Head-to-Head

Time slipped away in silent embrace, and the light outside the window gradually brightened.

Finally, Amalune moved and was the first to loosen her embrace.

She sat up, her back to Ye Wei'an, quickly wiping away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes. When she turned back, her face had regained its usual sharpness.

"What time is it?"

Ye Wei'an also sat up and looked at the sky: "It's almost noon."

"Oh," Amalune responded, threw off the covers, got out of bed, and began picking up the clothes scattered on the floor.

Watching her busy figure, Ye Wei'an said, "Pack your things and let's leave here together."

Amarun paused.

"...Where to?"

"Let's go back to my hotel, 'Dragon's Jaw,'" Ye Wei'an said, starting to get dressed. "My people are there. You can stay with us too. It's at least better than the slums..."

He looked around the shabby room and said, "It's more suitable for living."

Amarun silently continued tidying up.

She pulled an old leather trunk from under the bed and put the scattered jewelry, several gorgeous dresses, some thief's tools, and a small wooden box carefully wrapped in oilcloth into it.

She worked quickly, finishing packing in just a few minutes, clearly prepared to leave at any time.

After taking one last look at the room where she had lived for so many years, Amarun followed Yevian and left without looking back.

Although Amarune and Yevian had developed a close relationship and she had become his companion...

But when she actually joined his life, the female wanderer was still somewhat unaccustomed to it.

When Ye Weian hailed a luxurious horse-drawn carriage at the street corner, Amarun instinctively tugged at his sleeve.

"Don't rent this one. It's such a waste to spend a silver eagle on a single trip. It's not far to walk back, and one silver coin is enough to feed me for several days."

Ye Wei'an had already given the coachman a silver coin.

"Why waste this silver coin?" Amalune asked, puzzled.

"You've been in the Dragon Knights Club for so long, haven't you figured out the rules for nobles yet?" Ye Wei'an explained to him, "For people like us, a carriage is not just a means of transportation, but also a symbol of status."

"Are all nobles this snobbish?" Amalune exclaimed in surprise.

"Who says otherwise?" Ye Wei'an shook his head. "If the clothes I wore and the carriage I rode in had been even slightly worse, those people might not have been willing to do business with me yesterday."

Amalune pursed her lips, said nothing more, and simply followed him into the carriage.

The interior of the carriage was exquisitely decorated, with silk cushions on the seats and a faint fragrance.

This was the first time the girl had experienced this mode of transportation. She sat up straight, her hands resting somewhat awkwardly on her knees, feeling uncomfortable all over.

The carriage quickly returned to the "Dragon's Jaw" inn.

As soon as Ye Wei'an pushed open the door, Ellen and Lina, who had been waiting for a long time and were anxious and dissatisfied, immediately came to greet him.

"Young Master! You've finally returned..."

Eileen stopped speaking abruptly, her eyes fixed on the person next to Ye Weian.

A strange woman was leaning against her master, her neat clothes unable to conceal her languid air.

Ellen's usually bright eyes suddenly dimmed, she snorted, and turned her head away.

Lina, on the other hand, was much more composed. Her perfect smile quickly returned, and she gave a slight bow: "Good day, Master. You didn't come home all night, and Ellen and I were very worried about you."

It was a normal greeting, but Ye Wei'an felt pressured by it.

"Sorry, Sister Lina, I'm late." He scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"It's alright, it's good that you're back." Her gaze naturally shifted to Amalune, her smile unchanged. "So, Master didn't come home last night because of this... new sister?"

Nearby, Volodya and two other guards, who had been wiping their armor in the corner of the hall, had long since stopped what they were doing, pretending to be just background figures, afraid of being drawn into this delicate atmosphere.

"This is Amarune Whitewave, the sorcerer I met by chance yesterday. She is exceptionally talented. From today onwards, she will be our companion on our journey to the Thun Plains," Ye Weian introduced. "Miss Whitewave, these two are my maids, Lina and Ellen, who are also my most trusted people."

Amarun had already inquired about the situation of those around her from Yevian, so she was mentally prepared to face scrutiny, questioning, and even difficulties before returning.

At this moment, she was like a small animal entering unfamiliar territory, secretly on edge.

However, Lina's reaction was completely unexpected.

"Miss Bailang, it's clear at a glance that you're no ordinary person." She stepped forward, took Amalune's hand, and looked her up and down, her eyes revealing genuine admiration: "My master has always been discerning; for him to value you so highly and even bring you back personally, you must be an extraordinary individual!"

Marun was stunned by this enthusiastic attitude, and all the prepared responses stuck in her throat.

She felt a little awkward and tried to pull her hand away, but Lina gripped it even tighter.

"However, Miss, this outfit is really not worthy of your status," Lina said regretfully, glancing at Amarun's faded leather armor and slightly worn boots.

"As it happens, when we were ordering clothes for our master, we also prepared a few sets of women's leather armor, which should fit you perfectly. There are also some other equipment... Miss Bailang, please allow me to help you change. Since our master considers you an important companion, you should wear equipment befitting you."

Without saying a word, she pulled Amarune upstairs.

If Lina's attitude is more hostile, Amarune can respond frankly and directly—having grown up in the slums, she is best at dealing with such malice.

But when faced with such direct sincerity and enthusiasm, she didn't know how to respond.

She subconsciously looked at Ye Wei'an, who simply smiled encouragingly at her.

So, like a delicate puppet, Amarun was half-heartedly dragged upstairs by Lina.

More than an hour later, when the two reappeared downstairs, Amarun had been completely transformed.

She changed into a sharply tailored dark brown leather hunting outfit, layered over a soft, dark green cotton shirt, and wore sturdy ankle boots that hugged her calves. A wide leather belt cinched her waist, accentuating her slender yet powerful figure. Her thick black hair was cleverly braided into a neat updo at the back of her head, with a few wisps framing her face, adding a touch of casualness. Her beautiful face and graceful figure, previously hidden beneath the rough fabric, were now perfectly showcased by the well-fitting attire, making her appear like a sharp blade about to be drawn—dangerous yet beautiful.

Lina examined her "work" with satisfaction, then said, "Miss Bailang must be tired from her journey and has just settled in. She must need to rest. There is a quiet, empty room on the east side of the second floor with good lighting. I'll have the tavern staff prepare it for her."

Amarun was indeed quite tired, not only from the physical fatigue caused by her morning exercise, but also from the mental discomfort caused by the sudden change in environment and the strangers she had just met.

She looked at Ye Weian and said in a low voice, "I am indeed a little tired and would like to go back to my room to rest for a while."

"Go, go." Ye Wei'an waved his hand.

Lina turned to the sulking half-elf maid beside her: "Eleanor, take Miss White Wave to her room. It's the sunny one at the end of the corridor. Remember to bring hot water and clean towels too."

When her name was called, Eileen flinched, then squeezed out a single word in an almost inaudible voice: "...Yes."

Then, she slowly moved in front of Amalune and said curtly, "...Please, please come with me."

After saying that, without waiting for a response, he turned and walked towards the stairs.