Felix stood there with a slight smile, gazing gently at Sofia, before sitting on the bench beside her. His arm arced up before resting over her slender shoulders while he reclined on the soft backrest. His gaze was riveted on Sofia as if to spite the woman on the other side of the table.

Despite being so obviously ignored, the woman's smile didn't falter. Instead, she even seemed to be slightly amused. Her two attendants, however, were less than pleased, and their expressions clearly reflected their state of mind, wishing to rip him apart with their bare hands for this affront. Felix couldn't care less.

On the other hand, Sofia was sweating bullets at this apparent provocation. She even wondered if Felix's near-death experience didn't leave him with some lasting brain damage. She gave him a look that said as much, but he only smiled in return. Despite Felix's handsomeness and the radiance of that smile, Sofia only felt crept out by it.

"Long time no see," Felix said, ignoring the tense situation.

“What are you playing at?” Sofia replied, frowning.

“Oh? Done with pretending? A shame... I quite liked the whole demure and pure persona. Quite novel, really.”

Sofia scoffed, less than amused.

“You obviously saw through it long ago. What’s the point of pretending anymore?” She turned her head away, refusing to look at him. He only chuckled in response.

"You two are quite close," the woman finally said, which brought a shiver to Sofia's spine. Although the woman still seemed calm and gentle, Sofia could hear the glacial tone hidden underneath.

Felix turned his head toward the voice's origin as if noticing the woman for the first time. His mouth hung open slightly as if shocked to find her sitting there all this time. The woman calmly looked at him; no hint of impatience could be gleaned from the depths of her eyes. She simply stood there as if enjoying the show, which felt like bugs crawling under Sofia's skin.

Seeing that he wouldn't get the reaction he hoped for, Felix's smile faded before being replaced by a look of indifference.

“How should I call you?” Felix finally said after a moment of silence.

The woman's smile grew slightly wider. Her charm was in full effect. Indeed, she felt much the same as Sofia, only much more overpowering. If not for Felix being accustomed to such a thing with his interactions with Sofia, he had no doubts he would be unable to resist it. Furthermore, he doubted that was the maximum threshold of its power. If she genuinely wanted to conquer him, he would probably be unable to fight it.

“Xue... Just call me Xue,” she said in a voice so soft and velvety that it threatened to drown Felix’s brain in a pink haze.

Felix gritted his teeth, resisting the fire rising in his heart. He clenched his fist so hard that blood almost flowed from his palm as his nails dug into them. Although he tried his best to hide it, his struggle was fully displayed before her. Nothing could escape her eyes, yet she only chuckled at the sight, which formed into another wave of pink haze that crashed into him.

Felix's eyes were bloodshot. His heart thumped so hard in his chest that he could feel it reverberating in his skull. His breathing accelerated so much that he started panting as if he had run for a whole day non-stop. A wave of exhaustion crashed into him as he tried desperately to maintain his sanity. His eyes were riveted on her, imprinting every inch of her body within his mind. He tried to turn away and break from her hold over his mind, yet all his efforts seemed futile.

The woman's long dress slid along as she crossed her legs, revealing the white, smooth skin hidden underneath. Such an act was obviously done purposefully to torment Felix. Although he knew it, he still couldn't resist the urge to look, which was the final nail in the coffin. Felix couldn't resist anymore.

While Felix was on the verge of pouncing on her right then and there, the woman chuckled slightly, letting go of her hold over him. While Felix could now think on his own, free from her control, his urges didn’t dissipate. He was still on the verge of exploding. Through sheer force of will, Felix calmed his ragged breath before closing his eyes, doing his best to find his inner peace.

Sofia watched the whole scene, completely stunned. She could feel the heat radiating from Felix's body and see pearls of sweat dripping down his face, staining his clothes. Still, this situation gave her some ideas. As Xue mentioned, her bloodline indeed seemed to be related to her clan. Their powers were much too similar for it to be a coincidence.

Still, their outputs were worlds apart. Sofia had tried to use her powers on Felix before, yet he never reached such a wretched state. Although much of it lay in the purity of their bloodlines, Sofia could still glean ways to better utilize it. All this time, she only used her charm like a sledgehammer, hitting her opponent square in the face.

Yet, for the woman before her, her charm was as natural as breathing, sharp as a knife's edge. Her every pore and gesture oozed infatuation. No wonder Felix couldn't resist her. A small flame of admiration grew within Sofia's heart for that woman. She could learn a lot from her.

On the other hand, Felix sported a grim expression, but it was fleeting at best. He only wished to test this woman in white, yet, as if knowing his intentions, she retaliated so fiercely that he had nothing to show for it. Although he couldn't care less about pride, being defeated so thoroughly wasn't enjoyable.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Felix took a deep breath, calming down, before looking at the woman again. Although his gaze still wasn't respectful enough for her attendants, he still acknowledged her as worthy of his time. One might think he was being petty, but Felix had his reasons.

There are no free lunches in this world. She wouldn't have helped him without needing something from him. Besides, her help was wholly unneeded, and she probably knew as much. She just wanted for him to owe her one. Knowing this, why would Felix feel the need to remain civil? Still, might is everything. She has earned the right to demand something from him.

“Xue, is it? Snow... that’s a nice name, fitting too.” Felix said as calmly as he could at the moment.

The woman’s eyebrow rose slightly, somehow pleased, yet indifference slowly crept back to her lovely features. Her usual smile was but a mask she used to conceal the indifference in her heart. How could one still be moved by the world when they had already experienced all the vicissitudes that life could offer?

“Why did you seek me out? Better yet, how did you know about me?” Felix asked.

"We seem to have an acquaintance in common. As for knowing who you are, you journeyed up north some years ago."

"You were watching?" Felix replied, quite surprised.

“Nothing can escape my sight within this forest. Your last trip was... memorable, to say the least. There are still vestiges of your presence near the northern border.”

Felix was silent for a moment, recalling the events of years past. He was still young and reckless back then. It's no wonder that some ancient existences would be disturbed by that incident. Still, Felix shook his head. It wasn’t the time to get distracted.

"As for our common acquaintance, let me guess. Tall with long scarlet hair, a small straight nose with plump red lips, likes to wear a pointed hat much too big for her, talks in riddles, and never says what she truly means. Also disappears for days without news and never explains anything. Oh, and elusive to boot," Felix said while flashing an exasperated smile. "How close am I?"

“You seem to know her well," Xue replied, amused.

“Well, she leaves quite the impression. What’s your relationship with her?

“Lily and I are old friends.”

Felix did notice the emphasis on the old. It was no wonder. Even he didn’t know how old she was.

"Who are you talking about?" Sofia interrupted, entirely lost.

"Lilianne Scarlett, but she mostly goes by Crimson these days," Xue answered.

“Her full name should be Her Honourable Ladyship, Lilianne Anne-Maria Scarlett, the Witch of the Crimson Moon. Quite a mouthful, isn't it?" Felix added.

“Crimson Moon? Isn’t that...” Sofia stuttered.

"The one who cursed me?" Felix said as he unbuttoned his collar, showing the blood-red lines pulsating underneath. "The very same."

“And also his mother,” Xue added.

“Adopted mother, mind you,” Felix said.

“Why would she?” Sofia stammered.

“Who knows, really? I’m sure she has her reasons, but she didn’t deign to voice them.”

“You seem to resent her for it,” Xue asked.

“I used to,” Felix replied calmly.

“Not anymore?”

“There’s just no point. Nothing is going to come from it.”

“I see. So, you stopped looking for her?” Xue asked with a knowing smile.

Felix's eyes narrowed slightly.

“How much did she tell you?” he asked.

"Not much. Just enough to keep it interesting." Her smile at this time seemed almost devilish, but it didn't diminish her charm.

Felix sighed, feeling he couldn’t win against this woman.

“I would have already found her if she wished to be found.”

"Maybe she simply wishes for you to find your own answer."

"Whatever that means," Felix said as he shrugged. This conversation was going nowhere fast. "Can we get to the point? I'm on a schedule."

Xue’s smile widened slightly. It had been a long time since anyone had dared to talk to her so frankly—not since Crimson.

“You couldn’t find her, so you pinned your hopes on relics?”

“Ha...” Felix said as realization dawned on him. “So this is what this is about. No wonder I couldn’t find my sword once I woke up.” Felix’s gaze was riveted on Xue as if trying to bore a hole through her soul. “What do you hope to gain from this?”

“Just a slim chance at life,” Xue replied softly. Although her tone seemed gentle, Felix could feel the intense resolve behind it. “Not for me,” she added, “but for my tribe. It’s always about continued existence.”

“Are you trying to stop me?” Felix asked, narrowing his eyes slightly, ready for a fight.

“Not at all. I just want you to keep it in mind once the time comes.

Felix remained silent for a while, observing the woman before him, yet all he saw was boundless confidence. Felix frowned slightly.

“How would you know what I intend to do?” Felix finally asked.

“Lily had already predicted what your choice would be. As we are friends, she was nice enough to inform me.”

“Of course, she did...” Felix muttered. “There’s no escaping that woman’s schemes.”

“All of your choices are your own.”

"It seems I was chosen because she already knew what choices I would make in the end..."

To that, Xue only smiled in response. There was no need for confirmation.

"She frightens me sometimes," Felix said as he sighed.

“And yet, you still love her?”

It wasn’t a question but more of a statement.

“How could one not love the woman who raised him?” Felix said helplessly.

Sofia sat there like a third wheel, barely able to follow the conversation. Of course, nobody deigned to explain things to her. She truly felt uncomfortable being ignored like this. She would have to have a long talk with Felix once they were done here.

The sun slowly set while the massive tree cast their shadows over the village, plunging them into increasing obscurity. With nothing more to say, Xue rose, leaving the duo to ruminate her words. Felix took Sofia's lukewarm leftover tea and gulped it down in one shot. He felt the liquid moistening his dry throat, yet all he could taste was bitterness. Silence hung over them as they both had too much to say yet couldn't find the words.

Knowing this couldn’t go on much longer, Sofia finally asked, “What’s her deal? Why would she seek you out,” hoping to find some answers.

Felix looked her in the eyes. His expression was conflicted. He opened his mouth, yet no words came out. After a while, he closed it and sighed. He flashed a helpless smile, turned and walked away, leaving Sofia alone to watch the sunset.