Watching the blonde woman lift her skirt and hurry away with a flushed face, Alexander shook his head with a small smile.
Life was filled with darkness, but moments of unexpected beauty made the journey worthwhile.
Of course, some scenery had a way of becoming more permanent.
He suddenly remembered Ruby, still resting safely inside his Personal Space.
‘Of course, there are exceptions.’
____
When Ruby awoke, every muscle in her body ached.
The last clear memory was a towering, terrifying figure looming over her.
She had endured wave after wave of overwhelming intensity until she finally blacked out.
“Ah… what… what happened?” she murmured, disoriented.
“Where is my grandmother?”
“Don’t speak,” Alexander’s deep voice interrupted gently.
She looked up at him, still dazed, her legs feeling weak and trembling.
The strange, lingering sensations in her body left her flushed and embarrassed.
Alexander studied her carefully.
Even now, fully conscious, he was struck by how different she was.
“Women modified by potions truly are in a league of their own,” he thought with genuine admiration. The source of this chapter is novelping.com.
Ruby gripped his arm tightly, her skin flushed pink.
“Is Grandma… alright?” Her voice broke with grief as the reality began sinking in.
Alexander kept his tone steady.
“She was killed by a werewolf. I avenged her. You should focus on recovering now.”
Ruby’s eyes welled with tears.
The news shattered her, leaving her thoughts fragmented and her heart heavy.
Alexander comforted her patiently as best he could.
She was a victim in every sense, her parents murdered, her memories altered and suppressed by the witch’s potions, and her body reshaped for someone else’s twisted plans.
After some time, he helped her clean up and change into fresh clothes.
The process proved… eventful.
Ruby’s enhanced body handled everything with surprising resilience, far beyond what any ordinary person could endure.
Once they were both settled, Alexander brought her to a nearby town, Luyin Village which had grown prosperous as travelers avoided the cursed Red Leaf Village.
He rented a quiet room at a decent inn.
“What are your plans for the future?” he asked as they sat together.
Ruby kept her head lowered, staring at her toes, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.
Alexander nodded.
“That’s understandable. You probably have other relatives out there. Take your time remembering. For now, you’re safe with me.”
In truth, he knew her real name was Britney, daughter of the late Baron Osvid.
She was the rightful heir to his title and lands.
With her memories suppressed by the witch’s potions, she had forgotten her past entirely.
Once the effects faded, those memories would return.
Alexander had his reasons for wanting to help her reclaim her identity.
As the legitimate heir, she could claim significant power and territory in the kingdom.
Proving her lineage with the help of other nobles who knew the baron would make it nearly impossible for anyone, even the king to deny her inheritance.
In this world, noble titles and lands carried real weight, and unjust treatment of nobles could even justify open conflict.
For now, though, he would guide and protect her while she recovered.
In his own way, he was doing something good.
Ruby glanced up at him shyly, a faint blush still coloring her cheeks.
Despite everything, she felt an inexplicable sense of safety and warmth in his presence.
Alexander offered her a reassuring smile.
The road ahead was long, but this particular chapter of the fairy tale had only just begun.