Yurian’s POV

It had been two days since we had arrived in Lahoire. Aselia was adjusting well with my parents and they adored her. Just like me, they saw Rasia in her and were overjoyed by her company.

Dad had even built a small wooden doghouse for Rony, who in turn seemed to be very comfortable with my dad. Just like me, Dad is also a golden hound while Mom’s lineage was from elves. But due to mix breeding she only had human traits except her hair and eye colour resembled elves.

We hadn’t visited the hunter base located in our town. I wanted Aselia to have a few relaxed days before she was submerged in work again.

Her mental health had not improved much and occasionally she was blacking out, getting confused about what day and date it was. She was forgetful at times as well, names of people slipped her mind and sometimes even names of objects. He had messed up her brain and it infuriated me at times, so much for wishing her to be happy and safe. At times she would stare at me with a confused expression, expecting an explanation of something she had forgotten. I knew she didn’t believe all of the lies I had concocted but she had chosen to be silent.

Aselia and Mom were out in the front tending to the plants in the garden. Dad was out back, feeding goats and hens my parents kept. Rony was chasing after the hens, too excited to see them.

"Woof! Woof!" he waddled and they half flew and ran away in fright with clucking sounds.

It had been exhilarating at the beginning to be here, the emotions and pain I experienced made my heart almost burst but seeing how happy it made Mom and Dad, I was trying to get adjusted. It still suffocated me though, whenever her memories came rushing back and I almost lost control twice. But it would shatter my parents to see me in that state so I was hanging by a thread.

I watched them from my window when my phone chimed. Taking it out I saw a message from an unknown number. I opened it to read and it was from Frila, Xiran’s personal assistant. Her fiancé had recently died, trying to keep Aselia safe. I remembered she was a mess at his funeral. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Aselia had spoken about her numerous times and always in a positive light. Both of them had grown close over time and from her text she seemed worried about her. She had just lost the love of her life and now she had to worry about Xiran and Aselia. The least I could do was ease some of her burdens. I began to type:

[Hi! Aselia and I have shifted to a safe place. She is doing good and adjusting to the new place. I wish I could tell her about u but I am afraid she has forgotten who u are. And yes, u can text me whenever u want, I will keep u updated about her. How are u holding up?]

I pressed the sent button and this reminded me that I had to talk to Xiran too about that bond. He needed to break it and set her completely free. But I will do it when Aselia won’t be around. I didn’t want her to overhear me.

My phone chimed again, Frila had texted me back:

[Thanks! Much appreciated. Please keep her safe I am doing alright, considering everything. Anyways, take care.]

[I will, u also stay safe. Bye and take care.] I sent her the text and pocketed my phone.

"Yuri!" I heard Aselia calling me from the living room. Exiting my room I made my way there and she was holding a basket full of fresh vegetables, all smiling.

"Look, I plucked the vegetables all by myself and Esma says she is going to teach me how to make vegetable rice. So I am going to help her with dinner," she almost seemed excited about cooking, she hated cooking.

"Are you sure? Don’t feel pressurised by mom, she has a knack to make others do stuff even if they don’t want to," I warned her, knowing very well how my mom was.

"Now now, young man why don’t you go and help your father with animals, instead of spreading negativity about your mom and leave us ladies to make you a scrumptious meal," my mother chided me and led Aselia to the kitchen, who was trying not to laugh at my eye-rolling.

I went into the backyard to find Dad cleaning the pen. The wind was chilly and I rubbed my hands together to keep them warm. They had tried to keep themselves busy with animals and plants in my absence and it had been inculcated in their daily routines.

"Dad, let me help you," I offered, stepping closer to him as Rony came waddling towards me, wanting to be petted. I softly stroked his head and he ran off again, chasing behind the hens.

"Don’t worry about it, my hands are already dirty. Just add some clean water to their utensils from the tap," he pointed in the direction where we had clean water. I nodded and took their utensil toward the tap, after washing it, I filled it with water and brought it to the pen.

Dad had cleaned it, so we placed their food and water in and ushered the hens back inside. It was already evening and the weather was getting chillier.

"Rawais, get the tarp. We will cover them and then head inside," I brought the olive green tarp from the side where Dad had left it in a neatly folded condition. Both of us covered it to keep them cosy and warm. Rony seemed disappointed that all his hen friends were locked away.

"Come on, Rony. You will meet them tomorrow, it’s getting cold now, let’s get inside before you catch it," he whined but followed us with his tail between his legs. Dad laughed seeing him like that.

"Hey! Buddy. Tomorrow we will get a ball and frisbee for you to play with. Come now," Dad tried to cheer him up as if he could understand him.

Once inside aroma of freshly cooked food hit us and our mouths began to salivate, I had missed this. I had missed being home and bringing Aselia along felt like our family had become complete again.

(Picture of Yurian in the comment section. Let me know your thoughts on him.)