As a villain, he could do whatever he wanted.

Page 177

"It's just a carriage. If it breaks down, we can fix it. It's no big deal. Similarly, if a batch of goods is lost, we can earn it back. As long as it can be made up for with money, it's not a loss."

As she spoke, Aurora's tone was gentle yet undeniably firm, as if she wanted to penetrate deep into the girl's heart.

"And none of these things, whether it's the caravan's losses or monetary compensation, are as important as your safety and well-being. Sophia, you yourself, and the other members of the caravan, are the most important treasures in our caravan. Do you understand this?"

"But...this is my first mission...and it's turned out like this," the girl said, blaming herself. "Yes, this is your first mission independently, but what does this prove?"

Looking at her daughter, Aurora shook her head slightly, then a reassuring smile appeared on her face as she began to tell her about her own experiences:

“I remember the first time I went out with the former caravan leader, I was even more of a wolf than you, Sophia. Not only did I lose an entire chest of account books and maps, but I also led the whole caravan astray in the Misty Forest for three days and three nights because we took the wrong turn, and we almost all became the dinner of the demon wolves.”

"Wrong? Is that so?" Sophia looked on in surprise.

"Of course, everyone has a period of inexperience, even I have my mistakes." Aurora smiled slightly, then continued, "That time, after I came back, I cried my eyes out, just like you are now, feeling like the most useless person in the world."

Sofia's eyes widened in surprise. She had never heard of Aurora having such a "dark history." In her mind, this mother and team leader had always been the perfect embodiment of omnipotence and perpetual composure.

Today, the words she uttered deeply shocked the girl. "And... what happened next?" Looking in Aurora's direction, Sofia swallowed hard and couldn't help but ask.

“Later,” Aurora smiled, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes, “the former caravan leader didn’t scold me. She just patted my head and said, ‘Aurora, it’s the fledgling bird that makes mistakes that has the opportunity to learn how to fly. The important thing is whether you’ve remembered the lesson you learned from flying the wrong way.’ She advised me with those words, and from then on, I never made any mistakes in that regard again.”

As she said this, Aurora continued to look at Sophia, her eyes filled with encouragement:

"So, my daughter, this accident is the same for you. It's not a stain that makes you feel guilty, but a valuable experience that will help you grow. Mom believes that after this experience, you will definitely become a more outstanding and reliable caravan leader than I have."

These heartfelt words, like the warmest spring breeze, finally dispelled all the gloom and barriers in Sofia's heart; she could no longer hold back, and tears streamed down her face. But this time, they were not because of self-blame and frustration, but because of the emotion of being understood and embraced.

"Thank you." Aurora didn't say anything more, but simply hugged her tightly, gently patted her back, and let her daughter lie in her arms, releasing all her grievances and pressure.

After a long while, Sofia's emotions gradually calmed down. She stepped out of Aurora's arms somewhat embarrassed and wiped her tears with her sleeve.

"Thank you, Mother."

This time, she did not insist on using that stiff title.

"Ha, silly child, wouldn't it have been better if you had done this sooner? You made your mother worry for so long." Aurora laughed and tidied her slightly disheveled hair again.

"However, Mother, there is something else I haven't told you yet."

Once Sophia had completely calmed down, her meticulous and earnest nature returned to its dominant state, causing her to raise her head and continue speaking to the dark-haired young woman before her:

"Regarding this accident, there's something else... quite peculiar, that I must report to you." Oh?

In response to the girl's words, Aurora tilted her head slightly, a hint of curiosity appearing in her eyes...

Chapter 410: Two People in the Caravan (Part 4)

"Oh? Is there anything else?"

Faced with her daughter's sudden words, Aurora sat back down in her chair, watching her with interest. Sofia nodded slightly, gathered her thoughts, and then recounted her wondrous experience in detail.

"...At that time, I was trapped in the carriage and had no way to get out of it. Just when I was about to give up, I heard a voice outside."

"A voice?"

“Yes, a very gentle and reassuring voice.” Sofia tried hard to recall the feeling at the time. “It was a…magical gentleman.”

When Sophia uttered the words "the man with magic," Aurora paused almost imperceptibly as she picked up her teacup to drink.

As she drank, a soft humming sound escaped her lips. A fleeting, profound light flashed in her eyes, but her face maintained its gentle, encouraging expression, without interrupting Sofia.

Sofia, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to her mother's subtle change, and continued to immerse herself in her own narrative with complete concentration.

"The gentleman asked me if I needed help, and then... then he told me not to panic, and then I felt the entire carriage be enveloped in a layer of pale blue light, and then... the whole carriage just floated up! As if it had no weight!"

As Sofia spoke, she gestured excitedly with her hands, trying to describe the unimaginable shock to Aurora, looking extremely excited.

"He was an incredibly powerful mage! He used magic to lift the carriage and escorted me all the way to the entrance of town, and when I was feeling very disappointed because of the failure of the mission, he... he comforted me."

"To comfort you?" Aurora's tone carried a hint of genuine curiosity.

“Yes.” Sophia nodded, repeating somewhat shyly, “He told me that one failure doesn’t mean anything, and he also told me his own story… He told me that failure is not terrible, what is terrible is losing the courage to try again.”

She wrote down almost every word Lius said, because those words were like a ray of light, illuminating her heart, which was then shrouded in gloom.

"It was because of what that gentleman said that I was able to pull myself together again."

With that, Sophia finished recounting the whole story with great anticipation, then looked at Aurora expectantly, waiting for her mother's evaluation of the mysterious magician.

However, Aurora fell into a strange silence. "The mysterious magician, huh?" She showed no surprise at the magical levitation spell, nor at the magician's identity. She simply sat there quietly, one hand elegantly supporting her chin, the fingertips of her other hand unconsciously and rhythmically tapping lightly on the smooth tabletop.

At this moment, Lola's gaze was somewhat distant, fixed on the forest outside the tent, as if she were pondering something extremely important. In those eyes, which were always full of gentleness and wisdom, there was now an extremely complex and profound emotion that Sofia had never seen before.

After a light laugh, Aurora already knew the general outline of what had happened.

In this world, apart from Leus, there should be no other person with such high magical skill.

Therefore, when Sophia uttered the words "the magician," Aurora already had a general understanding of the magician's identity.

And everything Sofia described next kept confirming her judgment.

Lius Frenz possesses powerful magic capable of easily leviting a carriage, a gentle and kind nature that encourages him to help strangers in distress on the roadside, and a mature and tender heart that knows how to skillfully comfort a lost girl.

There could be no one else but him. Thinking this, Aurora's lips began to curve upwards again, uncontrollably and slowly. Sometimes, the arrangements of fate are more wondrous than those in novels.

At this moment, seeing her daughter's excited and respectful expression, Aurora's smile deepened. She realized that Sophia had unintentionally formed a basic connection with Lius, and that in the future, she and Sophia would inevitably experience a series of closer interactions with Lius.

Everything that has happened so far proves that Aurora's idea of ​​marrying Levi was correct. The unexpected encounter between Levi and Sophia is a sign of fate. All of this indicates that the marriage between Levi and Sophia will proceed very smoothly.

Just thinking about it deepened Aurora's smile, radiating a gentle and satisfied confidence. After confirming this in her heart, Aurora swallowed slightly, recalling her promise to Lius—the promise to have Sophia with her, to accompany him together. At this moment, she felt a divine blessing and revelation from fate, filling her with immense joy, and her face flushed slightly. With this thought, Aurora's smile deepened, her excited gaze fixed on her daughter before her. That gaze seemed to pierce through the present, seeing into the distant future—seeing her innocent and naive daughter, still oblivious to everything, nestled in that man's arms, her face displaying a tenderness and happiness she had never shown before. And she herself would be by their side, smiling, embracing it all.

That would be the most perfect ending for both myself and Sophia.

Sofia, seeing her mother's meaningful, silent smile, tilted her head slightly, seemingly puzzled.

"Ok?"

She didn't understand why her mother reacted this way after she reported such a thrilling and extraordinary event.

She seemed completely unfazed by her experience, as if... she had foreseen it all. This feeling stirred a sense of unease in Sophia, and she couldn't help but utter, "Mother?"

Driven by intense curiosity and a touch of inexplicable unease, Sophia unconsciously used that most intimate term of address, which she only used in private.

"What's wrong? Why are you smiling so happily?"

Chapter 411: Two People in the Caravan (Part 5)

Mother, why do you...make that face?

Looking at Aurora and gazing at the smile on her face, Sophia tilted her head slightly and asked.

That meaningful smile, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, rippled through the girl's heart, filled with a profound meaning that Sophia could not comprehend at all.

It wasn't like her mother's usual warm and genuine smile, nor was it like the confident and assured smile she wore when she was the leader of a caravan.

This smile was more complex, more profound, and carried a strange sense of mischief, as if it contained some secret about the future that she could not reach.

Aurora, on the other hand, did not rush to answer her daughter's questions. She simply stood up gently, walked back to the table, and elegantly poured a cup of warm black tea for both Sophia and herself.

The aroma of black tea wafted through the air, dispelling the last trace of tension in the tent. Aurora, still smiling, handed one of the cups to Sophia. The warm touch brought some feeling back to the girl's fingertips, which had become cold from nervousness.

"As for my smile... haha, it's nothing, just a smile, nothing serious."

Aurora's voice returned to its usual gentleness, as if that enigmatic smile had never appeared, and she continued speaking to the girl before her:

"I was just thinking that sometimes the arrangements of fate are more wonderful than the most bizarre novels. A girl in trouble, a mysterious helper who just happens to be passing by... Isn't that a beautiful story?"

Sophia glanced at Aurora's words.

These words sounded like a sigh, yet also like she was deliberately avoiding something. It was unclear what the black-haired young woman was really thinking. But one thing Sophieya knew was that when her mother didn't want to talk, no matter how much she pressed, she wouldn't get any answers. In the end, she had no choice but to give up the idea of ​​continuing to ask. She held her teacup, silently took a sip, and let the mellow taste of the black tea soothe the unease in her heart.

Aurora, seeing her daughter's still somewhat confused expression, glanced at her. Then, as if remembering something, she changed the subject, a mischievous smile appearing on her lips, and asked in an extremely natural, casual tone:

“Speaking of which, Sophia, we haven’t talked about that marriage we discussed last time for quite some time now. Your engagement to the eldest son of the Fren family, Lius, is something we should seriously consider.”

"!"

The topic made Sofia more uncomfortable than any harsh reprimand; her body, which had just relaxed slightly, stiffened again.

"With a slight hesitation, she subconsciously avoided her mother's gaze, her eyes falling on the small vortex swirling in the teacup; her voice also became somewhat indistinct."

“Mother… now… now is not the time to talk about this. The caravan has many matters to attend to, and my magical research is also at a critical stage.”

"Oh?"

Aurora raised her beautiful eyebrows, her smile undiminished, but her tone now carried an undeniable firmness:

"Precisely because you are so busy, you should plan your life's important events in advance, shouldn't you? This engagement is not only about you personally, but also about the future alliance between our Aurora Caravan and the Fren family. It is a very important matter for us."

By deliberately using this excuse and emphasizing the word "very important," Aurora completely blocked any way out for Sophia to try and get away with it.

At that moment, Sophia knew that she could not escape.

"Hmm... My opinion isn't important. Since it's a marriage based on mutual interests, that person's thoughts don't matter much. From the family's perspective, this marriage is beneficial to both sides. What objections could I possibly have?"

She tried to detach herself from the relationship using the most rational and commercial analysis, as if she were talking not about her marriage, but about a cold, hard transaction.

"Oh? Sophia, do you really have no objections to that tone?"

Aurora softly repeated her daughter's words, then slowly shook her head. The smile on her face faded slightly, replaced by a seriousness that Sophia could not avoid.

“Sophia, answer your mother a question, not as a member of the caravan, but as my daughter. In that capacity, do you… look forward to this marriage?”

Those gentle eyes, at this moment, were like a clear mirror, reflecting all of Sophia's forced pretense. Under such gaze, her businesslike rhetoric seemed so pale and powerless.

Sophia's lips moved a few times, trying to say something, but ultimately she couldn't utter a single complete syllable. Seeing her daughter's ambiguous and troubled expression, Aurora understood. Instead of pressing her further, she changed her approach, speaking in a persuasive tone:

“I know you don’t know much about this Mr. Lius, but you must have heard a lot about him in the city, right? He’s young, but he’s an outstanding lord, kind, sensible, and… he also possesses unfathomable magical power. Isn’t such an excellent young man worth having a little hope for?”

"Rumors... are ultimately just rumors."

This time, Sofia's answer was quick and resolute, as if her mother's words had triggered a switch in her heart that she had been resisting all along, and that long-suppressed dissatisfaction had finally found an outlet.

"Mother, to be frank with me, I cannot have any expectations of such a... outstanding nobleman!"

As she spoke, her voice unconsciously rose a little, and in her clear, bright eyes burned a stubborn, black-and-white flame that belonged to her alone.

"Oh? Why?" Aurora asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Because everything he does goes against my definition of 'excellence'!"

Clenching her fists, Sofia made up her mind and poured out all the thoughts that had been building up in her heart for so long:

“That’s right, everyone says he’s kind and generous, but that’s just a common tactic used by nobles to win people’s hearts! They say he’s powerful in magic, but what I hear is that he spends all his time in that luxurious mansion, neglecting state affairs and indulging in pleasure! More importantly…” At this point, Sophia took a deep breath, as if she had thought of something very shameful, which made a shy blush appear on the face of this black-haired girl.

"And I've also heard... that his private life is quite scandalous. Isn't that right?"

Chapter 412: Two People in the Caravan (Part 6)

"His private life...is very immoral, isn't it?"

Looking towards Aurora, Sophia took a deep breath and poured out all her impressions of Lius:

“I’ve heard many rumors about that young master Lius… he’s a man with a very immoral private life! He keeps a large group of beautiful maids in his mansion, as well as some young ladies from noble families, all of whom have ambiguous relationships with him! How could a truly virtuous nobleman waste his energy on such… such depraved things? He’s simply a shallow and philandering young master who relies on his family and spends his days indulging in wine and women!”

“Well… that’s generally true, but he also has many other good qualities.” Sophia shifted her gaze slightly and replied. “Even with his good qualities, I would never marry such a… womanizer! I would rather dedicate my life to magical research and to the Aurora Caravan than become just another flashy decoration in a noble mansion!”

This impassioned declaration, brimming with girlish idealism and moral fastidiousness, echoed within the tent.

After she finished speaking, Sophia realized how emotional she had been. Her chest heaved slightly from her rapid breathing, and her cheeks flushed with excitement.

After letting out a sigh of relief, Sophia looked at her mother with some unease, worried that her almost rebellious remarks would draw her mother's scolding.

However, Aurora's reaction once again surprised her.

At this moment, the black-haired young woman was neither angry nor rebuttal, nor did she show the slightest surprise. She simply listened quietly until Sophia finished speaking. Then, that meaningful smile that Sophia couldn't quite decipher reappeared on her face.

“Gulu picked up her teacup, Aurora took a small sip, and then spoke slowly and calmly, as if discussing the crucial moment of the day,” she said. “So that’s how it is… So, Sophia, your misunderstanding of Leus is no ordinary misunderstanding.” “This is not a misunderstanding, Mother! It’s the truth!” Sophia urgently retorted.

“Indeed, a large part of it is true, and I can’t refute it either, but sometimes, the truth can deceive you…” Aurora smiled noncommittally, and after saying this, she didn’t argue with her daughter any further on the topic. She knew that no amount of verbal explanation was as convincing as firsthand witnessing.

Moreover, in Aurora's view, Sophia's "misunderstanding" only made the future "truth coming out" more interesting. "Well then, since you have so many opinions about your fiancé, that's perfect, Mom has an idea," Aurora said, setting down her teacup as if she had just made a decision.

"Tomorrow, I need to personally go to town to purchase a batch of alchemical materials necessary for making advanced recovery potions. I also need to go to the Furen Mansion to have a formal meeting with Lius regarding our caravan's trade route expansion plan for the next quarter. Sophia, you can come with me then."

"What? I want to go too!?" Sophia was stunned. "Yes, you're coming with me to visit Lius."