Chapter 646: ‘A Poisonous Move’

Duke understood the melancholy enveloping Jandice.

Jandice, born into the declining Barov family, instinctively felt inferior upon witnessing King Daelin of Kul Tiras practically auctioning off Jaina. Duke, who initially thought she, like Vereesa, was a gentle woman, was now startled to realize that Jandice, a noblewoman, was far more fragile than the women of the Windrunner family!

The women of the Windrunner family were always brimming with confidence.

Despite Vereesa's gentle demeanor, she was uncompromising on the battlefield. If Duke were to perish, or worse, become a ghoul, Vereesa would undoubtedly be the type to slay ghoul-Duke through her tears, only allowing herself to weep once the battle had concluded.

Jandice...clearly needed consolation.

Duke embraced Jandice tightly, "I swear, I will never marry Jaina!"

Jandice shuddered, scarcely believing her ears. She couldn't comprehend why Duke would reject Jaina, who was not only of noble birth and could serve as a political ally but also young and beautiful.

Yet, in the next moment, Jandice filled in the blanks herself.

"Thank you, Duke. Even if it's a lie, I am content even in death," she said, turning and burying her head in Duke's chest.

Duke...was at a loss for words!

From the first day he traversed to Azeroth, Duke adhered to one truth--the princesses of Azeroth were all damn traps!

Starting from that female boar named 'Princess' in Elwynn Forest, to the caged bear princess on Bloodmyst Isle, to the Earth Princess Myzrael who tricked the orcs, to the princess in Maraudon with the 40-80-40 figure, and even to the seemingly most normal princess who sold out her father, Jaina...

The examples of treacherous princesses were endless!

Jandice could never understand Duke's fear of princesses, akin to fearing ghosts. Fortunately, this did not hinder her from sensing Duke's resolve.

Duke could feel the maiden in his arms completely intoxicated, and if he were to advance, Jandice would likely not resist. But Duke's scarce conscience was acting up!

Although Duke was not a good man and had fantasized about "profiting for three years, never losing in the long term," when it came down to it, girls under 18 were beyond his hunting range.

Hadn't it always been written that women should not marry under 20?

Alright! Even after traversing, one should not oppose the national policy. What if there was a chance to traverse back, turn his story into a novel, and then have the book banned?

The author would have nowhere to cry!

In this moment, Duke was a righteous and reliable young gentleman!

In this moment, Duke was universally beloved, a man of integrity!

Duke actually resisted, gently patting Jandice's back, comforting the sensitive girl.

Pressed against Duke's chest, Jandice could clearly feel Duke's excitement and subsequent calm. She slowly lifted her head, gazing into Duke's deep black eyes, her face awash with a shy blush: "Duke, actually I...can..."

Duke gently shook his head, then whispered into Jandice's ear: "I promise you, when you turn 18, I will give you a true coming-of-age gift."

This time, Jandice's pretty face truly blushed crimson, slowly closing her eyes: "I want a promise from you, not the kind that's just spoken."

Duke teased, "It was clearly a 'verbal' promise!"

Jandice, too embarrassed to handle it, ran away like the wind.

Watching the beauty's figure disappear from his sight, Duke turned his head, and immediately facepalmed.

Damn, did they really have to appear out of nowhere like that?

Appearing in his field of vision were two pairs of long, slender legs unique to high elves. The Windrunner sisters had somehow seated themselves on the room's crossbeam.

"Uh, when did you two come in?"

Alleria, feigning thoughtfulness, pointed to her pointed chin with her right index finger, pondering, then turned to ask her younger sister: "Yeah! When did we come in?"

Vereesa, with a blooming smile, responded: "From when little Jandice started folding the quilt."

"Pfft!" Duke spat out.

Damn it, so they've been here from the start?

Duke complained, "Don't scare people! Why are you hiding on the crossbeam without concealing your aura?"

"We weren't hiding! We've been up here the whole time. Who told you to pounce on little Jandice as soon as you entered the room without even looking?" Alleria enjoyed seeing Duke embarrassed.

"Sister said she wanted to see if you were utterly enchanted by little Jaina," Vereesa unapologetically sold out her sister.

"Sister, just because you're my real sister doesn't mean you can casually betray me!" Alleria theatrically waved her little fist.

"Help, Duke, sister is going to get me!" Vereesa exclaimed, jumping down. A gust of wind supported her slender body, and Vereesa gently floated down. Duke easily caught Vereesa in a princess carry.

Watching Vereesa's smooth little legs swinging in his right field of vision, Duke laughed, "Don't be jealous. Nefarian's good stuff, how could I forget your share?"

Duke lifted a pair of boots, not particularly eye-catching in color, from his space bag.

But Duke knew, Vereesa would definitely like them. For a ranger who needed to stay hidden, bright colors were actually not practical.

These brown-based boots, while not as useful as green, were quite good.

"These are the [Boots of Dormant Dreams]! Definitely much better than your rare-quality ones."

Vereesa didn't descend, just stayed in Duke's arms, putting on the boots right away: "Awesome, I feel much lighter."

"What about mine?" Alleria sat on the crossbeam, fingers interlocked under her chin, gazing at her lover.

Duke simply tossed a belt, which Alleria caught.

"This is the [Belt of Close Friends]!"

"Oh! By the Sunwell, so we're just close friends? I'm heartbroken!" Alleria began her acting, appearing utterly devastated.

Duke's face darkened, but he quickly adopted a similarly sorrowful expression: "I too once considered you a big sister, my close friend! Who knew you would use your astonishing beauty to seduce me? You must know, back then, I was just a child! You actually...you actually took such a poisonous move..."

Actor Duke was so sincere and earnest that, without knowing the truth, one might really think Alleria was a female predator. "Pfft!" This time it was Vereesa's turn to laugh so hard she almost cramped.

Alleria, feigning anger and embarrassment, declared: "You little rascal! Taking advantage of us sisters and still making sarcastic remarks!? Fine, you! I'm coming down to give you a 'poisonous move' right now!"

The trio immediately descended into playful chaos.