Chapter 271: Argument

“Because Field is more attentive! She noticed I was upset, so she comforted me on her own. Are you satisfied now?!”

“Are you saying I’m not as attentive as Field?”

“What else could it mean?”

“What? That’s… that’s not how it is…”

Once Liyakade said that, Alice’s expression instantly stiffened.

Because Liyakade’s words were undoubtedly blaming Alice for not being attentive enough, for not noticing her bad mood.

But, all along, from the time they met until now, the more attentive one had always been Alice.

This statement completely negated all the care and attention Alice had previously shown Liyakade.

But what was the actual truth?

In reality, Alice had noticed something was off with Liyakade a long time ago.

Whether it was deliberately avoiding contact with her, or the unintentional coldness during physical touch, Alice could sense that Liyakade was different.

In terms of attentiveness, how could Alice possibly be inferior to Field?

Back when Liyakade was still bound by the Slave Contract, the first person to notice Liyakade’s abnormality was Alice.

It was just that this time, Alice harbored the same sentiment as Liyakade.

Since Liyakade was already so unconsciously resistant to it, if she pressed for answers, it might make Liyakade uncomfortable, or even hurt her.

But now, her own concession was being interpreted by Liyakade as a lack of attentiveness.

Could it be that Liyakade’s current implication was that she wasn’t concerned enough about her?

Or that she didn’t love her enough?

What more did she want her to do?

Even Field, who was standing by watching the two argue, slightly furrowed her brow after hearing Liyakade’s words, feeling that what Liyakade said was very inappropriate.

“Liyakade.”

Field had originally intended to observe a bit longer, but after Liyakade uttered those words, she couldn’t help but interject into the conversation between Liyakade and Alice.

“Aren’t those words of yours a bit too harsh?”

As an observer and mediator in the conflict between these two, Field could naturally understand the ins and outs of the situation more objectively.

Where was Alice not attentive enough?

Where was she less attentive than herself?

In fact, Alice had already noticed something was wrong with Liyakade before they even left the Royal City.

She just hadn’t brought it up to protect Liyakade’s feelings.

“Am I the one being harsh?”

Field’s sudden interjection only stoked a nameless fire in Liyakade’s heart.

In Liyakade’s view, Alice’s anger was already inexplicable enough.

Now, even Field was inexplicably calling her harsh.

After hearing Field’s reproach, Liyakade pointed at herself again, her tone filled with both confusion and irritation.

“Me? Harsh? It’s Alice who’s being inexplicable!”

Inexplicable…

Although this was Liyakade’s response to Field, it wounded Alice once more.

In Liyakade’s eyes, her own current behavior was already inexplicable.

Had Liyakade grown tired of her already?

Doubt and disappointment continued to fill Alice’s heart.

“Liyakade, apologize to Alice!”

“What? Apologize?”

“Field… there’s no need to say anymore.”

Seeing that Field and Liyakade were also on the verge of arguing, Alice just flatly stopped Field.

This wasn’t because Alice wanted to prevent their argument, but because she felt deeply weary.

Just before leaving the Royal City, she and Field had been discussing matters concerning Liyakade together.

They had always been competing fairly—no, they couldn’t even be called competitors, but rather allies.

And after Field promised to help her maintain her relationship with Liyakade, she hadn’t heard Field mention last night’s events either.

They had so much time alone today after getting off the carriage for Field to tell her, to communicate with her, yet Field had said nothing.

If it weren’t for Walter’s sudden provocation, this matter would have truly been glossed over by Field.

However, this couldn’t be blamed entirely on Field.

First, the reason for Liyakade’s sadness last night also involved the daytime Dream Realm.

That dream was indeed somewhat eerie.

Even if Field remembered the incident, she wouldn’t know how to explain it to Alice.

Second, they did have time alone today.

But at the time, Field’s mind was completely preoccupied with solving the caravan’s water source problem and treating the Poisoning victims.

Field simply hadn’t remembered the incident.

Moreover, Liyakade didn’t want to tell Alice about it either, not even now.

And Field had thought the matter would just pass like that, never expecting Walter to appear out of nowhere.

“Field, if Liyakade won’t tell me, then can you? Why exactly was Liyakade sad?”

Alice turned her head, her gaze falling on Field.

Her tone carried a hint of pleading.

Unable to get an answer from Liyakade, she wanted to get it from Field instead.

Even if Liyakade really was tired of her, please, let her know.

The alliance between her and Field was real, wasn’t it?

“This…”

“Don’t tell Alice!”

Suddenly questioned by Alice like this, Field was momentarily at a loss.

Her tone was very hesitant.

What was worse, Liyakade directly shouted to stop Field, which undoubtedly poured salt on Alice’s wounds.

As for Liyakade, she hadn’t expected Alice to immediately turn and ask Field.

Without thinking, she shouted to stop Field.

Not wanting Alice to know and thus be hurt was one part, but now, the larger portion was likely Liyakade’s emotional state, stubbornly refusing to let Alice know out of spite.

Naturally, Alice heard Liyakade’s words.

That statement, combined with Field’s hesitant tone and expression just now, made Alice even more certain that Liyakade and the others were definitely keeping some secret from her.

“Field? Can you tell me? Please.”

Alice asked again, unwilling to give up.

If there really was something terrible being kept from her, if Liyakade really was tired of her… then at least let her get a definitive answer!

This feeling of being kept in the dark was just too unbearable!

“What is wrong with you today?!”

Hearing Alice’s slightly pleading words, Liyakade grew even more agitated.

She simply couldn’t understand why Alice was making such a big deal out of such a small matter, and why she was acting so pitifully, as if she’d been abandoned.