“Ah…”
Meanwhile, Antar let out a troubled sigh as he checked the clock, which was pointing to ten o’clock. What if I’m late? In his nervousness, he hurriedly put on the last piece of clothing he had in his hand.
The room was a mess, with clothes scattered everywhere, showing signs of having been tried on and taken off repeatedly.
Even though it’s just a training uniform…
Antar adjusted the collar of the uniform with lingering regret. He knew in his head that he was just going to receive orders, but his heart couldn’t help but feel a bit excited, like going on an outing.
Finally, after changing his clothes one more time, Antar was able to leave the room. With the help of a low-level earth spirit Gnome, he managed to evade surveillance and headed to the Wings guild headquarter.
Knock, knock.
When Antar knocked on the headquarters’ door, he heard a sound from inside. Soon, the door clicked open. The one who opened the door was Mizel, who looked somewhat flustered.
“Ah… Antar. You’re early.”
“Yes. I couldn’t be late for such an important matter. By the way…”
Antar glanced over Mizel’s shoulder. Sitting in a chair opposite Mizel was a woman with a hood pulled low over her face. From her build and presence, Antar could tell she was Belladova. But the person he was looking for wasn’t there.
“Her… I mean, where is Lady Obscure?” Antar hastily corrected himself, remembering this wasn’t the imperial palace.
Everyone present knew that Diana Bluebell was D. Obscure, but saying it out loud was another matter.
At Antar’s question, Mizel and Belladova exchanged meaningful glances. A sense of unease brushed near his heart.
As Antar’s lips twitched with anxiety, Belladova sighed deeply and shook her head. “She asked for some alcohol, saying she would put the dangerous element to sleep, but since she hasn’t shown up until now, it seems she fell asleep too.”
“…”
Unconsciously, Antar clenched his fist tightly by his side. The veins on his calloused hand stood out prominently.
Dangerous element… He knew exactly who that referred to. The thought of Diana falling asleep with him made his heart ache.
Belladova continued speaking. “So, I came in her stead. It’s an urgent matter, and I heard everything she intended to explain to you.”
Belladova began to explain about Fiona Yelling and Cedric Haieren. The more she spoke, the more disturbed Antar became.
Fiona Yelling…
Belladova finished her explanation and observed Antar’s reaction. She softened her tone and added. “…Of course, she said she would leave the decision up to you. And even if it doesn’t develop into a romantic relationship, you can stay by the heir side as a friend and provoke Lord Haieren that way.”
It was indeed a sensitive issue. Fiona was unaware that her life was being targeted. Moreover, while there was strong suspicion that Cedric Haieren was after her, there was no concrete evidence. His life was filled with so many good deeds it bordered on obsessiveness.
That’s why Diana hesitated and left the choice to Antar. Her goal was to bring Fiona over to Kayden’s side, but in truth, just preventing Rebecca from taking over the Yelling family would be a significant achievement.
However, in the process of exposing Cedric’s true nature, Antar would inevitably deceives Fiona. He would be approaching her with a clear ulterior motive. There was no guarantee that Fiona wouldn’t resent Antar once she learned the truth.
Mizel, sensing his hesitation, spoke up. “But the Yelling family has always produced earth-attribute spirit elementalists for generations, and you’re a mid-level elementalist with the same attribute as the current duke. Being friends shouldn’t be too difficult… right?”
“Stop it. Lady Obscure said the decision is entirely up to Sir Antar.”
“But Lady Obscure didn’t say we couldn’t try to persuade him.”
“Mizel!”
To Mizel, Diana was far more important than Antar, so she was eager for Antar to take on this task. Belladova scolded Mizel for this.
Meanwhile, Antar continued to think deeply, still not unclenching his fist. He knew Diana didn’t see him as a romantic interest. He knew where her heart was directed. Hadn’t he himself sent her to the third prince during the defensive battle?
Yes, he knew all that, but… why did his heart…
“…”
Even if it was just an act, Diana’s request for him to get close to another woman, without knowing his feelings at all, made his heart feel like it was being torn apart.
But to Antar, Diana was not just a romantic interest but also a benefactor and his liege. A servant who doesn’t follow their liege’s orders isn’t a servant. Antar was content to be someone Diana ‘needed’ in any capacity. He tried to comfort himself with that thought.
“I’ll do it.”
Mizel and Belladova had mixed reactions to Antar’s response. Mizel smiled while Belladova looked concerned.
“You made the right decision!”
“Are you really okay with this, Sir?” Belladova pushed the overjoyed Mizel aside and asked worriedly.
Antar nodded and spoke. “…But I have one request.”
* * *
“…na.”
Diana frowned unconsciously. She felt mildly annoyed by the voice persistently whispering in her ear.
“…ana.”
But the voice continued. Diana shook her head slightly as if trying to shake off the voice and burrowed deeper into the blanket.
Diana was incredibly comfortable. The feel of the blanket against her skin, the gentle breeze through the window, and the warmth close by melted away all her tension. But why was the blanket so hard…
“Diana.”
Blink. At the clear call, Diana’s eyes snapped open.
“Gasp.”
She blinked and realized she was nuzzling Kayden’s chest. She was horrified. Then she noticed he was only wearing an unbuttoned shirt, making her even more horrified.
Kayden, on the other hand, seemed unusually calm. He grinned mischievously and pressed his forehead against hers. “Why are you burrowing in? Should we just stay like this all day?”
“No! No!” Diana, startled, repeated her answer twice.
She quickly untangled herself and kneeled on the bed. Her posture resembled Kayden the morning after their wedding.
“Uh, Kayden.”
“Yes, Diana.”
“If I… kept touching you even though you didn’t like it, I’m really… sorry.”
Diana lowered her eyes, feeling her head throb. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t remember anything after her second drink.
It’s strange. I didn’t think I would get drunk after just two glasses… Even in her confusion, Diana was mortified at the thought that she might have harassed Kayden while drunk.
Kayden laughed heartily at the sight of Diana glancing at him shyly. Resting his head on one arm, he looked at her and smiled. “Diana.”
“Yes…”
“I don’t mind you doing that. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable.”
“Pardon?”
“So if you want to do something silly, you don’t have to ask for my permission. Go ahead, do as you like.”
With that, Kayden spread his arms and lay fully on the bed, closing his eyes. His already loose shirt fell to the side, revealing his well-built torso.
It was only natural that Diana screamed at the sight.
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