bookpower Chapter 158: A Moment of Rest and Realisation
Chapter 158: A Moment of Rest and Realisation
"Mmmmm?"
Asura didn't show the same attitude he had towards her before.
The moment he defeated the shadow of Auros that likely lingered inside his heart from the moment he started seeing those dreams, he saw almost everything that happened in those days.
The reason for Valerie and her hatred of the Fenix clan.
'To think my ancestors didn't send reinforcements to aid Auros when they accepted a military alliance with Drakkur and Romanica...'
"Are you okay? Your body and clothes are in tatters..."
Verana wore a different outfit from the one he saw when she departed, now wearing a soft black and red dress with polka dots.
'She always wore this dress on Tuesdays in the library... damn seductress, it was the first time I ever got an erection.'
[It is Tuesday, Asura]
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"Hahaha!" Asura felt the current situation amusing, a sense of nostalgia and something different. "It feels like I have been watching the world through dirty eyeglasses. Did I ever tell you how beautiful you looked in that dress?"
He reached into his item storage and pulled out a basic set of clothes; standing almost naked wasn't the best way to reunite with someone after years apart.
Verana herself seemed stunned as he watched her looking at him.
Her soft red lips parted wide as she looked stunned. The pale colour of her skin no longer worried him because he knew she was a vampire. He could see the ethereal beauty instead of his worry.
[She seems confused; maybe you should give her time?]
'If I give her time, then isn't my fun ruined? I need to know something before I can take the next step.'
Asura waited for her to seem to recover. Her lovely red eyes were darker than his, blinking several times as he flashed her a smirk.
He realised the last time they spoke together.
Asura was horrible to her, the feeling of anger, rage and revenge too strong in his heart. However, his actions changed the timeline, and everything the pair might have known could no longer happen.
'So before it is too late, I must find the truth, or what truth she can give me. I am sure Verana is the same.'
"Sorry, your words embarrassed me.." Verana smiled back, her fangs now easily visible, making Asura feel stupid for missing them in the past.
"Don't worry about it. You always enjoyed watching me naked."
"Ah? How did you know! I was discreet!?"
"Hehe. I may not know what happened to me. However, I still remember certain things in the past."
"Well, I didn't..."
Verana's cheeks turned crimson. It seemed she realised he spoke about events from another life and enjoyed making her play to his tempo.
'I am sure this girl isn't the criminal.'
"Hmmm, now that I think about it, what did we do for our second year wedding anniversary?"
"Second anniversary? But... We did a lot of stuff that year?"
"Really? Like what? If you have an idea, it would be great to hear about it."
Verana was too adorable as she nervously coughed, "You don't remember!?" She seemed to fidget, saying a word with the volume of a mosquito.
"I didn't hear you."
"We tried anal sex!"
Asura almost broke character upon seeing the stone-cold ice queen that others worshipped in their university days now revealing her true colours, as her pale face looked like a tomato. 'Auros, I think we are idiots. If she's this cute, how cute was her mother?'
'Cheeky...'
Lucia saw the resolve in his eyes earlier when he spoke to Verana and fought Auros, and couldn't help but smile. 'Is he aware of his feelings, or are they being affected by the remnants of the past?'
Either way, she didn't mind as long as it meant Asura could smile. 'I had nothing, yet here you are, giving me back a life and purpose.'
She knew that without meeting Asura, training and falling for him, she might never have discovered her true name and birth parents... That's why she stayed beside him, to avoid his death.
The urge to kiss his forehead entered her mind. However, she felt a little hesitant about taking advantage of his sleep-deprived state. Instead, she lifted his head and rested it in her lap.
"Mmm... smells good..." Asura whispered before his breathing became relaxed, and he fell asleep.
'So cute.' Lucia watched his face as he slept in her lap. His pink lips parted slightly, and soft breathing reached her ears. 'This boy... he will change the world with his kindness and mercy or will his anger and rage...'
"Either way, I will follow you... It's too late to throw away this old lady now."
She closed her eyes while turning the meat and dousing part of the flames to slow the cooking speed, wanting the meat to be just right when he woke up.
'I'll keep watch for now...'
Her black eyes focused on the stairs and the entrance to the next floor. She felt jealousy toward the youthful Verana; even an idiot could tell the pair had a strange past and feelings beyond normal. 'He might feel more for her than Mu Xue or Xavida...'
'I'm such a fool to have fallen for you...'
Still, it didn't stop her from dreaming that she could one day have the same level of importance as her. She wanted a romantic relationship like those in fairy tales and novels. However, deep down, she knew that might not be possible.
'How silly... I should think more realistically and just enjoy the moment.'
For now, she felt satisfied being his guardian angel and hoped for at least a part of his heart.
'We are a family. Asura, you and I, our bonds are stronger than blood...'
The sound of heavy footsteps suddenly caught her attention. She felt Asura's breathing and the flow of mana enter his body.
"Princess Vela?"
"Eh... Royal knight Lucretia, I mean Lucia!? Didn't you return to the capital!"
"Shhh... he's sleeping. Please let him rest." Lucia's eyes turned to Vela, seeing the regal aura surrounding her. 'It seems she's better than before, not that shy and immature girl I met in the baths.'
Vela looked at the sleeping Asura and noticed how at peace he was upon seeing Lucia's lap. She sat beside them and watched the meat cook.
"Is he okay?"
"He used a technique that pushed himself a bit too far to defeat a shadow of his former self." Lucia revealed. "He is just exhausted and needs rest."
"Can I help?"
"There is nothing to do but slow cook the meat and let him rest." Lucia wanted to push her away and stop her from becoming close to Asura. 'Am I being too jealous? I should learn from Mu Xue. After all, I am in my forties, and he is not even twenty.'
Vela was only eighteen years old. However, she was at least royalty in two kingdoms, so it would make sense for her to marry in a few years.
'Maybe the one who takes his hand will be someone like her?'
Two hours later, the meat looked golden, with juices oozing from the medium-rare cooked meat's soft, slightly pink interior. The scent and delicious food were mouth-watering.
"The meat is ready." Lucia poked Asura's cheek and heard him grumble as he refused to wake up. "Come on... don't make me kiss you."
Asura blinked awake, his eyes registering Lucia's concerned expression before looking at Vela, who looked eager to eat. He raised his body slowly from her lap. "Just kiss me then, idiot."
'Fufu, how cheeky... he doesn't realise how tempting he makes that offer.'
"Vela, it's good to see you passed the test. Shall we eat, then head to the next floors?" Asura asked while still leaning against Lucia. His fingers interlocked with hers as they spoke casually.
Vela nodded. "Sounds good."
Lucia watched them interact as her body began feeling heavy and lethargic, returning to Asura's shadow without speaking.