The day marking the official commencement of the "Royal Tournament" was drawing ever nearer. The City proper was beginning to swell with visitors, people flocking from all corners of the land, from every province and domain.
In the City now, patrolling soldiers were a common sight on every street, and merchants from smaller neighboring nations were gradually converging there. Today, Zhong Shenxiu hadn't emerged from his makeshift laboratory since morning, engrossed as he was in his latest research.
With nothing pressing to do, Keni pulled Robin, Angeliya, and Xia Luo along for a shopping excursion.
When women shop, spending is inevitable, especially for those for whom money is no object.
"Angeliya, I think this dress would look wonderful on you. Why don't you try it on?" Keni asked with a smile.
Angeliya turned to look and was instantly speechless. In Keni’s hand was a bright pink, one-piece dress—an item she had never worn in her life, and certainly nothing pink existed in her existing wardrobe.
"Keni certainly has good taste. Angeliya, why don't you give it a shot?" Xia Luo chimed in from the side, barely containing her laughter inwardly.
Angeliya vehemently refused, wearing an expression that suggested she would rather die than put on such a garment.
"Angeliya, how can you go out looking like that? What if you never manage to marry?" Keni continued to tease her.
"If I don't marry, then I won't marry," Angeliya stated coolly. In that instant, an image of Zhong Shenxiu flashed through her mind, causing her heart rate to quicken considerably.
"Oh dear, how could I forget? Angeliya already has a husband, so naturally, she isn't in a rush!" Keni chirped, letting out a delighted laugh.
Xia Luo was bent double with mirth, especially at Angeliya’s bizarre expression, finding it impossible to stifle her laughter.
Robin, standing nearby, remained composed. Though she didn't laugh, her gaze was fixed steadily on Angeliya.
Angeliya found this whole situation the most exasperating; she wanted to argue back but knew she couldn't best Keni in a verbal spar, so she could only stand there watching the two women.
"Angeliya, why don't you pick something out for your own wife instead?"
Keni’s favorite pastime was needling Angeliya; the colder someone appeared on the surface yet was actually quite thin-skinned, the more piqued Keni’s interest became.
Angeliya said nothing. She walked directly over, took the one-piece dress from Keni’s hand, and disappeared into the fitting room.
Keni and Xia Luo both froze for a moment, then quickly recovered, turning their expectant gazes toward the changing room door.
A faint rustling sound drifted from inside, but long moments passed without Angeliya reappearing. This only served to heighten Keni and Xia Luo’s curiosity. They exchanged a look, seeing shared anticipation reflected in the other’s eyes.
After about another fifteen minutes, the door finally cracked open, revealing Angeliya peering out through the narrow gap.
"Angeliya, it's perfectly safe in here. You can come out!" Keni urged.
"We’ve waited long enough! If you don't emerge soon, we're going to break the door down!" Xia Luo added her encouragement.
Finally, the door edged open. Angeliya poked her head out, her face flushed crimson, but she dared not step fully out, as if afraid of being caught by someone.
The moment Keni and Xia Luo saw her, both women were stunned. Firstly, they hadn't expected Angeliya to actually put on the dress; secondly, they were awestruck by the ethereal quality she exuded!
This was the first time they had ever seen Angeliya dressed as a woman—she was breathtakingly graceful, utterly transformed from the cold, icy Angeliya they knew!
While they were still lost in this momentary stupor, Angeliya abruptly retracted, slamming the fitting room door shut again.
"Angeliya, let us look a little longer!" Keni pleaded with a playfully lecherous expression.
"Yes, Angeliya, you haven't even taken two steps! Let us see you model it!" Xia Luo chimed in.
No matter how much they pleaded, Angeliya kept the door locked. Another series of rustling sounds followed.
Soon after, the door opened once more. Angeliya had changed back into her usual attire—the heart-stoppingly beautiful vision replaced instantly by the cold, snowy ice maiden.
Keni and Xia Luo sighed inwardly. They had missed a perfect opportunity; they should have just dragged Angeliya out the moment they saw her!
At this moment, Angeliya avoided looking at Keni and Xia Luo. The only reason she had tried on that dress was to prove her innocence—that she was a normal woman.
"Angeliya, how did it feel just now?" Keni asked, a mischievous smirk on her face. She knew perfectly well how embarrassed Angeliya was, yet chose that exact moment to inquire.
Angeliya remained silent, lowering her head as she carefully returned the dress she had just tried on to the rack, then retreated far away, as if terrified someone might link her to the garment.
"Sales attendant!" Keni suddenly called out. Then, under Angeliya's intensely confused and nervous gaze, she picked up the dress again.
Am I supposed to wear it again? Angeliya’s face paled; she felt utterly bewildered. Even she couldn't fathom why she had impulsively tried on that dress—something completely unthinkable just moments before.
Just then, a female sales attendant approached, politely asking Keni if she required assistance.
Keni handed over the one-piece dress. "Please wrap this up for me. I'm buying it."
"Certainly, please wait a moment!"
The attendant quickly returned with the carefully packaged dress.
After securing the purchase, Zhong Shenxiu smiled at Angeliya. "A souvenir!"
Angeliya was rendered speechless once more!
Exiting the boutique, the four proceeded to a large department store.
Perhaps because it was peak season, the store was crowded, filled with people of every style and attire.
"Robin, what do you think of these shoes? They’d suit you perfectly!" Keni was browsing the children’s footwear section for Robin.
Robin merely nodded, expressing little opinion. She was never particular about clothes; she wouldn't complain even if they were just straw sandals.
Keni was thoroughly attentive to Robin, selecting over ten pairs of children's shoes before moving on to pick out clothes and buying many other items for her.
The department store had five floors, each dedicated to different merchandise. The fifth floor even housed a fast-food court. After hours of browsing, Keni and the others decided to head up there for a meal.
Robin seemed quite invested in this prospect, her eyes lighting up as if this was the moment she had been waiting for during the entire outing.
As Keni and the others ascended the escalator, other customers were coming down. Just as the four were chatting pleasantly on their way up, a sudden voice made them all halt in their tracks.
"Robin!?" The voice held distinct surprise mixed with evident astonishment.
Judging by the tone, it belonged to a middle-aged man. Moreover, this voice was unfamiliar to Keni and the others. Yet, upon hearing it, Robin's body convulsed, and she froze completely.
Keni, Xia Luo, and Angeliya were all perceptive individuals; they immediately noticed Robin’s sudden distress and turned toward the source of the sound.
Descending slowly from above were three figures. Leading them was a man in his early thirties, dressed entirely in black. He was sparse on hair, his skin rough, and a thick beard covered his mouth. He was the one who had just spoken.
The two men flanking him were dressed similarly and were also observing Keni’s group.
In the short time it took, these three stopped about three meters away from Keni’s party.
The middle-aged man who had spoken stared unblinkingly at Robin, as if trying to confirm something.
Under his intense scrutiny, Robin’s body shook more violently, and her face contorted with expressions of pain and profound sorrow.
Keni, Xia Luo, and Angeliya all stiffened. In all the time they had known Robin, this was the first time they had ever seen her react this way.
Robin, at that moment, bore no resemblance to the peerless, monstrous little imp; she was just a frail, ordinary little girl! This was the first time Robin had ever revealed her vulnerability.
"Robin," Keni murmured softly, drawing the girl into her embrace.
Robin’s body continued to tremble, her gaze distant, seemingly trapped in painful memories. Keni held Robin’s small frame tightly, seemingly trying to use the contact to offer comfort.
"It really is Robin," the man’s voice echoed with renewed disbelief.
Keni snapped her head up, a piercingly cold light flashing in her eyes as she fixed her gaze on the three men. Her tone was colder than that light: "Who are you people?"
If necessary, she wouldn't hesitate to instantly eliminate these three! Every person carried memories they wished to forget. Keni was experienced; she, too, had felt helpless and desperate, and had once been as vulnerable as Robin now seemed. Many matters could not be resolved by strength alone!
She didn't care what connection these men had with Robin; anyone who dared to threaten her kin would face her absolute wrath—even if it were the Emperor of the realm! Keni had sworn an oath long ago: she would absolutely never allow anyone to harm her loved ones again!
Beside her, Angeliya and Xia Luo’s eyes also glowed with icy light, a coldness so profound it could freeze a person solid! They had received much guidance from Robin. Though Robin was usually taciturn, they had long considered her an essential member of their circle. Seeing her like this caused them deep, shared pain!
It was certain: if these three strangers made any sudden move, they would ruthlessly deliver a killing blow!
"You have five seconds to state your identities," Keni roared again. She had transformed, shedding her usual warmth and friendliness, radiating an aura that commanded fear. Keni rarely became angry, but this time, she was truly enraged!