Chapter 67: Untie the Heart Knot, and Win Over Liliana Without the Holy Sword
“Do you feel calmer now, Liliana?”
As Liliana felt the soft voice and the warm embrace enveloping her body, she widened her eyes in surprise.
“Leon, you—what are you doing!?” Liliana exclaimed in panic, instinctively attempting to break free from his embrace.
However, Leon, of course, refused to release her and offered a slight smile as he asked, “Liliana, do you truly hate me that much?”
Leon’s words caused Liliana to cease struggling instantly, leaving her stunned for a moment.
‘Do I hate Leon?’ Liliana wondered inwardly, her thoughts clouded with uncertainty.
If her past self had been confronted with the same question, her response would have undoubtedly been a resounding yes!
After all, Leon was the man who had raped her four years ago when she was vulnerable, impregnating her and leading to the birth of her three daughters.
Before, she had longed to confront him, imagining herself exacting revenge a thousand times over for that unforgivable act.
Suffice it to say, the incident four years ago was a disgrace and a stain that she desperately wanted to address.
However, after their initial encounter in the desert of chaos, despite harboring intense animosity towards Leon, she couldn’t help but notice that her desire for revenge wasn’t as potent as it once was.
Otherwise, she would have killed him, and it would have been impossible to save him like she did at the moment.
Furthermore, as Leon took on the responsibility of caring for their three daughters and their interactions unfolded for the passing days, she discovered her hatred gradually dissipating.
Perhaps it was the influence of the Demon Mark, which had identified Leon as her partner, that subconsciously stirred affection within her.
‘No… Could it be… Do I already have feelings for him without even realizing it?’ Liliana pondered, feeling her heart quicken and her cheeks flush with warmth.
As much as she wanted to deny it, the inexplicable emotions she had experienced in the past few days, culminating in today’s encounter, served as undeniable evidence.
Observing Liliana’s dazed expression once more, Leon smiled faintly, satisfied that his plan was unfolding seamlessly.
The question “Do you truly hate me that much?” had acted as a stimulus for Liliana to confront her own emotions.
Given Liliana’s status as a Demon Emperor and her proud demeanor, prompting her to acknowledge her feelings would undoubtedly prove challenging.
However, this unforeseen turn of events had serendipitously become the catalyst for her realization!
‘Tsk tsk! It seems the moment I perceived as misfortune has transformed into a golden opportunity to win over this woman,’ Leon muttered to himself, a lopsided smile ✔ gracing his lips.
Naturally, merely employing this method wouldn’t suffice to fully win over Liliana; he needed to shatter the seal of pride and doubt firmly embedded within her heart.
Hence, Leon already had an effective strategy in mind, confident that today would be the day he would win over the notorious Demon Emperor without relying on the holy sword!
With a swift motion, Leon snapped out of his reverie and gently released his embrace of Liliana.
Following that, he stepped in front of Liliana, carefully adjusting their positions to face each other.
With smooth and gentle movements, he extended his palm and brushed against the soft skin of Liliana’s right cheek, guiding her face upward so that her gaze met his.
As he cradled her delicate face, Leon smiled gently and posed the question, “Liliana, are you willing to continue suppressing your feelings for the sake of pride? Do you wish to remain ensnared in this conflict?”
Liliana’s expression froze, her features betraying her inner turmoil upon hearing his words.
Her crimson eyes held a mixture of complexity and a subtle hint of tenderness as they met Leon’s gaze.
She sensed that Leon’s words had finally pierced through the last barrier guarding her heart.
Yet, despite this breakthrough, a lingering doubt remained, causing her to hesitate.
“I…” Liliana paused, her lower lip caught between her teeth as she grappled with the struggle to be honest about her feelings.
Observing this, Leon realized that this was the final hurdle before Liliana could fully confront her emotions.
Nevertheless, Leon was prepared with one final maneuver to breach this last barrier.
With deliberate care, Leon lowered his palm toward her delicate chin, his gaze drifting to her enticing lips.
‘The final gambit… Let’s hope this pays off, or I might just end up with a fist in my face. Ancestors and revered heroes in heaven, grant me the strength to conquer our eternal adversary!’
Without hesitation, Leon moved swiftly, pressing his lips firmly against Liliana’s in a bold assertion of his feelings.
“Ummm!” Liliana’s eyes widened at Leon’s sudden kiss, catching her slightly off guard.
However, rather than resisting as she had before, Liliana chose to relax her body in response to the unexpected action.
She then encircled her beautiful, slender arms around Leon’s neck and closed her eyes, savoring the intimacy of the kiss.
Feeling Liliana’s acceptance and absence of resistance, Leon recognized the complete success of his plan, finally allowing himself to fully embrace and enjoy the moment as well.
There was no interplay of tongues on the kiss as this kiss wasn’t motivated by lust but instead acted as a conduit for their deepest emotions.
After several minutes of reveling in the intimacy, they gradually parted their lips, leaving a gossamer thread of saliva connecting them.
“Hah~ Hah~ Hah~” Liliana’s breath emerged slightly choked, a consequence of the kiss, her typically indifferent and cold expression now flushed red, resembling an apple.
Observing this, Leon chuckled softly and enveloped her in his arms, gently pressing his face into her fragrant white hair.
“Feeling better now?” he inquired gently.
“Um…” Liliana responded softly, burying her face into his broad chest.
For some inexplicable reason, she found a sense of security and comfort in his embrace at this moment.
This newfound sensation, unprecedented since she ascended to the throne as the Demon Emperor, left her inexplicably captivated and obsessed.
Leon tenderly ran his fingers through her long, white hair and didn’t say a single word.
In moments like this, silence is the most meaningful form of interaction.
After ten minutes of such a calming embrace, Liliana, nestled in Leon’s arms, finally spoke up.
“Leon… Could you promise me three things?”
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