Chapter 128 The Arcane Linguist (1)

Ethan's POVI could clearly observe my chalk-like skin with my soul sense.

She trembled as I could see guilt crashing over her like a tidal wave.

"I... I'm so sorry, Brother Ethan." Her voice cracked in a raw voice filled with remorse.

"I lost control. Once your blood touched my tongue, it was as if something took over me. I didn't mean to—"

Her words dissolved into a sob as her body shook with guilt and regret.

The sight of her like this shattered me. I reached out and my hand trembled slightly as I cupped her face and brushed away her tears with my thumb.

"Shh, it's okay, Virelle," I murmured in a soft and steady voice. "I'm fine, love. Just... be a little more careful next time, alright?"

She looked up at me and her eyes glistened with tears, and I couldn't resist the urge to comfort her.

Leaning down, I pressed my lips to her cheeks and licked all of her tears before capturing her mouth in a deep and tender kiss.

This time, I was the one who took control and poured all my love and reassurance into the embrace. She whimpered softly and her hands clutched at my shirt as if afraid I might disappear.

When we finally parted, she sighed and her body relaxed against mine. Her breath was warm against my skin and her heartbeat was steady this time.

Feeling it, I was reassured.

"I love you, Brother Ethan," she whispered as her voice was filled with a quiet and unwavering certainty.

I held her close and my arms tightened around her as my heart swelled with emotion. Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire

"And I love you too, my beautiful Virelle," I replied in a voice thick with affection. "Always."

Her smile was radiant and pure happiness lighted up her features in a way that left me utterly mesmerized for a second.

It was a stark contrast to her usual stone-cold indifference.

This side of her was something only I was privileged enough to witness in this whole world. The thought filled me with a strange sense of pride and gratitude as I was the only one in this world who could appreciate this breathtaking sight.

"Okay, enough for now," I said reluctantly, pulling away slightly.

"It's getting late, and I should go to Velcy's room. By the way, I talked to Velcy yesterday and heard that she is now studying the Aegaryn script under a specialized Arcane linguist that the castle arranged for her."

At the mention of Velcy's name, Virelle's expression shifted subtly and a flicker of something unnatural passed over her face.

It was gone in an instant but it was enough to make me uneasy. Suddenly, I remembered the possessive glint in her eyes when she had declared that no other woman could get close to me.

Suddenly, remembering that moment sent an involuntary shiver through me.

"You go on ahead, Virelle," I said as I forced a casual tone. "I'm going to her room to bring her back with me to the throne room."

It was a lie, of course. I knew Virelle wouldn't take it well if she found out that Velcy had spent the entire night sleeping in my room, which was situated above hers in this stairwell.

Velcy had mentioned earlier that her current residence was in the lower reaches of the underground well. As I turned and began to walk down the stairs, her voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Wait, Brother Ethan," she called, her tone deceptively light. "When did you wake up yesterday evening?"

I didn't know why but I felt a sudden pang of unease at her question but replied calmly,

"I regained consciousness around evening, I think. With our rooms being in this dark well, it's hard to keep track of time, but it was roughly around four or five o'clock."

She fell silent for a moment and just as I was about to turn back to her, she asked in a low and measured voice.

"Then where and when did you meet her, Brother Ethan?"

"Do you mean Velcy?" I asked, stalling for time.

"Who else?" she replied as her tone sharpened slightly.

I was about to lie and say I had met her in her room downstairs, but something stopped me at the last moment. It was a gut feeling, a warning bell that was ringing in the back of my mind.

So, I opted for a half-truth in between.

"When I woke up and was still trying to gather my bearings and surroundings, Velcy had suddenly entered my room to check on me.

I was startled to find a stranger there and in response, I had restrained her. During my interrogation, she introduced herself and explained to me the circumstances under which she was rescued from Blackwell Castle. She also described the incident in which she was saved."

I paused and was careful enough to not mention the Heartshadow thing in front of Virelle. Her expression softened slightly, and her voice regained its usual cheerfulness.

"Oh, so that's what happened," she said in a low voice, and I felt as if she was talking to herself.

"Why was I even worried? Of course, Brother Ethan could only have met her in the late evening."

She seemed to be muttering more to herself than to me, but with my heightened senses, I caught her every word.

Curiosity burned within me, so I asked the reason for her questions, "Why did you ask, Virelle?"

"It's just that you hadn't met or seen Velcy before, and I was curious how you two had your first meeting," she replied in a light tone but her eyes were sharp as if she was testing me.

"It was... enlightening," I said carefully. "In our talks later, she told me about the Arcane Linguist who has been teaching her the Aegaryn script for the past week. I'm going now, we'll talk more later."

I was about to go down as I wanted to excuse myself fast from this situation.