Chapter 20: Wish You Happiness

“Hope you ladies have a wonderful trip in Green City.”

Jack cheerfully said to the two who stepped off the carriage.

“Won’t you reconsider hiring a fourth-rank upper gold adventurer as your guard? I’d be very happy to continue serving as your coachman.”

Yiluo flicked a gold coin toward Jack and said coldly: “Mr. Jack, my lady does not need a talkative servant. Farewell.”

Jack didn’t mind Yiluo’s cold attitude.

He was used to it.

If Yiluo did smile warmly at him, he would actually feel scared.

Before leaving, he added: “Recently many high-rank beasts seem to have escaped from the Sealed Demon Mountain Range. Green City isn’t very safe. Please be careful, ladies.”

Yiluo paused for a moment.

She thought: I just came from the Sealed Demon Mountains and didn’t run into any high-rank beasts.

She couldn’t figure it out.

But she still thanked Jack for the reminder, then stopped looking at him as he drove away waving.

“My lady, this inn looks nice. Shall we go in and take a look?”

“Mmhmm.”

Coco didn’t know what Yiluo planned next.

But seeing Yiluo still playing the maid role, she cooperated and continued acting with her.

After spending time together, Coco’s trust toward Yiluo was almost absolute.

She believed that aside from occasionally teasing her without malice, everything Yiluo did had a reason.

At the entrance stood two young girls dressed provocatively, smiling stiffly as they greeted them.

As the two entered the luxurious inn, the receptionist greeted them warmly.

“One deluxe room for three days.”

“Of course, dear maid lady, and your noble, beautiful mistress.”

After Yiluo handed over fifteen silver coins, the receptionist respectfully held out a gold-plated key with both hands and placed it into Yiluo’s palm.

The inn’s efficiency and service attitude were unquestionably first-class.

Yiluo couldn’t help but praise them.

Naturally, with a price of five silver per night, only nobles and wealthy merchants could stay here.

“My lady, are you sure you want to tour Green City’s night market before resting?”

After receiving the room key, Yiluo turned back and—making sure the hotel staff couldn’t see her expression—winked at Coco.

Coco understood immediately.

“I’ve heard that Green City’s Marlin Cake and theater plays are very famous. We must try the Marlin Cake and watch a play.”

Yiluo lifted her skirt slightly and bowed. “As you wish, my lady.”

After they walked some distance from the inn, Yiluo leaned close to Coco and whispered: “Coco, are you familiar with Green City’s areas?”

Coco didn’t know what Yiluo wanted and kept her expression steady.

“Miss Yiluo, I usually stay inside the viscount’s estate. I rarely go out.”

“Is something dangerous?”

Yiluo shook her head and gently pressed down the brim of Coco’s hat.

“Not yet. But we must be cautious—whether it’s mercenaries, the Holy Church, or soldiers. Is the viscount’s estate far from here?”

Is Miss Yiluo going to send me back?

Coco wanted to return to the viscount’s estate as soon as possible.

But she also didn’t want to part with Yiluo.

“It’s on the other side of Green City… a bit far.”

“Is Miss Yiluo taking me back now?”

Though Yiluo couldn’t see Coco’s drooping ears under her hat, her disappointed expression was obvious.

Seeing Coco like this, Yiluo unexpectedly felt happy.

Coco really does care about me.

She leaned close to Coco’s ear and whispered: “If Coco can’t bear to part with me, you can always become my maid.”

“Meow!!!”

The sudden closeness and Yiluo’s warm breath brushing her cheek made Coco shiver.

She cried out instinctively, then quickly covered her mouth with both hands.

She glared at Yiluo shyly and whispered: “N-not at all!”

“But… I can return… one day later.”

“So late… one day… later…”

Yiluo’s seductive, devil-like whisper made Coco’s heart pound wildly.

“Thump… thump…”

A strange, indescribable feeling spread through her heart, then throughout her body, filling her completely.

I don’t want to leave Miss Yiluo…

The air felt thin.

Breathing became difficult.

I’m becoming… strange…

She didn’t understand this emotion.

She didn’t understand this feeling.

But she didn’t hate it.

Still, she grew up in the viscount’s estate.

Her food, clothing, and shelter were provided by the viscount.

Her mother was also the viscount’s maid.

She had to return.

That was the place she belonged.

Yet… why did thinking this fill her heart with bitterness?

As if the bitterness overflowed and filled her whole being.

Is this really what I want?

But does a maid even have the right to choose?

Just when Coco felt she was about to suffocate—

A pair of gentle hands soothed her hesitation, calming her trembling heart.

She turned and saw Yiluo looking at her gently, her expression slightly apologetic.

Yiluo’s hand moved softly over her back, easing her restlessness.

“Coco, I’m sorry. I went too far.”

“I should understand your determination—the determination to return home despite all the risks.”

“I like that about you. I admire it.”

“Because I also have somewhere I must return to… no matter how small the hope.”

“Come. Let me accompany you to finish this journey, and end it with a perfect period.”

Though Coco’s heart ached, her body and spirit felt filled with strength.

So Miss Yiluo also has a place she must return to…?

It must be a wonderful place.

She wanted to see it.

If possible… she truly wanted to see it.

But first, she needed to return to where she belonged.

“Mm. Together… let’s give this journey a perfect ending.”

Coco smiled at Yiluo—like fireworks blooming in March, brilliant and dazzling.

.

.

Under the beautiful crescent moon, stars shimmered above Green City.

The night was lively, joyous, full of laughter.

The two changed outfits twice, booked rooms at three inns of different price ranges, bought decorative masks that barely covered their eyes, ate Marlin Cake, watched street plays, and wandered through bustling crowds.

Like real travelers blending into a brilliant, blooming world.

If one could paint that night onto a scroll, it would be the most beautiful page.

.

.

Next day, at dusk.

Near the viscount’s estate, Yiluo and Coco stood side by side.

Yiluo wore coarse clothing.

Coco wore a neat maid uniform.

“He won’t put shackles or a collar on you, right?”

Yiluo lowered her head slightly, speaking like a parent sending a child on a long journey.

“He won’t. Miss Yiluo, you’ve asked me that seven times since yesterday.”

Yiluo stared at her, still doubtful. “Really?”

Coco put her hands on her waist and shook her head like a rattle drum. “Really! The viscount is very good to me. I’ve never worn a collar. My mother never wore one either. Other people do the outside tasks.”

Seeing Coco’s impatience, Yiluo reluctantly nodded, pouting.

“Fine.”

“But I might come check on you anytime, so you can’t lie to me!”

Yiluo actually knew Coco was telling the truth.

She could tell.

But she still worried.

Maybe this was a parent’s instinct?

After all, Yiluo always saw herself as the father figure, treating Coco like a child.

“Pfft.”

Yiluo’s face had been darkened with soot—painted by herself.

Her originally delicate features now looked like those of a dirty little beggar.

Combined with her pouty expression, it made Coco laugh despite herself.

Covering her mouth, Coco said: “How could I ever lie to Miss Yiluo? If I ever become a little liar, it must be your fault.”

“But… assume I am a little liar. Then Miss Yiluo must take responsibility. If possible, please come visit Coco again.”

Coco’s smile was genuine.

Her words—half playful, half sincere—were also true.

And then, as if mimicking all the times Yiluo had ambushed her before—
It was her turn.

Her gentle, honest counterattack.

She suddenly stood on her toes, leaned in quickly, and her soft lips brushed Yiluo’s soot-covered cheek—

A dragonfly kiss.

Fleeting.

“Miss Yiluo… I like you too.”

“I hope you can return to the place you must go back to.”

“Goodbye.”

Coco whispered softly—only loud enough for the two of them to hear—then ran off quickly toward the viscount’s estate.

As if she would never be able to leave if she didn’t run right now.

She didn’t look back.

Neither Coco’s actions nor her words were things that usually stirred Yiluo’s calm heart—

But this time, a ripple formed.

She had been a special agent for seventeen years.

For fifteen of those, she lived as someone else.

Except for the two years spent with her wife and daughter, she had always kept her heart stone-cold, treating everything as fleeting clouds, never forming attachments.

Now her face felt slightly warm.

Instinctively, she touched the spot Coco had kissed.

Only after Coco had long disappeared behind the gates of the viscount’s estate did she shake her head.

Looks like… I really am no longer an agent.

Attachments make you easy to kill.

But… maybe that isn’t so bad.

Yiluo moved swiftly around the estate, climbed over the wall, hid in the shadows of bushes and buildings, and watched in secret for several hours.

Only when Coco’s room light went out did she finally leave.

Coco.

I wish you happiness.