Chapter 95:Okay.

Lilith fully got into the bed and lay down beside him. Atheline’s hand automatically moved to her waist.

"The suppressants will not last," she said in an almost whisper.

"Yes."

"You may still die."

"Yes," he accepted calmly.

Lilith studied his face but she herself wasn’t sure what she wanted to see in his expression.

"What if I chose not to go," she asked.

"You will not," he responded immediately.

Tension sat between them because he wasn’t guessing, he was stating that he knew her all too well.

Lilith chuckled softly.

Her hand rubbed the corner of his lips softly as she stared at him.

"You presume much," she said.

"Yes."

She moved closer until they were pressed together. Atheline smiled the whole time.

She placed her forehead against his and then spoke.

"You will accompany me," she said after a little thought.

’

Finally’

Something in Atheline’s expression changed, relief.

It felt as though a huge stone that had been placed on top of him had finally been lifted.

He himself didn’t notice how tense he had been during this whole period.

He wasn’t one to put his life in danger but this was the fastest way before she could leave.

He knew she would not have stayed long in the palace.

She probably might have been trying to lower his guard and knock him out before she left him surrounded by guards.

"You will have to follow all my conditions," she spoke breaking the silence.

His gaze remained fixed on her.

"Tell me," he said.

’

This is better than nothing’

"Your movements will be restricted."

He nodded.

"Understood."

’

She’s probably too paranoid at the moment but at least we came to a compromise’

She smiled softly.

"You will not act without my knowledge," she said then continued softly," but you will inform me in advance."

Atheline couldn’t help it, his smile widened.

’

This is better than expected’

"Yes, I’ll inform you if I ever plan anything," he said.

Atheline liked the progress they had made. He could feel it, she was finally starting to see a little bit of reason.

The fact that the ’obey me fully montage’ had finally been reduced to at least tell me what you want and I’ll think about it mentality was a huge leap.

She was finally loosening her overprotectiveness and control over him.

’

One step at a time’

"You forgive me right?" He asked.

Though the tension had gone, it didn’t mean she would let it go that easily.

She closed her eyes and nodded against his neck.

"You should rest, we’ll be leaving tomorrow," she whispered, " next time you ever do anything like this again don’t expect a positive response Atheline. "

’

Yeah, I am not going to do that again, I’ve already achieved the desired effect’

"I won’t."

Quietly she added," You scared me."

Atheline felt a tug in his heart, her admitting it was far worse.

"I’m sorry."

"Go to sleep."

Her eyelashes tickled his neck as she closed her eyes.

’

She must have been tired’

Her breath eventually evened out.

Ding

He had just started to doze off when the familiar sound woke him. The system screen appeared in front of his eyes.

[System notification]

’

Seriously what the fuck it always comes after almost every emotional moment.’

He concentrated on her even breathing. She hadn’t woken up.

[Condition detected: Foreign toxic agent - slightly Rare classification]

[Severity:Lethal- Temporarily suppressed]

Athelines raised an eyebrow.

’

Let me guess, you’re also convinced I’m going to die?’

[Applying minor gain....]

Atheline smiled.

’

Two blessings at once that doesn’t sound bad’

[Reward granted]

•Poison resistance +6%

Atheline didn’t react, he had expected something and he got it. It was better than nothing.

[Additional effect]

•Partial resistance to external influence.

- A small boost in mental resistance from things like illusions or Aether.

The system vanished at that moment. Atheline didn’t even react, he had long gotten immune but the fact that he could withstand an illusion was really cool even just a little.

’I might even withstand corruption’

He softly touched Lilith, her body trembling at his touch.

She moved a little and her hand moved up his chest.

Atheline looked down and stared at the familiar ring he had taken from her.

The crown seal.

’I don’t think she’s ever going to take it off in front of me again’

He sighed softly. The memory of how he had gotten it flooded into his mind at that moment.

’That had been one close call’

It had taken a lot of distractions and outmaneuvering to get it without her noticing.

....

He had already decided and planned before he walked into their room after his morning training.

She had also returned from the morning meeting, so Atheline had been confident she would be present.

This had taken a lot of courage but she had already made a decision and he had been pushed to the side from that point forward.

He didn’t know when she would even leave.

’Can’t I even say goodbye then’

The conclusion was simple she would go but the only variable was whether he would be beside her or not.

Atheline closed the door behind him and walked towards her.

As expected she was seated in front of the dressing mirror.

She didn’t glance towards him.

"How was your training, " she asked.

"It was good," he answered and walked towards her.

Their eyes met in the mirror. She smiled at him before going back to righting her clothes.

At that moment, his gaze shifted briefly before it went back to her.

The crown seal rested on the table against some of the documents she always brought with her.

With its position in place, Atheline adjusted himself to be in the best vantage point.

She glanced up at him, unsuspecting.

"Do you need help with your training?" She asked.

Atheline shook his head.

"No, you’re too busy, I don’t want to disturb you and I’ve gotten more proficient."

"Good... you should focus on that."

Atheline massaged her tensed shoulders, the meetings can be draining sometimes.

Through all this, he paid attention to her movements and the rhythm of her attention.

Her eyes were a little unfocused a clear sign that she was thinking.

"About the journey..." he started.

"We’re not talking about this anymore, just be a good boy and wait for me okay," She shut him down again.

She reached for his thigh and rubbed it softly. Atheline didn’t argue after that.

Despite getting the poison he had debated to himself different methods to use.

Following her after her departure but that proved impossible when she was leaving him under the watch of an SS + Fire manipulator, Zelpher, plus more guards and her shadows.

He was basically trapped.

Who would want to poison themselves if there was a better alternative?

Atheline had truly been pushed to a corner. At that point, he had decided to be a necessity she had to bring along.

The plan had formed after that.