Chapter 97: Aglaea: I became a substitute???
Aglaea helped you back to her home. You leaned on her, stumbling, looking quite drunk.
"Watch your step," she gently reminded you, her arm steady around your waist.
After being settled on the bed in the room she always kept for you, you half-closed your eyes and reached out, grabbing the hem of her clothes as she was about to leave.
"Don't go..." Your voice was slurred with intoxication.
Aglaea paused. "I'll go get you a glass of water."
"Fei'er..." You murmured, pulling her forcefully towards you. Aglaea was caught off guard and tumbled onto the edge of the bed.
"Fei'er, you're finally back..." You opened your hazy, drunken eyes, your golden pupils filled with longing. "I've been looking for you for so long... so long..."
Aglaea's body stiffened. Clearly, you had mistaken her for Cipher.
"Orion, I'm..."
"Don't leave me again," you interrupted her, your trembling hand caressing her cheek. "Please..." "These past years, every day has been like hell..." You choked. "Without you, I'm going crazy..." "I love you... Cifera."
Aglaea looked at your affectionate expression, and her heart trembled violently. Such eyes, such a confession... even knowing it wasn't directed at her, she still felt a dizzying sensation.
"Sleep," she said softly, trying to get up. But you suddenly sat up, cupping her face with both hands.
"Fei'er..."
The next second, you leaned in and kissed her cheek. It was a burning kiss, as if it would melt her face. Aglaea's eyes widened. She should have pushed you away, should have told you that you had the wrong person. But for some reason, she didn't move. Perhaps she was shaken by your deep affection, or perhaps she felt pity for you. Or perhaps... it was something else.
After a long moment, you finally released her, resting your forehead against hers. "Don't go... stay with me..." Your voice was like that of a helpless child.
Aglaea's heart softened. "Okay, I won't go," she responded softly.
Only then did you lie down with a sense of security, but you still held her hand tightly. She sat by the bed, watching you slowly fall asleep. Watching you, even in your sleep, with a furrowed brow. Watching you constantly murmur "Fei'er."
Aglaea felt a strange emotion for the first time: jealousy. She was jealous of Cipher. Jealous that she could be loved so deeply by you. Jealous that even after being gone for so long, she still occupied your entire being.
"What a fool..." she sighed softly. She didn't know if she was talking about you or herself.
The next morning, when you woke up, you saw Aglaea sitting in a chair by the bed. She seemed to have been awake all night, quietly watching you.
"Aglaea?" You were startled. "Last night, I..."
"You were drunk," she averted her gaze, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I... took care of you all night."
"I'm sorry!" You sat up flustered. "I caused you trouble, I..."
"It's fine," Aglaea stood up, still not daring to look you in the eye. "You were drunk, and you mistook me for... Anyway, it's nothing." Her tone was a little flustered, completely lacking her usual composure.
"Thank you for taking care of me," you said sincerely.
"No need to thank me." She hurried towards the door. "You should rest well, I'll have the tailor send breakfast over later." With that, she practically fled the room.
You sat on the bed, looking at the closed door, your expression darkening. For the next few days, Aglaea always avoided you. Every time she encountered you in the hallway, she would blush and lower her head, finding an excuse to leave quickly. During meals, she would always eat a few bites hastily and leave, completely unlike how she usually chatted with you. Even during work, she became absent-minded, often spacing out.
"Lady Aglaea, this document..."
"Ah? Oh, just put it there." She quickly snapped back to attention. She found that she couldn't face you normally anymore. That kiss... that mistaken kiss, kept replaying in her mind. Even though she knew you had mistaken her for Cipher, that intensity and deep affection still made her heart race.
"What's wrong?" she asked herself in the dead of night. Why was she so flustered over just a kiss, and only on the cheek at that? Why, even knowing it wasn't meant for her, did she still feel...
She realized that she might be falling into some kind of emotion.
Finally, after avoiding you for a week, she gathered her courage and came to your door.
"Orion, we need to talk." She stood at your room's entrance, looking directly at you.
You looked at her in surprise. "Aglaea? What's wrong?"
"I..." She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "It's about the Journey of Chasing the Flame." "You can't keep being so down." She looked at you seriously. "Cifera is gone, but you still have to live."
You lowered your head, your voice bitter. "I know, but..."
"Join the Journey of Chasing the Flame," Aglaea suddenly said.
"What?"
"Join us again," she stepped forward, looking at your face earnestly. "Not for anyone else, but for yourself. When you have something to do, you won't keep dwelling on the past."
You were silent for a long time, seemingly deep in thought, then slowly nodded. "Okay, I'll join."
Upon hearing this, Aglaea smiled. "Then starting tomorrow, you'll work with me on the affairs of the Journey of Chasing the Flame."
"Mm."
The next day, you appeared punctually in her study.
"Today's task is to organize the list of Chrysos Heirs from various regions." She handed you a stack of documents.
You diligently flipped through them, occasionally asking questions. While working, you would inadvertently lean very close to her. You would accidentally brush her hand when handing over documents. Each contact was brief, so brief that she couldn't be sure if it was intentional. But these subtle touches made her heart involuntarily quicken.
"I know this person, he's a Rogue from Dolos." You pointed to a name on the list. "His ability is very special; it would be great if we could convince him to join."
"Would you be willing to go there?" Aglaea asked.
"Of course." You agreed without hesitation. "For the Journey of Chasing the Flame, and also for..." You paused, looking at her. "To repay you for taking care of me."
Aglaea's face flushed slightly. "No need to talk about repayment, we're friends."
"Friends..." You repeated the word, a hint of loneliness flashing in your eyes. This expression made Aglaea's heart tighten. She suddenly realized that she might not want to be just friends with you either.