“Your compliments are genuine and untainted by desire,” Carlos remarked, his voice as steady as he could manage. Yet inwardly, he couldn't dismiss the gnawing suspicion—what if this was all part of another test?
His mentor, Belinda, indeed knew all about the cultivation of Dusk Blossom and his enigmatic nature. The letter from "them" had only fueled his doubts, suggesting that today's events might just be a probing venture.
Carlos's thoughts swirled with distress as they resurfaced yet again in the wake of a sleepless night. He cared little for the exposure of his identity; what troubled him was his mentor’s intent. “Did you do this to test my resistance to love potions?” he asked, yearning for a shred of clarity.
Belinda was taken aback by his directness but immediately seized the oppo
