Bound To The Ice Dragon King
Chapter 81: Need protection?

Chapter 81: Need protection?

Draven froze on the spot, he hadn’t heard anyone address him with such title for decades. He turned slowly towards Aria, his face contorted in a deep frown, and asked, "Who are you?"

He had always sense that Aria was strange, but he couldn’t pinpoint why he felt that way towards her. Furthermore, she seemed to know a lot about dragons than any ordinary human should know. And now, she just addressed him with such title...who was this lady, and how did she know he was a king?

Aria smiled softly and said, "That is not important. I simply want you to understand that Rheanna truly cares about you. Please, never cause her pain and make sure to keep her safe. She will require your protection more than you realize very soon."

Rhea would need his protection?

This thought had never occurred to him before. Ever since he met Rhea, he’d only thought of protecting the core in her body not her, he had only thought about how to use her to his own advantage. He’d heartlessly stabbed her in the cave, forced her to come along with him to this dangerous journey. Made her sympathize with him. Never once did he ever cared about her choice nor opinions.

Moreover, all these months they’d been together, she’d thoughtlessly protected him from getting hurt, she’d helped him at a time where he’d given up on life. But he’d never thought by bringing her to this journey meant opposing her kind and that she, more than anyone, required protection. These realizations only dawned on him upon hearing Aria’s words. He was surprised to know that Rhea genuinely cared for him despite the pain he had inflicted upon her.

_Sweetheart? Spare me. I would rather choose a street beggar as my sweetheart than that fellow. He’s just an irritating pest that constantly shadows me, I can’t wait to get him off my back._

He now realized that he had no right to be angry about those words she had spoken to Aria. Just as Draven was about to respond to Aria, Rhea’s voice echoed loudly through the hallways. "Draven, why are you still inside? Are you so captivated by my friend’s beauty that you don’t want to leave? Come out!"

Without saying much, Draven gave Aria a brief nod and uttered, "Farewell, my lady."

Aria observed as he exited the room and carried on leisurely sipping her tea, "I wish they successed."

Seeing that Draven had exited the room, Rhea started to walk forward while explaining their next plan, "Let’s freshen up before we head to the establishment. We will use the passing cards to enter, and then we will head straight to where your powers are. Last time you said you could sense them, so when we enter, you’ll be our map."

"Mhm." Draven hummed in response.

Rhea, who had been walking ahead of him, suddenly halted and turned around unexpectedly. However, Draven, who was closely following her, didn’t have enough time to stop and ended up colliding with her, causing her to almost fall backwards. But he quickly and firmly grabbed her waist, unintentionally pulling her too hard, resulting in her chest hitting against him.

Her body was as cold as her hands, freezing cold. However, due to his arm encircling her waist and her chest being pressed against him, her body gradually began to warm up. Her heart skipped a beat. But before she could make any attempt to push away, Draven swiftly released her waist and moved two steps away from her. He casually brushed off his coat, as if trying to rid himself of the gentle sensation of her chest, which he’d felt when holding her.

He glanced at her, his expression not changing at all, it was like nothing had happened as he indifferently asked, "What were you saying?"

Rhea’s face stayed flushed for awhile, before she took a deep breath to settle her heated face. However, despite that she didn’t meet his gaze and looked downwards, she almost looked like a shy wife when she said, "Um...if you retrieve your powers, you won’t sink your fangs into my neck or stab me again, will you?"

Draven didn’t reply immediately, he stared at her, he wouldn’t need to take her blood again for this seal, but he could use this opportunity to take her blood to suppress his corruption. In his current condition, he needed her blood so badly. But recalling Aria’s words....

Seeing that Draven didn’t reply, Rhea glanced up at him in astonishment, "Does your silence mean you will sank your scary fangs into my flesh and stab me again?"

Draven could see the fear in her eyes, but he nonchalantly brushed past her and said, "I don’t need your blood this time. The last time, I needed your blood because there was a seal, but this one has no seal since Alina had been using it to refine the essences to make elixirs. Rest assured, I won’t take your blood."

Only after hearing that did Rhea release the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. His fangs were a nightmare she wouldn’t want to experience again. She thought of something else and hurriedly caught up to Draven who had started walking ahead and said,

"Alina is really risking her life for that Enzo, she even dared take out your dragon powers from her seals just to use it for him. You can tell she’s really in love with the poor man."

Draven let out a cold laughter, "You call that love? It’s not love when she doesn’t care about his feelings." His tone turned dark, "She hasn’t changed a bit despite the decades that had pass, she’s still that selfish desperate woman. And very soon, she will know the pain of losing everything."

"..."Rhea didn’t know what to reply to that remark, but silently glanced at his side profile. She could understand his hatred for Alina because it was justified after what she did to him in the past, however she couldn’t help but notice how he was getting consumed by it, he seemed to only live for that one reason, to take revenge.

The pair silently returned to their room and freshen up. When they were done, Rhea tied up her hair and used a magical item given to her by Aria a few days ago to change the color of her hair from sliver to black, to avoid being exposed as Rheanna Villden. "It’s time to go get back your powers!" She exclaimed.

The duo departed from The Den Of Pleasure in a carriage that had been arranged for them. After Rhea changed her hair color, she didn’t need to disguise herself as a man; she simply wore male clothing while maintaining her feminine features. This was because the establishment employed not only men, but also women. Upon arriving at the establishment, they were stopped by the guards at the gates. "Access to this building is restricted unless you have an appointment with Lord Edmund," the guards informed them.

Rhea and Draven presented their cards, stating, "We do have an appointment." As soon as the guards saw the cards bearing the Emperor’s seal, they immediately bowed and stepped aside. The pair confidently walked through the grand gates.

Rhea smiled slyly and whispered to Draven, "Don’t you agree that Aria is both beautiful and intelligent?"

Draven pretended not to hear her words and completely disregarded her comment. Instead, he said, "Let’s go this way."

Rhea pouted, saying, "Hey, you know people who are stingy with compliments aren’t attractive at all." She playfully nudged his arm, but he continued to ignore her. Rhea rolled her eyes and murmured softly, "You’re so dull. It’s no fun talking to you. You’re too cold." Unaware of how her words affected him, his icy expression twitched slightly.

The duo continued to walk through the huge grounds of the building without any obstacles. The guards, being well-versed in protocol, understood not to interfere with the Emperor’s guests. However, as they entered the second section of the building, which led to the dungeon’ entrance, the guards appeared different and more skilled. They even had swords and bows, although they made no attempt to impede them, their alerted gaze never wavered.

Upon reaching a corner, Rhea swiftly pulled Draven to the side. "I doubt these men will permit us entry into the main dungeon. We need to blend in with the other guards; that way, we can avoid being halted."

"Mhm," Draven hummed,"let’s switch clothes with some guards then," he suggested, scanning the grounds before pulling Rhea behind a tree. However, in his haste, he pulled her too hard, causing her to stand uncomfortably close to his chest. She could feel his warm breath tickling her forehead. Nevertheless, he seemed oblivious to their proximity, his attention solely fixated on the guards patrolling the area.

At that moment, it just so happened that two guards were nearing the tree they were hiding behind, with one being of shorter stature and the other taller. Draven gestured to the guards, "The attire of these guys will suit us perfectly." He remarked. But before he could get to action, Rhea moved away from him and began to roll up her sleeves, "Allow me to take care of this." Without giving Draven an opportunity to respond, she quickly charged forward.

Draven’s mouth gaped open as Rhea leapt forward. He didn’t know weather to stop her or stand here and watch her. He recalled Aria’s words again. She wanted him to protect this thug...that could only happen if she allowed him to play the part of a protector.

He watched as she swiftly knocked them out, then motion for him to come over and take off their clothes. However, they suddenly heard Lord Edmund’s voice echoed from the other side.

"What guests?! Why didn’t you bring them to me first or stop them?" Edmund bellowed at the guards who just reported to him of Rhea and Draven’s entrance.

The guard deferentially respond, "My Lord, the two showed us their passing cards bearing the Emperor’s seal. We dare not stop them."

"Incompetent fools!" Lord Edmund landed a slap on the guard’s face, "Why didn’t you inform me earlier on? Where are they now?!"

The guards immediately went down on his knees, "Forgive me my Lord. We didn’t know you weren’t expecting any guests. The two came this way awhile ago."