Chapter 28

Nero's current expression was difficult to explain. Her expressions were constantly changing, sometimes anger, sometimes fear, sometimes wanting to cry... It turned out that she started to cry, not out of fear, nor out of anger... but because she suddenly again remembered the little girl Yui never coming back after being taken by the demon.

Sobs echoed throughout the bedroom as tears streamed from her eyes, but she tried to act hard and swallow the crying. It wasn't necessarily her memories and it wasn't she who went through all those tortures, but while she was dreaming, it was as if it had happened to her herself.

Managing to calm down, she felt a little happy to learn that there was no one beside her at that moment to witness the embarrassing moment of her crying. She didn't want anyone to see that weak side of her.

Taking a few deep breaths between heavy sighs, Nero got up from the bed and luckily there was a bathroom connected with the room where she was currently. Washing her face stained with tears, she wiped it down with a washcloth that was already prepared for her. She then left the room still wearing the white pajamas with pink flowers.

Nero let out a long sigh as she closed the bedroom door, still a little shaken by the nightmare she had experienced.

"Miss Nero, Madame Latifa and Young Miss are on the porch having tea," a maid said when she spotted Nero leaving the room, "I'm going to take you to them. Follow me, please."

"Right." Nero nodded and followed the maid.

Upon arriving at the porch, Nero saw Choko and her mother drinking tea and eating a slice of delicious-looking strawberry cake. * Ro~n* Nero's stomach made a cute noise that caused the mother and daughter pair to look in her direction and smiled.

Madame Latifa waved to Nero and said with a smile, "Come, Nero, sit down and eat with us."

"Thank you, Aunt Latifa." Nero nodded as naturally as possible, not wanting to look like a starving girl. She approached with slow steps.

"Sit here beside me, Nero," Choko said with a smile as she pulled out the chair for Nero to sit on.

Nero sat down on the chair which Choko told her to sit and said while looking at the mother and daughter pair, "Good morning, Aunt Latifa; good morning, Choko!"

Looking at their reaction, Nero could tell that they were looking at her strangely. She frowned, wondering if she had done something wrong. Little did she know that the mother and daughter pair were stunned by her beauty without makeup even though she had just woken up. Besides, she was wearing only pajamas, so how could she have been so charming and beautiful?

'What a pity that she is a woman. If she were a man, she would be an ideal match for my beloved daughter Choko...' Latifa thought ruefully.

Choko was still looking at Nero in pure admiration. Her eyes sparkled whenever looking at Nero; it was as if at last her sun came up, making her day better.

"Yes, great day..." Choko thought aloud, provoking her mother's soft and charming laugh.

Unfortunately, Nero was not paying attention to Choko's currently stunned expression; she was more interested in the slice of strawberry cake in front of her. Although she was not a sweets fanatic, she still liked it a lot.

*Cough~*

Nero feigned a cough to calm down. She didn't want to look dowdy, so she took a fork next to her plate and cut off a piece of the cake slice and drew it towards her mouth. The sweet and smooth taste of the cake spread through her tongue and Nero almost let out a murmur of happiness.

"Nero?"

"Mhm?" She looked at Choko. Seeing the strange expression that Choko was giving her, Nero started to wonder if she had done anything strange.

"I called you a few times... Did you like the cake so much?" Choko blushed. "Do you... do you want my part too?"

"Choko... Are you an angel?" Nero asked, seeing Choko in a new light.

Nero's eyes gleamed, radiating light even more blinding than the sun. Choko and her mother Latifa were amazed by Nero's bright and beautiful eyes which gleamed like rare jewels.

'Did she like the cake that much?' The pair of mother and daughter looked dumbfoundedly at each other. Latifa smiled and said, "This aunt is also full. You can eat my share too."

Nero looked at the two without understanding why they were being so generous, but Nero was not a glutton and quickly refused. "Aunt Latifa, if I eat too much I will end up feeling sick. I am almost satisfied; at most I will be able to eat a little more."

"Okay, but if you want more just let me know, alright?" Latifa said with a kind smile.

"Yes," Nero nodded.

After they finished eating, Latifa took a sip of her tea and asked Choko, "Daughter, do you intend to continue this life as a hunter?"

Latifa's concerned voice reached both Choko and Nero's ears. It was evident from Choko's mother's expression that she was not satisfied with her daughter's lifestyle. Nero looked on in silence. She could understand Latifa's concern; the life of a hunter was one of risk.

"Mother..."

Choko looked at her mother's concerned expression and let out a long breath. She breathed in a little air then closed her eyes for a few seconds and opened them again.

Choko's eyes shone with determination as she replied, "I know you are worried about me, but you needn't worry. I don't intend to do anything too risky and put my life in danger. I don't want to leave my dear mother alone, you know."

Hearing her daughter's reply, Latifa said nothing more. She knew that her daughter was stubborn and when she decided something, it was difficult to go back. But she couldn't help but worry about her daughter going around hunting monsters, putting her life in danger.

Soon one of the maids came to them and collected the dishes and poured a new glass of tea for the three women.

"Thanks." Nero thanked her for pouring the glass of tea.

After they finished drinking tea. Choko stood up and looked at her mother and said, "Mom, we're leaving now. I will be back later."

"Alright, but be careful out there," Latifa said worriedly.

"I will," Choko gave a reassuring smile.

Nero also finished drinking her tea. Although she was not used to drinking tea, she liked the taste of this tea.

Choko turned to Nero and said, "Are we going?"

"Yes." Nero agreed. But before leaving, she looked at Latifa and said, "Thank you, Aunt Latifa. Everything was very nice."

"You can come back whenever you want, my child," Latifa said while smiling.

After the two finished changing clothes, they left. Nero went back to wearing her leather outfit, while Choko was wearing black pants and a tight brown blouse, as well as a black short-sleeved jacket.

Although the outfit was simple, it was still very beautiful.

After walking with Choko through the streets of Esfin, Nero and Choko arrived in front of the Hunter Association Hall. It was even more majestic than Choko's Clan's mansion.

Nero looked in awe at the Hunter Association's appearance, but soon Choko pulled her into the Hunters' Association.

_ _

- Drop some power stone, please <3

{Edited by: Azurtha}