Edmund's heart raced as he rushed into the room, fear and anxiety gnawing at his insides. He braced himself for the worst, only to have his breath catch in his throat at the sight before him. Sabina sat at a table, a look of annoyance etched across her features as she diligently wiped some peculiar liquid from her feet.
"I told you not to disturb me, Edmund," she chastised, her voice calm but sharp with annoyance, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have spilled this blasted potion on my feet."
Edmund's winced, though his emotions mingled with his relief as he apologized with a shaky smile, "I'm sorry, sister. I was just worried when I heard you cry out."
He studied her, noting the glistening sheen of perspiration that clung to her pale, flawless skin, making her look even more alluring and seductive.
He had never seen her look this tempting and once again realized how it was a good thing she was his fiance. There couldn't be a woman more perfect than her.
However, the heat in the room was stifling, almost suffocating, and he couldn't help but wonder what kind of experiments the two of them had been conducting for the air to be like this. There was also a strange kind of smell but he couldn't put his finger on what it really was.
Asher re-entered the room, his hands clasped behind his back, the picture of perfect poise, "I must say, I'm grateful to your sister for inviting me and teaching me so much about brewing potions," he commented, his voice smooth and polished, "It's been a pleasure getting to learn from her and know her better. And I'm looking forward to making your acquaintance as well, Young Lord."
Sabina gave him a subtle stare, knowing how he was trying to play with words with her brother on purpose.
However, strangely, instead of feeling pissed or annoyed, she was finding this amusing and rousing.
Just the thought that Asher could spill everything to Edmund and put both of them in trouble was making her feel a strange sense of thrill from being on the edge.
Despite the cordial words, Edmund couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that something wasn't quite right about this alien bastard's sentiment.
However, he knew it was crucial to maintain appearances, so he forced a smile and replied, "Thank you, Consort Asher. I'm looking forward to it as well."
Asher flashed a disarming smile at Sabina and Edmund, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Well, I suppose I should take my leave now that our experiments for today have come to an end," he declared, his tone light and breezy. As he spoke, his gaze settled on Sabina, and his grin grew more knowing, almost conspiratorial. "I must say, I'm looking forward to our next session, Sabina."
Sabina's eyes sparkled with mischief as she returned his smile, her voice lilting with playful determination. "As am I, Asher. But don't think it'll be so easy next time."
Edmund stood to the side, his brows knitting together as he listened to their banter, a growing sense of unease gnawing at him. He scrutinized their expressions, their body language, searching for any hidden meaning or indication that something was amiss.
They were even on first-name basis, and despite the surface-level normalcy of their conversation, he couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that something was off.
He felt trapped, unable to voice his concerns or question their motives, not with this fucker standing right there.
Edmund clenched his fists, frustration simmering just below the surface as he helplessly watched their exchange.
As Asher took his leave, bidding them farewell with a flourish, Edmund couldn't help but feel as though he was watching a predator slink away, its eyes still locked on its prey.
The door closed with a soft click, leaving Edmund and Sabina alone with the tension that had built up in the room.
Unable to put his worries into words, Edmund turned to his sister, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and unspoken questions, the seeds of doubt already taking root in his mind, "What were you really doing with him, sister?"
Sabina, sensing her brother's unease and the weight of his unspoken questions, reacted with a nonchalance that seemed almost out of place given the situation.
She tossed her head back, her long, silver hair cascading behind her as she offered him a coy grin that seemed to dance on the edge of teasing and admonishment, "You worry too much, dear brother," she said, her tone playful yet with an undercurrent of steel, "But I don't owe you any explanations, and you'd do well to remember your place when you speak to me," Her eyes sparkled with defiance, daring him to challenge her further as she walked past him.
In that moment, Sabina's aloofness and the flicker of a challenge in her gaze both disarmed and frustrated Edmund.
He knew he can't push this matter any further nor even ask her anything that might seem like he was accusing her, especially if he didn't have any proof.
However, he couldn't help but feel that he would have to keep dealing with this frustration until Sabina was done with the task their mother told her to do.
Still, he was determined to keep an eye out and make sure nobody crossed any lines.
…
Right after leaving the Dreadthrone Castle, Asher, Merina, and Eradicator were walking through the tranquil streets of Mistshore Village, the home of the Naiadon Tribe.
He couldn't help but marvel at the harmonious balance the Naiadon tribe had achieved between their water-based powers and the natural environment.
The air was filled with the soothing sound of gently lapping waves and the rhythmic hum of aquatic creatures that inhabited the surrounding deadly waters.
Nereon, the village chief and the father of the siblings had gone to great lengths to ensure that the new building constructed for Asher's use was designed to fit seamlessly with the village's aesthetic.
It was crafted from locally-sourced materials and infused with a touch of water magic, giving it a sense of serenity that Asher found both pleasing and practical.
The building was set apart from the main village, ensuring privacy for Asher's meetings and training sessions.
Inside, the layout was both functional and flexible, with spacious rooms that could be easily adapted to different purposes. Moreover, the ever-present mist that shrouded the village provided an added layer of security, making it difficult for uninvited guests to stumble upon without alerting someone.
Since Asher had personally trained Nereus and Thetits, Nereon felt as if he was indebted to the royal consort for letting his children help achieve their potential. Nobody else of his status would bother to personally train them.
As the villagers worked diligently to prepare for the arrival of Asher's subordinates and disciples, their admiration and gratitude towards him were evident.
The Naiadon tribe had long been overlooked and underestimated by others, but Asher had seen the potential in their unique abilities and had given them the chance to prove themselves.
Asher's partnership with the Naiadon tribe turned out to be mutually beneficial. The tribe received the support and recognition they deserved, while Asher was able to conserve his valuable life crystals and continue to build his wealth and reputation.
Moreover, the remote, picturesque location of Mistshore Village provided an idyllic setting for Asher's meetings and training sessions, far from the prying eyes and political intrigues of the Bloodburn kingdom's more populated areas.
He had also been diligently forming alliances and expanding his influence throughout the Bloodburn Kingdom.
Alongside the Naiadon tribe, he had also managed to forge strong bonds with other tribes, such as the Rustspine Tribe of goblins, surprisingly led by their chieftain, Zizola. He only learned later that Zizola had become the chieftain after her father died from a sneak attack, and she had to take up the reins of the tribe as per their tribal laws.
But since she felt she didn't have the strength or knowledge to lead her tribe, she entered the Tower of Hell to prove herself worthy to her people and to prevent her tribe from falling into the wrong hands.
Asher knew that these goblins, though often underestimated for their small stature, were known for their stealth and guile, making them perfect for reconnaissance and sabotage missions.
He had fought them enough as a Hunter and thus was able to see the potential in them and didn't hesitate to provide resources and knowledge to further develop their skills.
Similarly, he had also developed a relationship with the Stonewhisper Tribe, the stoic Stoneborn people led by the mighty brothers Onyx and Graven. This tribe was renowned for their immense strength and sturdy bodies, making them formidable warriors and exceptional builders.
It was with their physical help that Nereon was able to help build a building for him quick enough after providing the necessary resources.
The building was named Whispering Cove, and right now, Merina and Eradicator were waiting outside as per Asher's instructions.
The tension between them was palpable, for Eradicator, a vampire, harbored a deep-seated animosity for werewolves like Merina.
Nonetheless, she was tolerating her presence because Merina was the royal consort's maid in the end, and she did seem quite useful to him.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Merina observed the restlessness of Twilight, Eradicator's pet, hidden within the folds of her cape.
Noticing the creature's unease, Merina pulled together her brows as she could guess what was going on with it, "I've got some meat pieces I cooked earlier," she said softly, holding out a small parcel wrapped in cloth. "Would you like to feed Twilight? She seems hungry."
Eradicator studied her silently for a few moments, her icy gaze betraying nothing, "Your concern for Twilight is unnecessary," she replied coldly, "Twilight requires only blood."
Despite her outwardly stoic demeanor, Eradicator couldn't help but feel concerned for her beloved pet.
After taking care of it for six months and being quite a loyal companion for her, she had grown to become fond of it and wouldn't even part with it for a day.
She had fed Twilight human blood only an hour or two earlier, and yet, its hunger persisted. She wondered if something was amiss.
Sensing Eradicator's unease, Merina ventured to offer her assistance, "Is something wrong?" she asked gently, "Maybe I can help. I spent a lot of time with wild creatures during my younger days."
Eradicator hesitated, torn between her hatred for werewolves and her concern for Twilight.
The restlessness in her cape was becoming increasingly distressing, and ultimately, her concern for Twilight trumped her prejudice. Reluctantly, she divulged her concerns to Merina.
Upon hearing Eradicator's worries, Merina's eyes lit up with understanding, "Perhaps Twilight is going through an evolutionary phase," she mused, "I've seen some creatures behave similarly right before their bodies evolve. She might need to consume a lot of blood tonight."
Eradicator's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't considered such a possibility but was grateful for the insight.
With a stiff nod, she acknowledged Merina's help, "I appreciate your information," she said curtly, "and I'll remember this."
Merina offered a soft, warm smile, "I didn't do much," she insisted, "I'm just happy to help anytime."
Eradicator let out a subtle hum as the atmosphere between the two seemed no longer tense as before.
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