It was endless darkness.

The gloomy and thick mist covered the whole world, and the dark and heavy clouds rolled in the sky, and waves of low thunder sounded, echoed, and then disappeared. What enveloped here was still a silence like death. There was no birth, no death, no hope, and no despair.

Some are just absolute nothingness.

The fog gradually dissipated, the thunder became louder and louder, and the flash penetrated the clouds and hit the ground.

It was dazzling white. The white ground was shining with lightning, which made people unable to even open their eyes. As the mist dissipated, the snow-white spread out like a carpet and extended to the high platform in the distance. But it was not a carpet. If you look closely, you will find that it was a mountain-like bone.

“!!”

Christie opened her eyes suddenly and jumped up like a frightened little rabbit.

It was afternoon at this time, and the warm sunshine poured in from the window, bringing people a lazy warmth. The clean and comfortable room was very quiet. When the window was opened, the noise and music that were closed in the distance sneaked in, bringing a bit of peace to the place.

"call……………"

The girl stood in front of the window, reached out to hold her chest, and breathed a long sigh.

It's this dream again.

Since the girl was born, this dream has been around her, reminding her of her existence anytime and anywhere. Christie can't remember the scene in the dream very clearly, but only then was still in her heart. It was a melancholy, almost suffocating coldness, sadness, and indifference with unparalleled despair. The girl did not understand what this dream meant, and she had once longed to find out the answer. But every time the girl tried to further explore the dream itself, a powerful force forced her out of it, causing the girl to suffer.

Even Rhodes could not explain this dream for himself, and the smart and knowledgeable sister Marlene had no idea. However, Sister Qilian would occasionally look at her with a very strange look, as if she was a rare and rare animal. However, Christie unexpectedly did not feel disgusted. On the contrary, she felt a little familiarity and intimacy from Qilian - but Christie herself didn't know why.

"Dongdongdongdongdong."

At this moment, the knock on the door sounded, and the girl was startled. She turned around and walked to the door of the room and opened the door. The face of Marlene appeared in front of Christy.

"Wuan, Christie, didn't disturb you, right?"

“………No……Marlene…I just woke up……”

Christie shook her head and looked at the girl in front of her curiously. In her impression, Marlene is not the kind of person who likes to run around without any trouble. Unlike Sister Anne, who always likes to come to her room for any trouble, sometimes she wants to chat with herself. Sometimes she just wants to share some delicious and unique food with herself, and even once wanted to drink a frothy drink for herself. Of course, this was firmly stopped by Sister Lijie, who always follows her side at all times.

Christie is no longer as afraid of life and avoiding as before. The fear of losing seems to be weakened by the meticulous care of everyone. Now the girl has begun to try to open her heart and accept the kindness of others. However, the rewards she gets are not necessarily as beautiful as she wishes. Just like yesterday afternoon, watching Anne's palm pierced by a dagger in the arena, Christie even felt that her heart stopped beating because of this. She never thought that it would be so difficult and painful for a person. The girl even doubted whether her choice was correct. The more she opened her heart and accepted the existence of others, does it mean that she would have more such worries and anxiety in the future?

The girl doesn't know.

“………Is there anything wrong………?”

"Mr. Rhodes is not here with you?"

“…………………………………………………”

For some reason, Christy felt that when Marlene heard her answer, she seemed to have a hint of relaxation. She tilted her head in confusion, but before the girl could figure out what was going on, Marlene had already spoken-her face was slightly red and she looked a little uneasy.

"That's right, Christie...I have something I want to ask you...I hope you can give me a picture."

"…………A painting?"

Hearing this, Christie's eyes lit up, and a smile soon appeared on her face.

"…………If Marin wants it, there is no problem at all? Which one do you want, I'll give it to you..."

Facing Christie's inquiry, Marlene's face was a little embarrassed. She looked around for a while, then leaned down and leaned into Christie's ear and whispered a few words. After hearing Marlene's words, Christie nodded suddenly with enlightenment. Then she trotted to the desk, pulled out a painting from the painting folder, and handed it to Marlene. Seeing this painting, Marlene showed a relaxed smile. She solemnly took the painting from Christie's hand, folded it up, and put it in her arms.

"Thank you... Christie."

“………you’re welcome……Marlene.”

Facing Marlene's thanks, Christie shook her head gently.

“………………This is the only thing I can do……………………………………………………….”

"Of course I like it very much, so………………”

Marlene didn't finish her words, because at this moment, Lijie's voice suddenly rang.

"Ah, Marlene, you're here."

Hearing Lijie's voice, Marin closed her mouth. She turned around and looked at Lijie in surprise. At the same time, her hands were somewhat unnaturally behind her.

"Lijie, is there anything you need to ask me for?"

“That’s how it is.”

Lijie didn't notice Marine's slightly weird movements. She trotted all the way to Marine, then took a deep breath several times before continuing.

"A guest came to see you and said he wanted to negotiate with you if he had something."

"Guest? Look for me?"

Hearing Lijie's answer, Marlin frowned slightly.

"Who is it?"

"She claims to be the eldest daughter of the Nancy family, Ailanson, and says she is your friend..."

Speaking of this, Lijie's expression was a bit strange. No wonder, after all, although she and Marlene are childhood sweethearts with very close relationships, they have not seen each other for a long time. It is understandable that Marlene had any new friends during this period. But Lijie still felt a little strange--because Marlene had never mentioned such a person in front of her. If she was really Marlene's good friend, she would not have said nothing with Lijie's understanding of Marlene, right?

Moreover, the attitude of that Miss Iranson...

"I understand, I'll go and have a look."

Marlene keenly noticed Lijie's strange and embarrassed mood, so she didn't say much, but quickly turned around and walked towards the reception room. Lijie and Christie stood there. After staring at her back for a while, she hurriedly followed.

Walking into the reception room, Marlene soon saw the girl who looked slightly smaller than herself sitting on the sofa. She was wearing a dress of a noble girl. She clenched her fists on her knees, waiting anxiously. Seeing Marlene's arrival, the girl's originally panicked face showed a reassured expression. She showed a passionate smile, stood up, and trotted to Marlene.

"Sister, I finally saw you!"

"Ilanson?"

Looking at the girl standing in front of her, Marlin frowned slightly, and a look of displeasure flashed between her eyebrows.

"What are you doing here? I remember that I had already said it clearly through the Magical servant. I am very busy now. Can't I wait until the Midsummer Festival is over?"

"But.........I miss my sister very much."

A girl named Ailanson bit her lower lip and a expression appeared on her face as if she had been abandoned by her master.

"My sister has been leaving Golden City for a long time. I have always missed her. Now that I heard that my sister is finally back, I certainly hope to meet with her as soon as possible... By the way, My sister, you should have nothing to do this afternoon, so why not let's have a cup of tea together? The blessing of the midsummer festival has many precious commodities recently. By the way, my sister's favorite black leaf tea......"

Facing Elanson who was talking endlessly because of excitement, Marlene pressed her forehead with some headache. She wanted to refuse, but it was difficult for her to speak.

Iranson Nancy is Marlene's friend in the academy.

It is not accurate to say that he is a friend. The Nancy family and the Shania family are family friends. Since childhood, Alanson has admired Marlene as his sister, but Marlene is not as close to Alanson as Lijie. Perhaps because of the latter's humble attitude and admiration, it is difficult for Marlene to regard her as a friend of the same age. After entering the academy, because of Marlene's arrogant personality, few people dare to interact with her. Only Alanson has a family relationship and admired her, so the relationship between the two is quite close. Although it is not as good as Lijie's words, Marlene also takes care of her as a sister.

But sometimes, Elanson's performance made Marlene feel helpless—as it is now.

She wanted to refuse the invitation from the party. After all, it was not a good time to have tea and chat, but it was difficult to speak to the words. In any case, Alanson had a good relationship with her. Moreover, as the eldest daughter of the Nancy family, Marlin had to consider that the relationship between her family and the other family also needed to be maintained. After all, she was also the heir of the Shania family and could not act according to her preferences.

This is how aristocrats interact.

Thinking of this, Marin sighed. During these days of the mercenary group, she felt very happy and relaxed. Because here she did not need to worry about her identity, nor did she need to worry about the other party's identity, and could freely express her likes and dislikes. But now, when she returned to the Golden City, although the prosperity here is far greater than that of the remote Stone City, Marin felt that she lacked the unrestrained freedom in the past.

There are gains and losses.

If Alanson comes to invite her in person, she will never give her face. And as Alanson said, there is actually nothing special that needs to be handled by herself. Anne has eaten all day long and slept. She was so serious yesterday that she had to sleep behind her. Moreover, the station is well guarded and she is not worried about being asked to be faulted. As for her own danger, Marlin did not make too much consideration. If there were people in the country bumpkin territory like Deep Rock City and dared not hear her name and dared to attack her, but in Golden City, there are basically no people who dare to do this. What's more, even if they really want to do this, is the strength of the Central Huan Mage?

After thinking about it, Marlin felt that the problem was not very big, so the girl hesitated for a moment after facing Elanson's invitation, and finally nodded.

"Well, if it's just tea... I can take some time."

"Really! That's great!"

Hearing Marin's answer, Elanson smiled happily. Her excited face turned red. Even a little water vapor appeared in her eyes. It was obvious that she really cared about the invitation. When she saw the girl's expression, Marin felt a little regretful. She might not pay much attention to the people around her.

Thinking of this, Marlene retracted her thoughts, then she turned her head and looked at Lijie and Christie.

"Then, Lijie, Christie, I'll go out and tell me Mr. Rod that I'll be back soon."

"Okay. No problem, Marlene."

Hearing Marin's words, Lijie nodded quickly and agreed. She didn't notice. At this moment, Elanson was secretly staring at her, but a look of fierceness and disgust quickly passed through her eyes. However, it was only a moment. After the two of them finished speaking, Elanson regained her previous passionate smile. She held Marin's hand intimately and took her out of the living room--for some reason, Lijie always felt that half of the other person's attitude seemed to be for her to see.

When she arrived at the door of the station, the luxurious carriage was already ready to continue. Marlene nodded to the two of them again, then turned around and walked onto the carriage. Faced with Marlene's greeting, Lijie and Christie hurriedly waved their hands, but Elanson seemed to not want them to do so. She looked at the two of them coldly, then came to the coachman, lowered her voice and said something, then turned around and walked onto the carriage and closed the door.

Soon, the carriage started and quickly left the station.

"That sister doesn't seem to like us very much."

It was not until this time that Christie put down her hand and said uneasyly. She has been bullied for so many years and is very sensitive to other people's psychological characteristics and personality reactions. Although Elanson covered it up very well, Christie still keenly noticed the deep hint of hostility and disdain for them by the other party. This made the girl feel a little unhappy. It was not because she was looked down upon by others, but because she felt that such a person was not worthy of being a good friend of Sister Marlene.

“…………………… Go back, Christie.”

But Lijie did not respond to Christie's words. She just watched the carriage disappear, and then shook her head. Unlike Christie, Lijie could understand Marine's mood. Although she had been wandering outside for so many years, after all, Her Royal Highness, the princess, who grew up in the palace, had never eaten pork or seen pigs running, so Lijie could Marine's decision. Although she was the same as Christie, she was more mature than the other party after all.

Thinking of this, Lijie held Christie's hand and turned around and left.

The luxurious carriage walked through the street and came to a relatively remote and quiet residential area. It looked very beautiful. The cobbled road surfaces and clear springs, as well as the neat green shades on both sides and the beautiful sculptures, looked refreshing.

"This is not your home, Iranson."

Walking out of the carriage and looking at the street scenes on both sides, Marlene frowned, and when faced with her problems, Elanson smiled softly.

"This is my residence outside. My sister. The environment here is very good, quiet, and you won't feel noisy. You are not afraid of being disturbed. It's a good place."

“It looks good indeed.”

Looking at the beautifully decorated and elegant mansion building in front of him, Marlene nodded. While Elanson chuckled, he walked forward. Soon, a waiter stepped forward and opened the door. At the same time, he guided the two into the mansion.

Like the outside, the interior of the mansion is also very luxurious, with a faint sweet fragrance in the air. The red velvet carpet under her feet is soft and comfortable. The corridor is filled with exquisite statues and oil paintings. While admiring these exquisite works of art, Marlene followed Elanson to the reception room. The exquisite desserts and steaming black tea have already been placed here. It looks just an ordinary afternoon tea time, just as Elanson said.
To be continued...