Chapter 84: Surely Not a Bad Father
Lucy’s internal smile widened further and further as she observed Cain’s facial expressions, which had morphed into a portrait of suppressed panic. He was desperately trying to evade her out of sheer, raw fear, and within herself, Lucy admitted that Cain in this state of denial was incredibly amusing and delicious!
An overwhelming urge possessed her to step close and kiss him without any preamble, to end this ridiculous distance between them, but she reined herself in with great difficulty; she still wanted to play with him a little longer and compound his tension.
"Oh... what is this you have here, Mr. Cain?"
With a swift movement that not even the eyes of a mage of Cain’s level could catch, Lucy slipped the golden crest of the Transmigrators Organization’s Stars from between Marcus’s fingers, letting the luxurious piece of metal settle into her palm.
Cain gasped deeply inside, nearly tearing his lungs, as he watched Lucy inspect the crest coldly, turning it over left and right beneath the pale moonlight.
At that moment, Cain was on the verge of actually crying. ’Should I start begging now? Should I swear to her on everything I own that I did not enjoy our previous "treatment" sessions, and that I, too, am a victim?’ He did not know what to do, but he felt with absolute certainty that his days in this world were numbered.
Lucy spoke in a quiet tone, cold as a glacial stream:
"I remember quite well... this specific crest is only possessed by the highest leaders, those known as the [High-Stars]. I wonder, is Mr. Cain one of them?"
Hearing these words, Cain realized that it wasn’t his "days" that were numbered, but his "minutes"! Now, in the complete absence of any blessings or protective wards, and with his seals and his [Transcendent Mode] fully restricted... Cain looked like a helpless fish on a chopping board, waiting for Lucy’s cleaver to strike at any moment.
The words caught in his throat, and he spoke in a trembling tone:
"I... I will explain everything to you... I didn’t mean to..."
He began cursing in his heart this volatile life that constantly caught him off guard with catastrophes; just minutes ago he was weeping over his organization’s destroyed tower, and now the yandere villainess stood before him, on the verge of ripping away his final mask and discovering his greatest secret! He wished the earth would split open and swallow him, wondering if there was any chance left for him to compensate and appease Lucy, because he knew full well she would destroy him physically and spiritually if he did not produce a logical and convincing explanation.
But Lucy surprised him once more; she tilted her head slightly and took a step closer to him, whispering with a feigned, sweet softness:
"Mr. Cain... what do you mean by ’I didn’t mean to’? Your complexion is pale, and you seem to be in a very poor state of health... Is the poison gnawing at your body right now? Do you require immediate, vital ’treatment’ at this very moment?"
Cain nearly screamed, wondering how a woman could toy with his emotions so effortlessly; raising him from the abyss of despair and panic to the peak of happiness and relief in a fraction of a second! He could never comprehend her intentions... Lucy was no fool, and she must have connected the dots and realized after all this time that he was the very leader of the Transmigrators Organization who had touched her body and soul on that night! Wasn’t she supposed to pounce on him to kill him and take her revenge?
A cold shiver ran through his limbs as he tried to suppress his surging emotions which were driving him to the brink of madness, thinking: ’Is this a test?’
Yes, it had to be a cruel test to see if he was a decent man who harbored genuine affection for her, or merely a lustful scoundrel who had exploited her vulnerability when she was utilizing the extreme Yin technique to dominate her.
He braced himself and tried his utmost not to appear tense, replying in a tone he sought to keep practical:
"I... actually feel a bit fatigued due to the accumulated poisoning... I thank Lady Lucy for her generous offer, but unfortunately, I am very busy tonight capturing the perpetrators and securing the perimeter. Furthermore, Miss Amelia is currently playing alone with her new friends, and I must remain close to her."
Lucy smiled softly, adding to his bewilderment:
"Oh... really? I only see that Mr. Cain is suffering greatly. And surely, the poison inside your body will become far more dangerous and fatal if it is not immediately addressed and discharged with the proper ’treatment’..."
Cain nearly slapped himself for his stupidity and suspicion. How could this gentle angel harbor ill will toward him? His doubts vanished, replaced by a warm confusion; she certainly knew his identity, yet she still cared for him and was still offering to treat his body!
Remembering the knights around them, Cain turned toward them and directed a sharp, stern glare to divert their attention from their private conversation:
"Are you still standing here? Leave immediately!"
The commander of the knights asked with eagerness and fear, "And what about locking down the capital and the curfew? Shall we convey your request to the higher authorities for execution?"
Cain replied in a cold, cutting tone, "Forget about it entirely. Disperse!"
Cain had barely finished his sentence before the knights and mages fled the scene with lightning speed, not a single one of them daring to look back.
Cain turned toward his subordinate Marcus, placing his heavy hand firmly on his shoulder as if handing over a fateful trust:
"It’s up to you, Marcus..."
Marcus blinked in bewilderment, "What?.."
Cain did not give him a chance to inquire; instead, he turned immediately toward Lucy, resolving his decision as his eyes gleamed with a submissive spark:
"I am completely ready to receive the treatment, Lady Lucy... but first, I must go retrieve Amelia and secure her."
Lucy raised her eyebrows in feigned surprise:
"And why retrieve her now? Isn’t she playing with the other children and frolicking in peace? Let her enjoy her time for a bit."
Cain fell silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement. Yes, her words were perfectly logical! Why be an oppressive, annoying father and deprive his daughter of playing and enjoying her childhood with new friends? In the end... the "System" was nestled within her soul to protect her, and she was wearing the grand [Imperial-Level] protection pendant, which made harming her an impossibility for any creature.
Cain convinced himself that he was not a bad father at all; rather, he was a father granting his daughter her personal space while he went to receive his vital "treatment" to save his life!
He walked beside Lucy with calm steps, while she was internally plotting how to execute the "deal" and lock him in bed for ten whole days without seeing the light of day.