Bound To The Ice Dragon King
Chapter 96: Planning to start anew

Chapter 96: Planning to start anew

Draven looked down at Rhea’s head resting on his arm, she looked so mesmerized by the bubbling porridge that she wasn’t even aware of their closeness. Their position almost looked like she was hugging his arm from the side. To create some distance, Draven shifted slightly to prevent their bodies from touching.

However, Rhea interpreted his movement as a gesture to make room for her to view the boiling porridge, leading her to squeeze forward and completely invade his personal space once again. She stood directly in front of him, obstructing his hand from stirring the porridge, she left him with no option but to slide his arm to the side in order to reach the pot. Her head even brushed against his chest, but yet, she was too immensed in observing the food.

She was completely unaware of her proximity, it was as if the food was all she cared about. Despite standing so close, she didn’t even spare him a glance.

"May I have a taste?" she asked, turning slightly to look at him with her innocent, puppy-like eyes. Her eyes were as stunning as the night’s sky. As if spellbound, his hands instinctively paused from stirring the porridge. For a moment, it was like everything else had faded around him and all he could see were just those alluring black eyes. He had never seen them this close before...

"Your eyes..." he murmured softly, but as if snapped back to reality, he quickly moved Rhea aside, unable to handle it any longer. In truth, the rice still needed to cook longer to become a thick and creamy porridge. However, he didn’t know what had come over him as he hastily ladled out several large scoops. "Here, you can eat now," he said, placing the bowl next to the stove in front of Rhea, the sound of it setting down crisp and clear.

Rhea looked like a small puppy impatiently waiting for food, and when Draven placed the bowl down, she quickly picked it up and went to sit down on the table and started to eat.

Meanwhile, Draven removed the raspberry leaves, which he’d soaked in hot water earlier, then added some honey before he kept it for her on the table, "Drink this while it’s still warm, it will help with your stomach." He said indifferently. However, he was looking at Rhea from the corner of his eyes as she blew at the porridge, and took a bite. He raised an eyebrow when he noticed the deep frown that settled on her face after swallowing the porridge.

Just when he thought his cooking wasn’t to her liking, Rhea turned her head and looked at him with moistened eyes, "I never knew it was possible for a man to know how to cook this good," her eyes filled with emotions, "my stomach feels better now, this tasty porridge makes me want to take you as my wife so badly." She said those words so causally.

Take him as a wife? How delusional. Draven thought to himself. However, he couldn’t help but accept her praises for his cooking. But then he couldn’t show that he was satisfied with the fact that she liked it, he then flatly said. "Hmm, originally i planned to make it even better, but since you look so hungry, I served it to you."

Rhea didn’t speak again and only nodded her head and resumed to wolf down the food. Draven also didn’t say anything and walked to sit down opposite her on the table. He watched as she finished the first bowl and got up and served herself another large one.

Draven’s mouth quirked into a smile that no one saw. "Don’t eat too much, if you like it, I’ll cook for you every morning until you get better." He said softly before standing up.

However, Rhea didn’t immediately hear his words as she was too busy eating, it was a second later that she realized what he said and the tone of his voice, It sounded coaxing, and caring. She stopped eating and looked up, but then Draven had already left the kitchen by the time she looked up.

If this dragon continued to treat her like this, it would be hard for her to leave him when the time comes, which would be soon. He’d already retrieved his powers, and giving time, he’d start to use them again, he wouldn’t need her to get his form. She had helped him enough, but...

Why was she feeling conflicted by her decision now? It had always been her plan right from the start to leave him, right? Then what had changed now?

"I can’t remain with him forever, I also have to find my own life and purpose to enjoy my immortality..." She murmured to herself, and then glanced down at the tea he’d made for her to help with her cramps."Nobody has ever cared to make me such tea before." With a heavy heart, she resumed to eat, but slowly this time.

***

After Rhea had finished eating, she slept until afternoon. But when she woke up, she decided to go and meet Valen as she had important things to discuss with him after thinking through everything in the kitchen this morning.

When Rhea went to find Valen in his section of the building, she coincidentally found another woman in his room. The woman was attractive, but not as much as Aria. Rhea briefly glanced at the woman before shifting her attention to Valen, who was also examining her. He smiled and remarked, "Well, well, well, just yesterday you appeared to be in a terrible state, and now you’re looking much improved, even walking all the way to my wings. What’s the secret behind your rapid recovery?"

"My Lord really believes I’m all better? Such injury wouldn’t heal that quick, my chest still hurts." She replied with a forced smile, as she wasn’t pleased that he was with another woman after he’d acted as if he really loves Aria.

Valen chuckled softly asking, "Then why are you here instead of staying in your room to recover?"

"I came here to discuss with you about something." She said.

Valen raised an eyebrow and inquired, "What’s that?"

Rhea explained her intentions, "I don’t want my family to discover my presence in the capital. I want to move far away to a small town and start anew. However, without a noble title, I lack the means to finance such a venture. I approached you because I wanted to remind you of the assistance I provided in eliminating Edmund, and..."

Before Rhea could finish her sentence, Valen burst into laughter. "Okay, okay, I understand. Considering the help you gave me, it’s only fair that I repay your kindness," he said, rising from his seat and retrieving a document from a drawer. "I have a small residence in the neighboring town. Here are the papers; I’ll transfer it to your name. Additionally, I own a store on the north side. You can visit and acquire anything you desire, all in my name."

Rhea’s eyes widened, "What? Really?"

"Yes," Valen smiled and handed her the documents, "Are you satisfied with this?"

"Are you kidding me?" She looked at him in disbelief. She’d originally planned to ask for a single gold coin as a reward to use it for her travel expenses. But she hadn’t expected him to be this generous enough to reward her with a house. This was a great opportunity to start anew in another place.

"I am more than satisfied."

Valen maintained his gentle smile as he inquired, "Is that the sole reason you are here, Miss Rhea?"

Upon hearing his question, Rhea glanced at the woman next to him before responding, "I came here specifically to discuss that. However, I also have something else to say. Despite your wealth and handsome appearance, you can have any woman of your wish. I implore you, if you are not sincerely committed to Aria, please refrain from toying with her emotions by pretending to love her. Instead, release her from the pain of having to constantly see you in another woman’s arms."

Valen was still smiling, but his tone grew stern as he retorted, "I am uncertain as to what led you to believe that I am merely pretending, but regardless... I can never bring myself to let go of Aria."

Rhea pursed her lips, "I understand that it’s not my place to interfere in your personal matters, but I’m genuinely concerned about my friend. Honestly, I know Aria has feelings for you, but...I don’t like how you’re leading her on. I don’t want her to end up heartbroken because of you in the future. It would be better if you let her live her life or if you’re honest with her."

Valen didn’t respond immediately, and his smile slowly faded. "What if I can’t do both? Will you make her leave me?"

Rhea laughed, "Why would I do that? You and I are in a good relationship now, so why would I go against you?" She said with a smile, but then she added, "However, since Aria is my best friend, if she stops being happy with you, I won’t hesitate to make her leave you."

Valen grinned, "Why does it seem like you’re threatening me?"

Rhea smiled, "I do not dare, my Lord. I am simply expressing my thoughts, and now that I have finished here, I will leave. Have a pleasant day." With that, she turned and exited the room.

After Rhea left the room, Valen’s smile vanished and his expression turned serious as he walked towards the balcony of his room to watch Rhea as she walked away and headed to where she was staying. Valen’s eyebrows furrowed as he noticed Draven leaning against a windowsill on the other side of the building, seemingly keeping an eye on Rhea. Draven watched her intently as she moved away from his wings.

Valen then asked the woman next to him, "What did you come to tell me before she arrived?"

The woman gracefully moved to the balcony and replied, "Lord Azure has sent you another message. He wants you to continue observing Rheanna until he returns. He insists that she must not be harmed or get into any trouble. Most importantly, she must not come into contact with Lady Credan."

Valen’s eyes squinted slightly as he looked at Draven. "Then respond to him. Let him know that his little girl has caught the attention of a very powerful and mysterious man who never seems to leave her side, even for a moment."