Chapter 700: Side By Side
As time passed beneath the vast night sky, accompanied by the gentle whisper of a cool breeze, Amara’s calm voice broke the silence. “Let us head inside, it is getting late.”
None of them refused her suggestion. With soft nods of agreement, they rose from their seats upon the balcony couches. Jenna, ever present and attentive, immediately stepped forward. With quiet grace, she cleared away the cups and plates, bowed respectfully, and vanished with them. She had no desire to obstruct the family’s movement or linger in their presence.
Stepping back into the building, the four of them walked side by side, conversing idly. It was, in truth, their final walk together for the night.
“Good night, Anthony. Until tomorrow morning,” Amara said with a serene smile as they reached the long hallway that branched off toward their respective chambers.
Klaus did not speak, as was his way. Instead, he merely inclined his head in Anthony’s direction before turning away. Together, Klaus and Amara walked quietly down the corridor, heading toward their room with an air of simple companionship.
Anthony watched the pair retreat for a moment, his lips curving into a soft, contemplative smile. Then he turned toward Vega. “Let’s go,” he said gently, extending his hand toward hers. Their fingers interlaced with natural ease, the gesture carrying a silent promise that nothing could ever force them apart.
Vega nodded in quiet agreement, and together they walked forward.
“Which room are we sleeping in tonight?” Anthony asked after a moment, his voice calm and unhurried. “Yours, or another one? After all, there are what, about a hundred rooms within this single wing of the building alone?”
He was not exaggerating. The estate was colossal beyond reason. Within this single wing alone, more than a hundred chambers existed, for Amara had woven spatial magic directly into the architecture, expanding what could otherwise never have fit into ordinary design. As for how many rooms the estate possessed in its entirety, Anthony had long given up on even attempting to count.
‘Why have so many rooms if so few people will ever use them?’ he mused silently. But then he shook his head faintly, deciding not to waste energy pondering the eccentricities of the family he had come to know.
“Obviously my own room,” Vega replied with a gentle smile, her tone making it clear that there was no alternative.
Anthony chuckled softly at her answer. He had already guessed as much. Silence fell again between them, though it was not uncomfortable. Their footsteps echoed lightly in the vast corridor, their joined hands swinging gently with each stride as though their connection itself was enough to fill the quiet.
Then Vega’s voice cut through the stillness, her question carrying a note of genuine curiosity. “What do you think of my parents?”
Anthony did not falter. His steps remained even, steady, and calm. He did not pause to reconsider his words; instead, he asked in return, “Do you want the absolute truth?”
Vega’s brow furrowed ever so slightly. To her, the fact that Anthony had to frame his response in such a way suggested there might be criticism. But she still answered calmly, “Yes. Tell me the truth.”
Anthony inclined his head slightly before speaking, his voice smooth and deliberate. “I believe you were born into the wealthiest and most overpowered family I have ever encountered. You are setting the standard impossibly high for normal people like me.”
Vega’s lips curved into a smile. She already knew this truth all too well. It was one of the many reasons she had struggled to make real friends in the past, most who approached her did so either in search of wealth or power. Even though the full extent of her parents’ influence and strength was shrouded in secrecy, everyone instinctively understood that they were not individuals to be trifled with.
“As for Amara,” Anthony continued, “I genuinely like her. To be honest, I had always wondered why you never spoke about your mother. I thought perhaps she had died, or maybe she was missing, and you avoided speaking of her to protect yourself from the pain. That was the reason I never asked.”
His expression softened as he went on. “The way she welcomed me, it was perfect, almost too perfect, if such a thing is possible. Now I can clearly see where your beauty and strength come from. You inherited them from her.”
A smile accompanied his words.
“As for Klaus… well, I would say he is unique in every possible way. I don’t necessarily approve of the way he trained you, keeping you shielded from the battlefield, because the universe itself is one endless battlefield. But, even so, I know he always acted with your best interests at heart. And I am fairly certain this universe would not survive his wrath if you were ever to wake up one morning with nothing more than a headache.”
Vega smirked proudly, as if she herself had been praised, for Anthony had spoken highly of her parents. It warmed her deeply to know that he respected them, just as it pleased her to know that her parents respected him. To Vega, it felt as though everything had aligned perfectly in her life.
She had met her mother again after years of absence, only to learn that Amara would no longer be leaving. She had introduced Anthony to both her parents, and the meeting had gone far better than she could have dreamed. To her, it was almost too perfect, as though the universe itself had conspired in her favor.
Soon, the pair arrived at her room. Anthony had been here before, during the tour Vega had given him earlier in the day. Without needing words, they began to undress, setting aside their clothes before stepping into the spacious shower.
Warm, steamy water cascaded down their bodies, sliding over skin and muscle, surrounding them with heat and mist. Anthony pulled Vega gently by the waist, her body pressed against his as though they were bound together by something more than mere touch. He leaned in, his intent clear, ready to begin the moment with a kiss that promised more.
But before his lips could meet her neck, Vega’s voice brushed against his mind through telepathy. ‘What if they are watching? You know this is their house. They could hear… or see… everything.’
Anthony sighed, the weight of reality interrupting the heat of the moment. He had briefly forgotten, but she was right. Although he possessed methods to conceal himself, ways to hide even from keen perception, he could not be certain that Klaus, with his Weapon Master class, would not bypass any barrier Anthony might erect.
With that realization, he let the thought of passion slip away. Instead, they simply bathed together, sharing quiet laughter, playful splashes, and gentle smiles. Their joy filled the chamber, echoing softly against the walls as though the water itself rejoiced with them.
Within minutes, they stepped out of the shower, wrapping themselves in soft towels. Soon after, they changed into comfortable pajamas.
At last, they lay upon the wide bed, side by side, their bodies and presences harmonizing perfectly, as though one could not exist without the other. Their breaths slowed, their minds eased, and together they drifted away, consciousness fading seamlessly into the dreamscape.
Hey, everyone… your favorite shameless author here. We’ve hit 700 chapters.
It’s been over a year since I started this book, and I wanted to thank you all for staying here with me and reading despite my flaws… I truly appreciate.
Thanks for reading.
Also, thanks to Leon_Georgi_8655 yet again for another batch of bulk golden tickets… you’ve been saving my ass this month.