For some reason, Quinn quickly hid behind a pillar, completely concealing her entire body. She spotted Youna Scarlett and General Xavier Knox a few meters away. Whatever their relationship, Quinn didn't want to be in the awkward position of either Youna or Xavier noticing that she'd caught them together.
From there, Quinn thought, a man and a woman were in a deserted hallway at a time when everyone was asleep. Like they were hiding to meet, didn't this confirm that the two of them truly had a more special relationship? It wasn't just a relationship between a superior and subordinate in the same squad anymore. Quinn grew increasingly uncomfortable as Youna approached the man. She didn't want to see anything they were doing in this empty hallway.
"General, do you think I can be chosen to be your wife?" Quinn leaned her body against the pillar, if she could close her ears, then she would have closed them tightly, but on a quiet night like this, every word of the two lovebirds' conversation sounded so clear in her ears.
Quinn wanted to go back to the room, but the couple blocked her way.
"I can't promise you anything. It all depends on mother's choice." Quinn recalled her conversation with Xavier that night in front of Eudaimonia. The man's voice was both deep and low. It sounded almost the same as tonight, but there was a subtle difference.
The sound of shoes could be heard, very softly. "Hey, why do you have to leave everything to your mother? This is an election for your future wife. You should be the one to choose." Every breath Youna took in her words sounded very sensual. No matter how close they were now, Quinn didn't dare peek.
"Even though I have the right to choose, I don't know who I should choose." If they were in a relationship, shouldn't Xavier have easily chosen Youna to be his wife? What's wrong with this couple? Do they like this kind of push-and-pull relationship? Quinn's aching heart waited for them to leave.
Youna clicked her tongue, her face that was already very close to Xavier's she pulled back again. Her eyes looked alternately at the General's lips and eyes, teasing. Unfortunately, Xavier remained unmoved, not moving from his original position. "General Xavier Knox seems to enjoy himself surrounded by women. I didn't know you had a hobby like this." The General curled his lips, he was no longer looking at Youna, but at the meteor shower visible behind the glass window.
"Shouldn't you be returning to your room?" the General said, not taking his eyes off the beautiful view outside.
Swallowing back her disappointment, Youna muttered, "Are you kicking me out?"
"No. But if you feel that way, I can't defend myself." Youna had known Xavier for quite some time, Xavier was too unpredictable, she couldn't read his mind, she also couldn't guess what the man wanted. Holding back all the feelings that were rising in her chest, Youna walked away. "Okay then. Good night General."
The sound of Youna's footsteps could be heard receding. Quinn finally breathed a sigh of relief. She could finally return to her room. Unfortunately, she didn't notice that only one footstep was receding, only one person leaving the hallway.
Quinn jumped in surprise to find a tall figure standing right in front of her. It was General Xavier, his eyes gleaming in the night sky, staring intently at her. Quinn had to tilt her head back to look at him. "Xavier," she said simply.
"Shouldn't you be heading back to your room soon?" Quinn moved to get past Xavier, who was like a wall blocking her path. "I didn't know you liked eavesdropping on other people's conversations, Miss Flos," the General continued in a voice much lower than she had ever heard him. As Quinn moved away from there.
...
In the morning, preparations for the party were almost complete. The gardens in the castle grounds were beautifully decorated. The Seeds, who would be the main stars of the party that night, had also prepared everything they needed. Mrs. Knox had given the Seeds free time for the day, with no activities to do. They were allowed to explore the magnificent castle.
While some of the girls were busy trying on dresses for tonight, Quinn made herself comfortable in the library she found on the top floor of the castle. It had seven floors, with the right wing being the Seeds' rooms, and the left wing being the servants' quarters and the kitchen. She was the only one there, although according to the robot servant she met outside the library, not many people came here, but Quinn didn't find a single speck of dust.
Finding a physical book in this age of digital and technological is like discovering a treasure buried in time. She herself had a small library in her modest apartment, but it wasn't nearly as extensive as the one in this castle, with its vast rooms, nearly every corner filled with books.
Quinn picked up one of the books about plants. She ran her fingers over the green cover, the corners of her lips curling into a smile. The woman was delighted. However, after she read the book, her mind couldn't comprehend a single sentence. The book was written in the usual Soul Planet script, but her thoughts were distracted by last night's events, when she encountered General Xavier and Youna Scarlett in the middle of an empty hallway.
She also couldn't shake the General's voice, which sounded so close to her ear when he said, "I didn't know you liked eavesdropping on other people's conversations, Miss Flos." Quinn closed her book, annoyed by the General's words. This wasn't her eavesdropping, but them being the ones who didn't know where to go! If they wanted to be alone, they could have done it somewhere more secluded!
After a long time, Quinn Flos, the gray flower girl, felt irritated. A different irritation than the one she felt towards Jacob Pan, who was trying to test her patience.
....
On the other side of the castle, Mrs. and Grandmother Knox were looking at every data on the hologram in front of them. A familiar face was displayed there. "Irish Gold. Class S. The only daughter of the Gold nobleman, 25 years old. This is her first selection because she always refused every selection given by her father. Having a gorgeous face and a good physique, although she didn't seem to enjoy her time when you explained calligraphy and others, she was the most enthusiastic person when we sent these girls into the dangerous forest."
"Hahaha, I thought Irish Gold would liven up the house with her antics. Mr. Gold always complains about his daughter, but after seeing her with my own eyes, I see her as a truly unique girl." The hologram in front of them displayed every photo of Irish. From her time at the Knox residence to her time outside, her golden hair seemed to shine in the sunlight.
.....