36. the Enlightenment Tree

'I was too emotional and rushed. It was just that the sorrow on that stunningly beautiful face was too mesmerizing.'

'But I was too quick—what will she think of me? A scoundrel? A pervert?'

'Calm down, me. You need a legitimate reason for that action.'

Retracting his hand, Noah took a deep breath, maintaining a calm expression.

After a moment of silence, seeing the beautiful woman in front of him looking both confused and wary, he spoke softly.

"I was a bit careless. You greatly resemble someone I once knew. The expression you just made… reminds me of someone I can never meet again… But in the end, you are not her. I was out of line."

Hearing that, Lalatina realized that she had overreacted. However, when the master touched her, a repulsive feeling ran through her entire body, as if something filthy had made contact. But, as a princess, she quickly regained her composure and bowed her head shyly.

"Senior, do I really resemble someone you once knew?"

That shy expression... Even though it felt like wild horses were stampeding through his heart, Noah maintained a composed demeanor as he replied.

"She had a few similarities to you—her kindness and goodness were written all over her face, her eyes pure and complex like crystals... All meetings end in parting, and time and responsibility have imprisoned me here."

..Sighing, his voice continued..

"When I first met you, I felt a familiar presence, reminiscent of her."

..Silence fell as he looked into the distance...

"I thought that fate brought you here to help me forget the past. Guiding a younger generation to maturity might soothe the pain of this longing. Have I been unreasonable?"

'System . is my image still being strengthened??' he thought.

A serene, unwavering voice echoed back.

The AI butler is still operational, and your image remains intact.

'good'

...

Although Lalatina still felt somewhat uncomfortable, the story of a man who, due to responsibility, had been separated from his loved one and continued to yearn for her for millennia moved her deeply.

"Master, you shouldn't be so burdened by sadness. Though I am not 'her,' as you said, perhaps this is an opportunity for you to move past this sorrow… I will serve and care for you properly."

Seeing the detailed expressions in her eyes—the slight furrow of her brows, the quivering of her lips, and the delicate fragrance in the air at such close range—Noah couldn't help but marvel.

The fear, joy, sadness, admiration, pity, and determination all flashed across her beautiful face.

Indeed, beautiful people make everything seem perfect. In the end, everything worked out, and though there was some lying involved, it shouldn't be a big deal.

"Alright, thank you. You don't need to be so formal. From now on, just call me 'Master.' Where are the others?"

"Master, after receiving recognition from the command token, everyone has gone on their respective tasks." The voice is light, clear and easy to hear c

"Off on missions, huh. System, what exactly are they doing?" Noah thought.

The AI butler responded, "Twenty servants under the jurisdiction of Divine Order, they went on a mission, mysterious forces, omnipotent manor."

"Alright. You and the other two can go have breakfast. Don't overwork yourselves—if you can't finish today, continue tomorrow. No need to rush. Also, sitting under the Enlightenment Tree for too long isn't good either."

Hearing this, Lalatina Celeste's eyes lit up with hope as she asked excitedly, "Tomorrow, may I continue sitting under the Enlightenment Tree?"

Noah was slightly surprised by her enthusiasm but nodded affirmatively.

"You may."

'That's wonderful—having the opportunity to sit under the Enlightenment Tree is something even great scholars would find hard to resist. If it weren't for the fact that they feared the person in front of them, who would willingly leave? But it seemed that this Master wasn't as frightening as initially thought. At least, not for me-Lalatina Celeste,

Seeing the sweet smile on Lalatina's face, Noah barely suppressed the urge to pull the beauty into his arms and savor the softness of her lips...

"Hurry and go eat breakfast."

Sensing the heavy atmosphere from the Master, Lalatina Celeste realized she might have gone too far. Bowing her head slightly, she lifted the hem of her dress and sweetly replied, "Yes, I will take my leave, Master."

As he watched her graceful figure leave, and recalled her soft-spoken voice, Noah couldn't help but imagine himself on a bed, ravishing her, with her calling out, "Husband, have mercy…" in that same sweet tone.

That image lingered in his mind, like stubborn weeds that refused to be uprooted.

Suddenly, without knowing when, Aurelius Liora and Luna Hart were kneeling in front of him.

"You two… why are you kneeling? You've both awakened. Did you gain anything?"