53. Adele's devotion
For a moment, the chaos of Hollowmist Airport felt endless—worshipping gazes, whispers, people tripping over their luggage just to stare at her.
But then—
Marcelline suddenly stopped walking.
A sharp clarity slid through her tired mind.
Right.
She wasn't here to be admired.
She was here for a mission.
A dangerous one.
Attracting this much attention would only complicate everything that awaited her in Hollowmist City.
She tugged her hood lower, slipped on her mask, and lowered her head.
Without her expressions visible, without her aura unconsciously shining, she looked almost… normal.
Almost.
Her eyes sharpened.
"Too many eyes on me," she murmured.
"If someone reports this, it'll create trouble."
She had to disappear.
She walked straight to the ladies' washroom, entering without being noticed.
The second the door closed behind her—
She checked the cubicles.
Empty.
Good.
She silently commanded..
The air obeyed instantly.
A gentle wind spiraled around her feet…
then climbed upward…
becoming a miniature tornado that shimmered with floating rose petals.
The petals weren't normal—
they were black and red mixed, the signature of her power.
Within two seconds, her form dissolved.
The wind twisted.
The petals vanished.
Marcelline teleported.
Quietly.
Effortlessly.
Like a devilish angel descending into another realm.
In the next breath, she appeared in a small courtyard paved with stone tiles.
A warm breeze drifted through the branches of a small maple tree.
The house in front of her wasn't a huge mansion, nor a shabby apartment.
It was perfectly medium-sized, peaceful, safe—
a villa thoughtfully chosen.
Her expression softened.
Adele.
Of course.
That girl never did anything less than perfect. At first Marcelline had thought for restaurant but at last moment she received a address of villa . And yes..!! Marcelline dropped the idea of restaurant immediately.
Marcelline lifted her hand, touching the smooth wood of the front door.
She could sense Adele's energy—her dedication, her careful choices.
This house had been arranged in hours, despite Marcelline being in a rush.
But Adele had still found something that felt… like home.
"Always overdoing things for me…" Marcelline whispered, unable to hide the small, genuine smile.
Inside, she could already sense the layout:
Warm lighting.
Lavish but cozy interior.
Furniture arranged for comfort AND security.
Hidden reinforced panels.
Magical shielding woven lightly into the walls.
Adele had thought of everything.
Even the garden soil outside had protective runes buried under the surface.
"Adele…" Marcelline exhaled, her chest warming.
"Your devotion is… truly something."
She walked around the courtyard, observing details only someone like her could notice—
the magical stealth barrier,
the reinforced locks,
the subtle enchantment placed on the windows to distort outside vision.
Adele had not only bought a house.
She had built a fortress disguised as comfort.
And she did it alone.
Marcelline felt pride stir inside her.
A deep, grounded pride.
"She never backs down," she murmured.
"Never takes the easy route. Even in a crisis…"
She remembered the first time she entrusted Adele with her secret company.
Everyone thought Adele wouldn't handle such responsibility…
But she proved them wrong every single day.
Capable.
Loyal.
Worthy.
The kind of woman Marcelline trusted with her life.
Marcelline placed her hand on the door again, whispering:
"I chose well… didn't I?"
The wind answered softly, brushing her hair.
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