And while Sunday was busy dealing with the chaos.
Sol had already followed the trail of aura to Sparkle's room and pushed the door open.
It had to be said—the security measures at The Reverie clearly needed improvement. Whether it was Stelle before or Sparkle now, both had been placed under considerable threat.
Sol stepped into the room and saw a delicate, lovely lady lying in the dream pool. Her refined little face was scrunched together, faintly excited, as if she were in the middle of an intense nightmare.
"Tsk tsk tsk, still not behaving?"
Just from her expression, Sol could tell that the Sparkle who had been all tenderness in the dream still had schemes brewing.
Already caught and about to face layer upon layer of torment—what was there to be excited about?
If there were no guilt in her heart, how could she possibly feel excited?
She was definitely still thinking about running.
Sol reached out and pinched Sparkle's exquisite cheek. It felt soft, springy, and smooth. "Let's see where you think you can run to when your body is right here with me."
He smiled faintly and bent down, lifting Sparkle out of the dream pool.
Then he walked out of the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
He held the girl in his arms; her head pressed tightly against his chest. It looked exactly like a girl snuggling into her lover's embrace.
And with all the guests of The Reverie focused on the incident at The Golden Hour, no one paid attention to what seemed like a flirting young couple.
Just like that, Sol carried Sparkle's body all the way back to his own room.
Only now could he formally announce it.
Sparkle Musubi, now ready-to-eat!
Sol closed the door, held Sparkle in his arms, and once more submerged his consciousness into the dream.
...
The Golden Hour.
Large swathes of once-bustling skyscrapers had vanished. Their materials were memetic matter.
Thus, once destroyed, they dissipated directly into the dreamscape, leaving behind only fragments of their foundations.
At the center of a barren, stripped street.
Silver Wolf wore a strange expression as she stared at a corner of pale, delicate shoulder—and the hand resting on it.
It was Sparkle's shoulder and Sol's hand. Ever since Sol had said he needed to handle something, that pose had been maintained for a full ten minutes.
Sure, this Masked Fool's shoulder was soft and smooth—but did he really need to admire it for that long?
"Sol, my shoulder really hurts!"
Sparkle's eyes were misty as she whined coquettishly. "Hurry up and release the barrier already. Let's go somewhere else and play—however you want!"
She even tossed him a small flirtatious wink, making her intentions obvious.
She didn't know what Sol was waiting for during those ten minutes, but her instincts told her that the longer it dragged on, the worse things would be for her.
She had to strike hard and fast to seize victory!
"No problem. I'll satisfy you right away."
Sol smiled slightly and pinched Sparkle's cheek.
Just like in reality—soft, tender, and springy.
The theory held. All that remained was practice.
"Oh yeah!"
Sparkle jumped up on the spot, saying excitedly, "I get to go play somewhere else with Sol!"
Hmph, once Sol dropped the barrier, she'd see whether she ran or not.
As soon as she returned to reality, she'd immediately board a ship and leave Penacony.
Just imagining Sol putting in so much effort only for the cooked duck to fly away at the very last moment made her want to heeheehee laugh maniacally.
By then, not only would Sol be furious—he'd definitely vent it all on Silver Wolf until she cried and made a scene.
One escape, two major gains. She'd be the greatest escape general ever!
All the grievance she'd suffered now would flip completely in that moment. From punching bag, she would evolve into the god of fun!
"Sol, be careful. Masked Fools are all very sly."
Silver Wolf crossed her arms and scrutinized Sparkle. "She's all humble now after being arrogant earlier—she's definitely up to something."
She was more than happy to watch Sparkle make a fool of herself. After all, this brat had just mocked her earlier.
Besides, if Sparkle really ran away, who was Sol going to vent all that pent-up anger on?
No need to think about it—obviously her, the poor little soul who always kept her promises.
"Sol, believe me!"
Sparkle looked at him, her gaze so resolute it was like it could purge all evil from the world.
"Silver Wolf, I trust Sparkle. She won't run."
Sol tightened his hold on Sparkle's body in reality and smiled as he spoke to the Sparkle within the dream.
By that I mean: She won't run = she can't run. (≖⩊≖)
"Alright, suit yourself."
Silver Wolf shrugged and added in advance, "But if she runs later, don't take it out on me."
"Don't worry. I'm not that kind of person."
Sol smiled faintly and replied calmly.
"Mhm mhm mhm! A bet's a bet—I'm not someone who can't take a loss!"
Sparkle patted her chest and declared boldly.
As everyone knew, she never kept her word!
"I believe you."
Sol gave Sparkle an encouraging look.
Then the entirety of The Golden Hour shuddered as the triple barriers of mind, space, and energy were withdrawn.
Woohoo!
Sparkle suddenly leapt into the air, executed a flawless three-hundred-and-sixty-degree spin, landed—and her entire body vanished from the dreamscape.
A Sparkle doll fell to the ground and immediately began broadcasting loudly, "You are an idiot! You are an idiot!"
"The cooked duck flew away—you wanna eat it but you can't!"
"Lady Sparkle is the most beautiful, beautiful beautiful most beautiful! Lady Sparkle is the most invincible, invincible invincible most invincible!"
"La↗ la↘ la↗ la↗ la↘ la!"
The mocking song echoed through the dream, brazen and unrestrained.
"Sol?"
Silver Wolf cautiously glanced at the man beside her, only to see him wearing a bright, pleased smile.
Wait—had he snapped from anger?
"I'm fine."
Sol said gently.
"Oh."
Silver Wolf nodded seriously.
She'd just assume everything was fine—no need to invite trouble.
Sol lifted his gaze toward a nearby rooftop, nodded slightly toward Firefly and Black Swan, then directly withdrew from the dream.
O Little Sparkle—my offensive is only going to get fiercer.
===BREAK===
Like the story and want more chapters?
Join and support me by joining my Patreon!
[email protected]/SiRoasa