CHAPTER 229: 228. A GHOST THAT LOVES STEW

Valerie’s expression darkened as she began to speak, her voice low and nostalgic.

"Veyna and I grew up in a faraway kingdom called Shangani—that’s where we were born and raised. As twins, we were always together. We came from a wealthy family, but we couldn’t have been more different. My sister was drawn to combat training, always chasing strength, while I just wanted to travel the world and capture its beauty. I loved art—still do. I dreamed of sketching every unique thing I found."

She paused, her eyes clouding over. "One day, when we were twelve, we wandered into a forest. I had spotted a rare bird and asked Veyna to help me find it. I wanted it for my arts. But instead... we were ambushed by bandits."

Her throat tightened. "As daughters of nobility, they checked us for valuables. Veyna, thinking she could handle them with her training, fought back. She tried to protect me. But one of the bandits cast a fire spell and... she was burned. Badly."

She lowered her head. "After that, everything changed. Veyna changed. She stopped talking to me, grew cold and distant. She was no longer the sister I knew. Still, I continued traveling. Eventually, I came to this kingdom, built this estate, and sold my artwork. People loved it."

Asher arched a brow. "Wait... this whole place is yours?"

She nodded softly.

Damn. Freaking rich woman.

"Years passed. I was doing well, then one day she showed up again. I took her in. We’ve been living together ever since."

"Until you got sick," Asher said.

Valerie nodded slowly.

"You know your sister is the one who orchestrated to get you sick, right?"

Valerie recoiled, her face tightening in disbelief. "What?" She gave a weak, nervous laugh. "With all due respect, I can’t agree with that. Veyna may be cold, but she’d never do that. She’s the kindest person I know."

"Believe it or not, it’s true," Asher said. "If she really cared, do you think she’d just throw away your paintings like trash? Do you think she’d leave you to rot and only come into your room wearing a mask and saying you smelled?"

Valerie’s throat tightened. "No... you don’t understand her. I’m sure she had her reasons. She probably didn’t know how to help. That’s all."

Asher rose to his feet, pulling his clothes on. "You’re too trusting, Valerie. Too sweet... and blind. Let’s wait for Veyna to show up tomorrow morning. I’ll reveal her true colors to everyone."

With that, he walked out of the bathroom, leaving Valerie naked on the floor, her thoughts spiraling in confusion.

Veyna wouldn’t do something as cruel as cursing her with this disease... would she? No. Not her.

She shook her head, trying to silence the thought.

**

As Asher stepped out of the bathroom, he stumbled upon Rin sitting on the floor, her mini skirt bunched at her thighs, panties pulled aside, her fingers between her legs. She was touching herself, clearly frustrated. His chest ached as he felt a pang in his heart.

"I’m sorry, love," he whispered, kneeling next to her. "I promise, all of this will be over soon. Everything I’m doing now... it’s so we can live in my realm, together. Forever."

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with lust and unshed tears.

"Rin... angry," she muttered, voice shaking. She’d had enough. Her heart had been ripped apart. Asher had made love to Anna earlier. And now he was with Valerie. But Rin? He hadn’t touched her at all.

He gently took her hand, helped her sit up straight, and gave her a warm hug.

"Tomorrow, okay? Just wait a few more hours, honey. I promise—you’ll love it. I’m just tired now."

She clung to him tightly, sniffling softly. He lifted her into his arms like a child and carried her to the bedroom. Tama was fast asleep on the bunker bed. Asher laid Rin down beside her, then climbed in and spooned her from behind, pulling her close.

Rin felt a little better. Her master hadn’t forgotten her after all—something she’d always feared. He still cared. And that alone put her heart at peace.

Asher kissed her neck softly before exhaustion took him. In a few minutes, he was snoring.

Rin smiled faintly.

"Rin... loves you," she whispered.

But he was already fast asleep.

She closed her eyes too.

**

The next morning...

Rin awoke to find herself curled up beside Tama. Asher was gone. In her bed, Valerie, surprisingly, was still asleep snoring softly instead of grunting or twitching. The house even smelled... fresher than usual.

Stretching, Rin slipped out of bed, barefoot, and padded downstairs. The maids were bustling about—polishing floors and scrubbing everything spotless. After all, their boss, Veyna, would arrive soon.

The scent from the kitchen caught her attention. Since no one but Valerie knew she existed in this mansion, Rin copied her master’s invisibility skill and crept through the halls unseen.

Her stomach growled.

Human food always smells so good... way better than anything that violent demon Rose makes back in the Dimensional Realm. And Tama’s food? Flavorless. Always.

She had to avoid certain ingredients though. As a catgirl, her system reacted like a real feline’s. Onions, garlic, chives—anything from the Allium family—were toxic to her. Didn’t matter how they were cooked. They made her sick.

Which was why her meals always lacked taste.

But now, she was in heaven.

She reached the kitchen, invisible, and opened a pot. Stew. Her mouth watered. She grabbed a spoon and scooped out the steaming meat and broth.

She moaned softly as she ate.

The young maid cooking turned pale, watching in horror as the spoon lifted on its own and the stew disappeared into thin air.

"A ghost?" she screamed in shock.

The other maids rushed in, asking what happened.

Rin growled lightly, took one last scoop, then slipped out toward the dining room.

Just then, Asher strode in through the front door, raising his arms theatrically.

"Everyone! Gather in the dining hall, now! Veyna will be here in twenty minutes!"

The maids exchanged confused glances. Who was he to be giving orders? A mere man. A mere guard?

Asher shot a sharp look at the samurai guard, Malaki, who immediately relayed the command to summon all staff to the dining hall.

"Rin," he called, sensing her presence though she was invisible. "go get Valerie."

She nodded and vanished up the stairs.

Asher smirked and glanced at the pending quest in his interface.

[Quest: 13 Horny MILFs detected within 200-meter radius]

[New Task Unlocked: TAME THEM ALL!!!]

He grinned to himself.

Let’s see the look on Veyna’s face... when she gets the welcome she truly deserves.

TBC