Chapter 88 - Obvious Setup

Chapter 88: Chapter 88 - Obvious Setup

"Did you see how Deina just acted?" Natasha asked plainly, cutting straight to the point. "How she pulled her hand back just now?"

"I... yeah. I noticed. I’d be pretty dumb not to."

"... While we were searching for you on Earth, I watched her. Seeing normal families, seeing couples walking hand-in-hand without a care in the world... she looked at them with this quiet envy. She loves you, V. She’s been in love with you for a very long time, but she’s suppressing it because... Well, that’s not for me to say."

"Nat–"

"Here in the Divine Realm, powerful entities such as us that form genuine bonds with more than one partner isn’t taboo. Polygamy is natural – y’know, provided the love is honest and built on mutual respect rather than selfish lust. I don’t care about your mortal rules, V. I care about what’s in your heart. So tell me... where do you stand?"

"Haha... yeah. Mama made it pretty clear how Divine Beings see polygamy. Where do I stand, huh? When I was just an ordinary guy on Earth, the idea of being with more than one person felt impossible. But after everything we’ve been through... my feelings aren’t confused anymore."

He took a breath and let it out.

"I love Deina. She has been an irreplaceable pillar of support, comfort, and strength in my life here. I can’t imagine my world without her. But that’s not all... Nat, there’s also Maelle.

"During my time on Pristina, we grew closer than I ever expected. I developed feelings for her and I’m pretty sure she feels the same. We shared a moment... a kiss. She means the world to me, too."

Vincent looked at Natasha, bracing himself for anger or hurt.

Instead, Natasha’s lips curved into a smile of defeat. She stepped close and reached up to cup his cheeks gently in her hand.

"To be honest, I kind of knew something like this was going to happen. And seeing how deeply you care for the people who stand by you... it only makes me love you more."

She traced her thumb across his cheekbone. "I don’t want you holding back because of guilt, V. As long as you are honest with all of us, with me, I’ll accept them. We share you because your heart is big enough to hold us all. Mari made sure to nurture you that way after all."

Vincent felt a heavy weight lift off his shoulders. He reached up, covering her hand with his own. "Nat... thank you."

Natasha’s smile morphed into a mischievous grin. She gave his chest a firm, teasing shove. "So stop letting Dee suffer in silence, you idiot. She’s spent enough time staring at you like a lost bird."

"You’re right. Tonight... after dinner... I’m going to talk to her alone and confess everything to her."

"Good," She stood on her tippy toes and pressed a swift kiss to his lips before pulling back. "Now let’s go back before your mama starts missing her baby too much."

When they rejoined the group, Vincent cleared his throat to regain everyone’s attention.

"Listen, everyone. The day after tomorrow, I’ll be summoned back to Pristina by Maelle. We have to handle some political shenanigans and prepare for something important this weekend. Once that’s wrapped up, my next priority is heading straight to Earth to meet this Lesser God, take up his favor, and lock in the one-to-one time sync."

Eugene tilted his scaly head in confusion. "Wait... the day after tomorrow? What’s this important thing? And Earth? What the heck is an ’Earth’?"

"Wha–!?" Vincent’s jaw dropped.

He turned his head slowly and stared at the green dragon in absolute, gobsmacked shock.

"You... WHAT?! What do you mean ’what the heck is an Earth’?! Weren’t you human before?! This whole time, I thought you were a guy from Earth who died and got reincarnated as a dragon!"

"Hell no! I’m not from some place called Earth! I was a proud warrior of the Lythoid race from planet Nox-Naevora!"

"As if I’m supposed to freaking know what and who they are!"

"Same with me! How am I supposed to know what a Human and Earth are, huh?!"

Vincent rubbed his temples, feeling a painful migraine taking root. "So... all your slang, your trash-talking... I thought you were some weeb from Earth. But no. You’re literally an alien..."

"Hmph! I’m an interdimensional battle-beast! Put some respect on my name!"

"Yeah, yeah... whatever you say, tiny green lizard."

........

As twilight painted the sky in shades of celestial blue and deep indigo, an echoing reverberation rang out across the clouds.

CLANG! CLANG! BOOM!

High above Maribelle’s floating island, two streaks of light clashed at breakneck speed. Sparking energy rained down into the clouds below as Vincent and Natasha traded blows in mid-air.

Vincent swung his training longsword in a deadly, upward arc, but Natasha glided inside his guard with terrifying elegance. With a swift flick of her wrist, she parried his blade aside and sent it spinning into the air.

She then brought the flat of her sword lightly against his shoulder, pointing it toward his neck with a triumphant grin.

"And you’re dead."

*Huff* *Puff* "Damn..."

"You’ve gotten much stronger, V..." she winked at him as she sheathed her weapon. "But you still have a long way to go if you want to keep up with me."

"Hehehe *Huff*... I got you beat in bed though."

"V-V!"

They glided back down to the terrace where a magnificent spread of food was laid out on the grand dining table. The rest of the evening was filled with warmth and laughter. Eugene attempting to devour a roast three times his own size, Maribelle gushing over Vincent, and the old man abstaining for drinking anymore more alcohol so as to keep his promise to Vincent.

When dinner concluded, the old man stood up first and bowed to the group.

"The hour grows late. Take care, young ones." With a wave of his hand, he spread his wings, hopped into the sky, and gently flew off into the distance.

As Deina stood up to bid her goodbyes and return home as well, Maribelle suddenly called out from the kitchen doorway.

"Dee! Hold on one second!"

She hurried over, carrying three massive crates filled with fresh divine fruits, rare herbs, and treats. "Take these home with you! I think I bought way too much."

"Mari... this... this is way too much!"

"Nonsense!" Maribelle waved a dismissive hand with a mischievous glint shining in her eyes. She glanced over at her son and gave him a blatant wink. "Besides, Vinny is a big, strong boy! He can carry all of it and fly you home!"

Natasha, standing nearby, crossed her arms with an amused smirk, giving Vincent a tiny nod that clearly said: Go get her.

’Did... those two plan this? How obvious can you get?!’

Vincent immediately stepped forward and lifted up the heavy crates effortlessly. "She’s right, Dee. I’ll take them to your place. You lead; I’ll follow."

With a troubled expression, Deina looked between Maribelle’s knowing smile and Vincent’s kind willingness. "A-Alright... thank you, Mari, Little Bird."

They stepped off the terrace edge and launched smoothly into the cool night air. Side-by-side, they soared through the starlit sky of the Divine Realm with the gentle night wind breezing past them.

"You know, your home on Earth was really nice, Vinny," Deina said softly, breaking the silence as she looked up at the many moons and planets above.

"And your little sister... She was just so adorable. She talks about you a lot. I can see how much she loves you. And seeing where you grew up... it made me understand you a little better."

"Kathy talked about me? Haha. That emo girl? I somehow find that hard to believe."

’Now... say it now, V.’

Yet, as they continued to talk, reminiscing about Earth and laughing together, the natural, comfortable pace of their conversation kept rolling forward. Before Vincent could find the courage to pivot the topic, the outline of Deina’s personal floating island appeared in the distance.

Her island was a tranquil sanctuary. Golden, luminescent flora carpeted the grass, and mini crystal-clear waterfalls cascaded over white stone cliffs into the ponds below. Anywhere he looked, he saw animals living peacefully. And finally, her home, which was a pavilion-style estate built of smooth white marble and polished wood.

They touched down near the front entrance, and Vincent carried the crates inside, setting them neatly on the kitchen counter.

"Thank you for carrying those, Little Bird."

"Yeah... No problem."

She walked him back to the front entrance, stepping out onto the porch and smiled at him warmly – though a faint, familiar trace of melancholic tenderness lingered deep in her golden eyes.

"Get some good rest tonight, okay? Sounds like you have busy days ahead of you."

She grabbed the door handle and slowly pulled it shut. The gap between the door and the frame narrowed inch by inch until. "Goodnight–"

THUD!

Vincent’s foot shot out to catch the edge of the door, stopping it dead in its tracks.

"L-Little Bird?"

He pushed the door open slightly and looked into her eyes with unwavering resolve.

"Deina... wait. Before I go... there’s something I need to say to you."