Chapter 138 Letina's True Feelings

Retina opened her eyes and shook her head with a dazed look.

Immediately after, she suddenly turned her head and kissed the corner of Xu Ruo's mouth.

A moment later, they parted.

As they gazed at each other, the corners of her mouth curled slightly, and her red lips parted:

"I am a little tired, but..."

"That's not the reason for me to stop."

"I just feel... a bit too happy, so happy that it feels unreal, like a dream..."

"I'm afraid of being too happy... and accidentally waking up from the dream..."

Hearing this, Xu Ruo felt deeply moved and reached out to stroke Retina's hair, which was as smooth as silk.

Then he lowered his head and kissed her eyes.

Feeling Xu Ruo's tenderness, the corners of Retina's mouth rose slightly, and she actually began to smile shyly—

"How wonderful it would be... if we could stay like this forever."

Hearing Retina's longing words, Xu Ruo pulled the beauty in his arms closer:

"We will, as long as you want to..."

"This kind of happiness will never leave you."

Retina leaned quietly against Xu Ruo's chest, her gaze gradually becoming peaceful.

In the past, to show Xu Ruo her growth, Retina chose to leave him and develop her own power.

After more than two hundred years of effort, she succeeded.

She successfully founded the most unique sect in the world, the Heavenly Sect!

On Paradise Island, no one worshipped any deities; everyone only believed in themselves, in seeing is believing, and in staying grounded.

No one here had any privileges; it was truly a place where everyone was equal.

The governance philosophy that the Holy Kingdom had always pursued became a reality here.

In terms of the outcome, Retina had succeeded.

She had not only established a nation that the Holy Kingdom dreamed of.

But she had also, by her own strength, protected a dreamlike utopia.

Of course, she was certainly even happier now.

Because she had finally realized her long-held dream.

Becoming a Master-attacking traitorous disciple!

It was precisely because of this that Retina felt everything happening now was like a dream.

She was reluctant to wake up for a long time...

Xu Ruo could understand Retina's feelings.

He didn't speak, only gently patting the back of the beauty in his arms, silently enjoying the peace of the moment.

After a long time, in Xu Ruo's arms, Retina gradually recovered some of her strength.

"Ruo..."

Her voice was low and slightly raspy as Retina finally took the initiative to break the silence:

"Can I call you that from now on?"

"After all, calling you Master in front of others... might not be very appropriate."

Retina was afraid that her way of addressing him would ruin Xu Ruo's reputation.

But in reality, her concerns were unnecessary.

What reputation did Xu Ruo have left?

The blame he had shouldered was beyond counting.

Something as minor as laying hands on his only disciple didn't even rank among the "evil deeds" he had committed.

Hearing Retina's question, Xu Ruo pondered for a moment and said indifferently:

"Call me whatever you like; it's all fine with me."

Having received Xu Ruo's permission, a sweet smile immediately rippled across Retina's face.

Gently burying her head in Xu Ruo's chest, she finally seemed to have settled a matter of the heart, her tone carrying an unprecedented lightness:

"Calling you this... feels much more comfortable."

Xu Ruo was amused by Retina's well-behaved manner and kissed her forehead lightly:

"Since you like it, call me that from now on."

"Don't worry about what others think; as long as you're happy."

Seeing her master, who in her memory almost never smiled, actually breaking into an involuntary smile at this moment, Retina was momentarily dazed—

"Master, did you... just smile?"

Xu Ruo restrained his smile and reached out to caress Retina's cheek:

"Why, do I look ugly when I smile?"

Retina smiled and shook her head, the affection in her eyes deepening. She buried her head in Xu Ruo's chest once more, tightly wrapping her arms around his waist.

Feeling Xu Ruo's strong heartbeat, she seemed to be drawing some kind of strength from it. After a long while, she spoke softly again:

"I like it."

"I like... every side of you, every single move you make."

"And I like... this feeling right now, of being held in your arms, even more."

"From the moment Master saved me, my heart has been filled only with you."

Retina was merely a collateral descendant of an obscure noble in the Fran Empire.

In that family, she had always been looked down upon.

Furthermore, because of her grayish-white hair, she was regarded as a symbol of ill omen.

Even her parents had intended from the beginning to give her away as a commodity to a higher-ranking noble...

It could be said that as a commodity, before meeting Xu Ruo, she had never had a full meal or a warm set of clothes.

But fortunately, the night before her parents were scheduled to meet with the merchant...

Bandits invaded the city.

It just so happened that Xu Ruo was passing by, and by a twist of fate, he saved Retina.

From that moment on, Retina swore...

That she would work hard to become strong.

To become a woman worthy of Xu Ruo!

For this, she had sacrificed too much.

A full two hundred years of effort.

It wasn't until today that she finally felt she was qualified to stand by Xu Ruo's side.

A long-lost sense of security and fulfillment overflowed in Retina's heart.

Xu Ruo was also well aware of Retina's past. After a moment of silence, he held her even tighter.

Glancing lightly at the stain of red beside them, Xu Ruo lowered his head and whispered softly in Retina's ear:

"I am very happy to see your growth."

"But from now on, you don't need to carry any burdens."

"Because my wish is not to see how powerful you are, but to hope that you can live in peace."