Lying on the bed, it felt as if the blood in my body was boiling fiercely after hearing that response.
The desire to hold her in my arms grew even more intense.
Seeing her hesitate, I could no longer bear it. The thought of embracing her flooded my mind, overwhelming it, leaving me unable to think of anything else.
I sat up, lifted her into my arms, and placed her on the bed. I gently lay down facing her, wrapping my arms around her slender frame, slowly pulling her closer.
So soft, so warm, so exhilarating. I felt as if I were the happiest person in the world. It was as though this was the moment I had been waiting for all along.
Facing her dreamy eyes, her cheeks flushed pink, her full lips so alluring.
I could feel her sweet, warm breath. Taking a deep breath,
I was about to say her heart was beating so fast, but suddenly, she threw herself into my chest, her face pressed tightly against it, whispering softly,
"We're only allowed to sleep, okay?"
I didn't respond, only held her closer in my arms. In my embrace, she felt so small, so obedient, so delightful.
We held each other tighter, pressing ourselves closer. It was as if we wanted to melt into one.
I let her lie beneath me. Her clothes were now disheveled, her long hair spread out, her eyes tightly closed, her face flushed pink.
Looking at her full, rosy lips, they seemed to beckon me forward… to taste… to do what needed to be done.
My mind was consumed by a burning desire to claim those lips, scorching my thoughts. All I could think of was kissing her. It erupted like a whirlwind of emotions sweeping through my mind, leaving everything in disarray.
The moment our lips were about to touch, when emotions reached their peak, a thought flashed through my mind:
"How do I kiss her?"
My mind suddenly went blank.
Everything fell silent.
I regained control over my body.
My mind cleared, as if I had just woken from a dream.
The storm of desire became chaotic.
Thoughts like "How do I kiss her?" or "Just do it!" swirled in my mind, but they were quickly pushed aside by the stronger will within me.
I looked at Princess Flora before me. She was like a ripe apple, waiting to be savored.
But I had regained control. The passionate emotions from before gradually dissipated.
Flora noticed me pause before her lips for a long time. Unable to hold back, she opened her eyes.
Our faces were so close.
…
I slowly sat up, but Flora wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me back.
"Who exactly are you?"
I…
—…
She continued,
"At the Sylvia Court, you turned the tables, confident and wise, crushing all the officials. That version of you was both terrifying and domineering. I really hated that version of you.
But when you're with me, you're foolish yet understanding, and so brave. I really like that version of you.
Just now, and now, you seem like two completely different people. Which one is the real you?"
I gently untangled her hands.
"The person you saw at the Sylvia Court is the real me."
I sat up and got off the bed, but she grabbed my hand once more. Her voice was pleading, desperate.
"Don't leave. Don't leave me."
For a fleeting moment, barely noticeable,
those emotions returned, flooding my mind. I couldn't stop them.
…
I turned back, lay beside her, held her in my arms, and said,
"I won't leave you again."
…?
A moment later,
face to face,
"I know who the real you is now," she said.
Then she climbed on top of me, pointing at my chest.
"My heart tells me the real you is right here, right now. Those other moments are just another side of you. Perhaps you've grown too used to wearing that mask, and that's why you've become like this."
…
A bolt of lightning flashed through my mind, illuminating something in that brief moment. But just as quickly, I was swept back into the rising tide of emotions.
Brushing her hair behind her ear, revealing her radiant, flushed face,
"Why do you think that? Aren't you afraid I might use that to deceive you?"
She shook her head, holding my face with both hands.
"I see you clearly, very clearly. And if I'm wrong, I'll bear the consequences myself."
Then she placed my hand on her chest and said,
"At this moment, our hearts are beating as one, aren't they?"
…
I pulled her up to sit, took her hand, and placed it over my heart.
"It's miraculous. I see you too."
Flora smiled.
"So, there's a place for me in your heart now, isn't there?
You probably don't know, but the royal bloodline of Sylvia Kingdom has a special trait. When we're close and intimate with someone we truly love, our heartbeats synchronize with theirs. Only when two people genuinely love each other can this rite be fulfilled.
This rite is something that can only be performed once in a lifetime, during marriage. So, you must cherish it."
I held her in my arms, treasuring her.
"I will cherish every moment with you."
She smiled happily.
"I once said I'd show you the real me. Do you want to see it now?"
"I do."
…
Flora looked at me seriously.
"What did you think of me before?"
"Someone strong, with a heart that understands, and a bit foolish too."
Her cheeks flushed, trying to hide a smile.
"No way! Why do you see me like that?"
…
Regaining her composure,
she lay beside me, slowly recounting.
"I'm not like what you said. The old me was very… very selfish, extreme, and emotionless toward everything around me. Sometimes, I felt like a walking corpse. That kind of life dragged on, making me lose interest in everything. In the past, I did many things that lacked humanity. Thinking back now, I feel so guilty."
I held her, comforting her.
"So, your punishment is falling for someone like me? Well… I don't care much about what you did before. I only know that right now, you're a wonderful, sweet girl. That's enough… Ahem, just do more good deeds to make up for it in the future."
Flora buried herself in my chest, chuckling softly.
"As long as you're by my side, I'll do everything to atone for my past mistakes."
We looked at each other for a moment and giggled.
I wanted to kiss her. Our lips slowly drew closer.
At that moment,
footsteps rushed toward the room and stopped outside. It was Rose.
"Big brother, are you in there?"
I thought, *'That damned Rose.'*
I stopped. She blushed and buried her face in my chest.
"What is it?"
"Can I come in?"
"No. I'm not fully dressed."
…
"Big brother, hurry up. It's getting late.
I'm going to call Flora. I don't know where she's been all afternoon."
With that, she left.
I sighed inwardly.
Flora, still in my arms, crawled up to look at me.
"You and Sister Lily only have a pure sibling bond, right?"
"Are you jealous?"
"Yes, I'm jealous. I just want you to be mine alone. The world out there is scary. What if someone else deceives or bullies you?"
"What are you thinking? I'm very smart, you know. Lily and I are just close siblings. She's sensible and kind, and she's helped me a lot.
She and I are just siblings, nothing more. You're the only one I have."
I felt like I forgot something. It probably wasn't important if I forgot it.
…
"Are you telling the truth? I'll trust you for now."
She sat up.
"My clothes are all messed up because of you. You have to help me fix them."
…
She sat neatly on a chair, watching me fumble shyly, trying to untie the knots of her clothing.
"Brother? Have you never done this before? Didn't you do this with Sister Liora before?"
I froze. Memories suddenly flooded back. Painful longing, enough to drive me mad.
Tears fell uncontrollably from my eyes.
"I… What's happening? Sister Liora…? I remember now."
The memories of pain and loss surged back. I regained my clarity.
Looking at the disheveled girl before me…
But those emotions—what had they done? Those fleeting memories.
How could I have done this to her?
I needed to stay calm.
I said to her seriously,
"Flora, that wasn't me just now. (*He was from another world.*)"
Flora stared at me, as if trying to see through my soul.
After everything I'd done to her, I could only avoid her gaze.
"In short, the me right now isn't him. Stay away from me. Don't follow me tonight, or ever again."
With that, I hurriedly left the room. Looking back at the room, I set up a barrier to seal the area.
Once everything was done, I looked at myself.
How could this happen? Could I have been wrong about myself?
No. I'm still right. I am the culmination of the strongest parts of all my past lives.
But those emotions for Flora were stronger, so they took control.
Why did it happen like that? Could there be some rule I don't yet know?
Between worlds, there's always something shared—that's the true reality. About my life on Earth, I don't know much. It's just fragmented memories, not cohesive.
But among them all, he was the most naive and lustful. He yearned for a love of his own.
But why Flora? Clearly, I had been intimate with Luna before, so why not her? Or why not Rose, when we've had just as much contact, and she's even more beautiful than her sister?
Could it be someone from that past life? But my memories aren't complete. Could I have forgotten someone who left such a strong impression?
This needs more clues to unravel. For now, it's best to keep her away from me.
Right. For now, I should focus on saving Sister Liora by performing well in front of the Vitalora Emperor tomorrow.
…
In a grand room, a dignified young man in luxurious attire spoke,
"Brother Noah, is this place comfortable for you?"
The man before me was the current crown prince of the Vitalora Spirit Kingdom, Drakon Vitalora.
"I'm very comfortable. Thank you for your kingdom's hospitality."
"It's just basic hospitality, but for someone as important as you, I must be even more attentive."
"I heard Princess Rose wants to hear the renowned singer Ju Yi from Nocthera Spire perform. So, tonight, I've prepared a welcoming banquet at my residence. I hope the crown prince and the two princesses will honor me with your presence."
"Since the crown prince has invited me, how could I refuse?"
…
At the crown prince's residence,
Drakon raised his glass and said,
"It's a pity Princess Flora couldn't come. But I can't be greedy. Having the two of you here already satisfies me."
"The little princess lacks etiquette. As her older sister, I ask for everyone's forgiveness on her behalf."
"No need for formalities."
…
The banquet was mainly for introductions among the young nobles of the Vitalora Spirit Kingdom. Afterward came the highlight: a performance by the renowned singer Ju Yi.
Ju Yi sat with her back to the audience. Just from her silhouette, I knew it was her. But it was her from the past.
Her music was soulful, like the resonance of nature—harmonious, natural, and utterly magnificent.
When it ended, the echoes lingered.
"Princess Rose, Ju Yi's appearance is inconvenient, and she prefers not to meet others. So, she'll play another piece as an apology."
"Truly a masterpiece."
"Could I invite Lady Ju Yi to perform for my father? He loves music."
"… If the crown prince is so filial, I'll do my best to help."
"Brother Drakon, I've long heard of Lady Ju Yi's talents and have looked into her a bit. I won't let you help for nothing."
"Oh, no, it's not like that. I can certainly help you with this. No need for credit."
"Brother Drakon, I heard…"
…
Rose whispered in my ear,
"Big brother, something's off about Sister Lily."
"This is Lily from before we met her."
"… How is that possible?"
"Just stay quiet and observe."
…
After hours of mingling, the banquet finally ended, and we returned to the guest residence to rest.
On the way back,
"Big brother, what should we do now?"
"What else? Lily will be fine with the crown prince's support. Nothing will happen."
"No, I mean, we've clearly met her before, but you say this is her from the past."
"Let me tell you, when we met in the Soul Realm, it was six years from now. By then, you had been wandering there for six years."
"Big brother, don't trick me. If it's six years ago, why are you here now?"
"If I said I could travel through time, would you believe me?"
"No, that's nonsense."
"Believe what you want, but don't get close to Lily. Follow my lead."
…
Standing before the room, the barrier was still intact.
Opening the door,
Flora was sleeping soundly on the bed.
I gently lifted her and set this matter aside for now.
After bringing her back to her room, I sealed away some of those memories.
This should be put on hold for now.
After everything was settled,
I returned to my room. The disheveled blanket still carried her lingering fragrance.
Standing by the window under the bright moonlight, I tried to piece together the scattered memories from the place called Earth.
His entire life, what he went through with family, with the world, ending at that final moment—a drunken sleep after too much beer and wine, and wild dancing. What a dull death for a life. But his knowledge had been very useful.
All I need to do is save Sister Liora and live a fulfilling life with her, fulfilling his wish.
After all, my life on Earth is over.
…
A night passed, and the sun rose again.
I went to meet the Vitalora Emperor.
"May the Vitalora Emperor be blessed with boundless fortune."
"Crown Prince Sky Noah, no need for formalities. Have you rested well?"
"Thank you for your concern, Vitalora Emperor. I'm well."
"Good. Is Emperor Nguyên still in good health?"
"My father is still robust and vigorous."
"I heard your younger brother was harmed by the Soul Clan and then attacked at night to silence him. The Soul Clan has no regard for our human race. They must be taught a lesson.
Reckless actions will only cause us more harm."
"Crown Prince Sky Noah is a talented man. Surely you won't act rashly and have a plan in mind."
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