Chapter 126: Whispering Sweet Nothings
“Ailia, what I’m doing is really dangerous, and I don’t want you to get involved.”
Despite knowing the reason, Arthur stubbornly insisted on keeping Airael away from this perilous affair.
“Aspen, I seriously tell you, I’m not a vase! I don’t need your protection; I can take care of myself!”
Airael’s previously softened attitude toward Arthur reverted to its sharp edge.
At the same time, she began to wriggle out of Arthur’s embrace, unwilling to be held captive.
As the saying goes: when dealing with men, women often cry, create a fuss, or threaten to hang themselves.
Crying wasn’t her style, so she had to skip straight to causing a ruckus.
As for the hanging part? Well, it depended on whether she could stir up a result!
It’s not her fault, really. After all, Arthur wouldn’t budge with gentle persuasion and seemed intent on making her take a hard approach.
Yet, Arthur remained unyielding, firmly “imprisoning” her.
“Let go of me!”
After struggling fruitlessly, Airael threatened him.
Arthur wore a somewhat helpless expression. “Ailia, I hope you understand that I’m doing this for your own good.”
“For my good!? Do you not trust me?”
And just like that, Airael unleashed her ultimate attack on Arthur.
“No!”
Arthur retorted immediately, “Ailia, I’m just worried you’ll get hurt.”
Although Airael’s identity was a bit mysterious, he trusted his feelings after spending time together these past few days.
Airael had no intention of harming him.
Moreover, Airael had chosen to entrust herself to him.
Sure, the Sword of the King was causing a ruckus, but this was still happening.
Airael’s first bout of pain was deeply etched in his mind—it looked extremely painful.
His desire to protect Airael stemmed from that incident.
Though Arthur’s words were heartwarming, Airael wasn’t fully absorbing them.
They merely drifted in one ear and out the other.
After all, while his words were comforting, they clashed with what she truly felt inside, so she couldn’t be blamed for tuning him out.
“I told you, I’m strong! I can keep myself safe, so you don’t need to worry about me getting hurt.”
Seeing that Airael remained unmoved by his pleas, Arthur felt a wave of helplessness.
Their differing perspectives made it impossible for them to reach an agreement.
For Airael, she was indeed a substantial asset to him, but as mentioned before, he prioritized keeping Airael safe over having her support him.
He didn’t want her to face danger or get hurt.
Before he could ensure her safety, he would do his best to keep her out of harm’s way.
So how could he ever push Airael into the limelight?
Meanwhile, Airael glowered at Arthur with her small face while cautiously scrutinizing his appearance.
She realized she might have been a bit unreasonable.
Arthur’s intentions were indeed good.
But unfortunately, that didn’t align with what she desired.
So, sorry, I cannot accept!
After a period of silence, Airael finally spoke, “Since we can’t settle this with words, let’s settle it with action. How about we have a little duel? If I manage not to lose to you, you let me step in to help; if not, I’ll stop pestering you about this matter.”
This would be the second bet between them; Arthur had lost the first one to Airael and had no choice but to let her follow him.
But at this point, it didn’t seem like he had lost.
Still, the second bet was vastly different from the first.
Thus, Arthur was filled with hesitation.
Based on his understanding of Airael, just like with the first bet, her daring to challenge him meant she had some level of confidence.
Plus, Airael was a Mage.
Mages always had many tricks up their sleeves, especially since Airael was a novel Battle Mage.
Yet this was also an opportunity.
If he could defeat Airael with his strength, she would be left thoroughly convinced.
Likewise, he could gain a bit of leverage in future matters.
So, this had its pros and cons.
He’d have to take a certain risk.
“Are you scared?”
Seeing Arthur hesitate, Airael purposefully taunted.
Having broken through to Hero rank, especially after fighting during the day, she felt confident in her strength.
She was even fairly sure she could beat Arthur.
However, her goal wasn’t to actually defeat him, so she didn’t articulate it too absolutely.
As long as she didn’t lose!
Gazing at the confident Airael in his hold, Arthur felt compelled to agree regardless.
And he had to win.
Because right now, Airael looked like she needed a little lesson.
Smack!
Suddenly, a light sound rang out.
Then Airael stared at him, fury and embarrassment on her face. “You jerk! Why’d you smack my butt all of a sudden?”
Though Arthur’s smack wasn’t hard, it stung nonetheless.
Especially in such a sensitive area.
“Ailia, while your strength is commendable, being arrogant and underestimating the enemy is a cardinal sin in battle. Consider this a little lesson to remind you.”
Arthur replied with a serious expression.
Airael was temporarily at a loss for words, quickly overwhelmed by his momentum.
She realized she might’ve gotten a bit too cocky.
But right after, she mustered her courage and retorted, “Of course I know that! I was just confident, not arrogant.”
With that, Airael opened her mouth, buried her face in Arthur’s neck, and bit down on his exposed right shoulder.
Her sharp teeth mercilessly pierced his skin.
With Arthur holding her firmly, all she could move was her head.
“Hiss—!”
Arthur gasped in pain.
Airael showed no mercy with that bite.
A trickle of blood flowed from her lip, indicating she had broken his skin.
At that moment, Airael pulled back, looking at the clear bite marks she left behind, smiling mischievously. “Now it’s even!”
She wiped away the blood caking her lips.
Arthur glanced at the wound on his shoulder, a bitter smile spreading across his face.
Yet, he didn’t dwell on the injury too much.
Although it hurt at first from the surprise, the sensation faded quickly.
Besides, with his robust physique, this wound would heal in no time.
He continued pondering whether he should agree to the bet or not.
