Nina's eyes moved up. High. And high. Till her neck was all the way back and she had to take a few steps back before she snapped her neck.
She hadn't slammed into a wall. No. Walls didn't wear clothes and have…
Oh my fucking hell ! It's a man!
Nina's jaw hit the ground from shock.
The man was tall, extremely so, and exuded a cold and powerful aura similar to a wall of pure ice. He wore dark warrior clothes, with a thick white fur coat hanging from his massive shoulders. His hair was long and silver, flowing all the way to his waist, beaded and braided with bright gems. And his eyes were blue, a kind of blue that reminded Nina of winter skies and frozen seas.
On top of his head were two white, extremely fluffy bear ears.
I want to pet his ears! They look so soft!
He was handsome, in a heart arresting manner. The kind that made people take a double look whenever he walked past. Snowflakes floated in the air around him, dissolving fast in the warm air.
"He must me fun to cuddle with," Nina whispered under her breath.
"Your highness," he said, before going down on one knee in front of her and bowing.
Nina's brain stopped working.
Even kneeling, he's still massive! What his height? Seven feet? Nah, that can't be right…
Her thoughts ran helter skelter, as she was completely stunned by his beauty and size. His voice was handsome too, like the rest of him. Deep, with a resonant quality that made Nina sigh and want to close her eyes and listen to him forever.
"Oh…" she squeaked, realizing that he had spoken. "Um…nice to meet you?"
He looked up, sharp eyes boring into hers. She noticed that his eyes were empty. Like a sea without any life inside. Beautiful, but desolate.
"My deepest apologies for my extended stay. I should have sent word much sooner. How have you been faring?"
Nina blinked.
And again.
He tilted his head slightly to the side, his left ear twitching.
So cute! Nina squealed in her head, almost reaching out to touch them.
"Right! And you are…pardon me, I'm having a bit of trouble remembering things lately."
"Deryn, your highness."
Ahhhh shit! He's my fourth…I mean Princess Orchid's fourth husband!
Heat rose to Nina's cheeks. She felt ashamed, even though Noctis had informed her two days ago. "Deryn. Welcome home! Did you um…did you travel well?"
So this is Deryn. Damn, that wicked Princess sure likes handsome men. He's so big and cuddly. And his hands…woah, they're bigger than my head!
She shamelessly checked him out, nodding and humming to herself. Deryn remained calm, if he noticed her actions, it didn't reflect on his face.
"I'm well. I got news of Lev's misguided actions. Are you still injured?"
Nina's happy thoughts fizzled out. She sighed and shook her head. "No. I'm fine. Everything is good."
He rose to his feet slowly. Despite his bulk, he was silent. The only thing that moved was the still air around him. Nina subconsciously took a step back, something inside her warning her to keep her distance.
Deryn bowed, smooth hair swishing over his shoulders. "In that case, I shall take my leave."
She nodded, her breath caught in her throat.
He left, his footfalls silent and lethal. He turned down the corner and vanished, taking the cold with him.
I didn't get to touch his ears,
Nina wondered what kind of relationship he had with Princess Orchid. He didn't seem to hate her, and he even spoke to her with respect.
[you can use your plot reveal to figure it out~] The System dinged.
"Huh? I got two memories. Why can't I use those?"
[the memories don't work that way, hostie. You don't get to choose which one you get~]
Nina pursed her lips in annoyance. She was starting to believe the System was a faulty and useless one.
"So you're saying they're random? And I can use them and get what? A memory of Princess Orchid choosing a dinner dress?"
[exactly~]
"Fuck you."
[so harsh~]
"I think I'll just—" Nina paused. Her ears twitched, and she heard something in the distance. "What's that?" She muttered to herself, taking a step down the corner.
It sounded like commotion.
Nina's heart jumped. The last time she'd heard commotion and rushed forward, it ended in her nearly torn to shreds.
Her feet froze, and fear overcame her heart.
I'm sure it's none of my business anyway. She sighed. About to walk away, she heard someone shout a name.
Deryn!
She turned and rushed down the corner before her brain could catch up with what her feet did.
And then she saw it.
Right in front of Princess Lotus's door was Lev and Deryn. Deryn had Lev by the collar of his shirt, his other hand raised in a fist.
"You hurt my wife," Deryn said, his voice cold and measured.
"She's my wife too." Lev spat back. His hair had come undone, and it flared around his head, the edges sharpening as they glitched.
Nina gasped, her eyes widening. She was right. Deryn was formidable. The size difference between he and Lev was there. Deryn was a full head taller than the General, and much more muscular than him too. The way his fur coat swirled in the wind made him look even more menacing.
"Did that matter when you drew your sword on her?" He said.
"What are you doing now? You're defending her? Like she doesn't deserve to be locked up!"
"The North doesn't forget their bonds. Even if you Easterners care little about them. The bond between man and wife is even more sacred, General."
"I don't care about your sacred bonds. That woman—"
Deryn didn't let him finish.
His fist came down. Hard. Striking Lev square across the face. The sound boomed through the air like a mini explosion. Lev's head knocked to the side, blood spraying out of his mouth.
"Deryn!" Nina screamed, panic lacing her words.
"That's for the first time," Deryn said, calm and measured, as he lifted his bloody fist and hit Lev again. "And that was for the second time. There better not be a third, General." He tossed Lev aside.
Lev slumped against the wall, coughing up blood. His eyes blazed golden as he glared at Deryn. He didn't fight back. He didn't defend himself.
The power difference was clearer than crystal.
Nina's chest heaved. She didn't know if she was scared or impressed.
He punched Lev…for me.
No one has ever stood up for me before. Not even in my previous life.
And he…he hit Lev. Before Lev tried to kill me.
Tears stung the back of her eyes. She felt touched, and warm. She wasn't a fan of violence but this felt different.
[awww~ you made your husbands fight! 20,000 villain points! You're killing it!~]
Nina ignored the System.
"Both of you are perfect for each other," Lev suddenly chuckled. Nina looked at him. Her heart skipped in fear. Lev looked mad, with blood on his face and his teeth, fangs shown as he grinned. "Two monsters. Two perfect monsters."
Deryn ignored him and walked over to Nina. His body blocked her view of Lev, forcing her to look up at him.
"Are you alright, your highness?" He asked quietly.
Nina nodded. "I…you didn't have to do that,"
Deryn went quiet for a few seconds. Then he said "he tried to kill you. Twice. You're my wife, and I must protect you."
"Even if…I mean…I'm not exactly good?"
"It doesn't matter, your highness. My bond is to you till the day I die."
Nina's throat tightened.
Deryn said those words like he had rehearsed them for days. Like they were muscle memory by now. There was no softness behind them, just a sense of duty.
I need to read up on the empires, especially the North.
"We should leave," he said after she remained silent.
"Oh right. Thank you," Nina said.
She walked out, him behind her. She had the urge to turn around and get a look at Lev. And when she did, all she saw was Deryn's chest.
***
It was late at night by the time General Lev returned to his private chambers.
He stepped in only to find Mako lounging on his bed. His jaw worked as his teeth ground together.
"Get out." He spat.
Mako pouted, holding a pillow to his chest and watching Lev with cold eyes. "I heard you got punched today~ how was it? Deryn is a lot stronger now, isn't he~"
Anger flared inside Lev. Along with it the Corruption. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, forcing himself to calm down.
"Mako, get out of my bed. Now." He hissed through clenched teeth.
The shark beastman leapt out of bed, holding a pillow to his chest. "You really crossed the line. Just because you don't have a collar doesn't mean you kill her."
"Like hell you wouldn't do the same." He walked up to Mako. "Swear that if that collar came off you wouldn't rip her throat out."
Mako tilted his head to the side, wet hair draping over his neck. "Hmm…that's a curious question. I haven't thought about it though~"
Lev scoffed. "Liar."
"I'm serious~ what's the point? Cutie is cruel. That's who she is, and who she always has been. But she is still the Princess. You almost killed the Princess."
She deserved it. Lev thought bitterly. If it weren't for her and her evil, Liora would still be here.
"I've had enough of that. Get out."
Lev walked to his desk which was covered with scrolls and scrolls of reports. He sat down, picked one up and glared at it.
Mako watched him and sighed. "Word is she's gonna soothe your corruption now~ lucky you."
Lev bristled. What was lucky about that? That evil woman kept her healing spores to herself for years. And now she's generous enough to help? Lev saw right through her trick. Everything she does is a trick. Especially when she's being kind.
But today, today was different and he didn't know why.
Lev touched his jaw. The swelling had gone down and the pain was minimal. But Deryn had dislocated his jaw.
Damn him.
And because of her? Talking about a stupid bond. This was why Lev hated the Northerners. They believed themselves high and mighty above every other empire with their foolish ideals and customs. And Deryn was prime example of that.
One thing Lev more than the North was having his pride bruised.
And Deryn had done more than that today.
Lev touched his split lip. It hurt. But it didn't hurt as much as watching Deryn protect that woman.
Why did that hurt more?