464 The Dragon That Cannot Be Controlled...?
The air thickened with tension as Asher faced Rowena, her question hanging between them like a sword.
Why were women so perceptive? But he knew that even if Rowena didn't ask, he was going to tell her himself, though now he wasn't exactly prepared to break the news to her.
"I uh...you see..." Asher stumbled, his voice trailing off, a man ensnared by his own heart's rebellion. Asher felt he would rather fight the Moon Guardian again than be in this situation.
Rowena's gaze, icy and penetrating, sought the truth he hesitated to unveil, "You really did it...Didn't you? You slept with her and have feelings for her?" Her accusation, sharp and unforgiving, pierced the veil of uncertainty, laying bare the turmoil within.
With a heavy heart, Asher sought to articulate the complexity of his feelings, "It's actually a bit more complicated than that," he began, his hands raised in a futile attempt to bridge the chasm his words had wrought.
Rowena's disappointment was a palpable force, her voice a blend of disbelief and reproach. "How can you do that? Did you forget who she is? You could have picked any woman but to go after a married woman who is also the Lady of House Valentine...I didn't expect this from you. Do you realize the consequences of what you did?" The depth of her disillusionment, mirrored in her eyes, weighed heavily upon him.
She was also disappointed and angry at Naida for seducing her husband despite being a respected and high-ranked senior in this kingdom. Did she do it because he was the king now? She never thought Naida was that kind of woman.
Asher's defense was a confession of vulnerability, "I didn't want to go after her, okay? I wasn't planning to fall in love with her as well. I tried my best to keep my feelings in check. But...the Tower of Torment changed something in me..." Asher began to explain what happened in the Tower of Torment as Rowena's anger in her eyes started to cool down.
She had no idea he suffered so much during the trial, having to fight for survival without his own memories or strength.
But having to watch the people he loved die again and again so many times was the worst torture to the soul. She also had no idea her ancestor also suffered and endured the same before he became the man everyone he knew.
Her heart clenched, feeling bad for getting upset at Asher without hearing him out. However, she knew he needed to be reprimanded.
But seeing how he managed to clear the trial without having his soul broken, made her feel proud to be his wife. It made her realize how much he cared about the people he loved more than power.
She knew if it was any other man in this place, they would happily sacrifice everything for greater power, especially if they believed it was the only way to end their suffering.
The anger and disappointment she was feeling initially began to dissipate as she couldn't bring herself to stay that angry at him after learning about what he went through. It also seemed the trial did really change or influence him in a way.
Maybe Naida also got influenced. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense for a woman like her to throw away her self-respect and act in such an indecorous and shameless way. It was also extremely risky for her to engage in such an act since if even a single rumor got out, it would be over for her. Naida also never struck her as such kind of a woman from the years she knew her.
However, despite understanding all this, she didn't want to let him off easy since, in the end, he did make a choice, "So you developed feelings because of my ancestor's memories and feelings? Are you blaming him now?" She asked with her arms crossed and her icy gaze still piercing into his soul. Grasping her arms gently, Asher sought to affirm his sincerity, his voice imbued with earnestness, "No. I am not blaming him. I am just saying that I couldn't control it. I am not saying I am not at fault here. It just suddenly happened before I could do anything even though Naida did try to stop me. It's the whole truth," Asher knew it was wrong to get involved with a married woman, but now that things happened, there was no going back.
He also didn't want Rowena to think of Naida in a bad light nor did he want to let go of Naida.
Rowena's response, a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of her thoughts, signaled a shift in the storm, "I know you are telling the truth. And I know that you weren't planning for all this to happen. I also understand that the trial did influence your feelings to a great extent. But..." Her words trailed off, leaving Asher in suspense, his breath caught in the balance of her judgment and grace.
"But you really don't know how to control this thing you call your 'little dragon', do you even after Naida tried to stop you?" Rowena said with a narrowed gaze while her extended forefinger pressed onto his crotch, her sharp nail threatening to pierce through.
Asher's muscles unconsciously tensed as he wryly chuckled and said, "It wouldn't be a dragon if I knew how to fully control it, right? But that's also one reason why I can't stay away from you."
He felt like he was walking on a very thin rope and winced slightly as he felt the pressure from her finger increasing. For Rowena to act like this, she must be really upset and mad. He had never seen her like this.
Rowena shook her head, "Flattery won't get you anywhere. But if you really can't control it like you say, do you need my help? I read from somewhere that I can employ ancient arts to manipulate the blood in your body in such a way that your little dragon will only rise and obey me even when I am not near you," As she said, her crimson eyes seemed to flicker with an ominous light.
Asher's eyes widened as he unconsciously grabbed onto her finger that was pressing onto his crotch, "Wait a minute. You can't be…serious, right?" Asher couldn't read her thoughts or emotions from her icy face. He didn't believe she would do something like that. But then again, she was a demon, and they can get quite unpredictable.
He can't imagine his little dragon getting crippled like that. It felt almost as bad as becoming soulless.
But to his relief, Rowena suddenly took a step back as she lowered her finger and looked at him with a hint of amusement in her eyes, "Did you really believe that?"
Asher chuckled in disbelief as he planted his hand against his forehead, "Who taught you to mess with me like this? And did you really learn any such so-called ancient arts?"
Asher didn't expect Rowena to tease him in such an unsettling way, though he could see how she would only know how to tease like that.
Rowena's lips broke into a soft, amused smile as she said, "While you were away, I visited certain libraries in our kingdom in disguise to learn ways to make you happier as your wife. It was in one of such places where I found a hidden archive that explained ancient methods women used on their men to ensure absolute and undivided attention from their husbands. I never expected there were women who would use such methods to strengthen their bond with their husbands," Rowena's eyes briefly glowed with wonder, as if she was still intrigued by the existence of such arts.
"Strengthen their bonds??" Asher let out a scoff of disbelief and added, "Rona, you shouldn't go to these bad places and read these immoral arts. I am sure only depraved women used such arts. Next time you want to know something, you can ask me," His voice, though gentle, carried an undertone of protective reprimand.
Asher felt Rowena was innocent when it came to matters like these and was afraid that these debased books and archives might corrupt her. If anyone should corrupt her, it should be him.
Rowena felt the corners of her lips tingling upon seeing him getting this worked up when she only read such things out of curiosity and had no plans to use them. She would never want to cage the man she loved like that.
But she found it amusing to tease him like this. She then added, "Ceti was the one who told me that you love your little dragon more than your own life and that you are very proud of it. So she asked me to teach you a small lesson to make sure you would keep it in check. Only now, I realized that she was completely right. I should have warned you earlier."
"Ceti huh...I should have known," Asher chuckled, shaking his head in fond exasperation, acknowledging the possessive streak he knew all too well in Ceti. Yet, as his laughter faded, concern for her well-being resurfaced, "I should now go and check up on her. She might be awake now."
Rowena nodded as she said, "You should do that. I will go and see her once I am done here. But..." Rowena's brows furrowed as she added, "...I know I don't have to say this, but now that things have already happened and I know you aren't going to give up on her, I still want your word that you won't do anything that would compromise yourself or this kingdom. Our kingdom is living through a dangerous time where we can't afford to upset certain people."
Asher knew Rowena was indirectly telling him to be discreet about his relationship with Naida.
Asher's assurance was immediate, his smile filled with the sincerity of his intentions, "Of course. I am not that out of control to not be careful. I am really sorry about how things unfolded, but I promise I will fix all this in my own way. I just need some time."
His words were a balm to Rowena's unspoken fears as she nodded, "I know. But one day or the other, you will still have to deal with the consequences, including Vernon and House Valentine. I hope you will know how to handle it in the right way."
Asher's expression turned serious as he nodded, "I will."
"With that out of the way, what are you going to do about Oberon? I know he isn't a prince this kingdom needs, but it is bad for our kingdom to let him remain imprisoned, and everyone thinks we are not doing anything to help one of our own. We can't afford to seem callous at a time like this," Rowena said with a serious expression.
Asher narrowed his eyes as the gears in his mind turned before he answered with a smile, "I will deal with it. Just leave it to me," Asher felt that he could use this golden opportunity to strike two birds with one stone.
Rowena blinked as she felt surprised to feel the confidence in his voice, though she decided to leave it to him as he said.
But suddenly, she remembered what Lysandra said to her when she tried to get to Asher's unconscious body. Why did it seem like she wasn't trying to capture or kill him but something else?
The thought lingered in her mind as she saw Asher walk out of the hall.
Should Rowena have used those "ancient arts" on him?
