He saw her before she saw him.
Eldric was busy entertaining the woman beside her who was flirting with him relentlessly when he saw someone coming up the stairs. The person wore the same thing as what the rest of the staff wore -- the typical white shirt and black pants, but despite the short hair, he could tell that it was her.
Lia. The name popped out from his head in an instant.
She may have cut her hair short, but it only gave her a more androgynous beauty. And judging from the sneak glances of the people on the table, he was not the only one who recognized that.
He watched her as she placed down the drinks one by one, going around the table. As she neared his seat, he noticed her unstable hold of the tray as though her arms were too heavy to lift. Even her movements were sluggish. He knitted his brows. Why was she working so hard like she was carrying the burden of the world? Shouldn't she be living more freely now?
When he learned that she ran away, he could only laugh. He was in no way happy, but he thought that deep down, he expected her to do just that. She would not like to be tied down in this town and would rather value her freedom more than anything else. She looked better, happier even when she went on a stroll with Ed.
He was deep in thought when he heard the manager shrieking at Lia, and for some reason, he wanted to defend her. Not because he thought that she could not stand for herself. It was more for him, he could not stand her being accused again. Not on his watch.
Lia's look of defiance was nostalgic. He could not tell if she recognized him. If she did, she showed no sign. She even left without a second glance. And here he thought that they were friends. Or maybe, she was friends with Ed and not with Eldric. The idea brought a dull ache in his chest.
"So cold." He chuckled despite himself as he drank the rest of the drink. It opted for the sweeter juice instead of the alcohol, but it only left a bitter taste on him.
"What is?" Annette crooned beside him. She was the daughter of one of the government officials so he did not dare to be rude.
He flashed her a smile. "The weather."
"Hmm?" The woman ran a hand on his arm discreetly but suggestively.
Other times, he would have excused himself from the party and taken this person somewhere. But not tonight. He only gave her another sweet smile and turned to the man across the table. "Have you heard of any news?"
The man, Richard, was a rich merchant. His caravan roamed across the entire country. As such, he had a wide source of information and served as Eldric's intel.
Richard spoke as he swirled the wine in his glass. "Have you been to a traveling circus?"
"Can't say I have," Eldric answered.
"Well, I suggest you go to one," Richard said, still looking laid-back and casual. "You might find out the things that you are looking for."
Richard tipped his glass in Eldric's direction, and he regarded the older man first before doing the same.
The night continues. Their party was still as merry as when they started but only with more slurred speeches and incoherent words. But Eldric could no longer enjoy the party as his head swam with many things.
He roused from his seat. "I'll be going back first."
There were many protests among his comrades, but he only held his hand and grabbed his thing.
"I still have a lot of reports to write back to the capital."
Richard waved back as if shoo-ing him. "Just let him go. Our vice general is a very busy man."
Eldric looked at him appreciatively.
The other woman who was half sprawled on his lap followed behind him, but he put a steady hand on her arm. The woman whined.
Eldric took her hand and kissed her knuckles while putting on his sweetest and flirtiest smile. "I'll visit you soon." He winked and left.
He straightened his clothes and stepped outside. Just as he was leaving the building, another person rounded in the corner. Lia came rushing out, stopping dead in her tracks when she saw him.