He continued, "The demonic red worm will consume my heart in less than three years. I want Rio to be ready before I leave this world. We don't know which clan will turn their fangs against the royal family after I leave. You're not strong enough to face them alone, neither is Helia. If the old man's prophecy is true then Rio would be the one.
I just want him to be ready for that day. It cannot happen if I go easy on him. He already passed my tests with full marks. He even tamed Helia who hates the mere sight of humans." Dylan spoke in a sorrowful glint in his eyes.
"You made them meet knowing she would despise him?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Don't worry. She trained him all these days and she also said he is not like other humans. She was telling me how she saw a sad longing for his family as he is an orphan." Dylan said with a smile as he remembered the violent Helia telling him about Rio when they had a cup of tea together.
"Helia trained him all these days and she even felt pity for him?" Lia's eyes were astonished after hearing the story.
She remembered their conversation
'Was it painful?'
'No… The trainer is a soft-hearted lady. I was mesmerized by her beauty for a little. But she isn't as pretty as you.'
Her heart felt warm as she remembered how he praised her while comparing to her own cousin-sister.
"I was monitoring their training so he was safe. But I needed them to get along well so they can both support you. If Helia parted ways with you because of Rio then you would have lost one of the most trusted aides and one of the strongest sword by your side." He said with a nonchalant voice.
"I don't want you to force things on Rio. If you harm him for your political motives then don't blame me for being unreasonable." The white haired beauty coldly spoke to Dylan and turned around to leave the room.
Dylan dropped down his shoulders and sighed in disappointment as he realized how his daughter treasure a foreign boy a lot in less than 4 weeks.
***
Rio woke up to the sound of footsteps. When he opened his eyes he saw Lia entering the room.
She had a coldness painted on her face and eyes but when she saw Rio was gazing at her, it melted down and became warm.
"Did you sleep well?" She asked him while entering the room.
"Yes, but I don't remember anything before I slept. How did I end up in your bed? Did you take advantage of my enticing body last night?" Rio asked her with doubtful gaze in sarcastic manner while fearing she might get mad.
"What kind of question is that? Your body and soul are mine by the law of heaven as I'm your wife. Tell me if I'll not take advantage of your 'enticing body' then human girls will do?" She asked with serious voice while crossing her arms in front of him and her eyes were filled with a mischievous glint.
"That… I mean… aren't we going so fast. Shouldn't we start by holding hands first." Rio said while his face became red and he stammered while speaking.
Lia forced herself to not laugh seeing his reaction.
"Last night there was a prisoner who tried to attack me and you saved me by killing him." She spoke with a gentle voice and helping him to recall what happened.
Realization struck him as he remembered what happened. His face darkened at first then it change back to beetred as he remembered how he was crying in her embrace and how she hugged him to sleep while ruffling his crimson hair.
"Sorry… I just remembered now what happened." He said with a bittersweet smile and scratched the back of his head.
"Go wash your face. Yami would be bringing food soon. You had threw out all the food last night. Your stomach will start roaring if you don't eat soon." She spoke to him while going to dressing table.
"Okay." Rio went to wash his face while Lia was doing her hair.
After sometimes, Rio came out of bathroom to find Yami was going out of room with the cart while foods' bowls were placed on the portable table.
They ate together while he kept peeping at her face time to time. He was afraid she would be mad for the last night.
They finished the food together and Yami came back to clean up before leaving the couple together.
"Will you not go for your training today?" She asked him.
"My classes will be starting soon. They told us to report to school after we find our superior at shelter or we teleported to foreign shelters. I'm here for 28 days now. They would be thinking I'm either dead, lost or captured. Although there aren't anyone to worry about me I still need to go back." Rio spoke with a bitterness in his voice.
"Who said there aren't anyone to worry about you?" She narrowed her eyes at him as the room temperature lowered.
"I meant in other world." He gulped nervously as he was worried she would hit him again.
"That's better." She coldly said and continued, "When are you going back then?"
"Today, if that's fine?" He probed her.
"When will you come back?" She spoke with a hopeful glint in her eyes.
"Never." Rio joked while keeping a serious tone.
