Chapter 684
Things were a little bit better for Baris, because the age gap between him and Lady Felicity was nearly nonexistent by the time there was a subtle romantic tension in the air between them. So in Baris’s case, Davey allowed a bit of leniency. And since they were already engaged anyway, Davey thought it was unnecessary to intervene in their relationship. But as for Yulis...
"Since when?" Davey asked quietly.
"..."
From Yulis’s lack of response, Davey called him out, "Mr. Yulis.”
"Brother!" Winley yelled.Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com
"Winley, could you wait just a bit?"
Davey smiled brightly as he gently patted Winley’s head. On the other hand, Yulis’ face became more ashen.
"I will take care of that thief for sure!" [1]
"Ah... No!" Winley screamed.
Davey simply ignored Winley’s scream, smiling brightly as he looked at Yulis, who was floating in mid-air and seemingly terrified of the powerful binding magic that was impossible to dispel at his level.
"Prince Davey, you achieve great feats every time I see you," Yulis noted.
"Since when did you start eyeing on Winley?" Davey repeated.
"From the very beginning," Yulis responded with a faint smile.
"..."
"Prince Davey, you knew from the start why I risked myself before, didn’t you?"
There had been rumors in the past that Yulis and Illyna would become engaged. But Yulis and Illyna themselves did not care at all about their relationship and had no intention of getting engaged.
Indeed, Davey was aware. It was an unusual match between a popular Red Tower elder and a princess from a small kingdom. But even though she was royal, she didn't have a solid network of support. This made her practically a liability. And even if she was at least a princess and not a prince, their union remained unlikely.
Yulis was hailed as a genius across the continent, and yet he put everything on the line—even his life—to go against Count Lington for Winley’s sake, even though he didn’t have to. It wasn’t until recently that Winley’s standing was bolstered because of Davey’s support. Before that, she had only been a mere royal with no network of support. Though Winley once helped Yulis, it was ultimately his love for her that drove him to risk his life just to aid and protect her. Yulis continued to be close to Davey as well, claiming that he would assist Davey in gaining knowledge and developing magic spells for the same reason.
"Still, isn't the age gap a bit too much?"
“Hahaha...” Yulis chuckled softly as his glasses slightly shifted.
"Brother! Please approve our relationship!" Winley pleaded.
"What?"
"I know the age gap is a bit big... but I don't regret it," Winley said, gently stroking her lean belly.
Glancing at Winley, Perserque made a bitter expression, while Davey watched in surprise as a smile tugged at Winley’s lips. It was surprising to see her speak with such determination. After all, she used to call him brother as she followed him around. But it seemed as though she was ready to leave the nest and take flight. Davey wondered if he was doing the right thing by being so protective, and that concern did not last long.
"Hmm..." Davey sighed.
‘Right, if they find happiness in it, what can I do? Especially now that a child in her belly is involved,’ Davey thought.
Davey wondered if he had the right to oppose the decision Winley made. If Yulis was not a good man, Davey would have certainly stepped in, maybe even using force. But Yulis was surprisingly among the better humans, even with his status. And it was for that reason that Davey had saved him several times and had been supportive of him.
'Maybe it's better for Winley to have Yulis by her side,' Davey thought.
However, Yulis’ goodness and Davey’s worry remained separate issues.
"Mr. Yulis.”.
"Yes, Prince Davey."
"I understand. It's ridiculous for me to say anything when you both wish for it, especially since I’ve done nothing for her"
A brother’s true love did not only mean being protective, but also blessing her happiness when it was needed.
"Please take care of Winley," Davey said.
"Yes."
"Winley, we need to talk later."
Winley nervously fidgeted at Davey’s words. She already had a guess about what was coming for her.
Davey then said, "No choice then. I'll have to address Winley's situation a bit hastily.”
To this, Yulis responded, "What are you planning...?"
"Yes. Just trust me."
"But... Brother. I'm okay, really."
"Really? I hope my concern is only an overreaction, but are you truly confident that you'll be alright when you watch the one you love grow older while you stay the same?”
A mix of emotions marred Winley’s face. She would not be okay with the situation, even though Yulis might be.
"What should I do?"
With a clap of his hands, Davey answered, "You need something to act as a catalyst for your body's transformation. It's just like leveling up and changing status in a game."
"And?"
"Let's go hunting. There's a place teeming with experience points."
Davey’s uncertain smile gave Winley a bout of fear.
"If you slay the boss mobs alone, your body will gradually meet the evolution requirements."
Meeting the minimum requirements would be enough, and Davey could then force her transformation with the level of his spirit right after.
"You trust me?"
"Yes... Yes?"
"Don't worry, Winley. You won't die."
Since she chose to be with Yulis, Davey felt obligated, albeit strictly, to prevent any chance of her unhappiness.
So he proceeded to activate the Dimensional Key. But their destination was not in Tionis. Instead, they were going to a different dimension entirely—Alf Online.
***
Emperor Deorte struggled with a headache as he faced an elderly man before him.
"Have you confirmed it?"
"It's not certain... but... it appears to be a pregnancy, Your Majesty."
“...”
Emperor Deorte staggered as he clutched his head.
“You... Your Majesty!” Alberth gasped and immediately rushed over to support the emperor..
Usually, Emperor Deorte was a strong father, and yet he looked utterly drained by the news.
"Ah... Alberth... Even Goddess Freyja is too indifferent,” he murmured bitterly. But his bitterness turned to frustration as he shouted, "Who is it? Who impregnated our Aeria?!"
It was not just about being blocked from a matrimonial alliance; the entire situation was just absurdly appalling.
"Please calm yourself, Your Majesty. You know that it is impossible for the princess to involve herself with just any outsider," the physician said in an attempt to pacify the emperor.
But Emperor Deorte remained visibly shaken. He then twitched as he said, “What? Then...”
"I took the liberty of using a sample of Prince Davey's hair to magically extract and confirm the paternity of the child within the princess."
"Go on."
"We've found and verified the identity of the child's father."
"Speak. Is it the man I'm thinking of?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
There was a moment of silence.
"Prepare yourself, Albus. We're going to the Kingdom of Rowane."
The emperor of the Lyndis Empire himself was on the move.
"I will make him take responsibility, even if it costs me my life!"
1. South Koreans refer to men who date or marry women of much younger ages as thieves. ☜