Chapter 35: Reona's Goal
Morgiana smiled, "You don't have to be so true but what can I say?"
Xu An's mouth twitched. He forgot Morgiana was proud of her beauty and became a bit arrogant once someone praised her.
"That aside, what are you going to do next?" Morgiana asked and Xu An did not reply as he walked.
Morgiana quickly followed suit.
"I'm going back home," Xu An replied and he realized something as his expression turned slightly grave.
"My home is only a small hut, would it be okay for you?"
Morgiana nodded, "sure, as long as I can protect myself from the sun and rain, as well as the coldness of the night, I'm okay."
"You're right, there is no way you want to… wait, you want to?" Xu An was shocked and confused.
Morgiana shrugged her shoulders as she replied casually, "What's wrong? Compared to living in a cold prison cell a few years ago, a hut is more than enough."
Xu An was confused as he frowned but then, realization struck him.
That's right, Morgiana was once in the slave market… Xu An said slowly to himself and felt terrible for bringing up the topic.
Slaves were locked up in the slave market.
"Sorry," he quickly apologized.
"What's there to be apologized about? I should thank you instead. You see, in this house. I owed Master Reiner so much that I did not know how to pay it back and I don't want to cause him more trouble.
"When he brought me here for the first time. The maids looked at me in disdain and disgust. It probably still happens today, though they hide it quite well."
Seeing Xu An listen attentively without utter a sound, Morgiana continued, "With how much I owed Master Reiner, I feel pressured if I stay here any longer.
"So I'm planning to get out of this house in a few years. However, I didn't expect something like this to happen." She sighed.
"Wouldn't Master Reiner be angry?" Xu An asked curiously.
Morgiana shook her head, "no, slaves with Slave Mark can't run away or hide. Their masters could easily find them. So I have to ask his permission first before moving away.
"But still, with you taking me home. All my plans are for naught."
Xu An nodded as he understood, "I'm not going to say sorry. I don't know if you have such plans."
Morgiana chuckled, "you don't have to."
And without waiting for his response.
"Anyway, I'm willing to stay with you." She smiled.
Xu An was touched and his expression softened but then, he narrowed his eyes upon her smile. He felt odd with it but Xu An cannot pinpoint what it was. He shook his head.
They were walking and after twists and turns, they arrived at an intersection.
"The exit is that way," Morgiana said as she pointed her finger to her right and Xu An grunted in acknowledgment.
"Where are you going?" Xu An pondered.
"I'm going to pack my stuff. Don't wait for me, we'll meet again by the gate." After she said that, she went in the opposite direction of Xu An.
Xu An watched her back as it gradually got smaller and then, he turned his body around as he walked.
He pinched his chin as he fell in deep thought. It was unknown what he was thinking.
This lasted for a few seconds before he ended it with a helpless sigh.
Encountering the junction, he turned to the right and halted his steps as someone was blocking his way.
"Reona?" Xu An raised his brows as he recognized the person. It was the maid who escorted him and Morgiana to Master Reiner.
She was standing as she leaned against the wall with her arm crossed.
"What's up?" Xu An asked.
Reona straightened her back as she sized up Xu An from top to toe before shaking her head as she put her right hand on her forehead.
"Sigh, I don't understand why the Master allowed the young miss to follow someone like you.
"I just did some digging on you. Even though I have to admit that stopping the Grand Noble's assault on the young miss is something I thank you for, I can't ignore the fact that you're poor.
"I'm sorry for her. Her life is amazing and suddenly you came, stealing her and forcing her to live in such a small place."
As Reona's blabbering went on for about four or minutes or so, Xu An examined her face as he felt familiar with her.
Where have I seen her? Xu An frowned as he dived into his mind as he searched for someone.
His eyes lit up in enlightenment as he remembered.
"Zhang Yuan-er, is that you?" Xu An abruptly asked and Reona stopped talking as she was startled. Her shoulders slightly jolted.
This happened in an almost unnoticeable manner but before Xu An's sharp observation skill, it did not escape from his eyes.
"Who is that? Are you mistaking me for someone else?" Reona wore a puzzled expression and Xu An smiled.
"Look, a spider!" Xu An abruptly yelled as he pointed his finger behind her. Reona's eyes sparkled in excitement as she turned around and looked around.
"Where? Where?" She asked hurriedly and excitedly but at this moment, she realized what was going on.
Xu An smirked as his trick to get her cover blown away succeeded and felt pleasant.
"What age are you, really? Still like spiders?" Xu An said in a teasing tone as he chuckled.
"Shut up," Reona, or rather, Zhang Yuan retorted as she glared daggers at him.
Zhang Yuan was Xu An's childhood friend. Yes, the one who drives the old Xu An to commit suicide.
Though on the surface they converse normally, Xu An felt a bit awkward but it was perfectly concealed under his professional acting.
"What are you doing here? I didn't know you have a job as a maid," Xu An pondered as he sized her up.
Her overall appearance was already cute but her maid outfit intensified her beauty even more. Maid outfits certainly had that sort of effect.
Zhang Yuan hesitated before answering, "forget it, you've found me so it's only a matter of time before you know. I'm here to get something."
Xu An raised his eyebrows, "What are you searching for?"
After a short pause, she replied as she swayed her hand, "Don't worry, I'm not stealing something precious or something which endangers the Father of your girlfriend.
"I'm looking for someone and he was here before disappearing. He's an important member of an influential political faction.
"I'm trying to get Master Reiner's trust so I could ask him directly."
Digesting the information briefly, he pondered, "Why don't you use your identity as a core member of the Zhang clan?"
Zhang Yuan sighed, "Well I tried but it failed. He changed the topic every time I brought the question."
"I see, well good luck, I guess," Xu An said as he passed her shoulder. He knew when to put his nose into something he shouldn't have.
Things related to politics were a drag and Xu An genuinely hated it. How could he not? Schemes after schemes, what a drag.
Zhang Yuan turned her body to him and watched his back.
Hesitating for a short moment, she finally opened her mouth as she requested, "Xu An, please take care of the young miss."
Xu An halted his steps and turned around, "You seem to be close with her."
Zhang Yuan smiled, "You can say that but one reason is that I admired her."
Xu An knitted his brows as he frowned, "Why?"
"You know her background story right? Despite being in such a situation, she got over it rather quickly and adapted.
"Slowly enjoying life without being trapped in the past. She's amazing," she smiled bitterly as there was a tinge of envy in her tone.
You're wrong, Xu An said inwardly and added, she's not like that.
Ever since he was her master. He established some kind of connection with her and he felt what she felt albeit vague.
Although that was the case, Xu An sensed worry, fear, and anxiety.
He felt this way ever since he became her master and it did not fade out, it instead slowly accumulated but Morgiana chose to bury alive these emotions.
"Yeah, she's strong. Despite what happened, she never gave up," Xu An said.
"It'll be hard for you to conquer her heart, so good luck with that. Though, your chance is lower than zero," she smirked as she walked to where Xu An was coming from.
"Not planning to," Xu An shook his head.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone