Chapter 113: There’s No One I’m Interested In
Cillian Forrest had gone through these lists one by one. He did his best to cast aside all emotion and approach the matter with the utmost rationality, selecting suitable candidates to be matched with Sophie Wexler.
Despite that, looking at the people in the files now, he still felt that not a single one of them was a match for Sophie Wexler.
He was being incredibly picky. If these few weren’t already the cream of the crop, he would have wanted to discard them all.
Sophie Wexler stared blankly at the pile of files before her. ’Is this any different from picking out cabbages at a market?’
"You can be a little stricter with your requirements," Cillian Forrest reminded her from his seat beside her.
"Stricter?" Sophie Wexler asked. "For example?"
"Take this one, for example," Cillian Forrest said, pulling a file from her hands. "A little short."
The person in question was 183cm tall.
"This one isn’t composed enough."
This was about someone who was merely outgoing.
"This one’s spiritual power just barely crosses the 3S threshold. A bit low."
’Seriously? Since when was 3S so common it’s considered worthless?’
Listening to him critique one person after another, Sophie Wexler was speechless.
"These people," she said, gently pointing at the files, "weren’t they all carefully selected?"
"Why are you so dissatisfied with them?"
It made her feel as if she wasn’t the one choosing a partner, but rather Cillian Forrest, who was being incredibly picky from the get-go.
Hearing this, Cillian Forrest pursed his lips. His dissatisfaction was still visible between his brows. "They were chosen because they are the most suitable among the available candidates, not because they are the most outstanding."
"Of course, the final choice is yours. You just have to decide." With that, Cillian Forrest expressionlessly handed the files he had just taken back to Sophie Wexler.
A wave of extreme discomfort washed over him. His lips were pressed into a tight line, and there wasn’t a trace of a smile in his eyes.
Sophie Wexler took the files and actually began to look through them seriously for a moment.
She had to admit, the information inside was incredibly detailed. This had to be classified information; you couldn’t find it on StarNet.
The introductions to their family backgrounds were especially thorough. Sophie Wexler thought it would be good to learn about these families anyway.
Cillian Forrest glanced at Sophie Wexler, who was engrossed in the files, and forcefully suppressed the urge to snatch them from her hands. Then, in a low voice, he asked, "Any thoughts?"
Sophie Wexler looked up from the files and answered Cillian Forrest seriously, "Yes."
Cillian Forrest’s fingertips froze. His Adam’s apple bobbed with a difficult swallow. He asked, "Who’s your preference?"
’Who among them actually meets her standards? Is her type in here?’
’What kind of person does she like? I’ve never heard her talk about it before. Is she really going to get matched with a partner this time? If so, does that mean we can’t interact anymore? It would be bad for her reputation.’
And the neck ring... Cillian Forrest felt the restraint around his neck.
Compared to his initial awareness, his disgust, the countless times he’d wanted to take it off, he now seemed to have grown used to its presence.
’Forget it. I won’t take this off.’
’It’s the only connection between us now. It won’t have much of an effect anyway.’
In an instant, Cillian Forrest’s thoughts had already wandered to several different places.
But it still couldn’t stop the sinking feeling in his heart.
He kept telling himself: she was the highest-Level Healer-class, she deserved the best, and this was the best arrangement.
Just then, a clear voice sounded, "My preference is..."
Sophie Wexler’s voice paused slightly. Seeing Cillian Forrest’s gaze fixed on her, she chuckled softly and continued, "I have no preference."
For once, Cillian Forrest’s thoughts were sluggish.
After a long moment, as if he hadn’t heard clearly, he asked for confirmation, "What did you say?"
"I said, there’s no one here I’m interested in," Sophie Wexler repeated. "And besides, I don’t want to be matched."
Before this, Cillian Forrest had imagined many possible answers from Sophie Wexler. He had been mentally prepared for any of her choices, but he had never expected this one.
Sophie Wexler casually tossed the files onto the table without a second glance. Then, she sat up straight, propped her chin on her hand, and looked at Cillian Forrest, her eyes curving into crescents.
Cillian Forrest’s expression froze under her gaze.
Just as he felt he couldn’t hold her gaze and was about to look away, Sophie Wexler spoke. "There’s something I’d like to ask of you."
Cillian Forrest steadied his emotions. "Go ahead."
"For this matching banquet... can I choose not to pick anyone?"
Sophie Wexler sighed. "I know this might be difficult, but you’re the only person I know well on the Capital Planet. Can you help me?"
"Of course, if it’s too much trouble or impossible, I’ll—"
"You can." Before she could finish, Cillian Forrest replied instantly and decisively.
He was afraid that if he were a second late, she might change her mind.
"You can," Cillian Forrest repeated, staring into Sophie Wexler’s eyes.
It would be difficult. Under the watchful eyes of various factions, it would be incredibly hard for someone of her Level to avoid being matched.
And although his rational mind told him this was definitely not a good way to handle things, and certainly not the outcome His Majesty wanted to see...
He agreed anyway.
In that moment, all his considerations and plans were thrown aside.
He admitted it: he didn’t want Sophie Wexler to be matched, to become anyone else’s partner.
Sophie Wexler was taken aback by his quick reply.
"Well," Sophie Wexler paused for a moment, "thank you."
"Don’t mention it. You saved my life; it’s only right that I grant you one request."
Sophie Wexler: "..."
’Right, but... that "saving" was a rather unpleasant affair at the beginning, wasn’t it?’
"Even though you don’t want to be matched, you still have to attend the matching banquet. I will handle the rest."
All eyes would be on the matching banquet. If Sophie Wexler didn’t show up, it would undoubtedly stir up trouble beforehand.
Sophie Wexler nodded. "Okay."
Then, as if she’d thought of something, she still felt a bit guilty. "Um, is this request of mine going to be difficult for you?"
"It’s fine," Cillian Forrest said in a low voice.
"I’ll definitely repay you for this later," Sophie Wexler said, pressing her palms together with a determined look in her eyes. "Doesn’t your Spiritual Sea get turbulent often? Whenever you need me, I’ll be there right away to help soothe it."
After saying this, Sophie Wexler thought for a moment. "Actually, never mind. You wouldn’t say anything even if you were in pain."
’This guy has always been like this. He just shoulders it all himself, wouldn’t make a peep even if he were dying of pain.’
"Let’s set a schedule. Twice a week, I’ll come help you soothe the wash of your spiritual power and clear out some of the toxins." Sophie Wexler proposed, then asked Cillian Forrest, "How does that sound?"
The color in Cillian Forrest’s eyes deepened. ’It can’t be completely cleared anyway, so I should just forget it. No need to waste her spiritual power.’
But he didn’t voice his refusal. If he did, she would definitely ask why. It was better not to say anything and just make an excuse later that he was too busy.