Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough?

Chapter 18 Me? Was? Rhodes?

Why?

These words resurfaced in Rhodes' mind. Even if she really had something difficult to say, she shouldn't have said that she wanted to act with him like this, right?

Rod really wanted to just yell at her and make her explain herself.

Rode knew that even if he asked her, she would say the same thing as before: "You don't have the right to know."

That's Lilith.

She refused to say anything important; arrogance was her constant demeanor.

Rhodes's avoidance was a lesson learned from experience, but now he was being chased and killed by this arrogance. How could he not feel uncomfortable?

He really hated this situation because no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure out what her reason was for acting this way.

In fact, the fact that Lilith did not use any forceful means means that she at least needed to take advantage of his goodwill; otherwise, she would have directly used force to coerce him and held a knife to his throat to make him do his bidding.

But what it required him to do for her willingly... Rod never figured out what it was from beginning to end.

Therefore, this all became a mystery.

However... in any case, Rhodes understood.

Since she didn't use force, it at least means she didn't intend to kill him.

As long as Lilith doesn't threaten her own safety or put those around her in danger, then it doesn't matter if she wants to use her for a short time.

In one month, I will reach Lilith's strength. In other words, after one month, whatever she thinks will have nothing to do with me.

Because, even if she wanted to harm herself, then...

His eyes glanced at Lilith—

That cold, wary look suddenly met Lilith's gaze.

Even in a split second, Lilith caught the attitude in Rhodes' eyes.

Lilith, her lips pursed, nervously awaited Rhodes' arrival. But when she met his gaze, she was first stunned, then incredulous, until finally—

His heart stopped abruptly.

At that moment, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, her whole body turning cold.

That look in his eyes.

What kind of look is that?

She was treated as an "enemy"?

By whom? Rhodes...?

Suddenly, she froze, overwhelmed by a jumble of emotions—

This isn't right, this isn't right... why?

I didn't do anything, how could Rod consider me a bad guy...?

Lilith couldn't understand why Rhodes would suddenly become hostile towards her.

In fact, she had many choices and many requests.

She could have chosen to ask Rhodes to kill some necessary enemies or to resolve the troubles she hadn't dealt with in her previous life, but in the end, she chose the simplest and most deadly option.

It wasn't because the request was particularly clever, but because through it, she could be with Rhodes anytime, anywhere—that was all.

She... just wanted to be with him.

But at this moment, this most ordinary and basic requirement was shattered by this gaze.

She just wanted some time to get to know Rhodes properly, she just wanted to change the terrible outcome...

But why is this happening...?

Countless questions exploded in her mind, and Lilith attempted to use her logical thinking to extinguish this fact—

After all, she never imagined she would be subjected to such a gaze from Rhodes.

So cold, and with such indifferent gazes.

I never, ever would have imagined it.

The person you love, the person who once loved you, is now hostile towards you.

Even though Rhodes didn't say a word, just a glance was enough to push Lilith, whose mental state was already unstable, into a desperate situation.

Can--

"Okay," Rod said with a smile.

Rhodes' response at that moment suddenly froze Lilith's crumbling emotions once again.

Yes, it's not "I refuse" or "I hate you," it's "okay."

It is the simplest and cleanest word, yet... it is also the most deceptive word.

At this moment, Rhodes's gaze returned to its original state, revealing a calm and gentle expression. "I don't think I have any reason to refuse Miss Lilith's gift, do I? Thank you very much. Please take good care of me for the next month."

thump.

Lilith's heartbeat returned to normal simply because of those two simple sentences.

Blood began to flow again, and the cold body began to warm up.

She snapped out of her daze, staring blankly at Rod, her lips trembling, her eyes slightly unfocused.

She paused, lost in thought, and unconsciously asked:

"You...agree?"

"Of course, or rather, I can't disagree with what Miss Lilith says, can I?" Rhodes said, resting his chin on his hand as he pondered.

very common.

There was no trace of the coldness that had just been revealed.

Even Lilith was mesmerized by this extraordinary performance.

Rhodes... agreed? He doesn't hate me? Did I just misread it?

Am I seeing things?

It's just an illusion.

Lilith's eyes brightened instantly.

"However, Miss Lilith, if you're going to travel with me, then you'll have to get some rest early today," Rhodes said to Lilith.

"Hmm—?" Lilith blinked and asked, "You have a plan?"

"I received a request from Professor Merrick. She asked me to go to the Duke's residence to bring the Duke's daughter to the school for protection. And time is of the essence, so I have to set off tomorrow."

When Rhodes said those words, he felt a strange mix of emotions.

After all, he concealed Ivina's psychological problems.

How to put it... telling a former love interest that you're going to rescue another girl or something, isn't that...?

But when Rhodes delivered this request, which was fraught with unease, Lilith's expression suddenly froze.

A strange light flashed in her eyes:

"The task Merrick gave you?"

"Yes, the rewards are so good, I can't possibly not go," Rhodes replied.

"wrong……"

Lilith was completely surprised that Merrick would issue such a task to Rhodes.

Why?

Did Merrick actually know Ivina's importance, but failed to protect her in his previous life for special reasons?

Or perhaps Merrick also knows something, meaning that Merrick is just like himself...?

The moment this thought crossed Lilith's mind, she felt a jolt in her heart, and after a long while, she stared blankly at Rhodes—

If Merrick is the same, then Rod...

The moment this thought surfaced in Lilith's mind, an even more perfect explanation emerged.

Yes, if that's the case, then Rhodes's abnormality, his behavior...

No.

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

She rejected this possibility from the very beginning.

Because if it were that Rod, he wouldn't have abandoned me in the dungeon.

So, at most, Merrick might just have the memory, and even that might not be a real memory; it could just be a prediction or some kind of butterfly effect.

Lilith couldn't be sure which situation it was, but one thing she could be sure of was that some things in this life probably wouldn't go as she wished.

In fact, she hates change. As a deity, anything that cannot be controlled is considered heretical.

Therefore, from the moment of her resurrection, the only thing she wanted to change was the ending between her and Rhodes; she didn't want to alter anything else.

She had no intention of changing either her return to godhood or the death of those damned people.

She didn't care about the life or death of anyone except Rod, and neither did Merrick.

However, she also understood one thing.

For her now, if she doesn't look for and solve the problems, her relationship with Rod will not progress.

Therefore, she now needs to create more crises to overcome with Rhodes, and since Rhodes has already promised Merrick, there's no harm in doing so.

The only thing that needs to be confirmed is that once there's an opportunity to meet with Merrick, we can see if she really did return to this point in time with her memories intact, just like her...

After all, if even Merrick returned with his memories, then it's very likely that other powerful beings at the level of [Eternal Sage] or above would also have their memories with them, which would make things truly troublesome.

Especially her...

Cecilia Elman.

"Okay," Lilith nodded in agreement.

"Well then, get some rest, Miss Lilith. I'll be relying on you to assist me starting tomorrow. Thank you."

Lilith nodded lightly twice, and then nothing more.

Because what now confronts Rhodes and Lilith is a very big problem—

Where to sleep?

The two looked at each other, feeling awkward.

Rhodes fell into thought.

Rhodes definitely can't touch Felicity's room.

In any case, giving Lilith one or two sets of clothes that Felicity doesn't wear often is already excessive, since she has plenty of clothes and wouldn't mind.

The problem is, no matter what, he can't just let guests rest in her room without permission, right?

Therefore, there is only one room, but two people need to sleep in it...

At this point in time, they've only known each other for half a day, so no matter what, they can't just sleep in the same place.

"I'll sleep outside." Suddenly, before Rhodes could make a decision, Lilith spoke up first.

After a long pause, he added:

"Give me a blanket."

Her slender figure sat in the chair, her voice clear and cold, yet surprisingly showing a hint of yielding.

Rhodes twitched his lips, noticing the modest Lilith.

"Who lets a guest sleep in the living room? Anyway, Miss Lilith has already stained that blanket, so I don't think it's a big problem for you to continue sleeping there."

"And Miss Lilith clearly needs a private space, doesn't she? After all, it's obvious that you need to calm down."

"..." Lilith couldn't refute it, pursing her lips and feeling an awkward heat.

Almost every word Rod said was subtly jabbing at her, which was quite unpleasant.

But she didn't want to argue, since she couldn't possibly refuse Rhodes' suggestion, especially since the room was filled with his scent.

She felt a tickle in her heart. Although she wouldn't do anything bad with Rod's things... well, she probably wouldn't, but to be honest, the thought of falling asleep with that long-lost boyish feeling made her heart start pounding.

"Okay," Lilith replied calmly.

"However... actually, it's not impossible for me to sleep on the floor and you to sleep in the bed. I don't really mind such a small issue."

It was a very concise and clean sentence, completely obscuring the evil thoughts lurking in Lilith's mind, at least Rhodes couldn't detect them.

Even so, he would still choose to deny this possibility.

Because who knows if she'll try to use this to morally blackmail me...

Rhodes shook his head:

"That won't be necessary, Miss Lilith. In fact, as an Ascended Being, body temperature and sleep status are not that important."

It's simply a matter of space and environment, so you don't need to compromise.

I'll just roll up my blanket and sleep on the sofa by myself.

"Come on, I'll take you inside."

Lilith watched Rhodes get up, momentarily lost in thought, but in the end she acquiesced to it.

Don't rush... Who sleeps in the same room as someone else right after arriving? She silently gave herself that thought.

Lilith immediately followed Rhodes into the room.

The room lights had been on the whole time, so the room was still bathed in a warm, hazy glow when you came in.

"Rest well, Miss Lilith. I'll just grab a blanket; it won't take long."

Lilith didn't reply to Rhodes. She simply walked to the bedside, smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt, and sat on the soft quilt.

Rod reached into the nanmu cabinet and retrieved the quilt and pillows efficiently. He then walked to the door to leave.

"Well, goodnight, Miss Lilith."

Rhodes spoke his last words to Lilith at the door, and then closed the door with his free hand.

squeak-

The wooden door creaked open, and Rod disappeared into the house.

Lilith remained seated demurely on the edge of the bed, silent, until the sounds outside became sparse. Only then did she blink, and wicked thoughts began to arise.

It's strange, probably because I just pursued efficiency, but now not only has my desire not decreased, but I feel even more uncomfortable.

"call……"

Undeniably, even a god who inherits a divine position is, in essence, still a human being.

Not to mention that she has now lost her divine status, therefore,

Human aphrodisiacs and the feelings that arise for the opposite sex quickly fill the heart, and the look in the eyes becomes hazy and strange...

As for what she's going to do?

She was the only one who knew.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Late at night—Rhodes, wrapped in a blanket, lay on the sofa, using a pillow to support himself on the armrest, just lying there.

but--

He suddenly woke up.

Because he felt his cheek being poked by hostility from outsiders.

He was a little irritated, after all, he had been working hard all day... but when his eyes glanced at the thing that had attacked his cheek, he was stunned for a moment.

"Felicia... Hiti?"