If this kind of thing happened in modern times, it would probably be headline news. I remember in my previous life, the daughter of the CEO of a three-star group was won over by her bodyguard. Strictly speaking, I've managed to win over a national princess as a bodyguard too, haven't I?
The atmosphere had just relaxed a little, but suddenly it became tense again.
Elmoa and Krinie, who knew the truth, held their foreheads and shook their heads. Among the other attendants, some had their mouths agape, some knelt on the ground, and some, like Luke, were there hysterically shouting and screaming.
However, no attendant dared to come over and stop me.
I was holding Ariel tightly with great force.
Perhaps because there were quite a few onlookers, I felt Ariel's body trembling more and more violently.
Her breathing was also rising and falling, panting heavily.
Was she about to awaken some special attribute again?
I ignored the barking of attendants like Luke. After a suffocatingly long five-minute embrace, Ariel had gone limp in my arms. She probably couldn't face this group of her attendants anymore!
I very thoughtfully made the decision for her.
Addressing the dumbfounded attendants, I said:
"Anyone who dares to follow will die!"
Then, I swept Ariel away in a gust of wind.
I left behind a group of dumbfounded guards. After I left, they looked at each other, unsure whether to chase after me or pretend this never happened.
Sylphiette, as the strongest fighter among them, had been covering the sides of her eyes with her hands the whole time. It seemed she had already guessed what was happening.
After the group stood in silence for ten seconds...
Ariel's personal attendant, Elmoa, spoke up. She knew the truth, so she wasn't worried about Her Highness Ariel's safety.
"Alright, everyone, disperse. Her Highness has gone to discuss matters privately with Lord Dorin.
Please keep this matter strictly confidential."
"Uh, alright!"
The remaining attendants scattered like birds and beasts, slinking away. Only Luke was left alone, wrapped in his cloak, secretly fuming.
I flew through the air. Ariel in my arms was like a baby kangaroo, trying to burrow into my clothes, unable to even lift her head.
I soon arrived at my villa. Without disturbing Aunt Hilda, I went directly through the window into my own room.
After landing, Ariel finally snapped out of it, jumping out of my arms in a fluster.
"Dorin, what do you think you're doing? Why did you treat me like that in front of those people? How can I ever face them again?"
"Ariel, is your princess's dignity built upon an image of purity and chastity?
When you chat with your attendants, haven't you ever made off-color jokes?
I want you, and I'll see who dares to make trouble about it later.
When you go back, just say I forced you. Can they possibly give you a hard time? If there's any trouble, let them come at me!"
Ariel seemed a bit embarrassed by what I said and changed the subject.
"But you still shouldn't have humiliated Luke like that. It will only make him resent you. It won't do you any good."
"Hmph, what's wrong with you, Ariel? Why have you become so naive? If I didn't humiliate him, would Luke like or respect me?
Wouldn't he still hold a grudge against me? Rather than letting him suppress it and stab me in the back at a critical moment, I'd prefer he can't hold back and does something!
Ariel, let me make this clear to you. If Luke dares to do anything that harms my family or you, I will kill him without hesitation.
This is not asking for your permission; it's informing you directly.
Given our relationship, you also need to guard against Luke acting out of desperation. Starting today, don't use male guards for your night watch."
Ariel seemed a bit unhappy. She sat on my bed and said angrily:
"Dorin, what exactly are you to me? What right do you have to control me so strictly? If you won't allow male guards at night, can you stay and protect me every night yourself?"
"Ariel, by right of being your first man, by right of me now being a King-level Magician, by right of my King-level strength in the Water God Style.
And also by right of me being able to take you to meet Perugius and help you achieve your dream.
If that's still not enough, then by right of my future strength, which will stand at the pinnacle of human combat power!
In this world, doing anything requires strength. Without strength, even if you have great power, it's just an empty shell.
You want to become the King of the Asura Kingdom, but can a king use his authority to execute any of the Seven Great Powers?
Without a powerful knight to protect you, even if you become king, any other country could easily kill you by sending just one person of the Seven Great Powers level.
If you think just staying by your side every day would satisfy you, then at best I'd be just a kept man. A plaything you could discard at any time.
But my goal is to make you my woman. Even if you were the King of the Asura Kingdom at that time, in my eyes you would only be my equal. I would never kneel before you.
If you can't accept this, please tell me directly. We'll cut ties here and now."
Ariel stared at me with teary eyes without saying a word. I didn't want to pressure her too much. This woman needs coaxing, but also can't be allowed to dominate. Her desire for control is actually the strongest. Although she used to treat my other women with disdain, who knows if she harbored jealousy or resentment.
I need to maintain enough dominance over her while also making her dependent on me.
Before she could speak, I sat down beside her, pulled her into my arms, and said gently:
"Lady Ariel Anemoi Asura, ever since I became your Guardian Knight at six years old, I've thought it through. I can't stay by your side as a mere meat shield, accomplishing nothing.
I also don't want to rely on the little favor gained from protecting you to obtain benefits after your ascension.
I like you. I want you to be my woman, so I can't stop. I must become the most formidable man in this world to have the right to stand by your side.
I have never considered myself your Guardian Knight. I, Dorin Prodia Grellat, only want to be your man. Lady Ariel Anemoi Asura, will you be my woman?"
I don't know what she was feeling then, but with tears streaming, she brought her mouth close to my ear and said, "I will."
After that, the kind of thing that commonly happens between a lone man and a lone woman occurred in the room.
Until the setting sun turned molten gold and Doris returned home, we were still engaged in the great battle in the room.
During this trip, Seven Stars had been stirring up my desires all along the way. I released it all at once upon Ariel.
We had dinner with my family and Ariel. Doris was very happy to see me back and cooked many dishes.
She probably heard the sounds of our great battle in the room.
But Doris's sense of hierarchy was still strong. After all, Ariel was a princess, and they had met at a ball when they were children, so Doris didn't show any signs of jealousy or displeasure.
On the contrary, she chatted happily with Ariel.
Philip, perhaps because he knew I had brought Ariel home in the afternoon, chose to drink outside with colleagues and didn't come home for dinner.
Poor Aunt Hilda. She probably listened all afternoon. After dinner, once I send Ariel back, I'll help her catch Uncle Philip and bring him back to her.
After all, she's my own aunt. How could I let her be neglected?
After dinner, I escorted Ariel back to the girls' dormitory. Ignoring the strange looks from the other girls in the dorm, I personally took her to her room.
Then I found Sylphiette in the room next door.
"Sylphiette, tomorrow I'm going to leave with Rudeus for the Bekalite Continent. I want to make a deal with you."
Sylphiette touched her ear in surprise. She didn't expect me to seek her out to talk. I hope she doesn't really believe what Luke said this afternoon?
"Ah, what kind of deal are you talking about? I won't agree to any excessive requests, Lord Dorin. Please show some respect. Lady Ariel is still inside!"
"No, I think you've misunderstood something. I know about your relationship with Rudy. My deal is simple.
In the future, I'll need you, Elmoa, and Krinie to take turns helping Ariel with the night watch. I've already told Ariel that there will be no more male guards for her night watch.
Furthermore, the condition of my deal with you is that I will do everything in my power to bring Rudeus and your future parents-in-law back safely and soundly."
Sylphiette seemed to have a sudden realization. She must have misunderstood something earlier. She bowed to me and said:
"Lord Dorin, rest assured, I will protect Lady Ariel. I'll also trouble you to look after Rudeus."
"Good, then the deal is struck. Don't worry. When Rudy returns, I'll urge him to marry you as soon as possible. After all, I owe him a life debt; this is a small matter!"
Sylphiette shyly lowered her head. Ariel probably didn't want us chatting too much and called Sylphiette inside.
I didn't linger either, turning to leave this place heavy with feminine energy.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"