Chapter 362
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Anfey rarely dreamed when he slept . For him, sleep was necessary to keep himself energized . As long as he could get adequate sleep, he could make sure that he could stay fully aware of his surroundings and the dangers that may lurk within . Dreams were rare, and he almost never remembered them . This night, however, he had a vivid dream . He became a large giant . He moved his hand and saw himself destroying the world, turning it into puffs of elements . Soon, everything around him became elements and even he himself was no more than groups of loose elements .
Sudden, rapid knocks on his door woke him up and put an end to his strange dream . "Who is it?" he asked .
"It’s me," Alice’s voice said .
"What is it?" Anfey asked .
"I need to talk to you," Alice said .
Anfey sighed and pushed himself up . "Come in," he said . Alice walked into the room and he saw her eyes narrow when she saw him . He looked down and realized that his blanket had slipped off of his shoulder and he was half naked .
"This room is cold," Alice said . She glanced at the hearth and the dying fire and sighed, walking over to reignite it .
"Wait," Anfey said, shaking his head . "Leave it . I can handle this . " He grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head .
Alice turned and smiled . She sat down primly on a chair near the hearth and folded her hands over her lap . She did not say anything and only stared at Anfey . Her large eyes were emotionless . Anfey frowned under her gaze . It still bothered him that he could not read her emotions .
"What is it you want to talk about?"
"Nothing," Alice said softly . "Just wondering why you’re still in bed . " She stood up and walked to Anfey, who was putting on his leather armor . "Let me," she said softly, helping Anfey lacing up his armor .
"I was tired last night," Anfey said . He did not push Alice away .
"It’s a shame that you do not have anyone to take care of you when Lady Suzanna is gone," Alice said . "Why don’t you let Shinbella take care of you?"
"No," Anfey said, shaking his head . "Shinbella is too important to take care of someone like me . Plus, I don’t need any maids . "
"You’re a count, my lord . It is only natural that you have maids," Alice said . She paused then smiled as if she had stumbled across a secret . "Are you worried about what Lady Suzanna would think?"
"I have maids," Anfey said with a sigh . "I don’t need them, like I’ve just said . It’s dangerous for them to be here anyway . I can take care of myself . "
"I can see it with my own eyes," Alice said . "Lady Suzanna took care of you when she was here . "
"That’s different," Anfey said .
"Of course," Alice said . "Of course . " She smiled and took a few steps back, inspecting her work .
Anfey did not say anything and watched Alice helping him dress . When he saw Alice grab the comb on the table, he hesitated . "Wait," he said, reaching over . "I’ll do it myself . "
It was customary that a married man’s hair should only be taken care of by his wife . The implication of Alice combing his hair was very dangerous to his reputation .
"It’s not something you should do by yourself," Alice said . She looked at the ground but did not put the comb down . When Anfey saved her from the slave runners, she had tried to seduce him . After she learned of his relationship with Suzanna, she tried to stay away from him lest her emotions cause a rift in their relationship . She thought that Suzanna’s absence would be a good opportunity for her .
Anfey did not expect Alice to be so insistent . He sighed and sat down on the chair, beckoning her over . He was not one to respect customs, because he knew that, in the end, customs did not matter . He didn’t know what would happen in the future and knew that he and Christian must rely on Alice . He didn’t want their relationship to be too tense .
Alice smiled and began combing his hair . There were a lot of ways for her to find someone to depend on, but there were very few people that made her feel safe . She was a princess, and she knew Anfey and his friends would never truly accept her . Anfey could allow his friends to practice magic and grow their power, but he wouldn’t let her . She felt uneasy even keeping Kumaraghosha close, let along grow her power .
Alice wanted to develop their relationship because she knew that if they became closer, Anfey would be more likely to help her with her revenge . She believed that she could convince him .
"Have you ever combed anyone’s hair before?" Anfey asked .
"Not hair," Alice said . "Beards, yes . I was very close with my father . "
Anfey sighed . "Be more gentle," he said . "Hair is very different than beards . "
"I see . "
"Make sure no one comes in," Anfey said . Alice froze and tossed the comb on the table . Anfey, confused by her sudden change in attitude, turned and looked at her .
"Is that who you think I am?" Alice asked, frowning . "A sly, calculating woman?"
"There’s nothing wrong with that," Anfey said with a shrug . "In fact, I applaud you for that . "
Alice shook her head . "Kumaraghosha’s outside . "
Anfey nodded and closed his eyes .
Suddenly, he heard Ozzic’s voice ask, "Where’s Lord Anfey?"
Alice started, jumping up from her chair . She didn’t expect Ozzic to come at that moment and was frustrated that he foiled her plan .
"Wait," Kumaraghosha said . "You can’t go in . "
"Why not?" Ozzic asked . "I need to see him . I have urgent business . " Ozzic sounded very angry .
Alice frowned . "What could he be doing?" she whispered .
"Who knows?" Anfey said with a smile . "Let’s see . "
Ozzic pushed open the door and marched into the room, panting . When he saw Alice in the room, however, he froze . Then he turned and quickly walked out of the room .
"Wait!" Anfey called .
"You called me, my lord?" Ozzic poked his head into the room and asked . Clearly, he knew that he had seen something he shouldn’t have .
"What do you want to talk to me about?" Anfey asked .
"It’s those knights, my lord!" Ozzic said, frustrated .
"Wait a few days," Anfey said . "Be patient . Everything will resolve itself . Don’t cause any conflicts . "
Ozzic sighed, then nodded .
Suddenly, they heard another voice outside . "I need to talk to Lord Anfey immediately!"
"What’s Orsie doing here?" Anfey asked .
Ozzic stood and opened the door, muttering something to Orsie . Anfey frowned .
"They’re too impatient," Alice said .
"You’re right . Which means I have to give him a small nudge . "
"You mean…"
Anfey smiled . "Just wait and watch . "
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