Was Lucian telling the truth? Were they really just looking at flowers?
Come to think of it, there hadn't been any clear signs between Lucian and Camellya before.
Rover felt a pang of guilt. It seemed she'd misjudged Lucian.
But given Lucian's flirtatious nature, it wasn't surprising she'd think that way.
The guilt in Rover's heart quickly dissipated.
She stepped forward, grabbing Lucian's ear, "Abby's practically on his last breath, and you're here admiring flowers with Camellya?"
Camellya covered her mouth, feigning surprise, "Rover, why are you so overbearing? Lucian's just keeping me company with flowers. Don't misunderstand."
Rover: "?"
Why did it feel like a wave of tea-scented drama?
Rover said coldly, "You've seen your flowers. Can you leave now?"
Camellya laughed inwardly but put on a wronged expression, "Really, I'm a guest. Is this how you treat guests, Rover?"
Lucian patted Rover's hand to soothe her, "Rover, this is our home, and we're the hosts. This isn't how we treat guests."
Rover raised an eyebrow. Seeing Lucian's earnest demeanor, she let it go, thinking she might've overthought things.
After all, Camellya had fought Lucian before. Surely he wouldn't fall for her, right?
Yes, Lucian liked gentle, virtuous types like her, not battle-crazed ones like Camellya.
Clearly, Rover had some misconceptions about herself.
"You're right, but the hosts have some family matters to discuss, so please, dear guest, head back."
Camellya found it amusing. Though Rover didn't say much, she was still subtly on guard.
"Fine, I won't disturb you then."
"But…" Camellya looked at Lucian, "Though this greenhouse has many flower varieties, my favorite is still the Camellya flower."
"Next time Lucian admires Camellya flowers, don't refuse, Rover…"
Camellya's words carried a double meaning as she winked at Lucian.
Rover crossed her arms and huffed, "If it's just honest flower-watching, I wouldn't refuse."
"I'm just worried some people have ulterior motives, doing things they shouldn't under the guise of admiring flowers."
Camellya laughed lightly, "How could that be? Rest assured, Rover, not everyone likes Shell Credits, right?"
Lucian pondered. Would someone really not like Shell Credits?
Rover nodded slightly, "Good you know. Take care, no need to see you out."
Camellya smiled, "Alright, alright, I should report to the medical pod anyway."
"But for what the pod can't fix, I'll need Lucian's help. You won't mind, right, Rover?"
Rover snorted, "So much nonsense."
Lucian nodded slightly, "No problem, I don't mind."
Camellya left the Sonoro Sphere with a smile.
Rover pinched the soft flesh at Lucian's waist, "Don't mind what?"
"You better not let me catch you, or I'll show you what exhaustion really means."
Lucian gently kissed Rover's lips, "Rover, in a healer's eyes, there are only patients, nothing else."
Rover returned his kiss, then huffed, "You'd better think that way."
Lucian asked curiously, "What did you mean earlier about Abby being on his last breath?"
Rover raised her hand, calling to the Tacet Mark on her wrist, "Abby… Abby…"
But Abby didn't respond. Lucian pondered, then said slowly, "Abby, dinner's ready."
"Today's menu includes steamed lamb, steamed bear paw, steamed deer tail, roasted duck…"
Before Lucian could finish, a whoosh sounded, and a white figure darted out.
Abby looked around eagerly, "Where? Where?"
Rover: "…"
"What a foodie…"
Rover shook her head, though her tone held no blame.
She'd heard from Shorekeeper that after Abby noticed his frequency weakening, he sought her help to avoid affecting Rover.
And that the past "her" had set up a guidepost for herself.
Rover shared what she'd learned in the greenhouse with Lucian.
"So, we could visit Rinascita to see if there's a solution?"
Rover nodded slightly, "That's what Shorekeeper said."
"She mentioned it's the land of Echoes, so there might be a way."
"And the past 'me' told me I made a deal with Laguena's Sentinel, 'Imperator,' to go find Her."
"I see…" Lucian pinched Abby's soft ears.
"Didn't expect you to be so thoughtful, huh?"
Abby's lips curled contentedly, "Of course! I'd never hurt my friends."
"Especially since you've fed me so many good things. Ingratitude isn't my style!"
Lucian nodded in approval, "You're a good Echo."
"As our Echo, we should definitely figure out what's going on with you."
Abby was touched, "Thank you! I knew I followed the right people!"
"You can count on me. I'll repay you—even as a ghost, I won't let you off!"
Rover: "?"
Lucian: "?"
"But if we're going to Rinascita, shouldn't we say goodbye to our friends in Jinzhou first?"
Rover nodded, "We should give them a proper farewell."
They'd helped Jinzhou, and Jinzhou had provided them with a lot of intel. Jinzhou was their ally.
Plus, they were close with everyone there. Leaving without a goodbye wouldn't feel right.
"In that case, let's head back to Jinzhou tomorrow."
…
That night, Lucian fell into a deep sleep, his arms around Rover's waist, but his thoughts drifted far away.
"This is…"
Lucian looked puzzled at the two figures before him. One, dressed in Exile attire, was venting, while the other, a man in a black coat, looked imposing.
"Three days ago, the truck carrying our goods drove into Juelin Canyon near Whining Aix's Mire!"
"From the New Federation to Jinzhou, through countless dangers! We finally reached this place safely, but who could've thought…"
Before the Exile could finish, the man in the coat coldly interrupted, "Tell me in ten words or less."
Lucian watched the scene, puzzled. He pinched his arm—it hurt…
Could it be the 'Sleeping Beauty' talent kicking in?
[Sleeping Beauty: While sleeping, there's a 5% chance to dream of a possible future.]
If so, he must be dreaming of something that could happen in the future.
The Exile stomped, "Something's wrong! People fled! Goods lost!"
Lucian muttered, "Huh… didn't go over ten words."
But to his surprise, the man in the coat turned to him, "Who are you? Why are you eavesdropping?"
Lucian: "?"
I can be seen?
What's going on? Dreaming a possible future… I should just be a spectator…
Lucian found it odd but crossed his arms and retorted, "Tch, what's wrong with eavesdropping? What gang are you from?"
"You dare talk to me like that? Do you know who I am?"