Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)

Third Person's POV

He had sent them away for their safety and to ensure that they wouldn't be caught in the crossfire.

But when she saw him standing there, safe and unharmed, she couldn't hold back her emotions.

All the fear and the worry that she had kept inside her, spilled over before she could stop herself.

Ethan felt her nails dig slightly into his back as though making sure he was real and solid, here at this moment.

For a moment, he wasn't sure how to react.

His hands hovered uncertainly before finally settling on her back in a tentative embrace.

To be honest, he didn't know what to say.

He had no prior experience in comforting a lover and no real knowledge of the right words to ease her emotions. But he at least tried in his next words.

"Virelle, I'm—"

She pulled back just enough to glare up at him as her tear-streaked crimson eyes shone with unspoken emotions.

"Don't. Don't you dare say you are fine."

Her fingers brushed the still-healing burns that peeked through his shredded collar.

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Her touch was feather-light but he saw the way her breath caught when she traced over the ghastly black-and-red welts left behind by the Netherflame.

Her voice wavered.

"You… you could have died. Do you even understand that?"

Ethan inhaled and was prepared to answer, but the sudden presence of another warmth against him interrupted him.

Velcy had finally reached them.

Unlike Virelle, she didn't throw herself at him but there was no missing the exhaustion in her glowing white hair which had become tangled and messy, or the slight tremble in her body.

Her sharp claws still dripped with residual dark energy and her feline ears were flattened tightly against her head.

She stood silently, her gaze flickering between them before softening.

But for a brief second, so quick that it almost went unnoticed—Ethan caught a cold, unreadable expression cross her face before she lowered her head.

The Blood Slave, in contrast, stood motionless like a specter in the shadows with its half-lidded crimson eyes flashing with faint crimson rays flickering out of them intermittently.

It watched in silence though its presence was an eerie reminder of the world outside this fragile moment.

Virelle's fingers trembled as they moved from Ethan's chest to his jawline.

Then, without warning, she rose onto her toes and kissed him.

It wasn't soft and definitely wasn't tentative but it was fierce, desperate, and unyielding.

She poured everything into that kiss. The kiss had her fear, her relief, and her longing all mixed together.

Her lips pressed against his in an unspoken demand as if ensuring he wouldn't disappear on her again.

Ethan froze for a moment at her surprise attack.

Surprise flickered through his mind as he realized what she had done.

Virelle had not only kissed him in front of Velcy but also in front of the Blood Slave, who would undoubtedly report this to the Little Duchess.

But he didn't move away as he knew that the people who were here were already privy or at least suspicious of their relationship.

Instead, he responded gently at first and let her take what she needed.

His chapped lips moved against her glossy ones and feeling the soft fraction forming between their lips, they kissed each other even more passionately.

The warmth of her lips deepened and her fingers tangled into his sleek violet hair while his own arms tightened around her.

His right hand found her slender waist and pulled her closer, while his left cradled the back of her neck.

Their lips moved against each other and ignited something even deeper between them. It was a clash of emotion and need.

Her soft breath hitched against his skin as the heat between them intensified.

They were lost in their loving and fiery exchange when Ethan and Virelle simultaneously felt a soft pat on their hands.

In an instant, Virelle broke away like a startled deer and her body jerked slightly as she stepped back.

But even as she put distance between them, her fingers were still clinging to his left hand, and was unwilling to fully let go.

A furious blush stained her cheeks and her teary red eyes were filled with a mix of happiness and embarrassment as she struggled to contain her overwhelming emotions.

The culprit of their interruption stood beside them in a silent and unwavering manner.

It was Velcy.

Ethan turned his gaze toward her, and instead of saying anything, she simply stepped forward and pressed herself against him.

Her arms wrapped around his torso as her smaller frame fit perfectly against his chest.

She didn't say anything. She also didn't cry, scold, or try to pout.

She just… held him.

Ethan sighed and the slight tension in his shoulders at being interrupted suddenly melted slightly as he hugged her back.

His fingers lightly ran through her messy white hair, and he felt the tremble she had tried so hard to suppress.

The little feline girl who always pretended to be so tough and so indifferent was nothing but a soft-hearted fool when it came to him.

Her thick white tail slowly curled and wrapped itself around his free arm and its soft fur brushed against his palm in a silent gesture of comfort.

Ethan chuckled softly at her innocent and cute gesture.

But Virelle's mind was filled with gloomy thoughts as she mulled over the rude gesture of the little audacious cat girl, though on the outside, she was calm and acted like an embarrassed girl.

The wariness, the exhaustion, and the weight of the battle hadn't disappeared. But in this moment, with these two women clinging to him, he allowed himself to forget it for now,

The Blood Slave who was still standing in the shadows watched everything in silence and didn't interrupt or say anything.

Its half-lidded eyes flickered faintly before returning to their usual unreadable glow.

The quiet and raw moment lingered between them.