Chapter 105
Theo paused for a moment, staring at Aldraya who remained calm with a cold gaze that rarely revealed anything.
He observed her with a mix of admiration and curiosity, realizing that the girl who had always appeared unreactive was capable of presenting a subtle poetics when her life choices were almost forcibly taken.
For Theo, the moment was not merely about nebulae or trivial cosmic illustrations, but about the depth of Aldraya's principles and her ability to restrain herself, asserting boundaries that could not be crossed.
He understood that Aldraya's response, though spoken softly, carried a profound meaning, a reflection of a warrior defending her integrity amid nearly coercive pressure.
Every movement and gesture of Aldraya was carefully noted by Theo.
The girl not only restrained her facial expressions but also positioned her body with precision, step by step, as if reading the rhythm of the world around her.
Theo assessed her attentively, recognizing that the questions Aldraya asked, which might seem silly to others, were far from the musings of a samurai whose mind was only occupied with women and wealth.
He could sense that behind her calm was a hidden strategy, a way for Aldraya to maintain control while keeping herself within her zone, even when circumstances were pressing.
To Theo, it was a subtle art that could only be perceived by those able to read motion and stillness with care.
As Theo stepped back, his back turned to Aldraya, the movement appeared casual yet deliberate.
Aldraya did not remain idle.
She promptly adjusted her steps, closing in, and naturally they moved in parallel.
The rhythm seemed light, almost like a silent dance between two figures who understood each other's limits and space, where every step contained subtle measurements of distance, attention, and influence.
Theo savored the moment, feeling a connection without words, an interaction occurring on the level of observation and intuition rather than verbal conversation or instruction.
They moved in harmony, their steps aligned without uttering a single word.
"Look at this, Aldraya. A fragment of the Zyllath meteorite.
Its age is older than most star systems we know."
"Quite beautiful, isn't it?"
"Just a stone fallen from the sky, nothing more or less."
'If your cynicism had a form, it would have already turned into a knife stabbing my chest.'
"And that one—look at the engraved line.
It's a remnant of atmospheric burning. Rarely seen this clearly."
"Hmmmmmh."
"Can you observe it for a moment?"
"I've seen it. Same as before."
'If it weren't forbidden to eat, I would have chewed you down to stardust.'
"Now, this one is more interesting.
A small core from an artificial nebula.
They say its color changes with room temperature. Let's take a closer look.
Isn't it amazing?"
"The color only changes. Nothing special."
'OH MY, ARE YOU HUMAN OR A COLD WALL PUT THERE BY GOD TO TEST MY PATIENCE?'
"Then—this!
A twin star system model that can move automatically.
It was just exhibited last month. Watch the orbit details."
Pssssh!
"See, I turned it on."
"I've seen it. Satisfied?"
'I. Really. Want. To bite you. Until you learn what enthusiasm is.'
"At least try to say something that doesn't make me want to—yes—enter the Sun's core, Aldraya.
Try to appreciate it a little."
"I appreciate this visit, at least."
'OH GREAT. THANK YOU FOR THIS ICE-COLD BREATH OF LIFE.'
"Look at this last one. Only this one.
The rarest piece in this room.
Light trapped from a star explosion hundreds of years ago. You must admit it's beautiful."
"Decent."
'IF "DECENT" CAN BE CONSIDERED PRAISE, I WILL HOLD A CEREMONY OF HONOR RIGHT NOW.'
At least twenty minutes passed in an uneven rhythm between Theo's desire to showcase the beauty of the sky and Aldraya's almost patience-shredding indifference.
Theo walked from one artifact to another, his finger repeatedly pointing at various forms of nebulae, remnants of star explosions, miniature spiral galaxies, and ancient light records displayed on the walls.
Each movement was full of enthusiasm, like a child discovering a new world and wanting to share it with someone worthy of seeing the same wonder.
Yet beside him, Aldraya remained cold.
Her gaze was not just flat, but like a frozen lake's surface refusing to reflect anything that approached.
Every time Theo waited for a response, Aldraya only replied minimally, her voice stripped of emotion until all that remained was a sharp cynicism that slowly chipped away at Theo's spirit.
Even when she spoke, it seemed only a firm skepticism emerged, with an intonation suggesting that whatever Theo showed was no more than empty ornamentation.
Theo knew Aldraya was always like this, yet there was a subtle difference he could not ignore that day.
Aldraya's reaction was not pure indifference, but a nearly personal refusal, as if she were closing the door to everything Theo tried to present.
Theo tried to endure, though every cold comment from Aldraya made his chest and heart alike heat up.
A primitive urge trembled within him, a wild instinct that made his teeth grit.
For a fleeting second, he imagined what it would feel like to pounce on someone so adorably cynical and, inhumanly, turn her into a meal.
The fantasy was absurd, yet enough to make Theo take a deep breath to keep his sanity intact.
He readjusted his steps, trying to accept the reality that Aldraya would never enjoy the exhibition as he did.
"Everything spins, like the universe itself."
"Exactly. This 360-degree visualization can show galaxy evolution, star births, and—"
"But maybe you yourself were born from an unwanted black hole worm in space and time?"
'OH MY, YOUR NAME…! If you weren't still human, I would have stuffed these words into your mouth!'
Hhhh!
"Do you want me to make a galaxy version for you too, Aldraya?"
"Don't bother. I prefer watching that chaotic black hole worm spin in this dome."
'YOU'RE ONLY SIXTEEN BUT YOU ALREADY MAKE ME WANT TO EXPLODE INSIDE MYSELF.'
Hooooh!
"I'll tell you, every point of light in this dome has a story. Just like you, Aldraya."
"A story that can confuse more often than your physics, perverted samurai."
'WHAT I WANT NOW IS TO SHAKE YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS UNTIL YOU REALIZE THAT I AM THE ONE WHO CAN RESTRAIN MY MADNESS IN THE CALMEST WAY.'
After leaving the Astronomical Artifact Exhibition Room, Aldraya and Theo stepped into the Mini Planetarium Dome, a small dome designed to display 360-degree visualizations of star formation, galaxy motion, and the evolution of the universe.
The room was filled with soft light from the slowly rotating projection, displaying cosmic swirls, crimson nebulae, and particles of light moving as if dancing to the rhythm of space and time.
Aldraya looked around with her characteristically flat expression, but occasionally a sharp, cynical voice pierced the room's silence as she teased Theo about his origins, cleverly suggesting that perhaps he was born from an unwanted black hole worm in space and time.
Theo tensed for a moment, his face furrowing in annoyance, but he held himself back.
His breath flowed quickly but evenly, his tongue quivering to curse in response to the clever and sly mockery of a girl only sixteen years old.
To be continued…