Su Ling’s mood grew a bit gloomy.
Ever since she received news of Marentia’s death, her heart had been shrouded in a layer of gray haze, and even her breathing carried a faint chill.
She sat at the Banquet Table, Knife and Fork moving mechanically as she cut her food, but tasted nothing. Her gaze drifted from time to time toward the Window, where the Rain Spiral seemed to be knocking at her heart, sending her thoughts swirling in uncertainty.
Strictly speaking, the two of them hadn’t been close friends, but Su Ling was an emotional person, and she couldn’t help but feel sorrow for the passing of anyone she once knew.
“Su Ling, you seem a little distracted today.”
Tii’s voice interrupted her daze. She turned her head and saw Tii standing beside her, holding a Bread Basket, concern visible in Tii’s expression.
Su Ling forced a smile, her voice a little hoarse: “It’s nothing, I just didn’t sleep well last night.”
Tii let out a soft sigh, put down the Bread Basket, and pulled over a chair to sit opposite Su Ling. Hands folded on the table, Tii looked straight at her.
“I know Marentia’s death must be hard for you, Little Su Ling. There’s no need to pretend in front of me.”
A flicker of self-mockery flashed through Su Ling’s eyes, soon replaced by bitterness. “I… I just feel like it’s all so sudden. She left us just like that.”
“It really was abrupt,” Tii gently stroked Su Ling’s hair, “but since it has already happened, even if we’re sad, it’s no use.”
Su Ling lowered her head, her voice tinged with self-blame. “I know, but… but my heart still feels uneasy.”
Tii reached out and gently touched the back of Su Ling’s hand, trying to offer some comfort. “Little Su Ling, you truly are too kind.”
Su Ling dropped her head again, saying nothing more, and quietly continued eating.
Under the silver-haired girl’s slightly curved long lashes, her pink cheeks were covered like soft feathers. The outline of her nose was dusted with sunlight, adding a gentle glow that stirred a sense of pity in others.
Tii watched Su Ling’s profile, quietly keeping her company, but her thoughts wandered far away.
This morning, for the right to leave the Castle, Tii had gone to report specially to Laura.
Laura was arrogant and self-centered, always rude and unkind to others. Tii had thought that if she gave enough benefits, Laura would be willing to let her out, but that woman wasn’t nearly as easy to convince as Tii had expected.
No matter what tricks she tried, Laura simply refused to break the rules set by Tii, even threatening to report the matter to Morl.
In the end, Tii had no choice but to stop trying to use Laura’s influence.
“Su Ling,” she gently called, brushing a crumb from the corner of Su Ling’s mouth.
“…Hmm? What is it?” Su Ling lifted her head, eyes tinged with doubt.
“You’re eating too fast,” Tii smiled faintly, then gathered up the utensils and stood. “Take your time. I still have other things to do.”
With that, she fastened the lace on her dress as she walked, step by step toward the door, lost in thought.
Just as she was about to step through the narrow doorway, Su Ling’s clear voice called out from behind.
“Tii, wait a moment. I have something to ask you.”
“Hm?”
“The last time you went to see Laura, was it for something to do with Marentia?”
Her tone was as calm as ever, but the question startled Tii, making her widen her eyes.
Sitting at the Banquet Table, Su Ling put down her food and turned, meeting Tii’s gaze.
Tii was so surprised she couldn’t react for a moment.
How did Su Ling… know? Tii quickly searched her memory.
Laura certainly wouldn’t have leaked anything.
Could it be she had let something slip herself? Impossible. Su Ling couldn’t possibly have recognized her identity, and it didn’t seem like anyone else had told her.
“Little Su Ling… what are you talking about?”
“Did I hit the mark?”
Su Ling tilted her head, her gaze innocent.
“I… no, Little Su Ling, why would you think this is related to Marentia?”
“Well,” Su Ling looked around the room, making sure the kitchen was empty before speaking slowly.
“Because after Marentia died, Tii, you’ve seemed so uneasy.”
“Your relationship with Marentia wasn’t ordinary, right? I overheard you two talking once and I could tell,” she said.
She paused for a moment, seeing Tii was still listening seriously, and continued.
“Marentia’s death was so suspicious. From the moment that letter arrived from the mountain, I knew it couldn’t just be an accident.”
“So I just guessed. Tii, you reporting to Laura, someone you usually avoid, was probably because you wanted to leave the Castle to uncover the truth behind Marentia’s death. But it seems Laura refused you…”
Tii stood in a daze for a while, and in the end, could only sigh helplessly, giving a wry smile.
“You really are smart,” Su Ling suddenly gripped Tii’s hand, her voice trembling slightly, “Tii, what is it that’s so dangerous you’d risk so much? Can’t you just let it go?”
Looking at Su Ling’s earnest face, Tii’s heart wavered. The small, pale hands gripping hers tightened, reluctant to let go.
“The truth is, ever since I learned of her death… my heart has been in turmoil. Not for Marentia, but because of you, Su Ling. You didn’t know?”
“Because of me?”
“I know you and she were doing dangerous things. I’m afraid the next person to go missing could be you…” As Su Ling spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
“If you disappeared like her, so suddenly, just vanished… If I even imagine that future, I get so scared of losing you.”
Hearing those words, Tii finally couldn’t hold back and wrapped Su Ling in a tight embrace, pressing Su Ling’s head gently to her chest.
Her heart felt warm. It had been so long since she felt this way.
Yet, the one she cared for most was right before her, and no matter what, she couldn’t promise what Su Ling wanted. The bittersweet ache in her heart only grew stronger.
“I won’t die, silly girl,” Tii stroked her silvery hair and reassured her.
“Then, can you not go, Tii?” Su Ling looked up at her anxiously. “You said before you’d go with me to see the Flower Sea, and not do these things anymore…”
Tii hung her head sadly.
“I’m sorry, Little Su Ling, but I can’t do that.”
Beautiful dreams are just dreams, after all. Tii would not forget the reality in front of her. Faced with Su Ling’s plea, she could only refuse with a heavy heart.
But now her actions were stuck, and Marentia’s affairs had to be resolved quickly. Laura wouldn’t budge at all.
As for others with the right to leave the Castle, Tii hadn’t found a suitable candidate.
At the moment, besides Su Ling, there seemed to be no other way.
“If you really have to go, then let me go with you,” Su Ling said softly.
“If we just follow the normal procedures, there shouldn’t be any suspicion,” as if hearing her thoughts, Su Ling spoke up. “But I can’t help you much beyond this. I just hope you’ll be a little more careful…”
Tii didn’t want to drag Su Ling into her affairs, but now, it seemed there was no other choice.
She placed her hands on Su Ling’s shoulders, gazing steadily into her eyes.
“Then, three days from now, when it’s time to go shopping, can Little Su Ling take me out with you? If Sir Rita asks, just say I’m helping carry supplies… Is that alright?” Her expression was grave.
“Once we’re out the Castle gates, I’ll handle everything myself. Little Su Ling, just go about shopping as usual.”
“No matter what happens to me, no matter who asks about me, you must act like you know nothing.”
That way, even if something truly did go wrong, Tii was confident it wouldn’t implicate Su Ling.
Su Ling looked at her in surprise, and from Tii’s pair of green gemstone eyes, tinged with a hint of chill, she could keenly sense that this time, the situation was far more dangerous than ever before.