Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 96: The Secret Vow

Chapter 96: The Secret Vow

"As she placed it... Or as she was trying to place the smooth stone on top of the already built tower, Leona noticed something engraved on the stone—a pagan symbol, she said. Darcia~"

"I’m sorry for interrupting. But what kind of symbol?" Lionel asked.

Viviana shrugged. "I’m telling you the story in Darcia’s perception. You gotta fill in the details yourself, Mr. Story Maker!" she smiled.

"Oh, come on...Maybe it was a spindle and threads... the symbol representing the Moirai—the Fate sisters," he winked.

"Maybe," Viviana shrugged. She didn’t know how Lionel came up with that image though. But she didn’t care.

"Darcia asked Leona to come back. She did not like to be inside that cave. It was turning dark. But Leona insisted on finishing what she started. She swam around the platform and read the entire phrase. Darcia asked what was written, but Leona said nothing. She closed her eyes, mumbled something as if she was praying, then with her eyes still closed, placed the flat pebble on top of the tower."

Viviana paused as she could see that she got the whole attention of Lionel back. "You’re not going to tell me what she vowed either?"

Viviana shrugged with a smile. Lionel snorted in disbelief. With a chuckle, Viviana continued.

"Leona was still by the platform in a trance-like state, with her eyes closed, and Darcia watched biting her fingernails. "It stands!" Leona said opening her eyes. Even though she placed it closing her eyes, the tower still stood unmoving as if it accepted the stone offered by Leona."

"What happened next?" Lionel asked.

Viviana leaned forward. "A bright light... blindingly bright light..." she exclaimed. "And there was a..." she chuckled seeing Lionel listening to her intently.

"What was there?" he asked.

"Nothing..." she shook her head. "Nothing happened. This is real life, Mr. Yannis... The sky darkened and they had to run back. Leona went home late and got grounded by her mother. And she made a complaint on Darcia for being a bad influence on her perfect daughter."

"She got into trouble?" Lionel furrowed his brows.

"I know right? It was all Leona’s doing but poor Darcia got blamed. Maybe mothers are like that. They never believe that their child can do something wrong. They always blame their friends. So, Darcia was called to the Principal’s office. She was scared, right? This was not the first time she was in trouble but she thought Leona hates her. She didn’t want to lose Leona." Viviana took in a deep breath.

"Even Father Patrick was angry at Darcia for exploring the tunnels underneath without the supervision of any adults. It was a big issue, alright? She had to dab Father Patrick’s after-shave just for moral courage, you know..." she chuckled.

She used to do that. Whenever she was sad or scared, she would walk into Father Patrick’s room and borrow his after-shave lotion. That musk scent soothed her like nothing else.

"After-shave?" Lionel raised his brows. "Old Spice does have a nice fragrance, doesn’t it?" his eyes twinkled.

Viviana was nostalgic and missed the questioning tone of his voice. She never mentioned the brand but Lionel did. And he even guessed right. She didn’t think much of it.

"It does. I think Leander uses the same too," she whispered.

One of the reasons she likes dressing him in the mornings is because of that scent. That scent gives her all the good vibes.

"Oh, he does?" Lionel raised his brows, again.

Viviana missed the undertones of Lionel’s reaction and continued on with her story.

"In the Principal’s office, poor Darcia was bombarded with questions from Leona’s mother and also the principal. Father Patrick was not allowed in for the questioning. In that place, Darcia was standing with her shoulders hunched not even understanding what she did wrong to be asked so many questions, half of which she couldn’t even understand. She was blamed for being the devil on Leona’s shoulder teaching her to be wild and reckless. All Darcia understood was no one wanted her to be with Leona, certainly not her mother but she didn’t know why she should lose her only friend."

Viviana tensed up seeing the cat jumping down. Lionel gently caressed the cat and the cat walked down the stairs without much ado.

"Blame the orphan for everything. The world indeed is cruel," Lionel sighed.

Viviana saw his solemn eyes. She was not thinking about that incident as a sad one. It was scary when she was in the principal’s room, but she left the room happily.

"Darcia looked around the room. There was no one who could talk for her. But then, the door banged open. With her long hair fluttering, Leona entered. "I told you not to blame Darcia!" Leona shouted at her mother. Grabbing Darcia by the wrist, Leona stormed out of the room just like she entered."

Lionel laughed. "Of course... Of course..." he rubbed his chest. "What else would have happened?"

Viviana smiled. She was happy remembering that. Of course, she was scared to storm out of the principal’s office like that. But she was happy that someone came for her. Someone stood by her side, and talked on her behalf.

"Leona was wild, Darcia knew. And Leona loved her mother more than anything. Darcia was surprised beyond belief to see Leona scowling at her mother. If she was being honest, she thought Leona hated her mother at that moment. Leona said nothing and brought Darcia to a quiet place in the corridor. "I told you not to get bullied! Where’s your voice?" she shouted at Darcia. All Darcia could do was cry and Leona hugged her. "I told you. I’ll protect you from everyone. So, don’t cry," Leona said..."

Viviana wiped the corner of her eyes. Leona always had the sweetest words to say to her. She might have been annoying at times, but Darcia loved Leona more and more because of those sweet words and the protective actions Leona undertook.

"What did the adults do?" Lionel asked.

"They forbade Leona to meet Darcia. Both were kept under observation at all times to keep them from meeting each other. Leona’s mother would come to pick Leona. They couldn’t even say hi to each other in those days... Terrible, terrible days..."

Viviana took a deep breath.

"As it happened, Darcia found to be more sluggish and not interested in anything—yeah, depression. And at that time, there was a new visitor to their almost calm coastal town. A mafia family..."

Lionel popped his fingers. The corner of his lips curved into a smile even though he tried to hide it.

No way... just no way she is going to talk about "that fire"!