“There you are!” Gom marched towards them, an intimidating aura around him. “I’ve been looking all over!” 

Cecil took a step back when she realised Gom’s gaze was fixated upon her, though, she could understand why. 

I am the one who involved everyone in this after all!

Cecil wanted to cry without tears. She had no other choice but to be involved thanks to the compulsory mission given by the system, she was afraid of the punishment. 

However, to her surprise, Gom reached out to hug her instead of lecturing her.

“I heard about everything, and I ran all around looking for all of you!” Gom sighed in relief. “If anything happened to any of you, the principal would kill--”

Gom was interrupted by someone pulling him forcefully by the collar of his shirt, and he found himself stumbling back from their strength. Three pairs of eyes turned to look at the culprit, who turned out to be Xue, his eyes narrowed at Gom. 

“She’s fine,” Xue muttered out, releasing Gom once he was satisfied at the distance between him and Cecil. “We are fine.” 

Gom paused before letting out a guffaw, giving Xue a hug as well. Xue furrowed his eyebrows, seemingly uncomfortable at the hug and Hana only giggled after seeing Xue’s strange expression. 

Cecil smiled in amusement.

“As long as you are fine,” Gom nodded, patting Xue on his back. “As long as you are all fine.” 

***

The three of them were exhausted by the events, immediately collapsing onto their beds and falling asleep instantly, especially Cecil. When they woke up, the queen summoned them to the throne room once again, including Gom.

“I cannot thank all of you enough, for your efforts in unveiling the truth,” she placed her hand over her chest, bowing slightly. “I would like to express my utmost gratitude, words cannot express how grateful I am.” 

“There is no need for you to thank us, Your Majesty,” Cecil smiled, bowing along as well. “We were simply...helping a friend in need.” 

Hana only nodded along with Cecil’s words, smiling innocently. On the other hand, Cecil glanced at Xue, who gave a customary bow but did not say a word. 

Gom felt incredibly awkward, since he had no part to play in this.

The queen then commanded the maids to bring something in, and one of them walked slowly towards the four of them. In her hands, she was carrying a small, ornate tray that was occupied by four pentagon-shaped emblems that resembled one another. 

There was a tiara-like shape carved onto the center of the emblem and Cecil took a moment to recognise it. The author of the novel once recruited the aid of a fan who was extremely talented in drawing, to assist in drawing the symbols of monarchy in the world of Hantulsennem. 

This tiara symbol belongs to the queen of Han, Selene Melody…something.

...what was the author thinking when they created the name for the queen? Which reader could even remember that name? 

The queen stepped forward to present them with the emblem. “If you ever need to, present this emblem to prove that you are a close ally of mine, or if I were to be bold, a friend.” 

She proceeded to smile, bowing once more. “This is the highest form of gratitude I can express towards all of you, I will be eternally grateful for what you have done for this country.” 

Hearing those words, Xue’s grey eyes became stormy and he reluctantly accepted the emblem. He truly detested hearing these pretty words, and he could not see how an emblem like this will help them in any manner. 

Cecil and Gom accepted the emblem politely, while Hana openly admired the emblem, gushing at how gorgeous it was. 

***

Settling back inside the carriage, Cecil turned to look back at the city. Even though she had only been here for a few days, it felt like she had been here for months. She turned to look at Xue, whose eyes were closed, resting and she then turned to Hana. The heroine was marvelling at the sights of the city, wanting to absorb it all in for the last time since they might not be returning here ever again.  

Cecil smiled to herself, taking out a medical book from her backpack. Fortunately, they were allowed to tour the city for the last time and Cecil managed to purchase a medical book for her own reading. 

She flipped open the book, stumbling upon a page where it discusses the illness that elderly are prone to, and she was immediately reminded of Zasiok’s parents. She halted, closing the book and frowned deeply.

Cecil had never met parents like that before, they would rather he be alive and roaming the world, than to have him stay beside them. She still felt extremely guilty, since it was her fault that Zasok had to end up assimilating with Xue in a rush. 

“Even though everyone insisted it wasn’t my fault,” Cecil mumbled to herself, heaving a long sigh. “It’s my fault no matter how I look at it.” 

“How many times are you going to insist that it is your fault?"  Xue had opened his eyes, gazing at her with an indiscernible expression. 

Cecil looked up, blinking in surprise at Xue.

These days, the great lord protagonist has really been talking a lot to me. 

Seeing Cecil glance at him in such a manner, as if she didn’t expect him to start talking to her, Xue looked away. 

“What?” Xue added hurriedly. "You were mumbling too loudly to yourself."

"I see." Cecil nodded. 

"...it's not your fault." Xue stated. "He is telling me to say that to you."

"Zasiok?"

Xue nodded. 

Cecil still knew it was her fault, but the words did comfort her slightly.

"Thank you," she responded, a small smile gracing her lips. "The both of you."

Upon seeing that smile, Xue blinked rapidly and glanced away. Zasiok, on the inside, was satisfied at Cecil smiling once more. 

"Xue, Cecil, look!" Hana exclaimed, pointing out of the carriage. "A circus troupe! They are performing!"

Hana stretched herself out of the window, seemingly on the verge of falling out. Her baby blue eyes gleaming, the excitement evident on her face.

"Hana!" Cecil hastily reached out to pull Hana back. "Be careful, you are going to fall out!"

Hana giggled sheepishly at Cecil, turning to Gom. "Mr. Gom, can we just stop a little to watch them perform?"

Gom cleared his throat, shaking his head. "We need to head back to the academy right away."

"Awwww," Hana pouted, sounding disappointed. "I wanted to see…" 

Hearing those words, Cecil started to feel apprehensive, backing away. 

Gom smiled helplessly at Hana but his smile dropped when he saw Xue standing up in the carriage, glaring at him. His hand was also lingering dangerously on the spear behind his back. 

"That...Xue," Gom asked uneasily. "What are you planning to do?"

"To get off." Xue answered tersely, wielding his spear and the carriage rocked, unsteady.

Hana lost her balance and Xue caught her with ease. 

"Calm down, Xue," Gom stated calmly. "You can't expect to get off and run back to the town with Hana right now." 

"If I destroy the carriage, yes."

Gom paled.

Cecil smacked her forehead with her palm mentally, since she was busy stabilising herself with her hands.

"Destroy the carriage?" Hana panicked. "Why would you do that, Xue?"

"You wanted to see the performance."

“I do!” Hana blinked in confusion, nodding. "But it's okay, I can always watch it another time! Don't destroy the carriage!"

With Hana's answer, Cecil knew she didn't need to step in anymore. 

"Okay." Xue nodded, settling back down on the carriage and keeping his spear. 

Gom finally seemed like he could breathe again, and he felt a pair of eyes on him. He turned to look, seeing Cecil giving him a sympathetic glance, despite her haughty mien.  

***

Cecil was immersed in her book when she heard a small groan from beside her. Once they were out of the city, Hana felt sleepy and laid her head on Cecil's shoulder. Despite knowing she might feel sore, Cecil still lent Hana her shoulder, smiling softly. 

"Ar-are we there yet?" Hana rubbed her eyes sleepily. 

"It's another hour or so." Cecil answered and Hana pouted, peeking outside the carriage. 

Cecil started to recall the events of the story again, knowing that she hadn't kept track ever since they entered Puleun to find Zasiok. Without a doubt, she knew who the next soul was.

...and she didn't know if it was better to classify the next soul as good or bad. 

The meeting point for the next soul...is at a small town that Xue decided to take a rest at, due to Hana. 

She sighed in her heart, since the story has strayed away from the original storyline, she wasn't sure if they would pass by the town anymore. 

I wonder where the next soul would be…

Cecil sighed once again in her heart. 

I don't know if I should look forward to meeting them or not. 

The next soul made Cecil feel...complicated.

Xue had his arms crossed against his chest, resting his eyes and he opened them when he heard the "people" in his head acting up. 

Kai: "Hey, I feel something."

Alric: "Me too, it-it might be…"

Zasiok: "Is this what you guys were talking about? The presence of another soul?"

Kai: "Xue, they are close. Very close."

Xue moved his hand, clutching onto his spear on his back.

Kai: "No telling us to shut up this time?"

Zasiok: "What? He doesn't like us talking?"

Xue: "...I give up."

Xue knew they wouldn't shut up from the countless times he had snapped at them. It annoyed him to keep barking at them to "shut up" repeatedly. 

He prepared to stand up, to jump out of the carriage and chase after the soul himself. Cecil noticed his subtle movements, wanting to question him. All of a sudden, the mellow sound of a flute penetrated the air, and the four people in the carriage heard it clearly. 

"A flute?" Gom smiled. "Haven't heard anyone playing the flute in a while."

"It sounds so pretty!" Hana beamed, looking at Gom. "Can we slow down or stay to listen for a while more?"

Gom guffawed, nodding at Hana's words. He proceeded to knock on the window to inform the driver to slow down, and this action delighted Hana. 

On the other hand, Cecil tapped her fingers on her chin, her expression contemplative. "This sounds familiar."

Hana heard Cecil's words, still happy. "Familiar? Because it's good? You heard it before? Where?"

"I heard it before, yes," Cecil nodded, but her haughty mien was gone, replaced by an unsettled look. "But whatever it is, I don't have a good feeling from it."

Cecil scoured through her mind, trying to find a link to this music she had heard before. However, it was to no avail. 

"Is it something bad?" Hana blinked rapidly, concerned. 

Listening to Cecil's words, Xue frowned, clutching tighter onto his spear as he peeked out the carriage. It was a blur of trees and bushes, and their carriage was following down a gravel path. 

There was nothing else there. 

It was at that moment, a thought occurred to Gom after he heard Cecil's words. 

"Damn!" Gom suddenly cursed out, and he raised his fists, banging on the window. "Forget about what I said, just go as fast as you can!"

"Ye-yes, milord!"

The carriage rocked, forcing Xue and Hana back to their seats, and Cecil frowned at Gom. 

"Mr. Gom? What's the hurry?"

"There was an annual meeting of the academies around the Han continent a few months ago, and there was a particular problem that everyone faced."

"What is it?"

"Bandit attacks."

***

《 start 》

I find myself wanting to look at you.

I find myself searching for you even when you are by my side.

I find myself listening to your every word.

I find myself feeling concerned for you even when I do not need to.

I find myself disliking it when you demean yourself.

I find myself disliking it when someone other than me and Hana touches you.

...and I find myself, not wanting to stop all these actions.

Is this what it means to like someone?

《 stop 》