Masked Girl And Her Prince - Chapter 198 Chapter 198

The guy blinked as he gazed at her hand before he lifted his gaze to her face. Her hair was unkempt, her face marred with the blood, and her arm injured. He could see determination burn within her amidst her fear which amused him. Even though she was oozing with fear, she was holding his hand in a tight grip.

He was curious at what terrified her. He could only sense Seria behind him and nothing else. When he heard her shriek upon seeing Seria beside him, it struck him.

‘Seria?’

He looked at the violet python beside him which hissed at him. His lips twitched when he realized she was shaking over his pet. He lifted his hand and patted its head making Hazel gape at him.

The snake closed its eyes as it relished its touch until a stuttering voice disturbed its moment.

“P-p-at?”

The snake opened its eyes hissing at her. It glided towards her making Hazel freeze in fright. The guy noticed the girl before him slowly turning blue from fright. Seria wrapped its huge body around Hazel making her heart stop.

On noticing her paleness, he muttered, “Seria, cut it out”

The huge python which was hissing close to her ear released its hold. It unwrapped around her body and glided towards its master, wrapping its entire body around him.

Hazel who was shaking in fear looked at the guy in fright. She had her hand clutching her chest as she stammered, “S-Seria?”

The python who heard its name from the woman’s mouth hissed at her making her shiver. The guy rubbed his forehead as he glared at his pet. He glanced at the lady shivering in fright and for some reason, he was prompted to say, “Seria won’t hurt you”

“Seria?” she asked dumbly.

The guy nodded and pointed towards the snake which had its body wrapped around his, “This is Seria”

Hazel widened her eyes in horror.

She shrieked, “You named a python?”

The guy frowned, “Why wouldn’t I name my pet?”

She squeaked, “Pet?”

Then her eyes widened as she remembered the rumor she had heard before. She looked at the violet python which was rumored to be in the inner regions protecting something precious. She had heard tales of how people entered the forest in hopes of gaining the treasure never to leave the forest.

The python in front of her was strong enough to kill an entire army making her eyes wide in fear.

Why was this guy close with the python?

Unless…

She didn’t complete her thoughts when he asked, “How long are you planning to sit down?”

Hazel lifted her head blankly making him let out a sigh.

“Seria, go back to your nest”

With a loud hiss, Hazel saw the huge python unwrapping its body from him and gliding towards the tree, disappearing.

“He won’t come out unless I call for him.”

“Wash your face”

The guy pursed his lips as he watched her wash her face. The blood beneath her instantly turned reddish-brown.

Hazel let out a breath as she felt the coolness on her face. She shook her head and slowly got up. She turned around to glance at him and was met with indifference.

“Who are you?”

A small trace of a smile appeared on his face as he said, “That’s the second time you are asking the same question”

Hazel rolled her eyes, “And the second time you are ignoring it”

The guy looked at her for a second before he said.

“You can call me, Lance”

“Lance?”

He nodded.

Hazel gazed at him as she asked softly, “Are you the guardian of this tree?”

He narrowed his eyes as he asked, “You know about this?”

She scratched her chin embarrassedly and said, ” I only noticed it when Seria showed up.”

Lance nodded not answering her question. He furrowed his brows when he heard footsteps nearing them. He glanced behind her making her turn around in caution.

“What is it?” she asked.

Hearing no response, she turned around and to her astonishment, he was gone.

“Lance?”

“Hazel?”

Hazel immediately sprung around and saw Usui standing by the trees with relief on his face. Usui immediately threw his sword away as he rushed towards her and embraced her in a tight hug.

“Usui”

Hazel muttered as she wrapped her arms around his back and buried her face in his shoulder blades.

“What are you doing here?”

Usui pulled back and asked angrily, “Do you have any idea how scared I was when I didn’t see you when I woke up?”

Hazel bit her lips guilty making her rub his forehead. He knocked his head against hers and said, “Please, Hazel. Don’t do this, next time.”

He implored her through his eyes, “Let me know when you go somewhere”

Hazel nodded her head, knowing well that it was her fault. She mumbled, “Sorry, I wanted to check something but never thought I would fall into a bigger trap”

Usui sighed before his eyes landed on her arm. He said pained, “Your arm”

She shook her head, “It’s a small scratch”

She leaned forward and hugged him tightly. Usui wrapped his hands around her and glanced at his surroundings. He frowned when he felt a gaze on them. His eyes landed on the mysterious tree making him knit his brows.

Shaking his head, he glanced at the red snow and asked, “Did you do this?”

Hazel shook her head and mumbled, “Lance helped me”

Usui stiffened when he heard a guy’s name from her mouth.

“Lance?”

He looked at her, his lips twitching at her worried face. Hazel nodded, “He was here until a minute ago”

Usui frowned before he looked at the mysterious tree once again.

Hazel looked around and realized that he had disappeared. She looked at the tree and shouted, “Thank you for helping me”

She looked at Usui and smiled. She held his hand and said, “Let’s go back before nightfall”

Usui nodded and bent down to lift her in his arms. Hazel blushed and said, “I can walk, Usui”

He smiled at her, “You look like you could use some sleep, love”

He leaned in and kissed her forehead tenderly and mumbled, “Sleep, love. You are safe now”

Hazel smiled and nodded at him. She buried her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. When Usui turned around to leave, his back facing the tree. Hazel lifted her gaze and stared at the tree, her mind full of Lance.

….

Lance looked at the figures disappearing from his compound with narrowed eyes. He was distracted by a soft hiss beside him making him rub its head, “I know, Seria”

His eyes turned blood red as he looked at Hazel who was staring at the tree. His lips curled up as he remarked, “She is interesting.”

Lance had been watching her from the very start as she fought against the saber tooth tigers. He was impressed by her quick and steady attacks while she ran for a hiding spot. He couldn’t fathom how much strength those tiny arms had for her to use it continuously.

Even when she was surrounded by the horde, she found a way to escape. She was resilient, strong, and brave which was the reason why he helped her finally.

And, to his surprise, she who fought against the horde of beasts was scared of Seria.

He chuckled lightly making Seria hiss by his ear.

“I know, Seria”

Suddenly he frowned as if he sensed something unpleasant.

“Demon Lord”

Lance narrowed his eyes as he glanced at the demon who was kneeling in front of her. Seria immediately sprung up, hissing loudly to attack him when Lance mumbled, “No”

Seria hissed softly as it relaxed its stance. Lance looked at the intruder and asked, “How did you know I was here?”

The kneeling demon shivered from his lord’s cold voice before he said, “We have come to look for Seria, lord”

Lance raised his eyebrow and asked, “What is it?”

The demon looked up and said, “Demon Lord, when will you come back to us?”

Lance sneered, “I don’t think they are waiting for me to return, Ogran”

Ogran looked up with wide eyes and cried, “Lord”

“Don’t think that just because I have been away for some time, I am not aware of what is happening.”

Ogran lowered his head down, knowing all too well what he was referring to.

“My Lord, Lyndel acted impatiently and didn’t follow the orders. She was impatient to topple the humans”

Lance snorted, “And, how did she end up?”

Ogran bit his lips as he trembled under his lord’s fury.

“Go back”

Ogran hurriedly looked up and cried, “But Lord-”

He was silenced by Lance’s glare.

“Do you not care about your life anymore, Ogran?”

Ogran shuddered before he nodded his head vigorously and excused himself.

Lance turned around to the direction Hazel disappeared deep in thoughts. He looked at his snake and said, “Seria, we have to find the people who stole my power.”