Chapter 430 - An Afternoon Secret
The red tea in the cup had lost its warmth.
Marlene placed the teacup on the table and gazed through the window. Although it was past noon, it was already dusk. Even the other mercenaries were still not used to this odd time difference. However, they were fortunate that Rhode had thought of this when he was building the Fortress. He built a clock tower for timekeeping and it would ring once every morning, noon, and night. With this clock tower, everyone was able to adjust to the drastic time difference gradually.
Gazing at the scenery, Marlene rubbed her forehead gently. The operations of the Fortress had normalized and the only problem she had was when Marfa delivered the piece of paper informing her that Anne had escaped. However, Marlene wasn’t too surprised as she knew Anne’s character inside out. Marlene made adjustments swiftly, knowing that Marfa was honest and reliable, so she didn’t worry too much about it.
However, this didn’t mean that Marlene was clear of troubles… Although the operations were going well for the Fortress and there weren’t any problems in the entire Paphield which required their assistance, Marlene was troubled over her personal issues, which were related to Canary.
Before Rhode left the Fortress, he wanted Canary and Marlene to manage the Fortress together. If it was in the past, Marlene would have been delighted. After all, she worked with Canary well and both of them were close to one another. Furthermore, Canary was knowledgeable and experienced in casting techniques, so she could even be considered Marlene’s mentor.
However, after bumping into the ‘act’ of Canary and Rhode that fine day, Marlene felt embarrassed whenever she met Canary… Although she didn’t consider herself Rhode’s girlfriend, the thought of her man having the same relationship with another woman made her feel awkward. She didn’t know how to face Canary and she thought that Rhode would clarify the situation to Canary or her. But, it seemed that Rhode had no intentions of doing so. As for Canary, Marlene sensed that she might have noticed that something was off too. However, Canary’s attitude towards Marlene remained the same.
Could it be that because she isn’t a living human, she is somewhat worried about this?
Marlene didn’t feel that Canary would have such thoughts. However, she was worried because Rhode was no longer around to settle this issue and she had to act normally whenever she was alone with Canary. This troubled Marlene a lot and she didn’t know if she should open up to Canary. But what should she even say?
“Sigh…” Marlene lowered her head and let out a long sigh. At this moment, someone knocked on the door. The young lady turned around and tidied the documents on her desk hurriedly. “Please come in.”
“My relationship with Rhode was an accident and a coincidence. However, I gradually came to love this relationship. I love that comfortable sensation and being indulged in this happiness, forgetting about every trouble I have. Furthermore, it is only in times like this when I throw away the mask on me and face everything with my own feelings and thoughts. I don’t have to act like the obedient girl my parents and others portrayed me to be and I can do whatever I want. Rhode has never seen me as a promiscuous woman without any morals. He has always respected and protected me, so I have no qualms being my most truthful self in front of him. I feel like this kind of relationship is great. But I have no intention of taking it to the next step because this is good enough. This relationship we have is the best for both me and Rhode.” Canary explained further.
“Why?” Marlene asked curiously as she found it hard to understand. Canary seemed to like Rhode a lot so shouldn’t they take it to a deeper stage? Although, strictly speaking, Canary wasn’t a living human now, Marlene couldn’t understand why would Canary make such a decision.
Canary extended her finger and placed it by her soft, pinkish lips. “Because there’s no need to.”
“No need to?” Marlene tilted her head as she couldn’t understand what Canary meant.
But at this moment, Canary stood up. “I don’t wish to explain too much, Miss Marlene. After all, this is my personal desire. I would like to maintain this relationship with Rhode and not take it further, because I know that I can’t be the person that Rhode loves the most… Or perhaps, no one can become that person.”
“But why?” Marlene questioned curiously.
Canary approached the door and placed her hand on the door handle. She turned around and gazed at Marlene. “Because you can never take over the position from someone who has left forever.”
Once again, the gentle, graceful smile emerged on Canary’s face. She exited and closed the door, leaving Marlene entranced and full of questions as she gazed at the closed door.