Making Decicions

Aria Selvenia had never been so interested in someone like this before.

Ever since the moment she saw 'them' again after their first encounter three days ago, something had bugged her mind. The suspicious pair was basically oozing the 'I-have-a-massive-secret' aura. The two of them were hiding something, and it was something big. Her intuition told her so.

The notion had been growing stronger when she had followed them along their tackling of a dungeon she herself—a princess of Selvenia—didn't know had existed.

Another factor that had mystified her, was their unusual kindness for her. Aria had interacted with so many people in her entire life, and she knew how to properly discern people the more she interacted with them. Hence she knew that Lancell was by no means a good person.

Then why exactly would he be kind to her? Love? No. Aria refused to believe that a person who carries killing intent inside his being, would fall for someone so easily.

And for that reason, she plotted to gain some secrets. Although Aria genuinely wants to be their friend, she didn't want to be the friend who was left out in the dark.

And that was why she asked Lancell, whose face was currently tensed in shock.

"Now then, Lancell. Won't you tell me about what this 'Wave' is?"

Aria saw Lancell's finger twitch. Another sign of suppressed impulse for violence. He had instinctively desired to strike her down, proof of his decisiveness in killing, but he stopped himself from doing so. Why?

"What's wrong, Lancell? Aren't you gonna tell me?" Aria asked with an innocent tone. His brows twitched, and his eyes narrowed for an instant. Another sign of suppressed hostility. He wasn't getting angry when he needed to. Why?

Aria took another chance to probe as she smiled even deeper. "Come on, Lancell. Tell me, pretty please?"

Lancell's expression now turned into a glare. Another one of her observations was that everytime she expresses her joy or excitement, Lancell's brows would suddenly twitch in displeasure. Did he even know what she was thinking?

Staring back at Lancell's glare, Aria wanted to keep pushing and pressure him. "Why wo—"

"That's enough for you, girl. Anymore and it'll be dangerous for all of us here." Aria suddenly heard a voice that rang close to her ears, as a hand patted her shoulder.

She turned her head. "Arthur?"

Arthur, who wasn't having her usual grin, had a serious look on her face, and she then spoke. "About this one, can you stay here for a while, I wanna talk to him first."

Aria was a bit surprised from her request, but then nodded. Her words just now was still ringing in her head, so she was still a bit surprised.

"I see. Thanks" Arthur thanked as she faced Lancell, and spoke. "Well? wanna sort it out first?"

◇◇◇

Lancell's mood could only be described as 'pissed'.

The current situation was really bad. Considering Aria's behaviour, she would definitely pull off another ridiculous stunt with the moment she finds out about his secret. He had done so many times in his past life.

Of course, he knew that Aria was merely trying to satisfy her curiosity, but this topic was off limits. Lancell had decided so.

And just as Lancell was about to lash out, Arthur suddenly intervened at the one sided probing.

"Well?" She asked with a faint smile. "wanna sort it out first?

Lancell furrowed he brows at her. "What is it this time?"

Her behaviour was strange to Lancell. In the first place, she was the one who had shifted the blame to him, but now she was trying to intervene. It was indeed confusing.

Arthur chuckled. "Well, some things didn't go as expected." She added "I guess people change over time too."

Lancell sighed. But Arthur spoke first. "Can we talk for a while?" Lancell then retorted. "We already are."

"Not like this. What I mean is in private."

Lancell pondered. What was her intentions this time? Ever since the time her memories were revived, she had acted in a manner that was more delinquent than what she did in her past life. Although Lancell dismissed it as her initial excitement, he was now thinking that something isn't right.

However, this was a chance for Lancell too. So he nodded.

Arthur turned to Aria, and requested. "Can I ask you to let us borrow a private room, Aria?"

Aria agreed. "Okay" she then walked to the door. "follow me."

Lancell and Arthur then started to follow Aria.

◇◇◇

They sat in a dark empty room that only had a table, and two chairs at each opposing end as a candle in front of each of them was their only light source. They both sighed at the same time, as Arthur muttered.

"We only asked for a private room, but why did she bring us to the interrogation chamber?"

Lancell, who heard her clearly, commented. "Well, it's Aria after all."

Arthur could only nod at his words.

They sighed again. Joke time was over. It was time for their business.

"So?" Lancell spoke first. "what do you want to talk about?"

"It's about Aria. I think we should tell her." Arthur fessed. "Considering what happened, do you think she'll stop?"

"No." Lancell shook his head. "And that's what worries me. She's too good of an asset to lose."

"Asset to lose, huh?" Arthur muttered, repeating what Lancell said.

She then sighed, and offered. "I'll do the explaining. Of course, I'll leaved the matter about your secret."

"Which one?"

"All of it." She elaborated.

Lancell's brows furrowed as his eyes narrowed along. "Can you do it?"

Arthur merely shrugged. "I can try my best."

◇◇◇

After a bit of a long talk with Lancell, which lasted for about an hour, Arthur then went to see Aria. Of course, she didn't know where she currently was, so she could only ask one of the servants.

Arthur saw a maid pass by, and called out. "Excuse me!" The maid turned to her and she added. "Have you seen princess Aria?" She asked. Her tone was unusually polite, and her posture graceful.

The maid mistook her for a crossdressing noblewoman and bowed. "I believed she's near or at the garden, m'lady."

"I see." Arthur then ignored the maid and proceeded to the garden.

And after a few minutes of proceeding, she suddenly realized. Where was the garden?

Arthur looked around, and saw.

She was lost.