Miasha's gaze lingered over Veythor's pale face, studying him in silence. Then, without a word, she uncorked the potion and brought it to her lips. Gripping Veythor's chin, she pressed her mouth to his and forced the sky blue liquid into his mouth.
Shimi's chest tightened. She knew exactly what Miasha was doing, but the sight pierced her heart all the same. Raika's eyes widened in shock.
"W–wait…" Shimi whispered, almost arguing.
But Miasha didn't stop. She only pulled away once the last drop had passed Veythor's lips, rising smoothly to her feet. Shimi glared at her, anger simmering in her eyes.
"Couldn't you just… I don't know, pour it normally? Make him drink without doing that?"
Her words trembled with irritation. Miasha's lips curled faintly, her composure hiding the quiet amusement she felt at the girl's reaction.
"He's unconscious," she replied softly. "If not this way, he would have choked and couldn't drink the potion. Don't worry... your friend is safe now. His wounds will heal in thirty to forty five minutes."
Shimi opened her mouth to argue again, but no words came. Instead, she bit down on her frustration, lowering her gaze.
Why am I even wasting words on this? she thought bitterly.
So the girl has fallen for this brat… a childhood crush. How amusing.
Miasha laughed coldly inside. Outwardly, her smile softened as she turned to them.
"Now that we've saved our little friend, why don't we introduce ourselves? You can also explain what happened to you three and how you ended up here."
Her tone was warm and inviting voice laced with honey.
"Wait."
Raika finally spoke after a long silence. His voice was sharp, urgent.
"We can't waste time. We barely escaped their grasp. By now, Bulz must have figured out our motives. We worked so hard to get here... we have to escape first!"
Shimi quickly chimed in.
"Yeah! We can explain later.... let's just escape now!"
"Hehehe…"
Miasha suddenly let out a soft laugh. Raika and Shimi froze, they were dumbfounded.
"What's so funny?" Raika snapped, narrowing his eyes, irritation flaring inside his tiny heart.
"Don't worry, kids,"
Miasha said smoothly, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"I've taken care of all the bad guys… including Bulz."
Their eyes widened. Veythor's fingers twitched ever so slightly, though no one noticed.
"What do you mean?" Shimi asked, disbelief in her tone.
"You don't mean to say… you fought against all of them and won?" Raika pressed, suspicion sharp in his voice.
Miasha smirked mischievously and gave them a playful wink.
"Big sis is very strong, after all."
She flexed her arm lightly, feigning cheer. Up until now, everything appeared natural no cracks in her mask, no hint of suspicion. Miasha was playing her role flawlessly.
"You said… you defeated Bulz, right?"
The voice cut through the air, low but steady. Raika and Shimi froze, eyes wide in disbelief. Even Miasha stiffened for a heartbeat, her mask slipping before she quickly recovered.
Their gazes snapped toward Veythor. Slowly, he pushed himself upright, one hand pressed to his chest. His crimson eyes sharp, unreadable locked onto Miasha. Though he wore the body of a child, his gaze carried the weight of an old fox who had seen many things.
"Well, well… you woke up sooner than expected, little fella," Miasha said with a smile, smoothly sidestepping his question. Her eyes flicked to Shimi and Raika, her tone laced with feigned cheer.
"Look, kids... I saved your friend. See? He's already regained consciousness."
Before either of them could respond, Shimi rushed forward, her arms wrapping tightly around Veythor.
"Oh, Veythor… I'm so glad… I'm so glad you didn't die…"
Her voice cracked, soft sobs muffled against his shoulder. Raika stood back, fists clenching, jaw tight his teeth ground together, not just from tension but from something heavier simmering beneath.
"You still haven't answered my question, miss," Veythor said, his voice calm but cutting.
"Tch… annoying little brat,"
Miasha cursed silently. Outwardly, her smile stayed warm, almost maternal.
"What question?" she asked lightly, as though she hadn't heard him the first time.
Veythor's crimson eyes narrowed. "You defeated Bulz. Is that right?"
Shimi, still clinging to him, whispered, "Yes, Veythor. Big Sis defeated that bad guy, Bulz."
"Oh, really?" Veythor arched a brow, lips curling into a faint, almost sinister smile. "I can believe you're strong enough to take down all those men, even Bulz… but tell me, how did you know his name? Don't tell me he politely introduced himself in the middle of battle."
His smile widened... not arrogant, but calculated, a predator's smile in a child's face equals to terrifying.
Miasha's heart skipped her mask slipping away.
Damn it. I didn't expect a question like this from a kid… This boy despite his age, he's sharper than many grown men i know.
Keeping her tone smooth, she replied, "When I fought Bulz, he demanded to know my name. In return, I asked for his first. That's how I learned it."
Veythor's smile lingered as he gave a slow nod. His thoughts whispered otherwise: This woman isn't telling the truth.
"Alright… understood," he said aloud, his tone deceptively mild.
Shimi finally released him.
"Are you feeling any pain?" she asked softly.
"Not really,"
Veythor answered flatly. His crimson eyes flicked briefly to Raika, then shifted toward Miasha. Raika caught the signal, his chest tightening he nodded slightly. He understood the signal.