Chapter 138: Introduction
"Ank you are awake."
The moment those words left Seraphina's lips, the atmosphere inside the room shifted slightly.
Because unlike Maya's explosive anger or Celestia's playful teasing, her voice carried calm authority, something that naturally drew attention and steadied the chaos that would be going to take place because of Celestia.
Maya was once again going to scold Celestia but stopped hearing Seraphina words.
She stepped forward, her posture straight and composed, it became clear that she had already decided to take control of the situation before it spiraled any further.
"Let me introduce myself first," she continued, her tone formal yet not cold, as if she was trying to maintain a balance between royal dignity and personal emotion.
"Then we can talk properly, because I have many questions to ask you, but introduction comes first."
Ank, who was still sitting on the bed and trying to process everything that had happened within the last few minutes, could only nod slightly.
Not because he fully understood the situation, but because he realized that resisting or interrupting at this moment would only make things more complicated.
"I am Seraphina Noaheart," she said, placing one hand gently over her chest as she spoke, her gaze steady as it met Ank's, "the first princess of the Diamondheart Empire and Freya's elder sister."
Her words were simple.
But the weight behind them was not.
"We are all in great debt to you," she continued, her expression softened, the formality fading just slightly as genuine gratitude appeared in her eyes.
"You helped us protect this planet and because of that, not only us,
but the entire empire is grateful to you."
There was sincerity in her voice.
Real and undeniable.
And for a moment everyone became silent.
Everyone was hearing Seraphina words.
Ank did not know their background then he saved ,his only aim was to save them to complete the quest.
In the next moment Celestia moved after Seraphina ended her speech.
She jumped out of the bed with energy that completely broke the serious tone Seraphina had just created.
Her movements were light, almost playful, as she stepped forward with a bright smile that seemed completely unaffected by the tension around her.
"Now my turn!" she declared playfully, raising her hand slightly as if she wanted their attention, her eyes shining with mischief as she looked directly at Ank.
"I will formally introduce myself as well,"
She continued, her voice cheerful, completely opposite to Seraphina's serious tone, "I am Celestia Noaheart "
She paused.
Just for a second.
Then leaned forward slightly, her smile widening.
"And you can also say that I am the self-proclaimed third fiancée of yours."
The words landed and Ank looked at Maya to see how she would react.
But his attention again returned to Celestia's next words.
"And you can remove the 'self-proclaimed' part if you want," she added immediately after, blinking her eyes innocently as if what she had just said was completely normal.
If she had not just thrown fuel into an already burning situation.
Maya froze.
For a fraction of a second.
Then her expression darkened.
Anger rises instantly.
"Enough!" she shouted, her voice sharp and filled with frustration as she stepped forward without hesitation, her eyes locked onto Ank as if demanding an answer right then and there.
"Ank, tell them clearly that you do not like Celestia," she said, her words fast and direct, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
"And I will only accept Freya."
Her declaration was bold ,possessive and completely serious.
"This is my limit," she added, her fists slightly clenched as she stood there, refusing to back down, refusing to let the situation continue like this any longer.
The room fell silent again with a heavy and tense atmosphere.
Ank was still sitting on bed and was surrounded by all of them.
His gaze shifted from one to another.
Maya.
Angry.
Celestia.
Smiling like she was enjoying everything.
Freya.
Quiet, watching everything carefully.
Seraphina.
Observing.
And for the first time he did not know what to say.
Because no matter what he said it would affect someone.
It would hurt someone.
And he understood that clearly.
But before he could even try to respond.
Seraphina moved again.
She stepped forward slightly, her expression turning serious once more as she immediately recognized the situation for what it was, because unlike the others.
She could see Ank's hesitation, his confusion, the way he was being cornered without even realizing it fully.
"Ank," she said calmly, cutting through the tension before it could escalate further, her voice firm enough to stop everyone from speaking again.
"You should go and take a shower first."
Her words were simple.
But helped Ank to escape.
"And then come to breakfast," she added, her tone softening slightly as she gave him a way out of the situation, an escape he clearly needed.
Then her gaze shifted.
Toward the others.
"And you three," she continued, now she was addressing Maya, Freya, and Celestia together, her authority returning instantly, "help me prepare breakfast."
There was no room for argument in her tone.
It was not a suggestion.
It was an order.
Ank blinked.
Once.
Then nodded quickly, almost instinctively, because he understood exactly what she had just done for him, even if she did not say it directly.
"Y..Yes," he replied and stood up from the bed, not wanting to stay a single more second in that room.
And then
He moved quickly.
Almost like he was escaping.
He walked toward the bathroom without looking back, his steps faster than usual, as if afraid that if he slowed down, someone might stop him again.
Behind him all four girls watched him silently.
Until he disappeared inside.
And the door closed.
Only then the room exhaled.
But the tension did not disappear.
Although Ank had escaped for now, the conversation was far from over.
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Author's Note
First Character Image
Seraphina Noahheart