Fornia

Nelly hadn't moved yet, shrinking behind Fornia like a kitten.

"So what? Forcing a girl isn't exactly gentlemanly behavior, Duke Simon."

Fornia's tone was uncompromising as she turned to hug Nelly, who was trembling slightly.

Neither her stern words nor her provocative actions made Simon flinch. The veins on the back of his hand, gripping the steering wheel, bulged.

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

Nelly felt a malice wrap around them. The cold world seemed to have warmth only in Fornia's embrace.

She didn't want to leave this warmth, but she understood how terrifying Simon's power was. Doing this would put Fornia in danger.

"It's okay, Nelly, don't worry."

Her gentle voice soothed Nelly's anxiety. Fornia's faint, sweet scent was like a magical allure, making her linger.

Does she know 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, stroking Nelly's long hair.

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

Yet, her attitude towards Simon was the complete opposite—distant and cold.

If this continued, Duke Simon would lose all face. He considered himself to be in love with Nelly and didn't force her further, merely fixing Fornia with a viper-like stare.

"Heh, fine then. Goodbye, ladies!" Simon's expression had soured considerably. He stomped on the gas and sped away.

"It's alright now, it's alright, Nelly." Fornia whispered softly in Nelly's ear, gently stroking the top of her head.

Their mothers had been like sisters, and the two had been close since childhood. But after Nelly's mother passed away, they hadn't seen each other for years. Nelly had even thought Fornia disdained associating with her.

"Thank you, Fornia. What are you doing here?" Nelly released her embrace, a flicker of reluctance crossing her face.

"Let's go to my place first. We haven't seen each other in ages!" Fornia's face was filled with unconcealed joy, her gaze towards Nelly filled with affection.

"But, Simon..."

"Is Nelly blaming me for driving away your fiancé? That scumbag isn't worthy of little Nelly!"

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

"No, I..." Nelly's cheeks flushed red, whether from the cold or shyness.

"Hehe, just kidding. I know little Nelly is worried about me, but it's fine. I'm not afraid of that bastard Simon!" She said, taking Nelly's hand.

Fornia's father held military power; Simon wouldn't dare do anything to her.

"I'm going to steal his fiancée! Come on, little Nelly, let's go home!" Nelly let herself be led, a smile curving her lips.

It feels like when Mom was still alive. Everything has changed, but only Fornia is still as gentle.

She's still so wonderful, making Nelly want to drown in her presence.

"Fornia!"

"What is it, little Nelly?"

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

Fornia stopped walking. Nelly looked up at her, her gaze making Nelly nervous, feeling as if she were melting.

"I've missed little Nelly too!"

"Little Nelly always used to follow me around. I've always missed those days." What Fornia didn't say was that her father had forbidden her from seeing Nelly due to certain aristocratic formalities.

However, lately, there had been reports of monsters appearing in many places? Her father had been gone all day because of it.

But this city was so peaceful, without a ripple in sight. She hadn't seen any 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 already walked part of the way alone, and in their conversation, they had unknowingly arrived at Fornia's doorstep.

It was a long road, but amidst her complex emotions, Nelly no longer felt tired.

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

"Yeah, it's been several years!" Fornia blinked, a playful smile on her face.

"But Fornia is even more enthusiastic than before."

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

Nelly felt an urge to sever all the threads binding her and throw herself into Fornia's embrace.

As for those people, she wished they would all just die!

"Little Nelly used to be a bit spoiled, but now she's like a docile kitten! Though not everything has changed..."

Fornia's gaze swept up and down Nelly. From her teasing eyes, Nelly could only read one word repeatedly—

Short.

"You hateful Fornia!"

"I heard from my mother that you're getting married next year, which is why I was so eager to see you. I didn't expect to run into little Nelly like this."

The sound of the two girls' conversation drifted from the steamy bathtub.

"How have you been all these years?" Fornia's clear gaze held a hint of inquiry as she rested her chin on Nelly's shoulder.

Nelly's eyes suddenly lost focus. Even submerged in the warm water, a chill spread through her limbs. Countless invisible threads seemed to bind her delicate body, making everything around her feel unreal.

"Little Nelly?"

How have I been all these years?

"What's wrong, little Nelly?" Fornia's eyes widened in panic as she saw tears welling up in Nelly's eyes.

"I'm fine."

Nelly gently wrapped her arms around Fornia, responding softly. She felt as if only today had she truly lived like a person with emotions.

"That's good, then. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."

Nelly remained silent, not because she didn't want to tell Fornia, but because she was afraid. She was afraid Fornia would listen to her past with a detached expression, as if hearing a story, and she was afraid Fornia would look at her with pity.

It was a conflicted state of mind, yet it was precisely because of this that Nelly treated this last bit of beauty with extreme care, humble and cautious.

Even though, with Fornia's gentleness and attentiveness, she would surely be cherished.

"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, evoking a strong desire to protect her.

"Fornia, how did you..."

Fornia didn't wait for Nelly to finish, gently placing her index finger on Nelly's lips to interrupt her.

As she had said, she had always paid attention to Nelly. Even after years apart, and with their lives no longer the same, she could still see into Nelly's heart through her eyes.

To Nelly, Fornia was special. And likewise, Nelly was the most special to her.

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

"Because I like little Nelly the most~"