are you really a commoner, Apple?"

The apple doesn't answer Arthur's question.

"A few years ago," Arthur smiled as he glared at remembering something. "A friend of mine came to see me. He asked me to help find someone. He asked me to help him find a boy with blood-red eyes."

Apple was quite surprised by what Arthur said. However, he did not show the slightest bit of surprise. His face remained as calm and expressionless as ever.

"He told me that the child was his precious possession, and he absolutely did not want to lose it" Arthur continued and looked back at Apple with a smile. "As a friend, I tried to help him. However, I did not manage to find that child at all until today. Know it? I was quite surprised when I saw the color of your eyes, Apple."

"You're wrong people," replied Apple calmly. The tone of his voice did not change one bit. "Hamba can't possibly know your friend, Your Majesty. Servant is not the one your friend is looking for."

"That's it, huh? Sorry if I'm wrong." Arthur muttered softly. His face looked very disappointed, however, Apple knew once, it was just pretend.

"It's okay. Can I go now?" Apple did not intend to continue the conversation with Arthur any longer. He's had enough of the information he needs—this place isn't safe for him and Rue.

"Yes. Sorry I took your time." Arthur smiled and let the apple go.

Apple didn't say anything anymore. Reversing his body, he walked out of King Hirrim's study. However, when he opened the door, Arthur's voice came back.

"See you soon, Black Cat—Ah! Sorry, I mean, see you later, Apple."

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Walking towards Rue's room he had shown happily before he faced King Hirrim, Apple knew, King Hirrim knows who he really was. He and Rue couldn't stay any longer in this place—this place is dangerous.

Apple sighed, had he not let go of the cloth that had closed his eyes, it might not have been like this. But he also knew it was impossible. The moment he heard Rue's voice, he couldn't think and act with his head clear anymore. He could think of nothing else at that moment, which was in his mind only one, that is; looking at Rue with his own eyes and making sure that the girl was really real, not an illusion.

The door of Rue's room suddenly opened as Apple arrived in front of her, and she felt someone hug her while laughing. He knew who hugged him that, that aura, voice, smell, and touch from the person who was very important to him—Rue.

"Take me off, you fool." Apple orders with an expressionless face, though in fact she does not want the girl to let go of her embrace.

"Apel, don't call me stupid. How many times have I told you, I have a name!" reply Rue was upset while releasing her embrace.

"How do you know it's Apple, Rue?" calix's voice rang out from inside Rue's room. "And he did not speak a word."

"Of course I know, Brother Calix," replied Rue turning around and walking back into the room. A smile filled his face. "How could I not be aware of the presence of Apples?"

The apple followed Rue into the room. He knew that the girl was not alone. He had sensed Fedrick, Lara, Calix, Regis and Mirthy in the room as he walked closer to this room. "What do you need here?" tanyanya flat.

The apple did not answer.

Calix who knew Apple wouldn't answer, but he didn't care. "Don't do it, Apple. The one who misses Rue is not just you."

"Eh! You miss me, Apple?" asked Rue surprised. Staring at the Apple, his eyes twinkling with hope waiting for an answer.

The apple remained silent not saying a word.

"She won't admit it, stupid," Lara interrupted suddenly. "Didn't his attitude prove enough?"

Hearing Lara's words, Apple turned her face to the black-eyed girl. However, Lara did not care about it.

"Me too, Apple," full of excitement, Rue again hugged Apple tightly. "I miss you too."

Apple was stunned for a moment with Rue's words. A small smile filled his face. Lifting both hands, he returned Rue's embrace without caring for anyone's gaze. Lara said it was not wrong, her attitude was now right different from her usual attitude, but she could not stop herself. He wanted to keep touching Rue— to calm himself that the girl was indeed beside him.

Calix and Mirthy smiled as soon as they saw the scene, while Lara and Regis just stared at them with expressionless faces. Only Fedrick smiled bitterly. Is it funny if he feels disappointed when he sees the scene?—because he hopes, he is the one who embraced Rue, not Apple.

"You won't be able to get in the middle of them both, Fedrick." Lara's voice beside Fedrick was heard. He spoke softly with the intention that no one would hear him but Fedrick.

"I know, Lara." Reply Fedrick slowly. Lara's words, she understood. Looking at the relationship of Apple and Rue, he knew there was no gap for him to enter into their midst. Apple's eyes while staring at Rue and Rue's eyes while staring at Apple were enough to prove the bond between the two of them.

"Stupid," called out to Apple who was tightly hugging Rue. "You'll hear whatever I say, right?"

Rue nodded his head. He did not correct the call of the Apples when calling him stupid as usual. The joy and happiness of knowing Apple also missed him made him able to forgive the young man this time around.

"good. Come on, let's get out of this town right now."

Everyone there was shocked upon hearing Apple's words, including Rue who was in his arms.

"Eh!?" Shouted Rue in surprise while releasing his embrace.

"What is your makasud, Apple?" fedrick and Calix asked in surprise. While Lara and Mirthy were silent, still unable to hide the shocked expressions on their faces.

"We are leaving this city right now," repeated Apple as he looked at Rue. Not caring about Fedrick, Lara, Calix and Mirthy, he then turned to Regis "Come on Regis, we're out of here."

Regis was quite surprised by what Apple said. However, he did not ask anything. Rising from his seat, he walked up to the young man. Where they were going, he didn't care, as long as he could be with the person who saved him always.

The apple patted Regis' head slowly. Bringing Regis might be risky, but it's better. If he was together with Rue alone, they would look very conspicuous. A blind young man and a beautiful girl travel with—it will attract everyone's attention. But, if added Regis, they can pretend to be the sisters who travel to visit relatives. The similar hair and eye color of Regis and Rue is quite supportive, moreover, Regis is quite reliable because it has adult properties that are not suitable for his age.

"Apel, what did you just mean?" ask Rue to panic. However, Apple did not care what he said. Grasping Rue's hand, she pulled him up and walked out of the room followed Regis from behind.

"Apple, wait!!" call Calix to panic.

However, the walking Apple suddenly stopped. Staring at the tightly shut door, he clucked softly puzzling everything that existed.

A few minutes later, the door opened from the outside. About twenty soldiers walked into the room, and drew spears at them "On His Majesty's orders, everything here is under arrest."

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