Chương 68: The Story of the Green Dragon

Teresa was sitting in her armchair, absorbed in her usual book. She had nearly reached the final chapters when a knock at the door made her sigh. She slowly lowered the book onto her lap, slipping a finger between the pages to keep her place. For a few moments she remained still, almost hoping that whoever was on the other side would simply leave. The silence, however, was broken by a second knock, firmer than the first. She stood up and opened the door.

Standing before her was Matilda, holding an almost empty bottle of wine with a lazy smile on her face.

"Am I disturbing you, sister?"

"Yes, I was rea-".

"Oh, what a lovely room", Matilda interrupted, walking inside without waiting for an answer. She looked around with exaggerated curiosity, brushing her fingers against the fine curtains, studying the paintings hanging on the walls and running a finger across the cabinet beside the window, even checking for dust. Then she casually dropped into the armchair as if she owned the place. She picked up the book Teresa had been reading.

"The Story of the Green Dragon…what kind of book is this?"

"It's a good book. Put it down". Matilda flipped through it absentmindedly, barely glancing at the illustrations.

"What's it about?" she insisted.

"It's about a green dragon who helped during the witch hunts. After they were over, he disappeared without a trace". Matilda raised an amused eyebrow.

"And you actually believe something that ridiculous?"

"It's not impossible".

"You still like these old legends?" Matilda asked, closing the book with a light tap.

"Sometimes legends contain more truth than history". Matilda chuckled softly. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Teresa crossed her arms.

"Do you want to tell me why you're really here? What do you want from me and my son?"

"I don't have any ulterior motives. For now". She paused briefly.

"You have my word".

"As if I could trust you".

"Then don't. I don't care". For several seconds, neither of them spoke. The only sound in the room was the steady ticking of the clock hanging on the wall. Teresa never took her eyes off her sister, as though trying to uncover the lie hidden behind that weary smile. To Teresa's surprise, Matilda stepped closer and gently took her hands.

"I want to make things right. My last marriage kept me away…I didn't even come to Oliver's funeral. I couldn't be there for you because of that barbarian I married". Her voice grew quieter.

"But now I'm here. I want to support you and Oscar". For a brief moment, she even lowered her gaze, as if she truly felt ashamed of everything that had happened. It was such an unusual sight coming from someone like her that even Teresa hesitated before replying. Teresa stared at her for a long moment.

"You may stay. But we don't need your support". She turned toward the armchair.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to continue reading". Matilda let out an annoyed sigh.

"Always so cold". She lingered in the doorway for a moment, almost expecting Teresa to call her back. When she realized that wasn't going to happen, she gave a faint shake of her head. Then she left the room. Teresa quietly closed the door behind her. She picked up the book again and spent a few moments staring at its cover without opening it. Her sister's words continued to echo through her mind, but after taking a deep breath, she sat back down and reopened the book to the exact page where she had left off.

Father Leandro rode toward the gallows. Felicity was bound behind him, dragged along like dead weight, her face pale but her eyes still full of life. The ropes around her wrists were so tight that they had begun to draw blood. Every jolt of the horse sent a sharp pain through her body, yet she didn't utter a single complaint. She simply kept staring at the road ahead. Suddenly, several members of the Divine Sect blocked their path.

"Brothers", Leandro said solemnly.

"I'm taking her to the gallows. Today she will be executed". One of the men drew his sword. The others immediately followed.

"Yes, Father…but without you". Leandro stiffened.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You killed one of our own. In broad daylight. You gutted him". Another man stepped forward.

"You've been corrupted by the Devil. We have to stop you". The rest of the Sect silently nodded, their weapons still raised. None of them looked pleased to be there, yet none intended to back down. Leandro burst into an incredulous laugh.

"Me? Kill one of our own?"

"There's no point in lying. Several villagers saw you. If you still have control over yourself, don't resist. Let us free you from the Devil". Father Leandro looked at each of them in turn. Then, slowly, he drew his sword and dismounted.

"It seems the Devil has possessed all of you…not me". He assumed a fighting stance. For a few moments, no one moved. The air suddenly felt unbearably heavy as the wind stirred their robes and sent the horses' manes swaying. Still bound atop the horse, Felicity watched the scene in silence, her heart pounding in her chest. At last, Father Leandro's world was beginning to crumble around him.