"Greetings Second Prince, come in please." Xixi said politely.
'Are all princes so leisurely? He literally has no other work or what?' She couldn't help but wonder.
Ziran gave a light look at Riwansa. She of course wouldn't dare treat that glare as air which even his own biological brother feared.
"Er...I should get going,there is something important to attend." She guiltily avoided looking at Xixi before slipping away as silently as possible.
'Tch This Traitor' Xixi sighed internally.
"Do you have your previous account with you or would you like me to set you up a new one?" Ziran curiously asked, anticipating what her reaction would be once she realises that her virtual partner is actually him.
"Now?" Xixi was bewildered by him. The more she interacted with this particular person,the more she found her world views collapsing gradually.
"You have a problem?" He asked, leaning close to her.
"That...um...that...I have some assignments to do."she instinctively blurted out the excuse that she has been using for a long time in her university life to avoid going out or partying with her classmates.
"Assignments?'' Ziran repeated the foreign term to himself.
"Actually nothing, let's set up the account, ok?" Xixi said resignedly.
Ziran looked at her suspiciously for one last time before taking out a digital device out of nowhere.
His slender fingers worked quickly on the blue screen keyboard and finally the magnificent game screen appeared.
"Welcome to Mazeland, looks like it's been a while since you logged in. Please type in your password for security measures." The familiar system voice resounded.
The password was the date when she first developed a web application. It didn't take her more than a second to fill the blank space for the password information.
"Oops, it seems that your account is linked with your partner's. Please tap on the link sent to your partner's device to re-activate your account." The system voice played out.
"A partner, but I never had one." Xixi furrowed her brows staring at the screen.
With her one casual sentence Ziran felt his heart sinking to the pit of his stomach.
___________________________________
"You have the portraits, don't you?" Lucas asked softly.
"I already told you that I won't get involved with these ever again." Cordellia said calmly.
"I am the incompetent one, I am really sorry Chenchen."
Cordellia's entire body turned stiff for a while.
"Lucas, since you are aware that you are incompetent then just stop appearing in my life. Haven't you already hurt me enough?" She said monotonously.
"Ok, I understand. I apologise for disturbing you." Lucas longingly rested his eyes on Cordellia for a good few moments.
Cordellia stayed unperturbed, continuing to embroider tiny meticulous repetitive patterns on a smooth satin fabric.
The sharp edge of the sewing chain pierced into her skin. Blood immediately tinged her fair palm in red. She bit her lips till it turned blue and murmured softly "He left."
She lowered her eyes light tapping on the wooden table.
With a conflicted expression she slowly approached the cupboard at the very corner. She rotated the safety wheel a few times and knocked on it thrice. The panels slided open only to reveal a golden metal globe, some strange symbol transcripted on it.
Cordellia brushed her fingers against the cold metallic surface and gingerly took the globe out.
2 hours passed in the blink of an eye. Cordellia finally stopped her pen.
The digital screen consisting of some dates, coordinates gradually took the shape of two 3D maps interconnected to each other by tunnels.
Cordellia intently gazed at the screen.
"Could she be the person who is supposed to appear? If that's the truth then it definitely isn't as simple as it seems." She printed out the screen's writings, safely wrapping it around the globe and locking it away.
'Lucas, why….just why..I trusted you so much...yet you...putting up a pretense might be fun for you!' Cordellia disappointingly clutched on the off white wedding gown.
The small pearl beads slipped away due to the rough pull. She knelt down, collected each bead carefully in a pouch.
The long wedding dress rested on the table reminding her of the accident that should have never taken place.
_________________________________
Riwansa propped her chin on her elbow enjoying the pleasant night scenery. It's been so long since she felt so relaxed. This is indeed the calm before a storm, she knows, but she wants to let loose before facing the reality.
The chilly wind made her feel a little cold. She tried to take in the warmth of the bowl of medicinal herbs, by pressing her palms against it.
As she was immersed in random thoughts, a warm pair of hands hugged her from behind. The faint smell of collagen wafted to her. The cup fell from her hand. The medicinal herb spilled over her skirt staining it.She turned her head at lighting speed only to find Steven taking his handkerchief out. Without looking at her stunned expression, he diligently wiped away the herb from her coat.
"Why are you here?" Riwansa asked.
"To see you." Steven smiled playfully.
The corners of Riwansa's lips twitched. She raised one brow glaring at him.
"Ahem..My brother sent me to camping, for reading his private texts to sister-in-law." He said, gracefully folding the handkerchief back into his pocket.
"Sister-in-law?" Riwansa frowned.
"Brother is serious about her, stop meddling into their business like a naggy elder."
"I am meddling into their business? Xixi isn't from here. Just when can you stop being so immature?" Riwansa almost shouted.
"Immature? Right, I am immature for trusting you. I am immature for being hung up over a heartless woman. I am immature for never being able to understand that you didn't love me. You must be mocking me inside your heart, no?" Steven seethed with burning anger, firmly holding Riwansa's shoulder.