novelraw Chapter 96: Almost Got Raped
Chapter 96: Almost Got Raped
"Besides, you can’t become a Hero by locking yourself away. How can you assume you’ll find the means to advance in the stable regions of the Imperial? I, for one, believe that reclaiming our homeland is the key to me becoming a Hero."
Westheid smiled, his words clearly implying he intended to use the achievement of reclaiming their territory as the catalyst for his advancement.
"You have a point, but don’t forget you have an appointment with Yuanxi Palace today."
Yolanda nodded, left Westheid to continue his training, and turned to go about her own business.
The morning passed in the blink of an eye. When Westheid finished his training, though he hadn’t yet had his fill, Yolanda popped up from who-knows-where. Handing him a towel and a drink, she said,
"Brother, Yuanxi Palace has just arrived. I’ve already shown her to the courtyard."
"Mm, I’m on my way."
After a short rest, Westheid headed straight for the estate’s courtyard.
Verdant, soft green grass carpeted the ground like a blanket. On the lawn sat an exquisite white jade pavilion, a swing woven from vines and fresh flowers, and, of course, a round table set for afternoon tea in the very center.
Luyetan’s hair, a shade of brown mixed with faint, dusky blond, cascaded over her shoulders. In the sunlight, it had a soft, powdery sheen, yet it was as smooth and sleek as silk.
The collar of her white dress was accented with black and gold silk. A closer look would reveal that the seemingly simple white gown was covered in faint gold embroidery, almost invisible to the naked eye. The creator had used virtuosic skill to turn the long dress into a gorgeous work of art.
It was a perfect complement to Luyetan’s noble and elegant demeanor.
Yuanxi Palace crossed her long, shapely, and fair legs, her slender and exquisite figure leaning back against the chair.
The green-haired Half-Elf Maid pouring tea beside her had a figure that was arguably ten times more provocative, yet she was somehow less eye-catching.
Hearing footsteps, Luyetan set down her teacup and looked toward Westheid. She stroked her lovely cheek with a white-gloved hand and tilted her head with a smile.
"Oh my, if it isn’t our Duke Qinghui, skilled in both pen and sword, and so very handsome?"
Westheid’s eyes widened. "Yuanxi Palace? You’re here just to make me cringe, aren’t you?"
Luyetan blinked with feigned innocence. "Oh my, is the great Powerful Angel dissatisfied with something?"p>
Westheid shuddered at her words and gritted his teeth.
"Please, I’m begging you, stop. My toes are curling."
That nickname would definitely rank high on the list of things Westheid hated most. As for its origin...
On the night the Trial ended, after a small get-together with Yuanxi Palace and the Shadow Flame Duke, Westheid went home and slept for a full day and night to process his body’s ascension.
Yet in that single night, public opinion in the Imperial completely exploded.
The Secret Realm Trial itself wasn’t a huge deal; it was a staple event of every Holy Tree Festival. However, the personal descent of the Divine Ancestor’s will was the biggest news in a century, and the entire Imperial Capital was paying close attention.
Those who weren’t there in person were desperate to know even the smallest detail of the divine oracle and were frantically asking for specifics.
Along with this, Sylvia’s praise for Westheid being "skilled in both pen and sword, and so very handsome" was twisted by rumor until it was said to be the Radiant Holy Tree’s own evaluation of Duke Qinghui. The people of the Imperial Capital instantly took it as gospel.
Westheid was even given the title "Powerful Angel." In the eyes of the Imperial City People, anyone praised so highly by the Divine Ancestor was worthy of being called a "Celestial God’s Envoy," making the name "Powerful Angel" well-deserved!
Westheid couldn’t stand hearing it. If the nickname were a slight or an insult, he wouldn’t have cared at all; he’d have taken it in stride and laughed it off.
The problem was, other people genuinely considered it high praise. They weren’t being sarcastic in the slightest.
Sincere words are a blade you can’t parry.
It was agonizing for Westheid. Every time he heard it, he wanted to die.
"I wouldn’t have remembered such a fun little story, but your sister mentioned it. I thought Duke Qinghui enjoyed such flattery. It seems I was mistaken?"
Seeing Westheid grind his teeth, Luyetan couldn’t help but cover her mouth to hide a giggle.
"Yolanda?!"
Westheid looked to his side. The platinum-blonde girl turned her head away, covering her cold, Fairy-like beauty with one hand.
"I apologize, Brother. It’s a habit."
"Forget it..."
Westheid understood Yolanda’s personality. Asking her to stop boasting about their family’s glory to outsiders would be harder than just killing her.
"Duke Qinghui, there’s no need for such a dramatic reaction. While the ’Angel’ part might be an exaggeration, the content of the praise is an indisputable fact... especially the handsome part. That is beyond question."
As Westheid sat down across from her, Luyetan interlaced her fingers, propped her chin on them, and stared intently at the Qinghui Patriarch’s face.
His choppy, brownish-black hair seemed to be woven from the gentle night itself. His deep, captivating, indigo-purple eyes were like black holes; just gazing into them felt like having one’s soul pulled away.
His flawless features formed a dreamlike beauty. Even if you searched through the dreams of every love-struck maiden for her Prince Charming, you wouldn’t find a face magnificent enough to compare.
His black formal wear was tailored to his waist, clinging to his frame and clearly outlining the contours of his muscles. The scent he gave off after his recent workout was like a fine, mellow wine.
Intoxicating.
’Damn, every single thing Westheid said and did radiated an unparalleled aura!’
’A beauty that transcended race, age, and gender. This was the pinnacle of masculine Charm.’
Luyetan’s gaze grew unfocused for a moment. Then, her smile faded. Beneath the table, she pressed her firm thighs tightly together and bit her lower lip.
"I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel like Duke Qinghui... has gotten even more Charming?"
Westheid noticed the change in Luyetan and frowned. He then felt another, more feverish gaze on him. Looking up, his eyes met Rozana’s, and he jumped in surprise.
The infatuation and desire in the Miss Half-Elf Maid’s eyes looked like they were about to devour Westheid whole. If Luyetan hadn’t been there, he suspected Rozana might have pounced and tried to rape him.
BAM—
’Oh, no need to suspect anymore.’ Rozana had already lunged to the corner of the table, grabbing Westheid’s shoulders in a death grip.
Her gorgeous face was completely flushed, her red lips almost pressing against the handsome young man’s cheek.
"Rozana!"
Luyetan’s sharp cry snapped the Miss Half-Elf Maid out of her frenzied state.
The green-haired Miss Half-Elf immediately became flustered.
"Yu... Yuanxi Palace, I, I..."
Luyetan tapped the round tabletop with her fingertips. "Calm yourself. And stop looking at Duke Qinghui."
"Yes... Yuanxi Palace."
Overcome with shame, Rozana bowed her head and quickly left the courtyard.
’That was scary. I almost got raped.’
Westheid straightened his collar and explained to Luyetan,
"It’s not her fault. It’s because of me. After my Tier advancement, my Bloodline Talent seems to have been enhanced. The Qinghui Bloodline... is just like this."
Hearing this, Luyetan smiled. "The Qinghui... I’ve heard that the Pure Holy Spirit is the most beautiful of all the Holy Spirits. Seeing you, Duke Qinghui, I finally understand what that means. It’s a Charm potent enough to make one lose their reason."
"I don’t blame Rozana. To be honest, I was having trouble stopping myself from leaning in for a kiss, too—just kidding."
Westheid gazed at Luyetan’s evasive eyes, lost in thought.
’That didn’t sound like a joke.’