Annie gasped for air, her voice trembling, her face already devoid of any trace of color.
"I... I can’t... I won’t dare again... really... truly..."
Gan Yuan shoved her away.
Gulping for air, Annie couldn’t help coughing uncontrollably, but without caring for that, she shakily got to her feet, not even bothering to grab her bag, and stumbled toward the door.
"Wait!" Gan Yuan snatched the small handbag from the washstand and threw it at Annie, who timidly turned back, "Take your things."
"Thank... thank you!"
Picking up the bag that had fallen to the ground, Annie frantically pulled open the door; frightened, she used too much force and stood in the wrong spot, and as the door swung open, it slammed against her forehead.
It hurt so much she almost passed out, but she didn’t dare delay, holding her forehead as she fled.
Gan Yuan stood at the washstand, listening as the footsteps outside grew distant, then chuckled to herself.
Immediately after, she sighed, raised her hand to look at her fingers, and shook her head in self-mockery.
Indeed, fighting evil with evil is the best method.
"You haven’t changed a bit, still so naughty."
From the direction of the door came a pleasant baritone voice.
Gan Yuan’s fingers, resting on the washstand, trembled slightly as she glanced towards the door.
Sure enough, Moses was striding in, casually closing the door behind him.
She stood up straight, her left hand gripping the handbag, her fingers slowly tightening around it, the butterfly knife inside pressing firmly against her fingertips.
After locking the door, Moses turned around, his gaze sweeping over her handbag, eliciting a cryptic smile.
"Bringing a knife to a party, aren’t you afraid the Duke might misunderstand? Or..." he crossed his arms, leaning casually against the door, "are you planning to kill me to silence me?"
Gan Yuan’s brows drew together.
"I don’t want to be your enemy!"
"If there’s anything you still need to deal with..." Moses paused slightly, "I can give you a bit more time."
She didn’t want to be his enemy, and he... he didn’t want to either!
So, he decided to give her another chance.
Gan Yuan bit her lip, then slowly began to speak.
"Let me go, and consider it...returning the favor, then we’re even!"
"And then?" Moses’s pupils contracted slightly, "Pretend we’ve never met?"
The man’s voice was somewhat hoarse, clearly suppressing some intense emotion.
Gan Yuan hung her head, avoiding his gaze.
"You should know, I can’t go back anymore!"
Moses suddenly laughed, his chest heaving violently, but his eyes devoid of any hint of mirth.
Soon, his laughter ceased, and his dark eyes intensely focused on Gan Yuan’s, exclaiming sternly.
"Do you really think that you can sever ties with your past? Do you really think you can deceive everyone? When the King and Queen find out your true identity, do you think they will accept you?"
Noting Gan Yuan’s furrowed brows, he took a deep breath, walked up to her, and raised his palm to rest on her shoulder.
"Gaia, don’t be foolish! They are not like us, you and Huangfu Jue were never meant to last. Listen, come back home with me, all right?"
Hearing him mention Huangfu Jue’s name, a ray of light instantly rose within the depths of Gan Yuan’s heavy heart.
She wasn’t sure about others, but one thing she was certain of—no matter who she was, Huangfu Jue would never disdain her.
Thinking of that person gave her heart courage once more, and Gan Yuan raised her face again, her tone now resolutely determined.
Outside, the sound of urgent footsteps approached, and then the door was knocked.
"Ayuan... are you in there?"
Good morning, Little Princesses~!~