Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 163

Chapter 163: Leaving II

Loyd absently watched Chloe, who was happily sitting and chatting with Aiden. Her eyes sparkled with joy, which only fueled Loyd’s anger as he saw her being so content with another boy. His fists clenched tighter, and a storm of emotions brewed within him, jealousy and frustration boiling to the surface. The image of Chloe’s happiness with Aiden was a stark contrast to the turmoil he felt inside, intensifying his resentment and sense of betrayal.

“Can you tell me more about him?” Loyd asked calmly. Though he had fallen for Chloe at first sight, he knew he couldn’t act rashly without understanding the situation.

The old man nodded, thinking Loyd’s interest in the boy was a sign of potential friendship. He began to introduce Aiden. “He was once Chloe’s butler. But when he awakened his Grade 8 spirit, the King decided to marry him to Chloe. Not to mention, Princess Chloe was in favor of it.”

Loyd smiled as he listened, feeling immense joy bubbling inside him. ‘So, he was merely a butler. It’s just a Grade 8 spirit that caused the King to engage him to Princess Chloe,’ he thought, sneering inwardly. ‘A mere Grade 8 spirit is nothing compared to my Grade 9 spirit.’

Loyd’s mind raced with schemes. He envisioned humiliating Aiden in front of Chloe, showcasing his superior Grade 9 Soul Devouring Hell Dagger, and eventually taking Aiden’s place as Chloe’s fiancé. The plan took shape in his mind, filling him with a sense of new goal.

The old man, seeing Loyd smiling oddly, felt a pang of confusion and decided to leave, vanishing from sight. Loyd rubbed his eyes in disbelief as he tried to locate him but ultimately gave up.

“Did he go to hunt other assassins?” he wondered, dismissing the thought as he turned his attention back to Aiden and Chloe.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” A beautiful voice echoed inside his mind.

Loyd nodded. “Having royal backing will definitely help me in the future.”

The beautiful woman residing inside the necklace around his neck rolled her eyes. ‘Do you think I’m some fool?’ she thought. ‘You’re clearly interested in that girl.’

She sighed inwardly. ‘If not for this idiot and pervert being the child of the world’s will, I would have killed him myself. But alas, I need him to get my physical body back.’

Reluctantly, she told Loyd to do whatever he wished, resigning herself to the situation. Loyd, emboldened by her permission, began plotting his next move to displace Aiden and win Chloe’s favor, his mind abuzz with ambition and desire.

His eyes flickered as if someone set them ablaze as he gazed at Chloe.

*****

The next day, as Chloe and Aiden sat together to eat lunch, an uninvited guest approached them.

“Can I sit here?” Loyd asked Chloe, deliberately ignoring Aiden.

Aiden yawned as he saw Loyd. Yesterday, he had already received notification that this idiot was a Child of Fate, with a quest either to kill him or make him his slave. As expected, like a true mindless Child of Fate, this guy had come to provoke him.

‘Hmm, usually I would feel amused, but why am I feeling anger now?’ Aiden wondered, puzzled by his increasingly volatile emotions over the past few days.

[It’s the Dragon Spirit’s effect, fueling you with immense pride,] Nexus answered. [Don’t worry, it’s newly awakened, so it’s not much under your control. With time, you will learn to manage it properly.]

Aiden nodded and ignored Loyd. He picked up his fork and knife, beginning to eat his dish. Chloe, being a carefree girl, allowed Loyd to sit with them. ‘She probably thought he’s our age and that we could be friends,’ Aiden thought, glancing at Chloe and Loyd.

Loyd, on the other hand, noticed that Aiden didn’t seem very interested in Chloe talking with him. ‘He’s probably only after her wealth,’ Loyd thought, convinced of his own righteousness. ‘It’s good she met a good guy like me, or who knows what this guy would have done to her,’ he mused as he watched Aiden eat carelessly.

Fortunately, Aiden couldn’t hear his thoughts, or he might have labeled Loyd as a mentally ill person.

Their lunch finished, and Chloe hopped over to Aiden, excitedly suggesting, “Let’s go explore the lake.”

The campsite was situated near a serene lake, its waters crystal clear and reflecting the azure sky. The gentle breeze caused ripples on the surface, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow. Surrounding the lake were lush green meadows dotted with colorful wildflowers, their fragrance mingling with the fresh scent of pine trees from the nearby forest.

Just a hundred meters away, a majestic waterfall cascaded down a rocky cliff, its waters crashing into a sparkling pool below. The sound of the waterfall was both powerful and soothing, a constant, rhythmic roar that added to the tranquil atmosphere of the campsite. Mist from the waterfall caught the sunlight, forming delicate rainbows that arched across the pool, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale.

The forest beyond the waterfall was dense and vibrant, with tall, ancient trees whose leaves formed a verdant canopy. Birds flitted through the branches, their songs blending harmoniously with the sound of rushing water. Occasionally, a deer or a family of rabbits could be seen drinking from the lake’s edge, adding to the idyllic charm of the setting.

Aiden and Chloe walked along the shore, the soft grass cushioning their steps. Chloe’s eyes sparkled with wonder as she pointed out various plants and animals, her enthusiasm infectious. Aiden couldn’t help but smile at her excitement, finding a rare moment of peace in the picturesque scenery.

Chloe tugged at Aiden’s sleeve, pulling him toward the waterfall. “Look at that rainbow! Isn’t it beautiful?” she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.

Aiden nodded, appreciating the beauty around them. “It really is,” he replied, his earlier irritation melting away in the presence of such natural splendor.

“Princess Chloe, look at this flower. I think it will suit your hair. How about you wear it as a hair accessory?” Loyd suddenly said, causing Aiden’s frustration to return in full force.

Aiden looked at Loyd with dead eyes, his anger barely restrained. He considered the situation—a dirt-poor weed growing in front of him—and decided to let it flourish before uprooting it.

Chloe, oblivious to Aiden’s inner turmoil, snatched the flower from Loyd’s hand. Placing it near the side of her hair, she asked, “How is it, Aiden?”

“It doesn’t look good on you. Throw it away,” Aiden said curtly.

Chloe immediately discarded the flower. “I didn’t like its color anyway,” she said, falling back into step with Aiden as they continued their stroll.

Loyd, standing by the broken flower on the ground, felt a surge of anger and helplessness. “Dammit, what’s so good about him?” he mumbled, then ran after them, determination steeling his resolve. ‘It’s time for plan no. 2,’ he thought as he gazed at their backs.

His eyes lit up as he spotted a group of Seasonal Deer nearby. Approaching the pair, he suggested, “How about we hunt?” He pointed towards the deer.

Aiden and Chloe stopped to look at the deer. Aiden almost laughed out loud but managed to control himself as Chloe shouted at Loyd.

“You meanie, how can you kill them?” she yelled, summoning her spirit and attacking Loyd with her sword. Loyd jumped around like a monkey, dodging her strikes.

Aiden watched in amusement. Seasonal Deer were special animals that changed their hide color with the seasons—bright green in spring, yellow in autumn, red in summer, and white in winter. Their unique trait made them popular pets among nobles. Chloe had a herd of them in her garden back home, and they were her favorites. She used to play with them often and missed them dearly. It was no wonder she was furious at Loyd’s suggestion to kill them.

“Stop it, Chloe,” Aiden finally said, stepping in to end her angry assault on Loyd.

Chloe pouted but lowered her sword. “Fine,” she said, casting one last glare at Loyd.

Loyd, catching his breath, realized he had underestimated Chloe’s attachment to the deer. His plan backfired spectacularly, but he was not ready to give up. As they resumed their walk, he silently vowed to find another way to win Chloe’s favor and outshine Aiden.

‘But first, I need to know her likes and dislikes, or who knows I might once again offend her,’ he thought. Gritting his teeth, he left them and ran back to camp, hoping to find the old man or talk with others about Chloe.

‘Dammit, I don’t want to leave them alone, but I don’t have any other choice,’ he thought as he heard laughter from behind him. The sound of their joy only fueled his determination.

Back at camp, Loyd searched frantically for the old man. He finally found him resting near a fire, seemingly relaxed and unaware of the turmoil in Loyd’s mind. Approaching him, Loyd steeled his resolve.