Chapter 28
"It's because I want it that I marked it."
However, the girl looked at him with confusion, "What is a mark?"
In the book, Hughes never did anything like that to the female protagonist; the word "mark" never even appears in the book.
This is just like a real world.
Although it was written by Xiao Yaoyao, it is a world that can operate independently. All the details that Xiao Yaoyao mentioned, and even things that he didn't write, will be completely filled in by this world.
For example, the underground forest beneath the desert temple, with its towering tree upon which all the creatures in the forest depend, is an imitation of the Tree of Life, the source of life.
The little demon was never described, yet it exists there.
For example, Hughes's mark.
She still doesn't know what it was.
Why mark the female lead when he hasn't done anything to her?
She was clearly very docile.
She listened to everything he said, always obediently staying by his side, never struggling or resisting, never being willful, and always gentle and well-behaved.
But he still marked her.
Thinking of this, Xia Qian's heart couldn't help but tremble, and her fingertips couldn't help but touch the marked spot on her neck. She asked softly, "...Is there some kind of punishment?"
“It’s not a punishment,” Hughes said, his fingers resting on the small hand on Xia Qian’s neck.
Then grip it tighter, little by little.
“It means we can always be together,” Hughes said, holding the little hand.
We can stay together forever...
Is it a mark of the harem?
Why didn't Hughes mark the female protagonist in the book?
Xia Qian was somewhat confused.
Little did she know that he had observed all her reactions.
He gently brushed aside the strands of hair on his shoulder with his long, slender hand, completely revealing the mark.
The mark is not just a mark for the harem; it is also a mark for the future empress of the empire.
The empire practiced monogamy, as did the royal family.
The mark of divine blood can only be placed once, and can only be placed on one person.
Once marked, that person's body is filled with the aura of the markr.
Other superhumans can also smell it.
Most importantly, bearing the mark of divine blood signifies that the person who bears the mark is willing to contribute their spiritual power to her.
Those marked can experience a significant boost in spiritual power within a short period of time.
However, Xia Qian's markings are not yet complete.
One more step.
The most crucial step.
But she felt shy even when kissing him and wanted to run away, let alone go to that extent so that he could completely mark her.
She wouldn't agree.
They might even be so frightened that they want to run away.
Thinking of this, the boy's narrow eyes darkened, and his deep blue pupils seemed to become even more profound.
"I've already said I like Xiaxia,"
The boy suddenly moved closer to her and said these words.
Xia Qian's mind went blank.
Because I've already said I like it.
So it's her turn now?
She seemed hasty, trying to hide herself and avert her gaze, responding as if to change the subject, "Oh..."
"Hughes, we should go out..."
Xia Qian spoke softly, "We've been inside for a long time."
They didn't know if anyone was waiting for them outside.
Xia Qian knew that if she continued to be alone in this small space with the black-clad boy in front of her, her heart would not be able to take it.
My heart was pounding in my chest, each beat faster than the last.
If this continues, she won't be able to hold on any longer.
The young man lowered his gaze, his usual assertive demeanor now inexplicably gentle.
"good."
He pulled away from her, but his hand remained clasped tightly with hers, their fingers still intertwined.
Tightly.
“Hughes…”
Xia Qian's cheeks were slightly flushed. She twisted her small hand that was being held tightly, struggling slightly, as if she wanted the boy in front of her to let go.
However, the boy was very persistent and did not let go; instead, he held on even tighter.
They clearly wanted to keep their distance, but in the end, they ended up holding hands.
Just then, Hughes pushed open the door of the hovercar. Xia Qian followed his gaze and looked in the direction he had expected. She had thought that the door would be full of people, but it was empty. There wasn't a single person in sight.
There were only the two of them around.
The emptiness actually relieved Xia Qian.
However, the next second, her hand, which was being held, suddenly tightened, and her waist was also gripped tightly.
Xia Qian trembled.
"If you're scared, just look at me."
Hughes held her hand, while his other hand gripped her waist.
It was as if the two of them were connected, like a couple deeply in love, wanting to do everything together.
Xia Qian inexplicably heard the boy's words echoing in her ears.
—Because I like it, I want it.
—I mark it because I want it.
And what about her?
Does she like Hughes?
Her mind was filled with confusion, and the rapid, pounding heartbeat due to nervousness seemed to be disrupting her thoughts.
I don't know if I'll like it or not.
But when a young man is gentle, he is truly captivating.
In the book, Hughes is a heartthrob; just by standing there, he can attract everyone's attention.
That's what it means to be a chosen one of heaven.
The hovercar stopped at the entrance of the royal palace. Because there were handrails on the steps this time, Xia Qian didn't have much difficulty going down.
However, every time her gaze fell on the steps suspended high in the air, she would feel a slight dizziness and her steps would falter.
Before Xia Qian could even compose herself, she was suddenly pulled into an embrace around the waist, and at the same time, a deep voice slowly fell into her ear.
"If you're scared, you can hold on tight."
How can we make the most of this?
Xia Qian's mind was blank, yet it seemed as if she already had a clear answer.
Of course, I hugged him even tighter.
Xia Qian's gaze couldn't help but fall on the image of them holding hands tightly together.
Her flushed cheeks made Xia Qian shyly look away again.
Aren't they close enough?
But she was genuinely scared.
Facing the steps, she still felt dizzy. Staring straight at them, the invisible height alone made her feel suffocated, as if an unseen force was pulling at her.
The force wanted to pull her down.
Her already fair face turned even paler now.
As she gazed down into the air, her body seemed to freeze, her entire attention focused there, her legs hesitant to move, her steps instead retreating.
However, there are even higher steps ahead.
If she continues to back away like this, she will fall.
It's very dangerous.
The boy's eyes darkened, and he held the girl in his arms tightly. "Xiaxia."
She was genuinely scared.
The fear of heights is even beyond the range of ordinary people.
This is not normal.
Hughes lowered his gaze and gripped the girl's hand tightly. "They didn't have time to prepare to move the steps when they came out this time."
It will happen in the future.
That way, she won't be so afraid of going down the stairs.
This step was originally intended for Yu Si; other ability users could not use it.
After Hughes gave the order, the team of superhumans prepared an extra stepping stone specifically for Xia Qian.
Little did they know that Xia Qian's body was even more delicate than Yu Si's. Yu Si was merely sickly, while the girl was both afraid of heights and frail.
She's delicate and particularly spoiled.
Like a fragile porcelain doll, every step must be carefully handled.
“Follow me,” Hughes said.
He took Xia Qian's hand, his long legs slowly descending a step, then stopped there, turned to the girl behind him and said, "I'll take one step, and you'll take one step down."
The boy is really patient.
They are the type of people who least need steps; they usually just jump directly off the hovercar.
But now, he stands beside her, patiently and slowly keeping her company.
He wasn't as patient as Hughes.
We should clearly keep our distance.
But Hughes was like a seductive siren; people's eyes would be drawn to him without them even realizing it.
He gazed at her intently and said seriously, "Xiaxia, come a little closer, you can lean on me."
Both were cold and aloof, but Hughes inexplicably gave off a greater sense of security.
Xia Qian suddenly felt like a weak little rabbit, relying entirely on the instincts of a small animal to move a little closer to Hughes.
Even the hand that was originally on the armrest was slowly lifted up.
They shouldn't be so close.
But she was genuinely scared.
The girl's hand grabbed a small piece of Hughes's shirt.
But just then, a slender hand pulled the girl's hand in, its long fingers covering hers as if instructing her on how to link arms with him.
Xia Qian's heart, which had calmed down, began to beat rapidly again.
The thumping sounds came one after another, not only from her chest, but also from the palms of her hands.
The steady beating of her heart came from her fingertips, one beat after another.
That's not hers.
That was the sound of Hughes' heart beating.
Because their current position was so intimate, her hand was holding his wrist, and he could clearly feel his heart beating steadily, one beat after another, through her fingertips.
Meanwhile, inside the palace not far from Xia Qian, several servants quietly hid in a corner. They weren't particularly bold, and each of them only secretly raised their heads to glance at Xia Qian in Hughes' arms once or twice.
"Is this the little slave Your Highness brought back?"
Among the servants, someone, whose identity is unknown, was the first to answer, "I heard that His Highness dotes on her."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than another servant's voice rang out, "Isn't Your Highness doing this because of her that you're not allowing anyone to greet you at the carriage door?"
It is said that the girl has a fear of heights, and if the people from the palace come out to greet her, it will aggravate her anxiety.
The boy held the girl's hand, and with great patience and slowness, he strode down the steps.
"Is she the future empress of the empire?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the other two servants reacted vehemently in denial, "Impossible! The Elders' Council would be in an uproar."
"And she was wearing a slave ring!"
According to interstellar law, girls are considered to have a lower social status than them.
They were just working in the palace, but they were all commoners, and the girls were slaves.
Their status was far lower than theirs.
If someone like that were to become empress, the council of elders would surely be in uproar.
However, while their gazes fell upon Hughes ahead, his eyes were fixed on the girl beside him.
That's Xia Qian.
The boy in black had all his attention on her.
Just then, Hughes suddenly raised his head, his sharp eyes fixed on the few servants hiding in the corner. With just one glance, the girls were instantly terrified.
They didn't dare to hide in the corner and say anything more; in the blink of an eye, they vanished.
The black-clad youth was genuinely cold; when his delicate features gazed at someone, the sharpness in his eyes was truly remarkable.
He is genuinely gentle.
But it seems to be specifically for certain people.
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