Chapter 52: But, haven't you forgotten something?
Soon after, Timothy roughly explained the situation within the secret realm.
"So, you're saying that because you cleared the secret realm and withstood the Ninefold Thunder Tribulation, it was only because of that strange golden light that countless female disciples fell for you?" Sylvia asked after Timothy finished his explanation.
"Exactly, babe, you got it spot on. It was all just a big misunderstanding," Timothy exclaimed, clearly impressed.
"Are you sure there's nothing else you're hiding from me?"
"Nothing at all, I swear. If there was, you could do anything to me."
"Oh? Is that so?" Suddenly, Sylvia's tone shifted.
Timothy detected a chill in her voice.
"Then can you explain what this business about you holding hands with the Third Princess of the Phoenix Kingdom is all about?" As soon as she said this, Timothy's mind went blank.
How could he have forgotten about that!
In his panic at the time, he hadn't paid much attention to it, which is why he overlooked it!
He was really innocent!
But in this situation, even an explanation seemed utterly unconvincing.
Timothy's mind raced, and he finally came up with the best solution.
"Babe, calm down, that was just a desperate measure at the time, I did it all for you!"
"For me? Don't try to sweet-talk your way out of this."
"I'm not lying, I did it just so I could study the 'Uselessness of Spiritual Partners.'"
"If you don't believe me, I can recite what I learned."
With that, Timothy loudly recited, "As Goddess Sylvia says: 'Men are the most evil creatures in the world, one must never make casual contact with them. Definitely no dating, no dining together, no holding hands...'"
"Okay, I get it, stop!" Sylvia's cheeks flushed with a sudden rush of color.
She was just trying to scare Timothy.
She had already secretly asked Emily, who told her that Timothy holding her hand was just a necessary action due to the urgent situation, and nothing significant had happened between them.
What was more embarrassing was reciting her own melodramatic words from back then!
Especially since she had already done all those things like dating, eating together, and holding hands with Timothy!
"Babe, you're the best, understanding forever!" Timothy laughed as he pulled out a Memory Orb from his pocket and handed it to Sylvia, "Oh, and I have a gift for you."
"A gift?"
Looking at the crystal ball in front of her, sparkling with myriad colors and painted with beautiful landscapes, Sylvia's eyes lit up slightly.
Over the years, although she had established twelve Star Palaces and strengthened her power with Sky Sanctuary at the forefront, she had given up much.
Untouched by worldly concerns, indifferent to all earthly things, when had she ever received a gift?
Even though this crystal ball had no spiritual energy and seemed to be just a pretty ornament.
Sylvia still carefully took it, holding it gently in her hands as if it were a precious treasure.
Timothy smiled, "Does the goddess like the gift I gave?"
Sylvia immediately blushed and retorted, "Not at all! I... I'm just worried it might break and dirty my tiles!"
But despite her words, she couldn't help but examine the crystal ball closely, her ethereal, clear eyes filled with curiosity.
At that moment, Timothy said, "Actually, this crystal ball has another use. You can try channeling your spiritual energy into it and then hold it up to your ear."
Sylvia's curiosity intensified.
Even she, after observing it repeatedly, couldn't figure out what was special about its construction.
Slowly infusing the crystal ball with her spiritual energy, Sylvia placed it next to her ear.
The next moment, Timothy's voice emerged from it: "And I... will always love you…"
The melodious song flowed like majestic mountains and babbling brooks.
The tune was melodious, carrying a sense of exoticism she had never heard before.
More importantly, the lyrics of the song.
Every line spoke of love, every phrase dripped with emotion.
"Did you sing this song?" Coming back to her senses, Sylvia's ears turned a shade of crimson due to the lyrics and melody.
Her face was as beautiful as the rosy sky.
Timothy nodded, "Yes, I recorded it on my way back to Sky Sanctuary. And every lyric in the song expresses my true feelings."
Sylvia averted her gaze, her lips pursed lightly, "Always the smooth talker!"
"But you like it, don't you?"
"I…"
"Hmph!"
Sylvia huffed softly, turning her head away in a tsundere manner.
"I am indeed somewhat interested in this little crystal ball. But, haven't you forgotten something?"
"Forgotten what?" Timothy was taken aback.
"Right, you said if you hid anything from me, I could deal with you as I see fit. Yet, you hid the fact that you held hands with someone else."
Hearing this, Timothy showed a hint of embarrassment, not expecting to have slipped up here.
"Even so, go easy on me, babe."
"After all, there's quite a gap in our strengths, and if you're not careful, you might end up without a husband." Timothy looked somewhat fearful.
"Impossible!" Sylvia's figure suddenly moved.
Timothy, startled, instinctively dodged backward.
But Sylvia's speed far exceeded his expectations.
As that breathtakingly beautiful face appeared before him the next moment, suddenly, Timothy felt a softness on his lips.
Feeling the softness of her lips, Timothy was stunned.
Although they had almost reached this point last time, he hadn't expected Sylvia to initiate a kiss.
Her eyes, tender and full of emotion like clear flowing water, compelled Timothy to respond.
Her kiss was inexperienced and shy, which only made it more intoxicating.
...
After a moment, they slowly parted.
Timothy clearly saw those usually formidable, autumnal eyes now shimmering with a dazed affection.
"Cough, don't look..."
Sylvia, bashfully avoiding his gaze, clung to her last shred of authority: "I did this to prevent you from being fickle with other women!
It's good that you only accidentally held hands with another woman in the secret realm. If you had gone this far behind my back, wouldn't I be at a huge loss?"
"Hey, what are you laughing at!"
"I'm really not embarrassed, nor am I making excuses to kiss you!"
But seeing Timothy's amused smile, Sylvia realized she couldn't maintain her composure any longer.
"Don't worry, I only have kisses for you, my wife. Other women are like smoke to me."
"I'll believe that when pigs fly!"
"I have a way to make you believe."
"What way?"
Just as she asked, Timothy leaned in again.
Instantly, her heart, which had just begun to calm, started racing again.
"No way, I need to make the goddess 'kiss-ready'."
"No way, I need to make the goddess 'kiss-proof'."
"Ah~"