CH 232

“Huh? Why’re you crying all of a sudden?” Ruin asked, surprised by Cecile’s abrupt sniffling.

“It’s because of you! Be-cause. Of. You. I wanted to stay by his side even if I couldn’t be of any help!” she snapped, glaring at him. Growing increasingly louder, she yelled, “Who cares if the world is in danger or not! Who gives a hoot about the Ender! The fact that my husband is in danger matters more! Why, I would’ve taught you a lesson if I at least had the scepter on me!”

Cecile ended up lapsing into informal language in her anger. What did the dignity of the empress matter in this situation? If she had the scepter with her, she wouldn’t have bothered with roundabout attacks of varying intensity. She would’ve gone full throttle, launching combo hits of strong-strong-strong-strong all the way. She was separated from Estian, and if things played out badly, she might never be able to return to his side. This realization instantly instilled her with a sense of fear, sorrow and hopelessness.

‘I can’t be like this. I’ve got to be calmer and think coolly if I’m to find a way to go back. I have to be by Estian’s side.’ Cecile understood what was necessary, but her mind was a mess. Crown Prince Ruin was making her out as the savior-to-be of the world, so why was she so foolish and terrible at achieving anything? Strangely enough, the only clear thought in her head was that she absolutely needed to stay by Estian’s side.

“Uh, okay, if you would first stop crying…” Ruin stuttered.

His attempt to console Cecile only set her off again, and she screeched, “Don’t touch me! Go away! No! I’m not going!”

Abruptly, Ruin’s body was sent flying into the distance and crashed into a mountain on the other side. The sound of the huge impact rang out loudly and a great storm seemed to descend. Trees started to snap, while dirt and rocks were sent flying into the air by intense wind gusts. Cecile instinctively shut her eyes and guarded her face with her arms, but she didn’t feel the impact of any of the debris that should’ve been flying into her. Not only that, but she was soon enveloped by a familiar scent and warmth.

Opening her eyes in surprise, Cecile gasped, “Your Majesty?” Had she summoned this illusion in her longing to see him? The figure illuminated in the moonlight was definitely Estian. She blinked dumbly in disbelief.

“Why ‘Your Majesty’ again? Didn’t you promise to call me by name?” Estian said tenderly.

“Estian?”

He reached out to gently wipe away the tears that pooled at the corner of her eyes and apologized, “I’m sorry. I’m late.”

“Estian!” When she felt his touch, Cecile jumped up to embrace him. This was no illusion. It was the real Estian! She buried her face in his chest, and wiped away her tears. For a moment, black fog seemed to shroud his body, but it disappeared when she hugged him.

“Aagh…” Ruin groaned, reappearing before the two.

Estian shot him a glance, but ignored the crown prince as he turned back to wiping away the rest of Cecile’s tears. However, the tears that had subsidized quickly started anew, perhaps out of Cecile’s relief from feeling his familiar touch. “What did that scum do to make you cry like this?” Estian asked.

Ruin froze at Estian’s chilling tone, while Cecile felt goosebumps rise all over her body. ‘He’s mad,’ she thought. The emperor was angry. Extremely angry. No, that was insufficient to express the entirety of his fury.