After finalizing the important matters, the atmosphere between the two returned to its usual ease, as if they hadn't just discussed anything sensitive at all, as Barrett had reminded them.
"I have to head to Dawnkeep right away. You should stay behind," Barrett said with a laugh, patting Li Lin on the shoulder. "You don't know—ever since the prince's celebration banquet, Sona's been thinking about you non-stop!"
"Haha, really?"
Li Lin couldn't help but feel a little awkward as Barrett directly pointed out the nature of their relationship.
While he'd told Zoe that he wasn't interested in Sona, before his transmigration, she had been one of his favorite female heroes…
As they continued talking, they walked out through the main gate, where Barrett immediately spotted Kahina and Sona hiding on one side of the courtyard. His eyes crinkled with amusement.
"See? I told you Sona was already here."
Li Lin followed Barrett's gaze and saw the giggling Kahina and the shy Sona, both trying to hide behind a small flower bed, though it was hardly enough to conceal them.
When Sona noticed Li Lin's gaze, her delicate face turned red, and she quickly averted her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze directly.
However, Kahina, who had a more carefree personality, took Sona's hand and dragged her toward the courtyard's main entrance.
"Good morning! I didn't expect you to visit so soon," Kahina greeted Li Lin with a wink, then playfully indicated Sona beside her, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Sona's been thinking about you non-stop these past few days. She can't even focus on composing anymore," she teased in a manner oddly similar to Barrett.
[Sister!]
"Alright, alright, Kahina, stop teasing your sister." Barrett laughed, shaking his head. "Haven't you started your training yet? With your current skills, it's still a long way before you can become a paladin in the Illuminator Order."
Kahina stuck her tongue out at Barrett and said, "I'm off to train now!" before running off, leaving the awkward Sona behind.
"That girl..." Barrett shook his head and turned to Li Lin, an apologetic look on his face. "She's been spoiled by Lestara and me since she was little. Maybe she'll mature once she becomes a paladin. I hope you can forgive her."
"It's no problem," Li Lin reassured him.
Then, Barrett glanced up at the sky. "It's getting late; I shouldn't keep His Majesty waiting."
After bidding farewell to Li Lin and Sona, especially reminding Sona to represent the Buvelle family and the Lightshield Royalty in hosting Li Lin since the prince wouldn't have time to show him around, Barrett left with a smile.
The two stood at the entrance, watching as the carriage carrying Barrett disappeared into the distance. A sense of awkwardness filled the air between them.
Sona's watery eyes were focused on the ground, her pale hands nervously twisting together. She seemed to sense the curious gazes of the guards at the sides of the gate, though it was likely just her imagination.
Li Lin could tell that Sona was shy. He wasn't sure what Kahina had said to her that made her so nervous around him.
After a moment's thought, he decided to break the silence. "Would you like to go for a walk?"
"Y-Yes, of course!" Sona replied eagerly through telepathy.
Li Lin waited while she returned to her room to change into some travel attire—an outfit common among nobles, a knee-length overcoat paired with a warm shirt underneath, snug trousers, and exquisite leather boots.
Sona's style was still mostly a deep blue, accented with other colors that complemented her rare hair color.
Wherever they went, the striking couple quickly became the focus of attention on the street.
Since Sona rarely went out, even the common folk living in nearby residential areas hardly knew she was the youngest daughter of the Buvelle family.
Moreover, with their distinctly different appearance from the people of Demacia, many assumed they were foreign diplomats or royalty visiting Demacia.
Some even approached them, offering gifts as a sign of Demacia's hospitality.
Of course, Li Lin politely declined these gifts.
However, some keen-eyed individuals, familiar with many noble families, immediately recognized Sona's identity. Seeing her with an unfamiliar young man, they quickly speculated that a happy event might soon be in the works for the Buvelle family.
But no matter what others thought, Li Lin and Sona weren't concerned with public opinion.
Their walk from Dawnkeep to the Buvelle residence had taken them through a mostly residential area. Now, as they entered the commercial district, the scene shifted.
Li Lin even saw people riding bicycles down the street. As they wandered through several commercial streets, they occasionally stopped to try Demacian street food and discovered many interesting little trinkets.
At noon, when the time was right, they arrived at a bustling ramen shop run by an Ionian owner.
The owner immediately recognized them as fellow countrymen and enthusiastically welcomed them. He prepared a bowl of authentic ramen, without any local twists, which stirred their memories of Ionia.
After finishing their meal, the two of them continued to stroll down the street, bathed in the gentler sunlight of midday.
"When I was little, the monks at the abbey would often cook for us orphaned children, making us a steaming bowl of ramen," Sona said, a hopeful expression appearing on her face, only to be quickly replaced by a look of melancholy.
"I wonder how they are doing now... A few years ago, I overheard my mother say that Noxus attacked the Hiragana Monastery not long after I left Ralin Province... the monks..."
"Don't worry, they'll be fine," Li Lin reassured her with a comforting smile. "I heard that a monk who awakened the power of the divine dragon, along with a beast spirit walker from Freljord, helped repel the Noxians."
"Really? That's great to hear." The news clearly lifted Sona's spirits, and she let out a sigh of relief.
Li Lin looked at her profile. "Do you miss home?"
Sona blinked and turned her head, meeting his gaze with a look of confusion.
"Uh, I shouldn't have asked that," Li Lin quickly corrected himself. "What I meant was, now that the war's over, have you thought about going back to visit?"
"Even though the war in Ionia is over, the one in Demacia isn't," Sona said, her gaze dropping as she sighed softly. "Not long ago, Noxus sent forces to attack the border. Even Prince Jarvan nearly fell into their hands."
That incident was likely a secret order from the Black Rose.
Li Lin didn't share this thought with her, knowing she understood Ionia's language, but she would never pry into his thoughts.
"If you miss home, I can take you back for a visit."
Hearing this, Sona paused, suddenly recalling her sister Kahina's question earlier that morning.
If Li Lin really wanted to take her away from Demacia, what would her choice be...
Li Lin noticed the slight change in Sona's expression, but didn't think too much about it, assuming that she didn't want to leave her family behind because of the long journey ahead.
"We could use a Hexgate," he said. "It'll only take a few seconds to cross thousands of kilometers and return to our homeland."
"Hexgate?" Sona's eyes widened in surprise. "I think I heard my father mention it last year. Someone came to the capital to request the installation of a tower, but the king rejected it... Is it some sort of magic?"
"Kind of," Li Lin nodded. "It's an arcane magic, but it uses technology to control magic."
"So, you mean... we can get back to Ionia in just a few seconds using the Hexgate?" Sona's face lit up with hope.
"Well, Demacia doesn't allow the construction of Hexgates," Li Lin continued. "It's not just because of the anti-magic laws, but also because of the official trade bans. My Kiramman family represents Piltover."
"If we want to take the Hexgate to Ionia, we would have to start from Palclyff City south of the Argent Mountain Range, then transfer to the southern part of Navori Province, and from there take a ship to Ralin Province."
Not giving Sona time to be disappointed, Li Lin's smile curved up as he suddenly changed the subject. "But if you want to get there faster, I've actually invented a small mecha with a 'teleportation' module. It can take us directly to Ralin Province."
Sona's eyes went wide. "Why didn't you just say that from the start? You had me going through all these ups and downs..."
"Well, of course..." Li Lin reached out and lightly tapped her nose. "It's fun."
The affectionate gesture made Sona's face blush visibly. She quickly looked away, a hint of frustration in her voice. "You're just like my sister, so annoying."
However, Li Lin didn't sense any real irritation in her words. On the contrary, there was a hint of something more, maybe even anticipation.
If such a teleportation technology really existed, then her sister's worries would be easily solved.
Sona felt a rush of joy, and her gaze towards Li Lin became somewhat different.
"Let's go somewhere else," she said.
(End of chapter)
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