novelraw Chapter 223: Talking nonsense again
Chapter 223: Talking nonsense again
"Don’t kill me—Xarion, don’t kill me!"
Terror filled Thunder’s eyes as he watched Xarion approach him step by step.
"I’ve already reached the eleventh rank! I can serve you—I’ll acknowledge you as my master. I can be useful to you!"
Xarion tilted his head slightly, glancing at him with clear disinterest.
"I have no need for something as disgusting as you. So... do me a favor and die."
The moment his words fell, the surrounding ice walls shattered into countless razor-sharp spikes, driving straight into Thunder’s body.
A creature like him—if left alive to fight the insect race—Xarion wouldn’t trust him not to turn and defect.
Better dead. Safer for everyone.
As Thunder’s body was pierced through and through, Xarion raised a hand, summoning a cluster of blue flames and casting it over him.
In an instant, Thunder was reduced to ash.
A wash of water swept through, scattering what remained until nothing was left behind—not even a trace.
With Thunder dealt with, Xarion immediately returned to Rory’s side.
"Female Master, are you hurt?"
His gaze swept anxiously over her before he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I’m sorry... I didn’t protect you."
If he hadn’t insisted on going out to hunt that day, she wouldn’t have been swept away by the snow tide.
Rory, who had just finished comforting Vincent, immediately pressed a kiss to Xarion’s cheek.
"I’m fine, Xarion. This wasn’t your fault."
"Awuu!" Terry quietly peeked out from Paros’s hair, whispering in confusion.
"Daddy... why does Mommy kiss those two, but not you? Daddy, go over there too! Let Mommy kiss you! That way she’ll like you!"
Paros looked toward Rory.
She was smiling, relaxed and at ease as she spoke with Xarion and Vincent.
That lightness... that warmth—
He had never seen it when she was with him.
Something bitter stirred in his chest, and even his voice carried a trace of it.
"They are your mother’s mates."
"Awuu?" Terry was confused. "But isn’t Daddy also Mommy’s mate? You and Mommy even have a fruit together! They don’t even have a fruit—Mommy must like Daddy more!"
Paros’s expression darkened slightly, the bitterness deepening.
"Terry... you’re not my child."
He was a dragon. How could he possibly produce... a fruit?
They weren’t even the same species.
"Daddy, are you saying nonsense again because your mind is unstable? If I’m not your child, why am I hanging from your horn? And you admitted it yourself before—you said I’m your child!"
Clearly, Daddy’s mind had started to break again.
"Awuu!"
"Mommy! Mommy!" Terry called out loudly for Rory.
"Don’t—!" Paros stiffened, not even daring to look in Rory’s direction.
Every time he thought of what he’d done while his mind was unstable, he wished he could bury himself in the deepest sands of the ocean floor.
"What is it, Terry?" Hearing him call, Rory hurried over at once.
Terry spoke anxiously, "Mommy, Daddy’s mind is breaking again! Hurry and help him—kiss him!"
Rory arched her eyebrows at the fruit.
Paros immediately tried to clarify, flustered, "Rory, he’s talking nonsense. I’m fine!"
"Daddy’s lying!" Terry protested. "Mommy, Daddy was so confused just now he even denied I was his child!"
Xarion and Vincent walked over, watching the little fruit bounce anxiously atop Paros’s head.
Xarion said lazily, "Little thing, stop jumping. He really isn’t your biological father."
"Awuu!"
Terry grew even more agitated. "You’re lying! My daddy is Paros! Daddy, tell him—I’m your child!"
Xarion’s lips twitched.
"You’re a fruit calling a dragon your father—that’s already strange enough. Why are you barking like a wolf pup too?"
What exactly had this thing been learning?
Paros felt a headache coming on.
He reached up, gently steadying the restless little fruit.
"Terry, be good. Let me speak with your mother."
Terry immediately stilled.
Paros turned to Rory, his fingers fidgeting slightly within his sleeves.
"...Rory. As long as Terry is attached to me, he can’t be separated. You, Vincent, and Xarion... stay in the Dragon Palace for now. We’ll decide what to do after Yuel arrives."
Rory nodded. "That’s probably the only option for now."
Terry was firmly convinced Paros was his father—no one could change his mind.
They would have to wait for Yuel.
Noticing Paros’s pale complexion, Rory asked with concern, "Paros, you don’t look well. Is your mental state destabilizing again?"
"I’m fine." He shook his head. "It’s just a side effect of the potion. I’ll be fine after some rest. I’ll take Terry to rest first. Ethan will arrange accommodations for you."
With that, he turned and left quickly. He still couldn’t quite bring himself to face Rory.
Watching him go, Xarion leaned slightly against Rory, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion.
"Female Master... I’m tired too."
He and Vincent had pushed themselves to their limits rushing here.
Every bone in his body felt like it might fall apart.
Hearing that, Rory quickly asked Ethan to prepare rooms.
He arranged the finest palace chambers for Xarion, Vincent, and Wen.
After all, Xarion and Vincent were Rory’s mates—there could be no neglect.
***
Inside the residence, Xarion wrapped his arms around Rory. "Female Master, I know you want to spend time with Vincent tonight. So... come to me tomorrow night, alright?"
It had been a long time since she’d seen Vincent. Xarion wasn’t about to compete tonight.
But he missed her too.
"...Alright." Rory hugged him back, then leaned in and kissed him. "Tomorrow night... I’m tying you up."
Xarion gave a low chuckle, lightly catching her lower lip between his teeth. "I’ll be waiting."
Only after Xarion fell asleep did Rory go to find Vincent.
When she arrived, he had just stepped out of the bath.
A white towel was wrapped loosely around his waist, his strong chest exposed, marked with scars that had only recently healed.
Even with treatment, they would take another month to fully fade.
The sight made Rory’s eyes redden instantly.
Vincent froze, suddenly at a loss.
"...Rory, I’m sorry. Did the scars scare you?"
She shook her head. "No... I just feel sorry for you."
Her fingers brushed gently over the scars, careful and light, as if afraid to hurt him.
"So many wounds... and you told me they weren’t serious. If this isn’t serious, then what is?"
"I didn’t want you to worry." Vincent pulled her into his arms. "Rory, don’t be sad. I’m already healed—it doesn’t hurt at all now. Really. I promise, next time I’ll protect myself better. I won’t get hurt like this again, alright?"
But this was war.
What promise could truly hold?
Rory knew he was only trying to comfort her.
Suddenly, she pushed him back onto the bed.
"You let my Vincent get hurt like this... Tonight, I’m going to punish you."