Two hours passed, Alex and Lilith discussed their little plan. Although it sounds a bit dangerous Alex couldn't deny the thrill one would feel if they accomplish their goal.
Snatch the tiger's food right under his nose.
How exciting that gonna be. Alex thought as the corners of his mouth perked up. He couldn't wait but go over there, however, he knew that now wasn't the time. He needs a little bit of strength and he had the perfect opportunity for it.
''You looks like you can't wait to storm his courtyard,.'' Lilith said with a wry smile.
Since Alex's advice, she has been smiling a lot, more than she used to. It could be said that she decided to follow his advice and leave for herself. She feels free as if a huge load had been removed from her shoulders.
Upon hearing Lilith's words, Alex couldn't help but scratch his head feeling a bit embarrassed because he was seen through.
To change the subject he said, ''In my hometown after forming an alliance we celebrate it. As we had already eaten let's just drink.''
Clap! Clap!
After hearing his words, the corners of Lilith's mouth lifted into a smile. She extended her hands, clapped twice, and soon after, like a ghost, Sebastian dressed in butler uniform drifted toward them. In his hands was wine, an old-aged one.
After bowing to the two, he served them and waited at the side.
Alex and Lilith exchanged glances before they drunk the wine.
''Delicious''
He couldn't help but praise the wine the moment it's entered his mouth.
After spending another half of an hour chatting, Lilith excused herself and left with Sebastian.
Alex also left shortly after and just as he was about to go to check Smith's store he encountered someone he was not expecting but wished to see. Unexpectedly he encountered Sera. Both wore a surprised expression on their faces.
〖Fufufu! The Gods seem to be helping you today Master. 〗Silveria said the moment she saw Sera.
Ignoring her Alex looked at Sera.
''Long time no see.'' She said with a smile.
''Indeed. I never thought I would encounter this. How have you been?" Alex asked.
''I'm fine. I just came back from an errand. How about you? Do you like the capital? Where is your sister?"
Hearing Sera's questions Alex didn't immediately answer, he first invited her to his restaurant. Sera was not surprised when she heard that he has a restaurant as she had already about from her father's mouth, the latter kept praising Alex nonstop, he even urged her to consider becoming his woman when it's still time.
When she recalls all these things she couldn't help but smile wryly.
Looking at the smiling woman in front of him Alex couldn't help but think how beautiful she is.
''I'm fine, the capital is not bad. Gracier is fine as well she often asks about you. She often asks me when I will bring you home.'' Alex lied through his teeth while secretly apologizing to his sister.
Of course, Sera knew he was lying as she was, well only she knows the reason.
Not hiding her amusement she said, ''I wonder about that, she must be busy taking care of her new in-law after all her brother has just gotten engaged.''
''Ugh!"
As if he had received a critical hit Alex groaned, he hadn't thought that Sera would learn about his engagement, somehow he felt guilty as if he had cheated on her, however, while he felt like that at the same time he was smiling inside as Sera's words just confirmed one of his speculations, he just has to test her as he had decided upon.
Shaking his head Alex said with his most serious expression.
''Well, I can't deny what you said but what I said is the truth. I miss you very much, it's good to see you. I owe you a date. Pick a date we will go on date. I want to spend some time with you.''
''What about your fiancée? Won't she feels jealous if she learned that you are going on a date if another woman?" Sera probed.
''Don't worry she will not. She knew what type of man I am. Truth be told, I told her about you.''
Another lie, well that was not entirely true, well I didn't come from his mouth, Luna and the others did learn about Sera think to a certain someone.
Gracier who was talking with the girls in the villa couldn't help but sneeze.
''I think someone is thinking about this princes,'' Gracier said.
Luna and the others girls refused to comment and continued to play their game.
~Back to Alex's location.
Hearing Alex's words, the corners of Shira's mouth lifted into a smile as she asked.
''I'm curious about what you said to her. Care to share it with me?"
Without a once of shame Alex said, ''I told her that there is a girl I like back when I was still in Eria's city. I want to pursue her and soon I will present you to her.''
Sera's eyes widened, she hadn't thought that Alex would feel any shame and immediately admit that he likes her. She wanted to say something, however, Alex was faster.
''You know there is a saying: When a woman was curious about a man, it was only a matter of time before she fell in love with that man. It's the same for men too. It's curiosity at first but unknowingly it got transformed into me starting to like you. I want to know more about you, I want you to know who I am, I want you to stand alongside me till death part us. I want to know the 'you' you hide, to know everything about you.'' He said, from his eyes, you could feel his sincerity.
Sera felt it too, however, she was more concerned about a word Alex said.
''What do you mean by 'Want to know the 'you' you hide' ?" She asked.
''It's literally what it means. I want to know the other you', the one you're hiding.'' Alex explained with a smile.
If previously she had thought he was joking, this time however she knew he isn't it. She couldn't help but start to question herself. Since when? And how?
However, while inwardly she felt troubled about what Alex might know, outwardly her expression didn't change.
Putting on a confused expression, Sera asked,
''I don't know what you are talking about?"
Seeing Sera trying to pretend, Alex couldn't help but feel a little amused as the corners of his mouth perked up.
''Sure you do.'' He retorted.
''Wha-"
Sera's words got caught inside her throat as in the next instant Alex's figure vanished and when he reappeared he was standing in front of her a silver knife held against her neck. Everything happened too fast, so fast that even she was caught off guard.
Heterochromia eyes were locked against brown eyes, time seemed to have stopped for the two, neither said anything. They just looked at each other in silence.
Suddenly, both smiled Alex retrieved his knife and sat back in his chair.
''How do you know?" Sera asked. While she was still smiling her expression was different from her previous.
If previously she was like your gentle neighborhood girl, then currently she was like a deadly sword ready to harvest people's life.
Feeling the pressure Sera was unconsciously emitting, Alex gulped.
〖She is really that girl.〗Silveria said after a long silence.
Alex ignored her sarcastic comment as there's no way she didn't know that Sera and that girl who was protecting him weren't the same people. She stayed silent, letting him find out on his own. Well, he was not angry at her as he believes that he must acquire everything he wants by himself. Heavily relying on others will not help him as he may become dependent on others.
Sighing while leaning comfortably into his chair, Alex explained.
''I started to have my suspicions when I couldn't check your status even with my Advanced Appraisal. A daughter of smith couldn't block my skill no matter how famous and talented your dad is. I had probed your father about the fact he might have an artifact that could block appraisal skills. He said he has never produced one, that he didn't own any.''
Sera couldn't help but curse her father for being a loose mouth.
Ignoring the frowning Sera, Alex continued.
''That only wouldn't have made me suspicious of you. Do you remember that time you came to check on me after my first time killing another human being? Do you remember what you had said?"
To Alex's questions, Sera couldn't only smile bitterly as she remembered pretty well. How can't she not? It was a big mistake she made.
In a normal situation, she wouldn't have made that mistake.
''I see, that's good. Don't worry you will get used to it pretty soon.'' It what she said. {A/N: Chapter 94: Back to the Inn]
This could be interpreted as her being familiar with killing.
Heaving a sigh, Sera finally responded. ''I do.''