Chapter 1189: Happily Never After [Part 1] Princess Xynalia only returned after she was sure that the pair was done with whatever they had to do in the cave behind the waterfall. The sight that welcomed her was a young lady and a young man lying on a bedroll. Her gaze landed on Thirteen, whom Kate had wrapped in a protective, loving embrace. The young man’s head was nestled on her voluptuous chest, sleeping peacefully. This wasn’t the first time Princess Xynalia saw a scene like this, so she was already used to it. There was even a time when she wondered what it would be like to hold Zion like that, while he slept. "You look very satisfied," Princess Xynalia said, her voice calm and steady. "I’m very satisfied," Kate replied. "I genuinely feel like I’m born for this moment. Born to meet Thirteen." Princess Xynalia sat down beside the sleeping young man and looked at his familiar yet unfamiliar face. He looked nearly identical to Zion, but the one before her certainly looked more handsome and more mature. "Can you tell me more about Zion, I mean... Thirteen?" Princess Xynalia asked. "You refer to him as a System, right? What is a System exactly?" Kate smiled faintly. "Super Yggdrasil Synchronized Technology Enhancing Manager. At least that’s how Thirteen explained it to me when we first met. I don’t exactly understand what it means, so I’ll just tell you what I know. "For me, a system is a miraculous thing that allows you to become stronger by completing quests. You also gain points from killing monsters, which can be used to buy items in the Item Shop. You can also use the Lottery Shop if you have accumulated enough points. Thirteen is amazing, right?" "He is," Princess Xynalia nodded, although she didn’t understand half of what Kate had explained to her. "So, basically, you do these missions, and you gain points, right? Then you use these points to get stronger by buying equipment like weapons and armor?" "Yes." Princess Xynalia nodded. "But you can also purchase other things in the System Shop, like Skill Books, Martial Techniques, as well as consumable items like rare herbs used in Alchemy." The more Kate talked, the more Princess Xynalia started to understand what a System was like. "You know, after spending many years with Thirteen... I can vaguely feel that he’s a very sad, lonely soul," Kate said softly. "I don’t know what happened to him, but he often talks about the Hosts he used to serve in the past. "You also heard his stories, right? But whenever I asked what happened to them, he would always change the subject or remain silent." Kate lightly kissed the head of Thirteen, who was in deep sleep, not aware of Kate’s conversation with Princess Xynalia. "What do you think happened to them?" Princess Xynalia inquired. "Dead," Kate answered. "Otherwise, someone as loyal as Thirteen will not leave them. But I have a feeling that the ones he told me about never had a good ending." "And why do you say that?" Kate asked in curiosity. "Because he always tells me that I’m just a cannon fodder, so I shouldn’t cause trouble wherever I go," Kate smirked. "He always says things like I should keep a low profile and continue to strive to become stronger. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎 "I also noticed he’s a bit paranoid about something happening to me all the time, especially when I’m in cities with many powerful martial artists. He’d always be on edge, like a tightly drawn bow that would snap at any moment." It wasn’t only Kate who felt this way. Since Princess Xynalia could hear Thirteen’s voice, she noticed that he would always warn Kate to keep a low profile when he enters a town or city. "I don’t know if you noticed... but I have this nagging feeling that he is about to have a breakdown," Kate said softly. "That if something doesn’t change, this kind and loving person in my arms will suffer another heartbreak, shattering him completely." The young lady held Princess Xynalia’s gaze with a helpless look on her face. "And I know that the reason for that heartbreak could be me," Kate added. "It pains me to know that Thirteen will suffer because of me." Princess Xynalia remained silent, and only the crackling embers of the campfire echoed inside the cave for a few minutes. "Then why didn’t you listen to his wish?" Princess Xynalia asked after a few minutes of silence had passed. "Didn’t he tell you to wish to become a Paragon? If you did that, maybe he wouldn’t have to feel heartbroken." "You’re right." Kate nodded. "But I’m a very selfish person. To me, Thirteen is my best friend, most loyal supporter, and caring adviser. But I have long wished to hold the System who only speaks to me inside of my head. "I want to be with him, not only in spirit, but also in body and heart. That’s why I made that wish." "Do you regret making that wish now after you got what you wanted?" Princess Xynalia inquired. "I don’t regret it," Kate answered without hesitation. "Even if I were to return in time, I will make the same wish. I mean... just look at him. Between this and being a Paragon, what will you choose?" Princess Xynalia knew that men chased power, fame, and glory. For them, getting stronger, more powerful, more wealthy, and more influential would allow them to get what they wanted. It was different for women. Sometimes, they just needed someone to hug, someone to hold, someone to be there when they needed it the most. Princess Xynalia might be a Princess, but she was still a lady. This was why she also believed that Kate didn’t make the wrong wish. "So what do you plan to do now?" Princess Xynalia crossed her arms over her chest. "Didn’t you plan to avenge your family by getting stronger?" "Yes, that’s my original plan," Kate admitted. "Even now, Assassins and Bounty Hunters are pursuing me. I’ve had multiple close calls, and the only reason I’m still alive is Thirteen’s round-the-clock support for me. "But I always have this nagging feeling... Like my days might be numbered. So I decided to become selfish this time and wish for Thirteen to be with me. "I want to make love with him, marry him, and have a family with him. I want to have a dozen kids with him. In fact, I even prepared their names in advance." "... Excuse me?" Princess Xynalia didn’t know whether she should laugh or cry because Kate had decided to make Zion her cuddle buddy and baby maker. But just as the princess was about to tell Kate that she shouldn’t treat Zion that way, the young lady suddenly said something that made her stop whatever she was going to say. "I’ll share Thirteen with you. You can possess my body and have your way with him. He’s so cute, you know? He’s so innocent, it made me fall in love with him all over again." A cheeky smirk appeared on Kate’s face as she continued the rest of what she planned to say. "I don’t know where you came from or how you appeared before me. But I do know that you are also in love with Thirteen. Aren’t you? Since you also love him, why don’t you also make love to him using my body? I won’t complain and let you have your way with him." For a brief moment, Princess Xynalia thought that she was having a negotiation with the devil, tempting her for a good time in exchange for her soul. She had entered Zion’s dream world to bring him back, but instead of doing that, she found herself wanting to stay in that world for a few more days just so she could also embrace him. "So, what’s your answer?" Kate asked. "This is a limited-time offer, you know? If you don’t accept this now, you might regret it later." The devil’s words were filled with sweet temptation. It was like a snake that was worming itself into Princess Xynalia’s heart, ready to sink its fangs into her tender flesh. The succubus princess then looked at the sleeping young man in Kate’s embrace and swallowed hard. She had already made her decision. A decision that she would regret after seeing the ending of this dream, which she wished she could erase from her memories.