Entanglement of the Heart

"Annie, uh, did you need something from me?"

With a dry cough, he hurriedly got out of bed.

His irritation vanished completely at that moment. He felt like a cat caught stealing food.

What the hell, why was he scared...? He mocked himself inwardly, but his outward expression did not change in the slightest.

"Aura and Shalltear are with me right now. I'm planning to have them help me deal with things here. Any objections?"

Annie's cool voice came through the phone.

"Aura and Shalltear?"

"Fine. I knew this would happen the moment they said they were looking for you. Just keep an eye on them. Don't let them cause any major trouble."

Ryan thought for a moment before replying. He had not brought everyone here for any particular purpose. Since they did not want to play at the amusement park and instead wanted to join Annie in investigating some case... well, what Annie was looking into really did not seem any different from solving a case in his eyes, so he would let them handle it.

Of course, that was assuming they did not create an irreparable mess. The Ancient One had been keeping an eye on outsiders like them. He did not want to have to go to Kamar-Taj someday to retrieve someone.

"I should be the one saying that to you. You actually left them outside without a care!"

Annie sounded somewhat angry upon hearing that.

"Cough, I trust them. Anyway, is there anything else? If not, I'm hanging up. I was absorbed in some magical research earlier."

Ryan glanced at Albedo, who was lying on the bed with a resentful expression, and spoke awkwardly.

"You... forget it. Get some rest early."

The call ended with a snap. Ryan let out a breath, walked over to the