There Is No Lie In This World Chapter 26: So this is good bye

I was escorted back to my office by two helpful - and intimidating - guards from the Zhen Tea House. Neither of them spoke, but that was fine by because I wasn’t sure what to say either.

The cryptic words of Councilor Zhen played over and over in my mind. She knew - she knew that sothing strange had happened at the lobby of the Roen Tower when Bada got shot and was miraculously saved.

’Darkness’ was all Luc said and the world got engulfed as she commanded. Nabir turned into a cross between human and so mythical beast. Cain and Abe were simply ’paused.’ And then... there was that whole weird ’presence’ whose na I couldn’t rember, except the incredible weight of dread it brought to , so sort of primal fear.

Just as if she read my mind from many, many floors away, I saw Luc standing by the window as soon as I returned to my office. She stood there looking outside with her hands clasped behind her back. Upon hearing the door close behind , she slowly turned.

"Welco back, Miss Roen."

"Welco back, Luc."

"I apologize for my absence at the most inopportune mont."

"Or rather, it seems your absence brings inopportune monts," I hadn’t completely gotten over the mild but nagging annoyance at how she had been seemingly avoiding since the incident.

Luc simply smiled, and walked toward , stopping a few steps away as she usually does.

"How was the tea?" she asked.

"Bitter."

She then studied my face, probing my thoughts with her eyes. Out of spite, I tried to hold a poker face, but it didn’t work.

"I see that Councilor Zhen said so unnecessary things."

Damn. Can I not hide anything from this woman? It was as if my thoughts were written all over my face and she simply head to read them to figure out what was in my mind.

But perhaps I could use this opportunity to probe into the mysteries.

"She knew sothing ’strange’ happened the other day."

"Did it?"

That made snap.

"You know what I’m talking about! Could you please explain everything to now?!"

Luc startled by gently taking my hand. She felt very cold, almost like ice.

Without a word, she led to the window and we stood side by side. The city underneath was calm.

"How does it feel to have the world at your feet?" she asked.

"It’s funny - actually, not funny at all - how the world below is crushing ."

"Doesn’t it make you feel powerful? To have everyone bow to you, to have everyone eager to cater to your every need, to have your entire future secured?"

Her eyes fixed on mine felt like lie detectors. I had nothing to hide, but it made nervous nevertheless.

"I..."

Luc granted a mont of hesitation, as if she understood I wanted to confess sothing I wasn’t able to say since I ca here. Out of obligation.

But I decided to face it. This circus couldn’t continue like this forever. Even if it could, it wasn’t right for to be here.

"I just want to go ho."

"Would you-" Luc turned to face , "really leave if you could?"

I turned to her as well. There was a shade of lancholy in her eyes. This wasn’t like Luc that I’d beco used to seeing.

It made hesitate for a mont.

It hasn’t been long since I was thrust into this office, and it was all just a catastrophic error and misunderstanding, but-

It saddened to think that I’d never see Luc again if I left.

And why would I?

There was nothing that binds us together. As helpful and supportive she had been, we were not friends in any shape or form.

I ant nothing to her. And she ant nothing to . I was just a stray dog who was taken in by a kind host for a while, who mistook as the puppy he had lost a long ti ago. With each day the burden in my heart grew. The more people pampered the greater unease I felt. There were highlights for sure - visiting the aquarium with kids definitely stood out as a mory I would treasure. But even that... led to a disaster where Bada almost died. All because of .

The longer I stayed here, the more I would end up hurting people around .

What I had to do now was clear.

It was ti for to leave.

"Thank you for everything..."

That was all I could say.

"The pleasure was mine," Luc responded, not missing a beat. It was as if she expected this from the start all along.

I felt a pang in my heart.

I couldn’t explain it.

"You may leave tomorrow. I will have Elune pack your bags."

My heart sank.

Why am I feeling this way...?

I said I wanted to go ho, didn’t I?

Why do I feel so surprised - or worse, hurt - that my wish was granted and I get to leave this suffocating place? Shouldn’t I feel relieved?

There was no turning back, and I had no good reason to change my mind. But sothing inside was stirring.

My brain was telling my heart that we can only find comfort once we get out of this place and go where we really belong - the comfort of solitude in a cramped one-room studio littered with junk food packages and crumpled clothes.

Yet, my heart grew heavy. I felt like I had a stubborn child inside who planted her feet and refused to budge no matter how hard I pulled. Against all logic, this child wanted to stay.

"So... this is... good bye?" I asked, just one last ti - waiting for the nail in the coffin.

"It is. Indeed. I wish you well, Miss Roen."

Those were her last words. She just gave a polite bow, turned, and walked away.

You are so cruel, Luc. Why couldn’t you try to persuade to stay, at least just once - out of formality?