Read Novel Full Chapter 1041: Cruel Wife
Chapter 1041: Cruel Wife
"But, Jiai... a man sometimes has to do things that feel right to him. I’m sure you’ll understand one day."
The oriental teen scoffed and turned her head away, but her hand came up to hold his where it rested on top of her hair, refusing to let go.
Lucille’s smirk cut through the room. "Indeed... men need to feel validated from time to time. To let themselves know they are appreciated and that their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Just look at this big oaf’s giant grin as he’s basking in the afterglow of his victory, surrounded by his teary-eyed women. I bet he feels immensely masculine right now, hehe!"
His hand shot out and delivered a firm, resounding slap to her ass.
"Mmh~! You didn’t deny it, though..." Lucille’s grin widened as she rubbed the red mark, chuckling in smug satisfaction.
Quinlan refused to meet Lucille’s smug, victorious eyes.
Instead, his gaze slid past her, toward the far corner of the room, where Iris sat with her arms folded, eyes downcast, clearly lost in thought.
A whisper of wind magic stirred. He pretended to cast with both words and hand gestures this time around.
It coiled around her as if they were invisible ribbons, wrapping her in a gentle lift.
"What?! Hey!" Iris’ limbs flailed instinctively, her legs kicking at the air, and her dark hair swaying with every motion of her body. Her brows knit together in irritation. Yet, if she really wanted to, she could have broken free... but she didn’t.
The wind floated her over the bed, ignoring her animated protests, until she was lowered right into the middle of the waiting arms of his. Before she could regain her composure, Quinlan’s arms closed around her in a firm hug.
She didn’t return the gesture, but for now, didn’t draw away either. <What exactly do you think you’re doing?>
<You’re my wife today,> Quinlan said with a big smirk that mirrored Lucille’s previous one. <So, tell me, my pretend wife, how does it look when all the other women are over here celebrating my recovery with warm tears, and you’re sitting alone in the corner, brooding?>
His voice then lowered, suddenly gaining an immense edge to it. <Maybe we’re being watched and some opportunistic faggot will think you’re about to divorce me and try shooting their shot because they think you’re back on the market...>
His aura flared. <We simply can’t have that.>
Her lips curled in disdain. She didn’t hug him back, especially after hearing his words. <I see you’re still the same old shameless opportunist. Getting pummeled in Zhenwu didn’t do you any good.>
She sent Serika a disapproving gaze, but the woman wasn’t part of the harem chat yet. As such, Serika only blinked at Iris with her usual calm confidence.
Iris sighed and returned her attention to Quinlan. <You better stop treating me as if we’re really in a relationship. All we are is comrades in arms... who happen to be undercover today.>
She added, almost teasingly, <I’m free to meet any man I like, and all you can do is... Well, nothing.>
The expression that crossed Quinlan’s face at those words was... dangerous. A sharp, possessive edge carved into his features, one that made it clear exactly how he felt about that train of thought. Рä₦ổＢË𝐒
And for some reason, it made the Child of Reckoning’s lips form a big grin. An uncharacteristic, amused smile slipped out from her usual cold exterior. <You’re far too easy to read.>
Iris lifted her hand and she flicked Quinlan’s forehead with a powerful *thwack!* Iris was much more comfortable making such gestures instead of hugging and crying. It was not nearly enough to hurt someone of his status, of course. Just a little gesture.
At least, that’s what she thought.
Instead of brushing it off with a cocky grin, Quinlan groaned and collapsed backward with dramatic velocity, from his seated position into a lying one. The bed gave an audible *fwumph!* beneath his weight. His arms sprawled out, and his head landed right into Blossom’s juicy thighs.
"Guh..."
Iris’s eyes went wide.
"Wha-!?" Her voice cracked just as her emotional mask completely shattered. "I didn’t mean for that to hurt! Are you okay?!"
She reached out in a flash, both hands hovering over him in a panic, unsure of where to touch. Her usual serious aura had dissolved, leaving behind the flustered panic of a woman who hadn’t expected her action to turn into this.
The others activated themselves.
Lucille gasped and immediately burst into exaggerated sobs, burying her face in her hands. "No!!! He just survived a life-or-death fight!"
Serika looked around in open confusion, caught in the chaos but quickly catching on. "... This is a tragedy."
Ayame’s eyes were wide with fury. "What were you thinking, you dumb brute? He’s still recovering! Do you want to finish him off?!"
"I didn’t flick him that hard! You’re playing a joke on me!" Iris protested just as full panic was now taking root in her heart. "Stop already!"
"My beloved..." Jasmine wailed. She didn’t have any problems doing so, unlike Serika. "You didn’t even make me into a full-blown woman yet... You can’t leave me behind!"
Iris looked like she wanted to dig herself a hole and crawl into it. She climbed on top of his stomach and shook his shoulders. "I’m seriously sorry! Get up! I didn’t think you’d collapse like that!"
And then she stopped.
Her lips trembled as she leaned forward and placed her ear to his chest.
Silence.
No heartbeat. <subtex>.</subtex>
Her eyes widened in horror, and for the first time since escaping the cold, merciless grip of her father’s prison... real tears began to well up. Giant ones, born from deep-rooted guilt and regret.
*BADUMP.*
Tears stopped as she forced her body to remain quiet so that she could listen better.
*BADUMP.*
Two powerful arms shot up, gripping her back and pulling her close.
"Got you," Quinlan chuckled with a teasing tone. His thumb brushed her cheeks, wiping away the tears gently. "You’re far too beautiful even when crying, Wife."
Iris froze.
Her lips parted.
And then her expression twisted, becoming furious. A red hue bloomed over her cheeks as she stared at him with wide, stormy eyes.
"You bastard!" She looked around the room, and suddenly, many women refused to meet her gaze. Only Ayame’s infuriating, smug mug welcomed her eyes. "I hate every single one of you..."
But she didn’t pull away.
Instead, for the first time, she returned the hug, letting her arms wrap awkwardly around his torso.
"I’m going to beat you senseless once you’re recovered."
Quinlan released an amused exhale against her hair. His voice, when it came, was rich and warm. "I’ll be ready."
Around them, the rest of the room finally burst out laughing.
And in the center of it all, Quinlan just held her—his Child of Reckoning—close to his chest, basking in the fragile, rare warmth of a girl who had never been allowed to feel it.
But alas, such peace was not meant to last for the Elysiar family. While Quinlan was recovering, the feast commenced. It was time for them to rejoin the happenings, where a great deal of unexpected events awaited them!
...
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