Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)

Third Person's POV

And it was that this old blood slave was definitely in the upper limits of the Sky Realm and stronger than the dark demon knight, who had already proven to be too much for him to handle.

But even while considering all this, the most amazing thing was that this old Blood Slave was so powerful, but bound to the little duchess Altheria at the same time.

And that made him obedient, at least for now.

He hugged Velcy tightly as she nuzzled her soft face into his chest and wrapped her tail around his waist in an instinctive and affectionate motion.

Her purring was barely audible, a soft vibration against him that conveyed her happiness more honestly than words ever could.

Ethan's gaze softened, and a faint warmth settled in his chest.

It wasn't just relief she was feeling, but it was safety, something rare and precious in their brutal world, and she only felt that when she was in his arms.

He lifted his eyes and, to his surprise, found Virelle standing a few paces away.

A quiet, almost hidden smile curved her lips as she watched them, though her eyes were filled with pain when she saw the burns and the dried blood smear on his face and neck

Her usually sharp and indifferent eyes glimmered faintly, and with the back of her hand, she brushed away the light sheen of tears clinging to the corners of her lashes.

Ethan blinked, raising an eyebrow as Virelle did not react with any displeasure on seeing the intimate hug he got from Velcy.

Was the sun rising from the west today?

Or had something shifted in his absence that he had yet to catch wind of?

Still, he didn't question it aloud. He simply extended a hand to her in a subtle and sincere invitation.

Virelle's expression shifted.

That small flicker of distance and the trace of being momentarily forgotten she had been feeling vanished as her lips curled into a brighter smile.

She stepped forward and accepted the gesture, after which Ethan pulled her gently into his side.

Without hesitation, she leaned up and traced his scars while her gaze met his for a fleeting heartbeat.

She was being so gentle with a concerned expression on her face that Ethan couldn't control himself as he kissed her bright red lips.

They both let out a shaky breath against each other.

Her lips were warm and soft with quiet meaning, and when they parted, she didn't speak as she didn't need to.

The demon knight stood still nearby and watched all this drama silently.

He didn't react, though he scoffed inwardly at this public display of affection in front of him.

Suddenly, his eyes instinctively darted toward the figure that now hovered quietly at Ethan's flank.

He didn't know when that dark apparition had moved, but its presence had slipped in unnoticed like a chill in the bones.

A sudden and cold realization sank into him.

Telor swallowed hard, and a pulse of sweat that he had not felt in a long time trailed down his temple.

He understood now, without any need for confirmation, how close he had come to death.

The weight in the air, the eerie stillness around the old Blood Slave—none of it was imagined.

If Ethan had chosen differently… if he had forced things instead of holding back at the last moment…1

He wouldn't be standing here now.

Ethan slowly pulled back from Virelle, and his fingers brushed gently over her forehead as he placed a soft kiss there.

It was a wordless promise of his being safe and fine while Velcy looked on the two with unreadable eyes.

For now, Ethan ignored the hidden desire in the cat girl's eyes and then turned his attention to the aura bleeding out from the old Blood Slave.

Faint red wisps could be seen shimmering from the end of his hood like threads of dried blood unraveling in the air.

With a small inclination of his head, Ethan bowed in quiet respect.

He didn't know if the slave could perceive it or even cared, but the gesture was genuine.

Then, finally, he turned his gaze back to the demon knight who had been waiting patiently with questions and expected answers still simmering in his eyes.

Ethan's voice was steady as he spoke.

"You are right," Ethan muttered and his brows knit tightly as he rubbed his temple in frustration.

"I almost overlooked the fact that my damn face is plastered all over the city. Of course… that plan won't work."

His voice trailed off as he fell into thought.

The lines on his face deepened for a moment, and his gaze turned distant and calculating.

Then, suddenly, his expression shifted and a spark lit in his eyes, while the frown gave way to a quiet, confident smile.

"Yes… I have ve got it," he said, more to himself than to the knight.

"Forget the damage that has already been done.

I don't think that trashy idiot from last night is capable of stirring up much trouble for me in the Abyssal Sanctum anyway."

He glanced at Telor and continued in a cool and composed tone,

"What you need to focus on now is suppressing any mention of me or any trace of my group in this entire confrontation that occurred.

You have to start first by spinning the narrative."

A faint breeze stirred the grass near their feet, and the faint glow of the red-tinged moonlight filtered through the trees and cast soft, moving shadows as Ethan spoke.

"Say that we vanished entirely once we left the city.

Even though the ducal prince searched for me and my group, you actually couldn't find any trail or trace of our presence.

Then… create a phantom enemy. Say an unknown and shrouded group attacked you in the woods using ambush tactics and concealed faces.

To make us sound dangerous and mysterious, tell them that even your senses couldn't pierce their veil and you couldn't confirm who they were."

Here forcing back means he didn't attack Ethan with his full power like a rabid dog