Chapter 589: Night night

[Skyline Plaza: Zoren’s Place]

Zoren and Hugo sat quietly in the living area. They had been there for over two hours, but they hadn’t said a word until now. Every once in a while, Hugo would cast Zoren a look, but the latter was just staring at the centerpiece between them.

"Brother Atlas told me Penny was there," Hugo broke the silence with the obvious, but Zoren still didn’t look away.

"I know. He called."

Hugo leaned back, spreading his legs and stretching them. "I guess she’d stay over there."

"She won’t."

"How are you so sure about that?"

"She said she’d come back." This time, Zoren slowly lifted his eyes to his brother-in-law. "I believe in her."

Hugo scrunched up his nose a bit, amused at Zoren’s faith in Penny. Not that Hugo didn’t believe in his sister, but he wasn’t so sure when she was drunk.

"Second Brother, if you’re sleepy, then you may go to bed. I’ll wait for her alone," Zoren suggested. "I’ll let you know once she’s back."

"It’s alright. I’ve already waited, so I might as well wait a bit longer." Hugo waved dismissively. "Besides, when I’m on the field, I barely sleep. Moreover, I don’t think I’d be able to rest, knowing my sister is out there drunk."

"Even if Penny, in a drunken state, has a clear mind."

"Clear?" Hugo cast Zoren a look, his brow arched. "You think that’s clear?"

"It’s confusing, but I believe there’s a reason. Do you not believe it?"

This time, Hugo didn’t answer. It would be a lie for him to say he didn’t believe his sister. Although the timeline of drunken Penny’s actions was messy, the look in her eyes was as clear as day.

Getting even more comfortable on the couch, Hugo gazed at the high ceiling.

"It doesn’t make any sense to me," he mumbled, recalling all his interactions with the drunken Penny. "I think my sister needs professional help."

"I’d suggest it to her. I have a whole list."

Hugo glanced at Zoren and decided to hold off any comments. "Any thoughts on why Penny thinks I should be dead?"

"No idea."

"It hurts my brain thinking about it." Hugo sighed once more, gazing heavenward as he was a little fed up with staring at Zoren. "I don’t think I should be dead. I mean, I know she’s not praying for my death... wait, does she think I’m dead because I’m a soldier?"

If not for that, then he would be out of options. After all, when Hugo first enlisted, Charles told him he had prepared a place for him in case Hugo came back in a box. Thank the heavens Hugo was still alive.

Zoren, on the other hand, was mulling over one word: reborn. Penny mentioned that in the letter—she told herself she was reborn. Although that wasn’t enough to get the entire context of the letter, it somehow confused him.

’Rebirth...’he whispered to himself. ’... she was reborn?’

Did it make sense? Not at all. But at the same time, Penny wouldn’t just write that randomly for no reason, would she?

While Hugo and Zoren were busy drowning in their thoughts without noticing the time, they heard the sound of a motor outside. They snapped their eyes ever so tenderly, getting up from their seats. Just as they approached the front door, it suddenly flew open.

"Pen—" Hugo halted when a helmet came flying at him, catching it midair. "Huh?"

Moving the helmet away from his face, he saw Penny jogging away from them. "Penny?"

"Night night!" she called to the two as she jogged up the stairs.

Zoren and Hugo, who had been waiting for her all night, could only watch her figure disappear up the stairs. For a second, the two of them were rendered speechless.

"What the hell was that?" Hugo gasped in disbelief, now not liking this drunken Penny. "First, she thinks I’m dead. Now, she’s treating me like a ghost—Penny, your second brother is alive and kicking!"

But Hugo’s yelling only reached those around him. He clicked his tongue and sighed.

"I’ll get up and see what she’s doing," Zoren said calmly. "But it seems she is calm."

"Too calm!" Hugo corrected, shaking his head in disappointment. "Well, since she’s home safe and sound, that’s the most important part."

Zoren smiled subtly, appreciating the second brother’s maturity. Although Hugo had this other side of him, he still thought he was an amazing guy.

"I’m going up now," Zoren said, lowering his head. "Good night."

"Mhm." Hugo waved dismissively. "Hey."

Zoren stopped and looked back at him, only to hear Hugo say, "If she’s in the mood, ask her why she thinks I’m supposed to be dead."

Zoren nodded. "I will."

With that, Zoren strode off while Hugo stayed in the same spot. When he glanced at the bodyguard standing by the entrance, he tossed the helmet to him.

"Put it where she can see it," said Hugo. "Until she’s sober, it’s better if you place that in the most obvious place. We really can’t tell if she’s staying or not."

"Yes, Second Master."

Hugo sighed and snapped his eyes to the second floor, hands on his hips. "Every time," he said. "What a troublesome sister. I told her about her drunken antics so she would avoid it, not use it to threaten everyone."

---

Meanwhile, Zoren knocked on the master’s bedroom door before reaching for the knob. As soon as he stepped in, he scanned the room to find her. Deep lines appeared between his brows when he didn’t see her around.

"Penny?" he called, feeling the night breeze blow past his face. His gaze landed where the breeze was coming from and instantly saw the balcony door slightly ajar.

As soon as he noticed it ajar and realized Penny was not there, his heart thudded in panic. Without wasting a breath, Zoren ran to the balcony and slid it open. He froze, catching her climbing up the railing, seemingly about to jump out.

"Penny!"