“About the promotion, I’ll explain it to you when we get home, but this is a long story.”
“It’s alright, I like long stories. Perhaps we can have dinner together.”
The Princess said, reaching out to pet the cat lying on Xia De’s leg, wanting to pick it up. But as soon as she reached out, Mia raised her paw and swatted her hand away.
The cat rested its chin on Xia De’s leg, an action that made its face look very flat. It let out a “Meow~” sound, its pretty amber eyes looking at Dorothy, as if curious about who she was.
After returning home after a day’s absence, Xia De roughly recounted his experiences from yesterday to Leia. Luvia had asked him to keep the secret of the Chosen One and their relationship, and Miss Jialinna had also told him not to reveal anything related to the Witch, so Xia De omitted some key parts.
But even so, the story’s excitement still exceeded Leia’s imagination.
Especially when Xia De mentioned that Mia was accidentally packed into a box and taken to the Darkness Domain, and then stole a crucial relic during the battle, Leia repeatedly confirmed:
“Is this really something an ordinary cat can do? Although you said Mia is very smart, isn’t this a bit too smart?”
“I suspect Mia has the bloodline of some magical creature we don’t know about.”
Xia De sat on the sofa, scratching Mia’s chin:
“But I had my friend help check, and besides being smart, it has no other special features. So this time, I think it was my luck that it saved me.”
“That’s a really good pet. I think you really should buy it from its owner.”
“Oh, talking about that gives me a headache. Miss Mia Gold sends a letter every month, very concerned about Mia’s condition. It probably won’t be that simple to get her to give me this cat. I plan to take a long trip next spring, personally go to the town where Miss Gaode’s family is, and make the request in front of her.”
“What if she doesn’t agree?”
Leia asked with a smile.
“Then…”
“You’ll use special means? To get this cat?”
Xia De thought for a moment:
“Before next spring, I’ll prepare a large sum of pounds. Although pounds aren't omnipotent, I think a sufficient amount of pounds is close to omnipotent.”
Leia smiled.
The two chatted a lot that afternoon, and Leia also learned that Miss Felianna’s appearance was indeed related to Xia De. She was very envious of Xia De, being able to cross two eras and gain the favor of the academy’s Founding, but unfortunately, she still couldn’t “fully trust” Xia De and couldn’t turn into a toy to enter the past story with him.
In the evening, Xia De and the girl went to a restaurant for dinner, then, as usual, walked the cat while strolling in the sunset, walking back to Saint Delan Square.
Leia and Dorothy’s exchange would last until eight o’clock tonight, so she planned to go home a bit early to write down her conversation with Xia De, to prevent Xia De from having to spend the evening repeating what was said in the afternoon.
Discussing Xia De’s Ring術士 path at home after dinner, Leia gave Xia De some targeted advice for learning Miracle. At seven o’clock, Xia De saw Leia downstairs, but before going out to find a carriage, Leia once again reminded Xia De:
“In the future, unless necessary, don’t do such dangerous things. Xia De, sometimes I really don’t understand what you are doing all these frequent adventures for.”
“Of course, it’s for greater power. Besides, I didn’t experience any life-or-death adventures; this time went very smoothly.”
Xia De, standing in the hallway, said. Leia curved her lips. Under the gas lamp in the hallway, the Golden-haired girl, carrying a handbag, looked at Xia De with her emerald eyes:
“Then, prove it to me. Please lend that youthful immortality leaf to Dorothy again.”
“No problem.”
Xia De said with a smile. He had long anticipated that Dorothy or Leia would have such a request, so he was prepared.
He fumbled for his pocket watch, and from the two leaves clipped inside, he kept the one Tifa had had in her mouth and handed the original leaf with the Darkness Dungeon information to Leia.
The latter took the leaf and glanced at it, scoffing:
“Xia De, this isn’t the original one.”
“What?”
Xia De blinked.
“Although the youth everlasting leaf is a relic that exists in multiples, each leaf is different. The academic community believes that the true relic should actually be the tree on which the youthful immortality leaf grows, and the leaves themselves are only derivatives of the relic, just like the relationship between the Darkness Domain and the Demon Servant of Secrets you mentioned. Xia De, you really should supplement this basic Knowledge.”
She reached out and embraced Xia De’s neck, slightly rising on her tiptoes, looking at him under the gas lamp. Those emerald eyes, though not as mystical as Luvia’s purple eyes, still greatly attracted Xia De.
He truly felt that he could see the soul through the eyes, and what he saw at this moment was indeed Leia.
“Xia De, don’t deceive me; it’s meaningless.”
Because they were so close, Xia De could even feel the breath she exhaled when she spoke.
“Okay, I won’t in the future. I just didn’t want you to worry.”
“That’s truly foolish.”
She whispered, then kissed Xia De.
Both closed their eyes, embracing each other. After they separated, Xia De hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke of another matter:
“Actually, I didn’t want to lie to you. I also have other girls I like.”
After his relationship with Luvia progressed further last night, Xia De didn’t want to hide this matter and act as if he knew nothing while interacting with Leia. Although he was a bit greedy and wanted everything, he didn’t want to be someone who deceived feelings. He was prepared for the consequences of saying this, but the result was better than he expected.
“Oh, is it Luvia?”
Leia asked with a smile.
“How did you know?”
“Dorothy noticed something was off with you two before, and today, she almost had her eyes glued to you. I’ve known Luvia for so long, and this is the first time I’ve seen her so irrational. It’s okay, it’s good that you voluntarily told me. It would be strange for a man of your age and looks not to have a lover.”
She touched Xia De’s face, her expression gentle but also intimidating:
“But you have to answer me one question, Xia De, have you slept with Jialinna?”
She was very direct, not even using metaphors.
Xia De felt that if he answered “yes,” he would certainly not have a good outcome today, but fortunately, he had not done such a thing:
“Of course not. Although the city’s tabloids spread rumors that I am your Grand Aunt’s lover, in reality, we are only in a cooperative relationship, at least for now.”
“That’s good then.”
The Golden-haired girl’s fingers traced Xia De’s cheek, her emerald eyes filled with countless emotions:
“My grandfather, father, uncles, and brothers each have an countless number of lovers. Living in such a family, I’m used to such things. Xia De, you know how Dorothy and I feel about you. Because of my identity, I can’t give you any promises right now, so I don’t mind whatever you do with Luvia. As for Dorothy, I can temporarily help you hide it, but you and Jialinna…”
Her gaze suddenly sharpened:
“At your age, I can understand the desire for physical pleasure. Yes, whether you go to Luvia or ask me to find you some pretty maids, I can understand, after all, these are all people I am familiar with. But don’t Sleep with Jialinna, at least, don’t do so before I allow it. Xia De, you can consider this…”
“I know, your relationship with Miss Jialinna is very special. I won’t do anything before everything is clear.”
Xia De said softly. He knew he was taking advantage, but he was truly greedy.
“Very good.”
The hand that had been caressing Xia De’s face slid to Xia De’s chin. She slightly lifted Xia De’s chin, then stood on her tiptoes to look at Xia De. And so, this time, Xia De took the initiative to kiss her:
“This feeling of freely kissing you is truly wonderful.”
The soul in those emerald eyes so clearly expressed its feelings.
“If your sister Angelina were here, she would definitely say that’s a line from a knight novel’s male character.”
Xia De said. At this moment, the Golden-haired girl finally showed an expression belonging to Leia. This arrogant, smug, charming, and even somewhat haughty expression was something the true Writer could never display:
“Perhaps I can persuade Dorothy to let me use her body to see you often. While the princess’s identity gives me power, status, and pounds, it alone cannot give me the freedom to see you.”
“We cannot demand that fate give us everything we want.”
Xia De said. He had a deep appreciation for this statement recently.
“Only the incompetent think that way. What you want, you must reach out and take. Xia De, you and Dorothy, and others, I want them all, and I will succeed.”
Leia said, reaching up to touch her lips, kissing her fingers, then pressing them to the corner of Xia De’s mouth:
“No need to see me to the street corner, I’ll find a carriage myself. Get some good rest, Xia De, you’ve been so busy these past two weeks. But now that you have time, you can consider it: there are many ways to obtain the Sleep Ling Rune. Which of the four elements do you require? Goodbye, Knight who slayed the demon, I hope next time I can taste your lips with my own body.”
She reached behind her, opened the door, and Xia De watched the Golden-haired girl carefully walk backward down the steps, into the moonlight:
“Meeting you all, I truly…”
“Oh, Xia De, don’t talk in those knight novel lines; it’s too disgusting. Just understand that you’ve stolen the girls’ hearts.”
She said with a smile, playfully running her fingers through her long golden hair, then turned and left Saint Delan Square. With her back to Xia De, she knew Xia De’s mood must be very complex at this moment, and a smile curved on her lips—this was exactly the effect she wanted.
Xia De watched “Dorothy” get into the carriage, then closed the door. Facing the door, in the dim yellow light of the gas lamp, he closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
【Outsider, are you repenting your sins?】
She always managed to speak so perfectly.
“No, I’m wondering, if luck is truly conserved, then when will I be struck by lightning?”
Xia De was very self-aware.
