The Smiling Death

Chapter 516: I Wish I Could Hug You

Amon and Adelia sat on the edge of the enormous king-sized bed inside Selena’s private chamber.

The luxurious mattress sank slightly beneath their weight.

Amon gently pressed his palm against it before lying back for a moment on someone else bed without any shame.

"It’s so soft..."

he muttered in amazement.

Adelia smiled as she watched his childlike reaction. She loved his this side.

"Well, it belongs to the Crown Princess," she said softly. "Naturally, it would be one of the finest beds in the kingdom."

Amon nodded repeatedly.

"When I become rich in the future, I’m definitely buying this exact kind of bed and mattress."

"Hehe. I believe you."

Her encouraging smile made him grin.

At that moment, the chamber door opened.

Click.

Selena stepped inside while carrying the teleportation artifact in one hand.

"It’s done."

She walked toward them.

"Fortunately, Mother was still in the palace."

She handed the bronze cube back to Amon, who immediately stood up to receive it.

Since he had no reliable source of mana capable of filling the artifact’s enormous capacity, Selena had suggested asking her mother to charge it.

After all, the Queen possessed an immense reserve of mana.

Amon carefully accepted the cube.

"So...How much mana did she put into it?"

he asked curiously.

Selena thought for a moment.

"Hmm...She said she filled it with roughly half of her total mana."

Amon’s eyes widened.

"...Half?"

He stared at the small bronze cube in disbelief.

"How many times can I use it now?"

Selena shrugged.

"Mother wasn’t entirely certain. She estimated that the stored mana should be enough for around twenty long-distance trips to other continents."

"But that’s only an estimate. The artifact might consume significantly less mana than the amount she normally spends creating teleportation portals herself. She couldn’t calculate the exact efficiency."

Amon stared at the cube with sparkling eyes.

"...This thing is amazing."

Selena folded her arms.

"Now stop admiring it. Register this room as one of its destinations."

"Yes, yes... I’m doing it."

Amon grumbled dramatically before stepping away from both women. Standing near the center of the chamber, he placed the bronze cube upon his palm.

He slowly closed his eyes. Mana flowed from his body into the artifact. The ancient runic engravings covering its surface immediately lit up with a beautiful azure glow.

The surrounding mana became slightly restless.

Then a brilliant blue runic pattern slowly appeared beneath Amon’s feet.

Countless intricate runes rotated within it as streams of mana gathered together.

The circle gradually rose from the floor until it hovered around his body before shrinking into countless glowing particles.

Those particles drifted toward the bronze cube one after another. The artifact quietly absorbed every single one.

The entire process lasted nearly ten minutes.

Finally the glow faded.

The magic circle disappeared completely.

Amon slowly opened his eyes.

"It’s done."

Selena nodded with satisfaction.

"Good."

Professor Adelia smiled warmly.

"Congratulations."

She then looked at Selena before laughing softly.

"I just hope Amon doesn’t sneak into your room from time to time."

Amon immediately waved both hands.

"I swear I’d never do something like that. I am not some pervert. Besides...If Her Majesty found out, she’d probably throw me into the palace dungeon."

Selena shook her head.

"No. She wouldn’t. I already informed Mother about everything."

Amon blinked.

"...You what? I told her that if you ever appeared here with me, it would be because of the teleportation artifact."

She smiled faintly.

"But if you are alone I asked her to keep an eye on you."

Amon’s shoulders instantly slumped.

"...Senior..."

Professor Adelia sighed helplessly.

"Princess Selena... I still think you’re being far too careless."

Then Amon looked at the princess seriously.

"Senior, you’re allowing a young commoner to gain direct access to your private chamber. That goes against nearly every royal and noble custom."

Selena merely shrugged.

Adelia nodded in agreement. "Amon is right. If Amon did something like this in my family’s palace... I mean in my chamber."

She looked at Amon. "...my father and older brother would probably try to kill him."

He genuinely looked terrified after hearing her.

Adelia couldn’t help smiling at his nervous expression. "It’s possible, but I had saved you." she admitted with a gentle laugh.

Selena clicked her tongue.

"Tch. Don’t compare my family to other noble houses. My mother has always done whatever she wanted. She’s known throughout the continent for being ruthless. And she raised me the same way."

Selena smiled confidently.

"She once told me... Live however you wish. Love whoever you wish, even if he is a commoner, it’s okay.’ Just become smart, strong enough and ruthless enough to protect your kingdom.’"

Amon swallowed. "...Scary."

Professor Adelia nodded thoughtfully. "Her Majesty truly is... different."

She then turned toward Amon.

"Amon. No matter what happens in the future... If you ever meet another princess... then don’t casually become friends with her. And definitely don’t flirt with her."

She continued further. "You were fortunate that Princess Selena and Princess Eliana are both kind-hearted."

Amon immediately blushed. He didn’t know why she was accusing him for flirting. He never flirted with anyone.

"I never flirted with Princess Eliana! I was very respectful when we first met."

Adelia raised an amused eyebrow.

"Oh? So our Amon never flirted with Princess Eliana..."

She tilted her head slightly.

"Does that mean you flirted with Selena instead?"

Amon instantly fell silent.

Selena also turned toward him with obvious curiosity.

"I... I never did that."

Adelia smiled knowingly.

"Liar." Selena spoke with cold eyes. Clearly not pleased with his lie.

She turned and started to walk toward the door. "Come on. We still have some time. Let’s explore the city before returning to the academy."

Selena opened the chamber door and stepped outside.

Amon let out a helpless sigh before following behind her. He felt sad hearing her wrong accusation. He never flirted with her.

Professor Adelia moved beside him.

Seeing his slightly dejected expression, she gently raised her hand and softly rubbed his back.

"Don’t be upset."

She smiled kindly.

"I believe your words."

Amon looked at the gentle professor. Something warm stirred inside his heart. For some reason he suddenly wanted to hug her.

But he hesitated. After all she was his professor. He lowered his gaze before speaking honestly.

"...You’re an angel, Professor Adelia. I wish I could hug you."