First Act 17: A Master's Senses

"What are you hiding...?"

"N-nothing…" I stammered, avoiding eye contact with Aria.

As Aria's hands gently pried mine open, a look of surprise crossed her face. Her eyes widened as they fell upon the bruise on my neck.

"Wha—why are you hurt?" Aria's concern was palpable as she delicately touched the bruise. I could sense the worry and anxiety in her touch, as she used her mana to relieve the pain.

Meanwhile, Louise let out a sigh of relief in the background. Apparently, she had interpreted the situation differently. 

The bruise on my neck, meant to be a hickey left behind by Elena, was successfully concealed. 

I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that I had managed to cast a premature mana bullet to my neck without their notice. 

While I continued to cover my neck, contemplating the potential reactions if they had seen the hickey,

Carefully, Aria touched the bruise on my neck and asked, "Does it hurt?"