Chapter 22

*Lavi's point of view

Where has Alyce gone? She was here awhile ago and I saw her with Tyki Mikk. With the way they talk with each other, they have to have met in the past. It is actually understandable if she keeps that a secret but still. It is dangerous.

I looked for her again and again. It took half an hour until I finally found her. They were on the ballroom floor dancing.

"Alyce, may I speak with you?"

"Please excuse me, Lord Mikk."

"Is there anything wrong, Lavi?"

"Why were you with him?"

"He invited me. Is there anything wrong?"

"He's a Noah."

"Oh."

"What did you talk about?"

"The usual. And it seems he's Portugese. I had a friend who spoke that language. I learned it as well so we kind of had fun talking in that language."

"You know how?"

"Yeah. My friend was one so he kind of taught me when… The point is he taught me."

"What's his name?"

"It's not important since he's dead."

"Why won't you tell me? Is it because it was Tyki himself? I saw you, Alyce. You spoke with him like you've known each other for a long time. And he fits the description to be the friend that has a name you never dared to mention."

"The Tyki I had met is long dead, Lavi. The one I met just now is a different person. I hate him since he had deceived me. He made me fall for his lies. He tried to kill my brother despite knowing that he was my brother. He fooled me to believe that he was kind and sweet unlike the other nobles I had met. He would have killed Lilia if I hadn't stopped him at that time. So please don't tell anyone since it is unnecessary. I only spoke with him to gain information. I'm just using him."

"So he was the one you've always been talking about. The one Lilia looks up to as a father figure."

"Please keep things a secret."

"I'm not sure to keep any promises but I'll try. And make sure that you are just using him. Don't let him use you."

"He won't. And sorry for thinking you were similar; I was just confused and lost. You aren't really that similar."

"There is no sign of the innocence here. We'll go back to the next one tomorrow."

"I'll have brother take care of it."

.

*Alyce's point of view

I was wrong. Lavi isn't really that similar to Tyki. Those events had only been coincidences. When I asked Tyki to promise something, he would've answered immediately and keep it. I had only been blind when I tried denying it.

Why does Cross have to be right on this one? I won't say it even if I know it's there.

And although I hate to admit it, I really did miss Tyki and enjoyed the time with him even if I was mostly trying to say that I hate him. The only real thing that I hated about him was his lies. I never really cared much about him being a Noah but that isn't important now. I should just focus on the mission.

"How are you, Alyce? Was the party fun?" asked Ernest.

"Well, it was tolerable."

"I guess, it's better than the usual 'I'll kill you if you force me to go back to one' threat."

"Had I really said such words?"

"You did, my dear sister."

"I am sorry then, dear brother for letting words such as that come out."

"Sorry? What had they done with my dear little sister? This isn't like you at all. It's creeping me out."

"Stop that, I don't really consider you my family."

"Now, that is the Alyce I know."

"So you like me better that way?"

"You wouldn't be Alyce if you aren't that way."

"You don't care a thing about me and all of this is an act as to not gain any unfavorable rumors."

"If you know, then go on with it then. It is a mutual agreement."

"Yes, it is."

"Goodnight, Alyce."

"Goodnight, dear brother and have hell of a dream."

"Sweet dreams for you too, my dear little sister."