Chapter 131: Under The Mask
Lorelai felt uneasy hearing the witch’s reply. There was something in Naveen’s voice—an undercurrent of raw emotion—that made her heart clench with a pain she could not quite place or understand.
Naveen seemed to sense her distress. The witch said nothing, her bright blue eyes studying every subtle shift in Lorelai’s expression as she quietly puffed at her pipe.
When she finished, she tucked the pipe into the sleeve of her long black robe with a fluid motion, her gaze never leaving the princess.
"Times have changed. That much is true," Naveen said, her words seemingly unprompted, yet they immediately drew Lorelai’s full attention. "The horrors of the purists’ reign may be over, but it will take decades—perhaps even centuries—to heal the wounds they inflicted on those of human blood."
Lorelai blinked, her confusion genuine. "Purists? Do you mean... the pure-blooded beasts?"
Naveen gave a slow nod. "Yes. Just as some humans refuse to mix their bloodlines with those they consider of lower birth, pure-blooded beasts have long despised the idea of mingling their blood with the human race. Those who dared defy that belief have survived, even risen to power, but at great cost. And for some, the price is still being paid—often dearly."
The witch’s voice, though steady, carried a weight that hinted at personal experience. She shifted slightly, her hand hovering near the flowing fabric of her mask.
Lorelai’s heart skipped a beat, a sudden rush of curiosity overtaking her. For a moment, she thought Naveen might lift the veil, revealing what lay hidden beneath the mask. But the witch’s hand faltered, dropping back to her side with practiced restraint.
The princess could not decide whether she felt disappointed or strangely relieved. Perhaps she was not completely ready to see what was hidden under the mask.