NoGift

AFTER eating lunch, Argent helped her mother to bathe and then convinced her to take a rest.  Although she'd been sleeping for quite a long time, that wouldn't really be considered as 'rest'.  In her mother's case, it would probably be considered more as torture.

Argent thought it would take a lot more convincing before her mother agreed.  But to her surprise, after letting her lie on the bed, her mother immediately fell asleep.  It just showed how mentally exhausted she was.  After making sure that her mother was truly asleep, she temporarily sat on one of the couches on the living room.

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.  It looked like she was also a bit tired herself.  Not surprising, considering how stressful the past few days had been.  No, it was probably more accurate to say that it had been a stressful number of months.  Now that she thought about it, it's kind of a wonder how she managed to keep her cool and think of a viable plan despite everything.

Although she had to admit, when she met the Pope faced to faced, she definitely lost that cool.  That was probably the first time since she arrived in this world that she cussed the most number of times.  She hated that she was affected by him, by his words, or even by his mere presence.  Because it was like she was giving him some sort of importance.  Something that he didn't deserve at all.

"You should rest," said Lei Feng's voice.

Argent raised her head and saw Lei Feng coming out of the kitchen area.  He probably just finished cleaning up the dishes.  He still looked as serious as ever.  But she could see the worry in those obsidian black eyes.  Somehow, knowing that he cared brought unprecedented warmth to her.  What a weird feeling.

"It's fine," she said.  "Anyway, Lei Feng, is it really alright for you to be here?"

Lei Feng walked towards her and sat on the opposite couch.  "I told you, I'm on vacation."

Argent stared at him and then sighed because she knew she wouldn't get a proper answer.  "At least tell me if you're going to get into trouble with the Emperor because of this."

"I won't.  I've been a soldier since the age of 13.  It has been seven years and I've never taken a long vacation since.  I already defeated the barbarians from the Northern border of Xing.  There wouldn't be a problem even if I leave my post for months.  His Majesty knows that, that's why he approved of my vacation."

Argent stared at Lei Feng and observed his expression.  She couldn't find anything wrong with it, so he just assumed that he was telling the truth.  Well, at least part of the truth.  "If that's the case, then good.  So, how long are you planning to stay?"

"Until you gather the remaining two artifacts," Lei Feng answered.  He saw Argent frowning, apparently not agreeing with what he just said.  So before she could disagree with him completely, he spoke first, "Don't reject my proposal so quickly.  I know there's no reason for you to accept.  But there's no reason for you to reject it either.  In fact, it could only be advantageous to you."

Argent raised one of her brows.  "Oh?  In what way?"

"You'll have someone you could order around.  You don't even need to give that someone a salary."

Lei Feng said it with such a straight face that Argent almost laughed.  "So, are you applying to be my servant and you're even planning to do it for free?"

"Something like that."

Argent finally couldn't help but chuckle.  This guy, admitting something like that without even an ounce of qualms.  Some might think that he might have already lost his pride as a man for saying such things.  But for Argent, it's just evidence of how much Lei Feng wanted to help her.  And it certainly didn't make him much less of a man.

"Why do you insist on wanting to help me?" she asked, because even she wasn't sure of what his answer was going to be.  "You do know that the Pope and his Apostles are now my enemies.  Following me on this quest would only equate to danger.  But despite that, are you still willing?"

"I am," Lei Feng said without hesitation.  "Because you're my friend."

"So, you're saying you're willing to be in danger for your friends?" Argent asked with a bit of teasing in her tone.

"I don't have that many friends.  But I wouldn't do this kind of thing for all of them."

Argent tilted her head in curiosity.  "Then--?"

Lei Feng looked at her straight in the eyes.  "Because you're special." Then he stood up.  "I'll go and walk around the island for a bit.  Try to get some rest," he suddenly said.

And then he walked out of the villa like someone was chasing him.  But not before Argent saw the suspicious blush on the tips of his ears.

Argent was left a bit dumbfounded.  What was that just now?

Before she could think more, she felt a vibration from her light brain.  A unique vibration for a video call.  She clicked her light brain and opened it.

On the screen, her sister's beautiful face appeared.  And right now, that face was filled with worry and uncertainty.  She knew her sister enough to guess that Aurum was probably having a problem on how she would explain something to her.  Her guess was confirmed by her sister's next words.

"Brother, something happened.  It's hard to explain it over video call.  But I will explain it all properly once I returned to the island."

Argent stared at her sister.  Seeing her expression, she knew that she wouldn't get a proper explanation right now.  Aurum probably only called her so she could calm herself.  Whatever happened must have shocked her to a certain degree. 

"I understand.  Are you flying back now?"

"Yes.  I'll be there before the sun sets."

Then they ended the call.  Argent wondered what could have happened to have her sister so shaken.