The Crown's Fire - Chapter 204

Chapter 204: A Tough One
Asura turned sharply, her eyes narrowing as she faced the source of the voice. There stood Kasper, leaning casually against a tree with a smirk plastered on his face.

“Kasper,” she said, her tone a mix of surprise and annoyance.

The soldiers quickly dispersed, eager to flee the scene.

“I couldn’t resist witnessing your display of loyalty and valor,” Kasper replied, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Quite the impressive speech, Lady Asura.”

Asura crossed her arms, her irritation mounting. “I’m just ensuring those soldiers understand the truth about our Queen Regent. Their gossip is disrespectful and unfounded.”

Kasper straightened and walked closer, his smirk softening into a more serious expression. “And you did an admirable job. But remember, not everyone will be convinced by words alone. Actions speak louder.”

Asura’s glare softened slightly, but she remained resolute. “The Queen Regent deserves respect, and I’ll make sure she gets it, one way or another.”

Kasper nodded, his eyes briefly flickering with admiration. “Just be careful. Not everyone appreciates such fierce interruption.”

Asura huffed, brushing off his concern. “I can handle myself, Kasper. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to.”

Kasper watched her for a moment longer before stepping aside with a mock bow. “As you wish, Lady Asura.”

With that, Asura turned on her heel and strode to look for Cora but halted. She turned around and frowned, seeing Kasper behind her. “Are you stalking me?” she questioned with a raised brow.

“Excuse me, Milady. Why would I stalk you? Aren’t you a bit presumptive? I’m on my way to my tent. Must I remind you that you’re in Ebodia’s camp?” Kasper defended with a twitched mouth.

“Apologies then, Milord… for being presumptive,” Asura scoffed before turning back to continue walking. She immediately spotted Lady Cora and rushed in her direction.

“Lady Cora, are you going to sleep now?” she asked as soon as she reached her.

“Hmm, I’m planning to,” Cora answered.

“Goodnight then, I’ll see you tomorrow…” Asura quickly said.

“Wait, why are you looking for me?” Cora asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing, it’s just I can’t sleep yet, so I thought I could chat. We can do it tomorrow. I’ll just come back tomorrow.” Asura said with a kind smile and quickly turned around to leave, thinking she should rest and just sleep early like the others.

She halted when Kasper suddenly popped up beside her and whispered, “Do you want to have a drink with me? You look like you’re bored.”

She glared at him and hissed, “I will not share a drink with you nor sleep with you!”

With that, she rushed back to their camp and headed inside her tent. Asura fumed, her thoughts racing. Why would he ask her for a drink late at night like that when they were clearly not close? “He just wants to sleep with me like any other man!” she muttered to herself. She would never fall for such an approach.

Trying to calm down, she paced her tent, replaying the interaction in her mind. Did she misinterpret his intentions? No, she was sure of it. Men always had ulterior motives, and she wasn’t about to be fooled.

Meanwhile, Kasper scratched his head and murmured, “What’s wrong with that woman? I’m making efforts to make peace with her, so why does she keep hissing and barking at me like an annoyed little fox?” He gently scratched his chin, eyes narrowing in the direction Asura had gone.

“This is not good. Why do I have a feeling that the two of us will keep crossing paths in the future? Ah, I don’t like this feeling. It’s so weird…” Kasper commented as he gently caressed his chest.

“My heart is thumping with a weird rhythm…” he mumbled.

“Huh? The celibate Master Kasper’s heart is beating?! Are you perhaps in love?” Elijah’s voice interrupted as he snatched the bottle from Kasper’s hand.

“Are you going to have a drink alone? You should share this special bottle, Master! Share it with this great disciple of yours!” Elijah beamed.

Kasper sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile. “You always have impeccable timing, Elijah. But fine, let’s share the bottle. Just don’t expect any juicy love stories.”

Elijah laughed, taking a swig from the bottle before handing it back. “Oh, come on, Master. You’ve got to give me something. Who’s the lucky lady?”

Kasper rolled his eyes, taking a sip. “It’s not like that. Just someone who seems determined to misunderstand me at every turn.”

Elijah raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Sounds interesting. Maybe you just need to show her your charming side.”

Kasper chuckled. “If only it were that simple. She seems a tough one.”

“Wait… Are you serious? I mean, I’m just kidding, but you… Didn’t you just cry a river last summer because that Lady Lena from Cordon turned you down?” Elijah questioned, looking incredulous.

“I’m appalled too, to be honest. Lady Asura is not my type at all, unlike Lady Lena who fits all the physical appearance I want in a woman. But I feel weird whenever this Asura is near… It’s like I’m smitten,” Kasper admitted with a frown.

Elijah laughed. “That means your feelings for Lady Lena were shallow since you moved on so easily. I remember you saying you couldn’t accept being turned down after so many years of not looking at a woman in your drunkard state. I think Lady Lena just hurt your pride as a man, but not your heart. It’s your ego that got broken.”

Kasper sighed, taking another sip from the bottle. “You might be right. Maybe it was just my ego. But this… this thing with Asura feels different.”

Elijah leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. “Sounds like you’ve got a real challenge on your hands. Maybe that’s exactly what you need. Like you always say, the best things in life never come easy.”

Kasper shook his head, still bewildered by his own feelings. “Maybe. But it doesn’t make it any less confusing. Well, I’ll figure it out soon enough.”