The spy nodded meekly at Cecil.

She fit all the criteria to become an item in the auction house.

"..." Cecil shrugged. "That's simple then, I can volunteer to be the slave in disguise--"

"No!" Hana exclaimed, standing up from her seat. "Definitely not, you big dummy!"

Cecil flinched in shock.

"Are you crazy?!" Xue burst out.

"Don't be ridiculous! You just woke up!"

"Kiyae's right. You just recovered not too long ago."

"That's right, how can we send you in! Even Yun Yun agrees!"

"Cecil Lan, do you always enjoy putting yourself in the frontline? The first time I saw you, you were already flying through the sky..."

"I agree with the Owner, Miss Lan! You are being too reckless!"

She heard voices shouting from her left and right, her eardrums almost bursting apart from their exclaims.

Cecil felt her head growing dizzy from their vehement responses.

Even the quiet K'xug approached her, placing his hand on her shoulder. He shook his head in disapproval, a deep crease on his forehead.

Definitely not, Cecil.

You need to take it easy now.

The raven-haired woman was bewildered.

I don't think anyone would believe me if I said I am fine now.

In fact, I feel way better compared to before.

I wonder why.

Ever since she woke up, Cecil felt invigorated. It was as if she was bursting with energy, her mind and body was extremely light.

"Eek!"

"Don't kill us!"

Cecil snapped her head towards the spies.

Xue loomed over them, his grey eyes filled with murderous intent. The spies were trembling in fear, unable to maintain eye contact with his grey eyes.

"Take back. What you just. Said."

"Wh-what?"

The spies hugged one another in fear.

"Take it back, or I'll break all of your limbs." Xue growled out, reaching out and grabbing one of them by the collar of his shirt.

"Spare us!"

"Mercy!"

K'xug watched Xue scaring the spies.

No...

Even if they take it back, the person herself already heard it...

K'xug sighed.

"Spare you? Mercy?" Xue muttered out darkly. "Because of your nosy mouth, do you have any idea how hard it is to stop her once she sets her mind on things? If she ends up being hurt again, because of your foolish words..."

Xue smiled eerily at them.

"What do you think I'll do?"

The spies started to recall their first meeting with Xue.

***

It was back in the alleyway.

Blood was splattered all across the pavement, along with his good-looking face. Standing in front of the remaining spies, who were still conscious, they were trembling in fright.

The man single-handedly took them all down, his actions were brutal and swift.

They had never seen someone so powerful.

"I-I can't take this anymore!"

One of theirs stood up and dashed down the alleyway, heading for the other exit.

Xue, or the person taking control of him, Zasiok, disappeared from his spot. He appeared in front of the spy, blocking his way.

His grey eyes held a sinister look.

It was as if he was daring the spy to take one more step, and he would be able to see the consequence of his actions.

"Sp-spare me! I didn't do anything!"

"Spare you? You want mercy? After playing a part in hurting what's mine, you dare..."

The spy gathered up his remaining courage, trying to sneak an attack.

Alas, it ended very badly.

"The red-hair is right, beating you up is too easy. Killing you slowly, that would suffice."

"Xue, you can't kill them!"

He halted, his grey eyes had a cruel glint in them.

"No killing? That's right, she doesn't like us killing people without reason. Breaking your limbs, you'll survive, won't you?"

"N-no, spare me! Spare--ahhh!"

The cries of pain echoed throughout the alleyway. The remaining spies were too afraid to even stand up, collapsing onto the ground and shrivelling up. Some of them shut their ears, wanting nothing more than to stop the harrowing screams from haunting their mind.

***

The spy whose collar was grabbed, fainted after recalling that terrifying memory. Xue clicked his tongue, tossing him aside.

Seeing his partner faint, he cursed on the inside.

That bastard!

He found the easy way out!

At that moment, someone loomed over him, their voice menacing.

He flinched back in shock.

"You, take back what your friend said."

"..."

"..."

"..."

The others were speechless watching Xue reacting this way, a nervous drop of sweat rolling down their faces.

There was no point in taking back those words.

Cecil herself heard it as clear as day.

The other spy looked towards the crowd. None of them seemed eager to approach Xue, all of them stepping back from the handsome ash blonde-haired man.

They shook their heads at the spy, all of them looking towards a certain woman.

It was as if they were saying...

"Don't look at me for help, look for her."

Cecil finally took a step forward, putting an end to Xue's torment over the spies.

"Xue, it's fine," she placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice soft. "They cannot take back the words they said, can they?"

"It's not fine, and I don't care."

"Xue..."

"Now that you heard it, your mind is going to be stuck on it," Xue muttered out, a shadow covering his eyes. "No matter what I say, you are going to do it."

"..."

Cecil hesitated, but she saw no point in lying.

"You are right, I want to do it."

It was the simplest method. The faster they completed this, the better.

If she had to suffer a little, just for this, Cecil didn't mind it in the slightest.

Xue finally released the man, frowning as he turned around. "You are even admitting it so quickly."

"Since there is a fast solution, I don't see a need to delay it--"

"No, I won't let you do it, never." Xue narrowed his eyes. "You'll get yourself hurt again."

"This time, I won't. I promised you I would get hurt less, didn't I?"

"You promised, but I know you'll get hurt again. It won't matter."

Cecil was hurt by his words. It was as if he was indirectly saying that...he did not believe in her abilities to protect herself.

It felt like he was underestimating her.

"Do you not trust me? I will do what I promised."

"Not this time, Cecil," Xue disapproved, holding her arm and pulling her close. "If you insist, I'll tie you up and lock you in a room if I have to."

Cecil widened her eyes in disbelief. "What? How can you--"

Is the fear of me getting hurt clouding his mind right now?

How can he say something so preposterous?!

"Believe me, I will do it."

Xue started to walk away, a sign that he wasn't interested in continuing the conversation any longer.

This was the first time Cecil felt really unhappy by his actions, and anger started to boil within her.

She grabbed onto Xue's arm, a hint of anger in her clear, onyx eyes.

"Don't walk away! I'm not done talking yet!"

"No matter what you say, I won't let you."

"You told me to do what I want to do, Xue! I want to do this, and I want you to trust me!"

"I trust you, Cecil. I do, but--"

"You simply don't trust in my ability to protect myself! Why?!"

"It-it's not that!"

The couple started arguing, apparently blind to their surroundings at the moment.

Everyone else in the room began to gesture to one another, sneaking their way out. Even the spy dragged himself out of the room, along with his partner. No one had any intention of joining in the argument or playing a peacemaker between the couple.

After all, it was none of their business.

"Then what else do you mean by your words? Why won't you let me do this?"

"I--"

"You don't trust me at all!"

"I said I do trust you! Half of the reason why I am doing any of this is because of you, Cecil! I only want to protect you!"

"Locking me up in a room is protecting me?! Are you expecting me to become a bird in the cage?"

"Definitely not! That's not what I want for you!"

"You said you would tie me and lock me up in a room if you have to! What else do you mean by that? If that's how you want to act every time I have a chance of getting hurt, I'll be exactly like a bird in a cage!"

Xue sighed in frustration, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean those words. I just said it without thinking, alright?"

Cecil was breathing heavily, the anger still in her system. She had never glared at Xue, but today, she found herself glaring at him.

"Why can't you trust me? Just this one time?"

"..." Xue glanced away. "It's really not that..."

"If it's not like that, how should I interpret your words?"

"..."

Cecil finally understood the meaning of wanting to pull one's hair out, due to overwhelming frustration.

She could not understand him.

Why is it so hard to trust her?

Then again...she had gotten herself hurt too many times.

Cecil inhaled deeply, trying to quell her intense emotions.

"I won't let myself get hurt anymore, by something like this."

Xue frowned, remaining silent.

He knew if he opened his mouth to respond, his answer would be the same. Their conversation would go nowhere, and they'll continue a never-ending argument.

She placed her hand on his arm. "Xue..."

Xue still remained silent, but he did not avoid her touch.

"Trust me this once, hmm?"

"..."

"Why won't you trust me?"

"..."

"Xue, just say something. Say yes?"

"..."

Cecil sighed.

The man was persistent in not opening his mouth to answer.

After all, Xue knew whatever answer was on his lips would make her even more unhappy. He was conflicted between leaving the room abruptly or staying here until their conversation ended.

"Are you really not going to say anything?"

Xue turned to look at her, opening his mouth. In the end, he decided against speaking and closed his mouth, shaking his head.

Cecil bit her lips in frustration and she crossed her arms, the words slipping out of her mouth without thinking.

"If you doubt me that much, why not just dress up as a black-haired lady and go in as a slave then?"

Xue blinked, looking at her and he nodded firmly.

"I will, if that's what it takes to stop you."

Cecil hung her jaw open in disbelief. "You--"

Bam!

There was a loud thud on the door.

That's when the two of them realised they were alone in the room.

Unlike the wooden sliding doors, the door needed to be pushed open. Just as the door opened, the two of them spotted everyone else huddled outside together.

Haru was clutching his head in pain, but he seemed to be laughing at the same time.

Meanwhile, K'xug's entire body was shaking with mirth.

"Hahaha!" Kiyae pointed at Xue in disbelief, guffawing. "Did I just hear correctly? This completely not cute man, wants to crossdress up as a pretty and cute lady?!"

She clutched at her tummy, rubbing the tears away from her eyes.

Yun imagined Xue in such a manner, and he squeezed his eyes close. He shook his head vehemently, adjusting his glasses and he cleared his throat.

"...impossible," Yun mumbled the next few words. "It's an absolute nightmare."

Rugi hummed to himself, nodding in approval. "What's so hard about that? I have done it once before."

Everyone recoiled back at Rugi's words.

Rugi smiled charmingly at them.

"Yes, Owner did that once," Masaru added. "It was very well-received."

On the other hand, Hana was the one who opened the door, she stared worriedly between Cecil and Xue. It seems like she was the only one who wasn't affected by Xue's words.

She was worried more about their current relationship.

"Cecil, Xue..." she fiddled with her thumbs, looking at them in concern. "Don't fight anymore, I...I don't like to see you guys fighting."

She was reminded of her time back at the academy, where Xue and Cecil gave each other the cold shoulder. Hana was caught in the middle, it felt suffocating and awkward for her.

"We are not fighting."

"We aren't fighting."

They both answered at the same time.

Their answers made the laughter die down.

Everyone begged to differ on the inside.

No matter how one looked at it, they were fighting.

"Bu-but earlier, we could hear the two of you shouting at one another." Hana responded nervously.

"That was because..." Cecil trailed off awkwardly, looking up at the man beside her. "Xue, it's not only for the rest, but I want to finish this quickly for you. I don't want to hold you back, you still need to--"

"It doesn't mean in that process, you should be the one getting hurt!" Xue barked out.

"I told you to trust me," Cecil sighed. "I said I promised you."

"You'll end up getting hurt again, I know it."

"Xue, I--" Cecil spoke, the hurt evident in her voice. "See, you...you clearly don't trust me!"

The crowd outside the door became dreadful again.

Here they go again.

They will argue yet again.

"No, Cecil, I am not--"

"But you are!"

"..."

Cecil felt her emotions flaring up once again, clenching her fists.

"Fine, since you clearly don't trust me," Cecil muttered out, a shadow hanging over her eyes. "I'll just have to show it to you."

She marched towards the spies, pointing at them.

The group naturally made way for her.

After all, the atmosphere around Cecil made them more apprehensive, compared to Xue's usual gloomy and murderous mien.

"You two, follow me and tell me what is required of me to blend in," she spoke, her voice lukewarm. "Right now."

"Cecil, you just recovered, you can't possibly..."

"We can think of another solution."

"There's no need to be so reckless, Cecil..."

She walked away, not wanting to hear their excuses.

Xue hurried forward, grabbing her wrist.

"Cecil, wait, it's really not--"

The raven-haired woman glanced back, and Xue could see the hurt swirling in her pellucid onyx eyes as they were brimming with tears of frustration.

Xue widened his eyes in disbelief as he faltered, loosening the grip on her wrist.

She tugged it back, her lips trembling as she inhaled deeply.

"Just watch me."

She continued striding onwards, not looking back.

"Cecil!" Hana called out.

Haru scratched his neck awkwardly.

"The two of you, go," Yun gestured for the spies to follow after Cecil. "I'll come along."

"Since this mission is under my command, I'll come along as well," Rugi stepped in beside Yun, smiling. "We should hurry along before...she does something truly reckless."

Xue wanted to follow after them, however, K'xug held him back by the shoulder.

K'xug shook his head, raising his eyebrows at Xue.

Xue exhaled heavily, crouching down. "It's not that I don't trust her, and neither did I mean any of the words I spoke earlier."

A second later, he ruffled his hair angrily.

"DAMNIT!"

Haru and Kiyae flinched back.

"You know, I don't know what's really going on but..." Ryo suddenly interrupted, yawning. "You crazy strong guy, you need to cool your head."

"Ryo?!"

"When did you even wake up..."

K'xug smiled in resignment, shaking his head.

"Xue..." Hana squatted down beside Xue, pouting. "If you don't mean those words earlier, what do you truly mean?"

"Ugh..." Xue groaned out in annoyance, his expression sullen. "I never wanted to hurt her, I just..."

"Hehe, I know," Hana smiled, tilting her head. "You already know the answer, right? Next time, you need to talk to Cecil nicely and tell her why!"

"Nicely..."

"That's right! That's why I borrowed you all my favourite books to read!" Hana huffed. "And you need to apologise to Cecil too!"

Xue could remember the hurt in her eyes as she glared at him.

"...will she even accept my apology?"

"She will!"

K'xug patted Xue on the shoulder.

A gloomy air surrounded Xue.

"Well, a lovers' quarrel is none of our business, so we'll be taking our leave first." Haru shrugged, dragging Ryo along. "You come along too."

"Captain, lemme sleeeeeep..."

"I want to cook! It's almost time for lunch now!" Hana chirped.

"I'll show you to the kitchen," Kiyae winked. "I know this place very well."

K'xug narrowed his eyes at her, wanting to follow Kiyae and Hana.

"Mr. K'xug, I apologise, but I was informed you were good at scouting out areas and I need your expertise in this certain matter..." Masaru blocked his way, starting to explain the situation as he nudged K'xug away.

Hana waved cheerily at K'xug.

K'xug only watched Hana leave with Kiyae, a reluctant look in his eyes.

Kiyae blew a teasing kiss towards K'xug, knowing exactly what was in his mind.

However, Hana seemed to take that the wrong way. She tiptoed, covering Kiyae's mouth and laughing nervously, urging her to hurry.

The entire time, Xue was crouched down on the ground and he kept sighing.

The soul fragments were hurling insults at Xue on the inside, making his mood plummet even more.

"Shut up, I know already," Xue muttered to himself. "You don't have to tell me twice."

***

The corridor was empty, since this was a private floor meant to receive important guests. Cecil's quick footsteps were muffled against the carpeted floor.

She rubbed at her eyes furiously, feeling extremely embarrassed. Due to the frustration and the hurt, the overwhelming emotions within her made her cry without warning.

It wasn't like she wanted to cry.

She couldn't control her tears.

Moreover, this was her first time bursting out like that, especially towards Xue.

Even she was shocked at herself.

She turned abruptly, reaching for the doorknob and wanting to hide inside a room. She entered the room, and continued rubbing her eyes, not closing the door behind her.

She did not notice someone standing behind her.

"If you rub it like that, it'll hurt."

Cecil paused, turning around.

She noticed the extended hand offering her a handkerchief.

"Use this instead," the familiar voice said, their voice somewhat teasing. "Or do you want me to help you dry your tears instead?"

Cecil lifted her head up.

It was Rugi.

***

《 start 》

That's not what I meant.

That's not what I meant either.

I never meant any of it!

I'm just...I'm just frustrated at my incompetence.

I promised to take care of you.

...but I failed.

Just like how I failed my mother and my father.

《 stop 》