Chapter 259 The Villain Lady Arrives 87
Outside the door, moonlight shone through the narrow window lattice, sprinkling on the wooden floor, adding a soft silver glow to the dim room. Tariq took a deep breath, calmed his slightly flustered mood caused by the sudden knock on the door, and slowly opened the door.
Standing outside the door was the charming proprietress of the tavern, Lillian. She was wearing a tight red dress that outlined her graceful figure. Her long black hair was casually tied behind her head, and a few strands of hair gently fell on her cheeks, adding a bit of charm to her. Lillian was holding an exquisite food box in her hand, and her eyes were shining with tenderness and concern, as if she could see into the deepest secrets of people's hearts.
"Tariq, why haven't you rested yet so late?" Lillian's voice was low and magnetic, with a hint of imperceptible worry. She gently stepped over the threshold and placed the lunch box on the table, her movements revealing an unspoken tacit understanding and familiarity.
Seeing this, Tariq's nervousness and anxiety instantly dissipated, replaced by a warm feeling. He smiled slightly, although there was still a bit of bitterness and fatigue in that smile, "Yes, Lillian, some things always make it difficult to sleep."
Lillian walked up to him and patted his shoulder gently, as if to silently comfort him.
"I know that Leo's failure is a big blow to you. But that's life, there are always ups and downs. What matters is how we face them." Her words were gentle and firm, as if they could penetrate the haze in Tariq's heart.
Tariq sighed, turned around and sat at the table, his eyes fell on the food box, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.
"Thank you, Lillian. You always show up when I need you most." He said softly, his tone full of gratitude.
Lillian smiled and opened the lunch box. An enticing aroma instantly filled the air. It was a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup that she had made herself for a midnight snack, topped with a few slices of emerald green onion and a few slices of golden fried eggs.
"Eat something. Thinking on an empty stomach is not a good habit." She said as she pushed the bowl in front of Tariq.
Tariq picked up the bowl, and as the steam rose, he seemed to see Lillian's caring eyes.
He blew the hot air gently, took a sip, and the warmth instantly spread from the tip of his tongue to the bottom of his heart.
He looked up at Lillian, his eyes flashing with complex emotions, "Lillian, you always give me warmth and support when I'm in the most difficult times. I..." He hesitated, as if he had a thousand words to say but didn't know where to start.
Lillian gently pressed the back of his hand and interrupted him, "Tariq, there is no need for words between us. I understand your pain and your persistence. No matter what the future holds, I will always be by your side."
Her voice was gentle yet firm, as if she was making an eternal vow.
Tariq's eyes turned red when he heard this. He held Lillian's hand tightly, as if he wanted to keep this warmth in his heart forever. "Thank you, Lillian. With you around, I feel I'm not alone."
The two smiled at each other. No words were needed. Their deep friendship was evident.
The night seemed no longer so long and cold.
The next morning, the first ray of sunlight quietly entered the room, gently brushing across every inch of space, and it seemed that even the air was filled with the breath of new life.
Tariq slowly opened his eyes, his vision gradually becoming clearer in the haze, and he saw Lillian lying quietly beside him, her face calm, her breathing even, like a moving painting. He gently turned sideways, his eyes full of complex and tender emotions, and his heart could not help but ripple.
He sighed, and in this sigh there was both helplessness about the current situation and nostalgia for the past.
Alice, the name with whom he had spent countless days and nights, was like an invisible boulder pressing down on his heart, making him unable to completely let go. Although Lillian's warmth was like spring rain, nourishing his dry heart, his longing for Alice grew tenaciously like weeds and was difficult to eradicate.
Tariq got up gently, trying not to wake Lillian. He put on his coat, walked to the window, and looked out at the town gradually waking up. He felt mixed emotions. He knew that he had to face his inner struggle. Whether it was his gratitude and attachment to Lillian or his inseparable feelings for Alice, he needed a clear answer.
Just as he was immersed in his thoughts, Lillian's voice came from behind him, with a bit of laziness and tenderness:
"Awake so early? What are you thinking about?"
Tariq turned around and met Lillian's eyes that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts. His heart tightened, but then he felt relieved. He took a deep breath and decided to be honest:
"Lillian, there is something I must tell you. I...I still can't let go of Alice. I want to go back and see her."
Lillian's face flashed with surprise, but it was soon replaced by understanding and tolerance. She walked to Tariq, gently held his hand, and said softly:
"Tariq, I know you have her in your heart. But please remember, I'm here not to replace her, but because you need me. However, if you really want to go back to her, I support you. But I hope you can understand your own feelings. Whether you choose her or me, I hope you can be happy."
Lillian's tolerance and understanding made Tariq feel warm and guilty. He held Lillian's hand tightly, with a firm light in his eyes:
"Lillian, thank you. Your understanding and support have made me understand my feelings better. I will go find Alice, but I will also respect my own heart and will not let you get hurt. No matter what the result is, I will come back to tell you."
Lillian smiled slightly, with trust and encouragement in her eyes: "I believe in you, Tariq. No matter what choice you make, I will be here waiting for you."
Tariq nodded, his heart filled with gratitude and determination.
He simply packed his luggage and set off on his journey to where Alice was. Along the way, he felt mixed emotions, with both anxiety about the unknown outcome and deep regret and reluctance to leave Lillian.
Tariq walked through the morning mist and began the long journey back to the Magic Academy.
Every step seemed to carry memories of the past and expectations for the future. In his heart, he had both the desire to reunite with Alice and the guilt for his deep affection for Lillian.
The outline of the college gradually became clear in the morning light. That ancient and solemn building was once the place where his dreams set sail, but now it has become a witness to his emotional entanglements.
Walking into the town where the college was located, Tariq slowed down his pace. The scenery around him was familiar yet unfamiliar.
On both sides of the street, students hurried by, their faces filled with youthful vitality and thirst for knowledge, all of which made him feel both familiar and distant. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the waves in his heart, and then walked firmly towards the gate of the college.
However, before he reached the door, a deep and powerful voice interrupted his thoughts: "Stop, who is coming?"
Tariq looked up and saw a guard in silver armor standing by the gate, holding a spear and looking at him with a sharp gaze. The guard had a stern face and an inviolable majesty between his brows.