Chapter 38

"Raki—"

In bed, Maggie hugged a stuffed toy, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

"Hmm?"

Raki, not yet fully asleep, responded with a drowsy voice.

"I was thinking... um, never mind." Maggie clutched the stuffed toy tighter, her words hesitant, as if she had given up on an idea and turned to one side.

"Is something on your mind?" Raki yawned deeply, rubbing her sleepy eyes gently.

"Um." Maggie whispered.

"Why don't you say it?" Raki turned her body toward Maggie's bed.

"I don't know." Maggie shrank back, saying, "Sometimes when I want to say something, I can't."

Raki chuckled softly, propping her head up with her hand. "Now you have to, you've disturbed my hard-earned drowsiness."

"I'm sorry." Maggie turned to face Raki and apologized softly, "I just suddenly decided something, and the only person I could think of to confide in is you."

Raki smiled. "It seems I'm a good friend, but, Maggie, since we are friends, why are you so hesitant? Isn't it better to open your heart like you did at noon?"

"This—" Maggie buried her head in the stuffed toy, mumbling, "I just feel a bit shy."

"Is it about your brother again?" Raki teased, sensing something.

"Um."

"Are you worried I'll laugh at you?" Raki shook her head gently. "There's nothing to be shy about when you like someone. If you don't have the courage to express it, what good is it to keep it inside?"

"Can you go with me to find Brother Xalan tomorrow morning? I want to invite him to the academy's anniversary festival."

Maggie's head emerged from the stuffed toy, her lips trembling slightly, as if she had mustered great courage to speak softly.

"So that's what you were worrying about." Raki sighed, understanding.

"Um, because I don't have the courage to invite Brother Xalan by myself, so—" Maggie said.

"Alright, let's go together tomorrow." Raki put her hand down and turned back. "Go to sleep now, or you'll be very tired in the morning. I don't think you want to look sleepy in front of Brother Xalan."

"Thank you, Raki."

Maggie's body relaxed, and her grip on the stuffed toy loosened.

Raki didn't respond, but she wasn't asleep.

Her eyes were slightly open, a smile on her face.

The love-struck girl had secretly mustered the courage to pursue, and that was good, but she wondered how many people would be saddened by it.

Avius, you might as well give up on this.

The night passed without incident.

The capital was vast, and newcomers often had to ask for directions to reach their destination. As a native noble, Raki knew the capital better than most, especially the bustling areas.

The Golden Rose Inn was located in one of the bustling areas of the capital, and Raki was familiar with the neighborhood, so finding the place was not difficult.

"Brother Xalan, your face—"

Led by a servant, Raki and Maggie quickly found Xalan's room. When the door opened, and they saw Xalan's pale, sickly face, Maggie couldn't help but express her concern.

Xalan was surprised by Maggie and Raki's visit. He thought something might have happened to Maggie, as he had told her to come to him if she needed anything.

"It's nothing, just caught a cold in the rain recently." Xalan casually gave an excuse. "What about you? Did something happen?"

After hearing Xalan's explanation, Maggie still looked worried, as she didn't believe his reason.

In her memory, he wasn't the type to be felled by a rainstorm, and his abnormal pallor couldn't be caused by a simple cold.

Seeing Maggie not responding and being stared at with her large, round, watery eyes, Xalan turned his head and repeated his question.

"Maggie wants to invite you to the academy's festival tomorrow, but it seems that might not be possible now." Raki quickly supported Maggie.

"Academy festival?" Xalan looked at Raki.

"Yes, the Royal Central Academy holds a grand festival every year, which is the most lively time of the year." Raki explained. "There will be many interesting things, so Maggie wanted to invite you to join, but now—"

Raki looked at his face and shook her head regretfully.

"Did you come to see me just for this?"

Xalan's gaze returned to Maggie, and he smiled. "Don't look at me like that, I'm really fine."

"Really?" Maggie asked, concerned.

"Of course, don't you trust me?" Xalan said.

"I trust you, I always will." Maggie nodded quickly, but her concern remained.

"In that case, can you attend the academy festival tomorrow?" Raki asked Xalan.

"Yes." Xalan nodded, his gaze falling on Maggie's small face with a smile. "I don't want anyone to be disappointed."

Maggie, blushing, lowered her head and moved closer to Raki.

"Ha-ha—" Raki laughed happily. "But don't overdo it."

"Don't worry." Xalan shook his head. "I know my condition best."

"Since we're here, why don't we wander around the capital? I'm sure there are many interesting places you haven't seen."

With their goal achieved, Raki couldn't resist suggesting.

"Sure, I've been in the capital for a long time without properly exploring it. This is a good chance to make up for it." Xalan agreed.

"Let's go then."

Raki took Maggie's hand and left the room.

"Maggie, this is a good opportunity I've created for you. Don't forget to thank me later."

In the hallway, Raki leaned close to Maggie's ear and whispered.

"Raki—" Maggie shrank back, blushing.

After they left, Xalan's face turned serious. He was thinking about the academy festival.

He wasn't unfamiliar with the festival, though he had never participated in it, he knew a lot about it.

Perhaps this trip to the festival would bring him unexpected benefits.

Dressed and ready, in front of the mirror.

Looking at his reflection, Xalan suddenly laughed.

Is this me?

Sometimes, he had forgotten who he was.

During the outing with the two girls, Xalan mostly kept a smile, speaking little. Occasionally, he would say a few words, mostly listening to Raki's enthusiastic storytelling.

In contrast, Maggie, like Xalan, spoke little.

She wanted to say something, but when she saw his face, the words died in her throat.

She lacked the courage to speak.

She felt strange, why had their conversations been so natural before, but now she was hesitant?

Faced with their silence, Raki not only acted as a guide but also tried to encourage their conversation, though it was somewhat disappointing.

Perhaps she should leave, as her presence might be hindering their communication.

With this thought, Raki quickly found a reason to leave.

Think and act.

"How has your life been recently?"

With the lively storyteller gone, the atmosphere became quiet. Seeing Maggie's silence, Xalan suddenly found a topic to speak about.

"Pretty good, just busy with the festival preparations." Maggie said softly, perhaps because Raki's absence made her feel more relaxed.

"Have you offended anyone recently?" Xalan asked.

"No." Maggie looked at Xalan, puzzled. "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing." Xalan smiled and shook his head. "I was just wondering if anyone was bullying you."

It seems the two people following us are after me.

Xalan glanced at a passerby who had been following them from the inn. He didn't know their target.

After Raki left, they didn't move, so it wasn't her.

And Maggie, a young girl, seemed to have offended no one.

So it must be me.

It seems someone has noticed me, but I don't know who they are or why they are following me.

Raising suspicion or gathering information.

Xalan chose the latter.

I'll keep you around for now.

Xalan turned his gaze back to Maggie and smiled. "No classes today?"

"No, because the festival is tomorrow, the academy hasn't scheduled any classes. Everyone is busy with the festival preparations." Maggie explained.

"Don't you have any festival preparations?" Xalan asked.

"Yes." Maggie lowered her head, mumbling. "So I have to go back to the academy later."

"I see." Xalan nodded. "After a morning of sightseeing, you must be tired. Why don't we have lunch together before you go back?"

"Okay."

After lunch, Xalan escorted Maggie back to the academy, agreeing on the time and place to meet the next day, and they parted ways.

Xalan turned, and Maggie looked back at his retreating figure, her fists clenched.

She felt she had let Raki down today, but tomorrow, she would do better.

On the way back, the two tails still followed. Xalan sneered inwardly, it was time to find out who was behind this.

At a corner.

The two followers lost sight of their target.

---

The power outage was frustrating. I wrote a lot, and the file was lost. I endured! After the power came back, I continued, but it went out again! What's going on?! I almost gave up.

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