Abyssal Sovereign: The Demon's Dominion-Chapter 195 - 194: Be a man

"Lady Liya, you shouldn't be seen here. You're already betrothed to the Crown Prince, and much more than that—why are you even joining this organization?" Caius asked calmly.

"Eldest Prince Caius, the Crown Prince and I have an agreement. He gave his consent to this. As for why I'm joining… it's to see you," Liya said, causing Caius to feel like he no longer belonged to this world.

What did I miss? Even if we're friends, you're already engaged to his younger brother. What will people say? Why would she even come here just to see me? This is going to be so weird...

And above all, he was curious. What kind of deal did his brother and Liya make that allowed her to join this organization? And even worse, based on his earlier exchange with the weakest general of the Dreadborne, this trial…

This organization is anything but simple.

Liya smiled faintly as she noticed the puzzled expression on Caius' face.

"I don't care what people think... I want you, Caius. And if I have to destroy the world to have you, I will. But... why won't you fight for us too?" Liya thought, a hint of sadness in her gaze.

It doesn't matter. I know you love me. I'll fight for that. Everything I am is just for you, Caius, she thought, watching as his face returned to normal.

"Alright… let's step aside and talk," Caius said with a soft smile.

"Right," Liya replied, following him.

As they walked forward, Caius' mind remained restless.

Liya, what are you doing? he thought, both of them walking away from the crowd, sparking quiet murmurs.

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"Yo, yo... Jake, what do you think? Is something going on between those two?" Nim asked with a smirk.

Jake watched the departing figures before replying.

"Maybe," he said simply, and Nim nodded.

Should I try to approach him? Bet on the Eldest Prince surviving? That might give me a link to the royal family… Jake thought. freewebnøvel.coɱ

No, it's too risky. The royal family isn't easy to approach. Too many powers, key figures, and too much chaos. Rushing in would just get me killed, he concluded, closing his eyes.

For now, just observe, he finished silently.

Beside him, Nim glanced at Jake and smiled.

Well, I was right. Hehe, juicy stuff. Still... I need to get stronger. That little kiddo is waiting for me, Nim thought, remembering a chubby boy raising his arms, asking to be carried. The thought made him smile.

**********

At a nearby rooftop, a teenager lay resting.

There's a lot going on beneath the surface. The Crown Prince must know those two have feelings for each other. So what's he planning? Lady Liya can't be stupid enough to get involved with Caius, right? If she does, her family's position will be in jeopardy.

Even though decisions for humanity are made by the Council—comprised of the royal family and five aristocratic families—no family can survive the wrath of the royals. Her family would bleed… they might even lose their council seat, Dared thought.

But love makes people do foolish things.

*********

"Liya, don't pull that stunt again," Caius said as soon as they were alone. The smile on his face vanished.

Liya felt her heart ache, but she didn't retreat. "Seriously, Caius. Don't you want us? Are you really that weak? Can't you even fight for us?" she demanded, staring him down.

He felt different somehow. He used to be willing to fight, but now… something had changed.

"Sigh…" Caius leaned on a nearby wall, frustration evident.

"You spoke of daring to change the world… to kill, to destroy… but now? Now you're just a frog at the bottom of a well. Only when you look up and see the real sky will you realize—you have no power. You're just a controlled existence," he muttered.

But instead of calming her, it enraged Liya.

"So what?! You're just going to give up on us?! No fight at all?" she shouted.

"There's nothing to fight for! Nothing!" he shouted, then softened. "I don't have the strength to fight for us. Don't you get it?" Caius asked, voice heavy with despair.

"Really? Are you even a real man, Caius?!" Liya snapped.

Caius sighed again. He was grateful she'd activated a sound barrier—otherwise everyone would have heard, and she would be in trouble.

"Listen… Liya," he said, stepping closer. He raised his hand toward her face and hesitated, but Liya leaned into it, craving the warmth of his touch.

"Caius…" her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She was looking at the man she loved—the man who once vowed to destroy the world for her sake.

"You're even stronger than I am… already at planetary level. I'm not even a demi-god, not even legendary or a grandmaster. I'm just a human at the evolved level—first stage, Liya."

"I have no position. My genes are useless. What can I do? Any move I make will hurt you. But how could I ever bear to do that? If you love me, Liya… then marry my brother," Caius said.

Liya slapped his hand away and walked several steps before stopping, her back still turned.

"If you love me… then save me from your brother. Caius… be a man. Fight for your love. No matter what happens, I am a part of you. I belong to you. Will you really hand your wife over to someone else?" With that, she walked away.

Watching her go tore at Caius' heart.

"Fuck," Caius cursed, punching the ground.

Boom!

A soft sound—no real damage.

"Look at you…"

"Weak…"

Caius laughed bitterly and punched the wall.

"Disgraceful, they said…"

"Shame…"

"This weak-ass body… trash… from grace to grass… no roots… Fuck!!!" he yelled, punching until both his fists bled. Finally, he stopped.

"Eldest Prince?" a voice called. Caius looked up.

A young man stood in front of him.

"You really should fight for what you want. Maybe there's hope at the end of the trial. Isn't that why you joined? Maybe this organization can transform your body," the young man said calmly.

"We all have something we're fighting for—something we live for. Don't give up," Jake said as he walked past the prince.

Caius realized the barrier had been broken when Liya left, but another one had formed—probably by this young man.

I want to see them all burn… all dead. That's what I live for, Jake thought as he walked away.

********

In the end, Jake had still approached the Eldest Prince. It was risky and dangerous, but if he couldn't take this chance, how would he ever get his revenge?

He just had to remain low-key. The royal family mustn't know about his closeness or the eldest prince until he became a powerhouse.

Besides, if this organization really was different, maybe he could keep the prince as a useful ally—at least for now. Even if the royal family eventually discovered him…

Just tread carefully, Jake thought, watching as buildings continued to appear. People had begun picking houses to rest in.

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