"Layla-Sama, take look at this!" <Eric>
Eric came rushing into the room that Layla was in. Layla who was in deep thought was surprised when Eric suddenly appeared.
"W-What's the matter!?" <Layla>
Eric handed a piece of letter to Layla.
"Hm? Who's it from?" <Layla>
Layla flipped the letter all over but couldn't find any sender's name.
"I don't kbow either. The letter just appeared outside Guardian." <Eric>
"That's... It's from the Phantom guild. I'm sure of it. The crest belongs to them." <Yuna>
Yuna who was giving her report to Layla after returning, recognised the crest on the letter when Layla was flipping it.
After knowing that it's from Phantom guild, Layla quickly opened the letter to the read the contents. On it, it said,
"If you want the black hair girl back, you better come alone. The place of metting is written at the back. We have the whole place surrounded. If we detect anyone else, you fully well should know that the girl will not return alive. Tomorrow night is the meeting time."
"Are they asking for Eric?" <Layla>
Layla who read the letter, was trying to figure out who they are asking for.
"Possibly. They did send it to Guardian, and the only person that they would be targeting is Eric, who is suppose to be the Boss of Guardian." <Yuna>
"Does that mean they were after me when they kidnapped Misomi?" <Eric>
Eric deduced such a theory.
"If that is so, then Guardian was their goal. Why? They are after the secret recipe of the potions sold?" <Layla>
"Whatever it is doesn't matter anymore. We now have a clue on how to save Misomi." <Yuna>
"That right. But, what do we do? Should we do as they say and send Eric alone?" <Layla>
"If its to save Misomi, then I'm willing to do it." <Eric>
"No!" <Yuna>
Eric was prepared to do it, but someone else did not want it to happen.
Eric immediately turned to look at Yuna with a bewildered face.
"It's too dangerous! Knowing the Phantom guild, they would probably fake it. Misomi definitely won't be there when you go." <Yuna>
Yuna tried to change his mind.
"Even so, I still have to go." <Eric>
"Why?" <Yuna>
"Because I owe Boss. Since Misomi is someone special to him, that means I'm helping him in a way. It's the least I could do for my benefactor." <Eric>
Once Yuna heard that, she couldn't deny.
To her, Shin was also her benefactor. She could understand what Eric was trying to say.
"Then I'll also-" <Yuna>
"That's not possible. Didn't they say that I have to go alone?" <Eric>
"Then who will protect you?" <Yuna>
Since Eric was her childhood friend, she cares deeply for him. Even more so, after finally reuniting. But more than that, is the fact that she had feelings for him. Ever since they were young, she had began liking Eric. But unfortunately, Eric didn't seem to notice it. It didn't help at all when he was suddenly banished from his family. Because of that, she couldn't confess.
Until they were reunited. She had intended to confess, but she always held back. She noticed that Eric had changed and she feared that their relationship wouldn't be the same anymore. And at one point, she started to think if her feelings had wavered after knowing this new Eric.
But now that she see Eric still being righteous and kind like when he was young, she understood that her feelings for him were still the same.
She only noticed it now when she realised that she could lose Eric again.
"I have no choice do I? I just have to brace myself." <Eric>
When it seemed that everything had settled, Yuna once again voiced out her disagreement.
"No, I will go with you." <Yuna>
Yuna said with a firm voice.
"What are you saying? Didn't the letter say that I have to go alone? We should do as-" <Eric>
"I can't lose you again." <Yuna>
"Eh?" <Eric>
What Yuna just said, totally threw him off.
"What are you-" <Eric>
"When you were banished, I felt very devastated. I thought that something had happened. I wanted to find and console you, but somehow you had disappeared. I went and search for you but I couldn't find you. It's like you had disappeared. After a year of hopeless searching, I came to the conclusion that they had killed you off. I cried day after day when I thought that to myself.
Suddenly we reunited again. I was so happy. I wanted to hug and cried in your arms but your sudden change held me back.
And then I heard you were in the kingdom all this time, and you had avoided me. Knowing that, I felt even more hurt.
Do you know how painful it is? Do you know why I feel this way?" <Yuna>
The more Yuna talk, the more guilty Eric felt. He thought that it was the best thing to do. He thought that he had disappointed her, so he didn't dare face her. But now that he heard how she felt, he felt regretful for not seeking her out.
"Yuna..." <Eric>
Eric wanted to console her but her next words, once again shocked him.
"It's because I love you!" <Yuna>
"!?" <Eric>
Yuna finally confessed. Her built up feelings finally was released.
"Ever since we were young, I had grown feelings for you. But it didn't seem like the same for you." <Yuna>
"I-" <Eric>
"But I hated myself. If only I was more forward with my feelings. Then maybe you would notice. And maybe you would have seeked me out when you got banished instead of hiding away from me. So that's why, this time, I won't be reserved. I'll properly take care of you and protect you. So I won't accept a no. I will be following you." <Yuna>
"Yes. And also..." <Eric>
Eric who heard the confession, too finally understood something.
"I also feel the same way." <Eric>