Chapter 208

On the road, there was a diner that travelers would stop by. Dolce decided to get a hot meal of coffee and pancake. Joshua was treated with a meal. They sat near the window, listening to the chatter around them, watching the television that was being broadcast.

“Hmm, to think that technology would progress. We used to live with oil lamps,” Dolce commented. She poured honey on her pancake.

“Five years of progress. Not to mention the efficiency of the dwarfs made it possible. The dwarves are pretty rich with all of these orders. They must be having a good time,” Joshua replied, sipping on his cup of coffee.

“Indeed, they are,” she wriggled her index. “The dwarfs that my brother’s company has are always having this gleeful look on their faces. You have to stop them from overworking themselves to death.”

Joshua looked at the television. There was an odd comedy show that makes the watchers on the café giggle. He didn’t know they were laughing at the jokes. “Speaking of your family, how did you survive?”

“We were on an island. Do you know why there are skyships flying around? We ‘gave’ my skyship to the Empire to give us amnesty and keep our noble rights. We have a certificate of recognition for it. Want to see it?”

“No?” Joshua said, his brows meeting. He did not understand.

“Too bad, it’s quite neat. Not to mention I have a really good bed.”

“Stop with the sexual innuendos, please. It’s early in the morning. Aren’t you tired? Are you that sexually repressed?” Joshua complained.

“I am,” she said with a poised look. “Actually, I’ve not tried to engage in any such thing. Do you know how tiresome it is to build a business empire? Do you know troublesome it is to see your smug-looking brother gloat about how lonely I am? I know that I stay inside my room reading and messing around. But how is that something to gloat at?”

“Calm down, you’re going to spill your pancakes.”

“Oh,” she took a deep long breath. “I am sorry. Thinking about my brother makes me mad. He’s such a tool. Do you know why I am traveling?”

“Now that you mention it, I have no idea why you are wandering around the middle of nowhere. Are you going to visit the garden of stars?”

“No. I was actually heading for a matchmaking session,” she told Joshua. “I was actually trying to move. I thought you were dead so I thought after a long while that maybe I should move on and marry anyone who might suit me. I was ready to forget you. Yet as I drive to my destination I’ve got to see the single man who I feel respect and love. The man who I thought to have died again, walking around with a backpack, looking like was a worn out traveler. Can you imagine my shock? I have to wear my glasses in order to hide my redden eyes.”

“You were that shock?”Joshua raised his brows.

“I am! I was trying to clear my heart. Yet you appeared before. Really, you are always a torn in my heart. You always defy my expectations. Aren’t you quite a sinful man?”

“Calling me sinful huh,” Joshua folded his arms.

“Yes. I am calling you that. Hmm, you are truly odd. I guess apathy really gets to people.”

He did not know what she meant by that. “I don’t get it.”

“Joshua, the look on your eyes tells it all. I saw the same kind of eyes when you broke. Are you really traveling around? Or are you looking for a place to die?”

Joshua shook his head. “No, I am not planning to die.”

She stared at him. Her gaze was piercing his soul. “Is that so?”

She shook her head gracefully. She turned her attention back to her pancakes. “Joshua, it is too late for me to say this. But I am truly sorry for what happened. I was in a rebellious age. I’ve been living my life, strangled by my father. His death gave me freedom. And now that I’ve five years to think about it, I hope that you can forgive me. I truly adore you.”

Joshua didn’t know to say at that moment. He scratched the back of his head. His eyes wandered around as if he doesn’t know what to do. How was he supposed to reply to that confession?

“I don’t know. I really don’t know. I think I hate you. I truly do. Yet your actions and words bother me. A part of me says that you are doing all of this to trick me. But you apologizing confuse me the most. I don’t understand it all. I just don’t know what to think about you. And talking to you hurts me. It is a strange feeling. You are like a worm forcing your way into my heart. I wish I’ve not met you again. ”

“I see,” she nodded with a slight smile on her face. “I guess you are honest as always. I like that.”

There was nothing to say anymore. Joshua silently ate drink his coffee and ate his food. Dolce elegantly dines on her pancake while occasionally glancing at the television that was just above the counter. There was a harmonious silence around the diner.

As the silent goes. Joshua would casually glance at Dolce. He thought of what she said, how she was acting. He didn’t know what to do. He became so despondent lately but seeing someone like her made him think of something. Although he doesn’t admit, the only reason that he was wandering around everywhere was that he was indeed looking for something. He hates to admit that she was right. He was truly looking for an excuse to find himself in a situation where he would possibly die.

Joshua looked outside. A car speeded passed the diner. He lifted his weary head to peer at the sky. There were many things that were going through his head. Maybe he will find some answers once he reaches the town that he was going. He was confused. He doesn’t know what he should do. That’s why he can only wonder what the step he should make from now on.