Luther Gale pressed his lips together and was inwardly infuriated that a young girl was low-key threatening him.
However, he knew Lily was not kidding. If he created a commotion, everyone would know what really happened here and he didn't want to be the one who caused his empire to lose face.
Luther Gale grudgingly nodded and said while forcing a smile, "Sure, Your Highness. I also think it's best we civilly settle our misunderstandings."
He thought at least withdrawing his stance this way is way better than admitting defeat before Damien. Besides he had another agenda for his visit that involved Lily.
Damien was impressed how Lily mitigated a difficult situation involving a Heaven Ethereal Realm practitioner easily without lifting a finger or showing any signs of uneasiness. He thought that maybe he could learn these kinds of things from Lily.
Damien was not really fond of politics and he felt that the people in this world care about their reputation very much; so even just as their own life.
Oswin Rong and Nestor Rong also sighed in relief inwardly seeing that Lily handled the situation skillfully.
When they were preparing to set out to diate the situation, they felt anxious when Lily persuaded them to let her co with them. After all, they were going to et a Heaven Ethereal Realm cultivator who was known to not back down without a fight. They wouldn't even be able to protect Lily assuming the worst case.
They thought Lily wanted to convey her goodwill to Alchemist Azrael since he promised to help their Ancestor.
Lily nodded and then looked at Damien, "Alchemist Azrael, I am sorry we weren't able to keep your personal disciple safe. I hope you don't lose faith in us as we won't let this happen again."
Damien looked at Lily and he could feel that her words were sincere to the last word and was not simply putting on a show before the other three people.
Damien softly shook his head, "It's not Your Highness' fault. I should have kept a closer watch on my young personal disciple and I would never lose my faith in you."
Luther Gale felt that sothing was off seeing the 180-degree change in Damien's attitude. He never expected a head-strong person like Damien would be so unassuming before the princess of the weakest empire.
The only reason he was willing to even talk to Lily politely was because of the value she ans to his empire. Otherwise, he wouldn't even glance at the empress of the weakest empire.
Valentina took a peek at Lily and noticed the change in Damien when he talked to Lily. Even though Damien's voice was still deep, she noticed that his tone beca slightly warm when he talked to Lily.
Despite the veil covering half of Lily's face, she also noticed how beautiful Lily was and felt sothing strange in her heart. But she didn't mind it and continued to observe Lily. She wanted to know if she was a friend or a foe to Damien.
Noticing Valentina looking at her, Lily smiled gently at her with her eyes. She wanted to ask more about Valentina but knew it could all wait till she was alone with Damien again.
Lily was surprised when she saw a pink-haired girl with ruby red eyes the mont she first ca here.
But seeing the ghastly scars on her face, she felt sympathy for her seeing how a little girl like her had to suffer such horrible injuries. She could guess why Damien took a liking to her seeing how cutely she was clutching Damien's cloak.
anwhile, Oswin Rong and Nestor Rong were confused why Lily was apologizing to Damien for sothing that was not even her concern. In fact, they didn't even know Damien had a personal disciple. When did protecting his personal disciple beco their job?
All they had to do was make sure Alchemist Azrael had a good ti in their empire but nothing more than that.
Luther Gale placed his hands on his back and said formally, "Your Highness, I am sure you must know the purpose of my visit. Other than investigating the death of my grandson, I am accompanying His Highness Prince Tristen of our empire. Other than touring the Rong Empire, the main purpose in his visit here was to have an audience with you. He is looking forward to eting with you, so can you provide with an opportune ti for His Highness to et you?"
Lily clenched her fingers behind her back and took a quick glance at Damien to see whether he would misunderstand. But because of his disguise, she couldn't tell what Damien was thinking.
'Heh...Tristen huh? Seems like I should teach soone to never go after soone else's woman, especially mine.' Damien sneered inwardly.
Damien understood her decision and knew it wouldn't be good for her if she refuses.
Lily nodded with a faint smile, "You can tell Prince Tristen that two days from now would be an opportune ti."
Lily knew she had no choice but to give face to a prince from one of the strongest empires. If she refuses it could only an more trouble for her. She only hoped Damien would understand her stance and not think of anything else.
Luther Gale nodded and said in a plain tone, "Good. I will convey Your Highness' regards to His Highness. I shall take my leave then." Luther Gale took a quick look at Damien and then sped off in a certain direction till his silhouette was no longer visible.
Lily sighed and looked at Damien with a sorry expression, "Alchemist Azrael, I am glad you were able to save your personal disciple before anything happened. We shall get going as well and hope to see you again so other ti."
Lily then turned around and nodded at her protectors to leave for the palace.
After they left, Valentina asked Damien curiously, "Big Brother, who is she?"
Damien sighed, "She is soone I care about, just like you. She is the only one in this world I trust other than you. But rember we can't act familiar with her in public for now." Damien instructed her.
Valentina nodded but inwardly she was curious to learn more about Lily seeing as how she was important to Damien. But for so reason, her heart was becoming restless.
——
The sa night in Damien's villa,
Damien and Valentina were on the bed sleeping. However, Valentina was tightly hugging Damien as if she was afraid he would disappear any mont.
Damien sighed thinking how scared she must have been being almost sold as a slave and undergoing the tornt on her soul.
After coming back ho, since noon he gave Valentina so space to settle down her thoughts and tried to give her so alone ti. But even then Valentina simply clung to him without saying anything. He was worried whether she would be alright.
He felt Valentina fidgeting her body around as if she was having trouble sleeping. Damien whispered, "Are you finding it hard to sleep?"
Valentina nodded slowly.
Damien felt guilty that she was like this because of him. He gently said, "It's okay. Even Big Brother has bad dreams sotis. Sotis in our life, we go through things that show us how cruel and rciless the world is, and that the only people you can depend on is your loved ones. But don't worry, I promise you that I will never let anyone hurt you or cause you pain. I will always be with you and protect you. So don't think that I would suddenly disappear. Do you believe ?"
Valentina slowly looked at Damien and nodded. Damien saw her beautiful ruby red eyes looking at him with a gaze that carried absolute reliance and trust.
She said as she suddenly started sobbing, "I am sorry I didn't listen to Big Brother about not trusting others...I—"
"Hey...hey...it's okay. I am the one who should apologize to you for not being there when you needed the most." Damien gently caressed her head trying to comfort her.
He continued, "It's understandable to make mistakes like that. After all, it was the first ti you stepped foot into the outside world and you did it for . I know things like what you experienced might take ti to co out of it. But no matter how much ti you take, I am sure that once you do, you will be ntally stronger than ever."
Valentina smiled softly as her mood started getting better. She then bit her lip as she asked, "Big Brother, am I ugly?"
Damien gently wiped her tears and said as he looked into her eyes, "Only people whose hearts and mind are twisted and ugly would call you that. You don't have to bother about what everyone else says. In my eyes, you will always be the most beautiful gem in the world." He said with a warm smile.
Valentina gave a radiant smile upon hearing his words and felt glad that her Big Brother didn't think she was ugly and disgusting. She took Damien's words to heart and felt that as long as her Big Brother found her beautiful, it didn't matter what everybody else thinks about her.
Damien gently caressed her head as he pulled her head closer to his chest, "Now forget about all unnecessary things and let Big Brother tell you a good story. Once upon a ti, there was a duckling who was nicknad as Ugly Duckling by her fellow mates and…."
A few minutes passed,
"...in the end, the ugly duckling grew into a beautiful and elegant swan that soared the skies, putting the other animals to sha."
"Purr…."
Valentina cutely purred with a relaxed smile on her face, going into a deep sleep as her body and mind completely relaxed.
Damien smiled and let out a sigh of relief seeing that she wasn't having any more trouble sleeping.
"Good night, Valentina. Big Brother will always be there for you."
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