CHAPTER 189: WORRY AND RESOURCES.

Soon, after all the planning and drafting had been completed, Dorian finally decided to step out of the room.

Revina and his summons flanked him as he walked past the line of elven maids, who all bowed in deep reverence as he passed.

As he walked, he couldn’t help but continuously glance at Revina’s side.

Though he had noticed it before, he had never really questioned why the King of a nation chose to dress as a maid of all things. It was a strange quirk, even for her.

There was also another fact, a disturbing realization that had skipped his mind until that very moment.

She had said she wanted to have his child, but she also mentioned how the Dragon Monarch was afraid of those who bore his child dying from the strain.

Why would she suggest that, knowing the risk?

Does that mean she doesn’t necessarily care about what happens to her, as long as she is serving him?

Most people who had that kind of mentality either viewed themselves as nothing or loved that person more than they loved themselves—at a dangerous, fanatical level.

Dorian sighed, sliding one hand into his pocket.

’And every time I use the system on her, it shows she is calm, collected, and loyal. Tsk, I don’t like this one bit. It feels less like affection and more like sacrificial worship.’

...

Dorian approached the grand staircase. From the first step, he could see Seraphina and Maria seated on the chairs in the lounge below, discussing something with low voices.

It didn’t even take them a minute to catch a whiff of Dorian’s presence.

Immediately, the two of them looked in his direction, a bright, relieved smile showing on Seraphina’s face right away.

’Ah, there she is. I knew she’d be fine.’

Dorian continued to walk down the stairs.

The moment his foot touched the last step, Seraphina jerked up from the chair she was seated on.

She didn’t just walk; she ran, launching herself at him and hugging him as tightly as her strength would allow.

He, of course, didn’t leave her hanging.

As soon as her arms wrapped around his shoulder, he hugged her back, his hands squeezing against her tender waist, pulling her flush against him.

"I missed you so much... please hug me more. Don’t let go," she whispered, shutting her eyes tight as she held on to him.

Dorian was confused for a second. Then he figured she was probably just scared since she had just woken up from a coma-like state induced by a god-killing virus. It was only natural she would seek comfort.

So, he did as she asked, hugging her tightly and refusing to let go.

Everyone watched. While there were hints of jealousy in their eyes—especially from Revina—no one uttered a word. They understood it was their moment, and they were not allowed to interfere.

It took quite a long time for Seraphina to get it out of her system.

When she finally did, she pulled back a bit, looking Dorian in the eye, her arms still resting on his shoulders.

"You look as handsome as ever. Just as I remembered."

Dorian smiled nervously at the statement. "You speak as though you’ve been asleep for years."

Seraphina looked to the side.

After what she saw in that dream—the darkness, the loss, the separation—she might as well have witnessed the fall of an entire civilization.

To avoid Dorian asking her any further questions about her vision, she scooted to the side and hugged his arm possessively.

"Anyway, I am all fine now. Maria already explained what happened to me, and I can say with full certainty that the Dead Mana is no longer in my body."

Dorian narrowed his gaze after those words left her mouth.

It came from a place of deep worry.

He remembered vividly that the system said only his mana could fully destroy Dead Mana, and all he had done was absorb it from her body.

That said, who is to say the main seed of the dark mana was not still dormant inside her?

[I have analyzed the target.]

[The seeds of the Dead Mana have all been completely destroyed. You have nothing to worry about.]

Seeing the system confirm it as well, Dorian couldn’t help but sigh out loud in relief.

"Darling?" Seraphina noticed, tilting her head to the side.

The next thing she felt was Dorian’s hand resting gently on her head.

"I am glad to see you’re alright. Next time, I wish you’d think twice before jumping into danger for my sake. I’d rather die than have someone die for me."

Those words hit Seraphina for some reason, striking a chord deep within her memories. It was as though she suddenly remembered something specific from her vision.

Rather than saying anything, she nodded her head and cozied up to Dorian even more, burying her face in his side. It was quite cute, but also a clear attempt to hide her expression.

Noticing she was calm, Dorian turned his gaze directly at Maria.

"Where is Ishtar?"

To which she replied, "She told me she wanted to handle some business with nobles on-site."

"Nobles on-site? What nobles?"

"I believe she mentioned Duke Valerie."

Revina immediately shook her head at the back. She could already see the perplexed look on Dorian’s face, so she knew she had to explain.

"News about the Governor getting evicted and jailed has already spread throughout the noble circles and neighboring towns. Since that city is technically under Duke Valerie’s authority—"

"He is trying to claim the place," Dorian completed the sentence, his voice dropping an octave.

"Yes," Revina sighed. "If I am to guess, he most likely suspects you are the one involved in it. And he also wants to make sure you don’t get the vote of the people, as agreed upon for you becoming a Duke."

True. The deal was that Dorian needed the people’s support. The people in the city would most definitely vote for Dorian; that much was certain.

’So what, is he trying to threaten them into not doing so? Or perhaps install his own puppet governor before I can take official control?’

Dorian sighed, his mind racing.

’Now that I think about it, he is also most likely trying to get the crude oil back. His pawn, Alabaster, has been exposed, meaning the resource is vulnerable for anyone to grab. He will do anything in his power to avoid losing that revenue stream.’

He grinned. However, it wasn’t something he did on purpose; it was something his body decided to do automatically when an evil thought escaped his mind.

Yes. This was as good as it could get.

The Duke was walking right towards him, and a trap was already ready to be used for such an occasion.

...

[A/N]

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