Chapter 343: New-Old Teammates (1/2)

In front of the counter, two figures could be seen discussing something with the curly-haired guild attendant, Mary. One of them was a taller male figure which Aiden recognized as the current leader of the local branch, and the celebrated 'hero' of the city, the golden armored Rank 3 Adventurer of Higrove, Sir Michael Sonovan.

However, his back wasn't what caused Aiden to freeze on the spot, and his previous calm demeanor to shatter into pieces. No, what caused his shock was the other party, the slender back of a girl. Even though, she was wearing a traveler's cloak, a large dark brown furred hooded cloak, making sure that all of herself was carefully tucked away and hidden… She still couldn't hide away from him.

”Lily…” Aiden muttered, as his figure trembled with the tumultuous swirl of emotions. His hand once again was balled into fists, clenched so tightly that traces of blood dropped on the floor.

”Huh? What did you say?” Drake asked, looking surprised, following his friend's gaze only to smile with understanding a moment later. ”Ah, I get it now.”

He reached for Aiden's shoulder, giving it a light pat as he tried calming his friend down.

”Calm down big boy. He did nothing wrong, you don't need to be like that.”

Scarlet, although he heard both boys, remained silent, looking at the back of the girl with an unreadable expression on her face.

At the same time, as if they shared a mystical connection, Lily's body trembled, as soon as Aiden muttered her name. She sprung up, jumping back from the counter abruptly turning around. As soon as she spotted the familiar figure of her most beloved brother, a rare expression of delight and endless joy colored further her already beautiful face.

Sir Michael frowned seeing her reaction, turning around to look at what could have caused such a change of her usual demeanor. Jealousy and anger flashed through his eyes for a brief moment as his eyes landed on the long, black-haired, golden-eyed boy and his small company at the entrance. Still, he hid it almost instantly, equipping his usual, friendly, political smile. He looked at Lily, reaching out with his hand, offering her to grab onto it.

”Miss Lily, if I may be so blunt to offer, shall we greet the newcomers together?”

However, his offer was swiftly ignored as Lily bolted in the next instant rushing towards the boy at the center of the trio, jumping into his embrace a moment later.

He clenched his fists, causing his gauntlets to squeak under the jealous pressure as he was forced to watch a scene.

”BROOOTHEEEER! YOU ARE FINALLY BACK!” Lily, throwing away all her cool and usual gentle calmness, returned to her childish nature the moment her bright blue eyes spotted the dearly missed another half of hers.

As she was no longer a little child, her action caused quite a stir as her slender figure flew towards the stranger crashing against him and then hiding her sobbing face in the boy's chest.

The anger immediately vanished from his expression, replaced by a warm, loving outlook, Aiden wrapped his arms around the trembling girl's back. He leaned closer to her ears, whispering into it gently.

”It's okay, Lily. I am here.”

What he did next, caused a storm to go through the spectating crowd and also turned the sobbing girl stiff with shock. Aiden leaned in to her right cheek and kissed it.

”I am here my dear big sister…” He whispered, making sure only she could hear his words. He reached inside her hood, giving a gentle rub at the top of her head and causing a small pout to appear on Lily's face as he also messed up her hair.

”Meanie!” She mumbled, not wanting to leave the chest she missed so much.

Behind them, Drake looked awkwardly, not sure what to do. Due to Aiden and Lily's abrupt scene, he and his sister were also now under the watchful gaze of the crowd, which they didn't really want.

However, they couldn't really step away either and were now forced into this situation.

Scarlet, on the other hand, was smiling, smirking under the cover of her hood. She enjoyed the scene, watching a new, unexpected side of the usually calm boy was a good change. He was so quick to anger, but besides that, other reactions were almost impossible to squeeze out of him. Unless someone managed to hurt or threaten those close to him, he was almost impossible to force a reaction out of.

”Hey, there… Lily right? Glad to meet you again!” She stepped closer to the girl, offering her hand.