Long after, Gongsun Ce still remembered that afternoon, remembered the conversation at the dinner table. The observation skills he had learned had never been forgotten, already etched into his heart, but he could not recall who they had all guessed or what exactly was said. He only remembered the warm sunlight that afternoon, the soothing music playing in the restaurant, and the gleam in Alandia's grey eyes. Her lips parted, uttering words that impressed him, without any special gestures, yet she looked so beautiful.
Her smile lingered at the corners of her mouth, faint as if it were an illusion.
It seemed as if the distance between them had genuinely narrowed. But at the moment, he only felt sincere happiness in their conversation, having long since forgotten his original purpose.
At the headquarters of the Knight Order, in the Heart Phase Weapon workshop.
