She poured another into a second cup and pushed it towards Orion.
"Have so tea. It helps clear one's throat and clear the mind... Then, repeat yourself because I didn't hear you clearly," Evaline said, holding the tea elegantly up to her mouth before swallowing it in one gulp. "I'm sorry for the unsightly display; I also need to clear my mind," she added. However, her tone didn't hold a hint of apology. Instead, she stared at Orion with an even fiercer gaze, like she dared him to repeat his words.
Orion took a sip of the tip. He didn't feel any effects, probably because of his divine physiology. He gently placed the teacup on the table and focused on Evaline.
"I ca to remove the mark and propose to you. But before I propose, there are certain things I need to reveal to you," Orion said.
"What are these things? I want to hear them now," Evaline responded, her hands fidgeting under the table nervously.
"Rion is my false identity. I have another, much more well-known one," Orion replied.
Evaline nodded, gesturing for him to continue. She had long suspected that Rion was a fake identity. Despite all her efforts to uncover more about him since they had entered this mysterious dinsion, she had found nothing. It was as though this person didn't exist, which was sothing her niece had also concluded. It made no sense for such a powerful and high-ranking warrior not to be widely known, especially within a force like Paradise. Now, she was even more curious about his true identity.
Could he be one of Paradise's hidden high-ranking warriors? Or perhaps one of the Generals serving directly under the Commanders?
Orion dispelled his disguise. "I am Orion, the Supre Leader of Paradise," he said.
Evaline's mind ca to a screeching halt. Her face froze, unable to make a single expression. It wasn't until after a minute that her expression slowly returned, and she began scrutinizing Orion from head to toe with wide eyes.
"… You are the Supre Leader of Paradise… Orion?" Evaline asked, her voice cracking as her body trembled.
"Yes, I am," Orion confird with a nod.
In an instant, Evaline jumped up from her seat, distanced herself from the table, and bowed deeply toward him.
"Forgive for my foolish words earlier. I wasn't aware I was in the presence of such a grand figure, or I would have held my tongue. Please overlook the foolish behaviour of this mortal," Evaline said, her body trembling intensely. Her four robust legs looked as if they might collapse at any mont.
Orion sighed tiredly. "You don't need to apologize. Your emotions are valid, and I've kept my identity hidden. Even you wouldn't have uncovered it unless I wanted you to," he said. Activating the mark of the One-winged Chains of Eternal Submission, he added, "You may return to your seat."
Evaline stared at Orion with a twisted expression, a mixture of fear, anger, and disbelief swirling in her eyes.
Evaline's body moved beyond her control, and she returned to her seat. No matter how hard she struggled, she remained in place, forced to sit.
Sensing her tumultuous emotions, Orion could tell how she truly felt. It was fear!
"You can speak your mind," Orion said, activating the mark again.
"You're doing it again. Do you have any idea how I'm feeling right now? Your na isn't Rion, but Orion… I should've known. But how was I supposed to realize that the Supre Leader was going undercover and bullying soone as insignificant as ?" Evaline said, her voice unfiltered as she stared at Orion with a fierce, teary gaze.
"How am I supposed to react to the Supre Leader of Paradise proposing to ? Honestly, I want to outright reject your proposal or tell you that I'll think about it so I can see the pathetic emotions you might show. But how do I know you don't have a fragile ego and won't try to take and my niece if I reject you?"
"I've heard you have many wives and concubines ascending to divinity. How could I ever compete with them if I accepted your proposal? I also heard that every race within Paradise has fallen under your influence and that you've fathered nurous children with won from each race. Wouldn't that an I'd just beco another trophy, proof that even the Centaur race couldn't escape your clutches?"
"I can't compete with the goddesses of the Orion household. And what is it that you even see in , to leave your household and co here just to propose to ? Please tell what you find so special about because I don't see it." Evaline finished her words and awaited his response. Compared to an ordinary figure within the Runaway Cities or the Stowaways, she was special and well-respected, having once held a key position in the Trekking Flamingo Runaway City. But compared to even an ordinary warrior within Paradise, her status ant nothing. She couldn't even compare herself to the newly erged residents, who were capable of producing pure Vylkr energy with their own bodies.
So, comparing herself to the divine household of Paradise was laughable. Though it wasn't unusual for a powerful figure to have many partners, she knew she wouldn't be her first choice if she were in his position. She wasn't deaning herself. She was simply acknowledging her reality, which had kept her alive in this treacherous world.
"You should have more confidence in yourself," Orion said. "My ego isn't so fragile that I would harm you or anyone else just because you refused my proposal. You'd be free to enjoy your life like any other resident of Paradise."
"You may not compare to my other partners in so ways, but that doesn't make you any less special as an individual. If you weren't special, we wouldn't have crossed paths. Isn't the fact that you are Evaline enough?"
Silence enveloped the room.
"It's not enough," Evaline said, breaking the silence. "I don't have the potential to ascend to divinity. I've heard from people who got engaged outside their race that their partners often feel uncomfortable during intimate monts. So, if you're just interested in being with a centauress, I can make an oath that I'll always be here for your pleasure visits, and I won't have any partners until I'm gone. But be ready for such awkwardness."
"Fortunately, that isn't a problem for . I'm sure our intimate monts will be more interesting than awkward," Orion replied. "And as I said before, you need to have more confidence in yourself. I would have pursued that in our first eting if I had only wanted an intimate encounter with a centauress or even an Aarakocra."
"This is still your choice," Orion added.
"Fine. I reject your proposal," Evaline said, gritting her teeth as emotions swirled. She couldn't stop herself from voicing her thoughts, desperate to understand what was going on in the mind of the man before her.
"Are you sure?" Orion asked, raising a brow.
"No. I just wanted to see your reaction, to see if you were lying or not," Evaline admitted. "I accept your proposal but don't want to be your concubine. I want to be your wife. And don't think I'm doing this for the benefits. I want to be treated equally, with as much love as you give your other wives. I don't want to be left behind or treated as second."
Orion shook his head. "The hierarchy in my household is to maintain order. So, everyone starts as a concubine. But I promise you, I won't treat you any less than my other partners. If you're seeking further assurance, I have another way to prove my love for you."
"And what is that?" Evaline asked, surprised.
She had expected Orion to refuse her request outright, assuming it would conflict with his respect for his other wives. But hearing that he had another way to assure her of his love made her curious.
"I'll tell you after you genuinely respond to my proposal," Orion replied.
Evaline nodded and said, "I accept to be your concubine. You're lucky I have feelings for you after learning you stopped my execution because of my niece, feelings that grew more during our first eting." As she finished her sentence, she instinctively raised her hand to her mouth, sealing it, relieved that she'd already spoken her mind.
Orion nodded. "Give your hand," he said, extending his hand toward her.
Evaline hesitated briefly but then reached out and placed her hand in his.
Orion took her hand and leaned in, gesturing for her to move closer.
Evaline swallowed hard and leaned in as well, her breath quickening as her face ca closer to his. "If you remove the mark, wouldn't the power I've received from you disappear along with it?" she asked, her voice soft and uncertain.
"No, it won't. This is a divine art. You don't have to worry about sothing so trivial," Orion replied. He turned his head slightly and kissed her.
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