Chapter 355: Sweet Talking

Only a subtle shift in the air, nothing more than that.

One moment, Bree was talking with Georgia and Tara—the next, someone already crept right behind her. So close she could feel warm breath brushing against her neck. And when a large hand closed around her upper arm, a gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Not a frantic one, but more like a resigned one.

Bree already knew who was standing behind her.

"Now, Blessed Lady. Care to be generous enough to tell this beggar where you went?"

A whisper seeped into her ears.

Deep down, she knew that Kai was going to confront her. No chance that he would let this go without saying anything. Naturally—she was alert. Though she was facing forward with Kai and the others were behind, she was waiting for him to make a move.

It was an intent.

But even then, Kai was able to sneak behind him without her realizing.

Just this alone made her realize that the Nigh-phantom Imprint was something else entirely— in Kai’s hand. It was stronger than her own. "You’re using your imprint... Did you forget that nobody could use their powers within the academy grounds?"

"Technically, we’re not within the academy grounds," Kai replied, and then his voice dropped an octave, sounding more baritone than normal. "And also, I’m the Red Prince. Even if one of the professors came to warn me, what can they do if I say no?"

"You’re getting cocky now."

"Don’t try to change the topic. Where were you last night?"

"So possessive, and we’re not even dating yet."

"I’m not playing around."

Bree sighed lightly as she continued to move, trying to act normal while Georgia and Tara had turned into squeaky mice on the side, feeling oppressed by Kai’s aura alone. "Can’t tell you much, but I can confidently say that it would make us closer. Is that enough of an answer for you?"

"We already agreed that there would be no more secrets." Kai grip on her arm tightened.

"I decided that having one or two secrets is healthy for us. Besides, I also changed my mind."

"Changed your mind?"

"Yes. Total openness is boyfriend privilege."

"Are we still stuck on that? You know that I’m not in a position to go the extra length."

A lot happened in a few months.

Right now, the Ambrosia Pact had gotten a lot closer. Even Abigail was starting to settle fully, able to voice out her opinions without worrying that she might be stepping out of line. And naturally, Kai also had grown much closer with Bree and Matilda and even Layra.

Bree and Matilda lived with him, so it was inevitable.

As for Layra, she was busier now that she became the Emerald Princess.

Unlike the Red Prince, who was elevated onto a mighty platform, the Emerald Princess carried a heavy burden of responsibilities—becoming a student council member, preparing myriads of outside training for the freshman students, and earning the acceptance of a special Griffin that every Emerald Prince and Princess was required to obtain.

It was quite a hassle, and due to that, she hadn’t gotten the time to visit him.

However, Kai did go to visit her at least once every week or two weeks.

And though things had been peaceful, it wasn’t really smooth sailing for him.

For one, Bree was getting frustrated.

Considering that they were already living together for months, she was getting impatient—as Kai hadn’t made a move on her yet. Not that Kai didn’t want to. He would not be a man if he refused an unmatched beauty like Bree.

As a Supernal of Eileithyia, everything about her was divine.

More importantly, her body was simply mutated to send fertile cues to males—incredible hip-to-waist ratio, clear and dewy skin, fuller lips, tantalizing flush, and even symmetrical breasts that simply made her irresistible.

Even men with the strongest will wouldn’t be able to resist her.

But what stopped Kai wasn’t her appeal.

He was hesitating to make a move simply because he wanted to tell her about his relationship with Matilda that already far surpassed normal boundaries. He was frankly confused about how to break the news to her, so he had been avoiding her advances entirely.

Matilda had offered to be the one to break the news, but he declined the idea.

Just thinking about Matilda being the one to do that was already giving him a headache.

If anything, this has to come for him, yet he hadn’t gotten the time to do that until now.

"Be honest—you’re not attracted to me," Bree said, and there was sadness in her voice.

"How do you come to that conclusion?" Kai quickly replied, addressing her concerns. "You know that’s not true. If that was the case, then I wouldn’t even be swayed by you before we live together. It’s not like that at all."

"Then what’s the reason?"

"It’s hard to explain."

"No, it’s not. It must be because of that Layra girl. She must’ve made a dark deal with Hecate to bewitch you and seize your heart for herself."

"What?" Kai massaged his forehead. He came to confront her about where she went last night— and somehow, he was now the one being cornered. "It’s because of your power, okay? Because your purity is an important aspect of your power."

"My purity?" Bree blinked, and then frowned again. "I said I don’t mind you taking it."

"I remembered what you said, but I thought it would be a real waste—using it right now. But far more important than that—going all the way with you knowing that I will break your one-time power made it more... sacred. It did not feel right to do it right now. I wanted your first time to be special."

"..."

Kai’s voice faded away, leaving only silence.

He said what he said without a pause, almost like it came from the heart.

It took a couple of seconds before Kai realized what he said—and the glances he got from the students nearby who could hear him. Awkwardness seized him as he scratched the back of his head. "I think I’ve overspoken."

On the other side, Kai caught Georgia and Tara covering their mouths.

Both of them had sparkle in their eyes, which caught him off guard.

"I never would’ve expected that he’s romantic—Is he secretly a Supernal of Eros?"

"In this day and age, where else could we find a man like him?"

Kai was stunned. He hadn’t expected this kind of reaction. He was bracing for ridicule, as the excuse he used was quite lame in his opinion. It was the only thing that came to mind. But he wasn’t ridiculed.

And somehow, the surprises didn’t end there.

Greedily, Georgia and Tara pushed Bree aside and seized each of his arms.

"If Bree is giving you trouble, then ditch her and be with me instead. I promise, I won’t ask for commitment—and won’t demand anything from you." Tara said, smiling as beautifully as she could. "She’s taking you for granted, so let me show you how to treat a man of your caliber properly."

"Pick me instead!" Georgia pulled on Kai’s arm, forcing him to focus on her. "I can do all the things she said, plus, I can do many more." She looked down at her hand and began counting. "I’m good at cooking, cleaning, singing, blowjob, titjob, won’t ever say no or even complain— basically the full package!"

Kai stared at Georgia and tilted her head.

Confusion flickered behind his eyes.

"What’s blowjob and titjob? Are they some kind of hobbies?" He asked, completely oblivious to the words.

Before Georgia could answer, Bree already grabbed their hair and peeled them away from Kai.

"You bitches have no shame at all." She muttered in a restrained voice. A vein throbbed on her forehead as she spoke. "You’re so desperate that you’d try to take him right in front of me? Fine! I won’t help you hunt Star Beasts."

Bree shoved them away as they desperately tried to explain themselves.

But she ignored them and pulled Kai further forward, away from their naughty claws.

Once they were a good distance away, Bree slowed down.

Kai glanced at her a couple of times, checking whether she was still angry at him or not.

Feeling his gaze on her, she finally let out a helpless sigh. "I really wanted to stay mad at you— but it’s hard. You frustrate me to no end—but fine, I’ll try to understand your concerns." She laced her fingers with his as they ran, and then whispered meekly, "I hate that your sweet talk works on me.

"I swear, if you had said those things to another girl before, I’d rip your junior off."

A cold chill ran down Kai’s spine as his hand unconsciously shielded his family jewels.

He believed that Bree would actually do it.

"Don’t worry... I’ve never had a girlfriend before. Needed to go home early, remember?"

"Mn. I trust you."

Kai looked skyward—praying inside that Bella would forgive him this one time for using her to get out of trouble. Throughout the rest of the morning exercise, Kai wanted to ask her about last night, but he had no grounds to ask her right now.

Since she said that it would only make them closer, it should be fine.

As long as it’s nothing troublesome, then he could let it rest.

Kai and the others went about their days like usual.

It was a pretty mundane day.

In the first class, the new professor covered history—an introduction and also an examination of a prominent figure of mankind that all Angels were required to know. They learned about treaties and battles, about alliances forged and betrayals enacted.

Kai listened attentively; he couldn’t afford to slack.

Reaching the Aspirant Supernal rank was only half the battle. To achieve cum laude, he would also need to pass—the academy’s written exam. The Red Prince title might grant him certain leniencies, but he wouldn’t risk failure.

Not when he was dealing with a Demigod.

For the second class was still battle maneuvers and a game of tag in the sky.

The students paired off, chasing each other through the cold air—their winged boots leaving trails of shimmering mana. The goal was to land a touch on your partner, and the roles would reverse.

It was a game, but it honed reflexes and sharpened instincts.

Kai played along and dominated.

Once the classes ended, he made his way toward the Aerial Stable, fighting through the snow. The flakes were thick and relentless, a white curtain that swallowed the world. Behind him— Bryan and Dorian followed in silence.

Just as he requested, they hadn’t gone anywhere after the second class.

"Where are we going exactly?" Dorian asked, needing to scream so that he could reach Kai.

"Back to where it all began," Kai replied without looking back. "We’re going to Ixos."