"General Lance, please ask Isis to come here. I'm going to take you with me. We will meet with someone," Marcia said to Lance, who lifted one eyebrow curiously.
"Who are we going to meet?" he asked. Marcia's vague words had confused him and also aroused his interest. Surely, she wasn't planning something dangerous, right?
"You'll know when we get there. It will be just the three of us, so don't bring any attendants with you. Disguise yourself, and make sure that nobody can recognize you. I'll wait for you in the teahouse in front of the headquarters..." After saying that, Marcia disappeared from where she stood.
Not long after, Lance and Isis, who were both wearing a hooded cloak to cover their faces, went to the teahouse in front of the headquarters to meet with Marcia. Marcia looked around vigilantly as soon as she spotted them, then said to the father and daughter, "Follow me closely." After saying that, she walked into the street and easily blended with the crowd.
Meanwhile, the two were a bit alarmed because of Marcia's suspicious behavior, but they still followed her.
Marcia took the two of them and circled Evian City once, just to make sure that they weren't being followed. Then, they finally arrived at the inn where Rocky and his companion were staying. The three of them went upstairs, one of them walked with sure steps, while the other two were following behind her with uncertain steps. Finally, they came upon the end of the hallway, where an inconspicuous door waited stood.
"Isis, you can enter first. I'm sure the person inside wants to see you the most," Marcia said, nodding to Isis and gesturing at the door.
Hearing this, Isis was stunned. She looked at her father before she gently pushed the door open. She saw a familiar figure standing in front of an open window, and the air came in and caressed the strands of hair around his face. She had seen this so many times in her dream, but every time she could only see his back. Every time he turned to face her, he would disappear, or she would wake up.
Isis thought that she was dreaming once again. She stared at the figure, silent and still as a shadow. Perhaps she was afraid that he would disappear the moment that she moved, or maybe she was scared that she would wake up if she made a sound.
At the same time, Lance, who had also managed to peek inside, was dumbfounded. He looked at Marcia in astonishment as if he was looking for confirmation that he wasn't the only one who could see this. Marcia nodded to him as if to say, "Yes, it is real." It was quite a sight that this great general of the Holy Dragon Empire, who could intimidate his enemies on the battlefield with just one glance, was so excited that his eyes watered with suppressed emotions.
Meanwhile, the figure standing in front of the window slowly turned around at the sound of the door opening. His eyes met Isis', and it felt like the beginning of a new life. His tall body trembled, as his eyes flashed with a hint of tenderness and guilt. The figure was Rocky, whom Isis had missed so much!
"Isis..." Rocky called out softly.
As soon as Isis heard that, it was like she finally woke up from a bad dream. Tears welled up in her eyes and swept across her cheeks. In the blink of an eye, she was in Rocky's arms, crying loudly, but safe and at home.
"I am so sorry! I made you suffer!" Rocky softly whispered to her as his hands moved up and down her back. His voice held grief and guilt for all the time that they had lost.
"Nothing is worse than losing you. I thought for countless times that I would give anything just to have you back..." Isis answered, sounding choked up with emotions, as she leant away from Rocky just enough to meet his eyes once again.
"It seems that they have a lot to talk about. Let's go to the next room." Marcia couldn't watch such a scene. It felt like she was intruding on something private, so she looked at Lance meaningfully, then led him to the next room.
Lance closed the door behind him and followed her, for he also felt like he was intruding on Isis and Rocky.
"Basil, how are you still alive? How did General Marcia find you?" Isis looked up at Rocky in confusion.
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