Lanying tossed and turned on the bed, her mother already in deep slumber. She was looking forward to a new beginning. She was finally going to get a lot of her questions answered. Although it was past midnight already, she didn't feel a tinge of tiredness yet.
'1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9….14,15, wait did I count 12?'
She sat up on the bed, just staring in the dark. Never mind, she would just sleep when she feels like it.
A shadow figure flashed by the window unknown to her.
"Ah, it feels cold." She muttered under her breath before lying down and wrapping herself inside the blanket.
Changmin kept his eyes fixated on the woman's silhouette who was sitting up on the bed.
"I wonder if I should be thanking the heavens that it's you, or pity that it's you."
He cast one last reluctant glance before jumping off from the high roof, disappearing into the night.
Lanying walked up to the window in a daze. She just felt someone's presence. Was it just her hallucinations?
—-------------------
Lanying unwillingly left the embrace of the soft blanket, stretching her arms and rubbing her eyes. The other half of the bed was tidied up already.
Well, at least she still had some humanity left in her for not waking her up. She probably knew she had a hard time falling asleep.
Meifeng entered the room with a small bamboo woven cask in her hand.
"Bring this with you and make sure to have this before you reach. It's a long journey. Don't go on an empty stomach."
"Pfft. longevity noodles? It's not my birthday. What mother, you are afraid I will die on my way?"
"Keep your ominous words to yourself. You will be delayed."
Meifeng shoved the cask into her hand.
—----------------------
"Missy, we can rest for a while here. Madam told me to remind you of the noodles. You haven't had anything since last night."
Ah Heng said as he stopped the carriage under a tree. The cooling shadow was the perfect resting spot. They ran out of the frost elixir and the heat was starting to get under the skin now. Even the horses felt relieved as the carriage halted.
"Ah alright. There's enough time. I am sure we will make it before the reporting time."
Lanying munched on the noodles gazing into the forest from the carriage window. Last night there was someone outside the house. She is sure of it. But who could it be? And if it's someone who is associated with the magical academy, then why did the person just leave quietly instead of making a move?
She would surely find her answers once she reaches BrightStone.
"We meet again."
Lanying was startled by the sudden interruption. She peeped out of her window to look for the source of the voice. But she could only spot Ah Heng, who was taking a nap in the shadows without a worry in the world.
She was about to draw her dagger when she felt a breath on her nape. With a sharp turn she swiftly turned her face to confront the invader.
Him again? Weren't they even after she gave the element he was searching for so long to him?
She coldly stared into his eyes. Silently questioning his intentions.
"I am more than glad to keep my eyes locked on you." Changmin said cheekily, a bit amused by her indifference.
Lanying raised her brows at him, not looking away, she asked, "Isn't something like sneaking inside a woman's chariot beneath the crown prince?"
"Is it? I happen to be quite open-minded. Don't worry, I don't mind."
He said. Shifting away from her, he made himself comfortable on the seat opposite her.
'Excuse me???? I mind, ok?'
She was taken aback by his lack of shame. She prepared to step out to call Ah Heng.
"Don't bother. I have locked it already." Changmin spoke up nonchalantly.
"Miss, we should set out now. If we delay anymore, we won't make it before the clock-in time." Ah Heng shouted from the front of the carriage.
Lanying took out the solastice dial from her robe. Fixating her eyes on the dial, she carefully aligned it against the blazing sun. It was just the exact time to leave the resting spot. If she calls for Ah Heng now and waits for this annoyance to leave, they will be too late.
"Alright!" She confirmed with a loud voice.
Ah Heng prompted the horses immediately.
Meanwhile the "annoyance" merely kept his eyes on her unwaveringly. Flashing a smile, every time their eyes met. She gritted her teeth in frustration. No, she won't initiate a conversation with him, no matter what. Closing her eyes, she tried to not pay any attention to him.
The rest of the journey was fairly peaceful. Unaware to herself she had fallen asleep not long after closing her eyes.