Chapter 81: Flora’s Embrace
Flora was the first to wake up.
Abyss, having torn a piece of his soul, needed to recover and would be sleeping for a few days. Leona, having absorbed the Lord of Submergence’s power, needed time to adjust in her sleep. According to Abyss, she should wake up by morning, as the Lord of Submergence hadn’t transferred his full power yet.
Flora woke up to a warm sensation against her chest. She looked down in surprise to find Abyss curled up in her arms like a baby, a peaceful smile on his face.
He looked so innocent in his sleep, his grey eyelashes fluttering slightly, his pale lips pursed as if dreaming.
He was always a man of action, never resting, utilizing every moment of the day, even sleeping only briefly. Perhaps the power he received from Leona and his own magic granted him boundless energy, allowing him to function without proper sleep.
But he was still human. No matter how energetic, humans needed a good night’s rest to recharge their minds.
Flora couldn’t help but feel guilty for not sharing more of his burden, for not allowing him to sleep peacefully without worries. Seeing him now, she realized how much he needed rest.
She gently stroked his hair. It was soft and clean after his bath, emanating a pleasant sandalwood scent. Abyss hummed softly in his sleep, seemingly enjoying the sensation.
“Sleep, sleep…” Flora whispered with a gentle smile, combing his hair, then playfully messing it up again.
A small, delicate foot rested on Abyss’s waist. It was Leona’s. Even in her sleep, the princess lacked any semblance of proper posture. Her bare legs were exposed beneath the bathrobe, the warm air of the inn enveloping them. Flora gently pulled the robe down to cover her legs, and the sleeping princess smacked her lips, pressing her masked face against Abyss’s back.
Flora sat on the bed, watching them. They were the most powerful beings in the world, yet they slept like children.
Perhaps they both craved maternal love… Abyss had been raised by his master, not even knowing his mother’s identity. Leona had also been separated from her mother at a young age, sent to the palace as an unloved illegitimate princess.
Flora wanted to help them, but she wasn’t old enough to be a mother, nor did she know what a mother should do. She couldn’t fill the void in their hearts.
“Maybe… just being by your side, providing a place you can call home when you need it, is enough…” Flora murmured to herself.
She found herself looking forward to the cemetery Abyss had promised. Building an underground palace where they could all live, returning to rest after their tiring adventures.
That was the kind of happiness Flora desired. Having experienced betrayal and intrigue, all she wanted was a warm home and a group of companions she could trust unconditionally.
She lay down again, letting Abyss continue to snuggle in her arms. Even though her shoulders weren’t broad and her body wasn’t warm, she wanted to provide him with a comfortable and restful sleep.
…
The next day at noon, when the maid politely informed them that their rental time was up, Leona had already woken up, and Abyss, although still sleeping, was now dressed in his clean clothes, thanks to the inn’s laundry service.
Leona had woken up at dawn. When she realized she had been sleeping with all four limbs wrapped around Abyss, she almost threw him out the window in embarrassment. She felt refreshed and energized, her power significantly increased. It seemed the Lord of Submergence had faithfully fulfilled his promise.
She and Flora had assumed they would simply carry Abyss out and continue their journey. But as Leona was about to hoist him onto her shoulder, Flora realized he wasn’t fully dressed.
Dressing Abyss presented a challenge for the two girls. He, like them, was wearing a bathrobe, with nothing underneath. Neither of them had ever seen a naked man, let alone dressed one.
As a Saint, Flora was required to remain a virgin and never marry. Her knowledge of intimacy was limited to hearsay, and she had received no formal education on the matter. Leona, as a princess, had received royal lessons on how to please her future husband in bed, but she considered them an infringement on her individuality and skipped them all. The royal family couldn’t punish the Dou Qi prodigy who could shatter mountains with a single kick, so they had to let it slide.
In the end, the girls had no choice but to call a male servant from the inn to dress Abyss. Fortunately, this service didn’t cost extra, sparing them from further financial embarrassment.
As Leona carried the still-sleeping Abyss out of the room, the maid at the door stared in disbelief.
The boy had entered the room full of energy the previous night, looking slender but lively. But after spending the night with the two ladies, he was now unconscious, being carried out, while the girls looked radiant and refreshed.
Looking closely, the boy was pale and thin, almost like a corpse. Based on common sense, it seemed like something had drained his vitality.
She didn’t know what had transpired that night, nor did she dare to ask.
Leaving the luxurious inn, Leona, carrying Abyss, glanced back with a hint of longing. It might be a while before they could enjoy such luxury again.
“How should we travel?” Flora asked. “Abyss told us how to summon the little fire dragon, but I don’t think there’s much to do in the Eastern Empire so soon. Why don’t we take our time?”
Leona puffed out her chest proudly. “Of course we’re not flying on a dragon. Although you can use Divine Arts to conceal us, I have a cooler mode of transportation—let me show you my familiar. Abyss created it for me, but I haven’t had a chance to summon it yet.”
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