Empress of the Skies: The Dragon Emperor is Obsessed with Me

"Ugh! Are you okay, Nero?" V breathed a sigh of relief; she smiled broadly, embracing Nero, who fell right into her arms. "Fortunately, I was able to catch you."

Nero's head throbbed with pain; he wasn't sure what was happening, distorted.

V had no choice but to throw the ladder to the other side, catching Nero right above her chest, saving him from danger. A fatal impact would endanger his life.

Yet the impact of the head hitting V's ribs—made her grimace in soreness. As long as Nero was okay. Valeska felt the same responsibility. After seeing Hadeon mercilessly strangle his neck, if something bad really happened to Nero back then, V was wracked with guilt; she wouldn't be able to bear the loss a second time. 

Nero tried to get up; there was a painful pressure burning in his heart, as if a sword laced with the hottest poison was stabbing repeatedly, until it pierced his back. Then various fragments of memories flashed in his mind. 

You damn cursed!

V squealed in panic, realizing her shirt was covered in blood stains. "You have a nosebleed!"

"I'm fine..." Nero replied stammeringly. He held his head that was stung by an intense stabbing ache; he was flooded with cold sweat; the soreness in his heart was getting unbearable, while his nosebleed blood continued to flow profusely.

"Stop saying you're okay! You're not! Oh, no. There's so much blood." V panicked; she jolted up, supporting Nero in her arms. Pulling out a handkerchief to cover Nero's nose. "I'll take you to the hospital!" 

Nero was helpless, unable to move his body other than curling up like a limp piece of meat. Yet it was painful; Nero didn't want to make things tough for V. He sat up with difficulty, leaned against the wall, and forced a smile. "No need! I'm always afraid to go to the hospital; just sit down for a while; I'll be fine."

This fiery black smoke that filled this entire room was coming from his body. Even that black smoke was like a curse that wanted to pull Nero in and swallow him whole. 

Nero just hoped V didn't see this horrible side of him.

"Gosh, why do you insist so much, anyway?! But you don't have a fever." V grumbled; she motioned for Nero's head to stay up while carrying him to the bed. "Just take rest. I'm going to the pharmacy for a while to find some medicine or something that can help."

Nero's eyes were shut; he just wanted this damned flare to end soon. This burning pressure all over his body was as if he were completely roasted in a blazing fire. But Nero refused; when V intended to leave, Nero gripped her wrist tightly. He winced. "Don't go. Stay here, please, V."

"But," V felt doubtful; she was still so worried about his current condition. "You look like you're dying so much! I can't let you be in pain! Even if you fall down, as long as I'm around—I won't let you get hurt!"

Not sure if his consciousness was stuck between the state of wakefulness or stupor, something roared inside him, beneath his consciousness the sound of a monster bubbling in his head cavity. The leviathan monster, red-eyed, had its body covered in black flames with fiery red light. Continuing to blaze, growing larger, the monster growled furiously.

How many times have I told you this is your destiny?! You can't runaway from this! Whatever effort you make is just in vain! 

As that monster of black flames with dazzling reddish light moved, approaching him, it let out a horrible, jagged hole, as if it were about to sink Nero to the bottom of the deepest darkness. He was on fire; he groaned in his mind as his hands grasped V's fingers with all their might.

"Nero!"

Valeska, who always kept her word, even when Nero felt hopeless and had completely sunk to the bottom of the darkness. Then, a blindingly luminous white light came with a cool breeze, like a great celestial goddess power. Her wide white wings seemed to embrace Nero so gently. Nero could see vividly as V's hands enveloped in that stunning white light rescued him—pulling him from the confines of the darkness so that all the pain burning his body disappeared instantly.

Once again, she saves Nero from the verge of death.

***

"Hng," V moaned; she had just woken up, rubbed her eyes, and was jolted to feel the cold, empty bed. V gasped as she noticed the clock on the wall. "Oh my, how long have I been asleep? Nero?! Where's he?!"

Silence, no answer, or sign of Nero's presence. Valeska got up, randomly mess-tying her ombre hair. Looking around for Nero. V stopped, seeing the dining table filled with various food; it was still warm, but V was still not calm before finding Nero.

"NERO!" Valeska rapidly went down to the shop, considering that there were still many things she had to do again. Valeska had intended to hire some services and labor that would help her build this shop to completion. 

V really wanted to turn this shop into a café restaurant; she had gotten that approval from Sir Walker; even he trusted her abilities. V didn't want to disappoint their trust.

"What the?!" V's jaw dropped as her feet frozen. She was so flabbergasted as she watched the entire tavern room change completely. "What the hell happened?!"

All the interiors were clearly visible—the blue sky behind the crystal-clear glass windows, the brown and black wooden furniture showing its luster, the long-armed sofas with cushions, the rows of display cases, the furniture, the glass vases filled with blooming rustic flowers—it was exactly as V had dreamed.

An abandoned tavern that has now been transformed into a magnificent urban cozy café & restaurant. All the details—not a single one was left out—even the wall on the other side of the room that V wanted to set up as a minimalist library as well as bookshops—so confused, V fingered the rows of books, making sure this was really happening.

Many times, she pinched or hit her own cheeks until she winced in ache. "Gosh, this isn't an illusion. It's real!"

The enchanting feel of all the spots...

"How is that possible? In one night? This is impossible." V stammered, still finding it so hard until she doesn't know how to react. "What have I missed? NERO!"

Nero's head emerged from the back room door. His face, hands, and neck were covered in paint stains. He seemed relieved to see V look better. "Morning, howdy, sis? Are you okay?"

"I should have asked that. You were the one who fainted last night. You refused treatment from the hospital, and I fell asleep; soree." V sighed. She rubbed the cold nape of her neck, walked over to Nero, and shook his shoulders while checking the temperature from his forehead with the back of her hand. "There is no high fever. Have you recovered? Tell me if you still feel sick."

"I'm fine." Nero shrugged. His calm and flat face was charming.

"Really? Thank goodness, did you have breakfast? What happened to this place?"

"Why? Isn't all this exactly what you wanted, sis'? Is there something missing? You don't like it?"

V held up a hand. "That's not what I meant. Yes, I like it so much, but isn't it impossible for you to do this all by yourself? I feel insane, Nero."

Nero took off his gloves; he answered with the corner of his eye glancing in the other direction; he explained through his innocent expression. "Oh that, I wasn't the only one working on it; there were a few people who came to help me, but strangely enough, they have now disappeared somewhere. I'm looking for them too."

"Some people? Come to help you?" V scoffed; she briefly laughed but hissed in exasperation in the end. Her brows furrowed. "Don't fool me with that charming face of yours! You're lying again? That bad excuse. Who are they? We just moved here; we don't know anyone."

"Now you have any doubts about miracles, sis?" Nero sighed softly, sounding gloomy. "Just as I met you, this is another miracle too. Let's just say it's good luck for you after going through a hell fate before. This is what you deserve. So, enjoy it."

V remained silent, feeling stunned by Nero's words. Her head became dizzy. V was a bit mystified; sometimes she didn't know how to deal with Nero; it wasn't a matter of fear or unfamiliarity, but V always felt that—Nero was mysterious and hiding something. She ordered absolutely. "Tell me the truth."

"Well, if you don't trust me, you saw it, right? Everything's ready; the enthusiasm of the locals is also good; they keep asking me when the coffee shops will open." Nero took a sip of his drink; his forehead flooded with sweat, and he's reluctant to argue if V keeps pushing him.

At least, give me some praise. This is my hard work for you.

But Nero was flabbergasted when V wiped his face with a mild towel.

"Thanks a ton, Nero," V smiled sweetly, finally giving in to this super strange situation and cleaning Nero's face gently. "My mistake doubted you. Don't look so upset. You are indeed a good luck charm for me. You're working so hard. As a gift, whatever you want, I'll definitely grant it. We'll find those people; we should at least make something for them as a token of gratitude. Your body is covered in paint. Why didn't you wake me up? We should finish this together, bro."

"Yes," Nero stated, hiding the blush on his cheeks, his eyes darting in the other direction; he wasn't averse to being this close to V; this kind of affectionate treatment—unexpectedly—would make the blood flow thump violently in Nero's head cavity.

V took the gloves and paintbrush, saying and smiling cheerfully. "Well, my golden boy. We'll finish it. Show me which part you haven't painted yet."

Nero scoffed, Golden Boy? I like it.

***