Chapter 55: Returning Home
But there was no way Viva could say no to the pleading expression on Ethan’s face! Ethan was desperate for any form of salvation, and it was obvious that he thought Viva was his last chance to get that salvation! As someone who became a city guard to help people, Viva couldn’t turn away from someone who needed her help. And that was why she simply nodded hesitantly.
"U-Uhm, I guess I’ll... try and talk to her."
Ethan’s eyes lit up in happiness, and he bowed his head and thanked Viva for her help! Viva scratched her cheek uncomfortably and said it was okay before Viva hurried to leave the room as quickly as possible. And as Viva left, she could only wonder how she would talk to Rita without losing her life in the process.
....
[Later that Night]
Percy walked into the library with his hands behind his back and a small smile on his face. Percy had only just managed to get away from Vivian after spending the whole day with her, and Percy couldn’t deny that he had actually enjoyed himself! Vivian had planned out an impossible amount of activities for the both of them, and even with his insane stamina, Percy could still feel some mental fatigue creeping in from how much they had done!
The first place they had gone to was the circus show in the western part of the city. The circus moved around many cities in the kingdom, and it was lucky that the circus just so happened to be in Aquinas this month! They spent close to three hours watching the show and eating from the stalls before they had to leave. After that, Vivian took him to an aquarium to see the sea creatures and feral beasts that were on display. There was even a dancing show put on by a group of beautiful mermaids, and Percy couldn’t help but think that Rita would’ve really liked to see it!
But Percy didn’t even get to look around for long before he was dragged out again to a shopping mall. Vivian bought so many things that Percy wondered if she was trying to empty out the shopping mall in one visit! Vivian even tried to buy him some clothes, but Percy refused, and he told her to just spend on herself. Percy knew that girls loved buying jewelry and clothes, and Vivian was a princess who was used to being spoiled, so Percy didn’t bother trying to stop her!
Throughout the outing, Vivian always used the pendant around her neck to hide her appearance whenever she was in public. So anyone who saw them thought they were just a rich couple going out on a date! The only time Vivian would allow her actual appearance to show was when they were indoors and alone!
After going to the shopping mall, they went to a few more places together, and Percy could always feel Vivian’s excitement from spending time with him! Vivian was enjoying every second that they spent together, and her attitude rubbed off on Percy and allowed him to also begin enjoying himself! Percy might not have any romantic interest in Vivian, but she was still one of his dearest friends, and that was never going to change!
The two friends stayed outside for the entire day, and by the time the sun was already coming down, Percy mentioned that he had to leave. Vivian immediately grabbed Percy’s hand with a sad look on her face.
"Do you have to go? We can go back to my hotel and spend time together! I won’t even try to make you sleep in the same bed, I promise! Let’s just stay the night together."
Vivian had pleaded desperately while looking up at Percy, and the maid, Fio, spoke up from behind.
"Can you please not make such suggestive comments about sexual encounters, your highness. It is unbecoming of one with your status."
Fio looked absolutely disappointed in her princess at that moment! Fio had been following Percy and Vivian around all day, and even though Fio tried her best to stay out of the way so that the two of them could enjoy themselves, there was no way she could overlook what the princess just said!
Vivian stuck her tongue out at Fio in annoyance before she turned back to Percy! Vivian knew she couldn’t say these things to other people, but Percy was different! Percy was the only person she could say anything to without caring what others might think!
Vivian gave Percy another pleading look that showed she didn’t want the night to end, and she held Percy’s hands up to her chest! But Percy just smiled kindly, and he told Vivian that he just couldn’t stay.
"I promised Rita that I’d come back tonight, so I have to get back soon. Besides, it’s not like you’re leaving tonight, you know. You’re still in the city, so we can spend some more time together later. Just come over to the library whenever you want."
Percy patted Vivian on her head as he said this, and Vivian deflated slightly. Percy wouldn’t have minded staying with Vivian if he didn’t have anything else to do, but Percy had to go back and make sure everything was alright in the library. And even though Vivian looked very sad that he wasn’t going to be staying, she was mature enough not to cry about it, and she just hugged him tight and told him that she would come back the next day!
And that was how the night ended, and after meeting with one more person, Percy calmly teleported himself back to the library. There was no one at the front desk when Percy entered, and Percy could tell that Lana had already gone to sleep. All the crystal lights had been turned off, so the only things illuminating the library were the dim rays of moonlight filtering from the large windows high above, and they cast a dim white hue over everything! Percy took in a calm breath and looked around with a smile. The morning just before students came in was Percy’s favorite moment in the library, but the night after everyone left was just as amazing! Being surrounded by so many books and such deep silence made Percy feel like he was in a different world!
Percy walked towards the stairs to go up to his bedroom, but he hummed curiously when he felt a foreign mana signature from the clinic.
’That’s the vampire I treated earlier. Did he wake up already?’
Percy could tell that the vampire who came here with Rita’s sister was already awake. From what Percy could feel, the man was still in the clinic, and the three homunculi nurses were keeping him company with conversation. Percy thought about going to speak to the vampire, but Percy decided against it for now. Percy was too tired to deal with whatever the vampire was going to tell him, so he decided he would leave it till tomorrow!
Percy continued his path up the stairs, and he pulled back the book that opened the shelf leading to his bedroom. Percy entered the room, and he glanced towards the red gown and the pair of shoes that had been thrown to the ground at the foot of his bed. Percy’s eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity before he glanced towards his bed to see Rita lying there. Rita was only wearing a pair of black panties and a black bra, so her pale white skin was on full display, and Rita was lying with her back facing him and her legs pulled up to her chest in a fetal position.