Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Bird is in the cage
Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Bird is in the cage
Long Tianyun couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that had gripped him in recent days. It was as if an invisible shadow loomed over his peaceful life, and that shadow had a name—Ye Chen.
The frequency with which he heard this name had increased exponentially, and each time, it tugged at his sense of unease. But more than just the whispers of Ye Chen troubled him. Deep down, Long Tianyun felt that his sister, Daniela, was hiding something from him.
He couldn't place exactly what it was, but the change in her demeanor—subtle as it was—gnawed at his instincts. His sixth sense, screamed that it was somehow related to Ye Chen.
"I need to meet him," Long Tianyun muttered to himself one evening, pacing in the courtyard of their home. The moonlight bathed the garden in a soft glow, but even that couldn't calm the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. "I'll stay here for a few days. I need to get to the bottom of this. When everything is settled, I'll leave the city."
Determined to protect his sister, Long Tianyun approached her with an offer that was more of a plea. "Daniela, come back with me to the sect. You'll be safer there. I can keep an eye on you, and no harm will come to you."
But Daniela, her gentle features serene under the soft light, shook her head. "Brother, I appreciate your concern, but I'm a mortal. My place is here, among the common people. I shouldn't interfere in the world of cultivators. Besides, this life I've built here—it brings me peace."
Long Tianyun studied her expression, searching for any hint of hesitation, but her resolve was clear. She had made her decision, and no matter how much he wanted to pull her back into his world, he knew she was adamant.
"I understand, Daniela," he said quietly, though a trace of frustration lingered in his voice. "But at least let me ensure your safety." He spent the next few days strengthening the protective formations around her house. These formations, potent enough to fend off even Core Formation realm cultivators, gave him some measure of reassurance. Still, the feeling of unease clung to him like a shadow.
Satisfied that the city was secure and that Ye Chen had already eradicated the rogue cultivators, Long Tianyun eventually returned to the sect. Yet, the name Ye Chen continued to echo in his mind.
Meanwhile, Aric was far from idle. His network of informants were scouring the lands, searching for the real Ye Chen. He had a grand plan in mind—one that would pit the protagonists against each other, and Daniela was the perfect intersection point to ignite this conflict.
With Long Tianyun gone, Aric, still disguised as Ye Chen, increased the frequency of his visits to Daniela.
He brought her small gifts—an intricately carved jade hairpin one day, a box of rare medicinal herbs the next. His kindness and attention didn't go unnoticed.
Daniela began to look forward to his visits. At first, it was merely polite appreciation for a friend, but soon, something deeper began to stir in her heart. She found herself thinking of him more often, her thoughts lingering on his easy smile, the warmth in his voice, and the quiet strength he exuded.
Aric had already found that his intimate efforts had led to increased favorability from Daniela's side. Her favorability raised from 50(Close Friend) -> 65(Love Interest).
One afternoon, as they sat in her garden, the scent of blooming flowers surrounding them, Daniela shyly accepted another gift—a delicate tea set from the far reaches of the eastern lands. The fragile porcelain shimmered in the late afternoon light, a testament to Aric's attention to detail.
"Ye Chen," she began hesitantly, her fingers brushing over the smooth surface of the teacup. "You've been incredibly kind to me. I feel like I don't deserve all this... care and attention."
Aric leaned in slightly, his voice soft but carrying a weight of sincerity. "Daniela, you deserve far more than just kindness. Someone like you—so pure-hearted, so full of grace—should be cherished and protected."
She looked down, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "You always say such flattering things."
"It's not flattery," he countered smoothly, his gaze locking with hers. "It's the truth."
Daniela's heart fluttered at his words, her pulse quickening as she busied herself with pouring tea. There was something about the way Ye Chen spoke that made her feel special and cared for.
"Daniela," he began one evening, his tone more serious than usual, "I've been thinking a lot about your future. About our future."
She looked up at him, her brow furrowed slightly in confusion. "Our future?"
"Yes," Aric replied, leaning forward, his voice dropping to an intimate whisper. "I promised to help you cultivate, to protect you from harm. But I want more. I want to be by your side—always."
Her breath hitched as she listened, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Daniela, tell me," Aric continued, his eyes locking onto hers with intensity. "What do you think of my proposal? Would you marry me?"
Although Aric had previously told her that he would take responsibility. But this confession was something Daniela hadn't expected. For a moment, Daniela was speechless, her emotions swirling in a whirlwind of surprise, excitement, and confusion.
"I... I don't know what to say," she whispered, her hands trembling slightly as she placed the teacup down. "You've done so much for me, and I... I do care for you, Ye Chen. But marriage... it's such a big decision."
Aric had found through his previous talks with Daniela that she is still a traditional girl. So, he wanted to seize the moment.
"Do you hate me?" he asked gently, his voice soft but unwavering.
"No!" Daniela responded immediately, her eyes widening at the very suggestion. Her voice was filled with genuine emotion.
Aric took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "Then do you want me to marry someone else?"
Her answer came just as quickly, "No," she whispered, her cheeks flushing as the realization of what she had just admitted settled in.
He smiled, sensing her resolve faltering. "Then you already know the answer."
With slow, deliberate steps, Aric closed the distance between them. Daniela, flustered, instinctively backed away until her shoulders brushed against the wall. Her breath came quicker, her heart pounding as Aric's tall figure loomed closer, his warmth enveloping her.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Aric made his move, leaning in and pressing his lips softly against hers. The kiss was tentative at first, a gentle meeting of lips that sent shivers down her spine. But as the moment lingered, passion flared, and what started as a tender embrace quickly deepened into something more intense, filled with unspoken desires.
Daniela responded to him, her hands finding their way to his chest, her breath coming in shallow gasps between each kiss. Aric's hands cradled her face, his fingers tracing the soft curves of her cheeks as he poured his emotions into each kiss.
Her mind spun, her body reacting to the heat of his touch, her heart conflicted but unable to deny the growing connection between them. The world outside seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them wrapped in each other's arms.
Aric's lips moved from her mouth to her neck, trailing soft kisses down her skin, and Daniela could hardly breathe, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. They were lost in each other now, a wave of passion that neither could resist.
Without a word, Aric lifted her into his arms, carrying her effortlessly toward the bedroom. Daniela's heart fluttered, her cheeks burning as she buried her face against his chest, overwhelmed by the mixture of excitement and nervousness coursing through her.
Once inside the room, Aric leaned in, cupping her face gently as he kissed her again. This time, the kiss was slower, filled with tenderness and affection. His hands began to move, undressing her carefully, as though unwrapping something precious. Daniela's breath hitched as she felt his touch, her heart pounding in her chest.
As their clothes fell away, Aric pulled her into his arms, the heat of his body making her feel safe. They lay down on the bed, their limbs entwining naturally.
In between kisses, they whispered softly to each other.
"You're beautiful," Aric murmured, his lips brushing against her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
Daniela closed her eyes, feeling the sincerity behind his words. "Ye Chen... I..." She struggled to find the right words, but everything she felt seemed too overwhelming to put into language.
"You don't have to say anything," he reassured her, his hand gently caressing her cheek. "I already know."
Their movement was slow at first, filled with soft sighs and tender touches. But as the night wore on, their passion ignited further, each kiss and touch growing more intense. The barriers between them, both physical and emotional, dissolved in the fire of their shared connection.
"More..." Daniela whispered at one point, her voice breathy and filled with need.
Aric, his body moving in sync with hers, pressed his lips to her forehead. "Anything for you," he promised, his own desire evident in every movement.
The hours passed in a blur. As dawn began to break, Daniela lay nestled against Aric's chest, her head resting over his heart, listening to its steady beat.
Aric smiled when another sound chimed in Aric's mind, it was the system's notification
[Long Daniela Favorability: 65(Love Interest) ? 81 (Deep Love)]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You gained +10,000 Villain Halo and +100,000 Villain Points for making the Daughter of destiny, Long Daniela fall in love with you.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Her status has been changed to "Villainess"]