“Keep up,” he barked, tugging Ella along. He had to get her hidden before his mother found him.
“I can’t,” Ella snarled, pulling her hand back sharply and slowing him down. Ryu clicked his tongue, feeling his tension wind higher.
Almost there…
They reached a secluded hallway where Ryu had set up a temporary hiding place for Ella. It was a small chamber off the side of his own, almost like a storeroom. Currently, it was filled with the furniture that he used in the winters, so he could be sure no one would be coming this way in a while. He turned to Ella, frowning.
“Stay in here for now,” Ryu said, his eyes darting around as he looked any sign that his mother was nearby. “My mother mustn't find out about your presence. She wouldn’t understand, and it would only complicate matters.”
And Ellascoffed, dammit. The defiance in her eyes made him want to reach out and shake her.
“Complicate matters? How could it get more complicated than youabductingme?”
“Quiet,” he hissed, looking around quickly, and Ella smiled mockingly.
“Why? Afraid everyone will find out you like kidnapping young women?”
“Kidnapping?”
Ryu looked up, and felt cold all over. His mother stood in the hallway, Hiroshi and Mizuki at her side.
Ryu’s heart skipped a beat, his mind racing for a quick solution. He had to think on his feet, he couldn't allow his mother to uncover the truth. She came closer faster than he would’ve liked, and raised an eyebrow at him as she looked between him and Ella.
“Ryu, who is this young girl? Why have you been keeping her hidden away?”
Ryu’s mind raced, and he quickly conjured up a convincing lie.
“Mother, this is Ella. She is my ward,” he said. It had worked on his best friends, maybe it would work on his mother? “Years ago, she was in a dire situation, and I healed her and saved her life.”
“No, you didn’t—”
“Ah, she is the girl Erlan told me about.” His mother said, speaking over Ella. She smiled kindly at Ella, who blinked at her in surprise. “I heard that she was near death when you saved her.”
Pride colored her words, but Ella was going white. Ryu frowned at her. Had she not know she had been nearly dead when he had healed her?
Going by the look on her face, she had never realized how close she’d come. Luckily, the revelation seemed to have shocked her into silence.
“Yes. Well, she was being mistreated in her village, and I couldn’t stand by and let it happen. So, I brought her here to the Twilight Court, where she would be safe.”
Lady Clara’s expression softened, a mixture of surprise and concern crossing her features.
“Why did you try to keep this from me? Ryu, I understand that you were afraid of how it would seem to the Court, but you should have told me. We could have found a more suitable arrangement for her.”
Ryu sighed, his heart still hammering, as he let his shoulders slump slightly. His mother seemed to be believing his act, thankfully.
“I didn't want to burden you,Haha ue.I felt responsible for Ella, and I wanted to protect her. I thought I could handle it on my own.”
Lady Clara reached out, gently placing a hand on Ryu’s arm.
“My dear son, you're never alone in this. We are a family, and we face challenges together. We’ll find a way to help Ella, but we must do it in a way that is honorable and within the bounds of our responsibilities.”
Ryu nodded, a mix of relief and gratitude flooding over him. He’d gotten away with it, though he had no idea how. Now, all he had to do was keep up the ruse while he worked to break the bond between himself and Ella.
“Thank you, Mother. I should have trusted in your wisdom from the start.”
“Well, Ryu, aren’t you going to introduce me to your ward?” His mother looked at him, eyes twinkling.
Ryu cleared his throat. “Of course,Haha ue.” He nodded at his mother.
