Chapter 295
Chapter 296 A Guide’s Invitation
When it came to serious topics, she genuinely had no idea what to say.
Lyra, however, had plenty.
She typed, “Have you heard what happened to Yannis p>
Understanding dawned on Ayla. That was real, serious business.
“Of course. Everyone’s saying in private that he must have offended someone and dragged into this mess for no reason p>
For no reason? Lyra’s gaze shifted.
“Why do they say that p>
gotten
Ayla said. “He’s the chief of the White Citadel. What business would he even have with the Oversight Council? The only plausible angle is that he short-changed Guides somehow and got caught red-handed.
“If any of us were unhappy, our personal guards would immediately step forward to protest and demand answers. If Yannis refused to fix things, he’d face serious push-back.
“Beyond that, I can’t see why he’d risk bribing Oversight Council officials, and a deputy chair at that. He’d have to be out of his mind to ruin his own comfortable position p>
Lyra pressed cautiously, “What if someone framed Yannis, or framed the deputy chair, just to seize his position p>
Ayla looked genuinely surprised.
“Now that you mention it…” She stroked her chin thoughtfully. “But if Yannis didn’t actually commit any crime, framing him would be pointless once the investigation uncovers the truth, wouldn’t it p>
Lyra fell quiet, turning the idea over in her own head.
Seeing her go silent, Ayla grinned playfully. “I didn’t realize you cared so much about Yannis p>
A chill ran over Lyra. Her face twisted as if she had just swallowed something repulsive.
“You really jump to wild conclusions p>
Ayla burst out laughing.
11:26 Mon, Sep 21
Chapter 296 A Stide = frvation
“I was just reasing! Look at your face p>
Lyra stared blankly.
“You’re so fun,” Ayla said. “Next chance I get, I’ll introduce you to one of my friends. We can all go out and have a good time p>
Curiosity stirred inside Lyra. “What kind of good time p>
What fun spots even existed around the White Citadel?
Ayla patted her shoulder with a knowing smirk.
“You’ll find out soon enough p>
Back inside the banquet hall, Lyra ignored the expectant stares from the crowd. She walked over toward the section reserved for Guides, smiling alongside Ayla.
Lirael and her group had meant to come over and strike up more conversation. But seeing Ayla’s arm looped through Lyra’s as they chatted happily, they knew better than to intrude.
Elowen watched the pair from across the room, faint amusement in her eyes.
Lyra gave her a helpless wry smile. Elowen’s smile deepened.
Ayla pulled Lyra down to sit beside her, her hand reaching naturally for the pastries laid out on the table.
“You want some p>
After two and a half hours of socializing through the afternoon, Lyra had lost all appetite for food. She shook her head.
Ayla dug in happily, her eyes fixed on the live performance unfolding before them.
Torin leaned in and murmured softly by her ear. “Ayla, don’t overeat. You’ll end up with a stomachache later p>
Ayla froze, a flicker of irritation crossing her lips.
Lyra could not hear the words, yet it was obvious Ayla was annoyed.
Once finished speaking, Torin patted her head in a soothing gesture, then stepped back.
Spotting Hadrien standing nearby, Torin held out his wrist. “Let’s exchange contacts. I’ll add you to the personal guard group chat. You can ask for advice there whenever a Guide runs into trouble p>
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Phablet 295 A Guide’s Invitation
Lyra was still new here, and Hadrien was her only personal guard. Knowing how fiercely he tended to leap to others’ defense, Torin figured he might one day need support from other guards.
Hadrien hesitated for a moment before lifting his own wrist. It would not hurt to be prepared for emergencies.
Lyra noticed Ayla’s sour mood and typed quietly. “What happened p>
Ayla pouted and recounted what Torin had just said.
“Do you often get stomach aches from eating too much?” Lyra typed.
Ayla pressed her lips together, looking faintly guilty.
“…Not all that often p>
Lyra said nothing.
There was nothing wrong with Ayla loving food. The problem was she struggled to pace herself. When she ate while distracted by something else, she lost track of how full she was. By the time discomfort hit, she was already painfully overstuffed.
Torin’s warning had been well-meant.
But because of what had happened before, Lyra did not want to defend those personal guards.
Yet offering unsolicited advice for Ayla to slow down would make her sound meddlesome, especially when Ayla was already in a foul mood.
Lyra’s gaze drifted across the table of desserts. She pointed toward one plump round pastry decorated with fancy frosting and whipped cream. “What is this one called p>
Ayla mumbled, “Frostcake p>
“Is it good p>
Ayla nodded vigorously. “It’s amazing. Sweet, smooth, the base is so soft and fluffy. One bite and p>
Her earlier sullen mood vanished, and she started talking a blue streak about the treat.
Lyra listened quietly and picked the pastry up to examine it.
When Ayla finished rambling, her eyes tracked the dessert in Lyra’s hand. “Aren’t you going to
eat it p>
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11:26 Mon, Sep 21
Chapte 290 A Guide’s invitation
Why stare at delicious food instead of eating it?
72
Finished
Lyra tilted her head and studied it for a second. Then she held it out toward Ayla, gesturing for
her to take it
Ayla’s eyes lit up instantly. She bit down on the whole pastry without hesitation.
Lyra smiled, watching her cheeks puff out, and wiped her hands with a cloth napkin.
“Mmm mph…” Ayla’s eyes sparkled, her speech muffled with her mouth full.
Lyra typed, “I’m not hungry. This pastry’s shape just looked strangely familiar p>
“Familiar?” Ayla asked around mouthfuls.
Seeing her fighting to swallow, Lyra pushed the fruit juice across the table toward her.
“Thanks.” Ayla took it and drank.
Lyra typed another message. “I read some books about Earth history once. There were children living in terrible poverty whose bellies swelled out round just like this p>
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11:26 Mon, Sep 21
Fetal Sentinels Obey Only Her
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.