WCMBI - Chapter 238: Love Confession (Patreon)

He knew that those who practiced the sword were sensitive to subtle movements, but these knights were markedly different from the ones he had seen at the palace. There was only one conclusion to draw.

"Hmm, a sword master, perhaps?"

"That's not the important matter! Because of him, my emotions have been turned upside down, and our Della has been provoked!"

"What?"

"What he's done is, he buried some pheromone on her, and his pheromones were resonating within our lovely Della's body!"

Pedro dutifully recounted his misdeeds, hoping that Lucia might allow him some leniency. To have initiated the marking process on Adele from the very beginning was beyond audacious. Even if it was meant to put her at ease and not actually marking her, Ian's actions were incomprehensible.

Why had he chosen to pursue this course of action now? Ah, had he said he marked her?

Pedro scrutinized Melissa's expression. It appeared not significantly different from her usual stoic face, yet subtly tinged with anger.

Expressions alone couldn't always gauge emotions, but if she had known about Ian's marking, she wouldn't likely make such a face.

Considering her own difficult experiences with marking, wouldn't she empathize? Pedro now wanted to help Melissa, who had finally found freedom after her ordeal and was now standing on her own. He also hoped Adele could live as happily and freely as possible, unlike other Omegas.

And so, before Pedro could decide to keep Ian's marking a secret, Lucia stepped forward.

"This is an issue that cannot be overlooked."

"Do you have evidence that Della is your child?"

Ian suddenly averted his gaze from Lucia's sharp aura and looked at Melissa with sorrowful eyes as he responded.

"Mel wouldn't have borne the child of another Alpha."

"I told you she's not your child!"

Melissa, who had been silent until then, shouted out. The person who was typically so quiet that she hardly ever spoke was now displaying such behavior; it surprised the other sorcerers.

Lucía also understood, but with a slightly astonished expression, she observed Melissa. Melissa directed her magical power at Ian with her fingertips, and an eerie sense of hostility arose towards him, who had effortlessly dodged all her attacks thus far.

"Mel, why are you acting like this? I can understand if you hate me, but you shouldn't deceive our child. Isn't that right, Dia?"

In his words, Melissa grew furious to the very core.

"I've told you countless times that she's not your child. How much longer will you ignore what I say? And even if Della were your child, what's the use of it now?"

"Mel..."

"Cover the past that's already gone. I've already advised you on this."

"I love you."

In the frigid austerity of her countenance, Ian impulsively confessed. Indeed, no more need for embellishments or qualifying phrases.

She offered a perfunctory apology for her incision. Denying it vehemently all along, she was forced to acknowledge the haunting assumptions that had lingered in the recesses of her mind.

Perhaps, she mused, her heart had already departed.

No, it was already bereft from her heart.

The act of acknowledging the assumptions alone tore at his heart, transforming into agony that seemed to blur his vision. Without receiving any response, Ian, almost hanging on, confessed again.

"My love, I do. From the very beginning, I loved you."

Unaware of how others might perceive him, Ian wept as he made his confession. A top-tier Alpha who had never felt fear, now shedding tears and pleading, afraid of being forsaken by his Omega.

Yet Melissa remained cool and composed, unswayed by his confession. To her, Ian's confession now seemed merely awkward, filled with the notion of it being too late.

She silently drew a sigil beneath his feet. As the violet glow emanated from the floor, Ian looked up in astonishment.

"Ian."

"Mel, please..."

"I no longer need your love."

Having experienced freedom and fulfillment, there was no returning to the past. Even if it weren't for those reasons, she could no longer love anyone. She had incinerated any lingering attachment with the carriage, leaving her devoid of any desire.

Before she finished speaking, the spell circle finally activated properly. The tumultuous sight of Ian atop the dais vanished in an instant.