Chapter 20: Cafeteria and Confessions
The air around them felt heavy with all that had been said.
Cordelia stood still beneath the ivy-laced arches of the academy courtyard, her arms hanging loosely at her sides. The soft rustle of wind through leaves and distant footsteps filled the silence. She looked like she was trying to hold her thoughts together, and failing.
Noah watched her quietly, then let out a slow sigh.
"Come," he said, voice softer now. "Don’t worry so much."
Cordelia blinked, caught off guard. "Where?"
He offered a lopsided smile, just a hint of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips.
"To the cafeteria. If you want to talk, it’s better while eating, don’t you think?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly but didn’t argue.
"I don’t know about you," he added, starting to walk, "but ever since we saved that noble’s ass last month, I’ve been grinding missions non-stop. Got some coin saved up."
He glanced back at her over his shoulder, smirking faintly.
"Come on. My treat."