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Chapter 427 – The Sour Stench of Love
Claire shouted and startled everyone, but the people driving their carriage were slow to respond and they didn’t receive an order from Nick so they didn’t immediately stop. Claire who was impatient and thought that they weren’t letting her leave simply lept off the carriage.
Only Claire would be able to do something like this, without any of the reservation and gentleness that women should have, what a tomboy!
“Hey, Claire!”
Nick called out but Claire already jumped out and was far behind. But when she was in midair, her skirt fluttered up and Nick inadvertently saw a beautiful blue scenery.
“Uh
”
Nick could only quickly tell them to stop the carriage and jumped off following Claire.
“Claire, w-what are you doing?”
“I can’t just leave them behind!”
“Why? Everything’s already settled, they’re safe and don’t need much protection
 and the carriage room is limited, it’s not like I can just leave all my subordinates behind and have them ride the carriage, right?”
“Then
 then I’ll just go walk with them!” Claire stubbornly responded.
“Uh Claire, why are you so worried about a bunch of investigators? You’re their commander, so isn’t leaving first on a carriage normal?”
“They’re not normal investigators! Especially Lin Xiao, I
 I want to
”
“Hm, Lin Xiao? Are you talking about that black-haired kid?”
Nick remembered him and got angry for some reason.
Why is it him again?
“Nick, Lin Xiao actually
 outside Yellowstone
 I was almost
 he s-sa
”
“What did you say? What happened to you outside Yellowstone?”
Nick got anxious when he heard her stammering and urged her.
“Uh, nothing.”
Claire immediately shut her mouth.
When Lin Xiao chased Andrew away and protected her chastity and life, he specifically told her to forget about it and not tell anyone else. One was because he didn’t want to have anything to do with her, and it was also for her own good.
Only Claire and Lin Xiao’s team know about what happened that night, if what had happened spread around, then Lin Xiao’s team would get involved and used and even Claire might be in trouble.
So they agreed to say that Andrew and the others were ambushed and died from the plague.
On one side, Claire was thinking about Lin Xiao’s considerate warning, while Nick was observing her micro-expressions as his expression became more grave.
“Lin Xiao, huh
”
Perhaps even Claire didn’t realize it but whenever Lin Xiao was mentioned, she had subtle changes in her expression.
Shyness, that was what Nick could read from her expression.
After so many years, he had never seen that from her. He nearly believed that the leopard queen didn’t even know what that meant, he never expected to see this miracle because of some stinking unknown brat, how frustrating.
“Anyways I just want to go with them! If you’re in a rush, you can leave by yourself first!”
Claire hesitated for a bit then just said that before walking to the road, finding a large stone and plopping herself down on it.
“Sigh
”
Nick could only order the carriage to stop temporarily and silently waited with Claire.
After a while, Rosie brought along a bunch of people over. When she saw them waiting, she thought something happened and rushed over.
“What happened? Did enemies come?”
“No.” Nick answered in a bad mood.
“Then what are you guys doing?”
“Ask her, don’t ask me.”
“Her?”
Rosie turned her head and saw Claire sitting on the side.
“Claire, what happened? Didn’t you leave with Nick?”
“No, I wanted to go with you guys.”
“Well, you’re more than welcome to
 but, why?”
“Where’s Lin Xiao?”
“Uh, you’re looking for him?”
“
”
“Eh!? Could it be
 hehe, it can’t be, right? Now, this will be good!”
Rosie who was sensitive immediately noticed the subtle changes in Claire’s expression and Nick who was distressed and immediately understood!
This was no love triangle anymore, it was straight up a complex mathematical equation!
In comparison, Rosie felt like her Caesar was better, at least he wouldn’t put her in such an awkward situation.
“You’re looking for Lin Xiao? Hehe, okay, look, he’s right in the middle!” Rosie snickered and pointed.
Following her directions, Claire did see Lin Xiao, but she also saw the other two.
Lin Xiao was in the center of the group, sandwiched between ShenDai Ying and Elena doing something unbelievable.
As the maid, Elena was holding a bunch of wild fruits while ShenDai Ying took one at a time and carefully placed them into Lin Xiao’s mouth.
“Here, open your mouth
 ahhh~”
“Ah!”
Lin Xiao gulped down the fruit and accidentally sucked her finger, causing them to look at each other and smile. The sour stench of love was suffocating.
“Hmph!”
Jealous? No, Claire was angry!
“Hm? Claire? Why are you here?”
Lin Xiao finally saw Claire and walked over curiously.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“
”
“Hm
 it’s fine, I didn’t mind you leaving first. The scenery is good and there are delicious fruits, you didn’t have to wait for us.”
“
” Claire still didn’t respond.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Hey, Nick, did you poison her?”
“Insolence! Why would I poison her? 
 D-don’t slander me!”
“Uh, I was just joking, what are you getting so restless for?”
“
 You stinking brat, how dare you!”
“Enough!”
Claire sternly called out to stop their quarreling, then she angrily glared at Lin Xiao, then glanced at ShenDai Ying and Elena with discontent then turned to leave.
“Did I do something?”
“Of course you did!” Rosie smiled and poked Lin Xiao’s back, “She’s a girl who ran away from home waiting for her father’s comfort and praise, who expected her to meet a promiscuous young master, how could she not be angry?”
“What? Father? Young master? Rosie, did you also take the wrong medicine?”
“Lin Xiao, you’re usually pretty smart, so why are so dumb when it comes to things like this? Hmph, whatever
 enjoy your stomachache!”
After saying that, Rosie skipped off and Nick also snorted before slamming into Lin Xiao’s shoulder when leaving.
“I don’t even know Nick, so what does he have against me?”
“Hehe, perhaps he feels like he lost to you, so he’s angry?”
“Lost to me?”
“Okay, okay, stop asking, let’s go!”
ShenDai Ying didn’t tell him and pulled him to catch up with the rest.
The short incident didn’t cause many problems, because of Claire’s decision, Nick could only order everyone off the carriage and walk with the investigators. This action alleviated some of the tension between the investigators and believers.
But Nick wasn’t finished, his conversation with Claire was cut short earlier and he didn’t get the information he wanted so he had to find a chance to continue it.
Apologizing was a good excuse to strike up a conversation.
“Claire, sorry, I just wanted to bring you back quicker but ended up neglecting your companions, it’s my fault.”
“It’s fine.” Claire simply responded and silently walked at the front.
“Cough.” Nick still couldn’t start a conversation so he could only throw another bait, “Actually, the reason I asked about Yellowstone was for another important mission.”
“Another important mission?”
“This time I didn’t just come to pick you up, but also to discuss countermeasures.”
“What happened?”
“The rebel forces to the south expressed their willingness for peace talks a few days ago, but their conditions were to cede the land and pay reparations, so it was rejected.”
“
 Nick, that isn’t something you should be concerned about, right?”
“Hm, the rebellion isn’t, but now I have to get involved
 Claire, some time ago I found out that the stolen Holy sword was in the hands of the rebellion army!”
“What did you say?”