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Chapter 138: The Cost of Lies

In Xue Nuo’s eyes, there was only one possible reason for Roy’s avoidance.

He got ridiculously drunk and forced her into an unwanted closeness.

She almost got carried away and hurt him!

He must think she’s a perverted woman who can’t control herself when tipsy!

Just thinking about it made Xue Nuo’s stomach churn.

The empire’s culture was generally conservative; traditional noblewomen’s dresses had to cover the knees at the very least, and the stricter ones didn’t even allow kissing between sexes until marriage, even if they were of age.

In the empire, a kiss meant a lifetime commitment.

Unfortunately, Xue Nuo was very much a conservative empire citizen.

Mixed bathing was something she fantasized about only being able to do after marriage.

On top of that, as a mentor and an elder, she felt guilty and didn’t think about blaming Roy. She completely forgot he was a scoundrel with multiple affairs; all she felt was that she almost tarnished the young boy’s beauty, and it was all her fault.

Now that Roy seemed to keep his distance, she couldn’t even muster the courage to ask him anything, managing only a forced smile.

“If I’m bothering you, I’ll take my leave.”

Seeing Xue Nuo’s downcast eyes, Roy felt a twinge of guilt.

After all, she had been kind to him these days; while he deserved some credit, she had experienced hardship too.

Moreover, for some reason, seeing her melancholic expression made him feel not-so-great as well.

Even if they weren’t lovers, Xue Nuo was an important person to him.

“Not really a bother,” Roy forced out a cheerful smile and pretended to be relaxed, “Or do you already miss me, Miss Xue Nuo, after just a short time apart?”

Unexpectedly, Xue Nuo looked straight at him and, with a voice as clear as a spring, blurted out, “Can’t I miss you?”

That direct hit left Roy speechless.

Realizing her words were too straightforward, Xue Nuo’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“It’s normal for lovers to miss each other, right?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Both turned their gazes away, their hearts racing, their minds going blank, sinking into an awkward silence.

Passersby secretly chuckled, marveling at the youth’s innocence.

Meanwhile, the Golden-Winged Griffin seemed to be running away like it just got hit in the face with a lemon.

Luckily, the sailing boat docked just in time. Tourists trickled off the boat, giving the two of them an opportunity to shift the topic and pretend nothing had happened.

After a brief rest on Aurora Island, the tourists followed the guide to the viewing platform by the coast.

Though it was called a viewing platform, it also served as a restaurant.

The circular structure was open all around, with each level offering bar-style service, allowing visitors to enjoy dining while climbing higher to get as close to the aurora as possible.

The highest level was exclusively for the local lord, but today it was a private space for just Xue Nuo and Roy.

Even the accompanying guards gathered on the lower level to avoid interrupting them.

In the northern winter, the sun set early.

As the night deepened, countless stars twinkled brilliantly, preventing them from being engulfed by darkness.

There was still some time before the astrologer’s prediction of the aurora appeared; the sky was painted with stars and moonlight hanging quietly, while the crowd buzzed with excitement.

Even on the highest level, they could hear the cheerful laughter from below.

In such an atmosphere, even the typically aloof Xue Nuo couldn’t help but smile a bit more, her ice-blue eyes reflecting the starlight.

With a straw in his mouth, Roy had completely lost interest in the drink, his eyes only focused on the Silver-Haired Girl.

Just the thought that such a beautiful girl might not be his lover made Roy sigh.

“By the way, Roy, do you know the legend of the aurora?”

“The goddess’s skirt brings eternal love to those who hold hands—I’ve heard that plenty along the way.”

“Do you believe this legend?”

For some reason, Roy felt an instinctive distrust towards the concept of a goddess.

But since the girl was asking, even with amnesia, Roy wouldn’t dare give a ‘straight man’ answer.

He pretended to ponder, “If the holy light from the goddess is real, then the legend must be true too.”

“Not necessarily.” Xue Nuo sighed softly, pulling her gaze from the night sky and looking into the void, saying calmly, “The holy light is just an extraordinary power.”

Xue Nuo recalled what she learned in class: “There are known to be four epochs of civilization, and the belief that the goddess created the world only sprouted in the third epoch. Besides the stubborn church, mainstream academia has always maintained a skeptical attitude toward the goddess creation view.”

“The so-called aurora might just be a natural phenomenon, not necessarily related to the holy light goddess.”

Roy remained silent.

Uh, wait, if I’m not being a ‘straight man,’ why are you suddenly being a ‘straight woman’?

We’re here to enjoy the moment, don’t ruin the vibe!

Just as Roy was internally chuckling at the irony, Xue Nuo suddenly turned to him.

“But I hope the legend is true.”

The Silver-Haired Girl smiled, her delicate brows softening, her ice-blue eyes sparkling more wildly than when gazing at the stars.

Like the bright frost moon, she made the countless specks of stardust in the night sky pale in comparison.

This… does the underlying meaning mean…

The girl’s smile left Roy a bit flustered, feeling as if his heart received a heavy blow.

Yet, Xue Nuo wasn’t as calm as she appeared, her chest also stirred uncontrollably.

Feelings that shouldn’t exist between a mentor and disciple.

Feelings destined to have no outcome.

When rationally thinking about it, everything about their feelings shouldn’t continue.

Yet, it was a feeling Xue Nuo couldn’t control, couldn’t restrain, and could only ignore.

She knew it was wrong. Even if she used lies to temporarily erase the distance between mentor and disciple, one day Roy would remember everything.

Not to mention, Roy himself had several other lovers.

But even so, she didn’t want to bury this sentiment.

Like a candle flicker seen during a long snowy night, even if it was wise to let it extinguish, she couldn’t help but want to get closer.

“Xue, Miss Xue Nuo, you’re saying…”

“Call me Xue Nuo.”

Gasps came in a wave.

Emerald green light bands danced in the night sky, creating a magnificent and colorful spectacle.

A dreamy scene worthy of being one of the top ten wonders.

It was like a vivid watercolor spilled haphazardly, sketching the most beautiful and enchanting scene of the world.

However, neither the Silver-Haired Girl nor the Black-Haired Boy was distracted by the aurora; they were both completely captivated by each other.

From some unknown point, Roy had already become the most beautiful scenery in her heart.

So at this moment, Xue Nuo no longer wanted to hesitate.

“Roy, I…”

“But we’re not lovers, right?”

Under Roy’s calm gaze, Xue Nuo’s eyes trembled, her face losing all color.

The aurora burst forth in splendor, cheers rising and falling, countless lovers kissed at this moment, praying for the goddess’s favor and blessings.

Meanwhile, Xue Nuo bowed her head, her mood plummeting to freezing point.

Right…

The legend is fake.

Lovers are fake.

Everything fake will always be fake. Their relationship was merely a lie she had woven in her mind.

And once the lie was torn apart, she would have to pay the price.

 

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