Chapter 330 - 329. Hidden Pawn (3)
The morning light filtered through the large office window, casting a golden glow over the polished wooden desk where I sat. Alys sat across from me, her hands resting uneasily in her lap, while Kai perched beside me, his blue eyes gleaming with curiosity. Nox, comfortably nestled on my shoulder, let out a soft chitter as if sensing the tension in the air.
Alys looked different now—clean, well-dressed, and free of the grime that had once coated her skin. Her golden hair, now washed and neatly combed, cascaded down her back in waves, a stark contrast to the frail, malnourished frame hidden beneath the elegant yet simple dress she wore. The bruises, cuts, and scars that once marred her skin had vanished after last night’s healing, but the weight of her past still lingered in her hesitant posture.
"I’ll be off with this Big Sister and Lyall for a while," I informed Kai, breaking the quiet.
Kai’s sharp gaze lifted to me, his expression unreadable for a moment before he asked, almost too quickly, "Where?"
I smiled. "To Fairisles Mansion."
His eyes flickered with recognition, a glimmer of understanding settling in. "Are you going to that Grandfather’s house?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and caution.
I nodded. "Yes. Do you want to come along? There’s a nice Aunt there who would give you sweets."
At the mention of sweets, his face instantly brightened, the shadow of wariness vanishing as excitement took over. "All right!" he agreed, a rare moment of childlike enthusiasm slipping through.
I turned my gaze to Alys, who still seemed unsure, though the stiffness in her shoulders had eased ever so slightly. I could tell she was still apprehensive about everything happening around her, but at least she no longer flinched at my words.
I stood up, prompting the others to follow. Kai slipped his small hand into mine without hesitation, and to my surprise, he reached for Alys’s hand as well. She blinked at him in surprise before hesitantly allowing him to hold onto her. On her other side, Lyall extended his hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, she took it.
With my free hand, I plucked the teleportation device from my pocket, feeling the familiar pulse of mana within the stone. Before activating it, I cast a glance at Alys.