Chapter 835: One Of Alex’s Secrets [Part 2]

"So... Evangeline is considered your childhood sweetheart?" Lulu asked with genuine curiosity.

"In a way, yes." Alex nodded.

"He even promised to marry me back then." Evangeline made sure to share this bit of information, as if to let everyone know that she had called dibs on Alex first.

The ladies didn’t react much to Evangeline’s statement. For them, it didn’t matter anymore.

Alex had promised to be with them forever, which meant that he planned on taking responsibility for their future and their happiness.

"Due to some circumstances, we were forced to leave the villa where Evangeline and I played together," Alex stated. "But soon after... the Paragon of Ice caught up to us."

At the mention of the Paragon of Ice, a heavy tension descended upon the room.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Lumi said with a frown.

Alex smiled wryly before continuing his tale. "He caught up to us. My guardian did his best to protect me, but we were up against a Paragon. It was simply impossible for him to protect me against someone whose power stood at the pinnacle of this world.

"He trapped me in a block of ice and pushed me down a deep abyss. That is also where I met my end. Prince Aetherius Alexian Vademont died that day.

"My life should have ended there. But, due to the interference of a higher power, I was sent to another world... with a different appearance and a different identity."

This time, it was Evangeline and Astrea’s turn to be shocked. This was a story Alex had never told them before.

Honestly, he felt conflicted over how much of his story he was willing to divulge to his lovers. But after thinking things through, he decided that it would be best for them to know that another world existed.

Alex had no intention of telling them that in that world, Arcana was merely a world within a game.

Because he now understood that Arcana was real.

He shared what he could. As his story continued, the puzzle that Aeris and those who had tried to unravel Alex’s past soon came to be.

Piece by piece, they all fell into place.

What the young man was talking about sounded crazy.

Merely a fantasy.

Perhaps he was still daydreaming and just spouting off what he saw in that dream.

However, all of them knew that Alex wouldn’t joke around about something like this.

He had no reason to do so.

As they continued to listen, they realized that the young man before them had a destiny that surpassed time and space.

The young man told them that he met three Gods, who had all played a part in sending him back to Arcana.

How he met Dim Dim and how he arrived at the Floating Islands of Thaloria.

When he finally finished his tale, Alex spoke once more, his voice more solemn than ever before.

"The Aetherion Empire doesn’t do things without a reason," Alex said softly. "That is what my Guardian, who is currently in this academy, told me. I really have no intention of telling you girls about this since I don’t plan to drag you all into this quagmire.

"However, Astrea made me realize that if all of you fell into danger and I didn’t know about it, I would feel sad and heartbroken. I still have many secrets, but most of them are things I can no longer remember."

He then lightly tapped his head with his finger as if making a point.

"There is a seal in my memories," Alex added. "This seal is made by Evangeline’s father. I don’t know why he did it, but there must be a reason why my Guardian didn’t challenge it. Perhaps, now is not the right time for me to know things."

Lala’s hands subconsciously gripped Alex’s arm a little harder, reflecting her growing worry for the young man beside her.

"When they arrive, keep your eyes and ears open," Alex said. "However, do not actively approach them. Not that I have to tell you since I’m sure they will come to you before you even look at them. After all, you all stand out from the crowd."

"Ahem!" Lulu imitated Dim Dim and placed her hands on her waist, raising her chin while making sure that her chest stood out.

If the situation wasn’t serious, Alex might have made fun of her.

But since that wasn’t the case, he continued to give everyone warnings.

"All of you are exceptional ladies," Alex said firmly. "Your charms and beauty draw people to you. I’m sure the students of the Aetherion Empire will be drawn to you girls as well."

Alex smiled wryly. Every single word had been spoken from the heart. He genuinely believed his lovers were exceptional and talented ladies, which made him worry very much.

"But remember this. Do not try to ask them their reason for coming," Alex warned. "Do not act coy and try to pry answers from their lips. Keep a low profile and distance yourselves from them. I have a feeling that giving them the slightest clue might just put things in motion in a direction none of us want."

One by one, they all nodded in agreement.

"Understood," Aeris replied. "We won’t pry them for answers."

"We will keep our distance," Lapiz commented.

"And if they are the ones who close that distance?" Alex asked.

"Then we hide behind Papa’s back, nano!" Lala suddenly spoke up, which broke the heavy atmosphere.

Alex chuckled, finding her answer so innocent, so sweet, and so practical.

"That’s right," Alex replied, gently patting Lala’s head. "If anything happens, just hide behind Papa. I’ll take care of the rest."

"Papa is strong!" Lala declared proudly.

Her words brought smiles to everyone’s faces, easing up some of the tension that had filled the room.

Alex looked around at his lovers and felt his resolve strengthen.

Whatever awaited them when the students from the Aetherion Empire arrived, he would face it head-on and protect the people who meant the world to him.

Somewhere in the academy, standing at the highest tower, Himea looked in the direction of the clock tower.

"Heh~ he sure likes to talk big, eh?" the Little Devil said with a smirk. "But can he back it up? What do you think, Himea?"

Himea didn’t reply.

She didn’t need to.

She knew that Alex would do his best.

He would fight his hardest, even if that battle would push his heart, his resolve, and his very soul to the point of breaking.