"Ah!" The Mupan nodded after hearing Alex's explanation. "So, it was our misunderstanding. You teleported here, but her foot slipped, and you had to hold her. That makes perfect sense. I almost thought I intruded while you were doing it. Sorry, my mistake."
The Mupan sat comfortably in a chair that Alex placed and said.
Chitra breathed a sigh of relief. But the blush on her cheeks did not diminish.
However, Kalina still scrutinised Alex and Chitra.
"Why did you suddenly come to my house?"
"Princess Kalina wanted to meet you. I brought her here expecting to meet you."
Alex turned to look at Kalina. He saw her gaze wandering around the room, occasionally stopping over Chitra's body.
"Why are you here?" Alex asked directly. There was no need for pretence between them.
"I am here to share some information I thought you might be interested in," Kalina replied. However, her eyes trailed towards Mupan.
"Oh!" Mupan understood what it meant. "Let me leave." He stood up promptly and made his way towards the exit. His presence was not needed anymore.
Mupan opened the door and left without saying another word. Alex took the time to serve some tea to his guests. He sipped the warm tea before asking.
"Now, speak your mind,"
"What about that person?" Kalina asked while she looked at Chitra.
"She is with me."
"A tier 5 warrior of the Divine Butterfly tribe is with you?"
"You know her?"
"How can I not?"
"Hm." Alex nodded. "Anyway, she is with me. She knows most of my secrets."
Kalina's eyes widened, hearing Alex's response.
"What is your relationship?" Kalina's curiosity drove her to ask the question. She leaned forward instinctively to better hear the response of Alex.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"An ally."
"An ally? Then it's okay." Kalina relaxed back into her chair. It seems like her curiosity was satisfied.
Even though she wanted to ask many questions, she realised there would be a better time for that.
Kalina took some to think. She sipped the tea that Alex served while looking at Chitra. Finally, she asked the question that was haunting her.
"You are the white-robed man, right?"She displayed a cunning smile while speaking. The question was said in a way that seemed like she was sure of it.
Chitra was a little stunned. Her hand holding the cup shook slightly, almost revealing her emotion. Fortunately, the tea did not spill outwards.
"Why do you think that?" Alex kept his composure and asked. There was no doubt or delay in his actions.
"You are not surprised by it!" Kalina turned her head slightly. "I thought you would react differently. I thought you wanted to keep it a secret." Then she scanned Chitra's figure. "Even she knows about it."
"All secrets would come to light one day. That is the fate of secrets. Why should I be surprised?"
"You are not even denying it," Kalina stated.
Alex just nodded in reply.
Kalina thought she would see a panicking Alex once she revealed his secret. But, he kept his calm unflinchingly. It was supposed to be a happy moment of victory for her. But, his action drained all the joy from the situation.
"Sigh." Kalina's eyes drooped, and her cheeks pouted.
Kalina's expression and actions flew over Alex's head. He didn't think about them deeply. But it was not the same for Chitra. She noticed something peculiar in Kalina's eyes.
"So, How did you figure out my identity?" Alex was the one to break the long silence.
"Coincidence and luck. I questioned Penthe. He revealed to me that you were present in the city. And the skill set of the white-robed man was similar to yours. Putting one and one together, I concluded that you were the white-robed man. Besides that, she is wearing a similar white robe." Kalina pointed to the white robe Chitra was wearing.
"Wouldn't that mean you knew my identity before I went to Pushpam? Knowing I would be interested, you told me about someone impersonating me."
"Yes. But even then, you tried to protect your hidden identity. So, I didn't reveal it." Kalina stated.
"Ha ha …" After hearing Kalina's explanation, Alex laughed. He was impressed by her deductions.
Kalina smiled back at him.
"Did you meet the imposter after travelling to Pushpam City?" Kalina wanted to know what happened between the real and fake white-robed men.
"Yes. And it was a misunderstanding–"
"–Karthi was just mistaken as me because of her tribe." Alex pointed at Chitra.
"You can't just blame our tribe. Karthi likes wearing white robes. He fought against members of the evil organisation in our city and even had the same skills as you. How can we not mistake him for you?" This time, Chitra, who was silent up till now, spoke. Her beautiful voice quickly captured everyone's attention.
The fangirl within Kalina stirred, nearly revealing her public affection. However, her consciousness prevailed on this occasion, thwarting her from any immediate action. As the heir of the Ice Phoenix Tribe, she couldn't afford to display her peculiar tendencies in the presence of others.
After speaking, Chitra paused. Her shy blushing self was nowhere to be seen. She had regained her confidence and grace.
Carefully planting the teacup on the table near her. She turned towards Kalina and spoke.
"Hello, I am Chitra. A warrior of the Divine Butterfly tribe." She introduced herself with the least amount of words.
"We have met previously. When the prophecy was revealed."
"Yes. I remember you." Kalina reciprocated by saying that she recognised her.
The pleasantries were done. Then they talked about the meeting they had met for the first time.
Alex looked at them from the sideline without interfering in their conversation. He took the final sip of tea and relaxed in his chair.
Kalina and Chitra observed the lazy Alex.
'The personality he shows as the white-robed man and his Meru is vastly different.' The thought came to their mind simultaneously.
Chitra liked Kalina. They quickly became friends. Kalina reminded her of her younger sister. It made their bond even more special.
Righteous, beautiful and caring. Those were the words Chitra would have used to describe Kalina.
"I hope we can be friends." Finally, Chitra said.
"Yes." Kalina happily agreed.
Chitra was like an idol to her. How could Kalina not agree? In the meantime, she felt a little anger towards Meru, who tainted her idol.
"So, sister Chitra. Why are you here? I can provide you with assistance. You don't need to bother with that man." Kalina asked.
"Uh!" Chitra stumbled around for words. Even she didn't know why she was there. Alex had yet to explain the entire situation. She only knew she was hurt and was brought to the interdimensional farm for healing.
She had no information about what happened in the outside world while she was healing.
"You don't need to know that." Alex suddenly started helping Chitra out of the predicament.
"Why? Wasn't she here to delve into the specifics of the information network that the Divine Butterfly Tribe is constructing?" Kalina inquired, seemingly taking it for granted, unaware that Chitra lacked any information about events occurring in the outside world.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThis time, it was Chitra's turn to be confused.
"Eh! How long has it been since I was injured?" Suddenly, Chitra inquired. Obviously, her question was directed at Alex.
"A month," Alex replied concisely.
"I was in a coma for a month!" Chitra exclaimed.
"You were in a coma?" Kalina followed suit.
"Does the tribe know that I am alive?"
"I explained to them vaguely. It is assumed that you are alive. When I met the leader of your tribe, I said that you went out of the city to recuperate. I didn't specify where and how you would recuperate from your injuries." Alex specified the details.
"I need to leave right now. Thank you for helping me. I have to visit my tribe and let them know that I am safe." Chitra stated. She stood up from her chair promptly to leave. Kalina also stood up reflexively.
"Sigh!" Alex rubbed his temple seeing this. All his plans when to drain the moment Mupan and Kalina appeared.
'Convincing Chitra is a no-go.' He realised the reality.
"Do you want to leave right now?" Alex asked.
"Yes."
"Do you know where you are? Or how to travel to Pushpam?"
"No." This time, Chitra replied meekly.
"How about the distance you would have to travel?"
"No."
"Then why are you standing up. Sit down and hear what I have to say." Alex said in a commanding voice.
She didn't know why, but Chitra immediately sat down. The same could be said for Kalina. She sat down without even comprehending why. Neither feared Alex, but somehow, his words were convincing.
"We are in the northern region, on the domain of the ice phoenix tribe. Currently, we are in the village of the Stone head tribe. You can't just run back to Pushpam even if you want to." Alex clarified.
Even if a tier 5 warrior can travel thousands of kilometres in a single stretch, they wouldn't do something crazy like that. Chitra thought she was near her home when she stood up to leave.
"You can stay here today, and I will help you return to your city," Alex said to Chitra.
"Yes, sister Chitra, Let me show you the room." Kalina intervened, as it was her house, and pulled Chitra to a room. "I can stay with you today to give you company." She stated while walking away from Alex.
Alex looked at this scene gobsmacked.