Chapter 78: Smitten

Kaizan chuckled. "Why do I feel that you are smitten by him more than anything, Anastasia."

Anastasia's head jerked in his direction. "I am not smitten by him!" She could feel heat rising in her cheeks. 

"But you did say that you want to solve him because you find him mysterious," Ileus added with nonchalance. 

She gritted her teeth because he remembered that conversation. "I— I just feel he— he is—" she stuttered. 

"He is what?" Ileus goaded. 

"He is a puzzle, and—" 

"And you think you are the missing piece of the puzzle?" Kaizan asked with a raised eyebrow and a lopsided smile. 

"No!" she countered vehemently. How did this conversation steer towards her? "I feel that I can solve the puzzle." 

"Oh really?" Kaizen added. 

"I mean— I mean I would like to solve the mystery he is. That's all!" 

Kaizen nodded slowly. "Hmm… I understand. It's fine Anastasia. You don't have to explain further."