Hello, dear readers! Hope you're all well! Here's chapter 122 part 1 with part 2 coming up on Friday (or Saturday depending on where you read from in the world) as usual. Why divide one chapter into two parts? Well, to increase the chance of readers noticing my novel. It won't be a real surprise to all of you, but the more an author post, the higher the exposure. In my case, I can't write two whole chapters a week (at least not for now), but one is completely doable. Since each chapter is now more than 4000 words (the latest ones usually 4500+ words), I can divide each chapter into two parts of around 2000 words each without each part feeling too short. Two parts = Twice the exposure. Of course, if you don't like reading only half a chapter at a time, you're free to wait until the end of the week for both parts to be posted. In the end, it won't change much for you guys, besides the 'To be continued in part 2' at the the end of each part 1. I'll try this format for a while and see if it changes anything. Hopefully it does and I'll be able to earn enough to write with peace of mind, which is not really the case for now.
As for patre0n advance chapters, there will also be a change in format, but not the same kind. It will still be whole chapters, but I won't use the text tool for each post, the reason being chapter 121 has been censored by Patre0n. Apparently they are extremely restrictive on the +18 content, especially when the characters, like in my novel, are blood-related OR legally from the same family (step-family included), they outright ban the post. So I'll try a new thing which is give a google drive link for each chapter where my patrons will be able to read the chapter in PDF format directly on their web browser. I don't know if it will work, but we'll see. After all, I don't really want to censor myself especially when I don't consider my content creepy in any way, unlike many other novels out there.
Anyway, that's it for today, so if you can and want to support my work, do pledge at least a month on Patre0n (8€=9USD) and/or buy my book (8€=9USD) through the links below.
Bye!
Support Links:
-Don't hesitate to Follow, Review, Favorite, Power stone, share etc. (Depends on the platform you're currently reading on) if you like my different novels. It helps a lot with growing the number of readers.
-(Ebook Format)Book 1 - 'Memories Of The Past' is available for purchase through this link for those of you interested (8€=9USD): https://book.stripe.com/4gw9Dr9n0aMn7dK3cd
-I've set up a Stripe page, so if you feel like making a one time donation of any amount, don't hesitate to swing by. Thank you in advance! https://buy.stripe.com/4gwdTHfLo2fR2Xu6oo
-If you prefer having something 'tangible' for your donation, you can visit my patre0n page (8€/Month = 9USD/Month).
My patre0n: https://www.patreon.com/CalmWanderer (Switch 0 with o)
To all my Patrons: Thank you very much for your support!
************************
Bright Star City, Bright Star Island, Flowing Stars Archipelago, Earth
Omniscient P.O.V.
On the other side, Demian was the first to notice Bryn's state, with Seraphine being close second. After all, she did have those special eyes of hers. As for Liya, she was a bit slower than the other two. Who told her to be much weaker than everyone else in her family? Well, hearing that question, she would probably say it was merely a temporary setback and she was counting on her nephew's selfless help to make her stronger through his 'special method'. But that was besides the point. Back to the situation. In Demian's perspective, Bryn's eyelids began closing down, her previously fidgeting body loosening instantly, making it clear to him that the woman—the same who had fearlessly faced a Tribulation that would have pulverized more than 99.9% of cultivators at her level—that woman was literally fainting from what seemed to be a nervous breakdown. Her reaction was so unexpected that his own brain froze for a brief moment, though his body still moved automatically, almost teleporting to Bryn's side before gently catching her body into a princess carry. Only when he had her in his arms did the young man regain focus, an expression of not knowing whether to laugh or cry appearing on his face. 'Should I be glad that catching the three girls in a princess carry has become instinct to me, or should I be upset that I could have literally made her float in the air without even needing to touch her body with a single thought? I hope that particular instinct is only for those three...' Letting out an inward sigh, he then added. 'Forget it. Let's just call it 'occupational hazard', although in my case, the occupation would be having a harem.' Pausing for a second, an amused smile wiped off the previous distressed expression from his face. 'Well, I can't exactly call it a hazard with how much I enjoy holding them in my arms, though.' Despite having those thoughts traverse his head, he did not fail to notice Seraphine's and Adeliya's sudden arrival at his side, the former clicking her tongue, her following tone uttered in a tone mixed with admiration and teasing. "Passing out from dressing up... I gotta say, it's the first time I heard about something like that. I didn't even know that was possible for someone of her Rank." He had to admit, his elven lover had a knack for poking where it hurt, though he was sure it was simply a means to lighten the atmosphere. That being said, had Bryn been awake at this time, she would have probably fainted again from her careless remark. Interestingly, Adeliya seemed to also think that the little minx should watch her words a little more. With her beautiful brown eyes narrowed at her daughter's face, she started admonishing. "Stop bullying your older sister. You know how hard it was for her to do what she's been doing, so mocking her efforts doesn't help at all."
Now it was Demian's turn to feel bad for feeling slightly amused at the situation. 'She's right. I know how shy Bryn is, but she still dressed up for me—something she's never done in the past.' He pondered while admiring the now peaceful face of his future wife. Although focused on Bryn's unconscious figure, he did catch Sera's muttering apology coming from beside him. Was he feeling some schadenfreude? Of course not! He was not petty like that... Right? Pushing those self-convincing words aside, he suddenly asked the other two, his eyes not deviating from Bryn's captivating face. "Should we try to wake her up, or do we let her sleep?" His words cut off Liya's 'How to respect your older sister 101' course, plunging the two into a brief, thoughtful silence before the redhead instructed. "Better wake her up. I'm sure she'd be disappointed if we spent the day together without her." Nodding in agreement, he started circulating a small strand of his Water Elemental Energy in her body in a particular pattern he had learnt recently, triggering some of the secondary acupoints in her back. The reaction was immediate, with the woman's eyelids fluttering open, her gaze briefly unfocused while a few words escaped her dark-golden lips. "Where am I...?" Her expression, however, quickly turned bashful when she noticed herself lying in Demian's strong arms, the latter's lips' corners lifted in a gentle smile. "Feeling better, Love?" The combo gentle-words/gentle-embrace was almost too much for the shy woman, though her mental resistance seemed to have experienced some slight growth. At least, if the fact that she stayed conscious this time was any indication. Well, her skin was still thin, though, since her eyes darted everywhere, clearly trying to desperately avoid his own, while her cheeks were turning a darker shade of gold as time passed. But the most obvious of all the signs was the stutter in her voice. "I-I-I I don-don't..." Looking at the woman's adorable reaction, instead of teasing her—Nothing to do with Liya's previous words, of course—, he gently instructed. "Take a deep breath, Love. You're safe. There's no need to panic." His magnetic voice seemed to have a magical power on the woman in his arms, prompting her to follow his instructions, this time without avoiding his gaze. Was it his instructions or his dreamy eyes? She was not sure, but the result was that her heart rate started to slow down while her mind was busy admiring the deep color of his eyes. 'So blue...' She thought, her brain seemingly having left on vacation. Well, she was not the only one with a temporarily deficient brain, as Demian's 'inner philosophical contemplation' was: 'Her lips look so delicious...' Lost cases, both of them.
Besides those two 'teenagers in love', the other two 'third wheels' looked at each other, each noting the annoyance in the other's gaze before simultaneously bursting into a giggling fit. As the saying went: 'The apple did not fall far from the tree'. The sudden noise broke Demian and Brynhild from their staring contest, prompting them to turn their heads toward Liya and Sera's direction, and, seeing how they were not even looking at them, turned their gazes back to each other. Noting Bryn's blushing cheeks and shy smile, his own grin was gentle, matching his next question. "Better?" His deep voice carrying a certain quality that brought an itch to her Heart as she responded with a 'Mmhh' noise and slight nod before her right hand moved to lay on his chest, her lips letting out a whisper. "You can put me down now..." Her tone seemed slightly reluctant, though her skin was—unfortunately—not thick enough to stay in that embarrassing position. Well, not with an audience present anyway. Hearing her 'demand', a low chuckle escaped him before he teased. "Are you sure? I don't mind if you stay in my arms. Your body is pretty comfortable to hold, after all." Feeling some butterflies in her stomach at his words, she now had trouble looking him in the eyes. Though she tried to hide her delight, the growing grin on her face betrayed her completely. As for her current thoughts? Well... 'He said my body felt comfortable! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Wha-what am I supposed to reply? Shou-Should I also tell him that his arms are comfortable? But-but that would be too straightforward, wouldn't it? Damn it, Bryn! Get ahold of yourself! You're a beautiful, strong, and independent woman! You can't get flustered with just a small compliment! Otherwise, Sera will make fun of you again! No, I have to show her that I can act like a mature and confident woman. Let's try with complimenting back.' Only a brief moment went by as all those thoughts flashed in her head, and thus, with a slight stuttering, she replied. "You-you too..." Those two words brought vastly different reactions from the two involved. On the one hand, Bryn closed her eyes, wondering where she might end up being reincarnated after dying from acute cringiness, while Demian got a shot in the heart from Bryn's words and expression's ridiculously adorable reaction. 'Well, that's decided. That woman is mine for life. No way I can let her go after I've just seen her react like that. Not that I wanted to let her go in the first place, though...' His heart skipping a beat and his breath getting briefly stuck in his throat, he had to close his eyes and take a few deep breaths to regulate his body's natural reaction. Opening his eyes, a slightly complicated expression appeared on his face as a few words left his lips. "No wonder you three are blood-related..."
Because the tone he used was very low, Bryn barely caught them, but her mind was too chaotic to bother making sense of them, though the other two Mikhailov women were different, with Sera exclaiming, her tone barely hiding her envy. "Alright, Babe. I think you can let her down now. She looks fine now." Liya said nothing, but her expression, caught from the corner of his eye, was speaking for her. Shaking his head while sporting an amused grin, Demian said. "You two are really something." He then gently set the golden-skinned beauty down, doing nothing to hide his reluctance from those two piercing pairs of eyes observing every one of his movements. After all, a man had to put his foot down from time to time or his women would walk all over him. 'They are all supposed to be my wives, but those two are already jealous of each other. Who knew having a harem was so hard on the man's side?' He thought, half-jokingly, half-concerned. Indeed, he was truly hoping that there would be no 'internal war' between the 'Sister-wives'. Wife-Mother-Daughters? Daughter-Mother-Wives? Whatever they should be known as! In any case, he decided to do his best to help those three accept each other, not as daughter/sister/mother, but as true sisters. After all, every relationship was complex, demanding that each partner had qualities like kindness, empathy, and the willingness to communicate. That was for 'normal' relationships, so how much more complex a romantic relationship involving four people was, especially when the women involved had a close blood relation? If he were to be honest with himself, Demian admired those three for being willing to share him with each other, even though they did feel some slight reluctance from time to time. Thinking about himself sharing even just one of them with other men, a shiver of disgust traversed his body, making him realize how much love those three had for him and each other to accept that kind of 'abnormal' relationship. 'Love is truly mysterious with what it can make people do...' He contemplated as his gaze moved from one woman to the other before he stated firmly, but also with all his feelings mixed in his tone. "I'm really lucky to have the three of you in my life." Funny how a few months ago he said similar words, but their meaning was completely different. Or maybe it was a different side of things? After all, he still considered the three as family. Just not the same kind of family as before...