Chapter 271. Anna
"Your voice; it hasn't changed," Charles replied naturally.
"Oh, my, my. It seems you've missed me quite a bit during this period we were apart that you still remember how I sounded so clearly," Anna remarked as a faint smile surfaced on her lips, and she wrapped her arms around Charles' neck.
"Wait. Let's get back on the ship first," Charles urged and grabbed her hand. Poking his head out of the alleyway, his eyes darted around warily before they emerged from their hiding and headed toward the docks.
"Don't worry. I've already figured out those guys' strengths and relics. As long as I'm here, they can't find you," Anna reassured Charles while she unwound the bandages shrouding her eyes.
Despite Anna's words, Charles didn't dare to let his guard down. Pulling her by the hand, they quickly traversed through another alley.
"How did you end up lurking around Swann? It's dangerous to be around him now."
"What's so dangerous about it? Hey, don't go that way; they'll sense us there. Come with me," Anna said.
At that, Charles suddenly felt Anna tugging at his hand with a strong pull, leading him in a different direction. She seemed to be knowledgeable of the layout of the Albion Isles. Navigating through twists and turns, they soon stood before a cellar draped in black vines.
The moment they stepped into the room, Anna jumped onto Charles and wrapped her long, slender legs around his waist before planting her luscious red lips on his.
Charles opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but Anna's tongue darted between his lips and silenced him.
After several moments, Charles had no choice but to forcefully push her head away.
"Wait. Tell me first; what are you doing here on the Albion Isles?" Charles asked.
Instead of answering his question, Anna licked her crimson lips and teased, "Why do I taste someone else? Did you get together with another woman again?"
Seeing that he wouldn't be able to get an answer out of Anna, Charles took a deep breath and placed his hands on her shoulders. He looked into her eyes with a firm gaze. "Answer me. I'm not joking around. Why are you here?"
Anna averted her gaze in an attempt to avoid Charles' penetrating stare.
"Nothing. Just doing a small favor for someone," she muttered quickly.
"Isn't World's Crown under your control? If there's anything you need, you should come to me. Why did you accept such dangerous requests?"
"The lip service sure sounds nice, but I haven't seen you teleport to my side whenever I'm feeling lonely at night," Anna retorted; her voice was laced with a hint of sarcasm and vulnerability.
Looking into Charles' eyes again, she noted the determination in his gaze. A hint of helplessness flickered across her visage.
Several dark tentacles emerged from beneath her pale skin and gently pushed Charles' hand away. She then slowly walked to the large king-sized bed and lay down.
"Don't worry about it; it has nothing to do with you. You wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you," Anna said with a dismissive wave. "As for you, Gao Zhiming. Why are you here?"
"Don't change the topic. You haven't answered my question yet," Charles insisted. There was no mistaking the agitation that tinged his voice.
Anna propped her chin up in one hand as a flirtatious, seducing expression surfaced on her visage. "Wanna guess?"
Charles' face went a shade darker almost instantly, eliciting a sudden peal of laughter from her.
"Hey, it's nothing much, really. I was just bored and wanting to strengthen my power. The rewards I'll be getting from completing the task can help with that. If I get even stronger, I might be able to protect you one day."
"I don't need your protection, Anna. Hurry up and leave the island. I don't want you to be in danger," Charles said as he reached out a hand, wanting to pull Anna up from the bed. However, she kicked his hand away.
With a trace of annoyance and grievance in her voice, she retorted, "I told you not to find the exit to the surface, and you ignored it. In that case, why should I listen to you when you didn't even listen to me?"
Charles took a step closer to her. "Don't you want to return to the surface world? Do you want to stay here forever? Your memories should have memories of the surface world, too."
Several tentacles protruded from Anna's back to prop her up, and she threw herself onto Charles. She gently pressed her delicate face against Charles' scarred cheek.
Charles caught a faint scent of flowers as Anna parted her lips and said, "The modern world doesn't attract a monster like me. In my memories, you are the reason for all of my fond experiences on the surface world."
Hearing her words, Charles' gaze softened. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist and said affectionately, "Tell me your task. I'll take care of it for you."
Anna closed her eyes and snuggled against Charles. "Don't worry. I just have to create trouble for Swann. He should be the one worried right now; he has offended too many people, after all."
Suddenly, Anna opened her eyes as though she had recalled something important. Her face lit up with mischief. "Hubby, I have some big news for you. Brace yourself, and don't stagger."
"Hmm? What is it?" Charles' curiosity was piqued.
"Do you remember that little cutie in the waters who threw eyeballs at you?"
Charles' eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know that?"
He was perplexed. The incident happened at the Foundation's main island and in the depths of the dark waters. How could she possibly know about that creature he had encountered?
Anna let out a chuckle as she tried to contain her amusement. "Oh my... I already feel like laughing just imagining your reaction. You'd better brace yourself. Actually, that creature is—"
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Before Anna could continue, a series of loud knocks sounded.
"Mr. Charles, are you in there? I can smell you at the door," Lily's voice came from outside.
Anna's smile faded. She released Charles and walked toward the door.
The door creaked open to reveal Lily, with her red fur, standing at the threshold.
The moment Lily saw Anna, shock registered on her face.
"Ah! You are that—"
Before Lily could complete her sentence, Anna swiftly grabbed the little mouse and slowly moved her toward her mouth.
As Lily inched closer to Anna's lips, Anna's mouth widened grotesquely to reveal her monstrous maw.
"AHHHHH!" Lily screamed in terror as she struggled in Anna's grasp. "Mr. Charles, help! Save me! She's gonna eat me!"
"Is it that fun to scare a kid?" Charles remarked.
Anna shot a glance at Charles and blinked her large eyes innocently. Then, with a toss of her hand, she threw Lily into her mouth.
Charles let out a sigh as his brows furrowed.
A teasing smile played on Anna's lips. She opened her mouth, and with a flick of her tongue, she sent Lily, sticky and wet with saliva, flying toward Charles.
"Ugh, this mouse is always with you. I sometimes wonder if she's your wife or I am," Anna complained.
Frightened by Anna, Lily had her eyes closed and was letting out tiny shrieks. While Charles stroked Lily's fur to try to soothe the terrified little mouse, he asked, "What did you say you wanted to tell me just now?"
Anna let out a sigh as she looked at the mouse in Charles' hand. "Nevermind. I'll tell you next time when there's time. It's not urgent anyway. I'll come look for you after I'm done with my requests."
With that, Anna headed back to the bed and got dressed. Before she left the cellar, she looked back at Charles and said, "Oh, by the way, don't make a fuss when you go back. Swann's days are numbered; he won't be around for long. There's a line of people after his life. Just sit back and enjoy the show."
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