Chapter 210 Aslan's POV at the Past 3

After meeting Fray, I felt an instant connection with him, and he became my first true friend. I had a loving family and best friend the happiness this brought me was immeasurable. But just as life seemed to be getting better, tragedy struck, and my world turned upside down when my mother passed away. In those difficult times, Fray's friendship was my lifeline, providing support and comfort when I needed it the most. As we spent more time together, our bond grew stronger, and what began as a simple friendship gradually transformed into something deeper, something I couldn't ignore.

One day, under the shade of an old oak tree in the Parada Palace courtyard, Fray and I sat together, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility. The warm sun cast a golden glow over the lush green surroundings as birds chirped softly in the background. This day was important for me

I took a deep breath, gathering the courage to share my thoughts. "Fray," I began, my voice tinged with a mix of nerves and excitement, "I've been thinking a lot lately, and I want to talk to you about something."

Fray turned to me, his warm black eyes locking with mine, encouraging me to continue.

"As you know, we've been friends for a long time," Aslan continued, my heart pounding in her chest. "But lately, I've been feeling something different, something more."

Fray's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of curiosity in his expression. "Different how?" he asked gently.

I swallowed, trying to find the right words. "I think my feelings for you have grown beyond friendship," I admitted, her cheeks flushing with a delicate shade of pink.

A pause hung in the air, tension building as Fray absorbed my words. Then, a soft smile spread across his face. "Aslan, you're not alone in feeling that way," he confessed. "I've been feeling the same. Our friendship has always been special, and I can't deny that my feelings for you have deepened as well."

My heart soared at his words, relief washing over me. I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders, knowing that he shared my emotions.

Our hands found each other, fingers intertwined in a gentle embrace. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us under the comforting shade of the oak tree.

....

The sun was shining brightly on the day I heard about the new class being introduced at the International Academy. Excitement and curiosity filled my heart as I read the announcement on the bulletin board.

Eager to share my discovery, I rushed to find Fray, knowing he would be just as intrigued as I was. I found him in the courtyard, practicing his swordplay with precise movements.

"Fray!" I called out, a smile spreading across my face as I approached him.

He turned to me, his eyes brightening at the sight of my enthusiasm. "Aslan, what's got you so excited?" he asked, lowering his sword.

"There's a new class being offered at the academy," I said breathlessly, "a class named the shield class did you hear about it?"

Fray's eyes sparkled with interest, and a grin crept onto his face. "yes I heard it seems interesting," he replied. "But you know the academy can be quite strict with their rules. And it also takes three years to graduate from it, and I'm not sure they will allow our relationship there."

I brushed aside his concern with a determined look. "Who said anything about following the rules all the time?" I teased, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "We've always been good at bending them, haven't we?"

Fray chuckled, knowing exactly what I meant. We had a reputation for finding creative solutions to the rules, often pushing the boundaries to satisfy our thirst for adventure.

"Alright, you've got me," Fray said, surrendering to my enthusiasm. "Let's do it. Together."

My heart leaped with joy, and I couldn't help but pull him into a tight hug. "We're going to have so much fun," I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement.

...

As the days went by in the Niram Empire, I began to notice a different side of Fray. He had always been strong and determined, but here, he seemed colder and more aggressive with other people. I tried to understand him and accept the darkness that seemed to lurk within him, knowing that he had a troubled past.

One day, however, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about him. Fray was acting strangely, distant even with me. It was as if he was carrying a heavy burden that he couldn't share.

Curiosity and concern consumed me, and I couldn't resist the urge to follow him discreetly. As I trailed him through the bustling streets of the city, I spotted him accompanied by a blond man I recognized as his servant, Joseph. My heart ached at the sight of him, and I wondered how much of his pain he had shared with Joseph.

They led me to a dimly lit restaurant tucked away in a narrow alley. The place was filled with an eerie silence, and I knew something was amiss. Peering through the half-opened door, I saw Fray and Joseph surrounded by a chilling scene. historical

Tens of lifeless bodies lay scattered across the floor, their eyes forever frozen in fear. My breath caught in my throat, and a mix of shock and horror washed over me. I had never seen such brutality before, and it sent shivers down my spine.

Confusion and fear gripped my heart as I watched Fray, his eyes cold and detached, as if he had no remorse for the lives he had taken. I didn't understand how someone I cared for deeply could be capable of such violence.

As much as I wanted to turn away and forget what I had seen, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the scene. I needed to understand what had driven Fray to this point, to confront the darkness within him.

I continued to watch, hidden in the shadows, as Fray and Joseph left the restaurant without a word. Their silence only deepened my sense of unease.

....

After that fateful day at the restaurant, I found myself struggling to come to terms with what I had witnessed. The image of Fray surrounded by those lifeless bodies haunted my thoughts, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in my heart. It seemed like darkness had taken hold of him, and I didn't know how to help him find his way back to the person he used to be.

For a long time, I kept my distance from Fray. I needed time to process what I had seen and to understand the truth behind his actions. The rumors about the incident spread like wildfire, and people whispered about Fray's violence and aggression. But he didn't offer any explanation or defense to anyone, not even to me, and that hurt more than anything.

Fray, oblivious to my knowledge of what had happened, kept trying to talk to me, to reach out and apologize. At first, I pushed him away, unable to find the words to express my hurt and confusion. I wanted him to explain himself, to tell me what had driven him to commit such acts, but he remained silent.

In his attempts to win me back, Fray showed remorse and regret in his eyes, but he never spoke of the incident directly. I knew he was carrying a burden and I managed to finally talk to him again but our relationship hasn't been the same since that day.