Chapter 52: Hidden Feelings! (Part 2)

— Vando, Heliorox Academy, Dean’s Office —
In the evening, as the dean of Heliorox Academy, Thos finally finished handling the day’s affairs. Exhausted both physically and mentally, he felt somewhat puzzled.
That’s because he hadn’t seen Lavia all day.
In the past, Lavia and Nina would almost always appear in this office every day. They didn’t talk much and never disturbed Thos’s work. Occasionally, they would busy themselves with their own matters or chat when Thos was free. Most of the time, they would simply sit reading advanced magic books.
Though he understood their actions, Thos often felt helpless.
A few days ago, Nina, as a member of the Royal Magicians, went to Sassen to handle some routine tasks, which finally gave Thos a breath of relief. But Lavia seemed unconcerned. Despite being the female lord of Altak, she spent her days idling around Heliorox Academy, facing the mocking looks and sneering expressions of the academy’s professors. Thos couldn’t help but feel a sense of powerlessness.
Was Lavia really that idle?
Of course not. In recent years, especially since last winter, the barbarians in the north seemed to be stirring again. After all, the lands in the far north were barren, and the barbarians were not good at farming. To obtain enough food, they had no choice but to raid the south—a pattern that hadn’t changed in over a hundred years.
Worse still, the orcs in the west seemed to have noticed the instability within humanity as well. They sent several small units to harass Fort Lorn. Although these raids were repelled by Fort Lorn, it proved that the orcs’ long-held desire to reclaim their ancestral lands remained strong. They were like hungry beasts, staring intently at their prey. The moment the prey showed even the slightest weakness, those beasts would reveal their sharp fangs.
Given this situation, Altak, located in the northwest, had already entered a state of preparation. Yet Lavia, as the lord, still lingered in the distant magic city of Vando. This inevitably raised suspicions.
As for Thos, he wasn’t unaware of Lavia’s thoughts. The key issue was that he simply couldn’t make any promises to her. And Lavia was well aware of this. Yet she was unwilling to return to Altak alone.

Ravia originally thought she would be satisfied with just a title, but things turned out such that once her marriage to Thos became widely known, she could no longer bear the fact that her beloved man was always with another woman. It’s only human to resist such a fate, isn’t it?
That said, Thos was secretly relieved not to see Ravia all day long.
When he was still Sloth’s apostle, Thos hadn’t thought much about these things—perhaps he hadn’t even considered them at all. But once freed from the constraints of [Power of Escape], he realized that the relationship among him, Dia, and Ravia was in complete chaos.
The most rational solution to this situation would undoubtedly be to give up one of them, but the problem was that both of these women, with their completely different personalities, held significant importance in Thos’s heart. Giving up either Ravia or Dia was something he didn’t want to do.
So, he chose to avoid the issue, repeatedly accepting this chaotic situation. In a way, it wasn’t without reason that Sloth chose him as his apostle.
Anyway, Thos finally had a day of relief. After greeting the professors at the academy, he returned to his residence in Vando.
“I’m back!” he called out habitually after pushing open the door, but strangely, he didn’t hear any response from Dia. Scanning the rooms with his mental power, he realized Dia wasn’t inside.
“Strange, she went out?” muttering to himself, Thos headed straight to the living room. He took off his coat and tossed it casually on a chair, then glanced around before noticing a note on the table.
“Thos, I’ve gone to look for Lilith. Don’t worry about me. —Dia”
“…” Holding the note and reading it a few times, Thos sighed with a bitter smile.
Thos was well aware that Dia found life in Vando dull, but lately, busy dealing with the various tasks of establishing the Vando Magic Association, he simply didn’t have time to spend with her, let alone talk to her. Thankfully, Dia still had at least one friend she could talk to here.
Still, he felt somewhat guilty toward Dia—this introverted and gentle woman never pressured Thos to do anything; she simply did what she could in silence, never mentioning her hardships to anyone, let alone Thos.

“What a pity…” Looking at the delicate handwriting on the note, Thors sighed softly. One of the reasons he had returned so early today was to spend time with Dia, but alas…
“Snap!” Thors snapped his fingers, and the candlesticks on the long table lit up instantly.
Just as Thors walked around the room, planning to go find Ulric who lived next door to pass the time, there was suddenly a knocking at the door.
The knocking was urgent and forceful, as if the person behind it was extremely anxious.
“Who could it be at this time?” Thors muttered, instinctively turning his head toward the door. Then, surprise appeared on his face as he murmured, “Avi?”
Frowning, Thors walked to the door and opened it. As soon as the door opened, he suddenly saw a figure falling toward him. He instinctively caught her, then noticed Ravia, her face flushed, staring at him with blurred eyes, giggling.
“You… you’re back? Giggling, just in time…”
“Avi? How did you get here?” Thors couldn’t believe what he saw. He couldn’t believe that the drunken woman in front of him was Ravia, who had always been so particular about her appearance.
“Can’t I come? — Let me up!” The slightly drunk Ravia looked at Thors with a half-smile, trying to stand up from his arms, but she swayed and fell back into his arms. Seeing her unsteady state, Thors wondered how she had made it here.
“What’s wrong with you?” Thors stared at the woman in front of him in shock. The strong smell of alcohol made him frown.
“I’m fine!” Ravia pushed away Thors’ support and staggered into the room. Leaning on the long table in the living room, she said in a mocking tone, “I just wanted to come and see you…” She turned around, leaned on the table, and looked at Thors with a half-smile, saying, “To see your cozy home with Dia…” As soon as she said that, she suddenly covered her mouth, her face turning red, and she began to gag.
“…” Thors frowned, then shook his head. He closed the door and went into the room to get a dry towel for Ravia. Unexpectedly, Ravia pushed it away, acting stubbornly like a child, saying, “I don’t need it… I don’t want anything she used!”
“What… what’s really wrong with you, Avi?”
“I’m fine!” Ravia raised her head and looked at Thors stubbornly.

“You…” Looking at her aloof expression, Thors shook his head helplessly and said irritably, “If it’s so good, why drink so much? Don’t you usually avoid alcohol?”
“Mind your own business!” Ravia pushed Thors away. Due to the force used, she staggered and almost fell, but fortunately Thors caught her in time.
“Let go of me! I don’t want you to interfere!”
Watching Ravia pounding on her chest with her fists like a child in his arms, Thors couldn’t help but sigh. He patiently asked, “What’s going on?”
Gradually, Ravia calmed down and said in a tone that was far from her usual self, “I can’t accept it… I really can’t accept it. Why is my husband living in the same house as another woman?! Tell me, what am I not as good as that woman in?!”, she said, then lifting her head to look at Thors with eyes filled with grievance and pain.
“Avi…” Thors opened his mouth slightly but couldn’t say anything.
Indeed, Ravia was outstanding in every aspect—appearance, knowledge, status, temperament, and position. Apart from her overly strong and fierce personality, she could be considered the perfect woman, the dream lover of many Saxon noblemen. As for Dia, aside from her appearance being comparable to Ravia’s, in terms of status, temperament, and identity, there was even no need to compare—she seemed like someone from a completely different world.
Yet Thors chose Dia. Anyone would feel resentful.
“Say it! What am I not as good as her? Tell me!” As she spoke, tears welled up in Ravia’s eyes.
This was the third time Thors had seen Ravia cry since he met her, and every time it was because of him…
“Don’t like this…” Thors sighed helplessly, instinctively raising his hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks with the towel in his hand. But Ravia pushed it away angrily. Seeing Thors still holding the towel, she grew even angrier and said, “Didn’t I say I don’t want it…?” But before she could finish, Thors grabbed her hand.
“That’s mine!”
Hearing this, the anger on Ravia’s face vanished instantly. She quietly looked at Thors, letting him wipe the sweat from her face. Her calm expression was completely different from before.
“I’m sorry, Thors. I’ve been a bit off today…” Suddenly, Ravia said.

“Hm?” Thors’s right hand paused mid-motion as he glanced at Lavia in surprise, then chuckled self-mockingly. He didn’t take Lavia’s words about something being wrong seriously—after all, anyone holding back such resentment day after day would eventually explode, so he naturally didn’t consider other reasons.
“It’s me who should apologize…”
“Yes!” Lavia giggled, leaning against Thors’s chest. Suddenly seeming to remember something, she looked around and asked doubtfully, “Where’s Dia?” She seemed worried that Dia might have heard their earlier conversation, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Seeming to read Lavia’s thoughts, Thors shook his head and said softly, “She’s gone. She went to see her friend, Senior Lilith…”
“Lilith?” Doubt appeared in Lavia’s eyes as she covered her forehead and murmured, “That name… her…”
Noticing Lavia’s strange expression, Thors asked in surprise, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing…” Lavia shook her head, her expression uncertain as she murmured, “It’s nothing. I just feel like… I really want to… I think I forgot something…” She frowned at her forehead irritably and said in a annoyed tone, “I’m so confused, I can’t remember anything!”
“Who’s to blame for that?” Thors shook his head impatiently, helping Lavia sit on the sofa in the inner room. He touched her forehead and said softly, “Rest here for a while. I’ll go get you a wet towel…” As he turned to leave, he noticed Lavia grabbing his clothes. When he turned back, he saw her lift her head and wrap her arms around his neck. Before Thors could react, her slightly moist red lips pressed against his.
“Eh…?” Thors’s eyes widened. Though he controlled the Source Energy, he couldn’t have predicted this. He was stunned for a moment.
By the time he recovered, he found himself lying on the sofa, with Lavia straddling him, her face flushed, breathing heavily, and staring at him with a dazed gaze.
“Avi?!” Thors was shocked, momentarily at a loss. He grabbed Lavia’s right hand and stammered, “You… you… us…”
His words stopped abruptly because he clearly heard Lavia say something.
“I like you, Thors… I love you…”

“Avi…” Looking into Ravia’s eyes, which glowed like elements of fire, and seeing the misty haze over them, Thos was speechless. Deep down, he actually liked this strong and righteous woman too. If not for his feelings, he wouldn’t have ruined Ravia’s political marriage to Prince Theo, thus causing all these troubles.
But the key was—he still had Dia. How could he betray that gentle woman who had always been by his side when he needed comfort the most…
“Kiss me, Thos…”
Seeing Ravia’s flushed, slightly shy cheeks and her dreamy, expectant gaze, Thos hesitated…
Suddenly, he felt a cool touch on his neck. Instinctively, he raised his head and realized it was Ravia’s tears…
Ravia bit her lip and spoke through sobs in a tone that was far from her usual gentle demeanor, “Don’t make me hate you for a lifetime, Thos…” As she spoke, another tear rolled down her cheek and landed in Thos’s left eye, blurring his vision instantly.
Die then!
Gritting his teeth, Thos reached out and held Ravia’s face, pressing his lips firmly onto hers. This sudden attack made Ravia’s eyes widen sharply before slowly closing again.
Gradually, their breathing became more rapid, and their clothes fewer. Until Ravia took off her last piece of undergarment…
It was only at that moment that Thos realized Ravia was no longer the girl he had treated as a boy. Somehow, she had become a woman who could drive a man mad…
Her delicate yet strong features, exquisite facial contours, and smooth, fair skin as pure as cream—under the dim candlelight, her body seemed to be covered in a thin layer of red, glowing faintly like a flawless natural ruby crystal. It was so enchanting that Thos couldn’t help but hold his breath.
“Sssh!” She untied the hair tie holding her hair back, and her fiery red hair cascaded like a waterfall over her chest, covering the budding curves below. For a moment, Thos felt a hint of regret.
“Thos…”

Ravia pressed her entire body against him. Her body was scorching hot, like a flame that burned constantly, and her soft, intoxicating breaths only made Thos unable to resist. Added to this was the scent of virginity mixed with alcohol, like a crimson snow plum blooming in the bitter cold.
Ravia Vayer Wilty Vomisley—she was a woman capable of driving a man mad!
Thos seemed unable to control his own body any longer. He only knew that his arms were wrapped around Ravia’s delicate, alluring figure. Hearing her soft moans, he felt as though a blazing fire had exploded inside him.
Under the dim light of the candles, Ravia’s eyes, like elements of fire, appeared enchanting and full of charm, possessing a magic that further weakened Thos’s meager willpower.
After prolonged kisses, their breathing became rapid, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on their skin.
“Avi…”
“Don’t speak!” As if guessing Thos’s thoughts, Ravia shook her head, gritted her teeth, lifted her body slightly, then showed a pained expression.
“What’s wrong?” Thos instinctively blurted out a thoughtless question.
Ravia glared at him irritably, then moved slightly, lying gently on his chest and stroking his strong body. She murmured, “At this moment, you belong to me…”
For some reason, Thos heard a hint of sadness in her words. He didn’t know what to say to comfort this stubborn little woman. All he could do was stretch out his arms and hold her tightly.
But he knew that from that moment on, their lives were tightly intertwined, as if destined by fate…
“What’s your name?”
“Thos!”
“What’s your surname?”
“…”
“Hey, I’m talking to you!”
“…”
Looking at Ravia lying on his chest, Thos couldn’t help but recall the first time he met her—the haughty northern noble girl. Who would have thought that the two who initially disliked each other would end up here one day?
“Heh…” Recalling Ravia’s “duel” with him and her stubborn refusal to give in, Thos couldn’t help but laugh.
However, this laugh seemed to mislead Ravia. She glared at him fiercely and snapped, “What are you laughing at?”

“Huh?” Thors was momentarily stunned before saying calmly, “I just remembered some things from the past…”
“Huh?” A hint of surprise appeared in Ravia’s eyes as she murmured, “You too… Hmph! I really didn’t want to meet you!”
“Huh?”
“Giggle,” Ravia giggled at Thors’ astonished expression, then buried her head in his chest and murmured, “Back then, there were so many students—why did I end up talking to you? Perhaps this is fate…” She then raised her head, looking down at Thors with that same tone, half-jokingly saying, “But even if you’re my husband, don’t expect me to become your servant…”
“Heh, of course not…”
The two exchanged smiles, and all barriers seemed to melt away in that moment.
“Click!” A spark flew from the candle holder on the long table. Ravia slightly lowered her head and murmured, “Kiss me, Thors…”
“Mm…”
Gradually, heavy and rapid breathing filled the entire hall.
Meanwhile, outside the house, a carriage slowly arrived at the door.
As the door opened, a girl with light blue hair jumped down from the carriage and turned back, saying helplessly, “I told you, Vando is just a short distance from Sassen. I can come back alone—nothing bad will happen…”
“That’s not certain, Dia!” With a light laugh, Lilith, dressed like a noblewoman in a black gown, stepped down from the carriage and looked at Dia with a smirk.
“You really are!” Dia glared at her friend irritably before taking out the keys from her bag to open the door.
Just then, a man in a gray cloak hurried over to Lilith from the end of the alley and whispered, “She’s inside. She hasn’t come out yet!”
“Hoh?” A teasing smile appeared on Lilith’s face as she glanced at the mansion and said calmly, “I know. You can go now!”
“Yes!”
Watching the man leave in a hurry, Lilith saw that Dia was still searching for the keys, so she walked over, which puzzled Dia.
“Huh? Aren’t you going back, Lilith?”
“Well,” Lilith smiled oddly and said, “I’ve come all the way to send you back. At least let me come in and sit for a while, okay? What? Not welcome?”

“Of course you’re welcome, it’s just…” Dia bit her lip and said weakly, “Thors should be back by now. You can’t be mean to me… Otherwise, I’ll really get angry!”
“Don’t worry!”
“Shall I open the door then?” With that, Dia opened the door and called softly, “I’m back…” As soon as she finished speaking, a look of surprise appeared on her face.
“Strange… Did he go out?”
Under Lilith’s somewhat sympathetic gaze, Dia crossed the living room and walked doubtfully toward the only room lit by candles.
“Really, he’s right here. Why isn’t he responding…” Pushing open the door, Dia was about to scold Thors a bit, but when she glanced at the man and woman lying on the sofa in the room, she was stunned.
“Clang…” The key in her hand fell to the ground. Dia felt dizzy and weakly leaned against the doorframe, covering her mouth tightly as she stared in disbelief at the man and woman on the sofa, who also seemed at a loss.
“Thors…”