Chapter 74 - 73 - A Name Only for You
Seeing the blush spread across Ashtoria’s cheeks from his words, Riven couldn’t help but smile. That signature blank expression of hers—the cold, unreadable mask of the so-called Mad Queen—had completely vanished. In its place bloomed a soft, helpless red that spread from her cheeks all the way to her ears.
She looked so different... so unlike the fearsome figure known throughout the land.
And it reminded Riven of something.
’It’s funny,’ he thought. ’Our first meeting wasn’t even that long ago. Who would’ve thought... we’d end up like this?’
He still remembered the moment she first approached him after waking from her injuries. Back then, he’d unconsciously showered her with praise too, only for her to choke him out in response.
He ran his fingers once more through her crimson hair, silky and warm between his calloused fingertips, then teased gently, "You really can’t handle compliments, can you, Ashtoria?"
The queen didn’t answer. She just stared at him in silence, eyes wide, face glowing with embarrassment. But from the way her breath caught, from the slight tension in her shoulders, Riven could tell... her heart was in disarray. Her usual composed mask was gone—replaced by vivid emotion.
To ease the tension, Riven lightly touched his chest, right where he’d been hit earlier—but paused.
There was no pain.
"Huh? Did you... already heal me?" he asked, voice low with disbelief.
Ashtoria gave a single nod. Like a child caught doing something kind in secret. There was no pride in her eyes—just a quiet, delicate calm.
Riven stared at her again, enchanted.