Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix - Chapter 404

Chapter 404: Towards the glade
The rocky road leading out from the capital caused the elegant carriage to bounce. A male driver chews on tobacco while holding the reins, his brow covered in beads of sweat.

Meanwhile, inside, Asura sits with his eyes closed, relaxing on the soft leather seat filled with smooth padding.

On his lap, Lucia sits, hugging his neck while smiling to herself. A feeling of liberation after quitting her role as a Royal Guard and now becoming his knight.

‘Thanks to the queen~ I can be with you always, Asura.’

She watched him sleeping, her hands stroking his smooth cheeks, wondering how he avoided stubble.

To the side was Helliana—she never caused issues and gave a gentle smile to Lucia when she looked over to make sure there wasn’t a problem with her hogging Asura.

“What’s the matter, Lucia?” Her sensual voice echoed through the carriage, causing her to jump.

“A-Ah… nothing, I just wondered if you wanted to be closer?”

“To Asura?”

“Yeah…”

“—Well, of course, I would love that. But you haven’t had much time with Asura either, right? And look at him, how often do you think he gets to sleep like this?”

Helliana’s words caused Lucia to gasp, her mouth opening wide as she realised that the times she saw Asura peacefully sleeping were close to the number of fingers on her hands.

‘Even when he sleeps at night, he’s rarely at ease or able to turn himself off like this, I wonder why he can now?’

Lucia noticed Helliana watching her and tilted her head. “What?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t you realise he can sleep because he is relieved to be around you?”

“Eh? However, we don’t have a great bond, he spends more time with Xavida, Mu Xue and the princess…”

“True, because they are the ones who need him most. Asura is quite perceptive, and understands that there are a few of us who can wait for him even if it takes months, years or more…”

Helliana’s words were always like a mother, or an older person speaking with great wisdom or life experience. It made Lucia feel convinced while she wondered about something else.

‘Is it not because you are here that he can relax so peacefully? I know you are the woman closest to him, yet you give us all space and our chances while being patient…’

The carriage hit a deep ditch, bumping heavily, causing Asura’s body to shift.

Asura’s head fell onto the bountiful chest of Helliana, who welcomed him with open arms without a sound.

“Fufu, I have loved him for so long, even if it takes another ten years to become his woman. I would happily await his embrace with a smile, Lucia. Does that answer your thoughts?”

‘Eh?! She can read my thoughts!!’

“You… can read my–”

“Nono, you are just too cute, and all your thoughts are shown on your face despite being a shade—with Asura, you seem to collapse. Tell me, when did you stop being the flirtatious instructor Lucretia and became such a lovely woman?”

Lucia climbed off Asura, then placed his legs up on the carriage seat, watching him with a gentle smile, her lips slightly parted.

“I don’t know, the moment I started to fall for him, the thought of that kind of action made me feel wrong, so I stopped…”

“I see, that’s quite admirable. Perhaps, I will follow suit? But if I’m honest, I would feel uncomfortable if I didn’t tease Asura a little~”

“Hmph! If you curled your fingertip and said his name with that sexy tone, he would jump into your bed at any moment!” Lucia seemed to feel jealous towards Helliana.

“Oh? Is that what you think?” Helliana’s eyes were sharp as she responded as if Lucia had touched on an interesting topic.

“That is what I know.” Lucia’s voice sounded certain. It was as if she could prove that fact with evidence. “After all, the way Asura looks at you is different compared to everyone else…”

“Oh? Then tell me, how does he look at me, Lucia?”

“Well, first, when you speak, his eyes are focused on you, then when you turn to him, they are stuck to your face, as if he is searching for something within them.”

“Go on, how else?” Helliana’s eyes were wide as her interest piqued.

“When you walk, his eyes drift to your hips, then your butt and thighs. If you leave the room, his hand will reach out as if scared you might disappear. I am always in his shadow… able to see his subtle movements and actions.”

Helliana was quiet, her breathing becoming somewhat quick, and her breasts rose and fell with each breath. “Anything else?”

“Yeah, it’s when you sit near him, or he gets to touch your skin by accident. The way his face changes, his pupils dilate, and his heart races faster than any other time I am inside his shadow…”

“You don’t mean, is it that easy to tell?”

“No, I only noticed recently after spending more time with Asura. At first I didn’t know it was you, and thought it was just how he reacted to all his women. However, I know you are special now.”

Helliana remained quiet, her face flushing a deep red as her eyes drifted to Asura’s relaxed face, his eyelids fluttering, showing he was deep in sleep.

“That’s fine, it’s natural. I am his first love, but to think you noticed things even I couldn’t…”

“I have always had sharp eyes. I was told by Lorem that my skill wasn’t my flexible body, or how fast I learned martial skills… but my keen eyes, that see things most would ignore.”

“How wonderful. Then tell me, what do you see when you look at me, Lucia?”

Helliana’s voice became deeper, her eyes were bright, and her aura seemed to flutter as if worried and excited about having herself exposed at the same time.

“The woman whose love for Asura is the most intense, her obsession cannot be compared, even Freya looks tame compared to the feeling your eyes show when seeing Asura with other women… I just don’t understand how you hold yourself back when your entire body is almost screaming for his touch and affection…”

“Because I love him… so I’m willing to wait… as long as it takes…”

Lucia couldn’t believe the words Helliana spoke. Her voice was calm and serene, her eyes closing with a beautiful smile.

‘Yet she’s crazy…. her distorted love is so intense it’s practically forming a tangible aura!’

“You are truly a monster of love, Helliana…”

“Thank you, Lucia.” Helliana’s tone was playful. Her eyes opened as she looked at Lucia. “Perhaps it is because of the way I was raised? Or the things I experienced by his side… from the moment we met, he has been the most precious existence to me.”

She then began to adjust her hair to avoid it falling onto his face while Helliana stroked his cheek with a gentle smile.

“His love is something I cherish and want to protect. So please, if there is one thing I ask of you… is not to allow him to stray too far. Asura is someone who attracts women to him like flies, and if we aren’t careful… we may lose him.”

“Don’t worry, I have no intention of letting him go.”

“Good… I’m happy to hear that, Lucia. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“Nn…”

The carriage became quiet as the gentle breeze blew through the opened window.

Two hundred metres behind them was the carriage of Ignis, Rasha and Yufa and the huge caravan of knights who would follow them to the Phoenix Glade.

“We should rest for the night.”

The carriage came to a halt, and the driver’s voice caused the women to nod.

“Let’s wake him.”

Lucia’s hands stroked the cheeks of Asura, watching his face relax with a gentle expression.

“Lucia, thank you for keeping my secret from the others. I appreciate it.” Helliana’s soft voice sounded as she returned to the carriage with three bowls of hot soup and bread. Her atmosphere always felt so homely and comfortable, like a warm blanket that would soothe the soul.

“Of course, Helliana, I don’t see why it needs to be known, anyway. Besides, I don’t think the other’s would stand a chance if you were as selfish as them, haha.”

Lucia watched as Helliana sat close to Asura, her hand reaching out for his cheek before she bit her lower lip. “If I were to let my guard down and live only by my feelings… I don’t know if I could avoid killing you all.”

‘Eh, that’s a bit scary!’ Lucia watched Helliana’s eyes as she spoke those words and felt the pressure. There was a violent and terrifying light in her eyes that made Lucia, who was a shade, feel fear.

“It’s best you keep it a secret, Lucia. You’re right, not many women could accept my feelings and true face and be able to remain friends with me.”

Lucia nodded as she understood Helliana was a danger to the other women. Her love and obsession were something that made her skin crawl when she noticed Helliana suddenly standing over Asura’s bed in the middle of the night.

Helliana would sneak into the room and watch him silently… as if waiting to ensure he was safe and well.

“Here, eat. You must be hungry.”

Lucia took the bowl and sat on the opposite side, her eyes watching the relaxed face of Asura.

‘I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings…’

The other carriages soon joined them and started to enjoy their food and drink. The Knights ate and drank, laughing and singing as the mood was cheerful, their spirits high.

“Asura, wake up.” Helliana’s voice sounded as she shook Asura’s body, causing his eyelids to flutter.

“Nnn… Helliana…?” Asura’s voice was groggy, his eyes blinking several times as he tried to get his bearings.

“Come and have some food.”

Asura nodded and sat up, stretching his arms before accepting a bowl of soup and bread.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Did you sleep well?”

“Mm… Better than usual, I had a strange dream… but I don’t remember who or what it was about.”

Asura ate his food and looked around, noticing the carriages were stopped and the sun was setting in the distance.

‘So, this is the second day. Hmm, the air feels better and less humid. I wonder how long it will take to arrive.’ Helliana thought to herself.

Unable to wait to see the home of Asura, and hoped they could have a look around before leaving for the east.

The evening was spent chatting with the other knights and guards, telling stories about their adventures or the best training they did in their lives.