[AFYC] Chapter 49

That night, Reinhardt’s Wolves began preparing to leave Felphe. Originally, they were supposed to stay a few more days, but unexpected news had come in, prompting a change in their plans. The only person who wasn’t aware of the shift was Seo Ah, who had fallen into a deep, exhausted sleep after a day of intense anxiety.

The night passed quickly in quiet yet busy activity. By the time a pale, greyish light filtered through the windows, Oscar was already washing himself with cold water. After roughly drying his hair and slipping into a freshly pressed shirt, the Wolves, now fully prepared for departure, started gathering. Among them was Abel Sting, dressed impeccably enough to walk onto a stage. 

As the first light of dawn stretched deep into the room, Simon, coordinating the final details of their mission with Oscar and the other combat personnel, directed a subordinate to wake Seo Ah. Studying a map on the large table, Oscar briefly glanced at the back of the subordinate heading toward her room. 

A few moments later, the door to her room opened slightly, and Seo Ah, looking somewhat out of place in her beige trench coat, emerged quietly, holding a small suitcase in both hands. Her gaze scanned the room as if searching beneath the water’s surface before she spotted Oscar and lowered her head. 

Oscar returned his attention to the map on the table. “I think that’s enough preparation,” he said. 

“Yes, sir,” Simon responded. 

The timing was right, and there was no reason to linger. Oscar grabbed the jacket casually draped over a chair and walked toward Seo Ah. Abel, who had been waiting nearby, immediately followed. 

She lowered her head again as Oscar approached her, the early morning light making her look even more pale and delicate. 

“Did you sleep well?” he asked. 

Oscar stopped a few steps before her, gesturing for Abel to step closer as he spoke. “We’ll have breakfast on the train, and we should arrive in Luxen around noon.” 

As Abel came to stand beside him, Seo Ah’s eyes, lowered as if submerged under water, shifted to Abel. Oscar noticed and smiled. “From now on, you’ll be travelling with him.” 

In Oscar’s broad field of view, he noticed Abel’s charming smile. Oscar walked past the two of them, and the Wolves standing by opened the door to the suite as he approached. At that moment, Abel Sting’s mission officially began. 

“Good morning,” Abel said, his voice smooth and pleasant, the kind that could make anyone turn their head. 

“Good morning,” Seo Ah replied. 

“My name is Abel Sting. Please, call me Abel.” 

“Yes, I will.” 

“Shall we go?” 

“…Alright, thank you.” 

“Please, allow me.” 

The Wolves exchanged discreet glances at the exchange, some catching Oscar’s eye as he put on his jacket. As he glanced back, he saw Abel extending his hand toward Seo Ah in a gesture of assistance, a faint smile on his lips. It seemed like a matter of time before he reported back with success. 

But then Oscar had to suppress a laugh, pressing his lips together to keep his composure. 

Instead of placing her hand in Abel’s as he expected, Seo Ah hesitated briefly before handing over her suitcase. “Thank you,” she said. 

Without giving Abel a chance to react, she politely bowed and walked over to Oscar. Her actions were consistently unpredictable, defying his expectations. 

The look on Abel’s face as he was suddenly reduced to a mere porter was priceless. The other Wolves, except Simon, struggled to contain their laughter while Abel clenched and unclenched his now-empty hand before shrugging his shoulders and giving his master a nonchalant look as if to say, “Don’t worry.” 

Oscar glanced at Seo Ah, standing demurely a few steps behind him. Surrounded by men as imposing as mountains, she appeared even smaller. He caught a glimpse of the red ribbon tied at the end of her braid, a striking detail that, like its owner, drew his attention.