Chapter 2

2

He leaned in, burying his face in the crook of my neck.

I felt a wave of disgust and pushed him away. The jade pendant in his robe glowed, as if expressing its own displeasure.

At that moment, a dark message orb floated into the room.

"My Lord, there is a disturbance at the Abyss."

Balthazar stood up instantly, throwing on his cloak.

"Calla, I have to go. You..."

"Go ahead," I said.

A smile spread across his face. He reached out and stroked my hair.

"Calla, be a good girl and wait for me to come back."

I watched his back as he sprinted toward the Abyss without a second thought. My eyes grew dim.

This century-long secret affair was finally over.

Balthazar was gone for two whole days.

On the third day, he returned looking radiant.

The jade pendant was gone. When he saw I was still there, a flash of guilt crossed his face.

"Calla... the situation at the Abyss was tricky. I couldn't get away..."

I looked at him calmly. On his neck, a bright red bite mark was clearly visible. It was a clear claim of ownership.

Noticing my gaze, Balthazar explained awkwardly.

"There were too many vengeful spirits at the Abyss. One of them caught me off guard and bit me."

I nodded in silence. A Shadow King, caught off guard by a mere spirit? It was more likely he couldn't resist the charms of the newly revived beauty.

Balthazar was so immersed in the joy of Evangeline's return that he didn't notice how different I was.

He gently tried to pull me into his arms. The scent of soul-restoring herbs on him made me want to gag.

I pushed him away hard.

His expression soured.

I looked up at him. "My Lord, we are in the main hall. Please keep your distance."

Balthazar froze. He tried to pinch my nose playfully. "What's this? Are you throwing a tantrum?"

Before he could explain, another message orb floated in.

This time, he didn't block me from hearing it. Evangeline's sweet, trembling voice filled the room.

"Balthazar! There are so many shadows here! I'm so scared! Can you come and stay with me?"

Balthazar's grip on my hand loosened immediately. Panic and urgency filled his eyes.

"Stay where you are. Don't move. I'm coming for you right now," he whispered back into the orb.

After sending the reply, he turned to me, his face pale.

"Calla, the Abyss is dangerous. Evangeline is recovering there, and I'm worried. I'll just check on her and come back. Believe me, I'll be fast this time! Don't be angry!"

Before I could even respond, he vanished in a blur of shadows.

I looked at the bottle of nectar he had knocked over in his haste. I laughed at myself.

In the past, if I smelled even a hint of another female on him, I would ask questions. He would always scold me for being annoying.

Now that I saw the truth with my own eyes, my heart was strangely peaceful.

Don't worry, Balthazar. I won't ever be angry because of you again.

I was getting ready to leave.