Chapter 78 - Diana's Helplessness
78 Chapter 78 - Diana's Helplessness
"Sniff.... Sniff "
Zeph watched as Diana's eyes welled up with tears, flowing freely like a river, a sight that caught him off guard. It was at that moment he realized how far his actions had pushed her.
His initial intention was simple: to shatter her guard that had been isolating her from revealing her weakness to others but now that he saw her tears, ' guess, I gone overboard'.
He moved towards her as tried to handle the situation "H-hey, Danny, I was just joking, you know"
Zeph moved closer, taking her trembling hands in his grasp. Though she tried to resist but her manaless body lacked the energy to put up much of a fight to someone like zeph who remained resolute as he swiftly drew her closer to him.
Their eyes met in a charged moment. Zeph's golden orbs locked onto her two glistening sapphires, which carried a mix of pain and a hint of resentment.
In that instant, he lost himself in the depths of her gaze, momentarily forgetting his original purpose.
His mind rewinded the whole sentences from the novel – Diana Reinguard, the heroine known for her unwavering determination and discipline, with beauty so enchanting that it outshone everything else, if not for her carefully maintained boyish facade. Zeph felt a lump in his throat as he gazed at her vulnerable state. He swallowed hard, as his golden eyes fall on her beautiful face, unhindered by her boyish attire.
GULP
His fingers gently held her delicate, struggling hands, while her tear-filled eyes filled him with a profound sense of guilt for his actions.
"Umm, Danny, please calm down. You're not a girl."
Taking a step back, he scratched his chin, searching for the right words.
"I am,"
She suddenly declared, jolting him from his thoughts.
Zeph was completely taken aback, his bewilderment evident as he looked at her, struggling to comprehend the reason behind this revelation.
"I am a girl, Zephyr Liander,"
She affirmed with unyielding determination.
Her sapphire eyes locked onto his golden pupils, daring him to react.
She wanted to see him in the same state of shock as he had just placed her in.
After all, isn't it a universal truth that boys get embarrassed when a girl sees them in such a vulnerable state? — At least, that's what she had read in books.
In Diana's mind, she had anticipated only one outcome: Zeph's face turning crimson with shame, and him scrambling to put on some clothes since he was just in his underwear.
"Phuu... Hahahaha," to her surprise, Zeph burst into laughter, leaving her utterly bewildered.
His unexpected reaction didn't align with her intentions, and she found herself staring at the floor with mixed emotions not understanding the reason for his such behaviour .
"Sorry, Diana. I already knew this," Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Zeph said as he wiped away imaginary tears, leaving the girl completely shocked.
Her mind suddenly fallen into turmoil, and then she heard the voice from her earrings, [Didn't I want you to be aware of him?]
It was last straw that snapped inside her mind, while looking down, her fist clenched and her tears started to drying up.
Her anger started to rise. It was the first time in her life she had shed tears because of a man, and now she felt her control slipping away, even in any trials life thrown towards her she was always composed but now....
A faint murmur escaped her lips, " Congratulations Zephyr, you finally did it."
As those words reached Zeph's ears he suddenly felt chill run down his spine upon as his eyes kept looking a Diana who suddenly banished from her position.
In that momentarily pause his mind repeated the same line again and again that he had read atleast hundred times in «Heroes Counterattack» — Don't anger Diana Reinguard.
His words have already left his mouth, "I can help you with your 'mana vessel' problem."
SWISH
In that moment his heart skipped a bit as he saw a silver sword materialized with only a millimeter separating it from his face, his pupils reflected the gleaming weapon, while Diana's two radiant sapphire eyes held a mixture of surprise and a whirlwind of emotions due to his words.
"Y-you, h-how do you know this?"
Diana stepped back, her sword relaxed, her feelings were a tumultuous mix of desire to cure her weakness and the urge to cut this man into pieces for humiliation he made her go through.
The answer was plain for her – as a woman who had endured every challenge that life had thrown at her, how could she yield here?
But for the first time in her life, her will seemed to abandon her.
"Please help me," she managed to say, though her voice was unsteady.
"It's okay; you don't need to request me. I can only provide you with a solution. The decision to accept it rests with you."
A soothing voice gently caressed her ears, and Diana turned her attention to the young man with golden eyes, a smile gracing his face that radiated warmth.
Her eyes widened as he approached, but this time, she didn't panic. Perhaps she felt a newfound sense of calm, or maybe it was the sword she held in her hand that bolstered her confidence.
"Listen, Miss Diana, I can offer you this, but—" Zeph began to say.
WHOOSH
He revealed the ‹Zendal Bracelet› an artifact not hidden from her knowledge. Her eyes fixated on the enchanting piece, and as she heard his offer, she swiftly attempted to grasp it but only to be deftly dodged by Zeph.
She wouldn't have resorted to such actions, but her resolve wavered; she needed this at all cost. "W-why?"
Her sapphire eyes locked onto Zeph's, who appeared somewhat blank, causing her to recognize her mistake.
"I-I am sorry for losing my composure."
"It's okay. I understand your situation, but you must understand mine too. I don't wear this artifact for mere show,"
Diana's eyes widened as she overheard her earring's voice, [He is looking towards me].
"I can give you this," she mumbled as she used her hand to remove the earring, which seemed unaffected as it didn't spoke anything.
"Stop it,"
Zeph's firm voice suddenly commanded, as though he disapproved of her actions. Their eyes met, and she uttered an apology.
Clutching her earring tightly, she loathed herself for appearing weak and helpless.
"I just wanted to tell you that my problem can be solved in three months," Zeph informed her, his smile returning.
Diana's heart skipped a beat; now she had a chance to obtain the bracelet. However, she wasn't naive; it was unlikely that he would simply give it to her without expecting something in return.
"What do you want?"
She asked, her gaze fixed on the young man who stood in nothing but his underwear. For the moment, she disregarded his exposed body, her focus firmly on more pressing matters.
"I want your body, Diana."
" W-Whaat.....!? "
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!