'…What should I do?'
As I walked through the crowd of nobles, I thought to myself, looking around.
I have no idea how I should approach Ashlyn.
I an, everything that was built between us—every laugh we shared, every ti I helped her…
They were all for a reason or just a straight-up lie.
I don't know if I've ever helped her genuinely, without expecting anything in return.
And now the girl whom I saw as nothing but a tool to use has started loving …
…I don't know how I should react to it.
'…What have I done?'
I sighed, rubbing my temples to alleviate the throbbing headache.
Maybe it's because I sacrificed a part of my life source to save her.
I thought I owned her now.
That's why I never wanted her to know I am Noah.
… I never wanted her to love .
[She is possessive.]
'I can see that.'
I groaned in frustration as I rubbed my neck to remove the lipstick mark on it.
Fuck, I hate all this.
[And you promised to be together with them from tomorrow onwards because—.]
'…Yeah, because I will be leaving soon.'
The final event of the ga will happen one week after the summit.
'…One week.'
I need to do a lot in just a short period of ti.
"Azariah."
My head turned to my side as I heard my na.
"Uncle Paul," I greeted with a smile as I walked toward him, standing beside Aimar.
But my steps slowed down as I noticed two more people standing with them.
A tall middle-aged man with blue hair and eyes glared at .
And a little boy with the sa features stared at .
"Father-in-law," I greeted him with a stoic face as I stood in front of them.
He didn't reply, just glared at , which I tried to ignore.
"How are you, Alan?" I asked as I looked down at the boy.
"…Fine," he replied, an awkward look on his face.
'…What the hell happened to him?'
"How are you, my child?" I looked at Uncle as he asked with a gentle smile.
Unlike the last ti I saw him, he had regained a bit of his previous warmth.
…But he still looked depressed.
"Just fine," I replied, shrugging my shoulders. "…And probably dying from back pain."
I turned to look at David, who clenched his jaw tightly; the sound of his teeth grinding against each other echoed.
'Seriously, what happened to him?'
"Are you prepared for your exams?" Uncle Paul asked.
"…About that," I replied, scratching my cheek, "I plan to drop out of the academy."
"Wait, what?" Startled, he asked, "Why?"
"Are you planning to run away?" David asked as well, his voice chilling.
"No, I will be visiting other places before inheriting my mother's position," I replied to both of them.
Uncle Paul nodded in understanding, while David just glared at .
"By the way, Aimar is also planning to drop out," I inford him, looking at Uncle.
"What!?" he exclaid before turning to look at Aimar. "Why do you want to drop out!?"
'Just as I thought, he didn't tell his father,'
I thought, looking at Aimar as well.
"And he wants to live in Akasha," I added, and Uncle's face imdiately turned pale.
"A-Aimar."
"…We will talk about that tomorrow, old man," Aimar sighed before giving a threatening look.
"But—"
"Please, tomorrow," he firmly said, looking at his father.
'…I hope he can stop him.'
I turned around, grabbing a glass of wine placed on a table before drinking it all at once.
[…What are you doing?]
'What?'
[You are drinking too much.]
'It's just wine, don't worry.'
[…]
"Hmm?"
I glanced down as I felt a tug on my sleeve.
"What happened?" I asked while Alan looked at curiously.
"How did you beco so good-looking?" he asked, his eyes shining brightly.
"I drank milk," I replied with a smile, ssing his hair, "A lot of milk."
"Whose milk?" he asked, tilting his head.
'Should I say his sis—'
[Aye!]
'Wait, he's a child—my bad.'
"Normal milk," I replied. "You should drink it as well."
He nodded vigorously while I looked at his father, who, for so reason, kept glaring at .
"What?" I asked, not hiding my annoyance.
"…My daughter asked a lot of nas for newborn children," he whispered in a chilly tone, "…What happened?"
"…Oh."
I blinked.
He blinked.
I turned around.
He grabbed my shoulder tightly.
"Don't run away," he growled, snapping around, "answer ."
"You are either an idiot or pretending to be one if you don't understand that," Aimar chid in, looking at David.
"Nobody asked you, fuckface—"
"You ruined her life," David fud, his fist clenching tightly.
"Think what you want," I replied, staring into his eyes, "and unlike you, I am going to take care of her."
"Have you heard the rumors about you—"
"Those are rumors," I cut him off, "I am no [Exiled Prince], and I will never be one."
He drew in deep breaths to calm himself.
"Just keep in mind," he said, and for once, I saw a father's care in his eyes, "…Your life isn't just yours now."
"…"
I quietly nodded my head as I turned around.
Once again, the nobles parted ways for without even speaking.
But at this point, I don't care.
'I should talk with her.'
… I didn't plan to do it today.
… No.
I never planned to talk properly with Christina.
'…My life isn't just mine.'
But…
Maybe I should tell her.
Talk with her about my problems.
"…Sigh."
With a tired sigh, I looked up at the decorated ceiling in the inner part of the castle.
All the nobles were in the main hall, so it was relatively empty and peaceful.
I turned.
And imdiately, my instincts kicked in as soone grabbed my hand, pulling closer.
My fist curled, ready to punch, but my body relaxed the instant my gaze landed on her.
"Shya—"
My words halted abruptly as she grabbed my tie, pulling closer.
"Hello there, handso."
She kissed once, softly.
Her hands slipped under my shirt and wrapped around , pulling closer.
I took the lead, kissing her back, once, twice, and suddenly, I found my hand behind her neck, holding her in place.
I pulled back, just a little. Just enough to look at her beautiful face.
Her crimson eyes stared into , and I found myself kissing her again. Without restraint. Without hesitation.
I bit her lower lip tightly before going for another kiss.
"Argh…"
A groan escaped my mouth as I felt her nails scratching my back.
Using my free hand, I tried to pull her hand out of my shirt forcefully.
"Hmm?"
But sothing made stop.
Why is it harder to pull her hands out?
I pulled back from her and asked curiously, "Wait… you broke through?"
She nodded with a smile. "I did this morning—9th Prival."
"Why didn't you tell —?"
"Who cares about that?" she replied, pulling closer before kissing again.
"I. Do. You. Fucking cheat," I rasped, glaring at her as she kept kissing between my words.
But the next instant, she froze as she looked behind .
"What happened?" I asked, looking at her in confusion.
"Soone is watching us," she replied, her hands on either side of my cheeks, holding my face still.
"Who?"
"Your wife."
'…Ah, fuck.'
I cursed in my mind as I slowly stepped back from her.
Gathering myself, I turned around, and sure enough, Christina stood there with her arms folded over her chest.
[Fucking cheater.]
'Shut up, El.'
"Christin—"
"Fuck off," she cut in, glaring at .
"Wait—"
"I need to talk with her, Azariah," she said, walking closer to , "…So get lost."
"No fighting—"
"Don't make repeat myself."
"Fine," I groaned in frustration as I turned to walk away.
"Clean your face," she ordered, and I quickly took out my handkerchief.
'…Should I spy on them?'
I thought as I removed the lipstick mark from my face.
[It's better if you stay out of their matter.]
'…Why?'
[Just do as I say.]
'…Fine.'
I groaned as I quickly arrived at the main hall.
And imdiately, the people entering took my attention.
Because I know them.
Or to be more specific, I know one of them.
She wore a long white gown along with so light accessories.
Her hair, a mix of green and blue, cascaded down her back as she walked with her family.
'…Inës.'
But what took all my attention were her eyes.
…The innocence they once held was gone, replaced by a coldness that didn't match her age.
'…What happened to her?'
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