Slowly I opened my eyes, gazing at the beautiful white ceiling with gold edges. I raised my body, taking a deep breath while trying to recall what I would do today. Miss Sheila's comfortable bed made me feel as if I were born again. If possible, I wanted to go back to sleep, savoring the comfort I hadn't felt in a long time.

However, I got up, stretched my body, and walked towards the mirror beside a beautifully carved wooden table. There, I could see my own figure, which turned out to look different.

Sarah had told me that my eyes no longer looked the same, where they used to belong to a naive young man who saw the world in beautiful colors. Now, a pair of eyes stared back at me, looking sharp. The sparkle that was once there had disappeared.

To be honest, I looked much cooler now.

However, at the same time, I could sense that something was missing from me. A part that was perhaps previously important but could no longer be felt.

As I stepped out of the room, I could feel the gaze of all the servants. I hope they don't talk about this until it becomes a rumor. I don't want Princess Celine's spies to hear about it and inform her.

If she suddenly comes and asks me to return, I don't know how to react. I'm also afraid that I would only end up hurting her.

I hope she finds someone new, someone much better than me. At the same time, remembering her embrace, her voice as soft as honey, and those loving eyes...

It doesn't make my heart feel happy; it only brings pain whenever I reminisce about it.

Do I even deserve to be loved?

I take a deep breath, letting my body take me wherever it wants. I just want to calm my mind before carrying out the mission or risking messing everything up again.

A little child approaches. A stuffed bunny is held in her arms. She look at me with beautiful hazel eyes that remind me of the princess. She have an adorable face with brown braided hair.

She stopped right in front, saying something that I couldn't quite hear. I knelt before her, observing the adorable face that now looked confused, curious about why I was doing this.

Suddenly, her right hand moved forward, touching my head and gently stroking it. "Sheila always asks me for this whenever she is sad. I saw you sad, so I thought you needed it too."

I quickly held back the emotions that were ready to burst out. But each stroke weakened my defenses more and more, until I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. Luckily, Sheila ran towards us, warning her little sister not to do that to other people, especially someone she didn't know because it was impolite.

"But Sheila, she has the same look as you had the morning Cleo disappeared. I'm sorry," she quickly said, seeing the intimidating gaze of her older sister.

"It's alright, Sheila. I thank you for giving me the strength to keep moving forward. Isn't that right?" I replied, gently stroking her head, which she accepted albeit with some shyness.

"Hmm... How about you join us to the park?" Sheila asked her sister, who immediately became excited and nodded eagerly. Sheila smiled, holding her tiny hand, and started leading us out of the house, which turned out to be a large mansion.

I don't know because I've never seen the exterior of this building. I could already guess that Miss Sheila's house is big and luxurious, but I didn't expect to end up in a mansion again.

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Suddenly, I imagined what it would be like if the princess were here. Would she be as lively as before or rather shy?

I chuckled softly imagining that.

The princess couldn't possibly feel shy. She would surely invite her to run around this mansion together, then return with a sweaty body adorned with a cheerful smile and a pair of sparkling eyes that could make the heart feel at ease.

"Z? Are you okay?" Miss Sheila asked, interrupting my daydreaming.

I quickly shook my head, feeling something cold on my cheek, then hurriedly wiped away the tears flowing down without realizing it.

I couldn't let Miss Sheila see me like this. Because I was certain that, even if not now, someday she would ask about it, and I still wasn't ready to hear it. I was still not worthy to answer that question, still not strong enough to do so.

So, before I can defeat him, I have to hold everything back and keep trying while wearing a wide smile so as not to make others worry.

"So, what are we going to do today?" I asked, partly out of curiosity and partly to divert attention.

"Tonight, we infiltrate the Blood Reaver's hideout. One of my subordinates has discovered their hiding place, of course, at a high cost. He had to risk his life because we dared to stir up trouble in their nest," Miss Sheila explained.

We arrived in the spacious backyard of the mansion. This place was beautiful with an abundance of flowers in various shapes and colors. A white fountain was visible in front, filling the silence with the sound of trickling water that could bring a sense of tranquility to the heart. But amidst all that, the airship in front was the most attention-grabbing.

I walked closer to the iron fence, observing the view of the city below. Who would have thought that Miss Sheila's residence was situated on a high platform specifically designed for those who had influence in Clockheart?

This large platform was approximately thirty meters above the ground, shaped like a large gear. It could also serve as an airship dock, just like where I currently stood.

The entrance to the airship was not far to the right, using an iron bridge adorned with thick gears. There were two lamps there, and beneath each lamp, a group of people could be seen enthusiastically carrying large wooden crates into the airship. They all smiled, appearing joyful as if embarking on a sightseeing journey.

"We will depart from Clockheart and travel around the world," Miss Sheila said, following my gaze.

Ah, they actually wanted to go on a sightseeing trip.

"Are you sure?" I asked, once again observing the large airship in front of me that still remained a question.

How could steam make this heavy iron ship fly in the air?

"Why? Are you worried that we will encounter problems?" she asked in return.

I smiled, then turned to Nana, who tugged at my clothes.

She showed me a beautiful yellow flower she was holding. I knelt down again, observing the flower. "It's beautiful, just like you, Nana," I said, making her smile widely and run happily after giving me the flower.

"Not only are you good at winning over women, but also children," praised Miss Sheila, who was now leaning against the fence.

A small laugh escaped my mouth, a laughter that hid a longing. "Nana reminds me of little princess. Ah, her name is Luna, but I always call her little princess because she made me her... knight."

She made me her knight.

But instead, I ran away without meeting her.

Damn it.

Just as I was about to use Glory, that familiar feeling returned, watching me from afar, saying, "You don't want to do that, Zent. Do you want this city to be leveled to the ground?"

I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back the anger and despair that now crept up in my heart. I took a deep breath, pushing everything back inside, sitting down and leaned against the fence, forgetting about Miss Sheila, who was still observing me with a blank expression.

As soon as I was reminded by her presence, I quickly turned around, only to make the right side of my head hit the fence hard. The loud thud caught the attention of everyone, now looking at a young man grimacing in pain while holding his head, thinking that I was so captivated by Miss Sheila's appearance that I became flustered.

I admit she is indeed enchanting in a white lace-trimmed tunic with puffed sleeves, adorned with a large leather belt that cinches the tunic and accentuates her beautifully curvy figure. Paired with black trousers and tall leather boots.

Her appearance this time is different from yesterday, where she looked more elegant, like a princess. Now she looks like someone ready to embark on an adventure around the world, facing danger. Yet, she still looks stunning and captivating, especially with her wavy brown hair being blown by the wind.

Quickly, I averted my gaze, realizing I had been staring for too long.

Does she realize it?

"Why, Z? Just noticed I'm beautiful?"

"Oh, come on, Princess Celine is far more beautiful," I unconsciously replied.