Damien nodded, "Yes, for now. We have other businesses in other empires, so we would be traveling here and there. But we will definitely be visiting the Gale Empire again one day. At that time, we wouldn't forget to pay a visit to Your Majesty."
The little king waved his hands and said with a friendly smile, "Oh, please do it if it's not too much of a bother. But I have to say you all surely lead a busy life. No matter what, the Shizar Kingdom will always welcome you all with open arms at any time."
Damien said with a courteous bow along with Yuria and Valentina, "Thank you, Your Majesty. We will take our leave then."
"Allow me to show you out," The little king gestured as he led them out.
Damien, however, noticed that Yuria's expression seemed slightly down and wondered what was going on with her.
Yuria felt Damien's gaze and glanced in his direction, only to look away with a guilty expression, making Damien even more suspicious that something was troubling her.
But he decided to ask her after leaving this place.
All four of them came out, and the little king bid farewell to the trio before leaving with the senior expert.
Since there was no longer any treasure, the little king felt that there was no need for anyone to guard this place anymore and decided to use the underground facility for something else.
After making sure they were alone, Damien could feel two curious gazes at him, indirectly asking him what happened back there.
He softly chuckled and explained how he made a pact with the sacred dagger and how its name was Crimson Death.
Yuria and Valentina were thrilled to know that Damien formed a pact with such a powerful weapon, though they were sad to hear that its soul was in an injured state. Otherwise, they were sure that Damien wouldn't have to walk on eggshells anymore, even before the Xeton Empire.
"Okay, that's enough about me," Damien said as he looked at Yuria and asked, "Now, tell me. What is up with you? I noticed that since the moment we were coming back, you seemed distracted."
Yuria's expression froze up and looked at Damien as well as a confused Valentina, who also now realized that Yuria looked kind of out of it.
Yuria finally let out a loud, sad sigh as she said, "Haa...I was planning to tell you this but didn't know how to break the news exactly to you guys. The thing is, the Gale Emperor is subtly moving against my kingdom since he must have found that I had no plans in marrying Tristen in the first place. And I don't know if it's because Farah went missing, but the Gale Emperor seems like he is getting desperate about something."
Damien became worried and said, "Does your father need our help? Valentina and I can surely stay and postpone our plans if your kingdom is in trouble."
Yuria waved her hands hurriedly, "No, no. It's not in trouble like you think, but my kingdom just has to be careful. The imperial family can never move against us publicly. But at the same time ...I feel that I should stay with my papa and help him out. I just feel uncomfortable leaving him alone to deal with everything. This is why I was hesitating to break the news to you both since I want to come with you two to the Xeton Empire as well. Sigh...I feel like I am having a time of bad luck."
Damien felt sad to hear that Yuria wouldn't be able to come with them, but at the same time, he understood that it was not right to force her to come, especially when her father was facing tough times.
As a daughter, she surely would have a lot of worries about her father, especially when he had no one nearby to fully rely on and trust.
Valentina was also feeling down, seeing how Yuria couldn't come with them. If it was before knowing Yuria, she would have been happy, but now she felt as if she was going to part with a friend who was also like a sister to her for a while.
"Did I upset you two with this news?" Yuria could understand how they were feeling since she also didn't like to part with them as well.
Damien shook his head and said with a soft smile as he caressed Yuria's head, "Of course not. In fact, if we knew about this, we would still tell you to go and help your father. That is the right thing to do, and even if you came with us, you would always be feeling down, thinking about your kingdom's affairs. Now that wouldn't be any different, would it? I don't want you to worry, and if going back to your kingdom makes you rest at ease, then I would want that as well."
Yuria happily smiled, seeing how Damien understood her situation, and then looked at the silent Valentina, who was looking at her with pursed lips.
"Valentina? Why do you seem...angry?" Yuria asked with an awkward smile.
Valentina stomped her feet before suddenly hugging Yuria, "I don't like you leaving so suddenly...But if it's to protect your family, I can wait for you to come back...But you have to promise to return fast...okay? Otherwise, I won't let you go."
Yuria chuckled and felt warm, seeing how a girl who once hated her now was sad about her leaving.
She hugged her back as she said, "Of course, I will return as fast as possible. I promise. Otherwise, you would be hogging Damien all to yourself, you naughty cat," Yuria teasingly pinched Valentina's nose, making her giggle mischievously.
Damien slightly laughed, amused by these two's interaction.
Yuria then looked at Damien and said, "I will also make sure that everything is going well in Luton Town, especially your prisoners in Tristen's mansion."
Damien nodded and said, "But be careful whenever you are traveling alone. I just don't feel at ease thinking about you all alone in the imperial city."
Yuria waved her hand, "Come on. I am stronger than all those so-called prodigies of my age group in the imperial city. They wouldn't dare to bother with me, especially with my disguise. As for the elders, they obviously wouldn't bother with a junior like me. You just worry too much, Damien. But I love it, hehe."
"Come here, you," Damien pulled her closer as he savored her soft pink lips, trying to make sure he remembers this taste for as long as he could till she returned.
Yuria did the same as well to make sure she could feel his warmth even when he was not nearby.
Valentina watched silently, deciding to let these two have their moment.
After a while, the two finally separated their lips as they lovingly gazed at each other's eyes, feeling bitter about their temporary parting.
Yuria started to tear up a bit but did her best to hold back her tears and not show Damien an embarrassing side of hers.
However, Damien cupped her face and kissed her eyes softly before whispering in her ears, "Go...don't feel sad...I will still stay in touch with you. We will be waiting for you…"
Yuria nodded with a complicated smile and hugged Valentina again as well before she slowly took out her beast bag and bid farewell to both.
Damien and Valentina waited till Yuria disappeared into the skies on her beast mount, both feeling a strange emptiness in their hearts.
Damien then held Valentina's hand as he said, "Don't worry...she will be back soon. As for us....let's continue on to the Xeton Empire…"
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