“W-what a coincidence.” Lillian stammered slightly as she greeted Ethelrina.
Iana was a bit afraid of Ethelrina now.
After all, just yesterday she had close contact with Veronica, one of Ethelrina’s leading ladies.
Wasn’t Ethelrina here to confront them?
If she could avoid any contact, Iana definitely didn’t want to interact with her.
Iana glanced at Ethelrina, then set down the plate of meat in her hands, her tone tinged with unwelcome: “What a coincidence indeed. Didn’t expect to run into you here.”
“Oh? Is little Iana not too happy to see me?” Ethelrina’s lips curled into a slight smile, her eyes carrying a hint of sorrow.
“I hope I haven’t done anything to upset you, little Iana.”
Iana shot Ethelrina a sideways glance, full of disdain: “Hmph, always putting on an act.”
Iana knew better than anyone that Ethelrina was the queen of disguise.
She wouldn’t believe a single expression on her face.
“Little Iana, can you tell me where you’re headed?” Ethelrina blinked, seemingly very curious about Iana’s whereabouts.
As if!
They were still rivals on opposite sides.
How could she possibly reveal her plans to Ethelrina?
Just as Iana was about to refuse, a voice came from beside her.
“We’re… going to an orphanage in the Crovian Kingdom.”
Lillian’s tone was a bit nervous.
Whenever she faced Ethelrina, her heart would pound uncontrollably, making it impossible to stay calm.
“Oh, an orphanage?” Hearing Lillian’s words, Ethelrina felt this was too much of a coincidence.
Although her main purpose for this trip wasn’t to visit an orphanage, she was going back to the orphanage she grew up in.
A smile played at the corners of Ethelrina’s lips, a smile that seemed to hold some kind of magic, always enchanting those who saw it.
“I happen to be passing by an orphanage myself.”
“Really?” Lillian perked up.
If they were heading to the same orphanage, perhaps they could grow closer.
Iana was growing increasingly annoyed by Ethelrina’s sudden appearance.
Ethelrina was like a ghost, constantly clinging to her.
Yesterday it was at the maid café, which at least was inside the academy.
This time, Iana was returning to the orphanage, and Ethelrina was still inseparable.
“Clingy,” Iana muttered silently to herself.
“Oh, little Iana, what did you just say?” Ethelrina suddenly appeared right beside Iana, as if she hadn’t heard anything before.
Iana’s back chilled at how close Ethelrina’s voice was, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.
She turned her head slightly, and the smile she saw on Ethelrina’s face—if anyone else saw it, they might find it alluring.
But Iana didn’t feel that way at all.
All she felt was that she was probably about to die.
What could she do?
Lillian hadn’t even received her first month’s salary yet.
She was only eighteen.
She didn’t want to die yet.
“Are you listening? Ignoring me like this hurts—even I get sad.”
Ethelrina’s crisp, melodious voice pulled Iana back to reality.
Iana’s gaze darted around, unwilling to meet Ethelrina’s eyes.
“Why should I answer you?”
Iana knew there was no way Ethelrina hadn’t heard her so close by.
Ethelrina was a master at pretending.
“You already know where we’re going, so stop standing in front of me.”
“Little Iana sure is cold to me now, nothing like how you were yesterday with Veronica,” Ethelrina said, a trace of sadness at the corner of her eye, her azure eyes reflecting Iana’s distant demeanor.
“I’m going to the Crovian Kingdom to visit someone very important in the Saintess Family.”
“Also, to revisit the orphanage where I grew up.”
Iana was puzzled by Ethelrina’s words.
What could be more important than her leading lady?
“Why are you telling me this? I don’t really want to know,” Iana turned her head away, pouting with a look of dislike.
“Can’t I just share it with you, little Iana?”
“Oh, well, good luck then.” Iana tugged Lillian’s hand, pulling her behind herself, away from Ethelrina.
She wasn’t Ian, after all—no obligation to help Lillian charm Ethelrina.
Iana was worried Lillian might accidentally reveal their plans again.
After all, Lillian was never very sharp, and she became even worse when Ethelrina was around.
Seeing Iana’s cool reaction, Ethelrina took the hint and stepped away awkwardly, her expression slightly unnatural. “Are you two really that close?”
Ethelrina didn’t know why she asked that question—it slipped out instinctively.
Iana was annoyed by Ethelrina’s words, but suddenly an idea struck her.
She wrapped her slender arm around Lillian’s waist, her eyes sparkling with affection as she gazed at her, replying to Ethelrina: “Of course, my relationship with Lillian is far beyond just being close.”
Lillian looked at Iana’s bold move like a rabbit caught in the gaze of a wolf, unsure what to do.
She didn’t dare push Iana away but was afraid Ethelrina might misunderstand.
“Oh, is that so?” Ethelrina felt an inexplicable twinge of disappointment.
Maybe she didn’t want to see this scene.
Silently, she walked away.
Watching Ethelrina’s retreating figure, Iana couldn’t help but congratulate herself internally.
Finally drove her off—she was amazing.
“Ia- Iana, could you not do that next time? Ethelrina seemed to have misunderstood,” Lillian said anxiously, still held in Iana’s arms, her heart stirring a little resentment toward her.
“Alright, alright. I’ll be more careful next time.” Iana released Lillian’s arms.
Though she said she’d be careful, she didn’t actually plan on changing anything.
Time passed quickly.
The two traveled by airship until afternoon, the time to disembark finally arriving.
What annoyed Iana even more was that Ethelrina was on the same airship.
“Always following me around, that Ethelrina is such a clingy pest.”
Iana held Lillian’s hand as they headed toward the orphanage where she grew up.
On the outskirts of Crovian Kingdom’s capital, in a rather remote area, stood a few wooden houses.
“We’re here,” Iana said, looking at the large characters on the gate: Light Orphanage.
They had reached their destination.
A crooked wooden fence surrounded the small houses.
Simple and dilapidated perfectly described the orphanage.
“Did you really live here as a child?”
Iana looked at the rows of wooden houses and sighed: “Yeah, when I lived here, it was even worse.”
If she hadn’t worked hard to support this orphanage, it might no longer exist for her to see.
“Two pretty ladies!” a child’s voice called out from inside the orphanage.
“Visitors?” The Orphanage Director was sweeping fallen leaves from the ground.
The orphanage often had children it once cared for returning to revisit their childhood memories.
The Orphanage Director was used to having visitors.