"..." Feng'er said nothing for a while, but so did Kirin.
In fact, neither of them said anything. Feng'er was waiting for either an explanation or for Kirin to say something like 'I am joking.' But, that didn't happen.
An awkward silence engulfed the room, only the subtle melodies of gushing water streams and popping bubbles would occasionally resonate with each other.
After a while of this unbearable silence, Feng'er said, "How can you say that with a smile?"
"Well... the truth is that the current Queen objected to my request, so it's not yet decided if I'm leaving," Kirin responded, hinting that even though she wanted to leave, some part of her was optimistic about staying by Feng'er.
"Wait, current Queen? What do you mean?" Feng'er got confused, she has never witnessed a situation where the Queen is replaced... Even if, who will replace her and why?
"Oh, you have no idea..." Kirin sighed, a look of ambiguity clouded her face before she ultimately sighed, "See, the story goes like this..."
Kirin proceeded to give a brief explanation about the difference between a side branch bloodline and a royal bloodline, then she spoke about the Core Continent as she had no plans of concealing dangers from Feng'er, then she also told Feng'er about the Queen's request for Noire and that in a few days there will be a new Queen.
Through the whole thing, Feng'er listened attentively with an ever-changing expression. She could feel the longing and determination in Kirin's tone, therefore she didn't wish to make things difficult for her Auntie.
"I see," just when Kirin expected tears to roll down her little niece's cheeks, she was flabbergastered to see her showing a genuine smile instead.
"This... You're actually happy I'm leaving? Wow, to think I was so concerned for nothing! Humph!"
Kirin pouted adorably before sinking into the tub, only her pair of cyan eyes and temple remained above the surface. Occasionally, bubbles would erupt from underneath her nose as she continued to snort in dissatisfaction underwater.
"Haha," Feng'er couldn't help but chuckle and send out a gentle wave of water at Kirin. "No auntie, you misunderstood me!"
"I want to support your decision. I don't know how hard it will be out there no matter how you exaggerate your explanations. But, I know I don't want a part of you to always worry and feel guilty about leaving me behind... In life or death situations, a simple mishap can cause death, and if your concerns about my wellbeing happen to be the catalyst of such a bad omen then I can't live on. So, auntie... I want you to keep moving forward with no regrets, knowing you have my full support."
Feng'er said with an otherworldly smile plastered on her face, a smile that radiated confidence. Facing that smile, Kirin didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but she eventually shed a tear of happiness and pride.
She didn't even bother hiding it, she sat up once again in the tub before invitingly parting her arms.
Seeing this, and realizing that she might regret every minute she didn't spend with her benevolent auntie, Feng'er dove straight into Kirin's embrace.
Surely, two grown women embracing each other intimately was a very enticing scene. The way their breasts merged and complemented each other, their peerless clean skin turning bright red and pink from the friction...
Kirin planted a kiss onto her niece's scalp as she coiled her arms around her, and Feng'er didn't hold back on being clingy one bit, as if she went back to the ten-year-old girl who always followed in tow behind Kirin.
Like that, the two indulged in a session of reminiscence about their past. Giggles and yelps resounding in the misty atmosphere for the day.
- - - -
Puff...
"Che, weaklings..."
Somewhere in a venomous swamp within the Desolate Haze Forest, a very dangerous location within the Northern Region, a tall male with deep ruby iris and blazing red hair strode casually by the swamp's side.
He was clad in pale emerald robes that clung to his masculine body in a manner that revealed his broad chest to the onlookers, a flash of disdain and mockery in his cold pupils.
Currently, Arima was venting out his dissatisfaction and anger over the chain of unfortunate events the past few weeks.
'I really wanted a piece of that tan beauty!' Arima cursed inwardly, crushing yet another head belonging to a helpless swamp alligator in his left palm.
Puff...
The family of Monsters in the swamp rendered horrified. They are a group of beasts at the peak of Eclipse, not to mention the viel environment in which they live. Normally, no matter how strong a monster was, once they set foot into the poisonous swamp their internal organs will decay over time.
Yet, this stranger is walking around as if this is his backyard!
"Smh, young brats are rampant. Then again, blame your ancestors for not informing you about me before they died of old age or whatever," Arima snorted coldly before turning to look in one direction.
"Sebastian!" Arima shouted after infusing his vocal cords with Monster Qi, his voice erupted like a volcano before swiping the entire area of the swamp.
Buzz...
The pure vibrations of his shout caused the ground and waters to tremble, some of the weak monsters had their ears pierced right through due to the volume of this shout.
Then, out of nowhere, a pale white serpent with golden eyes could be seen crawling its way towards Arima with terrifying momentum.
When it had finally gotten close, it morphed into a young-looking man about 18 years old.
He wore white robes and his hair was short and spiky, everything about the male was white like a blank paper.
"Oh? You look young, has Sebastian died?"
"Reporting to my lord, this humble one is also Sebastian, but I am Sebastian the 4th, the Sebastian your majesty assigned died three generations ago." The young male spoke in a humble tone full of reverence.
"Oh right, your lifespan is about 90 to 100 years, my bad. Anyway, I'm planning to pick up a snack from the Luhei family, spread the word." Arima ordered, his eyes sparkling with greed as his thin tongue slipped past his lips to flicker haphazardly.
- - - -
Almost half a day earlier in a humid cave about half a kilometer away from the Luhei Family's grounds.
Anastasia laid down on a hey-stash applying medicine onto her swollen stomach to deal with the burn marks over her skin.
She would cough out a mouthful of hot blood now and then, 'Note to self for next time, don't bear the brunt of a raging flame head-on!' Anastasia grimaced.
Dealing with the hidden dangers of such an attack is a tedious and excruciating process.
Currently, she held a communication talisman in one hand as she applied for medicine with the other.
"Ah... My husband has gone crazy for greed. He will bring about a catastrophe onto his Household! Ah!"
"Hmm... So you think he's going to capture your clansmen? Tsk tsk, really sinister. You know... You two make a good couple." The voice coming from the other end had a mix of sarcasm and ridicule in it, obviously smearing salt on Anastasia's wounds.
"Shut up! If you don't want to help just say so, I'll find someone else- Ah!" Beads of sweat formed onto her forehead as she spoke, she made a subtle mistake while revolving Monster Qi through her wound, causing some unexpected damage. Not lethal, just painful.
"Fine, just lay low for a week. Just know I can't guarantee your husband's life or death... Hehe."