Her question made an awkward silence between them.
"Please Rio." She asked while her hand was still in that gesture of hands pressed together and palms touching each other with a slight bow.
Her words brought him back from the shocked phase he was going through.
"But why?" He asked while narrowing his eyes at her.
"I don't want to marry that playboy." She said in a dissatisfied voice while her hand no longer maintained the requesting gesture.
"Just marry the one you like. What's the problem?" He asked with a puzzled face.
"I won't be able to marry another boy as you know how powerful my family is. They wouldn't let me marry someone from a smaller family.
Stepmother wouldn't let me marry in other strong families as she can force dad to break the engagement with even the Havenglow family." She said with a bitter tone and tilted her head downwards to place it on her open palms.
"And why would she agree if you marry me?" A questioning look was painted on his face as he wasn't able to understand her.
She tilted her head upwards and said, "We were once about to be engaged so if we get married it will appear natural to the public and our family reputation won't be ruined.
Also, my stepmother or family won't be able to do anything to you as you're from the Havenglow family that all the other six silver swords families fear."
He understood her logic and he might have thought to help her but he was already a married person. There was no chance he would associate with another woman behind Lia's back.
"Oh...I get it. But I can't marry you. I hope you find another solution. Take care." He stood up to leave.
"But Why?" She asked him with a saddened look.
"You can't just ask someone randomly to marry you because you don't want to marry the person your family wants you.
I have no connection with you so don't involve me in your matters." He didn't want to be rude but he really couldn't marry her. It was better to be harsh with his words so she doesn't chase him and give up here.
"Rio… can we be friends?" She asked although she didn't hope he would agree as he was way too rude with his words just a few seconds ago. She still thought to try and ask him.
But an unexpected answer came.
"Okay…" He mumbled and realized something.
"Technically, she would be my first friend. This word seems so foreign to me." He sighed inwardly.
"Thanks…" She smiled cheerfully while her eyes flickered with a mischievous glint.
'One day I will conquer you, Rio Havenglow. I promise you will be mine.'
She dressed in this manner and wore a little revealing dress for her bosom to charm him but her plan failed. Not only Rio wasn't seduced by her alluring body he didn't even look at her like other boys would do.
Other men would make her uncomfortable by staring at her body but this boy was totally different. She didn't see a single hint of lust in his eyes.
She was moved by his charming behavior as a gentleman.
"Hopefully I can go now?" He asked her for permission this time as she made him stop a few times when he wanted to leave.
"That's so sweet of you. I wish to keep you here but will you stay?" She teased him.
He shook his head and started going towards the door.
Nyla followed behind him while taking the cookies in her hand.
"Rio… you didn't eat these." She handed him.
He took it and asked, "Why are you following me?"
"I'm your friend so I'm going to help you settle in your room." She said in a sweet manner while closing the door behind them.
"Does a friend have to do that?" He frowned and ate the cookies she gave him while continuing to walk.
"Show me your access card then we can find your apartment." She asked while stopping at the outside of the first building they came out of.
Rio took out his access card and showed it to her.
She took it from his hand and a smile blossomed on her face which caused Rio to shudder.
"You're not just my friend now." She said while entering the first building where her apartment was.
"What do you mean and why are you going back without giving me my access card to my apartment?" His voice sounded from behind. He followed her inside the building with a puzzled look.
"You're also my neighbor and your apartment is on the first floor." She spoke and opened the door of the apartment on the first floor.
'is this a coincidence?'
Rio was surprised as he heard her saying they had an apartment in the same building.
They entered the hall which was similar to Nyla's room.
'Why does it feel like those scenes from a TV series where couples enter their new house together.'
Rio was relieved to see a door for the portal capsule at the corner of the room between the kitchen rack and bedroom.
She went to open the bedroom door as if it was her own apartment. Rio followed behind her.
A king-sized bed was placed without any mattress or blanket. There was a study table to the side of the wall along with a window and a cupboard. There was also a VR pod similar to one he saw in the classroom.
"Why do we have VR pods in our room? Isn't that very expensive to give to every student?" He asked her while pointing to the VR pod.
"Our room?" She asked him with an amusing tone and her eyes were filled with mischief.
