Death… And Me

Chapter 409 - Mutual Love

Rean scratched the back of his head as he followed Qia. While they walked, she began to talk through Spiritual Sense Message.

”Whatʼs wrong with you? I have the feeling that youʼve been avoiding me for some time already.”

Rean immediately denied that notion.

”Why would I do that? We already confirmed that we would accept this fake marriage thing since it would benefit both of us. If we didnʼt find each other in the last few days, that was just a coincidence.”

Obviously, that wasnʼt. But Rean wouldnʼt say that.

Qia narrowed her eyes before looking back at him.

”Was it because of what I did?”

”What you did?”

Rean pretended to think about that question.

”What did you do exactly?”

”That day before I left, I k-k-kissed you, remember?”

Rean nodded as if he had been enlightened.

”Oh! Thatʼs what you are talking about. Donʼt worry, I know you did that for the sake of practice. Besides, I also did the same thing to you, so I guess it isnʼt a big deal. Donʼt worry, I wonʼt have second thoughts just because of that. I know you have no feelings towards me either. Itʼs just...”

”Just what?”

Rean then scratched the back of his head as he said.

”Well, you are a beauty yourself, so you made me feel a little flustered there.”

At the same time, Rean was thinking.

ʼIt is really hard to keep a balance between showing interest in her as a woman while keeping feelings like love out of the picture.ʼ

Qia was taken aback by those words. However, Rean did quite well since that was the reaction she was looking for. She then looked away as she proclaimed.

”O-Of course! I also felt somewhat embarrassed, even though it was just practice. You would need to be a stone to not feel anything...”

Qia then glanced at Rean at the corner of her eyes.

”So... How was it exactly? I mean, the feelings...”

Rean felt like crying. It was so obvious that she wanted something extra other than just what he said. It would be hard to keep a status quo like that.

”Ahem... Thatʼs quite a difficult topic to comment on, you know?”

Qia didnʼt care.

”Of course I know! You think it isnʼt hard for me? Still, it is for the sake of practice for the marriage ceremony. Since Iʼm making this much effort, you should do the same. So... how was it? Did you like it?”

[Hoho~! Now, thatʼs what I call a trap question. Go ahead, show me what you can do!]

ʼShut up!ʼ

Saying he didnʼt would once again hurt the girlʼs pride. Saying that he liked it would also be bad since it would increase her interest in him. What to do, what to do...

ʼIt would be bad if she forced herself over me again if I showed no interest...ʼ

”Ahem... Of course, I liked it. No man in this empire would not like a beautiful womanʼs kiss, right? Especially since it was a princessʼ kiss. Thatʼs everyoneʼs dream. That was a great feeling.”

Rean tried to make it look as if it was a general response. Still, Qia would get the ʼlikedʼ answer that she wanted.

[Hey, that was too sly!]

ʼHmph! Donʼt compare me with the ice block! I know how to think about othersʼ feelings, alright?ʼ

Sure enough, Qia nodded, satisfied.

”Hahaha! Exactly! It seems like you finally understood the treasure you got in your hands.”

Rean couldnʼt help but think that Qia was quite narcissistic. Well, any prince or princess would always think about themselves as someone more important. Still, since she accepted that answer, then that was fine.

ʼAlright, this should keep our status quo while not offending the girl. Rean, you are just way too good! The ice block would never manage to do such a thing.ʼ

Or so he thought, however...

”Si-si-since thatʼs the case... Letʼs pra-practice again!”

”Eh?!”

Rean almost vomited blood. There went the status quo Rean worked so hard to keep.

It turned out that the one who liked it the most was Qia herself. In fact, she had been thinking about it ever since they separated that day. Everything up to this point was so that she could do that again. The best thing was that since Rean was already publicly her fiance, there would be nothing wrong with it.

ʼItʼs just for practice. Yes, definitely! I absolutely have no other intention other than practicing.ʼ

Qia kept saying that to herself even though any idiot could tell it was a lie.

As for Rean...

[Hahaha! Go, go, go! Show all the passion! Let your bodies talk for you! Thatʼs how a romance story should go on! By the way, when can I see the real thing?]

ʼCan you fucking shut up?!ʼ

Rean then looked at Qia.

”Ahem... Thatʼs not a good thing to do, right? Others will think that weʼre showing off.”

Rean and Qia were still in front of the Formations Guild Entrance, so others could see the two. In fact, they caught some attention since their engagement news was still fresh. Seeing the new couple, which involved a princess, naturally pulled many eyes towards them.

Only then did Qia notice that Rean was right. She was so focused on the ʼpracticingʼ part that she forgot the environment.

”Anyway, I still have many things to do, so we can practice another time, princess.”

Rean immediately took that chance to escape, so he turned around and began to make his way out without even waiting for an answer. However, something told Qia that if she let Rean disappear again, it would be almost impossible to catch him again before the exam starts.

”Wait!”

Rean had a bad feeling and was just about to rush out when suddenly, someone appeared right in front of him! Rean was still in the Initial Stage of the Core Formation Realm. So for him to not see the guy to the point of bumping on him, one could already imagine how much faster than Rean he was.

*Bang!*

Rean hit the manʼs body and bounced back. As for the man, he didnʼt even budge. Rean immediately understood that the guyʼs cultivation was much higher than his own with just this single contact. Rean then finally got up as he looked at the man in front of him. Not only that, but a woman gracefully walked to the manʼs side as she smiled at him.

Right after, Qia arrived by his side, which made Rean afraid that she would try to kiss him again. However, Qia ignored him. Instead, her eyes were glued at the two figures stopped in front of her.

”Mom, Dad!”

Rean was taken aback by those words.

ʼMom, Dad? Then these two are...ʼ

Sure enough, they were the Fifth princeʼs son and daughter-in-law. Also known as Qiaʼs parents!

Rean then quickly bowed as he introduced himself.

”Ahem... Nice to meet you, Sir Nivol, Lady Ariana. Iʼm Rean Larks. I wanted to go visit you two to make the engagement official, but the Formations Guild Exam took all my time recently.”

As much as he wanted to leave, he had to keep the pretense that he wanted to marry Qia. Since he was going to marry Qia, Rean did his homework, so he knew who her parents were. That was also for the sake of entering the Imperial Palace in the future together with her.

Qiaʼs master arrived right after.

”Nivol, Ariana, what do you think? He looks like a nice boy, donʼt you think?”

Ariana then got close to Rean as she examined him from top to bottom.

”Oh... Very good indeed. Definitely no older than sixteen but already in the Core Formation Realm. Not only that, but heʼs also a rare element user. Iʼm puzzled how he could cultivate this fast and keep such a strong foundation since there are no such things as Light Element Cultivation manuals. Still, whatever the reason is, he really did a great job. Besides...”

Ariana then looked at Qia.

”Qia, you really choose quite a cute boy. His snow-white hair and eyes are surprisingly beautiful too. I have to admit, you lucked out to find someone like him. However, mommy didnʼt know you liked younger boys.”

Qiaʼs face went red as a tomato.

”Mom, thatʼs not why I chose him!”

Rean was also quite surprised by the compliments.

”Thank you, Lady Ariana. However, the real lucky one was none other than me. Iʼve never thought Qia would accept my feelings.”

Qia couldnʼt help but feel a little happy when she heard those words. However, she still thought that Rean was saying that for the sake of appearance.

Rean then turned in Nivolʼs direction. However...

*Grab!*

Nivol suddenly held Reanʼs shoulder. Following that, he began to squeeze without care. Naturally, Rean immediately felt the pain. Rean then began to sweat as he looked at Nivol, who had quite a dark expression.

ʼDid I do something for him to hate me that much?ʼ

[Hahaha! Are you that idiotic? Did you forget that the story going around that Qia might be pregnant because of you?]

ʼAh!ʼ

Sure enough, that was true.

”Boy. Letʼs leave the fact that you took my daughterʼs virginity aside for now. I do feel like cutting you in pieces, but what is done is done, and you accepted the responsibility of marrying her. However, why do I feel like you tried to flee from her just now?”

Reanʼs sweat turned cold.

ʼSo you do want to cut me in the end...ʼ

Ariana nodded as she looked at her daughter.

”Did something happen, Qia?”

Qia didnʼt dare to lie to them as she explained.

”I thought we could have a k-k-kiss... But I believe Rean felt somewhat embarrassed to do it in front of everyone. I-I... I was too harsh. I should have thought about the environment. Rean was right to not want to show off in front of others. Sorry, Dad, Mom.”

Rean sighed in relief. At least her parents wouldnʼt have the wrong idea.

Ariana looked at her daughter with surprise, though. She did know her and how prideful she was.

ʼFor her to ask this boy such a thing by herself, she must like him quite a lot. Sigh... isnʼt my daughter way too lucky? Even though itʼs just a political marriage, she still found something that interested her. Thatʼs quite rare.ʼ

Rean then quickly confirmed.

”Exactly. I was just thinking about the Imperial Familyʼs face. After all, Iʼm just a nobody compared to Qia, whoʼs a princess.”

Still, Nivol didnʼt let it go.

”And do you think that rejecting my daughterʼs request will be good to the Imperial Familyʼs face? Thatʼs a good opportunity. You got engaged, so no one has any right to say anything about your mutual love. Go ahead and kiss her. Or could it be that you donʼt want to?”

Rean and Qia were taken aback. Neither side thought Nivol would make such a request.