【Interstellar Contract Magician】Ruyuanke

Chapter 444 [Empire] Understood

"Nightingale, I'm real. I have a lover... This is too much of an insult to you. I don't want this." I lowered my head.

Nightingale looked at me quietly, silent for a moment. The air seemed frozen by his gaze. There was neither anger nor disappointment in those eyes, only deep thought. Then, he slowly spoke, his voice low and calm: "Do you think this is bullying me?"

I was slightly stunned. I didn't expect him to ask me in such a tone. The guilt and uneasiness in my heart somehow dissipated.

"You said you had a lover." Nightingale's voice was calm, but at that moment, I saw a complex emotion flash across his eyes. It was an emotion I couldn't describe, neither anger nor disappointment, but... an indescribable helplessness.

I didn't dare look up at him, fully aware of the weight of my words. Although I felt a lingering urge to escape, I decided I couldn't run any further. "I don't want to hide this anymore, and I don't want you to feel like I'm a backup. I don't want to hurt you."

He raised his eyebrows slightly, as if a little surprised by my blunt words. He was silent for a moment, his voice so low that it was almost inaudible: "You want to hurt me?"

I was stunned for a moment, then looked up at him with a hint of confusion in my eyes: "If I don't explain clearly and drag it on, won't you get hurt?"

Nightingale didn't answer immediately. She was silent for a moment, then seemed to chuckle: "Do you think I care about this?"

I was stunned. Looking at his calm eyes, I realized that his state of mind might be different from what I understood. "You don't care?"

"Girl..." Nightingale's smile was filled with helplessness. "Don't you think you misunderstand me too easily?" He took a deep breath, his eyes becoming clearer. "If I cared about these things, I wouldn't always be with you and help you walk the path you should walk. What do you think I'm doing this for? For emotions? For relationships?"

I didn't answer, my heart filled with mixed emotions. I had always felt that I had to carefully maintain our relationship and avoid crossing the line that shouldn't be crossed, but now, Nightingale's words made me feel that my previous efforts were actually somewhat redundant.

Nightingale sighed softly, leaning back in his chair, his eyes softening. "If I really cared about this, I would definitely ask you directly instead of standing here and listening to your self-indulgent explanations." He paused, a hint of weakness in his tone. "But now, I want to know what you are thinking."

My heart skipped a beat. Yes, I've never really figured out what I'm thinking. Perhaps I've been avoiding my true feelings.

"I..." I opened my mouth, but found myself speechless. All the words swirled in my mind, but I couldn't speak. I just looked at him quietly, feeling an inexplicable pressure.

"You're always avoiding things." Nightingale's tone became even deeper. "You always try to use various excuses to force yourself to make decisions, but you never dare to truly face your own heart."

I took a deep breath and finally spoke slowly: "Nightingale, I... I'm scared."

Nightingale frowned: "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of hurting you." My voice was a little soft, almost crying. "I'm afraid that after you've given so much for me, I can only give you an indifferent answer in the end. You've always been by my side, and I really don't want to make you sad..."

Nightingale listened quietly until I finished speaking, then gently shook his head. "Girl, I never asked you to do anything." His voice was as soft as water, yet it carried an undeniable firmness. "You don't have to feel guilty about me. I won't be angry about this. On the contrary..." He paused, as if considering his next words, "Instead, I hope you can understand what you want."

I didn't say anything. My mind was filled with all kinds of emotions, which I couldn't sort out or understand.

Nightingale stood up, walked over to me, and patted my shoulder gently. "Do you really think I'll be angry about what you said? Girl, don't underestimate me. I always know that you have your own life and your own path to walk. My existence is just accidental, and I am here to accompany you on a certain journey."

His voice was gentle yet firm, as if carrying an invisible tolerance that slowly eased the entanglement in my heart.

"But you don't have to do anything for me. Just remember that you can choose to be yourself." He stopped and turned to look at me, his eyes still warm. "Do you understand?"

I nodded, feeling a sudden sense of relief. Perhaps I'd been so anxious, so afraid of losing something, that I'd overlooked the most important point: I could live my own life without overly compromising myself.

"Thank you, Nightingale," I whispered.

He didn't say anything else, just smiled lightly, turned around and left.

I looked down at my hands, resting on the table, my fingers gently stroking the surface, my thoughts a blur. Nightingale's words had just passed through my ears like the wind, dispelling some of my anxiety but leaving behind more questions. What, exactly, had I "understood"? I had no answer. Or perhaps, I had never considered what I was truly seeking, or what I feared.

I always feel like something has been gently unveiled, but it's still blurry, like a veil, obscuring my true nature. I can't help but sigh softly, a sense of powerlessness welling up in my heart—as if I'm still far from understanding my own true thoughts.

I sat there, letting the seconds slip by. The small lamp on the table cast a warm glow on my face, a warmth that seeped through my skin and into my heart, bringing a strange comfort. But even so, I couldn't relax. Every time I closed my eyes, the same chaotic emotions flooded my mind, and I still couldn't find a clear outlet.

I stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the gradually darkening sky. The city lights shone like stars, flickering with varying brilliance from near and far. I even began to wonder if I was just one of those lights, shining from afar, seemingly existing yet seemingly nothing.

I took a deep breath, cleared my mind, and tried to let the clutter in my heart gradually settle. But the feeling of being lost still lingered. Perhaps what Nightingale said was right. I should figure out what I want, but how do I do that? I don't have the answer, and perhaps, I shouldn't seek it right away.

I turned to leave, heading for the door, when suddenly my eyes caught sight of the laptop on the table, still lying there quietly. An idea suddenly struck me, and I walked over to pick it up, unlocking the screen. The missed call log was still displayed on the screen.

Nightingale's call request.

I hesitated for a moment, then lightly swiped my finger across the screen and chose to call back. The line rang a few times before finally connecting. A familiar voice boomed out, deep and calm: "Are you finally calling?"

At that moment, my heart beat inexplicably faster.