"Wait, I'm the one you saved. I should be the one paying the price," Fors said hurriedly, trying to rescue her friend from her awkward predicament.
"One thing at a time." Lorne shook his head with a smile, his gaze still resting on Xio. "You did promise me that yourself, didn't you, Miss Xio?"
"I-I won't go back on my word." Xio's voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, almost inaudible.
Although she had only blurted those words out in a moment of desperation, a promise was a promise.
Looking at the outcome alone, Lorne had indeed saved Fors, not to mention that he had already helped Xio twice before. Whether out of reason or gratitude, she had no grounds to refuse.
Xio raised her head slightly, stealing a glance at the man on the sofa from the corner of her eye.
He wants my help-but what could I possibly help him with? Her thoughts began to spiral out of control. His Sequence must be higher than mine, and he's so powerful-I've only just gotten the Sheriff potion formula. I haven't even advanced yet. What could a Sequence 9 possibly do for him?
Besides, in her estimation, knowledge of the acting method was worth at least several thousand pounds, enough to buy a decent house in Backlund. Yet he had given her such precious information for the almost laughable reason of "wanting to know her name." Could it be that he has feelings for me-
An absurd thought rose unbidden from the depths of her heart.
Th-that's impossible, isn't it? We've only met a few times!
Could he have-have fallen for me during that exorcism? That's far too fast... The scene from that day resurfaced uncontrollably in Xio's mind, and her cheeks grew warm.
*Or was it the time