Chapter 78: I Wanted To See You.

Chapter 78: I Wanted To See You.

Maintaining his composure, Cassadin responded to the Emperor.

Your Majesty, I had only done what was expected of me. So there is no need to bestow a reward on me. What Your Majesty has already done for me is already much more than enough.

Please do not hesitate to accept this gift. It is purely out of my will that I want to give it to you.

He had turned down the offer in an evasive manner, but the Emperor seemed to have no intention of withdrawing his orders.

Ive heard that the youngest princess of Elsia is quite a beauty. How about it? I think she will suit you quite well.

Cassadin had no interest in whether that woman was attractive or not. The only thought in Cassadins mind at that moment was about what Aren could be doing at that moment.

On no occasion was anyone else other than Aren ever going to enter Cassadins heart, whether that was now or in the future.

Cassadin could feel his insides churn. Could the Emperor, that old fox, have realized his relationship with Aren and been intentionally forcing this gift upon him?

All Cassadin needed was Aren. He considered anyone else just a disturbance to their relationship.

In order to escape this situation, Cassadin decided to give all of the credit for his achievements to Lumen.

Your Majesty.

Cassadins deep voice echoed through the room.

I am afraid to say that the biggest contributor to the victory of this war was not me, but Sir Lumen, the Commander of the 1st Order of Knights. All I had done was take care of the Elsia troops that had been attempting to retreat.

So I believe it would only be right for the gift that is being bestowed on me to be given to the Commander.

Lumens eyes shook visibly. It had been Cassadin who led their army to victory in this war, not him.

Lumen deeply respected Damian for his remarkable swordsmanship.

Which was why Lumen had hated Cassadin. Even after hearing the news that he defeated Damian, he did not believe it and instead sneered at the man.

But after witnessing Cassadins swordsmanship with his own two eyes, he realized that his skill was not something that someone could dare judge.

Cassadins swordsmanship was something beyond that of a human. A level that ordinary people could not reach even if they dedicated their entire lives to training.

Lumen earnestly thought he wanted to learn from Cassadin. He experienced that when there was someone overwhelmingly skilled compared to oneself, a person wouldnt feel jealousy but admiration instead.

They were in completely different dimensions. Even if he trained for hundredsno, his entire life, he could not even come close to Cassadins level of swordsmanship.

He felt ashamed that someone as inadequate as him held the title of Commander of the 1st Order of Knights. Not to mention that he hadnt done a single thing in this battle, but Cassadin had given all of his credit to him.

How could one man be so generous? Lumen was ashamed of himself for looking down on such a man.

Commander, is what the Marquess saying true?

Lumen slowly raised his head at the voice of the Emperor calling to him. The mans golden eyes were shining visibly as they looked at him. Turning his eyes a bit to the side, he saw that Cassadin had also turned his head to look at him.

Lumen immediately understood what the look Cassadin was giving him meant. Moving his rigid lips, Lumen bowed his head to the Emperor and answered.

Yes, Your Majesty. His Lordship has spoken the truth.

Hahaha. I see. You both have done well.

The Emperor laughed lightly, stroking his beard. But he ultimately did not say that he was going to bestow the gift on Lumen.

Today is a joyful day, so go rest at ease. As a high credit for your achievements, I will open a large banquet in the days soon to come.

Continuing to stroke his beard, the Emperor then turned to gaze at Cassadin as he slowly added on.

I request that everyone here attend the banquet.

.As you wish, Your Majesty.

Though that was how Cassadin had responded, he wanted to escape this suffocating palace as soon as possible.

He wanted to take Arens small hands in his and swallow up her plump yet soft lips. He longed to be in her gentle embrace, relishing her fragrant scent.

Those were the thoughts running through Cassadins mind, unlike his external, dry expression. He couldnt have possibly read his mind, but smiling meaningfully towards Cassadin, the Emperor spoke.

I ask that you come to the banquet with Lady Serkia.

I have heard that the two of you had quite a remarkable relationship when you were once part of the Serkia Family. Since it will be difficult for you to meet the lady in the future, it would make me happy to see the two of you together in the banquet at the very least.

That old fox. Hes still trying to test me.

Cassadin internally gritted his teeth. In his thoughts, he was imagining himself using the sword on his belt to slice the Emperor in half.

The Emperor was continuing to test Cassadin, and officially declared that he would be unable to meet her often in the future, regardless of their relationship.

However, as it was only natural to do so, Cassadin returned victorious. Only then was Aren able to let out a deep sigh of relief.

But that relief was only short-lived since Damian had suddenly visited their residency in the middle of the night.

Aren was unable to turn away Damian, who knew Cassadins weakness. And that would be even more so if the one who had started this war was Damian.

If he had come to ask for her to heal his heart condition, then she just needed to alter it a bit and pretend to have healed him. With a kind smile, Aren asked Damian.

What brings Your Grace here so late at night?

Ive come because I wanted to see you.

Maintaining a faint smile towards the man who was spouting nonsense, Aren changed the subject.

Ah, that reminds me, Your Grace. Have you heard the news that a war has broken out?

I have heard that was the case.

Its quite a relief, though, since the Empire has won.

Clack. Aren set down two cups of freshly brewed tea on the table. Damian stared down at the teacup set down in front of him, then brought it up to his mouth.

I dont understand why Elsia would suddenly initiate such a war. They attacked a foe they wouldnt be able to defeat. It seems no different from suicide.

Your Grace has visited me this late at night so that I can heal your heart disease, correct?

To Arens question, Damian took another sip of his tea, put it down on the table, and responded quietly.

My heart disease does not matter anymore.

The Damian I know would never genuinely mean that. Thinking as such, Aren internally sneered at Damian.

You can be truthful to me, Your Grace.

It isnt wrong to be in pain. Nor is it a flaw. The disease will only worsen if you try to hide it.

She could not sound more like a healer at that moment. Closing his eyes, Damian leisurely savored Arens voice.

Your Grace.

Her clear yet gentle voice reached Damians ears. Had it always been this nice to hear her call to him?

He hadnt planned on utilizing the Elsia troops this quickly, but listening to Arens voice, he became certain that it had been the right decision to make.

Of course, not even Damian knew that Cassadin would return victorious this quickly.

But that didnt matter much to Damian. In the first place, those had just been a few of his puppets that he used to turn the Emperors attention away from him.

Once the Emperor accepted and trusted Cassadin in acknowledgment of his achievements, he would also try to keep him under his control for the rest of his life.

And that was exactly what Damian wanted.

Because of the Emperors supervision, Cassadin would struggle to approach Aren, and using times such as these, he would be able to visit Aren at her home.

And after several visits, he would be able to cure this damned heart condition.

.That was what he had thought.

Are you alright?

Hearing Arens concerned voice, Damians mouth stretched wide. Opening his closed eyes, Damian leisurely viewed Arens face.

The womans face was attractive under the dim light of the lamp. Her platinum hair that reached her waist seemed to have absorbed the moons light. Those blue eyes were vivid and clear, just like the deep ocean.

Why was it? That the woman he had considered to be a mere tool seemed so beautiful?

Perhaps it was because the moonlight of this night had been especially beautiful, or maybe Aren had done something to him while healing his heart.

Damian had planned to ask Aren to heal his heart as soon as he met her. But, as soon as he saw the woman smiling at him with crescent eyes, the words were unable to leave his mouth.

Damian reached out his hand towards Aren, who was still looking worriedly at him. As soon as his hands touched a couple of her platinum locks, Aren flinched in surprise and leaned back.

Aren always seemed to be within his reach, but she was never close enough for him to touch. That irritated Damian. Did she not give him a chance because of Cassadin?

How strange. Should I call her smart or foolish?

For Damian, understanding the intentions of people was incredibly easy. But even Damian had a difficult time trying to understand Arens true intentions.

And that was the reason why Damian had asked a question that was completely different from his original objective.

May I ask you why you chose him?nove(l)bi(n.)com