Chapter 782: Don’t Let Your Dreams Be Dreams!

"By the way, how did you know that we were inside the painting, Brother?" Joanne asked after she finished drinking her fruit juice.

They had just finished breakfast and were currently in the garden of the Temple of the Tidebringer.

"Professor Rinehart told me about it when I came to see him," Ethan replied. "After that, I rushed over to enter the painting. But when I arrived, you guys were already fighting against Godfrey." seaʀᴄh thё nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Good thing you arrived in time," Princess Ramona said as she patted her chest. "Things would have ended differently if you weren't there."

In the world of the painting, the Princess whom Ethan hadn't seen in a long while was now seventeen years old.

She had grown taller, more beautiful, and last but not the least, more developed since the last time he saw her.

At first, Ethan didn't recognize her right away. But after taking a good long look at her, he realized that she was indeed the Princess whom he had left behind in the Lands of Alastor.

Truth be told, Ethan didn't know how to interact with the Princess.

Even though he knew that she wasn't real, Princess Ramona was very special to him, so he couldn't help but feel a bit happy because he was able to see a much older version of her.

According to the history books, Princess Ramona went on a journey after stepping down from her position as Saintess when she was eighteen years old.

She was never seen or heard from again, which was something that made him and Joanne worry because they didn't know what became of her.

The Princess beside him was all grown up, and truth be told, this was something that Ethan wished to see.

And now, seeing the person who had confessed to him back in the Lands of Alastor, the young man felt a slight ache in his heart because he wasn't there when she needed him the most.

"By the way, Ramona, do you have any future plans?" Ethan asked. "Like, do you wish to step down from your position as Saintess and go anywhere?"

The Princess' hand, which was holding her teacup, trembled for a brief moment before returning to normal.

Ethan and Joanne didn't miss this subtle reaction, which made them believe that they were on to something.

"W-Why would I do that, Sir Ethan?" Princess Ramona stuttered. "I am happy to be the Saintess of the Order of the Tidebringer."

"But are you truly happy?" Joanne asked. "You told me a day ago that you want to push down my brother on the bed, kiss him all over, and do—hmpphhh!"

"W-What are you talking about Joanne?!" Princess Ramona almost shouted as she covered the younger girl's lips with her hands. "D-Don't listen to her, Sir Ethan! This girl is just talking nonsense. I didn't say anything like that!"

"Calm down, Ramona," Ethan replied. "Joanne is just teasing you like always."

Hecate, who was listening on the side, smirked as she put down her teacup on the table.

"Is it really just nonsense?" Hecate asked in a teasing tone. "Are you sure that you don't want to do the things that Joanne said earlier?"

"You two are bullying me!" Princess Ramona complained.

"Don't let your dreams be dreams!" Hecate stated. "While Sir Ethan is here, you should take the opportunity to do him! I mean, to do it."

"Y-You!" Princess Ramona's face turned beet red as she lost her composure.

Ethan, who couldn't bear to see her being bullied by the two girls, decided to put an end to their teasing.

"Okay, that's enough," Ethan said. "Give Ramona a break."

Joanne and Hecate exchanged a knowing glance and smiled at the same time.

"Brother, why don't you and Ramona go out on a date today?" Joanne proposed. "Since both of you are free and you haven't seen each other for a long time, why not enjoy the moment?"

"That's right." Hecate nodded as she gazed at the Princess with a serious expression on her face. "Don't let your wet dreams remain as dreams!"

"Girl, can you stop?" Princess Ramona, whose face had turned a shade redder, glared at Hecate, which made the latter giggle.

They were still in the world of the painting because Joanne's enlightenment wasn't over.

It had been quite some time since she had transformed into her Succubus Form, but she was still having a hard time controlling her newfound powers.

She could hide her wings at will, but her horns and tail remained present on her body.

Since they didn't want to cause a scene in the Academy, Ethan decided that it would be best to let his sister finish her enlightenment first.

He was certain that if Joanne attended classes and walked the hallways of the Academy with her horns and tail sticking out of her body, things would get very complicated.

Also, Fortis Dud and Lyle, who were waiting for him in the Forbidden Section of the library, warned him that if he forced Joanne and Hecate out of the painting before the Enlightenment Process was done, there was a chance that the painting would be destroyed.

Since the Painting of Enlightenment was a very powerful tool, it would be a waste to destroy it.

Not only did it allow people to awaken the powers lying dormant in their bodies, but it also provided them with useful information that would help them after leaving the painting.

What made it even more priceless was its power to simulate a world where the one who entered could get information about possible foes, events, and circumstances, that were bound to experience in the future, in advance.

Godfrey's appearance was a sign that there was a high chance of Joanne or Hecate meeting him in real life, which strengthened Ethan's resolve to find him in Midgard before that happened.

The two girls had lost against him, which meant that they currently had no chance to win against the Vampire Lord if they met in real life.

Ramona, who was fidgeting and giving Ethan side-long glances, could feel her cheeks burning from embarrassment.

However, to her surprise, Ethan held her hand and said the words that she wanted to hear.

"Then, since you're not busy, let's go on a date," Ethan said with a smile.

He and the Princess had gone out on dates back in the Magdar Kingdom as per her request before he and his sister returned to their own timeline.

Ethan also felt that going out on a date with the Princess would allow them to give closure to the unrequited love that she had for him.

Even if it was just in the world inside the painting.

"I-I'll go prepare right away!" Princess Ramona hastily left the garden to dress up for her date with Ethan.

Hecate watched her go with a smile on her face.

And yet, within the depths of her eyes, a tinge of pity, regret, and sadness emerged for a brief moment before returning to normal.