Because I care

Qiao Wei supported Luo Xuan as they returned to the palace. Rhine stepped out of the room to pour Luo Xuan a glass of blood, then tactfully withdrew back inside. Qiao Wei spoke with some guilt, “You shouldn’t have come with me. You’re injured—are you feeling any better?”

“I’ll recover soon. Are you worried about me, Qiao Qiao?” Luo Xuan’s crimson eyes gazed tenderly at Qiao Wei, his voice as gentle and melodious as ever.

Qiao Wei awkwardly avoided Luo Xuan’s gaze, speaking a little unnaturally, “Of course. You’ve always treated me like a real brother would. Naturally, I care about you.”

“I see.” A fleeting disappointment crossed Luo Xuan’s face, but he smiled and said, “Then I’m glad.”

Hearing Luo Xuan’s words, Qiao Wei felt an inexplicable ache in her heart. “Why do you still treat me so well, Luo Xuan? I just bring trouble, and I’m so ungrateful. Why?”

“Because I care deeply about you, Qiao Qiao. When you care, you want to protect someone from harm. When you care, you want to do everything in your power to keep them alive.” Luo Xuan spoke softly, his thoughts drifting far away. He returned to himself and gently took Qiao Wei’s hand. “Qiao Qiao, tomorrow, let me take you somewhere fun, alright?”

“Alright. I’ll go rest for a while—I’m a bit tired.” Qiao Wei nodded, her voice choking slightly as she hurried to her room and closed the door.

A melancholy air lingered in Luo Xuan’s eyes. At that moment, Luo Chen entered from outside, his tone as indifferent as ever. “Most of the nobles have begun moving to Halfhorn City. The stubborn ones and that old man want to see you tonight.”

“Mm.” Luo Xuan frowned and managed a nod. Luo Chen hesitated, then asked, “What about her?”

Luo Xuan replied with a question, almost evasively, “Do you not feel any guilt at all?”

Luo Chen shot Luo Xuan a cold glance and walked into his own room, slamming the door shut. He fell onto the bed, feeling lost: Is this really what I wanted?

Night fell quickly. The elder stood with several powerful nobles behind him, and spoke bluntly to Luo Xuan, “We believe your decisions are unwise, Your Highness. Leaving this place is tantamount to bowing to the humans. It’s unacceptable!”

“Yes, the elder is right. Your Highness should reconsider!” a bold noble hurried to echo the elder. Suddenly, a blaze of fire descended upon that noble and consumed him to ashes in an instant.

“I’m tired. You can handle the relocation. Leave now.” Luo Xuan spoke nonchalantly, collapsing wearily onto the sofa.

The nobles behind the elder fell to their knees in terror, wiping the cold sweat from their faces. They nodded, trembling, and retreated from the room. The elder cast Luo Xuan a resentful glare, unwillingly departing as well.

Luo Xuan watched the elder’s departing figure and silently clenched his fists.

The night drifted by—