When Sophia woke up, she realized it was still early, and she was still nestled in Claudius' arms.

The sky outside had yet to turn bright, and the room was dark. She opened her eyes and waited for some time for her eyes to grow accustomed to the pitch-black surroundings before she could vaguely make out his facial features.

Afraid to wake him, she didn't dare to move. Instead, she merely raised her hand and traced the outline of his face in midair. I wonder when we can see each other again after today.

At that thought, Sophia felt a little heavy-hearted. Given a choice, I would like to accompany him back to Moranta, but I need to stay here to help Alexander manage Odyssey.

While she was lost in thought, Claudius stirred and gradually opened his eyes. The man gazed at her and reached out to touch her eyebrows. Then, he placed his hand on the back of her head and pressed gently while leaning down to kiss her forehead. "It's still early. Why aren't you sleeping?"

Sophia didn't respond and merely wrapped her arms around his waist to pull herself closer to him. She stuck her face against his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat as hot tears welled up in her eyes.

Perhaps after experiencing the six-month-long solitary, Sophia had come to yearn for the intimacy and warmth they'd shared in the past few days to last longer.

Reluctance to part with the charming man churned within her chest. She hadn't felt that upset in many years. Maybe when a person has learned to be independent for too long and finally found a shoulder to lean on, they couldn't help but want that situation to last forever.

As long as Claudius was by her side, she would feel incredibly at ease, even if they were doing their own thing.

However, he was leaving that day. The thought of them being thousands of miles apart and not knowing when they could meet again distressed her.

Sensing Sophia's silence, Claudius lifted his arm to stroke her hair and kept quiet as well, occasionally lowering his head to kiss her.

After about two minutes, she finally moved. She looked up at him and asked Genie to turn on the lights inside the room.

Dazzled by the lights, Sophia squinted for a moment. After getting used to the bright environment, she reached for her phone nearby and checked the time. "It's almost seven o'clock now."

"Okay," he responded and gazed downward at her.

Sophia was now wearing a faint smile as if the person who had been overwhelmed by sorrow while burying her face in his chest earlier wasn't her.


She composed herself and beamed at Claudius. "Shall we get up and prepare our breakfast?"

"What do you want to eat?"

Sophia contemplated briefly before saying, "Let's make something simple."

Claudius' flight was at eleven o'clock in the morning, after all.

After saying that, she propped herself up on the bed. As soon as she sat up, soreness spread through her legs. Recalling what happened last night, Sophia stole a glance at Claudius and felt her cheeks flushing instantaneously.

She immediately averted her gaze, put on the slippers on the floor, and walked toward the bathroom to freshen up.

By the time the two finished their breakfast, it was already past eight o'clock. The couple rested for a short while, and Sophia drove Claudius to the airport.

Samuel knew Claudius would be returning to Moranta that day, so he also went to the airport to see the latter off.

Claudius' flight was at eleven o'clock in the morning, and they reached the airport around ten.

Noticing Samuel, Sophia tactfully excused herself, temporarily giving the two men some time alone.

Claudius watched her figure from behind until she disappeared around the corner before he finally looked away and glanced at Samuel, who stood beside him. Claudius arched his brow slightly. "What's the matter?"

Samuel, who had planned to get emotional, caught himself after hearing Claudius' words, which were laced with hints of disdain and indifference. Instead, he asked, "When will you return to the country?"

"If everything goes well, next year."

Samuel let out a sigh of relief. "I thought you were enjoying yourself abroad and didn't want to come back."

Claudius didn't respond and merely cast a cold sidelong glance at him.

Samuel, feeling somewhat guilty because the man was staring intently at him, snorted and said, "Actually, there's something I need to tell you."

"Mm?"

"It's not a big deal, but some have been talking nonsense recently, spreading rumors that I have a relationship with Sophia. I'm just worried that you might misunderstand. I'll feel so bad if you two quarrel because of me." After he finished his sentence, he sensed something was off with the way Claudius was looking at him.

Panicked, Samuel hastily said, "No way. Don't tell me you really suspected me?"

Claudius scoffed. "You're overthinking. Anyone with a bit of sense would know that Sophia's taste in men isn't that poor."

Samuel suddenly sensed Claudius' sarcasm and instantaneously became displeased. "Come on. I'm not that bad, you know? I'm still the scion of the Schmidt family, a wealthy and handsome bachelor. When I take a stroll outside, plenty of pretty girls would ask for my contact details."

Claudius remained silent and merely regarded Samuel with a meaningful gaze, leaving the latter to comprehend its message.

Samuel, who still perceived nothing but mockery in Claudius' eyes, was rendered speechless. Why is he still as annoying as before, even after he lost his memories?

Nevertheless, the bantering had somewhat diminished the sadness of parting.

Samuel gazed at Claudius and patted the latter's shoulder. "I heard many people are targeting you at Anglandur too. Don't hesitate to let me know if you need any help." Although his memories are gone, and he's still as irritating as before, he is still my close friend for over thirty years. I will still lend him a helping hand when necessary. What can I say? I'm such a nice person, after all.

Claudius looked at his watch and said to Samuel, "It's already twenty minutes past ten."
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