The early morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, falling right onto the small, bulging quilt on the bed.
The air was filled with a faint scent of sea salt and lavender, a fragrance that brought a sense of peace to anyone who smelled it.
Arthas snuggled into the warm blankets, feeling as if every bone in his body had turned soft.
The soreness from overexertion had completely vanished, replaced by an unprecedented sense of fullness.
The divine power within his body felt as though it had undergone a thorough cleansing and reorganization.
Not only did the total amount seem to have increased slightly, but it also flowed much more smoothly than before.
Particularly in the meridians of his arms, the burning sensation had receded, leaving behind a memory of resilience and strength.
It seemed that the “Cross Ray” move he had stumbled upon like a blind cat hitting a dead mouse last night was indeed a highly feasible ultimate skill.
With just a little improvement in output power and guidance, it could definitely be used as a signature move.
A smug smile curled at the corners of Arthas’s mouth.
Although that final moment yesterday was a bit pathetic—fainting directly— He remembered very clearly that a warm embrace had caught him.
And there was that pleasant voice, constantly calling his name.
That feeling of being cared for and protected was more addictive to him than even winning a battle.
Since he was awake, there was no point in pretending to sleep anymore.
He needed to get up quickly, act cute with Big Sister Diana, and maybe ask for some delicious food as a reward.
After all, he had performed a great service yesterday.
Thinking of this, his mouth started moving even before he opened his eyes.
With the characteristic soft, mumbly laziness of someone who had just woken up, he muttered: “Big Sister Diana…” As he spoke, he reached out his hands with his eyes closed, intending to hug toward the side of the bed where someone was likely sitting.
However.
When his hands touched the arm of the person sitting there, something felt slightly off.
While the skin felt just as delicate and smooth, the temperature seemed a tiny bit lower than Big Sister Diana’s.
And the lines of this arm seemed fuller and more mature.
Most importantly, there was the aura radiating from the person.
Even though it was mostly restrained, it still carried a majesty that made one instinctively want to stand at attention.
Hmm?
A flicker of doubt crossed Arthas’s little mind.
Did Big Sister Diana’s aura evolve because she didn’t sleep all night?
He snapped his eyes open.
What met his eyes was an incredibly beautiful face that instantly jolted him awake.
It was indeed a face that was seventy percent similar to Diana’s.
Beautiful blonde hair and facial contours similar to Diana’s.
But in those violet eyes lay a depth Diana didn’t have, along with the wisdom bestowed by time.
And there was that composure and pressure of a high-ranking ruler emanating from her every gesture.
That wasn’t Diana.
That was the Queen of Paradise Island, Hippolyta.
Arthas’s hands, still reaching out in mid-air, instantly froze.
The “begging for a hug” posture looked incredibly awkward at this moment.
The cutesy smile on his face also stiffened, gradually turning into shock.
“Uh…” “How…
how is it Big Sister Hippolyta?” His voice stammered slightly, and his brain short-circuited for a moment.
Where was Big Sister Diana?
It was clearly Big Sister Diana who carried me back yesterday, right?
How did she transform into Her Majesty the Queen after I woke up?
Who am I?
Where am I?
Did I transmigrate again yesterday?
Hippolyta looked at the little fellow’s bewildered expression.
A subtle hint of amusement flickered in the depths of her eyes.
She didn’t immediately push Arthas’s hands away; she even reached out and gently held one of them.
Then, she slowly leaned down, moving a bit closer.
Those purple eyes carried a playful light as they stared intently at Arthas.
“What’s wrong?” “Seeing that it’s me and not your Big Sister Diana…” “Are you that disappointed?” Her voice was very soft and gentle.
But there were needles hidden within that gentleness.
It was like a life-or-death trick question slapped directly onto Arthas’s forehead.
That kind of teasing unique to a mature woman had an explosive lethality for seven-year-old Arthas.
Alarm bells ringing!
Level one alert!
This is definitely a life-or-death question!
If he didn’t answer well, not only would he offend the Queen, but his future private lessons might turn into hellish training.
In this moment of life and death.
The survival instinct genes belonging to the Asgardian royal family within Arthas instantly awakened.
His brain worked at high speed, and his emotional intelligence immediately took the high ground.
The shock on his face lasted less than a second before quickly switching to a very natural look of pleasant surprise.
That kind of acting would make an Oscar winner weep.
“How could I be!” Arthas gripped Hippolyta’s hand back, even giving it a firm squeeze.
Those large eyes were instantly filled with sincerity.
“Actually, Big Sister is the one I wanted to see most!” “Really!” “I was too tired yesterday and didn’t have time to properly thank Big Sister.” “If it weren’t for the divine power control techniques Big Sister taught me, how could I have pulled off such a cool move?” “So I was thinking about how to repay Big Sister even in my dreams!” “Seeing Big Sister as soon as I opened my eyes, I thought my dream had come true!” This series of moves was smooth and flawless.
It both diffused the awkwardness and delivered a high-level compliment.
Attributing all the credit to Hippolyta’s teaching was a textbook-perfect response.
Hippolyta arched an eyebrow.
Although she knew there wasn’t much truth in this brat’s words, the sweet talk was indeed pleasant to hear.
She was about to tease him about having a sweet mouth.
Just then.
From the other side of the room came an extremely deliberate sigh.
“Sigh…” The sound was melancholic and lingering, as if she had suffered a great grievance.
“So…” “This is what you’ve been thinking in your heart all along.” “And here I was, worrying all night, staying here without daring to close my eyes.” “I even specially prepared warm water for you.” “In the end, someone didn’t want to see me at all.” “My feelings were misplaced after all…” Arthas shuddered.
This voice was too familiar.
So familiar it made his scalp tingle.
He stiffly turned his neck toward the direction of the voice.
He saw that by the table not far away— Diana was standing there holding a glass of water.
She had changed into casual clothes today, not wearing that eye-blinding armor.
But at this moment, the expression on her face was scarier than when she wore armor.
She was looking at Arthas with a face that said “I’m so hurt” and “I’m heartbroken.” That gaze was like looking at a heartbreaker.
Although there was clearly a hidden smile of amusement in her eyes, she was putting on a full performance.
“Ah?!” Arthas was now completely dumbfounded.
He had been so focused on dealing with Big Sister Queen that he hadn’t noticed there was a third person in the room at all!
This was just too unlucky!
He looked at the smiling Hippolyta in front of him, then at the resentful Diana over there.
The emotional intelligence that had just taken the high ground instantly collapsed as if hit by a mudslide.
How was he supposed to coax them?
Coaxing one would inevitably offend the other!
This was a dead end!
“Di…
Big Sister Diana…” “No…
it’s not like that…” Arthas sat up from the bed, gesturing helplessly.
He wanted to explain, but found that the more he said, the worse it got.
“I just now…
I was…” “I did want to see you!
Really!” “But I’m also happy to see Big Sister Queen!” “These aren’t mutually exclusive!” Then Arthas, babbling away, didn’t even know what he was saying anymore.
“Pfft.” Seeing Arthas’s adorable appearance as he turned red with worry and even started talking nonsense— Hippolyta finally couldn’t hold it in anymore.
She uncrossed her arms and let out a laugh, covering her mouth.
Diana, who was still acting out the melodrama, also broke character.
She set the water glass on the table and walked over, laughing uncontrollably.
“Hahaha…
you’re too funny.” Diana reached out and vigorously rubbed Arthas’s messy black hair.
“Alright, alright, I was just teasing you.” “Look at how scared you were.” “I’m not some man-eating monster.” “Drink some water and moisten your throat.
You must be parched after all that explaining.” Arthas took the glass Diana handed him.
He gulped down a large mouthful.
Only then did he feel his little heart, which was about to jump out, settle down a bit.
“Whew…” “You sisters are too mean.” “Actually teaming up to bully a little kid like me.” He put down the glass and complained with a face full of grievance.
But in his heart, he was immensely relieved.
Thank goodness it was just a joke.
This mother and daughter were each harder to deal with than the last.
He would have to be extremely careful with his words in the future; this Shura field was too terrifying.
The atmosphere in the room became light and cheerful.
Hippolyta watched the two children play for a while, and the smile on her face gradually faded.
She regained her composure as a Queen.
“Alright, the jokes are over.” “It seems Prince Arthas’s body is truly fine now.” “The recovery speed of your divine power is even faster than I imagined.” She looked Arthas up and down, a flash of admiration in her eyes.
Then, she turned to look at Diana.
Her tone became slightly more formal.
“Diana, please step out for a moment.” “I have very important matters to ask Prince Arthas privately.” “This matter concerns the future of Paradise Island, and also…” She paused slightly and didn’t continue.
But the seriousness in her eyes said it all.
Diana’s hand, which was helping Arthas tidy the quilt, stopped.
She looked at her mother with some surprise.
A private inquiry?
And she wanted me to leave?
If it were before yesterday, she might have felt some dissatisfaction or curiosity.
After all, she and Arthas had been almost inseparable these past few days.
But after last night’s “confession session”— She had gained more understanding and trust in her mother.
Since her mother said it was a major matter concerning the future, it definitely wasn’t something trivial.
And looking at her mother’s serious expression, it didn’t seem like she intended to do anything bad to Arthas.
As the future successor to the throne, she was learning to respect certain necessary “secrets.” “Yes, Mother.” Diana didn’t ask further, nor did she hesitate.
She stood up straight and nodded to Hippolyta.
“I understand.” Then, she turned and smiled at Arthas, who was still a bit confused about the situation.
The smile carried a hint of reassurance.
“Then I’ll head out first.” “Be good and answer Her Majesty’s questions.” “Don’t be afraid.” She reached out and gave Arthas’s little head one last pat.
The warmth of her palm made Arthas feel very safe.
“I’ll be waiting for you outside.” With that, she left without any lingering, turning to walk toward the door.
As the heavy wooden door closed with a “creak”— Only Arthas and Hippolyta remained in the room.
The air suddenly went quiet, and the relaxed atmosphere from moments ago vanished instantly.
In its place was a faint but unignorable sense of pressure.