Unveiled Secrets: The Promise of the Fae

Chapter 28 - You're the helpless one

“I know you must feel awkward, addressing me so formally, but looking much younger than yourself. Feel free to address me by my name.” Hannah couldn’t stand it anymore and threw it out in the open. These two have been her students. She knew them personally, and yet… they consider her someone they cannot reach. The respect is there. Somewhat reverent, but they do fear her as well. They were some of the people who knew her powers. Once, Alec angered her to the point she exacted a little revenge. It seemed childish. Erasing all he learned on a certain topic, forcing him to study again. Only a little note she had him write told him what happened. He shudders every time he remembers it. He promised never to piss her off again.

There was silence as Alec and Corrine tried to absorb this. Aaron doesn’t have much problem as he hadn’t seen her older self. Those two, however… couldn’t look at her without remembering.

“Do you want me to erase that part of your memories?” She briefly read their minds and arrived at that suggestion.

“No, no, no. Please, no.” Alec was frantic in his seat.

Aaron watched on with surprise. Is she that terrifying? It seemed Alec experienced it before. Corrine didn’t have such a reaction.

“It’s alright. There’s no need for that. You just have to chill, Hannah.” He managed to calm down and actually call her by name. His tone is a bit…

Corrine rolled her eyes at him. “You’ll never learn.”

“Hey, watch it.”

Hannah’s used to their banter. What are they? Cousins? They grew up together, and although it looks like they can’t stand each other, Hannah knows they value each other the most.

“But tell me, why do we have to go to the north? Are they that helpless?” Alec asked. He couldn’t in front of the king, so he held himself back.

“Isn’t the princess supposed to be powerful?”

Aaron isn’t liking his words and tone. “We’re not helpless.” He stated plainly, no expression on his face.

Alec is so dense not to recognize the annoyance. The two ladies across him both did.

When he’s about to continue…

“You’re the helpless one.” Corrine finally snapped, aiming a kick at him.

“Hey, hey, hey…” He dodged, lifting his feet here and there.

Aaron moved to the left most side of the seat, frowning at this guy.

When Corrine stopped, he just couldn’t.

“Also, why Hannah? I get that you’re powerful and all. Knowledgeable and all. But you’re already so old. This look is a deception. What are you supposed to do? Approach the enemy, touch them and erase their memories? They’ll strike you down before you can even come close to them.” He’s not entirely wrong, but still…

“i***t. What happened to your brain? How dare you call her Hannah?” Corrine attacked him with her legs again.

“Didn’t she say we can call her by name?” Alec protested.

“Even so, show some respect, i***t!” Corrine admonished. Couldn’t he feel her anger as she glares? Good thing Corrine’s intuition is very high. She could sense the slightest danger, or at least, a change in someone’s mood.

“One touch from her and you lose everything you know. You’ll be useless, then. Do you understand how powerful she is?” Corrine couldn’t stand this guy. He’s an i***t. How he can become one of the best students is beyond her. He mostly excels in practical exams.

Aaron listened and understood some things.

“I haven’t thanked you yet, have I? Thank you for mentoring me last time. Your help was very useful.” Aaron dipped his head in a bow, surprising the others in the carriage.

“See, that’s how you show respect. How many times have Hannah taught you? Don’t answer. I was rhetorical. Idiot.” He makes her exasperated.

Hannah is pleased, by his gratitude and by Corrine’s support. They warmed her heart. Otherwise, she would blow up because of Alec. Why did she choose him again? He and Corrine work well together, as they understand each other the most. Alec normally speaks before he thinks when interacting with others. But when he strategizes, that’s when he shows his prowess. Unfortunately, he seems to move back and forth within that spectrum.

“Quick, you haven’t told us your ability yet.” Corrine diverted the topic towards Aaron. It might interest Alec enough for him to shut up and listen.

Aaron was uncomfortable with the sudden attention. He helplessly looked around, his gaze settling on Hannah. She raised an eyebrow. She didn’t need to read his mind to tell what he wants her to do. She sighed. Upon seeing her give in, he also sighed. He grinned at her.

She calmly explained, at which Alec was initially unimpressed.

“What good is that? It’s a very simple ability. Nothing special.” He has a sharp mouth. And his downside is his pessimistic attitude towards others. In a way, his critique is helpful, but not always.

Aaron’s ears were starting to turn red from embarrassment. Yes, maybe compared to them who had years of training, his ability can be considered ordinary.

Hannah tilted her head as she squinted at Alec.

“Aaron, can you pluck this guy’s eyeballs out? Better yet, tear him from limb to limb. You can do it from a distance, can’t you?”

Everyone else in the carriage froze. Her suggestion is a bit… brutal.

Alec shuddered. This guy can do that?

“No, no, no. I was mistaken. You’re powerful. Very helpful magic.” He’s easily convinced.

“Uh, I haven’t tried that but…” He stared at Alec’s eyes.

“Hey, man. You can’t be seriously considering. I already apologized.” Alec covered his own eyes with his hands, keeping them where they are.

“Try his tongue. Pull it out.” Although Hannah said that seriously, Aaron could see her chuckling silently in her seat. Corrine was openly grinning at Alec’s reaction, who clamped his mouth shut. Ah, peace.

He seriously considered Hannah’s words. Does he really have that ability? Well, he can certainly move a whole person, as he did with Hannah before. How easy would it be on a meager eyeball? But it is a bit… disgusting.

“I know. But it’s one way you can use it against an enemy. Just taking their eyes would be advantageous to you. Make them blind and unable to properly move.”

“That’s better than hurling the whole person away.” He thought that’s the best he could do against an enemy. That would be harder, too. However, an eyeball…

“Thank you.” He would never have thought of it by himself.

“That’s gross.” Alec couldn’t help but say something.

Hannah glared at him. We’re having a conversation here. How dare you interrupt?

Alec maintained his hands over his eyes, so he isn’t seeing her.

Corrine, however, did see. Is she so annoyed of Alec? Aaron, too, watched as her expression became one of irritation. Well, he himself was almost irritated.

“Hey, Aaron.” From outside, one of the knights escorting the carriage called out.

“Yeah?”

“Didn’t you say you want to ride a horse? Sir Wallace is feeling a bit under the weather.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll switch with him, then.”

Their entourage halted and Aaron came out. Hannah followed behind him. Alec was about to go when Corrine blocked him.

“Stay here, idiot.”

“I’m only going to look.” He replied. They rarely go out of the castle. He wonders if they will be allowed to roam in the north.

“I’m so sorry about this.” Sir Wallace apologized to Aaron, as well as the lady behind him. He’d been enduring his illness since yesterday. He rarely gets sick, having trained his body rigidly to withstand anything. They’ve basically boosted their immune system.

“It’s fine. Please rest.” Aaron was surprised to see Hannah when he turned to assist Sir Wallace into the front of the carriage, with the coach driver.

“Is there another horse? I would like to ride as well.”

Faced with this request, the leader of their escort was at a loss. Aaron informed him that they will be joined by three people from the northeast. This one, dressed in all white, is Lady Hannah. She’s a noble.

“I will ask someone.” He quickly decided. The youngest in their group, or the one with the lowest rank would have to acquiesce to the request.

There was not much resistance. The young knight joined Sir Wallace in front.

“Hey, I’ll be lying down here if you guys won’t be here.” Alec finally spoke up after a long time.

“They’ll be back before dark. They need to sleep, too. Don’t be dumb.” Corrine chided.

Aaron’s really tempted to ask Hannah how she chose these two. Corrine, he can understand.

Alec continued to grumble.

Aaron was about to help her up on a horse when she did it on her own, quite gracefully. He couldn’t do that. He tried to, anyway.

As they continued their travel, they rode the horses at a manageable pace.

“Aren’t you tired?” Aaron asked after a while. The young knight was on alert, wanting his horse back.

“Not easily. It has been a while since I rode a horse.” She leaned forward to caress the horse’s long neck. She couldn’t have continued in her old age even if she wanted to. She grimaced. She was over fifty before she changed back this time. Her “a while” is nearly two decades.

“Do you also feel younger?” Too late, Aaron realized it could have been rude.

“I do.” She tried not to be bothered by it.

“Do you want to race?” She challenged, but his heart skipped a beat from nervousness. Why did he have to provoke her?

“No. Please, I didn’t mean it that way.” He apologized quickly, slightly bowing to her.

“Whatever do you mean? It really has been a while since I raced. I simply missed it.”

“It is not safe here, though. When we get to the north, then we can race.” He quickly dissuaded her.

Her eyes brightened, “Really?”

“Yes.” Anything to ensure they won’t disorganize the plans made by the knights in their travel. They won’t appreciate it. Although they are trained to be flexible, unnecessary changes are frowned upon.

“I’ll hold you to that, then.” She immediately held him accountable for his words.

His thoughts that she could be his grandmother made her sad. Should she…? No. It’s going to be stupid if she used her own powers on herself. Maybe she could make herself forget that she’s old? No. That would be deceiving herself and hard to recover from. Then, why is she considering using it on Aaron? Maybe if he forgets that she’s old, he won’t be so awkward with her. If she’s considering that, they she might as well use it on everyone around her who knows. No. Alec and Corrine would go back to the northeast. The royals in the north might thought it’s an act of rebellion.

“Hey, I’m sorry.” Aaron’s voice took her out of her miserable thoughts. He thought she’s reminded of so many sad things because of what he said.

“Can you forget how old I truly am?” Her expression seemed pleading to him. He didn’t realize…