“Both of you, calm down for a second!”
After a brief moment of thought, Field quickly composed herself.
Weighing the pros and cons, she decided to tell Alice the reason why Liyakade was upset.
After all, the reason Liyakade had been hiding her feelings was simply to avoid hurting Alice—it wasn’t something that couldn’t be shared.
Once everything was out in the open, Alice would surely understand Liyakade’s temporary secrecy.
“Liyakade, don’t say anything for now.”
Field first stopped Liyakade from continuing, then turned to look at Alice.
“Alice, you need to cool off too. There are too many people around here with prying eyes. Let’s go back to the carriage or the tent, and then I’ll tell you the reason.”
“Mm…”
After hearing Field’s promise, Alice responded with a soft hum, nothing more.
Her emotions settled somewhat.
She realized she had been in the wrong—too many people were nearby, and arguing here would only draw attention and make them a laughingstock.
Besides, Vidar and Walter were probably watching them like hawks.
Even though they weren’t present, they surely had other eyes spying on them.
They might even be gloating right now, or worse, using this as a wedge to drive a rift between them and achieve their ulterior motives.
However, Field’s words and handling only considered Alice, not Liyakade.
To be honest, Liyakade wasn’t an unreasonable or heartless person.
But over the past few days, the anxiety and pain in her heart were no less than Alice’s.
Prolonged contact with the Light Element was a physical and psychological torment for Liyakade, a member of the Demon Race.
And the one who brought that Light Element to her was the woman she loved—a deeply conflicting irony.
Thus, Liyakade had been troubled by this matter, acting cautiously, afraid that Alice would notice something amiss.
Yet despite her carefulness, what she got in return was Alice’s interrogation and lack of understanding.
Alice kept pressing, and Liyakade naturally found it hard to bear.
Moreover, Liyakade had been under mental strain these past few days.
Today, she had even drunk poisoned water.
While her Demon Bloodline offered resistance to the Strange Toxin of Purple Thunder Grass, it was only resistance—not immunity like Alice, who could purify all toxins entering her body.
Liyakade was enduring and fighting the poison, which inevitably caused fluctuations in her body and mind.
That was also why she was so agitated now.
And now, Field’s disregard for Liyakade only added fuel to the fire.
“Hey! Didn’t I say not to tell Alice?”
Liyakade snapped at Field angrily.
Last night during their talk, they had clearly agreed to keep it a secret and not let Alice find out.
But now Field was about to break their promise and tell Alice about her worries and dreams.
For Liyakade now, it was no longer a matter of misunderstanding—it was more about sulking with the two of them, wanting Field to obey her.
“Liyakade, don’t throw a tantrum. This isn’t something that can’t be told to Alice. Calm down, okay?”
Hearing Liyakade’s objection again, Field frowned, trying to get Liyakade to settle down and not act like a child.
“Me? Throw a tantrum?”
Stung by the remark, Liyakade found Field’s words even more infuriating.
She was extremely annoyed now.
She shot back, then pressed on.
“Where am I throwing a tantrum? Just because I don’t want you to tell Alice, that’s a tantrum? But Alice insisting on asking about it isn’t a tantrum?”
“Those two things are completely different!”
Seeing Liyakade getting more agitated, Field felt a headache coming on.
Caught in the middle, she had no idea how to say something that would satisfy both sides and get them to temporarily calm down and talk in a more private place.
“Liyakade, we’re still outside. Once we’re back, you can vent all you want, alright?”
“No! How are those two things different?!”
Rejected and scolded again by Field, the fire in Liyakade’s heart burned even hotter.
“Why do you side with Alice and not with me? The person you love is supposed to be me—why can’t you take my side a little?”
“Liyakade!”
Field suddenly shouted, cutting Liyakade off.
Because Liyakade’s words were really inappropriate.
Their relationship should have been equal, but that remark made it sound like Field was playing favorites.
The harmonious and equal dynamic between them might become unbalanced.
“You’re yelling at me too!”
But Field’s shout did nothing to calm Liyakade down.
Liyakade was like a powder keg about to explode, and any word from Field was a spark.
Now, Liyakade was on the verge of a full-blown eruption.
“Fine! Go ahead and tell her then! Since you’re so fond of Alice, why don’t you just go be with her! Hmph!”
With that, Liyakade turned and stormed off with a sour look.
Field was also angered by Liyakade’s words—she and Alice were only friends and rivals.
She was actually more on Liyakade’s side.
Field was furious, but perhaps because she was wearing a Mask, her expression didn’t show much emotion.
However, her mind was in total chaos.
She stood there sulking, not chasing after the departing Liyakade.
As for Alice, there was even less chance she would follow.
After all, this whole thing had started because of her.
Liyakade’s anger toward Field was also related to Alice.
Alice didn’t even dare say much to Field now, let alone go after Liyakade.
What if Liyakade truly was tired of her?
Alice chasing after would only make Liyakade hate her more.
So neither Alice nor Field gave chase.
They silently watched Liyakade’s retreating figure, and the two of them fell into an awkward silence, each left alone with their thoughts.
Natalia, who had witnessed the entire little drama from the sidelines, didn’t dare breathe too loudly.
This emotional topic among Liyakade, Alice, and Field was something she had no right to meddle in.
But Natalia thought that maybe their current quarrel was actually a good thing—for her, and even for the entire Kingdom of Calderra.