“Miss Anya, are you inside?” Suddenly, Yisha’s voice drifted in from outside, yanking Anya out of the world of comics she’d been immersed in.
“Mm, I’m here. What is it?” She absentmindedly replied while flipping through the pages.
“Master just returned to the residence and asked me to bring you over. You’re not busy at the moment, are you?” Yisha’s voice was gentle, with a hint of cautiousness.
“I’m not busy. Wait for me outside for a bit, I’ll come right away.”
Anya reluctantly finished the page, feeling a bit regretful that she couldn’t get to the most exciting part in one go.
But she could only close the book, put it away carefully, and quietly opened the door.
“Miss Anya, why are your cheeks so flushed? Is it too stuffy in the room?” Yisha looked at her rosy face, unable to contain her curiosity.
Anya paused, then replied with a slightly guilty conscience, “It’s not that. I guess I was practicing swordsmanship in the room just now.”
“So that’s it, Miss, you really are diligent.” Yisha bowed slightly and led the way, “Master has been waiting for you in the study for quite a while. Come with me.”
Anya subconsciously touched her face—it really was burning hot.
She steadied herself, trying to push the plot of the comic out of her mind for now, and quickly followed Yisha’s lead.
They didn’t walk far before reaching the door of the study. Yisha knocked lightly: “Master, I’ve brought the young lady. I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, Yisha quietly withdrew.
Anya pushed open the door and entered. The middle-aged man sitting behind the desk finally looked up slowly, his gaze landing on her.
“Anya, you’re here.” Karen’s voice was still cold.
Silence spread in the study for a while, as if Karen didn’t know how to begin.
Anya was the first to break the quiet: “Father, is there something you wanted to see me about? Aren’t you usually busy?”
Karen seemed to realize his tone was too cold. He coughed and spoke a little more gently: “Kashan told me about your situation this morning. Have you been too tired lately?”
“I’m fine, thank you for your concern, Father.” Anya curved her lips into a faint smile.
“That’s good…” Karen said, then paused, “Actually, even if Kashan hadn’t given you a break, I was planning to mention it to her. After all, tomorrow is your birthday.”
At the mention of “birthday,” a light sparkled in Anya’s eyes, as if starlight flickered for a moment.
But that glimmer faded quickly as Karen’s voice carried an unmistakable note of apology: “But I’m sorry, Anya. I still can’t spend your birthday with you this year. The Dragonkin have been unusually active lately, and I really can’t spare the time.”
“I understand, Father.” Anya’s smile remained, but the brightness in her eyes dimmed, “I’m used to celebrating my birthday alone. Please, don’t worry about me.”
Karen lowered his head and pressed his lips together. After a moment, he said, “Don’t worry, I’ve already ordered the staff to prepare a birthday cake for you. Yisha and Meidi will keep you company; they should be able to make your birthday a happy one.”
When “Meidi” was mentioned, Anya’s mood sank inexplicably, and a thin mist welled up in her eyes, but she forced it back down.
It was just for a brief moment, so quick that it was almost imperceptible.
But Karen still caught that fleeting hint of grievance. He couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong? Anya, you don’t look too happy. I know you’ve always been strong, but if there’s anything that troubles you, why not talk to me?”
“Really, it’s nothing, Father. I’m fine.” Anya shook her head, her smile growing even softer, “The safety of the Northern Border still depends on you. I understand.”
Karen opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something more, but finally just stood up, walked to her, and gently ruffled her hair: “Sorry, Anya. Take these few days to relax. I’ve already spoken to your teachers about your lessons, and Yisha will be with you the whole time.”
“Thank you, Father.” Anya bowed politely.
“Report, General!” A hurried voice called from outside, “News from the frontline: the Dragonkin have gathered a small group and are heading toward the Eastern Mountains. It looks like they’re up to something!”
The moment those words fell, the gentleness in Karen’s eyes was replaced by cold sharpness.
He pushed open the door, looking at the servant half-kneeling outside, and said in a deep voice, “Let’s go, back to the fortress. These people have been restless lately—something big must be happening.”
Before leaving, he stiffly turned back, gave Anya a long look, sighed softly, and finally strode away.
Anya stood quietly in place, watching her father’s departing figure. A single tear fell unnoticed, landing on her collar.
The candles in the study still flickered, casting her small shadow long and thin, filling the room with an indescribable loneliness.
She stood in the study for a long time, until Yisha’s gentle knocking sounded at the door: “Miss Anya, are you all right? You’ve been spacing out in there for a while. Did something upset you?”
Anya raised her hand to wipe away the already dried tear tracks, and shook her head: “I’m fine, let’s go.”
She blew out the candle on the desk and followed Yisha out of the study.
“Master said tomorrow is your birthday,” Yisha suddenly spoke up as they walked, her tone laced with excitement, “Is there anything you want? I can go buy it for you.”
“There’s nothing I particularly want. The same as in previous years is fine.” Anya thought carefully and realized she didn’t have any special wishes.
“Then I’ll just have to prepare a present for you myself, Miss!” Yisha suddenly turned around, her face shyly smiling, “I just don’t know if you’ll like it.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it, then.” Anya let out a soft laugh. After bidding farewell to Yisha, she turned and returned to her own room.
[Hmm… That was a great nap~ Eh, Little Anya, did you go out? You didn’t finish that comic, did you?]
A familiar voice drifted by her ear—it was Iris. Somehow, the emptiness in Anya’s heart didn’t feel so unbearable anymore.
“Not yet.” She opened the comic again, but her gaze wandered; she just couldn’t dive back into that fictional world.
“You look all listless—did something upset you?” Iris suddenly appeared at her side, staring into her eyes.
Since Anya didn’t bring up any scenes from the comic, she’d just pretend not to know.
Playing dumb was the way to go!
“Anyway, you’re on break for a few days. How about taking me out for a walk tomorrow? Whenever I felt down in the past, I’d just wander around and always felt better.”
Looking at the carefree Iris, Anya gathered her thoughts and said, “Sure, I’ll show you what the Northern Border looks like.”
After all, Iris had given her the comic. If she couldn’t even fulfill such a small request, she really had nothing to say for herself.
“Then I’ll be looking forward to it!” Iris seemed truly excited.
Anya couldn’t help but wonder if this white-furred ball had overheard her conversation with her father earlier, but judging by her look, she probably really had just woken up.