Chapter 169: An Unexpected Conversation [Bonus]

Words : 988 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Anna sighed, rubbing her eyes as she sat down across from him. "Yeah..." she muttered, clearly exhausted. She glanced at what Klaus was drinking and, without hesitation, poured herself a glass of the same. Klaus raised an eyebrow as he watched her gulp down the juice in one go. "You're not worried about the trial tomorrow, are you?" Klaus asked in a sarcastic tone, trying to lighten the mood. But Anna didn't smile. Instead, she looked at him with a seriousness that made him pause. "Klaus, do you think I can make it into the top ten?" she asked, her voice steady but filled with uncertainty. Klaus took a slow sip from his drink, then replied, "Of course, Anna. You can easily make it. Just don't overthink it." His words seemed to lift some of the weight from her shoulders, but they didn't erase the doubt from her eyes. "My sister... she was first in the Regional Trial during her time. I just don't want to fall too short," Anna admitted, her tone troubled. Klaus raised an eyebrow, finally understanding why she was so tense. It was about her sister. "Anna, you're not your sister," Klaus said after a moment, his voice firmer. "You're your own person. So instead of worrying about living up to her level, focus on walking your own path." He wasn't great at comforting people, and he knew it. His reserved nature didn't leave much room for consoling others, especially when it came to women like Anna. He could be bold, even shameless, around them, but this... this was different. "You say that, but I see the way you look at me," Anna said softly, her gaze shifting. "It's not the same way you look at my sister." Her eyes held a hint of sadness that made Klaus's stomach churn. This conversation was veering in a direction he didn't want to go. Not that he hated it but he didn't want to have that conversation now, especially with an assassin currently held hostage in his room. But Klaus knew this was also a chance to play a small game on her. He gulped, feeling a sudden wave of discomfort. "Anna, I—" He struggled to find the right words, but nothing seemed right. "It's okay," she interrupted, forcing a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I just... I don't want to disappoint anyone." Klaus rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the tension rise. "You're not going to disappoint anyone. Least of all me." He meant it, but he wasn't sure if it was enough to ease her mind. He nodded, feeling a sharp pang of regret in his chest as she stood up. Anna gave him one last look, her eyes full of unsaid emotions, then turned and walked back to her room, leaving Klaus alone with his thoughts. "Little brother, that was cruel," Hanna's voice suddenly came from behind Klaus, soft but sharp. "But it had to be said, and I understand why you did it," she added, stepping closer. Klaus sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I know. But I had to check whether she would have a straight mind and continue her cultivation if something were to go wrong. I don't hate her at all, I just don't want her to get into something she later might regret. I have seen how my influence can be on people and I know despite her feelings for me, those influences might be clouding her judgment somehow. If she can get through this, then she will be ready for what comes next" Since regaining parts of his past memories, Klaus no longer felt young and naïve. The weight of his experiences had aged him beyond his years. Fruity might not be the social type, but he was in the midst of intelligent monks for over 15 years. It has been a long time since I have learned a lot about life. He was much more mature now. In the past, he wouldn't have hesitated to shower Anna with sweet words, comforting her without a second thought. But things had changed. Now he knew what needed to be done for her own good. At least for now, he wanted her to understand some things, even if it hurt. "Then why didn't you just tell her that?" Hanna asked. Klaus exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples. "Because if I pamper her and tell her all the sweet things, it might get stuck in her head. She might start believing everything is okay when it's not. Also, I want to see if she's doing all this just to please me or if she truly wants to become stronger—much stronger than she is now." Hanna nodded slowly, watching her little brother with a thoughtful expression. She understood what he was trying to say, even if it wasn't easy to hear. "And," Klaus continued, a faint smile pulling at the corner of his lips, "if I'd been all sweet now, it would've spoiled my reward for her after the trial tomorrow." "A reward?" Hanna raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Yeah," Klaus said, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I've got something planned. She just needs to prove herself first." He leaned back, letting out a small chuckle. "But she'll never see it coming." Well, that would have been true if not for a certain young lady currently hiding beside the doorway, eavesdropping on Klaus and Hanna's conversation. Lily, with a mischievous grin on her face, had overheard everything. She tiptoed away, barely excited, before bolting down the hall and straight into Anna's room. A few moments later, the sad Anna was now smiling, the previous sadness washed away. Klaus's mission to test her has clearly failed.

Chapter 169: An Unexpected Conversation [Bonus]

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