CHAPTER 57: NOT ALONE

Reaching the other sidewalk, Theo turns left at random. He doesn’t have a specific destination; he just walks with the flow of pedestrians while keeping his senses on the follower. He wants to confirm if that young man really is the one tailing him.

He spots the entrance to a shopping arcade on his right, glances that way as if something catches his eye, and suddenly turns in, entering the arcade.

Theo notices the young man also turning in after him. He smirks and keeps walking.

For the next few minutes, Theo keeps turning corners at random, and the young man keeps following, even though there are a few times when he loses Theo. (AN: How do you lose the only white-haired person in the area? Honestly...)

Each time that happens, Theo suddenly reappears within sight, waits long enough for the man to notice him, then walks off again.

This cat-and-mouse game goes on for about five minutes before Theo grows bored. I need to go home. Leila will be worried sick.

He ’turns off’ his senses but keeps the shield, then starts walking toward what he thinks is the exit, only to realize he’s lost. Looking around, he can’t figure out which direction he came from.

He inwardly facepalms. This is what you get when you play cat and mouse in a place you don’t know! Well done, Theo!

He must look confused, because several people—mostly men—approach to ask if he’s all right or if he needs help. Theo turns them down politely each time. Then another young man approaches. Theo is ready to say no when he recognizes the stalker.

"Hey, Thea. It’s me." The man grabs Theo by the upper arm and starts dragging him away.

Theo’s mind races. He pretends to struggle a little, but the man’s grip is much stronger than he expected.

Theo’s demeanor shifts instantly. He doesn’t like being forced into anything.

He plants his feet firmly and pulls his arm back, but the man anticipates it. "Don’t struggle! Stop making a scene, Thea. I need to talk to you!"

Theo’s patience snaps. He calls up his mana, ready to strike—when another hand grabs the man’s wrist.

"The lady doesn’t seem to want to follow you. Let her go." A cold voice cuts through the air.

Theo lifts his gaze.

Liam!

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Liam is just leaving a public gym at the arcade. He has his own private gym at the Sky Suite, but paparazzi are waiting at the lobby. He feels imprisoned. So, he sneaked out to clear his head when he noticed a gym in the arcade.

He enters and starts working out, completely forgetting that he doesn’t have a change of clothes. When he does, his bad mood deepens. He knows he must buy something before taking a shower.

He grumbles as he exits the gym, uncomfortable with the sticky sweat on his body, when he notices a single white head moving through the crowd two floors below.

Thea?

He subconsciously follows the white hair, trying to confirm if it’s really Thea. Who else has beautiful white hair like that, you idiot!

Shut up! You’re making me lose sight of her!

That proves you are an idiot!

Shut the fuck up!

Liam starts moving faster, following the white hair, when he realizes that the person keeps turning randomly, sometimes even circling back.

He then notices another person, wearing a baseball cap, trailing behind her.

Liam frowns. Is she being followed?

Alarm bells ring in his mind.

He searches for a way down and runs.

When he reaches the ground floor, he loses his vantage point and struggles to spot the white hair.

Then he spots it again—moving fast through the crowd. Liam makes a dash for it.

When he’s close, he sees the man in the cap grip the lady’s upper arm. She struggles to break free but fails.

Liam lunges and grabs the man’s wrist—tight.

"The lady doesn’t seem to want to follow you. Let her go." His cold voice cuts the air.

The man startles and looks ready to fight, but the moment he sees Liam’s face, he freezes. He immediately looks down to hide his face, loosens his grip on Theo, and starts to leave.

But Liam’s hold is still firm. "Where do you think you’re going?"

"It’s just a misunderstanding. Misunderstanding. I’m sorry. Please, let me go." The young man pleads.

A few onlookers start to stop and watch.

Theo notices some of them taking out their phones, ready to record.

Not good. He calls forth a little magic and blurs their cameras.

Then he grabs Liam’s arm. "Let’s just let him go and get out of here. I don’t want to be a spectacle," he whispers.

Liam glances around and sees Theo’s right. He turns to the young man, who still hides his face.

"I’m letting you go this time. Don’t let me catch you doing it again. Get lost!" And releases him.

The young man staggers and starts running at the same time.

Now that he’s gone, Liam starts to look around at the passerby. He can hear some of the words spoken by them.

"I’m sure I’ve seen him on TV!"

"Isn’t he on TV the other day?"

"He’s in the papers too!"

"He’s the Monfort heir, isn’t he?"

"Oh wow! Then she’s the Azure Princess?"

"The so-called fiancée of the heir?"

"She’s stunning!"

Liam can feel Theo’s body shift closer to his. He leans down a little and whispers, "Shall we go?"

’Shall we go?’ What are you? A literature student?!

Theo nods. "We shall."

She turns her face toward him, though not looking directly at him. Liam places one hand on her back and starts to guide her away from there.

The crowd’s cameras follow them, but none of them dares to approach after Liam gives them a sharp, cold look.

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In a less crowded corner of the arcade, Theo looks at Liam and says, "Thank you for that. I really appreciate it."

He means it. Even though he knows he could have handled the situation, he realizes that he would have had no choice but to use magic. His physical strength is almost nonexistent, something he keeps forgetting no matter how much he trains.

Theo is already forming another plan in his mind. I need to change strategy. I should start training my stamina instead of just my strength. I keep forgetting this body is that of a delicate young woman who never trained a day in her life. I can’t turn her into a battle-mage physique in just a few weeks.

While Theo is lost in thought, his micro-expressions shift several times, and so do his eyes. Liam catches all of it with fascination.

Close your mouth, pervert. You’re drooling. She’s a minor and you’re an old man.

If Liam could hit something right now, he would gladly hit his inner self for being too honest and loud.

Just. Shut. The. Fuck. Up!

He finally clears his throat to distract himself.

"Erm, Ms. Montrose?"

"Hm?" Theo, still half-absentminded, responds automatically before realizing. "Oh? You can call me Thea. Your sister does."

Theo finally looks at Liam — and he freezes.

What’s with that face? Is he... He is, isn’t he?

Theo sighs inwardly. How great it must be to be young and feel the pull of the opposite gender. But you can’t like me, boy.

Then Theo’s whole demeanor changes. His eyes turn colder, his body rigid, his aura shifts.

And Liam notices it immediately. He’s startled, and as if Theo had struck him, he takes two steps back.