Chapter 214: An Unseen Rival


    ?


    With narrowed eyes, she began to make her way toward the source of the sound, passing through the grand living room.


    The furniture seemed even stranger to her now, but she had no time to think that as she reached the door. She stared at it, unsure how to open theplex human contraption.


    ''You need to press that little blue circle at the side,'' Terra informed her, referring to a button used to open the door.


    Cinder nced to the right, finding the small button. She pressed it, and the massive metal doors slid open with a quiet swish.


    Standing before her was L, the shy healer. She was looking away, fidgeting nervously as she spoke. "L-Lady Aiko said you should step out to go shopping... for what you''ll wear to the meeting tomorrow..."


    As L turned her head to face who opened the door, she froze, eyes wide with shock. Her gazended on a tall, silver-haired woman with striking red eyes, and a pair of ck hornsing out from her head.


    L''s face went pale. "W-wait... Who are you?" she asked awkwardly, her voice trembling slightly.


    Cinder''s eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms, her tone cold. "I''ll be the one asking questions. Why have youe to my lord''s quarters?"


    "L-Lord!?" L eximed, her shock deepening.


    L paused, her eyes shaking as she processed the sight in front of her.


    ''Horns... she has horns.''


    L''s gaze shifted downward, and she noticed something else the slow swaying of a tail behind the tall woman.


    ''She has a tail too...'' L though, her mind racing.


    Her eyes widened, as it all hit her all at once. ''Don''t tell me...''


    Her thoughts shed back to her conversation with Beatrice, the words reying in her head.


    ''There''s a rumor going around that his dragons can take on humanoid form. What if he ends up with one of them instead?''


    L''s heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to piece together the situation.


    ''This woman... She must be Cinder.''


    L''s thoughts raced further, her mind spinning with questions.


    ''Why is she... walking around though? Did Alister summon her out... to walk around like this in his home? Why would he need to? Or... Could it be that...''


    Her eyes darted back to Cinder, a strange mix of emotions swirling inside her confusion, curiosity, and a hint of something else she couldn''t quite ce. ''No, I shouldn''t overthink things.''


    Taking a deep breath, she tightened her hands by her side, steadying herself.


    "You''re Cinder, right?" L finally spoke, her voice a bit moreposed than before. "Well the reason I''m here is that I''m looking for Alister. The Vice Guildmaster said I should fetch him for her. He needs to prepare... he has a big day ahead of him tomorrow."


    Her gaze cautiously met Cinder''s, trying to push aside her swirling thoughts and focus on the task at hand.


    Cinder''s red eyes locked onto L''s, narrowing slightly as if weighing her words. She didn''t respond immediately, and for a moment, the silence between them, felt intense.


    L swallowed nervously, trying to maintain herposure.


    ''Stay calm, don''t let her intimidate you,'' she reminded herself, but her pulse quickened as she felt Cinder was staring down at her.


    Finally, Cinder uncrossed her arms and gave a slow nod.


    "My lord is bathing. So you will have to wait a while before he will be able to follow, although I''ll notify him that you''re here."


    L blinked, caught off guard by the calmness in her voice.


    ''Bathing?''


    Her face flushed again, imagining interrupting him at such a time. She mentally scolded herself for the thought, quickly banishing it from her mind.


    Cinder turned and stepped back inside, before disappearingpletely, she nced over her shoulder at L. "Wait here."


    As the door slid shut, L let out a small sigh of relief, her hands unclenching from the tight fists they had formed by her side.


    Her thoughts swirled again, and Beatrice''s words echoed in her mind.


    ''If you don''t take your chance now, you might regret it forever...''


    ''This is exactly what Beatrice warned me about...'' L bit her lip, staring at the door. ''Is Alister really... spending so much time with her? But she is his summon.''


    She shook her head slightly. ''No, stop overthinking. Focus on the task.'' But the lingering uncertainty gnawed at her, making her wonder what Alister''s rtionship with Cinder truly


    was.


    ''I''m going to have to make some effort then...''


    ...


    Cinder made her way to Alister''s room. As she approached, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.


    Alister, freshly out of the bath, was adjusting the cor of his guild uniform, his ck hair still slightly damp. He nced up, catching sight of her in the reflection of the mirror.


    "My lord, a youngdy is outside," Cinder said bluntly. "She said the vice guildmaster called for you. Something about a big day tomorrow."


    Alister nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I see," he replied, fastening thest button on his uniform. "I''ll meet her shortly."


    He passed Cinder, heading for the door, but paused beside her, giving her a pointed look.


    "Also."


    "Before you enter someone''s room, you knock first. It''s a courtesy. It lets the person inside know your intention to step in. While you live here with me, I would prefer you adopt that habit. Understood?"


    Cinder''s red eyes met his, and after a brief pause, she gave a small nod. "Understood, my


    lord."


    "Good," Alister said with a faint smile. "Follow me."


    With that, he stepped through the door, Cinder trailing close behind.


    After a few moments...


    Alister arrived at the door, and as it slid open, he was greeted by the sight of L standing nervously, her eyes darting up to meet his. He gave her a warm smile, his voice casual and


    friendly.


    "Morning, L."


    L blinked, momentarily flustered by his calm demeanor. She quickly straightened herself, trying to push away the thoughts that had been racing through her mind.


    "Morning Alister."


    "Lady Aiko said you had to step out to go get what you''ll wear for the meeting tomorrow, and... um... get a haircut," she exined. "And I''m supposed to notify her before you leave." Alister raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "A haircut, huh?" He reached up to run a hand


    through his slightly overgrown ck hair.


    "Guess you have a point. It''s getting a bit unruly, isn''t it?"


    L nodded quickly, feeling relieved that he was taking it so well.


    "Understood then," Alister said, adjusting his cor onest time. "I''ll go get it done."


    As he stepped out, L''s eyes widened when she noticed Cinder silently emerging from the doorway behind him. Moving gracefully, the contrast between her silver hair, red eyes, and ck horns only making her look more striking.


    L swallowed nervously, her heart skipping a beat as her gaze shifted between Alister and Cinder, trying to understand the dynamic between the two.


    There was something about the way Cinder followed him, as if she was never far from his side.


    L took a deep breath, summoning her courage as she nced up at Alister. "Um, do you mind if Ie with you to go shopping?" she asked, her voice slightly shaky. "I could really use a few new things for my wardrobe."


    Alister raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sure, I''m okay with that."


    L felt relief wash over her, and her enthusiasm bubbled up. "Great! I''ve been meaning to restock some of my clothes and check out a few new things."


    Alister nodded but then added, "But if you want to do that, you might want to wear something more appropriate-maybe your guild uniform?"


    L blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "What?" She nced down and noticed she was still in her training uniform, the fabric slightly worn and not at all suited for a shopping trip. A blush crept across her cheeks as she realized how silly she must have looked.


    A nervous smile appeared on her face as she chuckled awkwardly. "You have a point. I shouldN?v(el)B\\jnn


    probably change."


    "Take your time," Alister replied. "I don''t mind waiting for you."


    "Thanks! I''ll be quick," L said, turning on her heel and hurrying back toward her room in the main guild building, her heart racing with a touch of excitement and nerves. She bumped into a couple of people as she rushed trough, and she aplogized repeatedly. Finally arriving at her room, the opned the door with her fingerprint. And it closed behind her


    as she stepped in, she took a moment to steady herself, her mind racing with thoughts of what


    it meant to go shopping with Alister.


    She quickly rummaged through her closet, searching for her guild uniform and trying to shake off the lingering uncertainty from her earlier encounter with Cinder.


    After a few moments, she changed into her uniform, feeling a bit more confident in the crisp,


    clean attire. She took onest look in the mirror, smoothing down her hair and adjusting the


    cor.


    Satisfied, she stepped back out into and ran to meet Alister where he stood waiting close to his living quarters.


    He turned to her, noticing how she panted when she finally stopped, his expression warm as


    he spoke.


    "Ready to go?"