CHAPTER 153: CH 153: CAN YOU GIVE IT TO ME? - PART 5

Once Penelope dragged Dorian far away from the scene, they finally came to a stop in the shadows of a quiet alley. Dorian’s breaths were heavy, his fists clenched tight at his sides.

"Mistress...There’s no need for us to run like this. I can still fight. I can take that necklace back right now."

He began, his voice low and strained.

His jaw tightened as his frustration seeped through.

"I... I don’t want to see you humiliated like this."

Penelope didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she tapped the tip of her umbrella lightly against the cobblestone, her expression unreadable beneath the brim of her hat.

Finally, she spoke.

"Humiliation? Dorian... knowing when to step back is just as important as knowing when to strike."

Her voice was soft, almost calm, but there was a quiet weight to her words.

Dorian frowned, unsure where she was going with this.

"In our line of business, recklessness only gets you killed."

Penelope continued, her tone smooth and measured. She turned slightly, her sharp gaze catching his from the corner of her eye.

"And don’t misunderstand me. We are not backing off."

She added, a faint, knowing smile curling her lips.

Dorian’s brows furrowed.

"...Then what are we doing?"

Penelope raised her umbrella and rested it lazily against her shoulder.

"We’re waiting. Opportunities... are worth far more when the prey thinks they’ve escaped."

She said simply.

She took a slow step forward, her heels clicking softly against the stone.

"Let the little mouse wander freely for now. Sooner or later... it’ll walk right into our trap."

She whispered, her voice carrying an edge of amusement.

Dorian stared at her for a long moment, his unease deepening. He didn’t understand what she was planning — he rarely did when she smiled like that. But he knew better than to question her.

"...I’ll wait for your signal, Mistress."

He said quietly.

Penelope’s smile widened ever so slightly.

"Good."

Meanwhile, across town, Kana was being pulled into a small, warmly lit restaurant by Irielle and Lysera. The smell of freshly baked bread and roasted meat filled the air, but Kana was too confused to take it in.

She blinked rapidly and asked.

"Wait... what are we doing here?"

Irielle glanced back at her, smirking.

"Eating, obviously."

Kana tilted her head.

"...Didn’t you say something about having fun?"

Irielle nodded, still walking ahead.

"Mm. And we will have fun. But first, we eat. Otherwise, you won’t have enough stamina to keep up with me and Lysera."

She said easily.

Kana froze. Her cheeks flushed instantly.

"S-Stamina?!"

She sputtered, nearly choking on her own breath.

Lysera, who was walking just behind her, sighed softly and reached out, patting Kana’s back gently.

"Breathe. Don’t take her words too seriously."

She said quietly.

Kana coughed a few times, struggling to steady herself, and when she finally managed to catch her breath, Lysera quickly withdrew her hand.

They found a table in the corner, and Kana sat down hesitantly. Her embarrassment lingered, making it difficult to meet Irielle’s mischievous gaze.

The waitress arrived to take their order, and after a short moment, Irielle leaned back in her seat, arms crossed casually behind her head.

"Actually, I need to pick up something real quick after this."

She said, glancing between Kana and Lysera.

Kana blinked.

"Pick up something? At this hour?"

Irielle grinned, tilting her head.

"Yup. Just a quick errand. You two head back after dinner. I’ll meet you there in half an hour."

Irielle sounded smug when she said that and Kana felt goosebumps rise as her insides tingled with what was to come.

Kana’s curiosity was piqued, but Irielle offered no further explanation. Lysera gave a small nod, silently agreeing, and that was the end of it.

After dinner, Kana and Lysera stepped back into the cool night air, the faint glow of streetlamps illuminating the path ahead.

The lively sounds of the marketplace had faded, replaced by the soft hum of distant chatter and the quiet rustle of leaves.

Kana walked slowly, her hands clasped together as she glanced around the streets. For some reason, an unshakable unease lingered deep in her chest.

Lysera walked beside her in silence, her steps calm and measured.

Though her expression remained neutral, Kana noticed how her hand occasionally brushed the edge of her cloak — as if ready to draw her weapon at any moment.

The tension in the air was subtle, but heavy enough to make Kana’s stomach twist.

It felt like someone — or something — was watching them from the shadows.

Kana didn’t say anything. She simply stayed close to Lysera as the two of them walked, the faint sound of their footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestone.

As Kana and Lysera walked side by side through the quiet streets, the soft glow of the lanterns stretched their shadows across the cobblestones.

The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of blooming night flowers, but the silence between them felt heavier than the breeze.

Kana glanced up at Lysera and noticed the stiffness in her posture — the way her shoulders were slightly tense, her hands clasped behind her back, and her steps a little too measured.

She tilted her head.

"...Lysera?"

Lysera turned slightly, her expression calm as ever, though her eyes darted away.

"What is it?"

Kana hesitated, fiddling with her fingers before speaking softly.

"You don’t... have to be so stiff around me, you know."

Lysera blinked, caught off guard.

"Stiff?"

"Mhm. I mean, you don’t have to act so... formal or distant. It’s okay."

Kana nodded firmly, puffing her cheeks slightly.

Lysera paused, lowering her gaze, but Kana continued, her voice gentler this time.

"No matter what happens, I’ll always be here to help you. I’ll always... accept you, Lysera. Even if you make mistakes, even if you think you’re hard to deal with. None of that matters to me."

For a moment, Lysera froze, her expression unreadable as she processed Kana’s words. Then, slowly, her rigid stance softened.

"...You’re... troublesome."

She murmured, her voice quiet but warmer than before.

Before Kana could respond, Lysera finally braved her hesitation, lifting her arm and placing it gently around Kana’s shoulders.

Kana’s eyes widened in surprise, but a smile quickly spread across her face.

Side by side, they continued their walk home — the tension between them dissolving into the soft, quiet comfort of the night.