Archer watched as Belle’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she held his gaze, unfazed. "Maybe. But I’d probably be the one running the show, not chasing after so charming guy with pointy ears."
She smirked, popping a piece of lettuce into her mouth. Cece snorted, tossing the stolen onion ring onto Sasha’s plate in a peace offering. ’’Oh, please, girl. You’d be all over him if you spent five minutes in one of those stories.’’
"Would not," Belle shot back, though her grin betrayed her.
She glanced at him, her red eyes narrowing playfully. ’’Okay, maybe I’d consider it. But only if he keeps buying sandwiches.’’
Sasha leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. ’’Careful, Belle. He’s got a knack for winning people over. Those violet eyes are dangerous.’’
’’Oi, stop making out like so villain,’’ Archer interrupted. ’’You’re going to scare her away like most Earth won.’’
’’Sorry, love,’’ Cece said. ’’Those bitches are idiots, you can clearly see you’re different and unlike n from this world.’’
’’Most see as a monster after what I did to those cities,’’ he revealed, chuckling. ’’But I don’t care, I have too many won as it is.’’
’’What have you done?’’ Belle questioned.
’’Attacked several cities, destroyed billions in military equipnt and made my woman the new president,’’ he responded.
Just then, a TV in the corner of the diner ca on, only for Elizabeth to appear on screen, surprising the twins. Cece’s eyes lit up as she spoke. ’’There’s Liz! She looks happier being back in control.’’
’’Only because of this devil,’’ Sasha teased, her brown eyes filled with love.
’’I warned the world leaders already, ss with and I’ll fuck up your world,’’ he chuckled.
While those three spoke, Belle looked at him with a slack jaw as she started rembering stories of chaos breaking out all over the world, but she was wrapped up in a new novel to pay attention. She shook her head, asking. ’’Were you the thing that destroyed that European country a few years back?’’
Archer didn’t speak but waved a hand, showing the blonde a mana screen of all his destruction, the cities he destroyed, the dead president and agents alongside everything else. The young woman’s red eyes widened in surprise before an excited expression appeared on her face.
’’So they weren’t just lying? All those things they said were the truth?’’ Belle muttered.
He glanced at the twins, who blushed as Sasha explained, nervously playing with her fingers. ’’We may have bragged about you to our friends, but no one believed us.’’
’’Take a photo and share it on your socials,’’ he suggested, their eyes lighting up with excitent.
Cece slid to his left, while Sasha settled on his right, both young won cozying up to him as Belle readied the cara. Archer flashed a charming grin, causing a flush to creep up her neck to her ears. She captured the mont and passed the phone to Cece, whose warm brown eyes sparkled with delight.
Following that, the group savored the last bites of their food, laughter filling the diner. Plates now empty, they gathered their things and strolled to the counter where the older woman was cleaning the side. Belle handed over her share of the bill, and her mother leaned forward, eyes twinkling with curiosity.
’’So, girl, where are you off to tonight?’’ Darlene questioned.
Belle glanced back at Archer, Cece, and Sasha, who were playfully nudging each other near the door. Pointing at them with a shy grin, she said. ’’The twins invited to a party. Apparently, people are dying to et the infamous boyfriend. Everyone around here thinks he’s fake.’’
Darlene chuckled, wiping her hands on her apron. ’’Oh, honey, with them? You’re in for a wild night. Just don’t let those demonesses talk you into anything too crazy,’’ she winked, handing Belle her change.
Archer overheard and sauntered over, his charming smile back in full force. ’’Don’t worry, Darlene. I’ll keep everyone in line,’’ he said, earning a skeptical snort from Cece.
’’You? Keeping us in line?’’ Sasha teased, looping her arm through Belle’s. ’’Co on, let’s go prove we’re not lying.’’
The four of them left the diner when the twins circled Belle with knowing expressions on their faces. ’’A party? Is it that you just want to spend ti with our man?’’
He watched the young woman get embarrassed, but she answered honestly. ’’Yes, I want to see what it’s like to be around the main character.’’
When Archer heard this, he started laughing before revealing. ’’It’s a horrible but fun experience now I’m stronger and not being hunted by Dragon Hunters.’’
’’Dragon?’’
’’Look at him, Belle,’’ Cece giggled. ’’Tell us what you see.’’
’’God, he’s devastatingly handso, like straight out of a novel or ani,’’ she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Pointed elf-like ears, snow-white hair like every main character these days, and those gorgeous violet eyes...’’
Belle’s jaw dropped. ’’Those eyes... they’re not human! They look like a lizard’s!’’
Archer let out a low, rumbling growl that sent a shiver through her. Sasha, perched nearby, stifled a laugh. ’’Don’t call him that, he’s far from a lizard, sothing far more sexy," she teased, clearly enjoying the mont.
’’That growl, it’s not just an angry animal, it’s like sothing monstrous,’’ Belle whispered, her gaze flicking back to him. ’’You’re taller than anyone I’ve ever seen, with a jawline sharper than any novel’s hero, and this... magnetic aura that just draws people in."
Following that, Belle’s gaze lingered; she felt he was beyond human, like a figure carved from legend. She leaned closer, captivated, her fingers twitching with the urge to trace his angular cheekbones. ’He’s not just gorgeous,’ she thought, ’he’s... sothing else entirely.’
A burst of playful laughter snapped her out of her trance. Three girls, clearly strangers judging by their curious, sparkling eyes, sauntered over, their voices dripping with charm. ’’Oh my gosh, who’s this?’’ one murmured, her gaze shalessly tracing Archer’s fra, a sly grin tugging at her lips.
Another, batting her lashes, stepped closer, tossing her hair with a flirty tilt of her head. ’’Hey there, handso, got a na to match that face, or should we just call you Trouble?’’
Belle’s stomach churned, a hot spark of possessiveness flaring within her. Her cheeks burned, and before she could think, she hooked her arm through his, her grip firm. His warmth sent a thrill through her, but she held her ground, shooting a glare at the girls as she thought. ’They don’t get to swoop in like that.’
Before the newcors could say another word, the twins moved in, each planting a love-filled kiss on his cheeks. Cece’s smirk was sharp, a silent challenge, while Sasha giggled, her eyes dancing with mischief. ’’Sorry, girls, he’s spoken for,’’ the brown eyes beauty chirped, tossing them a cheeky wink.
The group faltered, their smiles morphing into jealous-filled scowls. One girl huffed, muttering sothing sharp under her breath, while another shot a jealous glance before they turned and shuffled off, their chatter now laced with irritation. Belle’s hold on Archer’s arm tightened, her heart hamring, not just from anger, but from the electric rush of being so close to him.
Archer glanced down, his violet eyes glinting with a teasing spark. ’’Feeling territorial?’’ he murmured, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.
Belle’s face flushed, but she didn’t release his arm. ’’No,’’ she shot back, lifting her chin. ’’Just... staking a claim on what matters in life.’’
He leaned in close, his voice soft but steady, brushing against Belle’s ear with a quiet confidence. ’’So, what’s it you’re really after?’’ he asked, his tone warm, like he’d already glimpsed the heart of her thoughts.
Her cheeks burned bright red as she honestly answered. ’’To feel loved, to matter, to actually live. My life’s so bland, like I’m just stuck, always stressing about what’s next.’’
Archer let out a low chuckle, the kind that felt like a pat on the back. ’’You ever feel like you’re ant to be sowhere else, sowhere bigger?’’
Belle nodded, her eyes locked on his, waiting. He gave her a small, knowing smile and went on. ’’Stop worrying over the stuff you can’t change. You’re not where you want to be yet, but picture this: what if you could just snap your fingers and be there? Would you even know it when you arrived?’’
He glanced away from the group for a mont, his voice calm but carrying weight. ’’You’re so caught up in where you’re headed that you’re missing the ride. That’s where the good stuff happens, the laughs, the love, the monts that make it all worth it. The end goal? It’s just a dot on the map.’’
In a smooth step, Archer moved behind her, his voice dropping to a whisper near her ear. ’’Live a little right here, Belle. Let show you how to find the spark in where you’re at.’’
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