From Pawn to King: Ruling a Harem of Chaos
Chapter 210: The Lady’s Harsh Punishment, but Headmistress, Why Are You Here? (2)

Chapter 210: The Lady's Harsh Punishment, but Headmistress, Why Are You Here? (2)

Shia, looking at Ella’s furious expression, noticed the fear and worry hidden in her eyes. He sighed helplessly.

“It was just a guess,” he explained. “Since the academy assigned this task, I thought it would be safe.”

Who could have predicted his bad luck?

He understood her concern, and it softened his heart. But his explanation only made Ella roll her eyes in frustration.

“That’s your excuse?” she retorted, her voice dripping with disdain.

To her, such a perfunctory answer after such a severe incident was simply unacceptable. Clearly, Shia hadn’t learned his lesson yet. He needed a harsher punishment to ensure he wouldn’t take such risks again.

She blamed him for making her worry so much.

She resented him for not valuing his own safety.

She hated him for almost making her lose him.

“So, have you realized your mistake?” Ella demanded, her voice still stern but laced with vulnerability, her eyes shimmering as if on the verge of tears.

Shia could only nod helplessly.

Before he could say more, Ella took matters into her own hands—literally.

Her lips claimed his without warning, the kiss forceful and unyielding. Her hand gripped his shoulder, pushing him back against the wall with surprising strength. This was not an act of affection but a lesson, an outlet for the storm of emotions inside her.

Shia struggled slightly, instinctively trying to pull back. But his earlier exhaustion from overusing his power and physical strength left him weak. Any resistance was futile against Ella’s resolve.

Her hand slid down from his shoulder, grabbing his collar in a motion far from ladylike. Shia’s heart sank further.

He winced as her teeth nipped his lip sharply. The sting made him realize she wasn’t holding back in her reprimand.

It seemed he truly was at her mercy.

Yet despite her aggression, Ella, the sharp-tongued widow, couldn’t bring herself to truly hurt him. Her grip on his collar loosened, and her fervent movements softened into something more tender. She finally ended the kiss with a gentle peck, her tongue brushing over the small wound she’d left.

Ella leaned back slightly, gazing deeply into Shia’s eyes. Her own eyes held a mix of regret, frustration, and tenderness.

She couldn’t bear to mistreat him. He had already been through so much, his body still weak from the ordeal. How could she, of all people, inflict further pain?

Suppressing her inner turmoil, Ella let out a soft sigh. “Will you do something this reckless again?” she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of sternness and care.

Shia shook his head, still dazed from the encounter. His lips tingled, his breath uneven. “I won’t,” he replied instinctively.

This incident had truly been an unexpected disaster, but thankfully, it was over now. Without the timely unlocking of his new abilities, he might not have survived until the academy’s rescue team arrived.

Seeing his submissive demeanor, Ella’s anger deflated. Her fury felt like a punch landing on soft cotton—completely unsatisfying. Unable to fully vent her frustration, she resorted to more threats.

“If this happens again, I won’t let you off so easily,” she said, her voice carrying a mix of anger and affection.

Shia reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. “There won’t be a next time.”

With that, he gently pulled her into his arms. Her soft, curvaceous body pressed against his, radiating warmth and comfort.

Ella’s tough exterior cracked as she melted into his embrace, her voice tinged with a rare vulnerability. “You little rascal… you’re always making me worry.”

Though her tone was still soft, it was clear her anger had mostly dissipated. Resting her head against his chest, she listened to his steady heartbeat. Slowly, her own heart began to calm.

Finally, she found the space to focus on the questions lingering in her mind. “What exactly happened out there?”

Shia’s hand moved in soothing circles on her back as he explained briefly, “The goblins had a leader—an emperor who united them and planned something bigger.”

His concise explanation only raised more questions for Ella. How could such a creature come to exist? Was it a freak accident, or was someone orchestrating it? What kind of consequences might this have?

And, most importantly…

“How did you know about this?” she asked, lifting her head to look into his eyes.

He had left her a warning before setting out, which meant he had some prior knowledge of the danger. But where had this knowledge come from? Even the headmistress hadn’t foreseen the goblin lair’s upheaval. If she had, the trial wouldn’t have been held there.

Shia merely smiled, refusing to answer.

Ella frowned, realizing he wouldn’t share his secret. She stared at him for a long moment before deciding not to press further.

Instead, she leaned closer, her fingers tracing light patterns on his chest. Her actions were subtle but carried an undeniable intimacy.

Their eyes met, and Ella’s gaze held no shame or hesitation. Her actions made her intentions clear—she sought solace, reassurance, and perhaps more.

Her delicate arm wrapped around his neck as she leaned in, her breath warm against his ear. The silky texture of her black stockings against his leg and her confident demeanor were an unmistakable invitation.

Shia wasn’t one to shy away from such moments. He wasn’t about to play coy, especially not with someone as captivating as Ella.

But just as the atmosphere heated and the tension reached its peak, a voice interrupted them—a smooth, magnetic tone filled with mature charm.

“Am I interrupting something?”

The sudden intrusion startled Ella. She spun around, her face flushing as though caught red-handed. Standing in the doorway was a voluptuous figure leaning casually against the frame.