Diere stared intently at Shien.
Shien understood and removed his hood as well.
Seeing the familiar face before her, Diere’s eyes flickered.
Soon, Diere lowered her head.
“…Why are you here?”
Diere asked softly, like a child who had done something wrong.
“Why?” Shien said even more impatiently, “If I didn’t come, were you really planning to stay here and be chased by those bastards?”
Diere was speechless.
This past month had been very difficult for her.
Even though she had been mentally prepared and could endure it, she still felt somewhat ashamed before Shien.
Seeing this, Shien sighed helplessly.
“Come here.”
Shien opened his arms towards Diere casually.
Diere looked up at him.
In the next moment, Diere stepped forward without hesitation, removing her mask, revealing her stunningly beautiful face, and threw herself into Shien’s arms.
Their lips met in a deep kiss.
Reunited after a month of separation, both Shien Buztout and Diere were filled with excitement. After all, they had parted ways after a passionate encounter.
So, their kiss was fervent and intense. If not for the inappropriate location, they might have already engaged in another passionate activity.
They finally parted after a long while, breathless. Shien was completely relieved.
“How are you?” Shien asked, holding Diere, “I heard you were seriously injured.”
He was referring to Diere’s infiltration of the Imperial Palace, the Raifurut ambush, and the wound to her abdomen.
“I’m fine,” Diere said softly, burying her head in Shien’s chest, “I was prepared and brought plenty of healing potions.”
Diere lifted her clothes, showing Shien her abdomen. He saw a bandage, slightly bloodied, but not too serious. The potions must have healed the wound considerably. However, the fact that she needed potions meant the injury was severe at the time.
“[Celestial Breathe].”
Shien cast the highest-level healing magic on Diere, starlight enveloping her.
Diere closed her eyes, seemingly comfortable, but remained silent, snuggling in Shien’s arms, as if savoring his scent.
Soon, the faint smell of blood on Diere disappeared. Such a wound wouldn’t last long under the effects of [Celestial Breathe].
Shien was relieved, then couldn’t help but complain,
“I told you not to come alone, and now I have to come and get you.”
He had to complain. Diere had insisted on coming to the Empire alone.
If she had succeeded, it would be a different story. Unfortunately, she underestimated Mara, the Raifuruts, and her opponents, ending up injured and hunted.
Diere knew it was her fault. She admitted she underestimated the enemy, being too eager and falling into their trap.
If not for several strokes of luck, she might have died in the Imperial Palace.
No, it wasn’t just luck.
“You arranged for someone to protect me, helping me escape several times, right?” Diere looked up at Shien.
Shien didn’t deny it.
“Just in case,” he shrugged, “Not that I underestimate you, but the opponents are dangerous, and you’re still young. Neither I nor Vivian would be at ease letting you come alone without any arrangements.”
Then, Shien spoke to someone else,
“Why? Haven’t you shown yourself to her yet?”
“Didn’t you say not to let her find me?”
Leisha emerged from a spatial distortion.
“Finally decided to show up, huh, milady?”
Shien complained again, not about Leisha not showing herself, but about her not bringing Diere to him after he arrived in the Imperial Capital.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Leisha said, pointing at Diere, “Your little lover is incredibly stubborn. Watching her these past few weeks made me worry constantly. If I appeared and said I’d take her to you, do you think she’d agree?”
Leisha’s voice was filled with helplessness and exhaustion. She’d clearly been worried about Diere’s safety.
Shien looked at Diere.
“…I was just ashamed to see you,” Diere said, avoiding his gaze.
She’d known Shien was in the Imperial Capital, sensing it almost immediately. After all, she was devoted to him, and with the [Goddess of Fate’s Blessing], it was normal for her to have a premonition.
But she was ashamed to see him. She’d boasted about coming to the Empire alone, yet she not only failed but was also almost killed. She could imagine Shien’s anger.
Therefore, she didn’t dare to see him, wanting to make one last effort. She came here to see if what she was looking for was in the Raifurut residence.