Chapter 187: Confronting Marci
"You!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "You monster!"
She pointed a trembling finger at him. "I let you into my home! I showed you kindness! And this is how you repay me? You hurt my father! You steal my people!"
Riku’s cold expression softened slightly. He saw the terrified young woman choking on tears as she defended her father. He felt a pang of guilt.
"Miss Marci," he began, his voice losing its hard edge. "I did not wish to harm your father. This is a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?" she shrieked, cutting him off. "You deceived me! You used my kindness to get into my home! You are a liar and a brute!"
Rennan stepped forward slowly. His hands were raised in a peaceful gesture. "Young Miss Marci," he said. His voice was gentle but firm. "He is not a monster."
"He is!" she sobbed. She did not take her eyes off Riku. "He is a thief and a brute!"
"No," Rennan said. His voice was full of a quiet sadness. "He is my friend."
He looked at her. His expression was one of sincere gratitude. "You and your father... you were kind to me. You defended me from the law in Dreadspire for possessing light artifacts, and even gave me a place to stay, taking on the responsibility for if anything went wrong."
He paused. He looked around at the simple, prosperous village of Elowen. "But this... this is my home. These are my people. This is where I belong."
He met her gaze directly. "I was not stolen, Young Miss. I chose to come home."
Marci stared at Rennan. Her tear-filled eyes widened in disbelief. Then, the hurt curdled into a new, sharper fury. It was not directed at Riku anymore. It was directed at him.