103: 103 Are You Leaving?

103 Are You Leaving?

Vivian’s POV 1

Confronted with my inquisitive question, Albert's crimson lips curved upward. Though I couldn't glimpse his eyes, I was almost certain he awaited my verbalization of this query.

"Because I'm using a unique flute, only witches can perceive my melody and werewolves are incapable of detecting it," Albert silently approached me, his presence virtually devoid of sound. He raised his hand, a flute nestled in his palm, "Vivian, this is for you."

I didn't desire anything from Albert, yet his voice seemed to wield an enchanting power, coaxing me to extend my hand.

In a state of uncertainty, I found myself grasping the dainty flute. It was no thicker than my fingers and hardly longer than theirs. The flute's surface was icy cold, akin to Albert's own frigid touch.

Only upon touching the chilled surface did I seem to awaken from a trance. I recoiled, stepping back, eyeing Albert warily, "No, I can't accept your offering."

"Why?" Albert countered.

"Because I don't know you!" I recollected our conversation, vowing to myself that this time I wouldn't succumb to his influence, "I won't take anything from you. Don't attempt to sway me."

"Vivian, what you say truly saddens me," Albert sighed softly upon hearing my words. Though a mere sigh, his voice remained deeply alluring, "I remember telling you. When you were a child, you used to call me uncle. How could you possibly not recognize me?"

Here it came again. Albert was reiterating such words.

After our last encounter, I want to return to my master Alice and apprise her of Albert's reappearance. Albert claimed to be friends with my master. Though I have mixed doubts about his assertion, I can't jump to conclusions on my own. I needed to convey this situation to her promptly.

However, for various reasons, whether for Alen's sake or Delia's, I had continually postponed my return to my master, Alice. And Albert had reappeared.

I struggled to recall whether I had truly encountered Albert during my childhood. As a distinct vampire like him, if I had seen him, I should have some recollection.

I scoured every corner of my mind but found no trace. Suddenly, I realized that I had followed Albert's line of thought. He mentioned that I used to call him "uncle," so I entertained the notion that perhaps I had ever met him as a child.

"I don't recall ever seeing you." I raised my head to look at Albert, deliberately adopting a rough tone, "Don't try to get close to me. I won't tell you anything!"

"Is that so?" Upon hearing my words, Albert's lips curled into a greater smile. His pallid skin emitted an ethereal glow in the moonlight, making him appear almost translucent, "That's a shame. I hoped to get to know you better."

As he spoke, Albert raised his hand and gently caressed my head, as though comforting a child.

His hand felt unnaturally cold, resembling that of a corpse, making me quite uncomfortable.

I lifted my hand, attempting to push Albert's hand away, but his grip was surprisingly strong. Despite my efforts, I couldn't break free.

"Darling Vivian, I enjoy watching you struggle so valiantly, even when it's in vain," Albert chuckled at my repeated attempts to push his hand away, "Just like when you tried to concoct a love potion for Delia. Your intentions were noble, but the outcome you desired might not have been achievable."

"I'll do as I please, and I don't need your judgment!" Albert's physical presence and his words overwhelmed me, inciting both anger and urgency, "Also, I need to leave. Let go of me!"

"Leaving so soon? What a pity!" Upon hearing my words, Albert paused briefly.

Expecting Albert to release me, I was surprised when he merely withdrew the hand resting on my head. Instead, he slid his hand down my shoulder, tugging at my sleeve. In the next moment, I found myself tilting forward, my head resting on his shoulder.

"Vivian..." Albert seemed about to say something, but before he could continue, I felt his body tense, "Someone is coming."

As I realized that Albert's attention had shifted elsewhere, I seized the opportunity to break free from his hold. I moved back to stand about three steps away from him.

"What a shame that we're being interrupted so soon," Albert sighed, extending his hand and sliding the flute into my pocket. He then lowered his voice, "Vivian, it seems your friend is coming to find you. I'll leave this flute for you. Next time you wish to see me, simply call me with its melody."

With those words, Albert's gray attire rustled briefly before he vanished from my view.

Just as before, he disappeared right in front of me. Yet, I still couldn't fathom how he managed to vanish so swiftly.

Lost in thought, I heard Alen's voice pierce the silence, "Vivian! Vivian!"

Alen's voice startled me, causing my heart to race. I quickly turned toward the source of the sound, spotting Alen approaching with a torch in hand.

Alen's expression bore a clear sense of urgency, and it only marginally relaxed as he reached my side.

"Alen, why have you come?" I stared at the figure before me, finding it hard to believe, "How did you know I was here?"

"Just a while ago, the patrolling warriors informed me that you were out here in the dead of night, not sleeping, heading towards the forest, claiming to have heard music," Alen stepped closer, the torchlight illuminating me, "Vivian, have you found the source of that music?"

"I..." I was initially going to explain that the musical sound was orchestrated by Albert, yet I didn't possess a complete understanding of Albert's background or his connection with my mentor. Prior to discussing it with her, I couldn't divulge anything about Albert to Alen.

"No."

"None? Are you certain?" Alen repeated my words with a touch of astonishment, "I just saw someone next to you. A tall figure which was clearly a man. Were you conversing with him?"

"No, you must have mistaken what you saw," sensing Alen's persistent probing, I countered, "I was alone here earlier. What you perceived was likely a shadow. There was nothing, and the music itself might have been a figment of my imagination."

"Really?" Alen's skepticism was evident, as he continued to inquire, "If there was nothing, then why were you skulking about the woods in the middle of the night? Are you considering leaving us?"

As Alen brought up the topic, memories of a few days ago surged back, when I'd tried to persuade Delia to depart with me, and Alen had intervened unexpectedly.

Back then, I sensed Alen had desired to question me about something, but Delia had deflected him. Today, he mentioned conversing privately with me, but before we could delve into any meaningful discussion, Prince Kral had arrived.

Delia and Prince Kral had come to my rescue twice, averting direct confrontations with Alen's probing. However, evading this topic was inevitable now, with just the two of us here.

"I'm a witch, not a werewolf. I'm thinking about leaving the werewolf pack to return to my family. Isn't that reasonable?" I whispered, "It's been quite a long time since I last saw my mentor. I miss her, so I want to go home. Is there an issue with that, or are you opposed?"

"I'm not opposed, I just..." Alen furrowed his brow, attempting to explain, "If you truly miss your mentor, perhaps you could invite her to join our pack."

"How could my mentor come here?" I shook my head, rejecting Alen's suggestion, " We witches have our own territory. A witch joining a werewolf pack? That's weird."

"Have you decided to leave?"

I looked down at my shoes. "Yes. I've decided."

"Fine, even if I can't change your mind, I must remind you of something," hearing my response, Alen appeared quite depressed, raising his voice, "Delia is Prince Kral's fiancée, and she's also the future queen of our pack. It's impossible for you to take her away."

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