V2 Chapter 55

I had nothing.

My first memory was darkness.

Only darkness, nothing else.

But, suddenly I noticed— that “I” existed within that darkness.

So this dream once again came… how long has it been since it appeared…? I wondered. This was the first strange dream I had that I could remember…that was before I know my parent's true profession and why they had been forcing me to learn martial arts and read some philosophical book as well as medical books in young age. It was probably when I’m in third grade… I was scared…because I felt as if I was being swallowed by that darkness…

At that time, I didn’t know why I was in the darkness, nor where exactly I was.

But I was aware that “I” was there.

I realized that I existed.

At the moment I recognized that—

The view in front of me split.

There were an endless blue sky and a green plain.

Why was I here?

What was going on?

To begin with, who was I? Was I really the one named as me…? With no answers to these questions, I took one step ahead. At that moment. I felt the grass under my feet. The wind grazed my cheeks. My nose was tickled by the air. All these kind of things.

Everything in the world affected me.

“Ah…”

For some reason, I cried.

I am so happy… I felt alive…!!

* * *

Cian felt his whole body being wrapped by something warm and soft. It was a very nostalgic feeling. This is the feeling of a bed. A cushion was gently catching his head and back. The softness of feathers wrapped his body. His dozing consciousness was thrown into confusion.

What did I do before falling asleep…? He was fumbling around as his consciousness was not fully awake yet. However, he couldn’t move his right hand. It was wrapped in a soft feeling that was different from the bed. His palm was also wedged into something warm and soft.

What’s this? Cian moves his hand while he was still blank. He felt a certain elasticity between his hands and it was squishy when he touched it. Just keen on the feel somehow and it becomes a habit to keep touching…

“…Ahn..”

!? For some reason, a seductive gasp could be heard. At that moment, the first visage of his consciousness came back to him. Cian noticed as he raised himself in panic, that he really was in a bed.

The bed had a pure-white sheet and it felt luxurious and it even had a canopy. However, this was not his bed, nor this was his room—this is?! Where is he?

He was confused. He tried to recall what had happened before he lost consciousness and there—like a movie clip being played backward, everything immediately came into him. His lips curling into a faint smile. Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by an amorous voice next to him.

“…Aanuel …Au…” “!?” Cian’s eyes widened as he finally realized his arm was stretched out and seemingly grasping something and when he turned towards his right hand—he noticed a person by his side.

“...Elder Sister!?” The first princess of the Demon Empire, Oriel was sitting on a chair next to Cian, staring at him. Also, one that should be noted was the fact that, she had her hands wrapped around his hand. It really didn’t matter for Cian, after all, she must have been worried so it’s fine and all—it’s natural.

However, what is more, surprising was that Oriel had drawn her hands up to her chest, so Cian’s hand could be seen grasping a certain bulge until one can see it being deformed through its hand. Her breasts were soft and so warm, so responsive to the touch. Cian’s mind snapped out in an instant—this is Oriel, mother fucker!!

“Si, si, sis?! Wait, this is odd. W, what are you doing?!” Cian cried out. However, his eyes never left her breasts—his mind might be giving off warning lights but his body is extremely honest! His sight fixed over his elder sister’s tender swollen breasts, her breath followed the up and down movement of those elegant peaks—those sexy and enticing breasts brought ripples inside his heart, making his beast blood boil, but he made great effort to restrain himself, actually his rushed breath had already exposed his uneven mood.

“…it seems you are now awake—though, this should be the first time I had seen you so panicking. But just so you know, you were the one who grabbed my hand and reaches out on my chest,” Oriel’s calm and indifferent face showed a faint, relieved and gentle smile.

Her voice was calm as if what she was saying was just a normal matter that doesn’t need any comment or opinion. And this caused Cian’s heart to feel slightly annoyed—him panicking over it seemed to be him, acting like a fool.

Cian wanted to say something but suddenly—

Oriel jumped into his arms and hugged him. It shocked him enough to make her forget the pain assaulting his body in his every move for a moment. He could only blink in surprise. Cian wanted to say something or comfort her or anything but he chose to keep his mouth and silent and let her be when he noticed her trembling slightly—all while nervously hugging him with so much force that it felt like she wanted to embed herself into his flesh. It seems like; the little missy had received not so little scare…

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“You…really scared me! Thank the Demon God, you are alright…!” she muttered, a single tear slid down from her warm, glazed ruby-like eyes, followed by another one, and another one, until soon a steady stream of salty tears flowed its way down her pale cheek—releasing the sadness and sorrow that has been held inside of her for all this time but still she did not make a sound, only those words.

“…I’m sorry,” Cian spits out, finally. He doesn’t feel sorry though. He feels stupid, but not sorry. Cian smiled bitterly and felt a bit guilty—but if he would be given another chance to go back in time, he would still make the same decision.

Oriel might be a good ally, and even if she knows his true identity, rather than go against him, she might even take the initiative to side with him. However, Cian wanted to retain the current relationship they have as he believed that there are much more advantages he would get compared to when Oriel knows everything about him.

At least Cian can maneuver in the darkness much easier than compared to her always looking out for him.

Oriel’s overprotectiveness for him is good, but it can also be a downsized for his situation as well as circumstances. Furthermore, the fewer know of his true self, the lesser the chances of his enemies knew it as well…!

…other than that, it was because he can easily do what he wanted by following Oriel’s every move and action and make the right decision as to what he should do for him to support her at the same time benefiting from it. If one mind can make a good judgment, then, two minds can make even better...!

He wouldn't need to justify and think everything, and instead, he can just follow Oriel's steps and create decisions after watching her every move. As they say, a spectator can see more than the players himself~

… … Cian let Oriel hugged him as well as cry on him. At least he owes this to her.

His clothes were already wet, especially on his shoulder part but he didn’t care…not like he could, at this very moment. He continued stroking her back, gently, softly—like a fragile thin ice that could break in just one heavy touch, Cian caressed her back all while muttering, ‘it’s okay, it’s okay…I’m alright’ and such things, as if he was singing a lullaby to lull a baby to sleep.

It has already been almost half an hour, probably less or more, Cian relied on his mind clock for time. However, there are still no people coming here—probably Oriel had already ordered them not to disturb them or something like that beforehand.

As Cian was deep in thought, all while still moving his hand to caress Oriel’s back, he suddenly noticed Oriel's silence. It seems like she had finally cried everything out. However, Oriel has still yet to move away from him and instead, he felt as if her embraced had become much tighter than before…

Sniff! Sniff! Sniff! Is she sniffing because she was crying or she was smelling him…? Cian didn’t know the answer, probably both. However, right now he reeks of sweat, you know… does it not matters to her…?

Cian shook his head, not wanting to point it out as it was really embarrassing. “Are you fine now…?” He asked, lightly pushing her away. But Oriel was like a koala hugging a branch as she didn’t budge even a little.

“Sis?” Cian once again called out to Oriel, who still had her head against his shoulder. “Hey...Sis..”

“...I was so scared... I didn’t know what I’d do... If you had died.” Her shaking voice was weaker than he had ever heard from her. Cian was flabbergasted, as well as moved… this was the very first time he had seen her sister like this. In fact, he was probably the only one who had seen this kind of side to her…!

Cian raised his hand and gently wiped the tears from her face. “Why are you so good to me? I don’t deserve for you to do this!”

Oriel pursed her lips and glared at him. “Whether you deserve it or not isn’t something you decide for yourself. In this world, you are my only kin… you are my only sibling…!”

Cian look at her, confused as to why she said spoken this with firmness when they are only half-blood kin and his real sister was even disgusted by him—

Oriel’s words caused Cian to feel bewildered but he shook his head. Not knowing what he should say or not—“I’m sorry…but I’m alright… Ruka and Sibylla had protected me with all their might… I even felt guilty for being weak,” he muttered.

Then, suddenly Oriel’s body trembled. Cian noticed it and frowned—“Did something happen to them?” he asked, doubtful. But Cian was certain that no harm had done to them...at least, not yet.

Sibylla was a noble of the Empire and also Cian’s fiancée, so he was sure that no harm would occur to her. But Ruka was different—even if she has a blood of a noble, she was still a slave, a servant. However, Cian didn’t worry about that. After all, even if Ruka was punished, they would still need him to wake up first before that punishment would be held.

Ruka was his personal servant—his sole possession and no one would dare to casually touch her. Even if it was Oriel, she would still need to restrain herself—Cian was the only one who has the ability to punish her—unless she did something which can be considered the gravest crime.

But that is not the case in here…

At worst, Ruka might be thrown into a prison but Cian can wake up the day after, so she can only stay there for a night until he would take her back. He had already calculated it all—but what if…

What if something goes wrong…? What if Oriel’s anger was far greater than he had expected…? Cian’s heart started to fell down. Was he wrong…? He had always known that there was no perfect plan… even God can create mistakes, how can he not…? A mere human…turned demon…?

As he was assaulted by a grave premonition, fortunately, it was not as bad as he was thinking. “… They are fine…” Oriel responded, albeit through gritted teeth. Hearing her answer, Cian sigh. He was not worried about Sibylla but…Ruka.

Well, as long as she is alive…

“…why are you worried about them?! You’re the one who had suffered the most and you still have the heart to worry about these people…?!” Oriel angrily cried out. Her beautiful ruby eyes burning in fury.

“They are my people, sis… if I don’t worry about them, who will…?” But Cian was still unfazed as he calmly and confidently answered. Oriel was struck dumb by Cian’s response. Cian smiled faintly and then leaned forward, not waiting for Oriel’s response, he placed his chin on her shoulder, “…besides, they have protected me with all they got. I was only able to live pass through that tribulation because of them… it would be cruel of me if I don’t worry about them after all that…right?”

“… …” Oriel didn’t respond to his question and Cian just smiled wryly on it. It’s no use saying this to her…he knows but he just can’t help it.

Other than him, why would Oriel care about anyone's well-being…?

Ridiculous…

As Cian was hugging her, Cian suddenly felt Oriel’s arms returned to where they are a while ago, and that is entwined on his back, and he then felt a pulling force—Cian groaned—not just from the pain on his body but also for the fact that his beastly instinct is starting to awaken within him.

She smells divine!

Flushed white skin.

Glistening drops of sweat.

The sweet smell of jasmine and rose assaulted Cian like a shot of adrenaline right to his heart. Silence crashes down around him as he felt dizziness he had never felt before. His blood was running from his head down to his groin. Heat raced up his back to engulf his chest and neck.

Blood roared in his ears, accelerated by his racing heart and the strange desire blasting through him—Cian didn’t know what was happening but he growled—growled like a wild beast as his arms circled around Oriel’s waist, and then buried his face on her neck, as if wanting to smell it even more.

And then, he suddenly leaned down and placed a kiss on her neck.

Cian kissed Oriel!