Chapter 229: What Can Love Do

Chapter 229 – What Love Can Do

At Eric’s words, Aerica couldn’t help but react sharply—almost instinctively.

She didn’t do it on purpose.

It just happened.

Because the word he said... the word abomination—wasn’t a word you just casually mentioned.

It had been years since the confirmed birth of a new one. The third abomination’s identity remained a mystery. And yet, her master—Lord Mortis—had ordered every Commander under his control to search, to observe, to find clues about the being that carried that title.

So when Eric said it, when he let that word slip without hesitation, something in Aerica’s body flinched.

A wild thought surfaced—irrational, impossible, and utterly baseless.

But it clung to her like a parasite.

Could her lover... could he actually know the third abomination?

It made no sense. But that didn’t matter.

So she asked again, sharper this time, voice strained with tension,

"What did you just say?"

Eric blinked at her, confused—genuinely confused.

"I said... he is an abs lover," Eric replied, tilting his head as if wondering whether she’d bumped her own.

"Why are you suddenly acting like this?" he asked.

The response threw Aerica completely off balance.

For a good two seconds, she didn’t know whether to be furious or embarrassed. She thought he was mocking her—but as she stared at his innocent, genuinely puzzled expression, she couldn’t help but feel maybe... just maybe... she misheard.

"You... you didn’t say abomination?" she asked again, this time more calmly.

"Why would I say that?" Eric raised his brows. "Why would I call my friend an abomination? That’s a vile word."

He paused, then added with a completely straight face, "I only said he’s an abs lover. I mean, not for men. For women. Obviously."

Then he stopped talking.

He didn’t laugh. He didn’t smirk. He just stared at her.

"Why’d you act like that?" he asked again, this time seriously, those deep black eyes fixed on hers.

Aerica sighed softly and finally looked away.

She felt bad.

Because truly, she hadn’t meant to act like that. It had been pure instinct—one born of ancient memories and deep-rooted fear. That word... that name carried weight.

To beings like her, to Commanders who served Originals directly, the word abomination wasn’t just a title.

It was primordial.

It was like whispering to the origin of everything. Something so powerful, so uncontrollable, that even the Originals themselves tread carefully around such entities.

She sighed again, her body relaxing slightly as she leaned back into Eric’s chest.

"I’m sorry, my dear," she murmured. "It’s just... I thought you said a particular term."

"Abomination. Yeah, I noticed." Eric’s voice was calm.

"What does that word mean to you, that it made you act like that?" he asked, more curious than suspicious.

Aerica didn’t answer immediately. She hadn’t expected him to be aware of what the word really meant.

And truthfully... Eric wasn’t aware.

Because not many knew Noah’s true status. Not even Eric, his own friend. Noah never hid it on purpose—he just didn’t care to say it.

Because to him... that title wasn’t something he felt worthy of yet. Not something he’d earned.

But Eric, over three years of living alone, hiding, adapting, learning to think like a manipulator—he had picked up survival instincts of his own.

He knew how to fake.

He knew how to shift a conversation with ease.

And more importantly—he knew how to fool people who loved him.

So when he noticed Aerica’s reaction to the word...

He didn’t flinch.

He didn’t argue.

He flipped the meaning. Smoothly. Calmly. Believably.

’Tch. That was close,’ he thought, watching her return to his chest, relieved.

He sighed internally.

’Even just talking about that guy almost got me in trouble. Fucking Noah. Even his name’s a walking disaster.’

Aerica interrupted his thoughts.

"I don’t think you’re ready yet to hear about what they truly are," she said softly.

"But I’ll tell you one thing..."

Her voice trailed into a whisper.

"They are beings with... obscene power and potential."

And with that, she fell silent again.

Eric didn’t press further.

The room quieted, filled only with the gentle sound of her breath as she lay there. Relaxed. Trusting. Her head on his chest, her body wrapped around the only being in this realm who made her feel like a woman and not just a killing machine built to serve an Original’s will.

Eric stared at the ceiling. His mind far away.

He had gained strength. He had gathered information.

But allies?

He had none.

Even Aerica—she wasn’t truly his. Not yet.

She loved him, yes. But she didn’t know why he had come here. Or who he had come for.

And so, before returning to Laeh, there was one thing he still wanted to test.

"Aerica..." he murmured.

"Yes, my dear?"

"How much do you love me?" he asked.

The question stunned her. It was sudden. Too sudden. So out of place that she had to look up at him, her eyes blinking in surprise.

Their faces were inches apart now.

She could feel his breath on her lips.

And in that moment, she knew he was serious.

"I love you more than you can imagine," she answered sincerely.

"More than you’ve ever loved anyone?"

"You are the first," she whispered.

Eric nodded slowly.

"And if one day... I betray you?" he asked softly.

"I will imprison you eternally inside my chambers," she replied with a disturbingly gentle smile.

"You will never see light of the day again. Well... whatever passes for day in this shadow shrouded realm."

Eric’s lips twitched slightly at that.

Still—he preferred imprisonment over execution. Always look at the bright side.

"You love me more than this entire territory?"

"Yes. I do," she answered without hesitation. "If it were just me... I wouldn’t even be here. Ruling over these people."

Warmth bloomed inside Eric’s chest.

He reached out and began stroking her cheek with care—tenderly, slowly.

Aerica’s eyes closed.

This. This was the reason she couldn’t let him go. Couldn’t let him leave. He had awakened something in her she didn’t know she could feel.

Love.

He was her first.

And in her mind...her last.

But Eric’s voice echoed again.

"Do you love me... more than your loyalty to Lord Mortis?" he asked.

That froze her.

Completely.

She looked at him. His gaze was still soft, but serious.

He wasn’t joking.

And suddenly, she didn’t know how to answer.

She wanted to say yes.

But... she couldn’t throw away eons of loyalty like it was nothing. Even for him.

Conflicted, she looked down. She couldn’t look him in the eye. Not right now.

Because she feared what she’d see there—disappointment. Pain.

But Eric?

He was satisfied.

This reaction was already more than he needed. It told him everything.

And just as he was about to speak—

’Little bastard. Time to come back and see daddy!’

A voice rang through his head—playful, cocky, arrogant.

Noah’s voice.

It was time.

Time to return to Laeh.

And it was the perfect timing.

Eric quickly raised Aerica’s chin, making her meet his gaze once more.

He smiled.

"I’ll give you time to think about it," he whispered. "When we meet again... please tell me your answer."

And with those final words—he vanished.

Disappeared on the spot.

Aerica blinked in disbelief.

"D-Duskworn...?"

Her voice trembled.

She searched the room, eyes wide, dazed and uncertain.

But he was gone.

And for the first time in a long time...

Her heart cracked.

And the Duskflower above her... dimmed just slightly.

Because love... wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

Love could be gentle, soothing. It could be something that saved you from the deepest pit of despair.

But love...

Could also destroy.

So now the question was—

What would love do to her?

—End of Chapter 229—