Rearing Demons
Chapter 90: Assassin

Chapter 90: Assassin

Feeling his touch on her chin and seeing his dull, entrancing eyes inch closer, Xia felt her heart pounding wildly.

Just as his lips were about to graze hers, he felt a strong aura approaching.

Fucker, he thought.

Yur pulled back immediately, his attention turning away from the flustered Xia—whose eyes were still closed, expecting a kiss. In his view, she wasn’t attractive or enticing in any real sense.

To him, she was merely a tool—a means to his future goals.

"Your father is coming," he stated calmly.

Xia’s eyes snapped open. "D-Dad?"

She scrambled up from the bath, standing in front of Yur, exposing everything in her haste.

"Now, don’t expect anyone else to accept you. I’ve seen it all, up close." He let his gaze drift downward, then upward again.

"Ah!" she yelped, tumbling backward onto her bottom, her cheeks growing redder by the second. Yur assumed she might even faint.

"Don’t worry. He won’t know." Yur rolled his eyes and stood.

Xia’s eyes darted down toward the rod between his legs.

I-It’s... big...

A strange sensation sparked within her, and she quickly forced the thought away.

Yur stepped out of the bath, instantly drying himself and slipping into a fresh set of robes. Turning back, he regarded her briefly. "You can stay and enjoy yourself longer. I’m going to bring up our marriage to your father. Be ready."

With those final words, he left, leaving Xia both flushed and entranced.

He’s going to talk to my dad this quickly? No hesitation?

Men who tried to court her normally wouldn’t even dare breathe in her father’s direction. Yet Yur was doing the exact opposite.

Her heart pounded at everything that had just transpired.

It’s all happening so fast... why didn’t I stop him?

She had dreamed of a passionate romance—one that would make the stories she read seem tame. Now, that was happening.

The first man she’d ever shown interest in, and in such a short time, he was already proposing to her father. He was unbelievably handsome, powerful, and not driven by lust—he looked at her, not her body or status. It was all new to her.

————————————————————————

Deep in thought, Yur walked into the main hall, only to see Julian enter as well.

"Yur." Julian approached, offering a handshake.

Yur casually extended his hand, returning the gesture. "What brings you here?"

"Can’t I come by casually?" Julian teased.

"No," Yur answered flatly. "I value my privacy. This is my home."

Julian almost tripped at Yur’s bluntness. He gave him an awkward look. "You realize my daughter is staying here, right?"

"So? You sent her here. If she’s in my house, you follow my rules."

"Yes, yes..." Julian sighed, already feeling drained. "Can we talk?"

"Sure."

They headed to a simple yet well-decorated sitting room on the first floor. Once inside, they settled down, but Yur made no move to offer anything, just stared.

"So, why are you here?" Yur asked again.

"It’s about the war," Julian said, cutting straight to the point.

"What about it?"

"I need your help," Julian replied, watching closely for Yur’s reaction. However, Yur’s face remained unreadable, offering nothing.

"What kind of help?"

"Against their Luminous Heart cultivator," Julian clarified, not beating around the bush. "The Welit Kingdom has two, and I need you to hold one back."

[Afloria Quest: Defeat the Luminous Heart Enemy!]

[The Freau Kingdom requires your aid! As its duke, help your kingdom during the war!]

[Reward: 1000 Human Points & ’Hero’ Title!]

Seeing the sudden quest notification, Yur decided to comply, as it fit his own plans.

"I’ll help," he said simply, "but I’ll choose where the battle happens. And I won’t just hold him back—I’ll kill him."

Julian’s eyes widened. "You can kill him?"

"I wouldn’t have said so otherwise."

"That’s... amazing!" Julian stood, relief flooding his face. The weight of two rank-five foes had been crushing him. Yur was the light he needed.

"I promise, this kingdom will repay you well," Julian assured, bowing.

Yur offered a brief, cryptic smile—one Julian failed to notice. "I’m sure you will. Anyway, once I decide the location, let me know when you plan to march."

"Next week," Julian said. "Our armies need to resupply."

"Next week, huh?" Yur rubbed his chin. "Fine by me. But I have one more thing to tell you."

"What is it?" Julian asked, curious.

"Your daughter, Xia. I want to marry her." Yur spoke without hesitation or pause.

"What?!" Julian stared at him in shock.

"Your daughter—"

"I heard you the first time!" Julian snapped, irritation creeping in. "Why, though?"

Although he wanted it as well, it seemed far too sudden, too out of the blue.

"I like her. She’s beautiful and intelligent. Isn’t that reason enough?" Yur replied. He gave straightforward reasons—enough for him, anyway.

"That’s it? Do you know anything about her at all? Her likes, dislikes?" Julian’s gaze hardened. "Marriage isn’t a game."

"I don’t treat it as one. I don’t look like the type, do I?" Yur’s dull eyes settled on him. "Besides, likes and dislikes change. We’ll figure them out over time."

Julian exhaled heavily. "I don’t think—"

"She’s interested in me, and I’m in her," Yur cut him off. "Just say yes."

"It’s not that simple," Julian insisted, brow furrowing.

"You and your daughter keep using that phrase," Yur noted, feeling a flicker of annoyance. "She already agreed. She just kept saying ’It’s not that simple.’ It is. We marry, live happily ever after, I protect her, she’s happy. That’s all we need."

"Marriage is complicated," Julian repeated.

"Only for those who make it complicated," Yur countered. From Mal’s memories, he knew exactly how relationships could evolve or collapse.

Julian shook his head. "We’ll discuss this later."

"I’d rather do it before the war," Yur said.

"Why so soon?" Julian asked, baffled by his urgency.

"Because your daughter is living in my mansion unmarried. People talk. Especially since we both like each other," Yur stated. It was logical, though it set Julian on edge.

"Who’d dare gossip about my daughter?" he snarled. "Besides, Princess Ley will be staying here as well. What’s the problem?"

"She doesn’t interest me, nor I her." Yur shrugged. "Unlike with Xia, that could get complicated."

Julian’s eyes narrowed. "Then I’ll just take Xia back with me."

"And leave her guarded by someone weaker than me? Is that really what you want?" Yur asked calmly. "Decide tomorrow. The sooner this is official, the better. I can protect her and keep her happy."

Julian still disagreed, he knew little of Yur’s true nature.

"Fine," he finally said. "I’ll let you know tomorrow."

Then he walked off, pausing only to add, "I’ll also ask her opinion on this."

"That’s fine." Yur shrugged.

He watched Julian vanish from sight, then turned away.

————————————————————————

Xia sat on her bed, her hair still slightly damp. A towel was wrapped around her body, and her thoughts were a whirlwind.

I can’t believe that happened...

Her cheeks flared anew, recalling the sight of Yur’s body, the casual way he’d seen hers, and the fact he was already talking to her father about marriage.

I didn’t even say yes!

Yet, excitement fluttered in her chest. Everything was fast, passionate, like a story come to life.

Knock. Knock.

She tensed. "Huh?"

Before she could speak, the door inched open—no voice, no warning.

"Who is it?" she asked, a tremor in her tone.

No answer.

Just as she was about to call out again, a blinding flash of light shot toward her chest.

"Found you!" A voice suddenly whispered.

Her eyes widened in horror.

"Ah—!"

CRACK.