"How do you feel now?" Adrian asked as he brought the tea in from the doorstep.
Since he did not know his way around, he had gone outside after getting dressed and asked a maid for sothing energizing.
Querella let out a sigh and accepted the cup. After a brief pause, she asked, "You really weren’t using mana to replenish your stamina?"
Adrian gave a wry smile. "Why would I possibly use mana during sex? You’re overthinking it."
Raven lowered her gaze to the cup and shook her head. "I really can’t keep up, despite the promise I made to myself after our first ti."
Adrian chuckled softly and took a seat beside her. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her a little closer and asked, "Weren’t you about to tell sothing about the stocks?"
Raven nodded. "Yes, let get the doc—"
"Ah, wait. I have it," Adrian said as he moved his hand. The file floated over to them.
Raven raised her brows. "You’ve grown fluent with it already? How are you progressing so much in such a short ti?" For a mont, she thought it might be because of the Ti Chamber system granted to him. Even so, improving this much in just a few days should have been humanly impossible.
Adrian sighed. "About that..."
Once again, the stock report went unread as he turned to face her.
Raven sensed imdiately that whatever he was about to say weighed heavily on him. It was rare to see him hesitate like this, struggling to find the right words.
In the end, Adrian took a deep breath and confessed, "I... actually fought Nytharos, and—"
....
"You really believe I would wear this?" Ariana asked, holding up a loose nightdress stitched with tiny bananas.
It was exactly the sort of thing an eleven year old would squeal over if given as a birthday gift.
But that was precisely the problem. "I am not a child, so don’t expect to wear this," she said, tossing it aside, only for Annabelle to catch it midair.
Ruby wore an expression that clearly said I told you, but Annabelle was not about to back down without a fight.
She held Ariana’s shoulder and said, "We live in a world where the very next day could be our las—"
"Not listening to all that crap. Nothing you say will influence my decision, Bella," Ariana cut in firmly, her stance clear.
Annabelle huffed. "You know why Darling always buys daggers and protective gear for you as gifts? It’s because of your stout and, frankly, uncute personality." She crossed her arms and turned away, but she did not miss the subtle change in Ariana’s expression.
Shock filled Ariana’s eyes as she turned to Ruby. "Is that true...?"
Ruby shook her head gently. "Don’t listen to her, Ariana. He loves you just the way you are."
Ariana blinked, realization slowly dawning on her. "But he once told he bought flowers for you. And for Bella, he often buys small gifts, hair clips..." Her voice faltered. "All I’ve ever received from him are..."
She could not bring herself to finish the thought. Artifacts, vests, even gold ant for better managent.
In a way, had he been seeing her exactly as Annabelle described?
Annabelle knew she had struck the nail perfectly. Now, all it would take were a few softer blows.
She turned back toward Ariana and said, "It’s not like Darling doesn’t like this side of you. But sotis, to keep the spark alive, you need to make a few changes. And this," she added, lifting the nightdress, "is the change you need. Just to see his reaction."
Ariana remained silent for a few monts before she finally accepted the dress and took a deep breath. She was not entirely opposed to it, though she still found it a little silly. But after hearing Annabelle’s words, she also wanted to hear him call her cute or adorable, even if just once.
With a determined look, she marched straight toward the bathroom.
Annabelle pumped her fist in quiet excitent.
Ruby shook her head and said, "If Ariana ever tells him everything you said to manipulate her, trust , he will be furious with you."
Annabelle snickered. "He won’t find out. Neither Ariana nor I would ever say anything, and I trust my sister enough to know this will never reach Darling’s ears."
Ruby rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Annabelle handed her dress with a grin and said, "Co on now, it’s ti for so noisy sleepover!"
....
Raven remained silent for several seconds after Adrian finished speaking.
He had told her everything, just as it had happened. From his battle with Nytharos, which earned him more than a few looks of panic and disapproval from his wife, to the appearance of another Nytharos and the conversation that followed. He spoke of the visions he had been shown and the mysteries Nytharos had chosen to keep to himself.
After a long pause, at least from Adrian’s perspective, she finally spoke. "Well... I kind of expected this."
Adrian gave a wry smile. "Even you?"
Raven nodded. "Anyone who watches you closely could make a reasonable guess that you are connected to one of the most ancient existences. I an, if you were sohow tied to Nytharos, why would he go out of his way to corner you instead of punishing you the sa way he did Annabelle?"
Adrian paused, then nodded slowly. "Right... I didn’t think of that."
Raven humd softly. "There are many other hints, but let’s not talk about them right now." She moved closer, her hand cupping his cheek. "I want you to know this, Adrian. It doesn’t matter who your ancestor is or where you co from. I love the man you are, not your lineage."
There was no hesitation nor a hint of a lie in her eyes.
She ant every syllable she said.
Adrian lowered his head and kissed her hand. "Have I ever ntioned that I must have used up all my fortune on my partners?"
Raven chuckled. "Yes, you have."
"Well, now I feel I might have used so of my successors’ too."
The room soon filled with the Queen’s sweet laughter, easing Adrian’s heart as he pulled her closer and held her tightly.
Still smiling, Querella asked, "Love... you still haven’t told what you plan to do about Nytharos’s proposal."
Adrian stiffened, his smile faltering.
Raven tilted her head, her black eyes darkening like a void as she asked in a voice laced with thorns, "Don’t tell , my dear, that you are actually considering freeing him from that prison."
"..."
User Comments
0 comments from readers