Lady Serena had a scornful look when I walked in. However, the mont she saw my blood-stained mouth and pale skin, her disdain turned to worry.
To make things worse, my boots had thick blood prints underneath, breaking the final ntal barriers she had set up.
She rushed over to my side as I slowly staggered toward the window, grabbing the ledge and sticking my head out.
Blegh!
I coughed up another mouthful of blood while gasping for breath and clutching my belly.
I felt Serena’s palm gently pat my back repeatedly, and her voice ca from the side.
"What happened?" she asked. Her voice was filled with desperation and terror.
It left wondering if she was the one who got hurt—especially since she was glaring at like I was so kind of thief just a few seconds ago.
Pulling myself up, I removed her hand and walked over to the bed. Once I sat down, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, ignoring the fact soone was still standing a few steps away.
Huff!
Exhaling loudly, I opened my eyes to et Serena’s questioning gaze.
"We’ll take turns answering each other’s questions," I said.
"No problem, but I asked first," she replied impatiently.
I didn’t respond quickly. Gazing into her eyes for a while, I saw a striking resemblance between this lady and the queen.
Their perceptive gaze made feel uncomfortable. It felt like they could see through any lie I ca up with.
Was this magic? Or a special trait?
Or maybe I was just a bit paranoid?
Once again, I decided to be honest. One misstep could ruin everything I was trying to build here.
Especially since she was the crown princess—a figure just as important as the queen.
"To return to my allies and brief them on my activities here... one of them wasn’t okay with it. He tried to attack , so I hurt him really badly.
In a bid to stop the fight, soone I trusted used a deadly skill on —and that’s how I ended up like this."
I gave a summarizing version of the story and watched her eyes widen with shock.
"Does that an your allies may turn on us?" she asked.
But I acted like I didn’t hear the question.
As soon as I was done flexing my stiff shoulders, I lay on the comfy bed and shut my eyes.
"You must’ve forgotten the deal—we take turns to ask questions," I said before slowly opening my eyes.
"Now tell ..." I shifted my gaze to her. "What is Crown Princess Serena doing in my room?"
Buzz!
Watching her shiver and take a step back in shock was quite satisfying.
"How did you..."
Serena stopped midway and let out a heavy sigh.
"I don’t trust you, so I’ve been keeping an eye on you," she answered begrudgingly.
My eyes squinted and my brows knitted. Maybe it didn’t sound strange to her, but finding out soone could easily monitor my actions inside my room was unsettling.
"So tell ... is there a chance your allies can turn on us?" Serena asked again.
I casually shook my head.
"The one who tried to stop is simply jealous of my achievents. He hates that I’m better than him. And even if they decided to stand against ... I’ll kill them all."
I shrugged like it was nothing.
Serena was silent and gazed at for a while. Then she walked up to the bed and sat beside .
"I knew you were never a good guy from the start," she said.
And I shrugged again.
"Good and evil don’t exist. It’s all about perspective," I said, shaking my head while pulling myself up.
"By helping Solinthar, I’m a saint to your people. But a devil to the enemies I’ll et in battle."
She nodded slowly with a thoughtful look.
"Now it’s my turn," I said as I sat up properly and looked into her eyes.
"What made you think I’m a bad person that doesn’t need to be trusted? Don’t you believe in the prophecy?"
Serena was taken aback by my question. She slowly nodded, but then aggressively shook her head.
It seed this was a question she didn’t have a proper answer to.
"It’s not that I don’t believe in it... well, I don’t, because I’m not a religious person—but I also pray it’s true..."
Her voice trailed off as she struggled to express herself.
She abruptly stood up, causing to raise an eyebrow.
"The thing is... my people are desperate.
We’ve co across travelers who claid they were here to help—only for them to steal from us.
I’m trying to make sure that doesn’t happen again!"
She got annoyed by the mories as she answered.
"Fairs..."
I nodded slowly at her words and lay back down again.
Shutting my eyes, I focused on the aching pain that ca from all parts of my body.
I couldn’t help but think back on Kenza’s power, and honestly, I was impressed.
Only now did I realize I never got to see her abilities. Limitless in the military tend to rely on Aether-powered guns more.
I didn’t even get to see what Deacon was capable of before he got killed.
’I’ll keep her at arm’s length for now. I’ll use this unfortunate event to guilt-trip her and extract more value out of her,’ I decided.
But thinking about her reminded of Natasha, who has a decent ability—and in turn reminded of Pala, causing my eyes to open slightly.
Child’s Play.
Core.
These two talents were top-tier, but I couldn’t get my hands on them yet since I needed to know more about the Watchers.
Yes, even now I’m the golden boy of the Texas governnt, but that doesn’t change my affiliation with the group.
I’m still very much interested in the country they plan to build.
A country I can take from them and make it my first territory on Earth...
"Should I call the physicians to have a look at you?"
Serena sounded worried, and the look in her eyes was different from the one she had when I stepped through the gate.
"Is that your question?" I joked, and she chuckled lightly.
"I can see you’re alright," she laughed, and I nodded.
"I’m beyond human.
Things that would kill the average person can’t kill . All I need is so rest and I’ll be alright."
Serena nodded but raised an eyebrow with an amused smile.
"Is that your way of asking to get the fuck out of your room?" she joked.
And I chuckled in response.
"As expected of the crown princess. She can read between the lines," I laughed, and she joined .
When we were done laughing, silence returned, and she just gazed at with a small smile.
"You know... you’re the most human traveler I’ve t.
Everyone else tries to play God with . They try to make it seem like they’re from so advanced world, so I must bow at their feet for that," she said, and I wondered why she hadn’t left yet—but I played along.
Slowly, I looked away and closed my eyes before responding.
"I don’t believe any realm is superior.
Each has unique traits the others lack.
This one has magic—and other races I once believed existed only in fantasy stories.
While mine has talents and technology.
We’re just different—and that’s not a bad thing."
I said this without opening my eyes.
My words were t with silence—but only for a few seconds.
After which, I felt her warm palm touch mine.
My eyes snapped open, only to see Serena looking at my face intently.
However, upon noticing my eyes, her face turned red and she quickly retreated.
"Errm... I should get going now..." she stuttered before practically running out of the room.
Silence returned to the room—but not my mind.
I abruptly sat up and glanced around, wondering if there was so sort of device she used to watch my movents.
Or was it magic?
If it’s magic... can I really do anything about it?
No one likes being watched, and I was no exception.
However, since everything ended well—and she seed to have a crush on now—it was much better than being watched out of suspicion.
Huff!
I exhaled sharply and laid back down.
I guess this is not sothing I can deal with now, so there’s no need to bother about it.
The good thing is—I have the crown princess on my side.
So things can only get better from here.
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