In the steamy bath, Anselm sighed softly as he leaned against Yura's embrace.
"What's wrong, Master?" The musician lady, a bit anxious, hugged Anselm's firm and taut abdomen tighter. "Is the temperature too high?"
"No, it's just that I'm thinking about certain matters."
After getting out from the filthy prison and immediately returning to bathe, Anselm, with his head resting on the wet and soft 'cushions,' closed his eyes and said, "Matters that require self-reflection."
Although the final outcome did not deviate from Anselm's expectations, the slight loss of control during the taming process forced Anselm to reflect on himself once again.
He was well aware that this had nothing to do with fate; it was simply a matter of lacking self-control.
This was unacceptable to Anselm, as it was not yet the time to indulge himself.
"Desire..."
Anselm placed his hand over his chest and murmured to himself, "My desires, they are consuming me."
The madness that flowed through Hydra's bones, blood, and soul finally began to show its first sign when Anselm was sixteen years old.
Even though Anselm had been venting it in a controlled manner through various means from an early age, he could not stop the madness and desires that once, in ancient times, sought to devour the world.
It was a curse he could not escape, and the source of countless despair that he had witnessed.
Upon hearing the word "desire," Yura gently licked Anselm's earlobe for a moment, then skillfully submerged herself into the bathwater, disappearing without a sound.
Anselm showed little reaction, merely relaxing his eyes slightly and leaning back against the edge of the bath.
The curse inherent in his blood was an inescapable destiny that Anselm had factored into his calculations, yet even with his will, there were moments when he found himself helpless against it.
Fortunately, although there were unaccountable issues during the taming process, overall, it was within the limits that Anselm could tolerate.
The emotions Sitana had for him were skillfully managed by Anselm within a perfect range—one where she occasionally recall his positive attributes, had rendered her utterly without resistance in certain aspects, while simultaneously ensuring she remained acutely aware of his shortcomings, making her easily influenced by fate.
However, this state would not last long. And when the young wolf reached complete growth and transformation at the end of this taming section...
"You will find release, and I will be there to help you."
Whispering this, Hydra bared his fangs in defiance against the fate he detested.
*
In the room shared by Sitana and Malena, the two sisters were also enjoying a bath after chatting and having their meal.
Malena gently rubbed her sister's fluffy short hair, her gaze falling on the slender, fair shoulders, while her heart softening with a sigh.
She was supposed to be angry, especially after learning that Sitana had caused trouble again and even dragged Lord Hydra into the situation, forcing him to accept punishment as well. Malena was truly shocked and furious at the time.
Yet, upon Sitana's return, confronted with her weary and fragile demeanor, and as Sitana tearfully threw herself into Malena's arms, apologizing incoherently, the tenderness in Malena's heart rendered her to the point where she couldn't bring herself to say anything more.
When she came to her senses, she already found herself gently bathing Sitana.
"I really hate it, who the hell is running that prison? The thing on that plate still makes my stomach churn just thinking about it."
Sitting on a small stool, the young wolf grumbled angrily, "That's way over the line! Malena, tell Hydra to make the bastard running that prison to scram, will you?"
Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Malena tapped the girl's head, "You always hated abusing status to bully others, so why are you doing this now?"
"What's bullying about this? The food is crap; it's clear the prison warden is pocketing the cash."
Miss Sitana felt she had solid grounds: "There must be something wrong for sure!"
"Even if that's the case, your words should carry more weight than mine." Malena scratched behind Sitana's ear.
"Mine words? He wouldn't give a damn about what I say. And if he did, he'd be scheming to pay me back tenfold. Nah, let's drop it." Sitana pouted.
Malena inwardly sighed, wishing she could reiterate the importance of showing respect to Anselm, but she knew it would only provoke Sitana now. So, she chose to hold her tongue.
And... since Lord Hydra was willing to share the punishment for Sitana's mistakes, he must care for her much more than I had imagined.
The girl without beyonder talents watched her sister humming a little tune, her eyes filled with admiration.
[It must be so nice...]
She had lost count of how many times she had thought this.
"Oh, right, Lena, guess what? I've got some good news for you!"
Sitana suddenly perked up, turning her head quickly and splattering Malena with bubbles, her face beaming with excitement, "We can go home! A whole week! And Hydra's even going to provide resources for me, we're leaving today!"
She stood up, hands on her hips, her bouncy snow 'rabbits' springing to life.
"This is what you call, uh, returning in glory! Right? Time to let everyone see just how amazing we are!"
"......"
Malena watched her sister's joyful and excited expression, her lips slightly parted, but no words came out.
"......What's wrong, Lena?" Sitana tilted her head, "Isn't this good news? Why do you look like ...you're not very happy?"
After a brief silence of about two or three seconds, the girl with snow-white hair reaching her waist reached out and gently stroked Sitana's head covered in foam, speaking softly, "No, I'm happy. It's just... Sita, you go back alone. I want to stay here."
Sitana was taken aback. Gazing at Malena's gentle and tranquil expression, she refrained from yelling and instead tentatively extended her hand to caress Malena's face.
"Um, Lena... sis, did I do something again to make you angry? Tell me, I'll change, please don't be mad at me, okay?"
Malena smiled and gently touched Sitana's hand that was on her face, "You didn't do anything wrong, Sita. It's my issue."
"Sis... You don't want to go back?"
"No." Malena shook her head, "It's just that I can't afford to miss any opportunities."
"......Opportunity?" Sitana looked puzzled at Malena, "What opportunity?"
"Sita, I'm different from you. I don't have the beyonder talents that would make Lord Hydra treat me the way he treats you."
Malena's voice was very gentle and soft, devoid of any trace of jealousy, "Staying by Lord Hydra's side is the only chance I have to broaden my horizons and grow. If I don't cherish it, I will definitely regret it."
"Even if it's just for a week... what if in this week, someone even more outstanding is recommended to Lord Hydra's side? How much knowledge could I gain if I stayed by Lord Hydra's side for these seven days?"
Malena spoke these words, concealing her worries and sorrow deep within herself.
How could she... not miss her family and friends from the village?
But she didn't have the luxury, the freedom to be as carefree as her sister. All she could do was seize the moment.
"Tell Father and Mother that I'm doing well," Malena said with a smile, picking up the water basin and rinsing the foam from Sitana's head, "Tell them not to worry, things will get better in the future."
Sitana wiped her face, then suddenly plopped down onto the ground, mumbling, "Then I won't go back either. It's meaningless without you, Lena."
"Sita, you--"
"Anyway, I can go back anytime! I'll just beg Hydra again if I have to, what's the big deal?"
Sitana looked up at Malena, "Lena, how long are you planning to stick around him? You ain't gonna stay forever, are you?"
Meeting her sister's hopeful and expectant gaze, Malena remained silent for a long time, finally sighing with a mix of helplessness and affection.
"Then... let's say a month. In a month, I should be able to learn a lot, and I... I'm confident, no, within a month, I'm sure I can make Lord Hydra recognize my value!"
"By then, going back for a while should be fine."
"Great! It's a deal then, in a month!"
Sitana jumped to her feet, grabbed a towel hanging nearby, and dashed out, "I'm going to talk to Hydra right now, you keep bathing, Lena!"
Malena watched the lively figure sprint out of the bathroom, shaking her head with a smile, then, for some unknown reason, her eyes slightly lowered.
As long as she asks, he will agree...
I really envy you, Sita.
*
Having quickly changed into fresh clothes and with her hair still wet, Sitana hastened to Anselm's study, eager to talk about her upcoming vacation.
As she approached the door of the room, about two to three meters away, she suddenly heard voices coming from inside.
"Young Master, your decree is set to be implemented tomorrow, but there seem to be some unresolved issues..."
Sitana's steps gradually came to a halt.
⏴ Previous chapter 丨Main丨 Next chapter ⏵
Comments
Post a Comment