Chapter 24: Liliya’s Apology and a Proposed Journey

While Aldoran recuperated in bed, the tribe’s residents consistently brought her numerous daily necessities and food.

However, it was always Qing Yu and Thrud who tended to her needs.

Despite several residents offering their assistance, Thrud gently declined their help.

Her reasoning was that the tribe members were unfamiliar with Aldoran’s routines, and caring for her might prove difficult.

Consequently, after Thrud’s repeated polite refusals, the residents reluctantly abandoned their desire to personally care for Aldoran.

Instead, they channeled their goodwill into increasing the daily provisions of food and essential supplies.

Today, it was Liliya who arrived to deliver their offerings.

As Qing Yu entered Aldoran’s bedroom precisely at noon, he found Liliya already there, having just arrived to drop off her deliveries for Aldoran.

“Ah, Miss Liliya, you’ve arrived,” Qing Yu greeted, settling down beside Aldoran.

Liliya returned his greeting in kind.

“Excuse me, is Miss Aldoran about to have her lunch?”

Only after exchanging pleasantries did Liliya’s gaze fall upon the bowl of fragrant rice with toppings in Qing Yu’s hands, its enticing aroma filling the room.

Swallowing hard, Liliya glanced at Aldoran, then at Qing Yu, before her eyes drifted back to the enticing dish.

She began to stammer, clearly wrestling with something she wished to express.

“It’s quite alright. If there’s something on your mind, please don’t hesitate to speak,” Aldoran said, having noticed Liliya’s hesitation.

She then gestured for Qing Yu to set the meal aside.

“But, if I speak now, will I truly not be disturbing either of you?” Liliya asked, her hands clasped together hesitantly, her teeth gently biting her lower lip.

She appeared to be burdened by an unspoken difficulty.

“It’s perfectly fine, truly, nothing at all. Please, just speak your mind,” Qing Yu quickly reassured her.

“Then I shall,” Liliya declared.

Witnessing Qing Yu’s earnest demeanor and Aldoran’s patient anticipation, she rose to her feet, took a deep breath, and then abruptly bowed low before Aldoran.

“Forgive me, Miss Aldoran. My harsh words towards you before were inexcusable. I am truly, deeply sorry!”

“Eh!” Qing Yu gasped in astonishment.

Nearly half a month had passed, and he had not anticipated Liliya would still be dwelling on their past encounter.

“Please, stand up straight,” Aldoran said softly.

“I understand that you, too, had your own reasons.”

“Regardless, to speak to someone who genuinely wished to help us in such a manner was utterly unforgivable! I am truly, deeply sorry!” Liliya remained with her head bowed, refusing to straighten up, her apologies flowing incessantly towards Aldoran.

“My heart was far too narrow-minded, always harboring ill will and judging others, and to utter such words to a kind soul like yourself—I am truly, profoundly sorry!”

“It’s alright, it’s alright now. Aldoran is recovering splendidly, isn’t she? She doesn’t hold it against you any longer; there’s no need to keep dwelling on it,” Qing Yu quickly added, echoing Aldoran’s sentiment and offering comfort to Liliya.

“Indeed, what transpired in the past no longer holds significance.

You needn’t trouble yourself with it further.

Please, lift your head.”

Aldoran pushed herself up from the bed, leaning forward until she was before Liliya, and gently placed both hands on her shoulders.

For a fleeting few seconds, Aldoran’s mind drifted back to everything Alice had said during that twilight before the battle with Sleipnir.

The melancholic face of a certain man flickered in Aldoran’s memory, leaving an indelible impression.

“Focusing squarely on the future is paramount; there’s no need to cling to the past any longer.”

Aldoran felt a subtle tremor pass through Liliya’s shoulders.

“You… you truly…”

Liliya slowly lifted her gaze, meeting Aldoran’s eyes.

Though those azure eyes, like the boundless sky, remained perpetually calm, incapable of stirring even a ripple, Liliya nonetheless found an inexplicable sense of peace within their depths.

Aldoran’s eyes seemed to possess a wondrous, soothing power.

Without a conscious thought, Liliya turned her head and met Qing Yu’s gaze.

She found the same comforting reassurance there.

“Are you truly willing to forgive me?” Liliya asked again, her gaze once more fixed on Aldoran’s eyes.

Aldoran nodded vigorously.

As if a colossal weight had been lifted, Liliya finally slumped onto the chair, letting out a long, shuddering breath as her chest rose and fell dramatically.

She resembled a prisoner granted parole, finally tasting freedom once more.

“It’s alright. Let the past remain in the past,” Aldoran reiterated, before leaning back against the pillows.

Observing Liliya’s slowly easing tension, she then offered her the water cup from the nightstand.

“Would you care for some water? You appear to have been under considerable strain.”

Liliya wiped her forehead, her gaze falling upon her hand, now slick with beads of sweat.

It was only then that she realized her entire body was thoroughly drenched, large droplets of perspiration trickling everywhere, leaving no dry patch.

“Oh, thank you,” Liliya murmured, accepting the cup.

She cradled it in her hands, gently stroking its surface a few times before finally raising it and draining the entire contents in one gulp.

“How do you feel? Better now?” Qing Yu asked with a warm smile, observing Liliya’s flushed cheeks.

“When you’re feeling anxious, it always helps to drink plenty of water! I often do it myself!”

“Oh, oh,” Liliya responded faintly.

Liliya, her throat now slightly soothed, managed a few more faint responses, her head still bowed.

An awkward silence descended upon the room for several seconds.

‘Since I’ve been forgiven, perhaps I shouldn’t disturb them any longer,’ Liliya thought.

“Ahem, ahem.”

Liliya deliberately cleared her throat twice, attempting to dispel the awkwardness.

She then rose, offered a slight bow to both Aldoran and Qing Yu, and took two steps back.

“Well then, you two, if that’s the case, I shall take my leave and no longer disturb you.

Please continue to enjoy your lunch, Miss Aldoran. I’ll head out now.”

As she spoke, Liliya turned to leave, but Aldoran’s voice stopped her.

“What is it? Is there something else, Miss Aldoran?” Liliya halted, turning back to face Aldoran with a hint of bewilderment.

“Has Miss Alice spoken to you about the journey?”

A puzzled expression spread across Liliya’s face.

“What journey? The Chieftain has never mentioned anything of the sort to me.”

“I see…” Aldoran acknowledged, a flicker of understanding crossing her features.

After a moment of thought, she addressed Liliya once more.

“Alice believes you might benefit from venturing out and traveling.

Such an experience could prove beneficial for you, and the encounters you have during your journey might well alter your perceptions of strangers.”

“Furthermore…”

“If there is someone you yearn to meet, perhaps you might find them…”

“Hmm…” Liliya hummed, unsure how to respond to such an unexpected suggestion.

She remained frozen, lost in thought.

“It’s quite alright. I am merely relaying Alice’s thoughts to you; the ultimate decision rests entirely with you, and I will respect whatever you choose,” Aldoran stated, unhurried.

She understood that Liliya wouldn’t be able to make an immediate decision, for Liliya was still but a child.

She required time to ponder, ample time to weigh the advantages and disadvantages, and to discern precisely what her heart desired.

Aldoran would not rush her.

“Hmm…” Liliya still offered no reply, merely rubbing her hands together incessantly, seemingly at a loss.

“It’s perfectly fine. I don’t require an answer from you immediately.

You have ample time to consider it.

Until I decide to embark on my own journey, I will patiently await your decision,” Aldoran explained slowly, utterly devoid of any intention to rush Liliya.

“Exactly, exactly! Perhaps you could speak with Miss Alice, hear her perspective, and then combine that with your own desires to make your decision!” Qing Yu, having more or less grasped the situation, quickly followed Aldoran’s lead, offering Liliya his own counsel.

“Hmm…”

Aldoran and Qing Yu waited in quiet anticipation for Liliya’s reply.

Time seemed to crawl by, and the room was so still that Qing Yu could distinctly hear the “tick-tock” of the clock on the wall.

“Tick-tock, tick-tock.”

The second hand spun ceaselessly, and only after an indeterminate number of “tick-tock” sounds did Liliya finally break the lingering silence.

“Um, please allow me more time to consider.

Such a sudden request has left me rather perplexed.”

“No problem at all. I will wait,” Aldoran simply stated, adding no more.

“Just make the decision that feels right to you.”

“Indeed. Whatever you truly desire, go for it!” Qing Yu affirmed with a smile.

“Don’t concern yourself too much with us; simply follow your own heart!”

“Yes, I will give it careful thought,” Liliya replied, bowing once more before promptly exiting the room.

With Liliya’s quandary set aside, Qing Yu and Aldoran dismissed their lingering thoughts and devoted themselves fully to enjoying their lunch.