The Young Master I Carefully Raised Became Obsessive

I forced a smile as I tried to figure out the emotion in his eyes. 

“Do you need mana right now?”

“Yes.”

Hearing my response, he stood up, approached me, and leaned his head down slightly.

I instinctively stepped back. “Your Highness!”

“You said you needed mana.” Ardion grasped the armrest of the chair, his gaze piercing into me. The distance between us was narrow, and if he came closer, it would be the end.

I quickly replied, “I asked for it in the vial.”

“I dislike storing it in those kinds of things.”

He smiled, but it was tinged with obvious dark desire.

“But putting it in the vial allows for better absorption.”

Ardion's brows furrowed for a moment. “Laila, I’ve never heard that before. But from what I know, contact between people is more…”

Suddenly, his soft lips brushed against my cheek and pulled away as fast as he pecked me. The sound echoed in my ears, too sudden for me to react.

I stared up blankly at him.

Ardion met my gaze and whispered, “Laila, do you think I wouldn’t know? Before I left for the frontier, you clung to me. That contact is the best method for mana consumption.”

I was at a loss for words. How much does Ardion really know about me?

But I couldn’t back down now. Without Ardion’s mana, Serina wouldn’t regain consciousness.

“Still, just in case you’re not around and I run low on mana, it might be wise to store it in the vial. I could share it with others in need too.”

“I have no intention of sharing my mana with anyone but you, Laila.”

“…”

“You’re the only one for me.”

(TN: The turn of events after Ardion returned is just making me stunned.)

Under his intense gaze, I was at his mercy.

His unfazed voice sounded into my ears. “If you dislike it, slap me, Laila. I’ll gladly accept it.”

Before I could even comprehend what he meant, he inched forward, and his lips softly enveloped mine. He pressed deeper, and his tongue slid between my parted lips.

(TN: I HAD TO SCROLL DOWN TO PROCESS WHAT WAS HAPPENING…!)

A rush of refreshment filled my mouth the moment we connected, as if all my worries and fears had dissolved, clearing my mind.

Subconsciously, I wrapped my arms around Ardion's neck and pulled him closer. He embraced me back and gently laid me on the long sofa, deepening the kiss. My senses began to blur.

I could feel Ardion's breath growing ragged, the sounds between us becoming wetter as his hand traveled down my leg.

(TN: IF I TELL YOU THIS WAS NOT MY EXPECTATION WHEN I CHOSE THIS NOVEL, WILL YOU BELIEVE ME? waaaahhh…)

Suddenly, an unfamiliar sensation jolted me awake, and I pushed against his chest. After a moment of surprise, he slowly pulled back.

Panting, I met his gaze. His once gentle eyes now held deeper, more intense emotions.

He was so skilled. I couldn’t help but think, Has Ardion really grown up this much?

Ardion’s hand slowly reached towards me. Still flustered, I bolted upright before he could touch my face.

“Your Highness, this isn’t right.”

Even as I spoke, the memory of our kiss lingered uneasily in my mind. The mana was the issue. It made me act on instinct. I bit my lip.

He said, “You were the one who said you needed mana.”

“But not in this way…”

“I told you I hate transferring it into a vial.”

The possibility of getting Ardion’s mana in the vial was impossible now. It only made me ashamed and awkward. I realized I couldn’t stay with him any longer.

So I stepped back and said, “I think I should go now, Your Highness.”

Without glancing back, I exited the office, feeling relieved he didn’t stop me.

Once outside, I touched my face, feeling the warm flush of my cheeks. I couldn’t shake off the memory of being completely enveloped in Ardion’s presence.

What in the world was I even thinking?!

Ardion was meant for Serina, while I was just an extra in their story.

I quickly gathered my thoughts and headed to the infirmary. Serina lay motionless as before, and I carefully took her hand.

In the original story, Serina awakened thanks to Ardion's mana. Without it, she would remain unconscious forever.

I realized there was only one way.

I needed to sneak into the mana vault and retrieve the mana suitable for her.

Like how it was in the original story, like Ardion's, she required mana from plants and water. I knew that the mana he had given her was a deep brown.

Why did Serina get mana in a vial while I…?

Frustration welled within me, but I couldn’t dwell on it now.

As long as Serina consumed the brown mana, the rest would be fine. Once she absorbed it, her mana would stabilize, reducing her need for Ardion’s.

Honestly, I didn’t need his mana either. He had already given me enough before. Moreover, we had shared a kiss just moments ago…

Ardion seemed impulsive. He certainly didn’t act like this before…

Yet reflecting on the past wouldn’t change the present.

I focused on Serina, whose breath came in labored gasps. Her face was pale, and her hands felt cold against mine. It was risky, but I needed to find mana in the vault.

I asked myself whether I really had to go this far, considered whether I had taken this life from Serina.

If I hadn’t twisted the story, she might be just fine right now.

After all, I was the one meant to die in the original story. That thought left a bitter taste, but I still wanted to honor Serina’s appearance in the original story.

Since I had basically twisted the story, it was only right for me to untangle it.

I squeezed Serina's hand once more before leaving the infirmary.

Back in my room, I found Derol trapped in a cage.

“Derol!” I rushed over to him, feeling a wave of relief. I opened the cage, and he dashed towards me.

“Master!”

“Are you alright? What was it like where you were? The food must have been terrible, right?”

From what I had heard Ardion say about Derol, it didn’t seem he had been treated kindly. He had used Derol to threaten me and had spoken some harsh words.

But Derol’s voice was surprisingly cheerful. “Master, it was better than I expected! There was plenty of delicious cheese, even better than what I had in the palace pantry!”

“Really?” I asked again, incredulous. Derol nodded. I was taken aback. I thought he’d be treated poorly.

“Where were you? They didn’t leave you in the sewers, did they?”

“The place I was in was small, but there were many things to play with. I might have lost track of time because I had so much fun.”

“Was it that fun?”

“Yes.”

I examined Derol closely, suspicious that he had been forced to say nice things while being mistreated, yet his eyes sparkled with sincerity.

In fact, he seemed happier now than when he was with me. I could hardly believe this was the same Derol who had cried when we parted.

“By the way, Master, are you alright?” Derol scrutinized my face with his tiny features. I smiled brightly, not wanting to worry him.

After petting him for a while, I caught a glimpse outside and noticed darkness settling in.

“Derol, your hands are fine, right?”

“Yes, they are.”

“Are your skills still intact?”

“They are. Is something the matter?”

“I need to retrieve something.”

“Will it be dangerous?”

I hesitated before nodding. “I need to get mana from the vault.”Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“Master, if you’re low on mana, I’ll go get it.” Derol jumped down from my hand.

I was startled and called after him, “Derol, not yet. You can’t just go in there without permission from the emperor.”

Derol tilted his head in confusion. I reached out my hand, and he obediently hopped into my pocket.

“First, we need to find a way to get in there.” I stood up immediately. The mana vault was located in the basement.

When I first entered the palace, the sign for the mana vault had caught my attention. At the time, I hadn’t thought much of it, but now, I realized how useful that memory was.

I planned to go directly and check the surroundings.

I opened the door. The hallway was deserted. Perhaps everyone had gone for dinner. I slowly closed the door and walked towards the stairs leading down.

Descending the stairs, I spotted the door to the basement.

Suddenly, Derol squeaked, “Master, is this really fine?”

The ambiance was gloomy, so I tried to sound reassuring. “We’re just looking around for now. If we’re lucky, we might find a way in.”

I opened the door to the basement. Thankfully, it was unlocked and opened easily. Still, the darkness made me feel my way along the walls.

“It seems this place isn’t frequented by many people,” Derol remarked quietly.

I nodded and climbed down the stairs carefully, not wanting to trip in the dark.

After a while, I reached a large door, illuminated by lights on either side, where I found someone in a black cloak.

That figure looks familiar… Where have I seen it before?

Suddenly, I recalled when Rowell had come to Duke Orchid’s mansion, bringing a magician to check Ardion’s mana and attempt to kill him.

The magician had also worn a black cloak made of a distinctive shimmering fabric, unlike any typical cloak.