Chapter 322: Back To Home

"Nancy!! I missed you so much!"

Noah immediately scooped the soft black cat into his arms and pulled her tightly against his chest. He rubbed his cheek against the top of her head with an overly affectionate grin.

"Meow! Meow!"

Nancy struggled desperately against the clingy human who had suddenly returned after being gone for more than a month.

"Goodness, why are you struggling so much?" He looked genuinely offended. "Don’t you miss me?"

Before Nancy could answer or, more accurately, before she could escape Noah began showering her head with kisses.

"Meow!!"

Nancy pushed her tiny paws against his face, desperately trying to create some distance between them. Her golden-yellow eyes narrowed as she stared at him.

If Noah had understood cat language, he would have clearly heard:

NOOOO! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! HUMAN!

Unfortunately for Nancy, Noah understood absolutely nothing. And so, the assault of affection continued.

"You’re still as cute as ever."

"Meeoow!"

Nancy’s ears flattened. Her eyes practically screamed for help. Fortunately for her, a prince charming arrived to save her.

"I think we should have a talk, brother."

Noah suddenly stopped. He slowly turned his head toward the doorway.

Nathan was standing there, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest.

His violet eyes were fixed on Noah with an expression that made him look less like an older brother and more like an investigator who had finally caught his suspect.

Noah blinked. ’Why does he look at me like I’ve committed a crime?’

Nathan raised an eyebrow.

Noah slowly released Nancy. The moment her paws touched the floor, she sprinted out of the room without looking back.

Noah watched her disappear. "Tch! she ran away because of you." Then he looked back at his brother. "Big bro, what do you want to talk about?"

Nathan uncrossed his arms and walked into the room. He stopped directly in front of Noah. "You damn well know what I want to talk about."

Noah’s smile stiffened.

Nathan stared at him. "What’s your relationship with Lady Akari?"

Noah’s expression immediately froze.

"Ah..." He took a small step backward. "Haha... Brother, you mean..." A nervous laugh left his mouth.

Nathan didn’t even blink. "Yes."

His voice was calm, but his expression said he had already decided Noah was guilty. "What’s going on between you and Lady Akari?"

Noah swallowed. ’He really isn’t going to let this go.’

"Brother, she’s my master."

He tried to sound casual. "She taught me for months while we were trapped in that realm. Naturally, we became closer."

Nathan stared at him for several seconds. "That’s it?"

"Yes."

"Do you honestly think I’m an idiot?"

Noah’s smile disappeared.

Nathan sighed and rubbed his forehead. "The way you look at her isn’t how a disciple looks at his master."

He narrowed his eyes. "And I saw the two of you coming out of the woods last night. You were not in chamber so I tried to search for you and then saw it."

"What?!"

Noah’s eyes widened. His face instantly became awkward. ’He saw us?’

He quickly tried to think of an excuse. But the expression on Nathan’s face made one thing painfully clear.

There was no point lying. Noah sighed and dropped his shoulders.

"Okay... I’ll tell you."

Nathan’s expression softened slightly.

"But promise me you won’t tell anyone." Noah looked at him seriously. "Especially Mother."

Nathan’s lips twitched. He could already imagine Catelyn’s reaction if she discovered what her son was thinking.

"Fine." He nodded. "I promise. Whatever you tell me stays between us."

Noah relaxed. He sat down on the edge of the bed.

Nathan walked over and sat beside him.

Noah remained silent. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"You see..." He hesitated. "I don’t really know how to explain it. I think..." Noah stared at the floor. "I think I like her."

Nathan didn’t respond. He simply stared at his younger brother. His expression slowly changed from curiosity to disbelief.

He had suspected something like this. But hearing Noah actually admit it was another matter. "...You actually like her?"

Noah gave an embarrassed smile. "Yeah."

Nathan remained silent for another moment.

Then Noah continued. "But I definitely feel attached to her. And I’m attracted to her too."

His voice became more serious. "I care about her... probably more than I realized. He lowered his gaze. "But is it really love?"

He shook his head. "I don’t know. I’ve never been in love before, so how am I supposed to know?"

Nathan looked at him thoughtfully. "You loved Ophelia before. The daughter of the woman you’re currently crushing on."

Noah’s face immediately twisted with embarrassment. "Haha..."

He rubbed the back of his neck. ’Damn, now I feel ashamed. But this is not like me, I should be more open.’

"I don’t think what I felt for Ophelia was love."

Nathan raised an eyebrow.

"No?"

"I think it was mostly attraction."

Noah sighed. "Maybe even an obsession. I was attached to the idea of being with her."

His expression became more thoughtful. "But what I feel for Akari is different."

He leaned backward, placing both hands against the mattress. His eyes drifted toward the ceiling. "With her... I actually care about her happiness. I worry about her. When she’s in danger, I can’t just sit there and do nothing."

A faint smile appeared on his lips. "And when we were trapped in that realm together..." He paused. "She had become to very important to me before I realized."

Nathan listened quietly.

Noah’s expression then became uncertain. "But I don’t know what she thinks about me."

He turned his head slightly. "She cares about me too. A lot, actually. She’s even willing to put her life on the line for me."

His brow furrowed. "But I don’t know what kind of feelings she has for me."

Nathan stared at him for a moment before letting out a long sigh. "You really are something, little brother."

Noah glanced at him. "What?"

Nathan shook his head with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "You’re actually falling for a woman around our mother’s age."

Noah winced. "Don’t say it like that."

Nathan laughed quietly. "If Mother finds out, she’s going to lose her mind."

Noah sighed.

"Yeah..." He gave a teasing smile. "But what can I do?"

Nathan chuckled. "At least you’re aware of how ridiculous this situation sounds."

"I know." Noah scratched his cheek. "I can’t exactly control who I develop feelings for."

Nathan nodded. "Fair enough."