Fornia

Nelly still did not move, cowering behind Fornia like a kitten.

"What of it? Forcing a girl to do something is hardly gentlemanly, Duke Simon."

Fornia's tone did not yield in the slightest as she turned around and hugged the slightly trembling Nelly.

Her forceful tone and provocative actions showed that she did not take Simon seriously. The veins on Simon's hand gripping the steering wheel bulged.

"You... Sorry, I was just worried about Nelly. Besides, she wouldn't refuse, would she, Nelly?"

Nelly felt malice coil around the two of them. In this icy world, it seemed that only Fornia's embrace carried any warmth.

She did not want to leave that warmth, but she knew all too well how terrifying Simon's power was. Staying here would only bring harm to Fornia.

"It's all right, Nelly. Don't worry."

The gentle voice soothed Nelly's unease, while Fornia's faint fragrance seemed almost magical, making her reluctant to leave.

It's as if she knows what I'm thinking. Is it just my imagination?

"I don't want to go with him, but you..."

"Don't worry about me, silly Nelly." Fornia smiled gently and stroked Nelly's long hair.

"Duke Simon, Nelly doesn't want to go with you. Please respect her!"

Yet her attitude toward Simon was completely different—distant and cold.

If this dragged on any longer, Duke Simon would lose all face. He believed that he loved Nelly, and he had not forced her any further. He merely stared at Fornia with a venomous gaze.

"Heh, then forget it. Goodbye, ladies!" Simon's expression had already turned ugly. He stepped on the accelerator and sped away.

"It's all right now, it's all right, Nelly." Fornia gently whispered beside Nelly's ear, her hand continuously rubbing the top of Nelly's head.

Their mothers had been as close as sisters, and the two girls had shared an excellent relationship since childhood. But after Nelly's mother died, they had not seen each other for several years. Nelly had even thought that Fornia disdained associating with her.

"Thank you, Fornia. What are you doing here?" Nelly released her arms, a trace of reluctance flashing across her face.

"Come to my house first. It's been so long since we've seen each other!" Fornia's face was filled with irrepressible delight, and her gaze was full of affection.

"But Simon..."

"Are you blaming me for driving away your fiancé? That scumbag isn't good enough for little Nelly!"

Why is she leaning her face so close? And why is she calling me little Nelly? We're obviously the same age!

"No, I..." Whether from the cold or embarrassment, Nelly's cheeks were flushed.

"Heehee, I'm just kidding. I know little Nelly is worried about me, but it's fine. I'm not afraid of that bastard Simon!" As she spoke, she took Nelly's hand.

Fornia's father held military power, so Simon did not dare do anything to her.

"I'm even going to steal his fiancée! Come on, little Nelly, come home with me!" Nelly let herself be led along, the corners of her lips lifting.

It feels as if I've gone back to when Mother was still alive. Everything has changed now. Only Fornia is still as gentle as ever.

She was still so kind that Nelly wanted to lose herself in her.

"Fornia!"

"What is it, little Nelly?"

"I've missed you so much..."

Fornia stopped walking. Nelly looked up at her, and Fornia's gaze made her somewhat nervous, as if her entire body were about to melt.

"I've missed little Nelly too!"

"Little Nelly used to follow me around all the time. I've always missed those days." What Fornia did not say was that her father had forbidden her from meeting Nelly because of the nobles' many tedious formalities.

But what was it that had caused monsters to appear in so many places these past few days? Her father had consequently been nowhere to be seen all day.

Yet this city was clearly peaceful, without the slightest sign of trouble. They had not seen any of the so-called monsters at all. That was a good thing, wasn't it?

Their homes were only about a ten-minute drive apart. Nelly had walked by herself for quite a while before, but amid their conversation, they reached Fornia's front door without realizing it.

It had been quite a long journey, yet under the weight of her complicated emotions, Nelly no longer felt tired.

"It feels like I haven't been here in ages." Nelly used to visit often.

"That's right. It's already been several years!" Fornia blinked and gave a playful smile.

"But Fornia is even more enthusiastic than before."

"That's because little Nelly is too adorable!" The last of the sunlight had faded, and Fornia's smile was dazzling against the gloomy sky.

Nelly even wanted to sever all the threads binding her and throw herself into Fornia's arms.

As for those people, it would be wonderful if they could all just die!

"Little Nelly used to be a bit spoiled, but now you're practically a docile little kitten! Though not everything has changed..."

Fornia looked Nelly up and down. From her teasing gaze, Nelly repeatedly read only one word—

Short.

"Damn you, Fornia!"

"I heard from my mother that you're getting married next year, so I was in a hurry to come see you. I didn't expect to run into little Nelly by chance."

In the misty bathtub, the voices of the two girls continued to drift out.

"How have you been all these years?" Fornia's clear gaze held a hint of curiosity, her chin resting on Nelly's fragrant shoulder.

Nelly's eyes suddenly lost their focus. Even though she was soaking in warm water, a chill still spread through her limbs. Countless invisible threads bound her delicate body, and everything around her began to feel unreal.

"Little Nelly?"

How have I been all these years?

"What's wrong, little Nelly?" Fornia panicked when she saw tears continuously welling in the corners of Nelly's eyes.

"I'm fine."

Nelly gently wrapped her arms around Fornia and answered softly. She felt that only today had she truly lived like an emotional "person."

"That's good. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

Nelly said nothing. It was not that she did not want to tell Fornia. She was afraid—afraid that Fornia would listen to her past with an indifferent expression, as if hearing a story, and afraid that Fornia would look at her like some pitiful creature.

It was a contradictory state of mind, but that was how it was. Nelly treated this last bit of happiness with extreme care, humble and cautious.

Although, with Fornia's gentleness and thoughtfulness, she would certainly cherish Nelly in the palm of her hand.

"You still have me, little Nelly. Remember that?"

"I just don't want to talk about it. I'm not hiding it from you..."

"I know."

"I don't like Simon, and I hate that family..."

"I know that too."

"Huh?!"

Nelly's sweet voice was choked with sobs, filling anyone who heard it with the urge to protect her.

"Fornia, how did you..."

Fornia did not wait for Nelly to finish. She raised her index finger and placed it against Nelly's upper lip, interrupting the rest of her words.

Just as she had said, she had always been watching over Nelly. Even though they had not seen each other for years and no longer lived in the same environment, she could still see Nelly's heart through her eyes.

To Nelly, Fornia was special. Likewise, Nelly was the most special person to Fornia.

She knew what Nelly was about to ask, and she knew what the answer was—

"Because I like little Nelly the most~"