"Darling, I came to see you."
Malverick gently tapped Hancock's nose, his tone warm and teasing.
Hearing the voice she had longed for, Hancock's eyes opened wide—her beloved stood right before her.
"Malverick!"
She leapt from the bed and threw herself into his arms.
"You finally came… I missed you so much!"
She pressed closer, as if trying to make up for the long months apart.
Malverick smiled and patted her back.
"I've been in seclusion, training. I couldn't come sooner. So today, I came to see my treasure—think of it as my way of making it up to you. Are you happy?"
"Mm-hm! Very happy!"
Hancock wrapped her arms around his neck, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart. That familiar warmth she had missed for so long returned.
"Alright," he said softly, "come, sit down."
"Just a bit longer," Hancock murmured, unwilling to move away.
Malverick chuckled and let her be. His gaze drifted to Hancock's companion snake, Salome—the faithful guardian that most women on Amazon Lily carried.
At a mere glance from Malverick, the serpent lowered its head, quietly slithered out, and even pulled the door closed behind it.
When they were finally alone, the tension of reunion melted into closeness. They talked and laughed, sharing the memories and worries of the past year.
As their auras intertwined, a faint glow filled the room—the result of two powerful energies resonating in harmony.
A moment later, a voice echoed in Malverick's mind:
[Ding! Congratulations, host—item acquired: Phoenix Blood!]
Each time Malverick formed a true bond with a destined partner, the system rewarded him with a drop of Phoenix Blood—a rare counterpart to his own Dragon Essence.
He smirked inwardly. Later, system. Let me focus first.
Outside the palace, Shakky was on her way in.
Something about Hancock's behavior that day had seemed unusual, and since another voyage was approaching, Shakky intended to remind her of a few safety matters.
"Good evening, Aunt Shakky!" Sandersonia and Marigold hurried over to greet her respectfully.
"Alright, take me to your sister. I have something important to discuss."
"Of course—this way!"
As they approached Hancock's chambers, Shakky suddenly paused. Her sharp hearing caught muffled sounds from inside—strange, rhythmic energy waves. Her cigarette fell from her lips.
Recognizing what it meant, she froze for a few seconds, then took out Malverick's life card.
Sure enough, the card pointed straight toward Hancock's room.
"Sis doesn't feel well?" Sandersonia asked, concerned.
Shakky quickly took both sisters by the arm. "No, your sister's… just fine. Let's not disturb her right now."
"Huh? But—"
"Trust me," Shakky sighed, ushering them away. "She's very comfortable at the moment."
Outside the palace gates, Rayleigh sat casually with a bottle of wine. Since men weren't permitted inside Amazon Lily's royal quarters, he waited there for Shakky.
"Huh? You're back already? That was quick."
Seeing her return so soon, he looked puzzled.
Shakky shot him a look, lit another cigarette, and exhaled a stream of smoke.
"No need for reminders—Hancock's… occupied right now."
Later, within the quiet chamber, Malverick noticed the symbol on Hancock's back and paused. His expression softened, and Hancock, sensing it, turned to look.
Realizing what had caught his attention, her eyes welled with tears.
"Malverick… are you disgusted with me—because I was once a slave?"
"How could I be?" he said gently. "Don't think that way."
He understood immediately: his gaze had reminded her of painful memories.
"Don't worry," he said, brushing away her tears. "I was only thinking about how to remove that mark for you."
"Really?" Hancock's eyes brightened with hope.
"Of course. I'd never lie to you."
He pressed a light kiss to her forehead.
"Rest easy—I'll erase it, I promise."
Relieved, Hancock smiled, and the two allowed their energies to resonate once more, the room glowing faintly with crimson and gold light—the merging of Dragon Essence and Phoenix Blood.
Back at their own quarters, Rayleigh finally asked, half-curious, half-worried,
"So… what exactly was going on in there?"
Shakky stubbed out her cigarette with a faint grin.
"You really want to know? Alright… let me tell you."
~~--------------------------
Patreon Advanced Chapters:
patreon.com/FrostWarden