Arcane: Twin Cities Mechanic

Just as Li Lin and Sona emerged from the long hallway, Kahina suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking their path.

"Well, well, sneaking off to meet up with your little lover?" Kahina teased with a mischievous grin, clearly amused by her own understanding of the situation.

Even though Li Lin and Sona had already let go of each other's hands by the time they reached the ground floor, Kahina had noticed something else.

"Wow, Sona! You wouldn't even let me carry your Etwahl, but now you've got someone you've only known for a few hours holding it for you? So, boyfriends are more important than sisters now, huh?" She exaggerated her tone, pretending to be upset. "Hmph, so it turns out you're just another girl who forgets her sister once she's got a man!"

Seeing Sona's flushed face, Kahina couldn't help but smirk.

[Sister! How can you say that about me!] Sona signed furiously with her hands. [There's really nothing going on between me and Li Lin! It's not what you think!]

"Oh, sure, sure. Your face is all red, and you're still denying it?" Kahina took two steps closer, lifting Sona's chin playfully.

But Sona, feeling guilty, avoided her gaze, unable to look Kahina in the eyes.

"Come on, tell me—what was your first kiss like?"

[Sister!] Sona signed again, her face even more embarrassed.

"Haha, this is too funny," Kahina laughed, finally letting Sona go. "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you."

After calming herself down a bit, Kahina turned her attention to Li Lin, still smiling. "It seems like you and Sona are getting along quite well."

Li Lin bowed politely. "Thanks to you, yes, Sona and I do share a lot of common interests."

"Although I'd love for you two to hang out longer, we don't really have time." Kahina half-turned her body, subtly pointing with her thumb towards a high platform not far away. "Father told His Majesty that Sona has composed a new piece, and they're eager to hear it."

In fact, King Jarvan III was quite fond of Sona's harmonic compositions and had been wanting to invite her to perform at a royal banquet for some time. However, with Barrett frequently inspecting frontline logistics, and their recent expedition to support the prince, they hadn't had the chance.

Now, with the celebration for Jarvan IV's victory, Sona had the perfect opportunity to perform in the grand hall, which was the main reason she had brought her Etwahl today.

"If it's a royal invitation, then there's no time to waste," Li Lin said, glancing at Sona. Switching to Ionian, he added, "Go on, don't keep His Majesty waiting."

Sona smiled at him and transmitted her thoughts through sound magic: "Do you think they'll like my song of valor?"

Li Lin smiled reassuringly as he handed her back the Etwahl, also using sound magic to reply, "Believe in yourself. They'll be amazed by your skill."

Encouraged by his words, Sona's smile brightened.

"Okay, okay, enough of this lovey-dovey stuff. It's getting too sappy for me," Kahina interrupted with a shiver, stepping forward to separate them and pushing Sona gently toward the stage. "I'm taking Sona now! If you want to take her on another date, be sure to visit the Buvelle family."

She turned back and winked at Li Lin. "You better come!"

Watching them leave, Li Lin took a deep breath to compose himself. He scanned the room, searching through the dense crowd for any sign of Zoe.

But she was no longer near the banquet table, full of food. Who knows where she ran off to?

"Damn it..." Li Lin cursed quietly to himself.

Luckily, Sona had already made her way to Jarvan III and was standing beside the king, drawing everyone's attention in the hall. 

With the crowd gathering around the stage, his view suddenly cleared, and he quickly spotted Zoe sitting in the far corner of the hall, deep in conversation with Morgana.

Li Lin couldn't help but feel puzzled. Zoe had been so hostile toward Morgana before, so why were they suddenly able to talk so normally?

Sensing Li Lin's gaze, Morgana glanced at him, her eyes glowing faintly with purple light.

A moment later, Zoe also seemed to sense his presence and cheerfully waved at him.

Seeing her so happy, Li Lin finally relaxed.

"She didn't notice anything between me and Sona, right?... Wait, what am I so worried about? There's nothing going on between us anyway!"

Li Lin straightened up, adjusted his clothes, and confidently walked toward Zoe and Morgana.

"Where did you run off to? I've been looking for you forever!"

As soon as she saw him approach, Zoe leapt off the bench, pouting in dissatisfaction. "If Morgana hadn't told me you were busy with something important, I would've used magic to track you down!"

Li Lin wiped a bit of cold sweat from his brow, not because Zoe was thinking of breaking their agreement and using magic, but because he was relieved she hadn't teleported directly to him. Otherwise, if she'd seen Sona crying in his arms, even diving into the Conqueror's Sea wouldn't have been enough to clear his name.

"Thank you for... uh, keeping Zoe company," Li Lin said as he gently ruffled Zoe's hair, then turned to Morgana.

"No need to thank me, it was no trouble at all," Morgana replied, a strange glint flashing in her eyes. "In fact, we had quite the enjoyable conversation."

Li Lin glanced at Zoe in surprise, but she just stuck out her tongue playfully, saying nothing.

"Well then, since you're back, I'll head off and rest," Morgana added. Though, as a celestial being, Morgana didn't need sleep—this was just an excuse to leave.

As she passed by Li Lin, she turned her head slightly and said, "Next time, make sure you're better prepared before getting involved in something... there might not always be someone to help you."

Without waiting for a response, Morgana walked straight out of the hall without looking back.

Li Lin couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.

So, she knew all along... and even stalled Zoe for me...

"What did she mean by that?" Zoe asked, staring at Morgana's departing figure in confusion.

"Uh, just some advice from an elder," Li Lin replied casually, trying to change the subject. "By the way, did you and Morgana 'make up' again?"

"Make up? We never had a falling out."

"Then why were you so rude to her before?"

"Don't exaggerate! Morgana and I get along just fine. We're good friends!" Zoe huffed, crossing her arms. "And don't ask what we talked about. It's girl stuff—boys aren't allowed!"

"...Alright then."

Li Lin knew well that Zoe's moods shifted quicker than a page being turned, so he didn't press further.

At that moment, the sound of Sona's Hymn of Valor began to play, its uplifting melody resonating throughout the hall.

Li Lin gave a knowing smile to the blue-haired girl on stage, then gently patted Zoe's head. "Come on, let's go listen to Sona's performance."

"No, I don't like her."

"You haven't even talked to her—why don't you like her?"

"Because... because..."

Zoe couldn't think of a reason. She couldn't just admit it was because she suspected Sona had feelings for Li Lin, could she?

"Because, just because... anyway, I just don't like her..."

As she spoke, Zoe suddenly sniffed the air, her expression changing slightly. She grabbed Li Lin's arm, the one that had just patted her head, and held it up to her nose, taking a deep whiff.

"What are you—"

Li Lin felt a sense of dread rising.

Sure enough, Zoe's face flushed red, and even her fiery orange hair seemed to turn red with anger. She bared her teeth and growled, "You smell like another woman!" 

(End of Chapter)

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