Chapter 205
Hilde, Aeonia
It was Friday night. Macaron, Glacier, and I were staying at the penthouse suite in Azalea Inn.
I had no choice but to let Glacier tag along with me since Macaron kept teasing him about how he always got to hang out with me. So here we are, Macaron and Glacier were currently eating—again—while I sat on the balcony, staring at the streetlights wrapped in beautiful colors. The residents were busy decorating the streets, preparing for the festival that would take place the next day.
I wanted to let Macaron and Glacier play outside, but I knew that the people would only scream and freak out, especially if they saw Glacier. His presence often startled people, and I didn’t want to deal with the chaos that would ensue. Instead, I took a deep breath, letting the cool night air fill my lungs as I leaned against the balcony railing, lost in thought.
The vibrant lights twinkled like stars, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets below. I could hear laughter and music drifting up from the upcoming festivities.
"Master! Come join us!" Macaron called from inside, his mouth full of snacks. I could hear the crunching of chips and the chewing of meat as he and Glacier enjoyed their feast.
I smiled softly but shook my head. "I’m good out here! You guys have fun!"
As I continued to watch the bustling street below, I took a sip of my refreshing watermelon juice, feeling the coolness soothe my senses. The colorful stalls being set up for the festival painted a lively picture of anticipation and joy. Yet, my gaze drifted away from the scene, drawn to something—or someone—that didn’t quite belong.
My eyes fixed on a man dressed entirely in black, standing out amidst the crowd. His presence felt off, somehow suspicious, but what caught my attention most was his face. There was a flicker of familiarity—something about his features tugged at my memory—but I couldn’t quite place where I’d seen him before.
Suddenly, he looked up and directly met my gaze. I froze, heart pounding. The inn was at least 150 meters above the street, high enough that it seemed impossible for him to know I was staring. Yet, he stared right at me as if he had confirmed something, a subtle smile playing on his lips that sent a shiver down my spine.
A rush of unease flooded me—who was he? Why did he seem to recognize me? I instinctively wanted to run, to approach, to ask questions, but before I could move an inch, he was already gone. Just like that, he vanished into the crowd.