The two of them finally reached the spot where Rhea and Ron were waiting.
Nox tried to steady his breathing.
"I'm sorry, but it looks like Lian has already left the mall area."
Rhea fell silent, her fingers twisting the fabric of her white sundress in a nervous grip.
Ron rubbed his forehead. "I see…"
A heavy silence fell over the group.
Each step Lena took toward Ron seemed a struggle, her head bowed low in a gesture of deep regret. "Sir Ron... please, forgive me… for the words I said to you. I never meant to cause such pain."
Ron glanced at Rhea and Nox for a fleeting moment before sighing.
"Forget it. It doesn't matter right now. Our only priority is finding Lian."
"Yes, Sir Ron."
Rhea took a long, shuddering breath. Her eyes flickered between the three of them.
"What actually happened between you?"
Lena's hands balled into fists at her sides.
"I called S—Sir Ron a hypocrite…"
The admission hung in the air. Both Ron and Nox remained silent, but Rhea's eyes widened. Lena's words had struck a nerve, touching on the very insecurities Rhea had been fighting. She rose with a sudden, sharp grace that betrayed the turmoil underneath.
"How could you say something like that to Sir Ron, Lena Delion?!"
Lena flinched, her head sinking even lower as her shoulders began to shake.
"I—I'm sorry..."
"Enough! You don't have to yell at her like that!" Nox shouted, stepping in front of Lena.
Rhea gasped, stumbling back a step as if she'd been struck.
Ron moved forward, shielding Rhea.
"Nox Eosvile! Watch your attitude!"
Ron and Nox locked eyes, their glares sharp enough to cut. The volume of their confrontation began to draw curious glances from the other mall patrons. Sensing the mounting tension, Lena reached out and grabbed Nox's hand.
"Sir Nox, it's alright. People are watching."
Nox clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Lena and I are going to search for Lian outside the mall."
He tightened his grip on Lena's hand, pulling her toward the exit.
"But—" Lena started, looking back at Rhea and Ron.
"We have to move fast before Lian gets too far," Nox interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument.
He walked away without a backward glance. Lena hesitated, her expression torn, before following him into the crowd.
***
Left behind, Rhea's legs gave out, her body trembling. Ron quickly reached out, steadying her as he helped her back into her seat.
Rhea buried her face in her hands, her voice breaking.
"Why am I acting like this? If I hadn't been in such a rush, Master Lian wouldn't have gone missing."
Ron stood by her side, listening with a patient, stoic silence, though his own fists were clenched tight.
"I was arrogant," Rhea continued, her voice thick with tears.
"I thought a shopping trip would make things better between everyone. I didn't consider how Master Lian, Sir Ron, or Sir Nox actually felt. I'm just a burden to Lady Serenity."
Ron reached his breaking point. Hearing her diminish herself was more than he could take. Without a word, he pulled Rhea into a sudden, firm embrace.
Rhea froze. She could hear the steady thrum of Ron's heartbeat and feel the radiating warmth of his chest. With every beat, the fog of her panic retreated a little further.
"S-Sir Ron... I'm... I'm feeling better now," she stammered, her face flushing a deep crimson.
Ron recoiled, rubbing the nape of his neck. An oppressive awkwardness settled in the air between them.
"Sorry," Ron muttered, averting his eyes.
"I shouldn't have hugged you without asking."
"It's... it's okay. Thank you, Sir Ron."
"Rhea."
"Yes?"
Ron balled his hands into fists, gathering his courage.
"Rhea, could you just call me by my name? Just 'Ron' is enough."
Rhea blinked in surprise.
"Do you... do you hate it when I call you Sir Ron?"
"It's not that I hate it… it just feels like there's a wall between us. Nox probably feels the same way."
Rhea looked at him, then closed her eyes, taking a deep, stabilizing breath.
"Ron."
Ron spun around to face her, his cheeks burning pink.
"Yeah?"
"Ah... nothing. I—I was just testing it out." She turned away, panicked by his sudden reaction.
Ron let out a soft chuckle.
"Is it really that hard to say a name?"
"I don't feel worthy of such familiarity." Rhea gazed down at her lap.
"I've given you permission, haven't I? So what's the problem?"
Rhea remained silent, and Ron waited. He didn't push; he simply gave her the space to breathe. After a few minutes, Rhea spoke again.
"Ron... thank you. For everything."
Ron smiled.
"You're welcome."
"And Ron? I'm sorry for causing the friction between you and Sir Nox."
The corner of Ron's mouth quirked up.
"Don't worry about him. Nox is the type to blow up on the spot and forget about it five minutes later."
They shared a small, quiet laugh. The heavy atmosphere that had plagued them all day finally began to lift, replaced by a newfound comfort.
***
Meanwhile, Nox and Lena reached the edge of the mall complex, facing the main road.
"Sir Nox, you can let go of my hand now."
Nox immediately released her.
"Why did you defend me back there, Sir Nox?"
Nox sighed, looking exasperated.
"Do I really have to explain it? Fine. Rhea is just taking it out on you because Lian is missing."
Lena shook her head.
"That's because... I called Lady Rhea while I was crying."
"Haa... enough. Let's not go in circles. We find Lian, and this whole mess is over."
Lena nodded and followed his lead. They scanned the perimeter of the mall before heading toward the main thoroughfare.
"He's not here either. Where the hell did that guy go?" Nox grumbled.
Lena surveyed the traffic.
"Do you think Master Lian followed the main road?"
Nox stopped and turned to her.
"Lena, I'm going to track him from here on my own."
"No! It's too dangerous for you to go alone!"
"Relax. I'm strong. Don't worry about me."
"It's not about strength, Sir Nox. You're new here. There are things here you don't understand yet."
"Doesn't matter," Nox said firmly. He looked her in the eyes with a level of intensity and confidence that silenced her.
Lena sighed, knowing she wouldn't win this argument.
"Fine. Give me your phone."
"Why?"
"To give you my contact info and Lady Rhea's, obviously."
Nox handed over the device. Lena's fingers danced over the screen as she typed in the numbers and adjusted a few settings.
"Does Sir Nox know how to turn on his phone?"
"No."
She sighed.
"Well then—just press the upper side button. The features can be operated by voice, touch, or both. There. I've activated your GPS and pinned the location of the Edelweiss Estate."
"Thanks."
"And don't forget—no matter what happens, call me or Lady Rhea."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't sweat it."
With that, Nox took off, his pace blurring as he sprinted down the main road. Lena watched him until he vanished into the distance.
Please, Sir Nox... find Master Lian, she prayed.
She pulled out her own phone to message Rhea.
[Message from Lena]
Sir Nox headed out to track Master Lian along the main road. I am waiting at the mall exit near the main road.
***
Rhea's phone chimed. She checked the message and her heart sank.
"Ron, Sir Nox is chasing after Master Lian alone. Lena is waiting for us at the main road exit."
Ron let out a long, weary sigh.
"That musclehead…"
"Ron, we have to get to Lena. Now!"
"Right. Let's go."
They hurried through the mall and out into the humid air of the exterior lot. They found Lena standing alone, staring down the long stretch of the road. When she heard them approach, she turned and bowed.
"I am so sorry, Lady Rhea."
To her surprise, Rhea pulled her into a hug.
"No, I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn't have snapped at you."
"But I caused this. I should be punished..."
Ron watched them in silence, a flicker of relief crossing his face.
Rhea pulled back, her eyes determined.
"Don't think about that anymore. Right now, we just have to wait for news from Sir Nox."
To be continued…