Partner in Crime

I blushed when I saw her up close. "Ahh... Nice to meet you too. My name is Eizan, hehe." Damn it, she's too close. I sound so nervous.

Abigail smiled at my awkwardness. "Jacob, leave us."

"Yes, my lady." Jacob vanished instantly, his bat-like wings enveloping him as he disappeared.

"I want to talk to you, but not in a place like this," Abigail said, snapping her fingers. Suddenly, we were in the middle of a bustling city.

"How did she do that?" I thought. This girl was truly amazing, being able to do something like this at such a young age.

"I'll tell you how later. But first, let's take a walk," Abigail said. Ah, I forgot she could read my thoughts like the one who kidnapped me.

We walked through the city.

"Why were you following my carriage that day?" Abigail asked while browsing some food stalls.

"W-What? Which carriage?" I feigned ignorance.

"Don't play dumb," she said, catching me out again.

I grabbed a fruit skewer from a vendor and started eating. "I didn't know it was your carriage. If it seemed like I was stalking you, I'm sorry."

Abigail paid for the skewer I had taken. "I don't mind. You seemed to have taken a main road that wasn't meant to be used that day."

We continued our walk.

"I really didn't know," I said, still chewing on the fruit.

"Finish your food before you speak," Abigail murmured.

"Sorry."

"What were you doing that day that required a carriage and such tight security?" I asked, curious.

But the girl remained silent. Was she angry at me?

"That park looks nice for a chat. Shall we go there?" Abigail pointed to a park ahead.

"Alright," I replied, walking towards the park with a girl my age. Was this a date? Would Sophia be angry if she knew I was walking with another girl in such a beautiful place?

We sat on a bench in the park. "As for your question, I am here not for any specific reason. My father sent me here to learn and gain enough experience to lead our country someday."

"Wait, so you're a noble?" I was quite surprised by her statement. It was an unexpected twist. Normally, nobles I encountered wore luxurious, flashy clothes. But Abigail looked like an ordinary girl in her long black dress.

"I'm going to enter the most prestigious Academy on this continent. You know which one, right?" Abigail said, her red eyes gleaming.

"Of course. So, you're a first-year student this year?" I asked. If she was joining the Academy, she'd be in the same year as me.

"That's right, and it seems you will be attending the Academy too," she replied. She knew another secret of mine. This girl was really something.

---

Back at Eva's residence

SOPHIA'S POV

Why hasn't Eizan returned from outside after thirty minutes? I should go check on him.

I walked to the door and stepped outside. "He's not here... Where could he have gone without telling me?"

"Sophia!" Someone called out from a distance. The voice was familiar. When I turned around, I saw it was Elisia.

Elisia ran towards me and grabbed my hands. "It's been so long, Sophia. I'm so happy to see you here in the city." Her eyes sparkled with joy.

"Yes, it's been a while, Elisia. I'm also very happy to see you again," I replied with a gentle smile.

Elisia looked around, searching for someone who usually stuck close to me. "By the way... It's strange to see you alone without that boy by your side."

I knew she was talking about Eizan. "He was with us this morning, but after he left the house, he hasn't come back," I explained.

"Sophia! Aren't you worried he might be with another girl?" Elisia leaned in and whispered.

"W-What?"

Elisia gave a sly smile, as if she knew something. "Hehe, you don't know what he was like in this city before, do you? He used to have many girls approaching him because he was quite handsome for his age."

What did she mean? Why did my heart feel so heavy hearing that? "If you want to know where he is, follow me. I know who he's with right now," Elisia said with a mischievous laugh.

Without saying a word, I followed her towards the city...