Chapter 105: The Meeting of the Sea of Clouds

Leo looked directly into her eyes. His voice trembled from nervousness, but it was more earnest than ever.

“No.”

“I wasn’t looking at the scenery. I was only looking at you.”

“You are more beautiful than this sea of clouds, than all the scenery I’ve ever seen.”

The air seemed to freeze completely in that moment. Only the faint sound of the airship cutting through the clouds echoed softly between them.

Ailiya’s hand holding the teacup froze midair. Those ice-blue eyes that reflected the sea of clouds showed a hint of subtle astonishment for the first time. She was stunned. It wasn’t that cold-faced ignoring silence.

Since coming to this godforsaken game world, not even Cedric’s greasy pick-up lines had ever made her feel this way.

What kind of development was this? How could this rookie young master, who only knew how to be stubborn, fake illness for sympathy, and even roll on the ground to learn martial arts, suddenly throw such a straightforward pitch?

“Young Master.”

Ailiya put down the teacup and resumed her indifferent expression.

“Did you guzzle those cheap red wines as grape juice in the restaurant earlier? Do you need me to find you a bottle of sobering potion?”

“I didn’t drink!” Leo’s face instantly turned bright red, but this time he didn’t jump or make excuses like usual. Instead, he gripped the ship’s railing tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

“Oh.”

Ailiya responded flatly and turned her head to continue looking at the scenery.

“Then you might be suffering from intermittent brain cognitive dysfunction caused by altitude hypoxia. In simple terms, your mind is fuzzy. Later, I’ll have Madam prescribe you a clarity potion. Guaranteed to cure.”

“I’m perfectly clear-headed!”

Leo wanted to stomp his foot in frustration, but he couldn’t bring himself to get angry at the woman in front of him. He could only lean on the railing and mutter sullenly.

“Would it kill you to accept a compliment…”

“What I said is true! Even though you have a sharp tongue, hit hard, and often hit me with cleaning tools…”

“But you are beautiful! Ten thousand times more than those noble ladies in the royal capital who only powder their faces! I just want to look at you. Is that not allowed?”

These words seemed to have been pent up for a long time, and once the floodgates opened, they couldn’t stop.

Ailiya looked at his neck turning red from excitement and his eyes that, though nervous, were unprecedentedly serious. She was silent for a long while.

“…Suit yourself.”

“Your praise holds no actual practical value for me.”

Ailiya took a sip of her tea.

“So, forgive me for being unable to cooperate in this meaningless performance.”

She turned around, holding the slightly cooled teacup, and redirected her gaze to the magnificent sea of clouds.

“But please maintain at least a meter’s distance. Your loud voice will disturb my enjoyment of this rare tranquility.”

Leo had expected a merciless mop attack or even a direct threat to report to his mother. To his surprise, she only said “Suit yourself.”

Was that… tacit approval?

“Heh heh… ahem.”

Leo quickly coughed twice to cover his wildly curling lips. He tactfully didn’t approach further, just leaned on the railing like her.

But his emerald green eyes still occasionally stole glances at her profile, which was breathtakingly delicate in the morning light.

On the other side of the deck.

Elsa, who had been preparing to come out with hot tea to enjoy the scenery, silently retreated back into the cabin.

The airship continued to sail steadily through the sea of clouds.

The sun gradually set, dyeing the horizon and clouds a brilliant purple-red.

Ailiya stood alone by the railing, the cup of hot tea Leo had brought her only half full and already cold.

She lowered her head and looked at her own youthful, cool face reflected in the cup, along with the fluffy silver-white wolf ears atop her head.

‘Am I beautiful…’

‘Indeed, I am beautiful… because I designed this appearance according to my aesthetic.’

She murmured softly, her mind involuntarily replaying the scene from earlier, when Leo said those words, his whole body trembling with nervousness.

‘That kid was serious.’

“Troublesome.”

Ailiya coldly uttered these two words. She drained the cold tea in one gulp. The chill slid down her throat into her stomach, clearing her chaotic thoughts a little.

‘Whether he’s serious or not…’ She was now in a real and cruel other world. The only thing she could rely on was to keep getting stronger.

These useless emotional entanglements between young men and women would only hinder her combat efficiency. Besides, she was essentially a man.

Ailiya successfully convinced herself. She stood up from the deck and straightened her windblown skirt.

Just as she was about to turn and return to her room, at the edge of her vision, beneath the endless sea of clouds, the outline of a massive city illuminated by countless lights gradually emerged.

It was a huge capital city, ten times or even a hundred times more prosperous than Fengyue City.

Layers of buildings stretched from the city walls to the end of sight. Soaring magic towers emitted various colored lights, illuminating the entire skyline like daylight.

That was the heart of the Roland Kingdom—the Royal Capital Ocreto.

“We’re here.”

Ailiya looked at the royal capital, which lay sprawled like a giant beast, and a sharp glint flashed in her ice-blue eyes.

With the gradually fading roar of the airship, the massive hull steadily landed in the capital’s large dock.

The cabin door slowly opened.

Madame Elsa walked at the front, her demeanor steady.

Leo followed closely behind. Although he tried to maintain a noble’s composure on his face, his clenched fists betrayed his inner tension.

Ailiya still carried that not-too-large black suitcase, walking steadily at the back. Her ice-blue eyes were hidden under the shadow of her silver bangs, scanning the surroundings and personnel like a radar, without any expression.

At the exit of the dock, a grand welcoming fleet of carriages was parked. A row of identical black luxury carriages, the sides painted with the Kastian family’s iconic thorn crest.

Standing at the front of the fleet was a middle-aged butler, dressed in an exquisite black tailcoat, his hair meticulously combed, wearing a standard professional fake smile.

“This… is someone sent by Cedric? Such a grand display.”

Leo was slightly shaken by the impressive lineup.

Madame Elsa stood beside him and replied in a calm, low voice:

“Otherwise? He made such a big fool of himself in front of the bishop at our estate in Fengyue City. Now that he’s back on his home turf, of course he wants to immediately regain his face and reputation twofold.”

Sure enough, when the middle-aged butler saw Madame Elsa and her party walk out of the passage, he immediately stepped forward with quick yet steady steps.

Although his demeanor appeared respectful on the surface, his eyes carried a subtle sense of superiority and scrutiny typical of a high-ranking servant of the main family.

“Madame Elsa, Young Master Leo, you must be tired. I am Lester, the personal butler of Young Master Cedric. On his orders, I am here to welcome the two of you to the main family’s villa for rest.”

Lester bowed slightly, his tone impeccable.

“Young Master specifically instructed that since the two of you have traveled a long way, we must ensure you receive the warmest hospitality from the main family. The carriage is ready. Please follow me.”

Elsa nodded slightly without saying much.

Ailiya followed at the end, her gaze lingering on Lester for less than half a second before looking away.

The Royal Capital…

Finally arrived.