Chapter 43: The Girl and the Witch, Page 2

The group pressed on through the dimly lit ruins, their lanterns casting flickering shadows on the ancient walls. The air felt heavy, as if the ruins themselves held the weight of countless secrets.

As they turned a corner, Lumine's eyes lit up. "Guys, there's another page!" she called out, rushing forward to pick it up.

Before she could read it, she paused, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Hey, guys, look behind youuuu!"

Scaramouche turned, his expression skeptical-until he froze. Behind him and Aether stood a man with a creepy, wide smile and a worn hat, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on them.

"WHAT THE-?!" Scaramouche yelped, stumbling back, which only made the others burst into laughter.

Furina snapped a quick picture, grinning mischievously. "I'm saving this one for later. Priceless!"

Lumine giggled, her laughter light and genuine. "Come on, Indigo, don't be such a scaredy-cat."

"I wasn't scared," Scaramouche muttered, brushing imaginary dust off his coat. "I was just... caught off guard."

Still smiling, Lumine approached him, holding the page in her hand. "Caught off guard or not, it was pretty funny. Admit it, even you found it a little funny."

He glanced at her, and for a brief moment, the usual smugness in his expression softened. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up while you can," he murmured. "But I'm keeping score, princess."

"Of what?" Lumine asked, her head tilting in curiosity.

"You'll see," Scaramouche said, stepping closer and plucking the page from her hand. "Let me read it. You've already tripped twice today-don't want you falling on this one too."

Lumine rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself. "Fine, but try not to mess it up."

Scaramouche ignored her teasing and read the page aloud, holding the lantern steady.

"The Girl and the Witch, Page 2"

"In the middle of the sakura tree bore a seal, with the title of 'Here Lies the Seal of the Accursed Witch.' Haichi spotted a dark figure standing beside the tree. At first, the figure seemed frightening, but it did not emit any sense of harm to Haichi. She approached the figure and asked, 'Aren't you lonely out here?' The figure did not say a word but simply stared at Haichi with its head slightly tilted."

He finished reading and handed the page back to Lumine, brushing her fingers as he did so. She blinked at the brief contact but didn't say anything, though her cheeks felt a bit warmer.

"See? Easy," Scaramouche said smugly, stepping back with a smirk.

As the group started moving again, Lumine stumbled on a loose stone, barely catching herself before falling. "Okay, I'm officially done with walking," she groaned, planting herself on a nearby rock. "My legs are killing me."

Scaramouche's eyes gleamed with mischief as he crouched beside her. "Oh? Tired already, princess? Want me to carry you?"

Aether immediately stepped between them, his expression protective and stern. "Don't even think about it, Scaramouche."

"What?" Scaramouche smirked, leaning casually against the rock Lumine was sitting on. "I'm just being considerate. Someone's gotta look after her if she can't even walk without tripping."

"I can take care of myself, thanks," Lumine said with a playful glare, standing up.

"Could've fooled me," Scaramouche shot back, but there was a flicker of concern in his tone that didn't go unnoticed.

"She doesn't need your help," Aether said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

Hu Tao, sensing the tension, decided to lighten the mood. "Alright, alright, save the sibling rivalry for later, boys. Let's get moving before that creepy smiling guy comes back."

The group rearranged themselves, with Aether firmly placing himself beside Lumine while Scaramouche trailed just behind them. Despite his usual smugness, he kept his gaze fixed on Lumine, watching her steps as if expecting her to stumble again.

As they ventured forward, the ruins grew eerier. The sound of their footsteps echoed softly, and the air seemed to hum with unseen energy. Despite their bickering and exhaustion, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

Scaramouche leaned closer to Lumine as they walked, his voice dropping to a murmur. "You know, if you ever do get tired of your overprotective brother, I'm available."

Lumine glanced at him, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a small smile. "Thanks, but I think I'll survive."

"You'd better," Scaramouche replied, his tone softer than usual. "This place wouldn't be nearly as interesting without you."

Caught off guard by his sincerity, Lumine looked away, focusing on the path ahead as her cheeks warmed again. Behind them, Hu Tao raised a brow at their interaction but decided to stay quiet, filing the moment away for later teasing.

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