Sophie sat between Kael's legs in the bathtub, her back resting against his chest, the warm water lapping at their bodies. Steam curled around them in lazy spirals. The medicinal properties of the water had already soothed the aches from their earlier activities — at least for Sophie. Kael's body cultivation meant he barely noticed soreness anymore.
But Sophie's expression had shifted.
The soft, satisfied glow from moments ago had hardened into something cold. Her jaw was tight. Her fingers traced absent patterns on the water's surface with sharp, agitated movements.
"How dare Ursula do that?"
Her voice was quiet.
"Zenthoria. She's sending you to Zenthoria on a Rank 1 Mana Heart mission." Sophie's hands curled into fists beneath the water. "I'm so damn angry I could kill that bitch myself. If she wasn't stronger than me, I swear I would—"
