Aurora’s smile didn’t falter, though there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes. She seemed unfazed by Aria’s possessive gesture. Instead, she maintained her friendly facade, as if completely oblivious to the tension in the air.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you properly, Ethan,” Aurora continued, ignoring Aria’s silent warning. “You are really strong, Ethan. It’s not every day someone talks so bravely among the Transcendentals the way you did.”
Melina, with her eyes swollen didn’t say anything. She remained standing quietly beside her sister. Her presence was complete silence, almost annoyed, as if she wasn’t entirely on board with her sister’s approach to the person who was just charged of killing Sigard.
Aengus, feeling the growing tension between the two women, sighed inwardly. This was the last thing he needed right now. He glanced at Aria, noticing the fierce determination in her expression, and decided it was best to keep things calm.
At the same time, he began to worry about what would happen when he told her that he was already involved with another woman—on top of that, the woman was a demoness.
He had a headache every time he thought about it.
“So, Miss Aurora, if you’re done introducing yourself, can you step aside now?” Aria asked, narrowing her emerald green eyes.
“Haha, Aria, right. Sorry, I’m not done yet,” Aurora replied.
Aengus became impatient at this point. “Say it quickly, Miss Frost. We don’t have all day.” Aengus was, and always would be, on Aria’s side, no matter who the other person was. He didn’t care how beautiful they were.
Aria smiled sweetly, while Aurora’s eyebrows twitched in annoyance.
“I was just going to ask about our connection through Dragon blood. Are you from the Dragon Empire? If so, when are you going there? We could have a chat.
Actually, I’m interested in making you my mating partner. I like strong men like you,” Aurora said boldly, leaving everyone, including Aria, speechless.
Aengus was slightly surprised by the proposal.
He glanced at Aurora’s beautiful figure once—snow-white skin and long, flowing, shiny icy-blue hair.
She was indeed beautiful, but not as much as Aria.
“Ahem, Miss Frost, I have no intention of accepting such an offer, much less from someone who tried to harm Aria. I have Aria as my partner, and that is all I need,” Aengus replied calmly.
Aurora’s expression didn’t falter, as if she had expected his response.
“I don’t mind sharing my man with other women, Ethan. It’s common practice among those with power, whether they’re Dragonmen or Dragonwomen,” Aurora replied smoothly.
Aria’s eyes blazed with fury. “Enough! Didn’t you hear what my fiancé said? Now back off.”
Her grip tightened ever so slightly as she pulled Aengus forward, determined to get him away from the Frost sisters as quickly as possible.
Drake and Yona exchanged glances, clearly amused by the display.
“Wow, Sister Aria will and Ethan would have to deal with these kind Situations a lot, Won’t they?” Drake whispered softly.
Yona nodded with a smile, “True.”
Aengus shifted uncomfortably. The situation was spiraling in a way he hadn’t anticipated, and his headache worsened at the thought of what would happen when Aria learned about Bella he was already involved with. That secret weighed heavily on him, but now was definitely not the time to bring it up.
“Very well,” Aurora said finally, her voice calm but with a hint of coldness. “I won’t force the issue for now. But don’t be so quick to dismiss the possibilities, Ethan. The Dragon Empire would welcome someone of your talents with open arms. And the offer stands, if you ever change your mind. Our children would be far stronger when combined,” she smiled in the end with wide grin before leaving with Melina.
Aria, still holding onto Aengus, gave Aurora one last icy glance before leading him forward.
As they walked away, Aengus exhaled, trying to shake off the tension. Aria, however, wasn’t about to let it go so easily.
“What? Are you Interested in making you her mating partner?” Aria muttered under her breath, her tone a mixture of suspicion and irritation. “The nerve of that woman. She is so shameless!”
“Who do she think she is ?”
Aengus chuckled softly looking at Aria’s flushed face. “Are you Jealous?”
Aria glared up at him, though her cheeks flushed slightly. “No, I am not. Just being cautious. I don’t trust people like her. You shouldn’t be either.”
“Don’t worry, Aria. She’s not my type.”
“Ah, hah, She’d better not be,” Aria replied, though her grip on his arm softened. “You’re mine, Ethan, and no Dragon blood, no matter how pure, is going to change that.”
Aengus smiled, grateful for her unwavering loyalty. But deep down, he knew that the storm brewing between his current relationship, his secret involvement with a Bella, and now this strange proposal from Aurora would only complicate things further.
Still, he resolved himself to speak about the truth when they would get some lone time.
On a far corner, Sofia, Nate, Hank and finally Alisha stood together while glancing at Aengus’ back. Alisha was found safe thankfully.
“Sofia, why do I feel like the creature who killed that Dragon Prince was Zero, or should I say Ethan.”
“Maybe…”
Sofia had no definite answers, while Alisha and Hank glanced at Zero’s back with some lingering sadness. Perhaps they would never see each other again.
—
As Aria’s group left, General Leon watched from afar, silently ensuring their safety.
General Felix stood beside him, glancing at Leon with a puzzled expression.
“Leon, why do you care so much about that boy?” Felix asked curiously. “I know he’s talented, but how much? Can he really help us, especially with war approaching? He’s still weak, maybe a B-Rank at best.”
Leon shook his head. “It’s not about his current strength, Felix. It’s his growth that astonishes me. If I had the power he has now when my village was destroyed, I wouldn’t have lost my parents.” His expression turned melancholic.
