The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 53: Jealousy?

Chapter 53: Jealousy?

The Rose

I can’t fly with him on my back. He will fall. Human bodies aren’t meant to ride dragons. They are fragile and thus they break easily. I assume Lush is no different. And in this state, absolutely not. But I need to get him back to the castle.

Nix has disappeared and I couldn’t care less about him right now. I shall deal with him later. First, I need to take care of Lush.

I turn my head toward Edward who is still in shock. "Do you plan on only gawking or could you assist me to check up on His Highness’s condition?"

The rim of Edward’s eyes are red and tears are welling in those dark orbs but he nods nonetheless, "My deepest apologize, My Lord."

I slowly bend my neck and guide Lush down my back gently. I lay him down on the hard and cold ground. The paleness of his face makes my heart ache for unfathomable reasons.

Edward slowly approaches and checks his pulse, his hand is quivering a little. He doesn’t look up as he addresses me, "M-My Lord, he has been drained of his magic. But as he is not a demon, he will survive. He just needs a little rest."

I nod my head once and then grab him with my mouth making Edward almost scream. I then hurl him skyward and catch him on my back. Even if I can’t fly with him on my back, I can just walk. It will be much faster than letting Edward carry him.

I look down at ghostly pale, horrified Edward, "Hop onto my claw." I demand, leaving no room for argument.

Edward somehow nods and does what I say. I start moving, careful not to drop the unconscious prince from my back.

"My Lord." Zhen Xin calls out in my mind, "Lord Typhon indeed knows where the Holy Prince might be"

"You don’t have to do anything. I have rescued Lush." This is the second time I have spelled his name aloud, even if it is in my mind. It tastes nice on my tongue. "Ask Typhon if he knows how to deactivate the veil."

I could ask Typhon this myself, but it appears that I cannot communicate with anyone inside the protection barrier. And again, I am fascinated by Lush’s advanced magic.

"Understood, Lord Vermilion." Zhen Xin acknowledges me and quiets down.

I am assuming that he knows how to use telepathy. Not surprising at all after all he is a divine tiger, the favorite of the God of love, Cupid. I never understood how that idiot with a crossbow became a God. He has no other job than shooting his arrow here and there.

It doesn’t take me long to approach the castle. I spot Phillip standing outside, looking anxious and paler than usual. He almost runs to us. "My Lord!" He looks at me expectantly.

Edward hops off my claw, looking almost nauseous. Phillip’s eyes dart to him. "Are you alright? Where is His Highness?" He asks anxiously.

"Can you take him inside, Edward?" I say in my usual cool tone as I slide Lush down my back and lay him on the ground again. I then transform into my human form, "Phillip and I cannot enter the palace through the veil cast over it.

Edward nods and picks Lush up from the ground, sliding one arm under his knees and another under his upper back, holding him close to his chest. I cannot fathom why but I have this urge to surgically remove Edward’s hands for touching Lush. But I restrain myself from doing so because undoubtedly Lush wouldn’t like it.

Phillip gathers Edward’s most needed assurance and waits patiently outside the palace with me. I watch Edward taking Lush back inside the palace without obstacles obstructing his path. I feel a pang of something in my chest as I see how easily he can invade everything Lush made. It is a mix of irritation and anger. Something humans call... jealousy?

I raise an eyebrow at myself. No, this is close to impossible. Why would I be jealous of Edward because of Lush? This is absurd.

I watch Typhon come out with Zhen Xin, all smiles, "Ver! I was waiting for you!"

My eyes darken, "The moment I get you at my arm’s length, I will crush your head, Typhon." My tone drips with ice as I state.

Typhon grins nervously, "Come on, come on, Vermilion. I was just fooling around. Why are you so serious?"

"Spare me your nonsense, Typhon." I state dismissively, "If you know how to break the veil, then you may speak or you shall disappear from my sight. I am not gracing you with my presence to put up with your uselessness."

"Aw, I am hurt." Typhon clutches his chest dramatically and Zhen Xin comes to my side, "Okay then, let’s get down to the business. This veil should disappear as soon as the sunrises. Lord Vermilion shall be able to enter the palace by then."

And there is still time left until the sunrises.

"Might you be aware of Erick’s whereabouts, Lord Typhon?" Phillip asks, looking less anxious than earlier.

Typhon shakes his head, "He had left before His Highness the royal crown prince and his servant could set up the veil. If he is not with them then I am not aware of his current whereabouts."

"My Lord," Phillip turns to me, "I think we should look for him."

"You go ahead." I motion him to leave and he complies.

"I shall return to my bed then, Vermilion." Typhon smiles—which I do not like at all—then walks to his castle.

"I should be returning to my duty too, Lord Vermilion." Zhen Xin speaks up.

I nod, "Very well."

I watch Zhen Xin disappear into the nothingness as he walks further and further away. My eyes return to the palace and I put my hand on the veil, just to get scorched. But I don’t retreat my hand. My gaze lingers for another moment before I finally retreat and spin around. Ready to leave. I have to seek Erick out so that he doesn’t worry about him when he wakes up.