Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world Chapter 487 - 2051 to 1502 [3]

"F-Florence?"

Instinctively, he stepped ahead without a second thought, his boots grinding over the rough cobblestones.

Rheanne glanced back at him, puzzlement crossing her shadowed face under the hood.

"Kael?"

No response came from him, his eyes fixed intently on the blonde woman.

"Florence..." he whispered once more.

Before his thoughts could catch up, his legs carried him swiftly toward her.

Hearing the footsteps closing in, the woman whipped her head around. Spotting the hooded stranger marching straight at her, panic widened her eyes.

"Huh?"

Terrified, she retreated a step, then hiked her skirts and dashed into the narrow alley next to the inn, vanishing into the gloom between the structures.

Brandon had barely advanced a few paces in pursuit when a strong grip seized his wrist.

"Kael, what's wrong? We can't draw extra eyes at a time like this."

He halted suddenly and faced Rheanne. "It's just... that woman resembled someone familiar to me. Identical in every way."

Rheanne blinked softly, her hold on his wrist easing. ’Come to think of it... I never inquired about his family,’ she pondered.

’I simply whisked him away on impulse.’

Brandon let out a trembling breath and scrubbed his face with his free hand. ’Am I seeing things because I long for her so much? I even frightened that innocent lady.’

A faint, tired sigh slipped from his mouth.

"Let’s go."

Rheanne nodded gradually. "...Okay."

She let go of his wrist, and they pressed on along the city lanes, making for the massive castle.

Torches and lanterns lit its towers and spires, throwing elongated shadows over the rooftops.

Nearing the primary avenue to the castle entrance, a group of armored sentries blocked their path.

"Halt. State your business at this hour-"

Rheanne smoothly pulled back her hood.

As her flowing white hair and vivid sky-blue eyes came into view, the guards stiffened in shock.

In unison, they knelt on one knee, spears clanging on the stone as they bowed low.

"Goddess Rheanne!"

With a single nod of recognition, Rheanne strode onward, Brandon beside her.

The guards stayed down, heads bowed, until the pair had gone by.

Brandon kept his hood raised, quiet as they passed through the majestic gates into the outer yard.

Manicured grounds stretched out, with stone walks bordered by blooming shrubs, bubbling fountains, and vigilant guards lining the walls.

Servants and low officials bustled about briskly, yet all parted for Rheanne, murmuring and inclining their heads in respect.

Guides directed them to the primary reception chamber.

News of the Goddess’s coming had raced through the castle like flames.

Within the vast hall, Eurasania’s Emperor stood from his throne upon their entry.

Tall and middle-aged, he sported a tidy beard and piercing gaze, clad in lavish crimson attire.

Surprise turned to profound respect on his face as he stepped down and bent deeply.

"Lady Rheanne. The tower in the eastern mountains has become even more volatile. Thank you for your aid... Goddess."

Rheanne nodded briefly. "We’ll discuss matters later. For now, we require rest and suitable lodging."

The Emperor’s eyes darted momentarily to her hooded companion, intrigue sparking, though he held his tongue.

"Naturally, Goddess. The best guest rooms stand ready. Meals, baths, and new garments will arrive at once."

Rheanne offered a slight nod.

As attendants rushed to lead them further inside, Brandon kept his hood down.

Rheanne stayed close in quietude, stealing concerned looks at him but holding back questions amid the crowd.

Their quarters proved lavish, with stout wooden doors and a broad balcony facing the cityscape.

A hot bath steamed in the connected chamber, accompanied by trays of grilled meats, warm bread, ripe fruits, and fine wine.

After the servants departed and doors shut, Rheanne faced him squarely.

"Kael... are you alright?"

Brandon approached the grand bed and perched on its rim, the plush surface yielding beneath him.

"Yeah, I am. Don’t worry."

The jolt from spotting that Florence lookalike had shaken him to the core, yet tower fatigue was softening the ache’s bite.

Rheanne traversed the space and settled next to him on the bed. "Also... I dragged you here without checking your wishes. Family or friends must await you back home."

He turned to her with a soft smile. "It’s okay. I am an orphan anyway."

"Also, we're the same... so I suppose it’s wiser to stick with you."

Rheanne dropped her gaze to her lap. "Mhm."

Suddenly recalling a vital point, Brandon sat up straighter. "Also, if anybody asks about me, tell them I’m your right-hand man or personal servant. Don’t reveal that I wield ether like you do."

Rheanne blinked, puzzled, as she tilted her head a bit.

"I get it... you don’t want to attract attention, huh? Okay."

Brandon offered a wry inward smile. ’Actually, no one must ever learn that men can wield ether. Since only women will awaken in the future.’

’My awakener status will remain a guarded secret.’

Rheanne rose elegantly, smoothing her tunic. "Finish your dinner and get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow, Kael."

She cast him a final tender glance before heading to the adjoining door connecting to her room.

With a soft click, she shut it, leaving him solitary in the vast chamber.

The instant she left, Brandon released a deep, weary sigh, rose from the bed, and made his way to the balcony.

He swung open the wooden shutters and stepped out into the night.

Cool evening breeze swept across his face.

Brandon rested against the stone balustrade, eyes fixed on the city below.

Memories pulled him back to the "old days"... the world he’d abandoned in 2051.

A subtle, poignant smile graced his lips.

Then a slight frown formed.

’Huh?’

His keen gaze spotted motion in the darkness underneath.

A hooded shape ascended the outer castle wall, flowing seamlessly from hold to hold, expertly evading the guards’ blind spots.

’A thief? The sneaky approach screams it.’

The figure ascended rapidly, targeting an upper balcony in the castle’s eastern wing.

This trespasser wasn’t random. They’d clearly memorized the castle’s patrol layouts.

He remained utterly still on his balcony, observing from the gloom.

Reaching a ledge beneath the royal quarters, the hooded climber halted to scan for guards before resuming the ascent.

Brandon’s hold on the stone railing intensified.

’Should I step in?’

One urge was to overlook it—he was stranded in this strange era amid plenty of headaches.

Yet another impulse rejected passivity as dubious events unfolded nearby.

Especially in the castle hosting them as guests.

He glanced at the door to Rheanne’s room. She’d retired already. Rousing her for a mere suspect thief seemed excessive...

Brandon’s eyes sharpened. ’Let’s discover your identity.’

Ducking inside briefly to snatch a knife, he returned to the balcony, scaled the railing, and descended the exterior wall without a sound.

Beneath him, the hooded intruder balanced on a slim ledge, coiling to leap toward a higher balcony above the royal gardens.

As the trespasser launched, Brandon moved.

He dropped from his perch, alighting silently on the ledge.

In a seamless rush, he seized the intruder from rearward, right arm locking the torso firmly as left hand sealed the mouth against shouts.

The intruder’s body went rigid with shock.

For a brief instant, the figure froze solid.

Then primal reflex surged, the hooded form wrenching savagely to escape, elbow jabbing back at Brandon’s side.

Brandon clamped tighter, pinning the intruder firmly yet without undue pain.

"Quiet," he breathed. "I’m not here to kill you."

The intruder thrashed briefly longer before going limp once more.

"I caught you scaling the wall. You know those patrol paths too expertly for some street thief. Any weapons on you?"

Brandon whispered while frisking the chest for blades... and encountered something soft and pliant.

Huh?

He grasped the breast solidly, sensing the yielding flesh beneath his fingers.

"Nngh-"

Eyes widening in astonishment. ’A woman?’

He yanked his hand from her chest promptly; the woman stiffened further in his grasp.

Brandon cleared his throat softly, murmuring low. "Who are you, and what brings you here?"

He eased his hand from the mouth slightly for words, but kept it ready to silence screams.

"DO YO-"

At her cry, Brandon clamped her mouth shut again. "Shh. Be quiet, or you’ll land in deep trouble."