"Where have you been all this time?" Celeste asked, settling down beside Alicia.
"Recovering," I replied, offering her the same excuse I had given Alicia earlier.
"For two months?" Celeste's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Where exactly?"
"Somewhere safe," I said with a shrug, trying to sound nonchalant.
"You're lying again…" Celeste grumbled.
What was I supposed to tell her?
That I infiltrated enemy lines, killed Valachia Knights, and led Ruvelion's army at Elyen Kiora to massacre hundreds—no, thousands—of Sancta Vedelia's forces?
Sure, I could be honest...
But why wasn't I?
Was it guilt?
Or was I afraid of how Celeste would react if she knew the truth? Maybe, deep down, I didn't want her to hate me.
I just couldn't bring myself to be upfront about what I had done.