?
The moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow over the night.
Inside the house, the curtains danced in the night breeze, stirring restless hearts and strumming on heartstrings.
A shiver ran down her spine, and Noe, catching her breath, said, "I didn''t mean to keep it from you..."
It was all about Pris Star, a mess that Palmer had no part in. There was no reason to drag her fiancé into this perilous situation just because of their engagement!
"You don''t trust me. Do you see me as an outsider? When your grandfather contacted me, your little troops also came to me for help."
His words implied that her people would think of him first whenever she was in danger!
He believed she could always find a way out, no matter the situation.
But because he loved her, he worried!
Palmer chuckled and bent down to scoop Noe into his arms, "ording to your ''little troops,'' serving as your shield wouldn''t be so bad."
That sounded like something one of Pris Star''s people would say...N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
The room was bathed in warm light, a cozy and slightly romantic atmosphere spreading throughout.
"Can I stay?" he asked.
"... You''ve stayed before."
Palmer''s pajamas were already a fixture in Noe''s wardrobe!
Sienna had personally picked them out, a matching set adorned with huge hearts...
Palmer''s gaze deepened.
"I mean, I don''t want to sleep on the couch or the floor this time."
Previously, he''d often slept on the couch, and since Noe''s room was carpeted, sleeping on the floor wasn''t too bad. But now, he was no longer satisfied with just that!
Noe, feeling her ears grow hot, got up and grabbed a spare pillow from the wardrobe, cing it next to hers.
After getting ready, she quickly dove into bed.
"Good night!"
Watching Noe''s actions, Palmer couldn''t help but smile.
How adorable!
Lying beside Noe, in a room decorated by Sienna in shades too pink for Palmer''s taste, he was utterly enchanted.
---
The next day, at Lockhart Prison.
The desert and the straitposed a symphony of sand and sea, a romance that masked the ind''s deep-seated bloodshed and sin!
Staring at the ck tower prison rising from the rolling sands, the sunlight reflecting off it seemed tainted with blood.
Greeting Noe and Palmer as they descended, Xavierughed heartily.
"Ha! There''s my granddaughter and her man!"
Since Sexton''s passing. Xavier had warmed up considerably to Palmer.
With the Abyssal Organization openly and covertly aiding Lockhart Prison, delivering gifts big and small, and Noe''s homemade remedies for Xavier, he felt a warmth he hadn''t known since his sister''s departure. Noe nced at the spry Xavier, "Where''s Millie and the others?"
"They''re next door, pulling a scam! Even bet me they could!"
Noe raised an eyebrow, "A bet?"
"Millie insists they can outsmart the Baker Group. I don''t believe it; I said it''d be a miracle if they make it back alive!"
Xavier, older even than Marcel, was in the twilight years of most.
Most people his age were enjoying their retirement surrounded by family.
But Xavier, still fighting in the desert, was a rarity.
Noe offered her hand, "Let me see."
"Ah, I''m in perfect health!"
But at Noe''s stern look, Xavierplied, letting her check his pulse.
Though Xavier was in decent shape, years ofbat had left him with ailments that would trouble him over time. "Why stay here?"
"It started because I had nowhere
else to My master took me in n this life, isn''t it all about loyalty? He bullet for me, told me to
leave, but it''s never that easy."
Xavier patted Noe''s shoulder with augh full of bravado.
Spending your whole life in one ce, even after your mentors are gone, turning around to see a brotherhood behind you makes leaving hard.
"Some things are passed down like a torch! This prison isn''t something just anyone can manage!"
Lockhart Prison housed too many inmates with secrets that could shake the world.
Xavier pointed to a corner.
"That''s a deposed leader over there. He''s imprisoned here for his
protection as much as anything else. He''s a threat to many as long as he''s a
alive. Apart from Lockhart Prison, no
one dares shelter him."
"Simrly, his freedom and his secrets are shared with Lockhart Prison! The day he dies is the day we gain those secrets."
While it''s called a prison, Lockhart has often served as a sanctuary of sorts.
"His country''s gone, so what use are those secrets? To him, none! But to others, they''re valuable."
Noe was silent for a moment.
"You''re staying to protect them."
Xavierughed.
"Protect them? They''re nothing! I''m loyal to my own beliefs! Protecting themes with the territory!"
A soldier at heart, his loyalty was always to his country.
"This ce, if taken by foreign forces, would spell disaster for many small nations. The bnce of power makes its existence necessary!"
Noe looked into Xavier''s rugged
face, "You won''t leave because you haven''t found a suitable sessor. If Millie can take down the neighboring scam group, you''lle back with me."
"What are you talking about?"
"Take down who?"
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"Kid, the Baker Group has been here for years, maintaining a neutral stance with Lockhart Prison. Even I wouldn''t dare im to take them down directly!"
Noe''s gaze remained steady.
"With me here, it''s possible."
"Girl, you''re crazier than I was in my prime!"
Xavier was astounded.
"Pock, you''re just gonna let her run wild?"
"Uncle George, don''t worry, I''ll stick with her."
Was he suggesting Palmer should tag along?
What he really wanted was for Palmer to try and talk some sense into her!
Why was this kid just as foolhardy as his granddaughter?
"No, wait! What do you need the Baker Group for? They''re nothing but con artists!"
Over the years, battling wits with the Baker Group, Xavier hade to know their operations all too well.
Their main game was fraud, with a side of heart-wrenching maniption, expertly squeezing everyst drop of value from their victims.
Noe''s gaze drifted toward the distant, dusty horizon.
"You don''t want to leave, is it because even if Millie has the skills to lead, she can''t handle the Baker Group''s harassment?"
"Your birthday''sing up, right? The Baker Group sent you a birthday present. Interested?"
This was the first time Xavier had received such a bold birthday gift!
"For me? What''s in it for you?"
Noe''s voice was calm, but it stirred
storm in Xavier''s heart!
"Trying to get you toe back with me, to offer you afortable retirement!"