I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 820

Chapter 33: Unexpressed Feelings

In the tranquil darkness, the red-haired girl curled up slightly, leaning against the young boy’s embrace, much like a weary cat, appearing lazy and powerless.

With the ability of the Blood Clan, Roy peered into the girl’s downcast face and realized that the Lionheart Princess was not as dauntless as she seemed.

It was only because of her high position that she had to display the aura befitting of royalty.

Suddenly, the girl in his arms closed her eyes and bitterly smiled, “Thank you for standing up for me back then. I honestly didn’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

“Forgotten, huh? I’m your sworn knight. That was just part of a knight’s responsibility.”

Charlotte lifted her head, unable to help but exclaim, “That may be true, but swearing loyalty in a magnificent palace is fundamentally different from pledging to follow someone in times of crisis.”

Extraordinary Beings bear responsibilities that surpass ordinary folk; this was a rule the seven major forces’ extraordinary beings had heard when they stepped into the extraordinary realm.

However, not everyone has the courage to take on that burden.

Gently stroking the boy’s cheek, Charlotte broke into a smile, her gaze sparkling, “Thank you for being willing to follow me, Roy.”

Roy stared blankly for several seconds before sighing, “…I didn’t expect you to be so candid.”

“How rude! I’m candid most of the time, okay?”

Well, saying that already proves you’re not being candid, does it?

Roy silently mocked her as she pinched his cheek.

After their playful scuffle, Charlotte fell quiet again.

Feeling the warmth emanating from the boy behind her, it was impossible not to feel restless.

But she had lost that feeling now.

“Sorry.”

“What’s wrong? Why say that?”

“When the fireworks faded, you must have wanted to say something, right?”

At that moment, Charlotte had been unable to control her swirling emotions and couldn’t help but steal a kiss first.

But that didn’t mean she wasn’t aware of his hints.

Now, looking back, she was more certain than ever that Roy hadn’t quite managed to express everything he wished to.

At the same time, she was apologizing for not taking that final step.

With war rampant in the country, soldiers bleeding and sacrificing on the front lines, civilians displaced, as a princess, this certainly was not the time to indulge in emotions.

Yet not responding to Roy’s birthday wishes still left her feeling ashamed.

“You’re quite perceptive… But you shouldn’t be the one apologizing.”

This time, it was Roy who caught the princess’s glum little face in his hands.

He earnestly remarked, “If anyone should apologize, it’s those damn dragons. They chose this day to interrupt your birthday and my surprise.”

“So they should pay for it!”

Charlotte burst into laughter.

Though they looked similar, very few dared to connect the mythic creatures ruling the skies with those little things crawling on the ground.

“Flying lizards… Those are dragons! Can’t we show a little respect?”

“The ones who dared to disturb us deserve to die. What’s there to respect?”

Inhaling the scent of gardenias wafting through her hair, Roy gently promised, “Once all of this is over, we can continue the way we were.”

“…Mm.”

After a brief kiss, Charlotte lightly closed her eyes in his arms.

The kingdom’s peril, the dragons’ turmoil, awaited her still, a challenge as brutal as the war against the dragons nineteen years ago. Yet at this moment, as she drifted into sleep, Charlotte envisioned not a battlefield ruled by dragons, but the beauty promised alongside the boy.

Just like the sunset they soaked in together, just like the fireworks he had given her.

“Once all of this is over…”

With her vague murmurs, the girl succumbed to slumber.

Curled up slightly in the darkness, she was like a little red cat seeking warmth.

Watching the fragile, innocent face of the sleeping girl, Roy once again realized that the Lionheart Princess was not always strong.

Even with her exceptional talents, high status, and the bloodline of the beast king, Charlotte was still a girl in need of care, companionship, and support.

Thinking that, Roy gently covered the girl with a blanket, protecting her delicate and warm form from the cold.

Then, Roy’s expression gradually cooled, his gaze shifting to the void.

More precisely, to the long-lost interface.

【Warning! Detected a intertwining fate with the Lionheart, triggering a reversal mission. Every choice you make will alter fate; choose wisely!】

【Current Reversal Node: Lionheart】

【Lionheart Reversal Progress】: 60%

Since receiving that letter, the continuous warnings had indicated that the war stirred up by the dragons would drastically change Charlotte’s fate.

From this moment, the story of “Angel’s Dance” had come to a close. The subsequent reversal nodes had no original plot for him to reference, waiting ahead was boundless darkness.

No one knew what the future held.

But so what?

The current him was no longer the young lad from last year, fearing the reversal nodes and the original story’s plot.

Even if the road ahead was dark, he would slash through the darkness without hesitation.

Whether it was the Cult of the Evil Dragon or the real dragons, they could not dictate his fate.

For himself, and for Charlotte.

It was time to settle accounts with these guys.

And then, fulfill the promise made to her.

Gazing at the girl’s sleeping face, Roy took out the magic ring he had treasured for a long time, which he had failed to gift her twice before, and stared at it for a long time before tucking it away.

Finally, he planted a kiss amidst her beautiful red hair, feeling the warmth beside him, and Roy slowly fell asleep.

————————

The next day, news of the kingdom caught in dragon-inflicted turmoil spread throughout the Academy City.

After two decades, the long-awaited outbreak of war plunged everyone into an irreparable anxiety.

Over the years, although there had been occasional disturbances from cults and invasions from the demon race, it was the first time an entire nation was engulfed in such conflict.

Even the previous clashes between the Holy Light Church and White Harbor were quietly contained within the smallest scope by both sides.

Now, news of the kingdom being thrown into large-scale war was an issue that both sides had to take seriously.

Thus, when Roy called for help from various forces, they responded at the first opportunity.

“I’m truly sorry. Though I haven’t fully recovered my strength, I’m afraid I can’t lend you my high-level projection this time. I’ll have to ask the Crimson Magic Society to allocate a hundred wizards to accompany you instead.”

There was no doubt that even if he couldn’t act personally, the Sage, who controlled the wizard academy, was still Roy’s most capable ally.

A low-level extraordinary being could easily surpass ten ordinary soldiers.

And when there are enough of them, the group effect an extraordinary being can achieve far surpasses that of ordinary armies; in terms of combat power, a hundred wizards would be as formidable as several thousand soldiers.

The countries of Golden Sands and Southern Sea were too remote to promptly mobilize their troops, but they didn’t stint on material support.

War wasn’t about battles; the expenses would reach astronomical numbers. With the support from these two countries, at least for the short term, Roy wouldn’t have to worry about funding.

To be honest, setting aside the help of the Sage, Douglas and Jason’s full support had left Roy somewhat emotional.

Unknowingly, former rivals had become such good friends. While there may be political interests involved, this favor was something Roy would remember.