The Mask Of The Monster - Chapter 91

(From Ella’s Perspective)

For a moment, I thought that he could read my mind. I did not know what to say as I was too embarrassed. But even if it was awkward and embarrassing, it was not my fault. It was natural to feel that way when I was not sure what kind of relationship we had. We kissed, did a bit other things too, but we were not in a relationship. He wanted to be in a relationship with me, but it was me who was taking too long to decide. Only if he opened up to me…

“I’m ready,” he said suddenly. “I want to start.”

I nodded but did not dare meet his eyes. But perhaps I should, I should let him know that he can talk to me, I was going to be there for him no matter what and he could tell me about anything.

I took a deep breath and forced my eyes up to look at him and to my surprise, he was looking down at me as well. The moment our eyes met, he let out a smile, not a happy one, but not a sad one either, more like the type of smile that people gave when they appreciated a gift or something like that.

“Since I was born, my father never loved me. He never even looked twice at me. My brother was born only one year after me. But he got all the love, affection, favor. I thought it was because I was not compatible enough. I would win the combat fights, I could ride better than most at a very young age, I could fight with swords and defeat easily, but he was not impressed with me. Even the servants looked down at me. It was hard to live like that, but I still did not pay attention to their words and kept on trying to do better.”

Even though his voice did not crack, I could track the sadness and desperation in his voice, but those emotions seemed to turn into an armor that was fractured only from a corner and that crack made me see the self he was hiding. But his heart was not beating faster, rather it seemed like his heart was not beating at all, like the wings of a bird in a cold winter morning.

“And it was my biggest mistake. My ability was never the problem, rather my origin was. I’m sorry, but I lied to you before. I told you that I didn’t know why my shifter form is different. But I do. I’ve known it for a long time. I just never thought that I would tell it to anyone. I never trusted anyone and besides, I never thought_ I would get close to anyone,” he said, looking straight into my eyes and I did not look away either. It felt uncomfortable a while ago, but now it felt like it was indeed necessary and I heard once that eye contact could make someone feel stronger, especially for those people who did not show their emotions much.

My reaction shocked me. I was supposed to be angry, at least just a bit angry, but I did not feel the slightest bit of anger. Rather, I felt happy, a hint of joy crept up from the corner of my heart. I was happy that he admitted that he lied and he was also sorry for it. He said he did not think he would get close to anyone, but it surely meant that he got close to me, right? How could I not be happy? This cold man, who I did not think would show this side of him to me, said that he was sorry for not telling me his secret before and he was ready to tell me now. He trusted me… What could I need more?

“I’m not my parents’ son,” he said.

“What???” I asked, too shocked to anticipate anything. I did not want to say anything until he was finished. It was so unlike my personality, but I still did not want to disturb him. But this time, the topic was way too shocking to keep myself from talking.

“It’s true.”

“Be more specific. Details_ I want details.”

“I was about to say that. You said ‘what’ far too loudly.”

“That’s because you stopped in the middle of your sentence. I’m supposed to give a reaction, ain’t I?” I pointed out. “Anyway, continue. I won’t disturb anymore.”

“Legends say there are not just shifters and humans in this world. There are more species than people found out. Alistair… He is called the devil. Legends say he had lived for thousands of years. They say he ate dead bodies, humans or shifters- it did not matter to him. One day he saw my aunt, my father’s younger sister. She was beautiful. People used to call her the goddess of beauty- exaggerating, I know. He manipulated her and promised her that he was going to marry her. It was all just to bed her. She found out that she was with a child. It was a disgrace for the royal family. Father wanted to get rid of that child, but she refused. She kept it and then gave birth to it. He did not come back ever again. I don’t have to say who the child is, right?” he said. “I don’t know what happened to her. I have seen her painting only. No one talks about her. Rumors say she had killed herself after the child was born and the child was born dead. It was surely the Royal family’s work so no one would ever find out that the child was me and I am not the king’s and queen’s real son.”

I listened to him all the time, but there was a part of my mind that was way too shocked to digest his words. Could it be… But how was that possible?

He touched the side of my neck and rubbed the place. “You look shocked,” he commented.

“Leandro… by any chance, the Alistair that you’re talking about is Alistair Reginald?”

“That’s his full name. But how do you know that?” he asked.

“He… Remember the haunted mansion in my town where no one goes? You know what the rumors say? They say that there was a man who used to live there… They say he was a devil and he used to eat dead bodies,” I said. “And his name is Alistair Reginald.”

“What?”

“It can’t be just a coincidence. That person knew about the portal and surely had gone to my world. Or how can there be such a rumor about him in a place where he has never been?”

“But it requires a shifter sacrifice. It has to be willing.”

“Wrong,” I said. “Human sacrifice works too. Dad said so and he even used that method.”

“How are you so sure he isn’t lying?” he asked in a way that clearly showed his dislike of my dad.

“I-I don’t know. I just want to believe he is not lying,” I mumbled.

He sighed. “I’ll talk to Anders about this,” he said.

“Ok,” I said. “Anyway, it means that Alistair is your father and your fake father’s sister is your mother. How long do you know this for?”

“I heard it when I was eight.”

“Eh?”

“I heard Father and Mother talking.”

“Eh… it means you knew what having sex meant when you were eight years old… Hmm, impressive. I wonder who spoiled you at that age. Anyway, that’s not the point,” I said. “You know this for quite a long time. Then why do you call…”

“So others would not know about the secret.”

“But why still now? You still call the previous king and queen your parents. You talk to them as if they are your family, even if you hate them.”

“It has become a habit. And besides, not all people from the so-called family are bad. Mother cared for me, till_ she died. And my sister liked me too.”

“When did your mother die_ and how?” I asked bluntly. It was part of my habit, but then suddenly realized that I was being way too blunt. “I’m so…”

“It’s okay,” he chuckled. “Your straightforwardness is quite eye-catching, I have to say.”

“You’re mocking me…”

“I said eye-catching_ How can this be mocking?”

“Eye-catching_ in a bad way. Even crow shit attracts eyes,” I said.

He kissed the side of my head and chuckled. I did not understand what I said that would make him laugh. I was just stating the facts.

“I like you when you’re yourself,” he whispered into my ear. “Just be yourself. I don’t care how you’re with others, just be yourself when you’re with me. I like to see the real you.”

[Finally, Leandro opened up to Ella.. It has taken him a lot of courage since he never said it to anyone before. But we’re happy for him, aren’t we?]