39.

Aria's POV

I managed to manipulate Matthew from giving in to my whims, but unfortunately, nobody was in the field when we reached there. It was empty as bald—not even a shadow or animal running across.

"They must have finished early, " he noted, opening the gate.

Maybe I'll come here earlier next time. No one will ever know, and everyone will be surprised. It would be a pretty exciting thing to accomplish, in my opinion.

"I want to train, Matthew."

Matthew glanced at me with a doubtful expression on his face, ignoring what I said, and just sat on the bench near the large tree. He didn't bother saying a reply.

After realizing that I couldn't get an answer from him, I turned my attention to something else. My gaze wanders around, awed by the splendor. The sky was painted orange and pink as if the artist hadn't been too indolent to fill in the blank spaces with some color. I can't see the sun any longer, but I can see its faint light.

"I really wanted to train," I reiterated, nearing M