"Maxson!"
Maxson immediately pulled away from the woman he was flirting with. Tsk. No matter where this guy goes, there’s always a woman on his arm. It would be fine if he were alone, but no—he just has to be like this.
I rolled my eyes and walked away in annoyance. Fine, let him stay there if he wants.
"Wait—oh! There you are!"
I turned when I heard Maxson’s voice. I saw Lieutenant Ren, Eisha, Captain Xu, and Kiro. I walked back and approached them.
"So you’re leaving? You didn’t even tell us," Lieutenant Eisha murmured before stepping closer to me. She clung to my arm, looking upset that we hadn’t informed them. I cleared my throat and smiled.
"Sorry. We’re in a bit of a hurry."
Captain Kiro smirked at me.
"Is that the reason, or are you just avoiding staying here because of—"
His words were cut off when Captain Xu covered his mouth. He struggled, but Captain Xu was stronger.
I shook my head and smiled.
"No. Maxson and I already talked about this. Besides, my parents sent a letter. I need to help with the family business." I sighed.
They nodded in understanding.
"In that case, when will we see each other again? Visit us when you have time," Captain Xu said.
Maxson laughed and slung an arm around my shoulder.
"Of cou—"
"Don’t decide for me, Maxson." I cut him off and stepped away. I bowed respectfully as a farewell. "I’m not sure. But if there’s one thing I am sure of—it’s that Maxson can come here anytime he wants."
They laughed and shook their heads.
"Take care," Lieutenant Ren said, looking at me like… he was going to miss me or something. Wait—that’s probably just me being full of myself.
Lieutenant Eisha hugged me tightly. Captain Xu followed, patting my back.
"I want one too—"
Captain Kiro and Lieutenant Ren dragged Maxson away, seemingly to talk privately. Meanwhile, the three of us stayed behind.
They both held my hands.
"I actually preferred you with Captain Zeid, but..." Lieutenant Eisha started.
I laughed.
"Oh, no. They’re better off with… the woman he’s marrying. By the way, tell him congratulations for me."
They nodded.
"Alright, bye!" I waved before walking away.
"Take care!" Lieutenant Eisha called out, her voice breaking. She sniffled, wiping her nose with the handkerchief Captain Xu handed her. I chuckled but turned and headed toward our carriage.
Maxson followed. I waved at Captain Kiro and Lieutenant Ren before stepping inside. We left as soon as Maxson got in.
I looked out the window and exhaled.
"Until next time," I whispered.
1 MONTH LATER
I stretched and checked the clock. 3 PM already? I must’ve napped too long. I got up and headed straight to the bathroom to shower. After my usual routine, I got dressed and fixed myself up.
Ran, one of the maids in the house, entered. She was the closest to me, so I made her my personal assistant.
"Miss Nyssa, do you need help?" she asked.
I smiled.
"Perfect timing. I’m fixing my hair, and I can’t reach the back of my dress. Thanks."
She happily helped me, styling my hair and adjusting my dress. She tied the back in a crisscross pattern and grinned.
"All done! Do you want red lipstick?"
I laughed and shook my head. Ever since I returned from Hiyosko, my preferences have changed a bit.
"No, I’m good." I stood and walked out with her. She excused herself to the kitchen while I headed outside.
As I walked, I glanced at the stalls around me.
So many little things remind me of… her. Mira’s memories never faded.
What else?
When I touched that artifact and saw all of Mira’s memories… that’s when I learned the truth. At first, I questioned it. But… I researched and consulted a doctor I knew. There are cases like mine—though extremely rare.
Do you get it now?
Yes. Mira and I are different people. We came from different places, different lives. But spiritually… we’re one. That’s why I only gained her memories later—because nothing had triggered them before (in Saido). The doctor said the trigger was likely my surroundings in Hiyosko. Mira had so many memories there, so it was natural for my brain to react.
And besides, we are spiritually connected, right? Her spiritual energy remains in the Chen Clan’s territory through that artifact, which maintains the barrier around their land.
Spiritual energy isn’t just power—it carries our entire being. That’s why Mira’s memories reside within the artifact.
It’s a long explanation if I go into everything.
Mira’s emotions? Mmm… Of course, I feel them too. What I mean by spiritually connected is—Mira was reborn as me. So naturally, her memories and emotions toward certain people are now mine.
Confusing?
Maybe I’m just bad at explaining. But I think you get the point. All reborn individuals have different bodies and origins—only their spirits remember who they truly were.
"Miss!"
My eyes narrowed at the familiar voice. I turned and saw Maxson approaching.
"Yo!"
"Tsk. Maybe I should move somewhere far from you." I grumbled.
He smirked.
"Are you avoiding me because cru—"
I punched him before he could finish. He winced, rubbing his arm.
"A big NO. What do you want, you womanizing jerk?"
He straightened up and scratched his head.
"About the new restaurant. Our parents merged their businesses there. They want us to handle it. But there’s a problem with the paperwork—the land…" He hesitated. "The land belongs to the Chen Clan."
What?
Even now, we still have ties to that family? Ugh.
I rolled my eyes and sighed.
"So?"
"Huh?"
"What’s the problem if it’s theirs?" I crossed my arms.
"Well… They refused to sell. They said they’re building a house there, so it’s not available."
"Then buy a different lot."
"I already thought of that. But the other available lots are too far from the main district. Location—we have to consider that." He slung an arm around my shoulders.
Why do people keep doing that?
"I know. Tsk."
If the location isn’t good, the business won’t boom. The main district has more foot traffic.
Main district… Center…
Tsk! Now I remember—that’s also where Captain Chen’s squad is stationed.
Ughhh!
"So?"
"So?"
"What’s the plan?" Maxson asked, guiding me somewhere. I let him keep his arm around me as I thought.
After a minute, I sighed.
"Fine. But why Hiyosko? There are so many other cities to open a restaurant in."
He pulled away and shrugged.
"They decided. You know we can’t change that unless you have a good reason." He grinned.
"None. I’m fine with it. We’ll talk to their clan leader—whoever’s handling this issue now."
"Sounds good to me."
And so, we decided to leave for Hiyosko tomorrow. Our parents were rushing things, so we had to adjust our schedule. Now, I’m just thinking about how to face their clan leader—Zeid’s grandfather.
I don’t know…
Maybe Maxson can handle it. But I know he won’t agree since this is our problem. What if they pass the discussion to Zeid? His grandfather might be busy. But I don’t even know his schedule.
Ughhh!
Whatever!
I’ll deal with it later. I’ll do my best—I just hope we don’t mess this up.
ON THE ROAD TO HIYOSKO
We were already in the carriage, heading to Hiyosko. Saido City was far, so we’d pass through several villages. We thought of stopping by one first to unwind a little.
After a few minutes of reading, I looked up. The carriage had stopped, and Maxson was asleep. How can he sleep with all this shaking?
I shook my head in disbelief before peeking out to check our location.
"Uh, where are we?"
"We’re in Poz, ma’am. What’s the plan?" the coachman asked.
"Let’s stay at an inn. It’s risky if night falls while we’re still on the road."
I nudged Maxson awake. He blinked groggily.
"Mmm?"
"We’re in Poz."
We entered the village, and the coachman stopped in front of an inn. Maxson was still half-asleep, so I guided him inside while the coachman tied up the horses.
A woman around our age greeted us.
"Do you have rooms available?" I asked.
She smiled and nodded.
"How many do you need?"
"Two—"
I elbowed Maxson before he could finish.
"Three. For the three of us."
The process was quick—she logged our names in a book and handed us the keys, pointing upstairs to our rooms, which were side by side. We went up, carrying our small bags.
"I forgot to ask if meals were included. Ugh, I must just be tired. Whatever."
I lay down on the soft bed and dozed off within seconds.
I woke up when Maxson entered my room with a tray. They had already eaten since I was asleep, so he brought me food.
"How sweet," I teased.
He looked away and set the tray on the table.
"Just eat!"
"Ooh, someone’s grumpy~"
He suddenly turned serious, staring at me before pulling me into a tight hug.
W-What’s his problem?!
"H-Hey, Maxson… What’s wrong? Girl trouble?"
He didn’t answer. I let him be—maybe he was dealing with something.
After a few minutes, he left without a word.
"Weird."
I ate, freshened up, changed into pajamas, and read until I fell asleep around 10 PM.
I woke up early—5 AM—and got ready. When I stepped out, Maxson was just leaving his room too, his hair messy and eyes tired. He noticed me and smiled.
"You’re up early."
"Same to you." I blinked when I saw his dark circles. Did he even sleep?
I walked up and cupped his face, examining his exhaustion. He seemed surprised but didn’t pull away.
"You okay? You look like you haven’t slept properly, and yesterday, you seemed exhausted."
"I’m fine—"
"Fine. But if you collapse from fatigue, don’t blame me."
He smiled and ruffled my hair.
"Thanks for worrying."
His smile was so genuine that I had to look away.
"O-Of course! I’m your… f-friend." I stepped past him, flustered.
He muttered something I didn’t catch, and I ignored it. I went downstairs, left my bag in the carriage, and returned to the inn just as the woman at the desk came out of the kitchen.
"Would you like a drink? Coffee, tea, or water?"
"Just water, thanks." I sat by the window.
I gazed outside, lost in thought.
He’s bothered by something. What could it be?
Sigh… Maxson.