Chapter 716: Seeing Annie Again
After finalizing the plan to hunt down the evil beasts, the witches returned to their rooms for a short rest, waiting for the evening banquet to begin. Roland kept Iffy behind.
"There's something I want to tell you beforehand, so you won't be caught off guard," he said as gently as possible. "I remember you once said that before you were taken in by the Bloodfang Association, you had a friend named Annie, right?"
"Yes… Your Majesty," Iffy blinked, seemingly not understanding why he would suddenly bring this up.
"Among the witches who came from Dawn to Neverwinter, apart from the survivor of Taquila who disguised herself as a maid, the rest are from Wolfheart."
Iffy's eyes widened instantly. "Your Majesty, are you saying…"
Roland nodded. "One of them is named Annie, and she was also rejected by the Bloodfang Association."
She was stunned for a moment, and then murmured after a while, "Is… Is that true?"
At this moment, Iffy's face was not entirely joyful, half of it was guilt and worry. Perhaps in her heart, she was still blaming herself for not choosing to leave with her back then.
The reason he didn't plan to give the two a surprise was also out of this consideration – he wasn't sure what kind of feelings Annie had towards Iffy. If the joy of reunion turned into a falling out because of resentment towards the Bloodfang Association witch who left her, it would be very awkward.
"3009," Roland said.
"What?"
"3009, her room number," he exhaled. "At least from what we see now, she closely matches your description. And if you want to know the answer, wouldn't you find out if you go see for yourself?"
Iffy was silent for a moment, then bowed deeply to him. "I understand, Your Majesty, thank you!"
"Go, time can sometimes dilute everything."
"Yes!"
Watching her rush out of the reception room, Roland stroked his chin. I can only help you this much, he thought.
*******************
Room 3009, Room 3009… Iffy muttered the room number as she ran towards the Witch Building, ignoring even the questioning voices of Youyu and Twilight. Passing through the snow-covered back garden and the white olive grove, she went up the stairs and soon arrived on the third floor.
However, the closer she got to her destination, the slower her steps became.
The unease in her heart was also constantly growing.
Back then, when they traveled together, Annie took care of her all the way to Grand Duke Island, but when she learned that Annie couldn't join the Bloodfang Association, she didn't insist on staying. This guilt had been tormenting her, especially after she thought Annie had died in Wolfheart, she had suffered from insomnia for a long time. In the end, she vented her hatred for herself on those nobles. The strength and fearlessness she pretended were just shells to hide the regret in her heart.
But now, this shell could no longer protect her.
She instinctively felt fear.
What would she do if Annie didn't forgive her?
Iffy stood at the door, but didn't dare to reach out and knock.
"I knew you would be like this," a voice suddenly sounded beside her, startling her. Looking down, she realized that the petite Youyu had come to her side at some point. Twilight, panting, was standing in the distance of the corridor.
They seemed to have chased after her out of concern, and Iffy felt a warmth in her heart.
"Once you encounter something related to Annie, you always become a different person."
"You… Did you hear everything?"
"Of course, His Majesty left you alone to talk, how could we not eavesdrop…" The little girl curled her lips. "In case he wanted to coerce you, we could help guard the door, couldn't we?"
"Is that how you help?" Iffy didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The tension in her heart was also lessened a bit. "You're actually here to laugh at me!"
"More or less," Youyu shrugged. "Are you ready?"
"Ready… For what?"
Bang! Bang! Bang – Before she could react, the little girl had already hammered the door panel a few times, then ran towards Twilight. "Remember, just say what you want to say from the bottom of your heart!"
"No, wait…"
But it was too late. Footsteps sounded from behind the door. In an instant, Iffy felt her whole body stiffen.
With a click, the door was pushed open, and a tall witch appeared in front of her.
It was Annie who opened the door.
She would never forget this face.
Sharp eyes like a knife, slightly raised eyebrows, and the gentleness of caring for her companions hidden beneath a determined face. She had thought that there would never be a day when they would meet again, and she was also afraid that she would forget what she looked like sooner or later, but when they reunited, she realized that her figure was only temporarily covered by dust. When it was rediscovered, it was still brand new.
Time seemed to freeze at this moment.
"Annie, I'm tired…"
"Annie, you go alone."
"Why can't Annie stay?"
"No, I… Want to be with Annie…"
Fragments of her memories kept flashing through her mind. The shell collapsed, and she seemed to have returned to the past, once again becoming that helpless and confused girl. She clearly wanted to say hello, but couldn't make a sound. She opened her mouth, and her eyes inexplicably felt sore.
Iffy finally couldn't stop the soreness. She hugged Annie, first sobbed softly, then burst into tears.
"I'm sorry… Boo… Annie… I'm sorry…"
Beasts never cry.
And from this moment on, she was no longer a beast.
*******************
Annie was still a little dazed.
When she opened the door, she didn't remember who the witch standing outside was. She only felt that her appearance was particularly familiar. It wasn't until she hugged her and apologized while crying that the experience of trekking to the Bloodfang Association reappeared in her mind.
It was impossible to say that she didn't have any resentment in her heart. Even when the Bloodfang Association tried to sell her to the nobles, some of the anger of being betrayed was transferred to Iffy.
However, seeing her crying uncontrollably, Annie suddenly felt that all her dissatisfaction had vanished. At that time, she was as thin as a monkey, her face was covered in mud, and she always looked timid. It was probably impossible to ask her to resist the Bloodfang Association's orders and stay at all costs.
Annie sighed and reached out her hands to gently hug Iffy. "...I don't blame you anymore."
Hearing this, Iffy trembled slightly and cried even louder.
……
After half an hour, her emotions gradually stabilized.
During this process, Annie learned about the beginning and end of the Bloodfang Association. When she learned that the mastermind, Earl Morgan, was dead, and the other witches had also escaped the control of the Bloodfang Association, the knot that had been twisting in her heart finally relaxed. And it was Roland Wimbledon and his sister Tilly who solved all this.
Things really seemed to be turning for the better.
Looking at Iffy who was sleeping in her arms after crying herself out, and then looking at Amy and the others who looked happy beside her, she made up her mind.
"Let's sign a contract with Wendy and pledge allegiance to the King."