Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

45  The First Date - Moonlight Waltz Interlude

—Unknown Villa, Royal Capital.

A black-haired woman was lying on her red sofa—her beauty was enchanting, with a small beauty spot beneath her left eye. There was a sense of feigned worry in her gaze as she looked at the blonde male kneeling against her thigh with tears in his eyes.

"Oh my, dear prince, who hurt you this time?" Asked an alluring and husky female voice.

"I-It's your damn fiancé! He keeps beating me... Perhaps... perhaps he knows of our meetings and is angry?"

Valos was nothing like the confident, woman-eating prince of lore—instead, he seemed like an innocent virgin boy within the grasp of this woman's palm as she stroked his messy hair.

"Fiancé? Hmmmm, my dear, who are you talking about... I cannot seem to remember..."

Her words paused at the right moment to make the prince's heart race, her feigned ignorance inflating his deflated ego and machoism as he recovered from his slump.

"That Fenix bastard who was born with no core! However... even that seems to be his father's lie, as he can use magic just fine!"

If Asura were here, his eyes would show great delight at the thought not just him but even the prince was a prisoner to the illusions of the future duchess of Drakkur, currently still the heir as her father was yet to pass.

"I see... forgive me, prince, I did not know. That is an arrangement by my father, and I have no control... Y-you won't think badly of me, right, my dear future king?" Through honeyed words and her skilful manipulation, the prince was already her prisoner and couldn't even notice that the real Verana was sitting on the single, throne-like chair watching the prince interact with her clone, a sickening smile and a mockery on her face.

"Silly prince, even if you were the only male on earth, I would never let you touch my body... But that Fenix boy... He isn't a No-Mag... Interesting, my mother's spy swore there was not a spec of magic inside his body." Her voice wasn't as sultry or seductive when speaking with this body.

"Did she lie, or maybe that boy is special? Fufu, I want to know. Let me meet my future husband. The prince is getting boring anyway." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

She stood from her chair, swaying her hips like it was second nature to charm those around her and left the room as the prince continued to spill his secrets, woes and inner feelings to a mere clone.

Even the clone showed disdain towards him at this point...

***

Meanwhile, in the upper suite of the hotel, Asura was guiding Mu Xue's hand, her eyes stunned by the elegance of the beautiful inn. "Asura... this must be expensive... Is it okay?" He could only turn to her lovely face and smile, different from the woman who demanded the best and most expensive delights. Asura adored how Mu Xue was happy with such simple pleasures in life that he wanted to show her the world's beauty. "Even if it cost my entire fortune to make you smile, I would gladly throw it away. Xue'er." Asura's hand led her onto the large balcony bigger than his room. He gently pulled her along as she stepped on the smooth marble tiles under the silver moonlight and the azure glow of the Silvara sword. "It's so beautiful... the moon and sword look like they are dancing together.." 'Their beauty cannot compare to yours, my dear Xue'er.'

His body wrapped around hers, and she was captivated by the radiance from the sword, creating trails in the sky that created the appearance that the two were dancing together while the distant sound of slow, classical music echoed from the distant palace.

"Xue'er, would you dance with me?" Asura whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her neck as Mu Xue shivered and nodded... "O-Okay!" She responded with a cute voice, intoxicated by the atmosphere.

His arms wrapped around her waist, twirling her body like he was accustomed to this, her eyes fluttering with a purple and blue light intertwining as Asura matched her steps and guided her through the dance under the stars and sword.

Mu Xue was lost in a dreamlike state, unable to recognise reality as she trusted Asura. She spun and danced across the floor as her hair flowed elegantly into her dress.

"You are like the brilliant argent moon, guiding my steps in the night," Asura whispered into her pink ear as she leaned against his chest. The dance slowed into a waltz as the music changed, and she closed her eyes, feeling Asura's heartbeat as he held her close, their steps echoing in the silent evening.

"If I shine... It's only for you..." Her pink lips opened, and she turned bright red, feeling his grip tighten around her waist, feeling like the world existed for only them.

Mu Xue rested her head against his chest, listening to the music as they danced together. She was unaware of time as the Silvara sword's blue magic illuminated the sky and city below, the palace celebrating its anniversary under the divine weapon.

Asura lowered his lips towards her pink ear and kissed her cheek... "Xue'er, do you want to see something incredible?"

Mu Xue lifted her head from his chest, met his emerald eyes, and nodded. Her face flushed as he held her hand and guided her to the balcony's edge. "Trust me," she said.

It was like magic.

A few moments after they stopped, like the world was in his hands, beautiful fireworks shot into the sky, brilliant, bright, and colourful, as her eyes widened and her mouth wide opened with a smile. Asura looked at his beautiful companion, slipping a small box beautifully ordained with gemstones, both amethyst and sapphires twinkling as he tapped the beautiful maiden's shoulder.

She turned, and Asura kneeled on one knee, opening the box to reveal a beautiful ring containing both gems... "Mu Xue, will you marry me?"

The moment his words ended, a huge firework filled the sky, and the same words, written in blue and purple, entered Mu Xue's eyes as she realised he meant it when he asked her to be his wife.

Her eyes trembled as tears formed, falling down her cheeks like shining gemstones, and her head nodded violently as Asura slipped the ring onto her delicate finger.

Mu Xue tackled him to the ground, smothering his face with kisses and hugs...

"Yes... Yes... I will...!"

Asura embraced her tightly, holding her warm body in his arms as she cried into his chest, overwhelmed by emotions...

They stayed together for almost an hour until Mu Xue calmed down and helped Asura stand, wiping her tears and blushing...

"S-Sorry..."

Asura chuckled and cupped her cheeks, kissing her forehead... "Don't apologise... this is the happiest moment of my life..."

Mu Xue blushed harder, hiding her face behind her hands... "Mine too..."

Asura hugged her once more, feeling her heartbeat as they stood under the Silvara sword's divine light, admiring the city.

Asura caressed her sparkling light blue hair... "Xue'er, you are mine forever now."

Mu Xue gripped him tighter, nodding her head... "Always... I won't let you go... ever....ever..."

He could feel the strangeness in her eyes and smiled, acting before she could become stuck in that strange mood—he lifted her off the ground, his arm under her knee and walked towards their room, carrying her like a princess.

The final fireworks exploded behind Asura with his every step away from the balcony.

Her eyes shimmered with wet tears once again—she looked at the huge argent moon now so close to the planet it was larger than the sword as if they were embracing, leaving Mu Xue with a sweet smile.