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n

nRita hurried up as soon as she separated from Aurora.

nNow that Aurora had told Rita about her suspicions of being followed, Rita could sense the people following her.

nBut the barely-there feeling was concerning. Those people were hiding well enough to fool even Rita’s senses.

n“Hey, are you alright? You seem a little tense. Am I a bother to you?”

n“No. It’s not about you. There are just some people who decided to tail our group since we are from the Rocx Academy. I’m just trying to lose them.”

nRita did think about hiding the situation from the princess but she decided not to hide in the end.

nSince Rita and Natasha shared a similar background, Rita knew that the princess would not be impressed with the if they hid such a piece of crucial information.

nRita would not have liked it if someone treated her like a kid either.

n“Are you sure they are after you and not me? You don’t have to lie to me to spare my feelings. I can go away if you find me to be a bother.”

nRita sighed as she heard those words. She was not good at this kind of talk and she hated to get invested in emotional situations.

nBut she had to remind herself that she was doing this for Aurora and that made this worth it. Aurora was worth it and so much more.

n“Natasha, you are going to be a part of our academy. It is our duty to look after you. Besides, Aurora likes you so she’ll help you out. I am just helping her out.”

n“Wait! So you knew who I was all this time?”

n“Of course we did. We just don’t care about it. You can be whoever you want to be in the academy.”

nRita had not expected to speak so much. She had just wanted to console the other female a little and be done with it.

nBut once she had opened her mouth, words had started pouring out like water.

n“You talk like you have experience with this kind of thing.”

n“Of course I do. My family situation was similar to yours. Locked up and made to practice for a selfish purpose. But I decided I had enough and ran away.”

n“And then I met Aurora and she accepted me for myself. And then more and more people joined in. I’m sure you will also find people who accept you for yourself in the academy.”

n“I guess I will have to take your words for it.”

nRita’s eyes might be playing tricks on her but she was sure that Natasha’s face looked a little redder than before. It almost looked like a blush.

nBut Rita decided not to call attention to it. Natasha was not ready for that kind of teasing yet.

n“So, about the people following behind us? What should we do about them?”

n“We don’t need to do anything. Our companions will take care of it. You should just focus on enjoying our day out.”

nThere was a point in time when Rita would have killed to have someone show this kind of care.

nIt had been before Rita had met Aurora but she still remembered the feeling of longing and freedom she had carved.

n“You are right. I want to enjoy this time I have. So, I also have a request to ask of you. There is this one place I want to visit today. Can you take me there?”

nRita felt somewhat shocked at Natasha’s words. She had not expected the younger to trust her enough to ask for a request.

n“No. Never mind. Forget that I asked you anything.”

n“No, it’s right. I was just surprised by your request. You don’t have to feel shy about asking me for something.”

nRita quickly amended her behavior. Her surprised expression must have caught Natasha off guard.

nRita cursed her inability to act right in such situations. She was awkward when emotions were involved. Now if only Aurora was here, things would be so much better for her.

n‘Speak of the devil and she shall appear.’

nRita breathed a sigh of relief once she felt the familiar aura headed her way. Aurora was finally here and she could take care of things from here on.

n“Hey, I’m back. Alexander decided he had some other work to do so he’ll join us later.”

nAurora’s cheerful voice sounded forced. It was a poor attempt on her part to hide the truth.

n“So he’s dealing with those creeps following behind us? Good.”

nAurora’s face did not change when Rita spoke those words. Rita had a feeling that Aurora had expected the truth to come out by this point.

nRita hated to be this predictable but it was also nice to see that Aurora knew her this well.

n“Hey Aurora, did you know that Natasha had a place she wants to visit? She even went ahead and made a request.”

nRita ignored the startling jolt Natasha gave at her words.

n“She does? Then let’s visit that place. Natasha, where do you want to go?”

nSee, Aurora was better at this whole comfort thing than Rita. She even knew what questions to ask and what kind of voice to use.

n“I..ah, it’s nothing important. We can forget about it and enjoy Central Park for now.”

nIt seemed as if the confidence Natasha had displayed before was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she seemed nervous to bring up that place in front of Aurora.

nWas it because Rita had bared her heart out in front of Natasha? Or because they were similar that Natasha had decided to trust her?

n“Now, don’t be shy. You can tell me, Natasha. We are going to be family at the Rocx Academy soon enough.”

n“Family?”

n“Yup.”

nRita wanted to shake her head at the unintentional manipulation Aurora was doing. She had no idea the effect of the things she was speaking about.

nFor people like Rita and Natasha, the family was all but an illusion they had been shown. As such, the feeling of carving for love and acceptance was always burning bright in their heart.

n“A-Alright. I’ll tell you where I want you to take me. But you have to promise not to make fun of me.”

n“Sure”

n“I want to go to a grave. My mother’s grave to be exact. But I do not know where it is situated. Will you help me look for it?”

nRita opened her mouth to agree with the request but it was Aurora’s unusually serious face that stopped her.

nAurora was hardly this serious for anything. So, for her to be making this face for Natasha’s request was a first for Rita.

n“Are you sure this is what you want? To go to your mother’s grave? Will you be able to handle the truth about it?”

nRita had a feeling that Aurora knew something about Natasha’s mother’s death. It would not surprise Rita even a little bit.

nAurora was someone who knew a lot about insignificant things which may never come up in polite company. She was a resourceful lady who held her cards close.

nEven Rita had not discovered a lot of her secrets.

n“I was afraid up until a few moments ago. But now I’m sure I can face the truth. So please, if you know something then tell me.”

nNatasha sounded unusually serious. It was nice to see the indecisive girl finally coming out of her shell.

nBut wasn’t it all happening too fast? Natasha had not even known Aurora and Rita for even a day before making this request.

n“No. You are too desperate for my help to make me feel alright about you doing this. I cannot allow you to face your past in such a state.”

n“But, I need to do this. I’m afraid I will not get another opportunity like this.”

nThe more Natasha spoke, the more desperate she sounded. And the more desperate she sounded, the more Rita felt sorry for her.

n“Natasha, I can see what you are thinking. I won’t allow you to find out the truth and then end your life. Someone like you needs a purpose to live. So make this your purpose and get stronger.”

n“But”

n“This truth is something you will have to find out for yourself. Her grave is something you are not ready to face in your current condition. Come join us in the academy and get stronger. Only then will I tell you if you want to know.”

n“Alright.”

nRita felt awkward seeing that scene, but she did not interfere.

nAs for Aurora? She had her reasons for hiding the truth from the Northern Princess.

nThere had been rumors about Natasha trying to end her life after a certain incident. Aurora was not sure what the incident was that pushed the northern princess to take her life but she had a feeling it was connected to her mother’s grave.

nAnd this was a risk Aurora did not want to take right now.

nAlexander: We have a problem. A group of main palace guards is headed your way right now. What should I do now?

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