Chapter 158 – Behind the mask 3

The graveyard had a gloomy atmosphere. Grass and ferns were growing everywhere and in one of the tombstones was Joshua sitting near Silo’s grave. He held a bottle of alcohol. He was talking to someone who didn’t exist anymore. It was a lone soliloquy filled with grief and regrets.

“Rest in peace, brother.” he said, “may you got whatever heaven you believe in.”

Joshua stood up. He looked at the sky above him before trotting about. He staggered through the streets. It was a bit quieter with the sun high up. He was feeling chilly because of the cold wind. He hugged himself and continued on until he reached the park.

There were kids running around a fountain. The fountain was quite new. The water flowed down, making ripples. The water sparkled. The street had two sides. Joshua took the right path and focused his eyes on the town entrance. He trotted towards the entrance slowly.

Outside, he could see a glimpse of the skyship. He walked down a dirt road path and took a left turn by the trees. He put his left palm on a tree. He stared at the skyship where the crew was doing busy work to maintain the ship. He approached the skyship and crossed his arms to look at the crew’s maintenance.

“Hey,” Joshua felt a pat on his shoulder. He turned around and looked at Henry. “What is it?”

“Did what you needed to do?” he asked.

“I did,” Joshua nodded his head. He looked back at the maintenance crew.

“Did you do something to the lady?” Henry looked at the ship’s hull.

“I didn’t,” Joshua snorted. He couldn’t care less about her. But he had to ask. “What’s wrong with her?”

“She has been muttering. Usually, the lady has this carefree smile on her face. Now it’s gone it is quite unsettling. Did something happen there?”

Joshua thought of anything. He couldn’t remember anything. “I don’t know. I just saw her staring at the air while having breadcrumbs stuck on her face.”

“That’s something,” Henry laughed helplessly. “Any guess?”

Joshua touched his chin. “She was muttering about her mother. Maybe she just wants to visit her?”

“Ah, then it makes sense,” Henry said as if he understood something. He saw that there was a questioning look on his face. “She’s someone that the lady loves dearly. Joshua, you can insult the lady and she won’t budge a bit. But say anything to her mother and she would raise hell and hunt you down even if you cross the Gigantes Sea.”

“Hah,” Joshua laughed helplessly. “Maybe that would make her leave me alone.”

Henry turned his eyes at Joshua. “I don’t care what your grudges are to the lady. But please do not include the dead. The lady of Alva was a kindhearted known for her goodness. It was also her goodness that she was killed. She was a good person and whatever the lady did to you should stay with Lady Dolce.”

Joshua had many things to say about Dolce. But he stopped himself right there. He nodded silently and turned towards the skyship. He passed through the crew and continued walking until he reached his cabin. He grabbed the handle of the door and opened it. He took a step forward and saw Dolce sitting on his table with her legs double-crossed. There was a look of a daydreamer on her face.

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“What are you doing here milady?”

“Wow,” she smiled lightly. “You actually called me that?”

Joshua frowned. It seemed like the lady was back to her usual self. “I want to take a rest. Can you leave?”

“No,” she said. “I want to talk.”

“We are talking.”

“Indeed, we are.” she smiled. She tapped her heel and tilted her head lovingly. “Who are those people?”

“What do you mean?” he asked, crossing his arms.

“Those twins you were joyfully playing. Your smile was quite charming. It makes me jealous.”

Joshua inhaled. He looked at her straight in the eye. “Don’t touch them.”

“I won’t,” she shrugged her shoulders. “Do you think of me as a cruel woman? Honestly, in all of my life, you are the only one that I’ve treated badly.”

“Well a pity for me then?” he sneered.

“Indeed, it was a pity that you became my first. Most men would do anything to bed me. Yet...you are disappointingly stubborn.”

“Then you should just give up,” Joshua said. He agreed that most men would love to bed her.

“What’s wrong with me? Am I too unpleasant for you? Or do you not bed women who you already slept with?” she said with a trace of smugness.

“Do I have to remind you?” Joshua hissed through his teeth. “What you fucking did to me? What kind of shit you pulled?”

“Oh come on, I thought you enjoyed it too?” she said.

“YOU PUT A FUCKING PHALLIC OBJECT INSIDE MY ANUS. AND YOU SLAP YOUR GODDAMN STRAP ON EQUIPPED CROTCH AND VIOLATED MY FUCKING ASS. NO SANE FUCKING MAN UNLESS THEY HAVE A FETISH FOR IT WOULD LIKE SUCH A THING DAMN IT!” he raged. The veins in his eyes grew red.

Dolce blushes as she remembered that shameless acts of hers. “Oh my, you don’t need to remind me of that.” she touched cheeks and acted as if she was embarrassed.

“Damn you shameless woman!” Joshua gritted his teeth. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

She looked at Joshua with a straight smile. “I found you interesting,” her expression changed. “And besides, I respect you, Joshua. Although you are friends with the Princess and can easily rid of the thing that I am using to blackmail you. You don’t out of friendship. So out of respect and,” she stood up and held his hand and his back stumbled upon the wall, “affection, I am letting you go.”

Joshua froze. He felt her soft lips met his. Her scent was so feminine that he felt like he was drowning. Her body was pressed again his and even though he wanted to escape. He was unable to with her arms hugging his head. The kiss ended and Joshua was baffled as she looked at Dolce’s eyes.

Dolce looked at Joshua’s confused expression and smiled. “That’s a nice expression. I will be delivering you back to the Demesne. I’ll be returning home to visit my mama.”

She put her hands behind her back. She smiled and left Joshua’s cabin. Joshua slid down to the floor and wiped his mouth. “Damn it,” he cursed while trying not to imagine her soft lips and her outstanding smell. He couldn’t help but feel like he lost again.